The emperor said sternly, "This must be a trick. You must not put yourself in danger."
Shen Mingyue nodded: "Yeah."
Of course she knew it was a scam, but she really couldn't figure out what the other party was trying to achieve by going to such great lengths.
"The Queen Mother has arrived—"
Outside the door, the eunuch's announcement was heard.
The emperor quickly stuffed the paper ball in his hand into his sleeve, fearing that the empress dowager would see the words on the paper.
However, as soon as the Queen Mother entered the room, she threw a piece of letter with the same content into the Emperor's arms: "Take a look."
Shen Mingyue glanced at the letter in the emperor's hand, wanting to say something but stopping herself, and ultimately said nothing.
The Queen Mother sat on the couch and looked up at Shen Mingyue: "If I really want to exchange you for Qiqi, what would you think?"
Shen Mingyue answered truthfully, "Your Majesty's reputation is extremely important. I am willing to follow your instructions. But I'm afraid there's a trick going on. I'm afraid I'll be hanged alive on the city wall, and the bad guys won't release Qiqi."
The Queen Mother smiled faintly upon hearing this: "If I really use you to exchange for Qiqi, I'm afraid your father and brother will fight to the death with me."
Shen Mingyue didn't refute or explain. She said calmly, "As a parent, you naturally feel sorry for your child. No parent would watch their child suffer."
Her father and brother would not watch her suffer injustice, and similarly, she would not watch Su Qiqi get hurt.
Shen Mingyue's answer surprised the empress dowager, but also made her feel satisfied.
"Mother, Qiqi is the descendant of a meritorious official, and Mingyue is also the younger sister of a meritorious official. If Mingyue were to be exchanged for Qiqi, it would certainly chill the hearts of the three important officials of the Shen family, as well as the soldiers who are defending the border and fighting for the country."
The emperor had a serious expression, fearing that the empress dowager would really set her sights on Shen Mingyue.
After all, the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine were not on good terms, and this matter had been heard by the imperial harem and even the common people.
The Queen Mother rolled her eyes at the Emperor and said, "I'm not senile yet. The best thing to do now is to find another child to serve as Qiqi and declare to the public that Qiqi is still alive."
Upon hearing this, the emperor winked at Zhao Xu who was standing beside him.
"I'll do it right away." After saying that, Zhao Xu retreated.
The Queen Mother sighed softly, "First, control public opinion and stabilize the people's hearts. Then send people to secretly search for Qiqi's whereabouts."
"I will definitely find it back."
Shen Mingyue's words seemed to be comforting the empress dowager, but also seemed to be convincing herself.
The Queen Mother sighed deeply and looked at the Emperor: "The assassin kidnapped Su Qiqi to sow discord. He wanted me to push the Imperial Concubine out, thereby alienating the Shen family from the imperial family. Although I don't get along with the Imperial Concubine, I won't fall into someone else's trap."
When the emperor heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
The Shen family is not just Shen Mingyue's father and brother, but also many other connected people.
Most of the military commanders in the court had been supported and patronized by General Shen. If the Shen family were to rebel, a change of dynasty was possible.
In fact, neither Su Qiqi nor Shen Mingyue can be abandoned. Otherwise, the royal family's reputation will be damaged.
From this we can see that the person who kidnapped Su Qiqi coveted the throne and intended to disrupt the court!
It's ridiculous and despicable.
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