When Imperial Doctor Zou staggered out of Qiao Zhongguo's tent, he was dazzled by the sunlight outside. The moment he raised his hand to block the sunlight, he felt as if he was in another world.

It's over. I've boarded a pirate ship and I'm going to lose my life.

At this time, look at Qiao Ershisi who is waiting respectfully ten steps away, and look at the Qiao family guards scattered around...

Doctor Zou:

￣皿￣)?

One by one... one by one...

Bullshit, strict military discipline and proper advance and retreat! It turns out that this was a long-planned plan to lure you into a trap!

By the time Imperial Doctor Zou returned to the Second Prince's tent in a huff, his face was so calm that not a single clue could be seen.

Looking at the Second Prince sleeping soundly on the couch, Doctor Zou's eyes flickered slightly, and he turned back to fiddle with the medicinal herbs.

Early the next morning, according to the agreement with Imperial Physician Zou, Qiao Zhongguo ordered the troops to march slowly back to the capital.

At the same time, a letter was sent from Qiao Zhongguo. The words on it were concise, with only a few words -

"When things are done, return slowly and always think of it."

————

The capital was as peaceful as ever.

Time soon came to early May and the prince's wedding was approaching.

The palace was making preparations in an orderly manner, and the East Palace became more lively than ever before.

People in the palace were secretly saying that the emperor and empress seemed to have reconciled.

Because recently, the emperor has been going to the Yiku Palace for a short rest every day. Although he does not stay overnight, his majesty can be seen to be honored and favored.

The Queen was fully focused on the preparations for the Crown Prince's wedding and was lukewarm towards Emperor Yong, but Emperor Yong was never as angry as last time.

After not seeing the Fourth Prince for several times, Emperor Yong asked, "Why don't you see the Fourth Prince?"

When the queen heard this, her expression froze slightly, but she relaxed in an instant.

"Xiao Si is taught by Tan Xiuzhuan and Master Qiao. They study literature and martial arts at different times of the day. Although Master Qiao is not in the capital now, Xiao Si still goes to the Qiao Mansion on time."

Emperor Yong nodded when he heard this, and suddenly raised his eyes to look at the queen, and said intentionally or unintentionally:

"Qiao Zhongguo's escort was not good this time, causing the second brother to be seriously injured. I plan to punish Qiao Zhongguo after he returns to the capital."

The Queen didn't even raise an eyebrow when she heard this, and just flipped through the list in her hand.

Emperor Yong frowned slightly when he saw this, and said in a displeased voice, "The Queen seems to be quite confident now, and she always treats me with indifference."

The Queen thought that Emperor Yong was very noisy. He used to be hated, but at least he was not annoying.

I don’t know what’s going on lately, but whenever I have free time, I run to the Yikun Palace and sit in front of it, buzzing like a annoying fly!

"Your Majesty, the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs. No matter how you want to deal with Master Qiao, you have your reasons."

"If Your Majesty feels that I am not considerate enough and don't know how to relieve boredom, Concubine Jing and Concubine Lin are looking forward to seeing Your Majesty day and night. Why don't You go and sit with them?"

The Queen now understands that as long as she does not commit any serious mistakes, she will remain in the position of Empress.

What's wrong with being a little cold to His Majesty?

When Zhan'er comes in the future...she will simply close the door and refuse visitors, and never look at his face again in her life!

"To be honest, Bi'er has reached the age of marriage. Your Majesty should discuss her marriage carefully with Sister Jingfei."

The queen finally raised her head as she spoke, her eyes and brows were gentle, and she didn't look like she was trying to chase anyone away.

Emperor Yong, however, heard the Queen's hidden meaning. He stood up with a sullen face and said coldly, "Since the Queen is so generous, I will naturally go to see Concubine Jing."

Upon hearing this, the Queen stood up hastily and bowed gently to Emperor Yong: "Your Highness, I respectfully send you off."

