He Ding was once the most trusted and valued attendant of the late emperor.
However, he was not tolerated by Empress Zhang and was eventually killed.
“He Ding should know my mother,” Su Wanwan added.
He Ding should know about the past between the late emperor and her mother, so he also felt some pity for Su Wanwan and privately protected her.
She remembered that after witnessing Zhang Yongyu beat He Ding up that night, He Ding came to find her and only said one thing.
Princess Xiuyi cannot eat peanuts; she will die if she does.
Lu Xingjian stared intently at Su Wanwan.
He sensed something was wrong.
Why did Wanwan design a fake message?
This message is full of loopholes and its authenticity is easily verifiable.
However, Empress Zhang still believed it and foolishly stepped inside, losing both of her children and suffering greatly herself.
Empress Zhang had few rivals in the palace back then and had never experienced the brutality of palace intrigue.
"Is there anything you want to say to me?" he asked proactively.
Was it to protect him, or for something else?
Su Wanwan smiled and changed the subject:
"Now that I am fully recovered, Your Majesty might as well use this as an excuse to grant a general amnesty, so that the people of the world can remember Your Majesty's kindness."
Liu Jin had been cruel and abusive for a long time.
Once the emperor grants a general amnesty, the people's hearts will be with him, and they will naturally support him.
When the time comes to deal with Liu Jin, it will be a natural process, and the results will be self-evident.
Lu Xingjian's eyes were deep, his appreciation evident in his expression:
"My wife is truly a female Zhuge Liang."
Su Wanwan smiled and said, "His Majesty probably already thought so, and was just teasing me."
Yan Ge'er couldn't understand what they were saying, but he listened intently.
My mother is both smart and beautiful, and my father's praise of her is absolutely right.
March arrived in the blink of an eye.
An urgent report arrived—Hu Ruli, the Minister of War appointed not long ago, had died before even taking office.
Cold sweat poured down Liu Jin's back.
What a coincidence!
Hu Ruli obtained his position as Minister of War through his own reasoned arguments.
The emperor had finally managed to transfer Cao Yuan away, and surprisingly agreed to appoint Hu Ruli as Minister of War.
So that's where he was waiting!
The Emperor had no intention of letting Hu Ruli return to the capital alive to take up his post!
No, he has to use his backup plan.
...
On Su Wanwan's birthday, her maternal grandmother, Madam Chen, entered the palace, accompanied by Zhou Wanxiu, who was wearing a woman's hairstyle and had a pregnant belly.
They came to offer their congratulations to the Empress on her birthday, and also to discuss matters concerning the Duke of Wei's mansion.
"Now the news has spread throughout the capital that Xu Peng'an is not dead, but was rescued from the Northern Yuan Khanate by Ma Ang, the general of Yansui."
Madam Chen glanced at Zhou Wanxiu with a worried expression.
"Now that Wanxiu is pregnant, it is said to be a boy. The Duke of Wei does not want to cause any more trouble, so he specially went to the palace to ask the Empress for instructions."
Zhou Wanxiu looked at Su Wanwan with a seemingly respectful but actually provocative expression.
"Your Majesty, shouldn't you inquire about this matter with the Su family?"
"However, I heard that your grandfather was stripped of his original jade belt and robes in the twelfth lunar month, and fell ill in a fit of anger."
She patted her chest lightly in fear, frowning as she said:
"I'm afraid that knowing this will only worsen my condition."
Su Wanwan's face turned cold.
"You really want something to happen to my grandfather?"
Madam Chen was surprised that Zhou Wanxiu would say such a thing; it seemed like she was concerned, but it also revealed a hint of schadenfreude.
That's so inconsiderate!
Su Wanxiu: "How could that be?"
"Your Majesty, you are overthinking it. I was just worried about you, after all, you are getting old."
Su Wanwan said coldly, "My grandfather has seen all kinds of storms, how dare you, a junior, curse him like this?"
Zhou Wanxiu's eyes reddened.
"Why is Your Highness so aggressive? I was not cursing anyone; I was simply trying to share Your Highness's burdens."
Madam Chen was furious. "Her Majesty has just recovered from her illness, and instead of caring about her, you keep stabbing her in the heart. Your great-grandmother begged me to bring you into the palace!"
Su Wanwan patted Madam Chen's hand reassuringly.
“Grandmother, I’m so happy that you came to see me. Don’t be angry about these things.”
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Xingjian came in from outside. "Why are you angry?"
Zhou Wanxiu was the first to stand up, gracefully walked up to him and bowed, looking aggrieved, as if she had been bullied.
Lu Xingjian frowned, walked around her and stood in front of Wanwan, his voice carrying a hint of concern.
"You've only just recovered, don't overexert yourself."
After saying that, he turned to look at Madam Chen and said, "I won't ask you to stay for dinner today."
Overwhelmed with gratitude to receive such a formal address from the emperor, Madam Chen quickly bowed and took her leave.
Zhou Wanxiu was rebuffed. She glared at the loving couple and left with Madam Chen unwillingly.
Of course, she didn't want Xu Peng'an to actually come back alive and compete with Xu Pengju for the position of the Duke of Wei's heir.
However, she would be happy if Su Wanwan's reputation were damaged.
Why is it that she can win the emperor's favor?
For her, even seeing the emperor was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
That bastard Xu Pengju slept with all of her dowry maids, and sometimes even made intimate advances towards them right in front of her.
He didn't respect her, his legal wife, at all.
On the way back, Madam Chen suppressed her anger: "You don't need to come to the palace with me anymore."
Zhou Wanxiu turned a deaf ear.
She will be the Duchess of Wei in the future, a title far higher than that of Lady Chen.
I couldn't be bothered to listen to Mrs. Chen's nagging.
Su Wanwan went too far!
He clung to the emperor and refused to let go, not giving any other woman a chance at all!
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