"Really?" Zhao Wanshi asked immediately with delight.
In fact, she had no intention of being Zhao Shu's enemy. She herself knew that if she went to the Xiongnu, without Dayong as her backer, her situation would be very difficult.
However, if you want to be popular with both sides, then I'm sorry to say that.
No one can please both sides when it comes to the interests of different countries; those who waver will eventually meet a terrible end.
Zhao Shu didn't expose her, and nodded, "It's true, you know that compared to you, Tulev is more inclined to marry me. You should know that I am a princess, a superior-ranking county princess, while you are just a princess bestowed by imperial decree. The benefits of marrying me are greater than those of marrying you. But don't worry, I have no interest in being a queen. I have no interest, but Tulev wants to scheme against me, and Zhao Bi wants to scheme against me. You should find a way to break up the collusion between Zhao Bi and Tulev. I guarantee that Dayong will be your strongest backing."
Zhao Wanshi dared not answer immediately. She thought for a long time. Zhao Shu was not in a hurry. She just waited quietly and instilled some ideas in her at the key moment, such as, "Zhao Bi has a bad reputation, while the Crown Prince has a high popularity. Choosing to stand on Zhao Bi's side at this time is undoubtedly the worst decision."
For example, “Although Yide is favored, she has no son to rely on. If Zhao Bi is said to be her son, Consort Ning would not agree. Whether it is her adoptive mother or her biological mother, it is wrong for Zhao Bi to choose either of them. It will be difficult for him to become emperor.”
Zhao Wanshi didn't understand any of this and was completely confused. However, Zhao Shu exaggerated the pros and cons, which swayed her. Half an hour later, she finally nodded and said, "Okay, I agree, but you have to promise me that you will help me."
"Don't you understand? Even if we have an irreconcilable hatred, I will still choose to help you in the face of the Xiongnu. I will never cooperate with the enemy and let the wolf into the house."
Zhao Wanshi smiled with satisfaction after receiving the promise.
After she left, Zhao Shu lay on the chaise longue thinking about the day's events. If everyone was waiting for an opportunity, then the arrival of the Xiongnu prince was the best one.
Thinking about it, I soon fell into a deep sleep. When I woke up, the world had changed.
"Princess, something terrible has happened!" Xiao Guozi whispered.
Zhao Shu glanced out the window; it was still dark. "What time is it?"
"It's almost the end of Yin hour." Xiao Guozi helped her up and put a cloak on her. "Just now, news came from the palace that the Tenth Prince committed suicide out of fear of punishment."
Zhao Shu was stunned upon hearing this, and asked incredulously, "You mean Zhao Yan is dead?"
“Yes, he committed suicide out of fear of punishment,” Xiao Guozi said again.
Zhao Shu hurriedly pulled her cloak tighter. "What crime?" she asked as she walked. Just as she reached the door, Xiao Zhuzi rushed over.
“Your Highness, this is treason and collusion with the enemy,” replied Xiao Guozi.
However, no sooner had he finished speaking than Xiao Zhuzi reported, "Your Highness, Consort Ning has been banished to the Cold Palace."
"What?" Zhao Shu felt an urge to laugh. Things had developed too quickly, and she couldn't believe her ears.
Without stopping, they walked out of Qionghua Courtyard, with Xiao Guozi and Xiao Zhuzi on either side of them. Xiao Zhuzi said, "A young prince died in the palace. The emperor was furious and launched a thorough investigation, but unexpectedly, he discovered that Consort Ning had switched the princes back then."
Zhao Shu paused, then looked at Xiao Zhu Zi, "Consort Ning switched the princes? Wasn't it Yi De who entrusted the child to Consort Ning for upbringing?"
"No, it's because Consort Ning originally gave birth to a princess, but it was stillborn. She stole the Fourth Prince to pretend to be her son." Xiao Zhu Zi's words were somewhat disdainful. This matter was clearly a deception of the people and Emperor Mingde, with one lie after another.
Are you taking advantage of people because they're brainless?
Zhao Shu frowned, lost in thought for a long time, before a rooster's crow pulled her back to reality. "Where is Zhao Wanshi? What did she do?"
“It seems she has nothing to do in the Cining Palace,” said Xiao Zhuzi.
Zhao Shu sneered after hearing this, turned around and went back to Qionghua Courtyard. She yawned and said, "I'm going to sleep a little longer. The sky hasn't fallen yet, so don't wake me. It would be best if we could clear our names completely. Don't make any rash moves."
Xiao Zhu and Xiao Guo exchanged a glance, their faces contorted with worry, unsure how to respond.
Zhao Shu ignored them, climbed into bed, and fell asleep immediately.
She wasn't worried at all about not handling things well. Zhao Bi had abandoned two major weapons, which meant he was in dire straits. As the art of war says, "Don't pursue a desperate enemy." If she provoked Zhao Bi now, she might end up hurting herself as well as the enemy.
Meanwhile, in Cining Palace, all the influential people in the palace were gathered in the main hall, including the Empress Dowager, Emperor Mingde, the Empress, Consort De, Consort Yi, Hao Shumei, and many others.
Zhao Bi knelt before the crowd, looking disheveled. He was dressed in only a single garment, kneeling on the ground with tears streaming down his face.
"Please, Grandmother, forgive my mother. Please, Father and Mother, forgive my mother. Even if she was confused for a moment, she has been sincere to me all these years. Please, Grandmother, Father and Mother, consider that she has worked hard to raise me and punish her leniently."
After he finished speaking, he kowtowed repeatedly until his forehead bled, but he didn't stop. This made Yi De feel very sorry for him. She wiped away her tears with her handkerchief and pleaded for mercy in a very generous and proper manner, "Your Majesty, I am very grateful to my sister for raising Bi'er to adulthood. Please forgive my sister. If it weren't for my sister... Bi'er... I'm afraid Bi'er wouldn't be alive today."
After saying this, she glanced at the Empress Dowager, who happened to be looking at her as well. Unlike the Empress Dowager's stern gaze, her expression was much gentler, like a white lotus flower, pure and innocent, kind and naive. When she met the Empress Dowager's gaze, she shrank back in fear and dared not speak again.
Emperor Mingde immediately appeared troubled, but judging from his attitude, he was only angry with the Empress Dowager but dared not speak out, and tended to sympathize with Yide.
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and turned to ask Zhao Bi, "Fourth Prince, I'm asking you, how exactly did the Tenth Prince die?"
Zhao Bi lowered his head, a flash of anger in his eyes, but he quickly recovered from his grief. He raised his head, his eyes filled with tears, and it was hard to tell how much of the grief on his face was real.
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