The East Garden is quite large, with Chonghua Hall in the middle, Hongqing Hall in the east, and Ningfu Palace in the west.

There is a stone bridge called Feihong Bridge. The bridge is built of white stone and is carved with animals such as dragons and fish, which are lifelike. The river under the bridge has frozen over.

Su Wanwan stood on the Feihong Bridge, looking at Ningfu Palace not far away.

"Mother!" Yan Ge'er, wrapped up tightly, rushed over like a little cannonball and threw himself into Su Wanwan's arms.

I was so happy when my mother picked me up from school for the first time.

Yang Zhen walked over, wearing a silver-gray cloak. He had a cool and outstanding temperament, stood tall and elegant, and bowed in greeting.

"Yongxiu greets Your Majesty the Empress."

Su Wanwan smiled and said, "Thank you for your careful guidance, Mr. Yang. He talks about you every day when he comes home lately."

Yang Zhen's gaze fell on Yan Ge'er.

Yan Ge leaned against Su Wanwan, looking at her with his big, dark eyes filled with admiration.

A smile involuntarily appeared on Yang Zhen's usually cool and reserved face.

He didn't actually like children that much.

However, since I had taken on this task, I put a lot of thought into how to introduce early childhood education to a three-year-old.

Fortunately, the results were good.

Su Wanwan had a thank-you gift presented to her.

One of them was a thin booklet.

"I have heard a poignant story and am thinking about how to embellish it so that it will be talked about in teahouses and taverns and spread far and wide."

"Mr. Yang is a man of great talent; would you be willing to lend a helping hand?"

Su Wanwan asked with a slight smile.

Yang Zhen's aura turned colder, and his expression became distant and unapproachable.

"Your Majesty knows perfectly well that seeking Yongxiu's help is never a good choice, no matter what the matter is."

Su Wanwan turned around and looked at the azure sky in the distance and the remaining snow piled up by the roadside, and chuckled, "No, Mr. Yang is the best choice."

"However, if you insist on being pedantic and rigid, I will not force you; I will find someone else."

As he spoke, he instructed the palace servants to take the book back.

Yang Zhen's temple twitched, and he felt a burning sensation on his face.

He was called pedantic and rigid.

Isn't he just being pedantic and rigid?

The renowned scholar Yang was surprisingly less courageous and decisive than a woman.

He was the eldest son of the Grand Secretary, and in terms of background and family history, he was no less than Su Wanwan.

Yet he lived such a pathetic life.

Once bitten by a snake, one becomes afraid and hesitant to move forward.

It was merely a case of being framed and failing the imperial examination.

From the moment the marriage was arranged, he seemed to suddenly lose the vigor of his youth. He no longer sought to make mistakes, but only to behave properly and avoid offending anyone.

I feel the shackles on my body getting heavier and heavier.

And what about the woman in front of me?

She seemed indifferent to everything.

She lost her husband, was stripped of her title, and her reputation was tarnished.

Every major event that would have been enough to make a young woman weep and devastate seemed insignificant in her eyes.

She also married the emperor with ease, becoming the only woman in the harem and the empress in the central palace.

Nothing can defeat her.

In the "Guihu Qu" incident, they were all victims.

She remained nonchalant and unconcerned, while he, on the other hand, became hesitant and overly cautious.

Is he still a man?

Yang Zhen was deeply moved.

As Su Wanwan gracefully moved to leave, he finally spoke:

"It is my good fortune that Your Majesty trusts me, and I am willing to offer my humble assistance."

Su Wanwan turned around and smiled meaningfully:

"If there are any difficulties in this matter, there is no need to force it. Just tell me one thing, sir."

Yang Zhen knew she was using reverse psychology, but he still took a deep breath and calmly accepted the booklet handed to him by the palace maid.

After looking through it, he gasped in shock.

He knew about the case of the Imperial Censor who committed suicide on a boat.

It's actually going to be compiled into opera lyrics and sung in the streets, alleys, teahouses and taverns.

This matter points directly to Liu Jin, the "Nine Thousand Years Old," who was accused of extorting bribes on a large scale.

Does this mean he and Liu Jin are going to openly compete against each other?

Su Wanwan raised an eyebrow: "What, are you scared, sir?"

Yang Zhen made a decision immediately.

"If Your Majesty is not afraid, why should I be afraid?"

He was a student of Grand Secretary Li Dongqian, and his father was Grand Secretary Yang Ting. In terms of background, he was no less impressive than Su Wanwan.

With Empress Su Wanwan as his partner, if he's still afraid of this and that, he'll never amount to anything in his life.

Su Wanwan nodded approvingly at him: "Then I will await your good news, sir."

Back at Kunning Palace, Heying was still completely bewildered:

"Your Majesty, how can you be so sure that Mr. Yang will help you?"

Su Wanwan smiled slightly and said, "You can tell just by looking at his eyes."

Su Wanwan had lived under the roof of others in the palace for many years, and her skill from a young age was to read people's expressions and moods.

While others might suffer greatly for offending Liu Jin, Yang Zhen might not.

Young masters from prominent families have their own pride, especially a great talent like Yang Zhen who has been famous since childhood.

He Ying's eyes flickered, and she said admiringly, "Your Majesty, you are so amazing."

From Zhang Yong to Yang Zhen, and even Liu Qi, the methods used by the Empress were completely different.

Su Wanwan pulled her down to sit and asked earnestly:

"The Emperor asked me today whether he wanted to bestow a marriage upon you and the heir of the Marquis of Wuding."

What are your own thoughts?

He Ying's eyes reddened, and she lowered her head, biting her lip without saying a word.

Su Wanwan stroked her hair and said earnestly:

"Although we are master and servant, I also regard you as my younger sister."

"Just tell me what you're thinking, and I'll definitely stand up for you and make sure you don't suffer any injustice, okay?"

He Ying rested her head on Su Wanwan's shoulder, tears streaming down her face.

Su Wanwan said, "Although the Marquis of Wuding's mansion is prestigious, you are no less so. You are the most capable person by my side. After you marry into the family, no one will dare to look down on you."

"But it has to be something you're willing to do."

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