After giving her contraceptives, she went mad, criticizing the prince for turning white-haired overn

Emperor Wuzong suddenly froze, feeling a chill run down his spine.

Consort Yun was his most favored consort back then.

She was also the Empress Dowager's most beloved niece and his cousin.

Because her eyes resembled Ye's, he doted on her immensely.

Later, she died mysteriously in the palace, her chest and abdomen covered with countless scratches.

Her personal nanny also disappeared from that time on.

When Consort Yun died, he and the Empress Dowager were grieving for a long time.

Now, Wang Dequan tells him that Granny Zhao is still alive and has sneaked off to the Ming Prince's Mansion to meet someone.

"Are you sure you're looking closely? It's definitely Granny Zhao."

Eunuch Wang said, "Although this old servant is old, I can still see clearly. That old woman has a black mole between her eyebrows."

"When Consort Yun died, Granny Zhao disappeared without a trace, and everyone thought she was dead."

"Who knew she was still alive and well? Her nephew is even working in the Prince Ming's mansion."

"Your Majesty!" Consort De, sitting by the bedside, choked out.

"Over the years, because of the life-saving grace, the Queen Mother has been extremely indulgent and trusting of Prince Ming, and Prince Ming has often entered and exited the inner palace."

"Consort Yun and Lady Ye have very similar eyes, and Prince Ming once coveted her."

"Could it be that Consort Yun was defiled by Prince Ming?"

"Shut up!" Before Consort De could finish speaking, Emperor Wuzong interrupted her sharply.

"This matter is of great importance and no conclusion has been reached yet."

Emperor Wuzong looked at Wang Dequan and said in a deep voice, "Go and summon Lord Wei of the Imperial City Guard. I need to find that Granny Zhao."

"If the matter of Consort Yun back then was truly related to the Ming King..."

Emperor Wuzong slammed his fist on the table, gritting his teeth, and said, "I will definitely have him skinned alive."

Wang Dequan nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty."

After turning and leaving Consort De's bedchamber, he hurriedly went to find Lord Wei of the Imperial City Guard.

Emperor Wuzong then looked at Consort De and said in a slightly gentler tone: "The fact that Zhaoyuan is pregnant should be kept secret for now, and no one should be allowed to know."

"All the unworthy maids and eunuchs in her palace shall be given a cup of poison."

"I will have the Imperial City Guard thoroughly investigate this matter."

"It seems that this Ming King is ultimately a scourge to the Great Yan and cannot be allowed to live."

"As for the child in Zhaoyuan's womb... let's terminate it first."

Consort De wept uncontrollably, looking at the mentally impaired Princess Zhaoyuan with a mixture of heartache and resentment.

-

The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet came to a close shortly after Emperor Wuzong's departure.

The nanny who served the Empress Dowager hurriedly returned from the inner palace and whispered in the Empress Dowager's ear:

"Your Majesty, His Majesty is currently in Consort De's bedchamber. This old servant only heard His Majesty fly into a rage, and Consort De was crying incessantly."

"The rest, this old servant did not hear clearly."

The Empress Dowager's face darkened, and her gaze swept towards the Ming King seated to the south.

The King looked completely bewildered and his expression was extremely unpleasant.

"Could it be that this bastard has gotten himself into trouble again?"

She suppressed her displeasure and said some encouraging words to everyone at the table before the banquet finally ended.

-

"Sister, what happened?" Shen Wan gently tugged at Shen Ning's sleeve.

"I noticed that His Majesty and the Empress Dowager don't seem very happy."

Shen Ning smiled and said, "Actually, I don't know either."

On that day, she had Tingfenglou secretly investigate Ming Wang's private affairs.

Prince Ming did indeed have designs on Consort Yun, who was the Empress Dowager's niece.

That King Ming was not the Empress Dowager's biological son.

Rather, he was the Empress Dowager's adopted son.

Wang Dequan, who serves His Majesty, is a member of the Langya Pavilion.

