Extra 2
Emperor Yan did not believe in fate before. His favorite saying was, "Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?"
But now he feels he has no choice but to believe.
Emperor Yan personally ordered that Consort Han be banished to the Cold Palace, and Yan Dongsheng was also imprisoned.
Besides, everyone who came to request the appointment of a crown prince was imprisoned.
The people in the capital were in a state of panic, but because the news was blocked, it couldn't get out for a while, which gave Emperor Yan time to deal with the problems of those powerful families.
At this time, Emperor Yan and Yan Shujin were both in the Empress Dowager's palace. The Empress Dowager was still very weak, and everything outside was being kept from her. However, when the Empress Dowager saw her granddaughter, she tremblingly reached out and grabbed Yan Shujin's hand: "Sister Bao."
Yan Shujin knelt by the bed, pressing her face against Empress Dowager Yan's palm: "Grandmother."
Empress Dowager Yan stroked her granddaughter's face: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Help me up."
The palace maid quickly helped Empress Dowager Yan sit up and placed several cushions behind her so that she could lean on them without having to exert herself.
Empress Dowager Yan asked, "Where is your father?"
Yan Shujin was unaware of the Empress Dowager's injury before she arrived, and upon hearing this, she said, "Father is still in the southwest."
Emperor Yan said, "I haven't told Zhili about this yet. Baojie came back because of something else."
Empress Dowager Yan looked somewhat disappointed, but then said, "Important matters are at stake. I'm fine, there's no need to send him back."
Despite saying this, Yan Shujin could tell that Empress Dowager Yan missed her son.
Emperor Yan also realized this, but since Prince Xuan could not return to the capital at this time, he said, "Baojie, please stay with your grandmother for a while. I will take care of things outside."
Yan Shujin readily agreed. After Emperor Yan took control of the capital, Yan Shujin ordered Han Jing to lead his troops out of the capital and set up camp at the location designated by Emperor Yan.
Ultimately, it's about avoiding suspicion and expressing one's attitude.
Emperor Yan saw this but said nothing. Yan Shujin had entered the palace alone, and if he really wanted to do something, Yan Shujin would have no chance to resist.
If he were in Yan Shujin's shoes, Emperor Yan felt he could not have made the same decision.
After Emperor Yan left, Empress Dowager Yan pulled Yan Shujin to sit on the edge of the bed, carefully looked at her, and asked, "Have you eaten?"
"I'm a little hungry," Yan Shujin said with a grin. "I know there's something delicious here at Grandma's, so I deliberately kept my stomach empty."
Seeing her granddaughter's attitude, Empress Dowager Yan felt that her sudden return to the capital was suspicious, but she also wondered if she was overthinking things.
Empress Dowager Yan ordered a meal to be prepared for Yan Shujin and asked, "Why did Baojie suddenly return?"
Yan Shujin was unwilling to lie to Empress Dowager Yan, and said, "His Majesty asked me to come back to do some things."
Empress Dowager Yan frowned. Although no one told her about things outside, some things happened right in her palace, so she still knew a little about them: "Has the Crown Prince been chosen?"
Yan Shujin thought of Yan Dongsheng, who was imprisoned, and said, "No."
Empress Dowager Yan waved for everyone to leave, then pulled Yan Shujin aside and whispered, "I was pushed down the steps. I don't know who wanted to harm this old woman."
Yan Shujin gritted her teeth and said, "I'll help Grandmother investigate."
"Some time ago, those people forced His Majesty to make Yan Dongsheng the Crown Prince." Empress Dowager Yan looked exhausted. "The Prime Minister's family is all dead, His Majesty is vomiting blood and has been taking medicine. I vaguely heard the imperial physicians advising His Majesty that the medicine would affect his lifespan."
Yan Shujin never expected that Emperor Yan's health had deteriorated to this extent.
Empress Dowager Yan hesitated for a moment before saying, "I will persuade His Majesty to let your father return to the capital, and the position of Crown Prince..."
Yan Shujin understood the meaning behind Empress Dowager Yan's words. She did not want Yan Dongsheng to obtain the position of Crown Prince, but Emperor Yan only had two sons, and the other was too weak. If something were to happen to him, it would be inappropriate for Prince Xuan not to be in the capital.
"If that doesn't work, let Guige come back," Empress Dowager Yan said. "Even if Guige is adopted by His Majesty, he will still be your own brother."
Yan Shujin finally understood what Empress Dowager Yan meant. In fact, Empress Dowager Yan preferred Yan Qiyu to be the crown prince: "Grandmother, do you think my younger brother can handle the current situation?"
Empress Dowager Yan said matter-of-factly, "With your assistance, and the support of His Majesty and your father, those people won't be able to cause any trouble."
Yan Shujin replied, "That depends on His Majesty's decision."
Empress Dowager Yan nodded and said, "I will speak to His Majesty later."
Yan Shujin lowered her eyes slightly and said, "Grandmother, Consort Han has been imprisoned in the Cold Palace, Yan Dongsheng has been thrown into jail, and many officials in the court and their families have also been arrested and imprisoned."
Empress Dowager Yan's expression changed drastically, and she asked, "Has something happened? His Majesty summoned you back..."
"Yes," Yan Shujin said. "I came back to help His Majesty quell the rebellion, and now the situation is initially stable."
Empress Dowager Yan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good. If possible, try to stay as long as possible, at least until Guige becomes the Crown Prince."
Yan Shujin got up and poured a glass of water for Empress Dowager Yan, saying, "Grandmother, please moisten your mouth and rest for a while."
Empress Dowager Yan, feeling tired after saying all this, said: "Alright, go out and get something to eat."
Yan Shujin said softly, "I know, then I'll come to see Grandmother again later."
Empress Dowager Yan hummed in agreement. Yan Shujin then had the servants come in, carefully helped Empress Dowager Yan lie down, and then left.
The meal was ready, and it was all Yan Shujin's favorite food; she was indeed hungry.
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