"Your Majesty, I have already sent people to assassinate him at Caishikou, and I have also sent people to search for Xue Mingtao in the places he frequents," Shang Dongyang said anxiously. "Mother, the most important thing now is that the Ninth Prince has confiscated all the silver from Xue Yanshou, and the Ninth Prince probably already knows something from Xue Yanshou. If there are any problems with the remaining silver, then our stockpiled... funds are already stretched thin."
The Empress pondered for a moment, then asked a seemingly unrelated question: "Is the Ninth Prince really that worried about those bandits?"
"Yes, they openly protect her in their arms in the street, as if they're afraid she'll break if they hold her, afraid she'll melt if they hug her. No, Mother, why are you still concerned about this at a time like this?" Shang Dongyang was very puzzled.
"What do you know? If we want to stop the Ninth Prince, we must strike at his most vulnerable spot," the Empress said fiercely.
"Then I will..."
"No, you should not get involved in this matter. From today until the matter of Xue Yanshou is settled, you should stay in the Eastern Palace. Do not go out unless necessary, and do not openly contact important officials in the court." The Empress pretended to be deep in thought and waved her hand to signal Shang Dongyang to go back quickly.
Just as Shang Dongyang got up to leave, he heard her say, "You should also spend more time on the emperor."
Shang Dongyang paused for two seconds, then bowed and said, "Your subject understands."
After Shang Dongyang left, the Empress looked up at Aunt Songshan and said slowly, "I haven't seen the Sixth Princess for a long time. Go and tell her to come and have dinner with me."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Aunt Songshan curtsied and went to carry out the order.
The Empress dismissed the few remaining trusted palace maids around her, leaving only Jiang Zhenning.
Jiang Zhenning clenched his fist at his side briefly, then released it, lowered his head, and adopted an increasingly humble and submissive posture.
The Empress gazed at him for a long time, then sighed softly, her voice faint and almost inaudible: "When did you become like this in front of me... like everyone else in this deep palace?"
"Your Majesty is the Empress of the nation, and this servant should act accordingly," Jiang Zhenning said with utmost respect.
The Empress sighed and shook her head. She stood up and walked to Jiang Zhenning, taking his hand and straightening his bowed body. "Brother Jiang, your life should not have been like this. I still maintain that I can never repay your kindness in this lifetime."
"Yun'er, this is all my own choice, you don't need to worry about it," Jiang Zhenning said, meeting Chen Ziyun's not-so-honest gaze with a gentle and open smile.
A pang of guilt swept through Chen Ziyun's heart. She looked away and turned her face away, saying, "Brother Jiang, I need you to do something for me. If you succeed, I will..."
“You don’t need to say anything. You are the Empress. Just tell me what you wish for,” Jiang Zhenning interrupted her before she could utter her insincere words, and said directly, “As long as it’s what you say, even if it means my death, I will do it willingly for you, as long as you can have your wish and as long as you are happy.”
Chen Zi's fingers, hidden in her sleeves, dug into her palms. A hint of emotion flickered in her eyes for a moment before she regained her usual coldness and determination: "I want you to cooperate with the Sixth Princess to devise a plan against that bandit. Don't kill her yet, lest you anger the Ninth Prince and ruin things. It would be best if you could make the Ninth Prince heartbroken and overwhelmed with worry."
“Okay, I will act according to the situation,” Jiang Zhenning nodded in agreement without hesitation.
After that, he said nothing more and silently retreated to the side.
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