Xu Tong glared angrily at Xiao Shu'er.
Meng Yuxiu frowned slightly, sensing that this matter was not simple.
Xiao Shu'er continued, "Let me tell you, the person who brought you here is that Three Pages Gate guy, right!"
Three-page gate!
Meng Yuxiu was startled and subtly began to scrutinize Xiao Shuer.
Xiao Shu'er glanced at him casually and said, "Your Majesty, I recently had my cousin help me investigate some things. This investigation uncovered the gang established by that traitorous official. It seems some remnants of the previous dynasty are stirring up trouble again!"
Meng Yuxiu asked, "How did Hu Cheng know about these things?"
Xiao Shu'er sneered, "General, everyone has their own abilities. Just because you don't know something doesn't mean you can't let others know it."
Meng Yuxiu sensed a hidden meaning in her words, especially since her mother-in-law was likely still in her hands. He worried that she might use this to shift the blame onto Chang Lili. Meng Yuxiu's eyes darkened, and he coldly stared at Xiao Shuer, waiting to see what she was going to say.
The emperor's expression changed drastically. This was no longer a power struggle within the harem; it involved the fate of the nation. How could he remain calm and composed?
The emperor looked coldly at Xu Tong and said in a deep voice, "Who exactly sent you into the palace?"
Xu Tong looked at the emperor with a half-smile: "Your Majesty's words mean you've concluded that I was sent here by someone else. Are you not going to help your sister's grievances?"
Even dragons have their Achilles' heel, and the emperor, barely containing his rage, roared, "What is your relationship with the Three Pages Sect?!"
At the same time, Xiao Lingshou, who was rushing back to the palace, happened to hear the emperor's angry shout. Just as he was about to step inside, he was stopped by someone. He looked at the aunt beside the empress and said cautiously, "Your Highness, Her Majesty has asked you not to go in for the time being."
Upon learning what had happened, Xiao Lingshou asked in confusion, "The Three-Page Gate?"
"It's a small, insignificant gang, but it's connected to remnants of the previous dynasty. His Majesty is furious right now. Your Highness, don't go in. Just leave it to Her Majesty."
"Does the Empress Dowager know about this?"
The palace maid nodded gently at him.
Inside the palace, the emperor was furious because of the three-page door that had been mentioned. Xu Tong insisted that she was avenging her sister and refused to explain Xiao Shu'er's questions, which further fueled the already sensitive and suspicious emperor's anger.
Xiao Shuer continued, “Your Majesty, according to Hu Cheng’s investigation, this Three Pages Sect always wears black and acts mysteriously. They have been active in the vicinity of the capital. We don’t know if they have secret units in other places. What’s most frightening is that we don’t know where their influence has infiltrated. For example, they were able to send this woman into the palace so easily. I’m afraid they have people in the palace as well.”
"What?!"
The emperor was startled and hurriedly grabbed the armrest of the chair. It felt as if a cold wind had swept through the palace, and a cold sweat suddenly broke out on his back. He looked around at everyone and felt a moment of unfamiliarity.
He no longer cared about the mysterious death of a certain beauty and demanded a thorough investigation of the palace, starting from the day Xu Tong entered the palace.
"I want to see how this Three-Page Gate has managed to infiltrate the palace! Meng Yuxiu, you are in charge of thoroughly investigating the capital and beyond! If any traitors or rebels are found, execute them without exception!"
Meng Yuxiu knelt down, supporting himself on his knees: "This humble general accepts the order."
As for Xu Tong, he was also imprisoned, and the emperor no longer cared about him.
A farce was thus overshadowed by a much larger conspiracy.
The emperor, with a headache, waved for everyone to leave, but the empress remained kneeling on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, I have one more request."
"What is it?"
"Your Majesty, I wish to go to Huguo Temple to study Buddhist teachings. Please grant me permission."
The emperor looked up in surprise, and the others were also slightly startled.
Going to a Buddhist temple to study Buddhist teachings is usually a place where deposed empresses are placed. Is this the Empress's place?
"I have been having nightmares lately and wish to go to a Buddhist temple to pray for Your Majesty and for the Yun Kingdom. Please grant me permission."
"This harem..."
“There is Consort Lan, and there is also the Eldest Princess.”
Xiao Shuer and Consort Lan exchanged a glance, both wondering what the Empress wanted. It was already unexpected that she had helped Consort Lan before, but now she was going to give up the position of the head of the six palaces that she had held so tightly for so many years.
The emperor was already annoyed and didn't care what the empress was planning, so he impatiently agreed.
The Empress then said, "Before I leave the palace, I have another request. The Crown Prince has come of age and should have someone to help him manage the affairs of the Eastern Palace. I think the daughter of the Lu family is quite suitable. What does Your Majesty think?"
Consort Lan was startled. The Lu family? The Lu family was a deputy general! But she had no son, let alone a son who could marry a girl from the Lu family. She could only secretly tighten her handkerchief.
Having previously failed to arrange a marriage, and considering the Crown Prince's gloomy personality and the connections behind the Lu family, the Emperor did not immediately agree. He said, "Marriage is a matter of personal choice. Since the Empress likes her, I will have the Lu family send that girl to the palace for a few days to see what the Crown Prince thinks. Alright, all of you may leave. I am tired."
Meng Yuxiu strode out and met Xiao Lingshou outside the hall, clasping his hands in greeting: "Your Highness."
Xiao Lingshou nodded slightly and asked, "Have Father and the others finished speaking?"
Meng Yuxiu nodded, remaining as taciturn as ever, never speaking much about the imperial court or the harem.
Xiao Lingshou wanted to get closer to this general, but he couldn't find a suitable way.
Meng Yuxiu may seem to only be concerned with military affairs, but he is actually very thoughtful. He is not the kind of rookie who was born halfway through his career. He is both brave and resourceful, otherwise he would not have achieved such military exploits at such a young age.
At this moment, Xiao Shuer also came out, looked at the two people outside the door, and said, "Your Highness has also arrived. The Empress was just talking to the Emperor about your marriage."
"marriage?"
Seeing Xiao Lingshou's expression change, Xiao Shu'er smiled and said, "You don't know? Perhaps your mother has made arrangements. You are the Crown Prince, and some things cannot be delayed."
Consort Lan felt slightly relieved to see Xiao Lingshou's resistance.
No matter what kind of game the Empress is playing, the only person she can use is Xiao Lingshou. Unfortunately, Xiao Lingshou has been at the imperial mausoleum for several years and still has no influence.
Thinking of this, she regained confidence in her pregnancy.
Regardless of what the three were thinking, Meng Yuxiu said, "Your Highness, I have something to discuss with you."
"The General is truly persistent, still remembering this matter." Xiao Shu'er walked forward slowly, a half-smile on her face.
Meng Yuxiu followed her and said in a low voice, "Princess knows why I have come. I hope that you will not put me in a difficult position."
"Difficult? Who would dare to make things difficult for you? Even the Emperor's bestowed marriage can be annulled, so how could I dare?"
Meng Yuxiu said directly, "This humble general is concerned about something His Majesty instructed me to do. How did Hu Cheng know about the Three Pages Gate? I must know this, otherwise I will interrogate him personally."
Xiao Shu'er paused, her eyes, adorned with a floral hairpin, glancing at her with a hint of resentment. Suddenly, she smiled and said, "Of course, His Majesty has ordered the general to investigate, and I will certainly cooperate. What does the general wish to know?"
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