There was a maidservant by the Empress Dowager's side who was also from Langya Pavilion.

The two of them were enough to fan the flames.

After the Empress Dowager left, the Empress took over the reins.

The Empress led the concubines, palace maids, and civil and military officials to the palace to watch the fireworks.

Fireworks disappeared into the night and exploded in the sky with a "pop".

"Sister, the fireworks this year were so beautiful... I wonder how Father is doing in the Northwest?"

"My father hasn't come back for many years, and I can hardly remember what he looks like."

Shen Wan's words left Shen Ning with mixed feelings.

Before the Shen family suffered disaster in his previous life, his father, Shen Li, had returned to Yanjing once.

My father was a tough general, tall and imposing, with an aura of authority that inspired awe.

Even such a person, in the ruthless city of Yanjing, was no exception.

In the end, he couldn't protect his mother and her first child.

Shen Ning was lost in thought when a figure walked up to her side.

"Ning'er, I'm waiting for you at Jingren Palace."

The newcomer's voice was gentle, yet it carried a tone of absolute certainty.

Shen Ning turned around and saw the departing figure of Prince Chen.

The dazzling fireworks are fleeting.

Empress Jiang led the noble ladies and young women, as well as the young gentlemen of Yanjing City, toward Zhengde Hall.

There are elegant pavilions there specifically for enjoying tea, reciting poetry, and playing chess.

This is the perfect opportunity for young men and women to secretly admire each other and showcase their talents.

Shen Rou followed behind Madam Yu, clutching a scroll tightly in her hand, her whole body trembling slightly.

"Second Aunt, when will I present this painting to the Empress Dowager?"

"After the banquet, the King of Light will not let me off the hook."

Lady Yu said coldly, "Come with me to see Her Majesty the Empress."

Shen Rou nodded: "Okay."

When the two arrived at the main hall of Zhengde Hall, Empress Jiang was having tea and talking with her own family's prime minister and his wife.

A short while later, a nanny came in to report:

"Your Majesty, Madam Yu, the second wife of the Shen family, and Miss Shen request an audience."

"They said they had something they wanted Your Highness to deliver to the Empress Dowager."

The Empress put down her teacup and said meaningfully, "This Miss Shen is truly dedicated."

"But what exactly is prepared?"

The old woman replied, "It is an authentic work by Mr. Wen."

The Empress paused, her hand holding the teacup slightly.

"An authentic work by Master Wen? I haven't been able to find it, but this Miss Shen has."

"Let them in."

"Yes."

After Yu and Shen Rou entered, they bowed to the Empress and the Prime Minister and his wife who were seated.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

"Greetings to the Prime Minister and his wife."

"Rise," the Empress said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Empress's gaze fell on the scroll in Shen Rou's hand.

"Is this truly an authentic work by Mr. Wen?"

Shen Rou nodded: "Yes."

"Where did you get it from?"

Shen Rou bit her lip: "It was...a gift from a friend."

"Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. I originally intended to present this to the Empress Dowager in person, but I did not expect that Her Majesty would leave the banquet first."

"Your Majesty, please... convey this message to the Empress Dowager on my behalf."

After saying that, she presented the scroll with both hands.

The empress took the painting but did not unfold it.

"I understand."

"Now that the painting has been delivered, I will naturally hand it over to the Empress Dowager."

"You may all leave now."

Shen Rou was somewhat surprised that the Empress had agreed so readily.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After the two left, the Empress looked up at the Prime Minister's wife.

"I searched for Mr. Wen's original work for a long time, and she actually found it."

"Now, if I present this painting to the Empress Dowager, she will surely be pleased."

The Prime Minister's wife sighed, "What's the use of just pleasing her?"

"Now that you've been in the palace for three years, you should focus more on having children."

"Otherwise, this position of Empress... will ultimately be unstable."

The empress set the painting aside, a hint of displeasure flashing across her face.

"Mother, the imperial physician examined me long ago and said that I am healthy and can bear children."

"Then it's not the daughter's problem."