Upon seeing this, Emperor Yong snorted coldly and walked away.

When he reached the entrance of the hall, he paused for some reason and suddenly turned his head to look over here.

The queen still maintained the gesture of saluting and did not stand up.

The afternoon sun shone through the window, casting mottled shadows of leaves and falling on the queen, as if covering her with a layer of golden gauze.

Emperor Yong's expression was slightly touched, and his eyes revealed a hint of confusion and reminiscence.

When the queen heard the footsteps stop at the palace gate, she felt confused and looked up.

The emperor just stood quietly by the door.

After more than ten years, on this ordinary afternoon, the queen seemed to see the young man again, with gentle brows, noble and handsome.

This feeling had just begun to sprout, but it was shattered the moment the two of them looked at each other.

The Queen lowered her eyes again, and Emperor Yong turned and left.

The chasm between the two of them was already as deep as a thousand feet and could never be bridged.

Huang Pei carefully observed Emperor Yong's expression and asked boldly, "Your Majesty, are you going back to the Imperial Study?"

Huang Pei was very distressed.

Recently, His Majesty's thoughts seem to be increasingly difficult to guess.

He also didn't understand what the emperor was thinking about the queen. Anyway, whenever he came and went in the Yikun Palace, he always came out with a gloomy face.

Why did His Majesty suddenly become interested in Yikun Palace?

To be honest, since the Second Prince left Beijing, His Majesty seems to have never opened the secret compartment in the Imperial Study again.

"Go to Chunhua Palace." Emperor Yong said lightly.

Huang Pei hurriedly responded "yes", but was suddenly stunned the next second.

Where? Chunhua Palace?

Oh my God, the sun is rising from the west, His Majesty is going to see Concubine Jing!

When Emperor Yong boarded the sedan chair and arrived at Chunhua Palace, even the palace servants were unable to react.

"Greetings to His Majesty!"

All the palace servants fell to their knees, so frightened that no one was smart enough to report the news.

Emperor Yong had no intention of caring about it. He couldn't even remember how long it had been since he last stepped into the Chunhua Palace.

Huang Pei followed Emperor Yong all the way inside, shaking his head secretly in his heart.

Look at how lazy the palace maids in Chunhua Palace are. They haven't even sent a message for Concubine Jing to come out and welcome her in person!

Walking all the way to the main hall, Huang Pei was about to shout "The Emperor has arrived", but then he heard the sound of cups and plates falling to the ground, mixed with a few curses.

Emperor Yong raised his eyebrows slightly and raised his hand to signal Huang Pei to be quiet.

He walked forward and just as he was standing at the entrance to the palace, the gentle voice of the Second Princess Shen Yuanbi was heard.

"Mother, please don't listen to what they say. This is totally nonsense!"

Concubine Jing seemed to be really angry, and said angrily: "Who is so black-hearted that dares to make up such a rumor!"

"I saw with my own eyes that you and Jing'er were taken out of my belly! Even though your brother is really disappointing, I have accepted his fate over the years!"

"Why did rumors spread out of nowhere, saying that he is not the child of His Majesty and His Majesty?"

"Bi'er, look at what they said. The emperor is so brave and mighty. He would never give birth to such a useless child!"

"Does this mean that His Majesty is incompetent, or that Mother is unfaithful?"

"Mother!"

Shen Yuanbi's voice suddenly became louder.

"Oh my God, please shut up! Please don't say these things again! These groundless rumors will naturally fade away over time, why are you getting angry about them?"

After a while, the sound of Concubine Jing's soft sobs was heard in the palace.

"Bi'er, just because mother is not favored and your third brother is useless, we have been treated so badly."

"Why don't they spread rumors about the Queen? Why don't they spread rumors about Concubine Lin? Mother is heartbroken, Bi'er."

"If possible, mother would like your brother to be safe and healthy more than anyone else, but...but God is so cruel to me!"

Bang--

The door of Chunhua Palace was suddenly pushed open.