After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

"You didn't know that your mother-in-law was on good terms with Consort Cao?" The Empress opened her eyes and asked, seeing Rong Yingluo's puzzled look.

"I know, but Consort Cao has only just been released from confinement, isn't it a bit too hasty for her to request an audience?" Rong Yingluo knew that Gu Ce had been investigating who among the Crown Prince's entourage was a master of poison.

But there has been no news for so long.

The fact that Su Shi, who has been poisoned for so long, has not invited any skilled doctors to her residence for treatment, nor has she come to beg her for help, suggests that Su Shi has other trump cards up her sleeve.

Could it be Consort Cao?

As soon as the idea popped into her head, Rong Yingluo's eyes lit up.

"Your Majesty, may I tell you about the Second Prince?" While waiting for the needle to be inserted, Rong Yingluo made conversation with the Empress.

When her son was mentioned, a loving glow appeared on the Empress's face as she drifted into memories.

"Back then, the Emperor was just a prince. My grandfather was appointed by the late Emperor to be his teacher, and the Emperor often came to our Zhao family. As we met more often, we developed feelings for each other."

The late emperor agreed to our marriage, but the Empress Dowager selected two other concubines for him. I know the Empress Dowager did this to gain some support for him.

At that time, the crown prince was already seriously ill, and it was unlikely that he would live to succeed to the throne. Several princes were vying for the position of crown prince.

For the sake of the Emperor, I will manage his household affairs well.

Who knew my belly wouldn't cooperate, and I conceived the prince more than a year later than Consort Cao.

Later, I found out that it wasn't that my belly was unproductive, but that someone had tampered with my room.

I know perfectly well who it is, but I just don't have any evidence.

In order to ensure the safe delivery of the imperial son, I insisted on leaving the capital to prepare for the birth. Only after leaving the prince's residence was I able to give birth to a healthy imperial son.

Since then, I have learned to protect myself. I have considered everything that might harm my son and made sure there were no loopholes. But I never expected to be assassinated when I went out. The Empress sighed deeply at the end.

"You are a good mother." Rong Yingluo thought of her own mother at this moment.

Although she has not been by her mother's side for many years, she receives letters from her mother regularly.

The money she spends outside is basically given to her by her family.

Her biggest regret is not growing up with her family, but she had a mentor who was the best to her, and she learned a lot of skills, which is not bad. You can't have everything.

If the Second Prince hadn't gone missing back then, he might have died due to Consort Cao's schemes.

"Children are born after their mothers have carried them for ten months. No mother doesn't love her child." The Empress stared blankly at the ceiling.

She wanted to love her child, but fate didn't give her the chance. Her child left her at a very young age.

"Every year, I personally make two sets of clothes for my son. This year's are finished, and I'm just waiting for him to come back and wear them. I wonder how tall he is now, whether he's married, and whether he has children." The Empress seemed more and more eager to know more about her son, but alas, it was all just wishful thinking.

"If Your Highness has the time, you can make a few more outfits. The Second Prince will definitely be able to wear them. The Second Prince and Gu Ce are the same age, so they should be about the same size. Make them according to his measurements, and they should fit perfectly," Rong Yingluo said deliberately.

When Gu Ce is recognized as a member of his clan, he can wear it.

"Gu Ce is a good boy. He has become the prime minister at a young age. He is promising." The Empress thought of that day at the Zhao family, when Gu Ce disregarded etiquette and carried her to his mother's courtyard.

If it were any other minister, who would have the heart and the courage to do so?

But the fact that he wasn't afraid of being blamed by the Emperor shows that Gu Ce was genuinely worried about her and treated her like an elder.

Children without a mother's love are truly pitiful.

Did Su Shi, that stepmother, think she couldn't see through it? She was just pretending to be a kind mother. Otherwise, how could every woman she married die, and how could A Ce be poisoned at such a young age?

These things must have been done by the Su family.

The two chatted idly until the time was up, and Rong Yingluo removed the needles one by one.

"Your Majesty, it would be better if you lay down for a while."

"Very well, then I'll have Granny Qin show you around the palace. You can come back and have lunch with me when it's time," the Empress said gently.

It was a great honor to be invited to dine with the Empress.

Rong Yingluo naturally agreed, and having just learned that Su Shi had also entered the palace, she suddenly had a plan, which was perfect for her to carry out.

Granny Qin had a very good impression of Rong Yingluo and took her out of Qiwu Palace.

"Where would Mrs. Gu like to go for a stroll?"

Rong Yingluo pulled Qin Mama to hide in a secluded place.

"Granny Qin, you are an old servant of Her Majesty the Empress, surely one of Her Majesty's most trusted people, right?" Rong Yingluo whispered.

"Young Madam Gu is right. This old servant was brought into the palace by Her Highness from her maiden home as part of her dowry. I have served Her Highness ever since and have never married," said Granny Qin, referring to her identity.

"No wonder Her Majesty the Empress trusts you so much. I trust you too."

"My mother-in-law came to the palace today, and I want to go see her." Rong Yingluo's eyes held a deep meaning.

Having served in the palace for so many years, Granny Qin immediately understood Rong Yingluo's implied meaning.

As soon as Consort Cao was released from confinement, the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo requested an audience, which must have been of great importance.

The relationship between Madam Gu and the Duchess must be delicate.

"This servant will take you to Qixia Palace right away," Qin Mama decided immediately.

"Granny, just point out which one is Qixia Palace, I can go there myself." Of course, Rong Yingluo couldn't directly ask to see Consort Cao.

Granny Qin was taken aback; Madam Gu actually wouldn't let her take her to Qixia Palace. However, given her status as the Prime Minister's wife, she could indeed see Consort Cao directly if she went.

Qin Mama didn't ask any more questions. She led Rong Yingluo to a place not far from Qixia Palace and then left on her own.

Rong Yingluo deliberately changed direction and walked a little further away. When she saw that there were not many people around, she quietly hid and used her light-footed skills to dodge and hide, avoiding the palace servants as she headed towards Qixia Palace.

She was very careful, since it was daytime and she could easily be seen.

Fortunately, she wasn't wearing anything too flashy today.

Relying on her exceptional lightness skills, Rong Yingluo dodged several times and finally entered Qixia Palace.

As a result, they saw Su Jingyi and Gu Qingya kneeling in front of the hall, having not been invited in for so long.

It seems that Consort Cao is not someone to be trifled with; even the Duchess of the State dared to make her kneel for so long.

Just as Rong Yingluo had hidden herself, she saw a palace maid come out of the hall.

"Madam Zhenguo, Miss Gu, our lady has rested well. Please come in." A palace maid bent down to help Madam Su up.

Rong Yingluo also slipped into the hall, hiding herself under the cover of the gauze curtain.

Consort Cao was in a bad mood recently, so only one palace maid was left in the palace to serve her, which made it convenient for Rong Yingluo to eavesdrop on their conversation.

She was dressed in exquisite palace attire, even more elegant and noble than the Empress.

The makeup on her face clearly showed that she had applied a thick layer of powder.

She looks beautiful from afar, but a closer look reveals the signs of aging. Rong Yingluo, however, has exceptionally sharp eyes; she can even clearly see the small mole at the corner of Consort Cao's eye.

Su Jingyi and Gu Qingya knelt down respectfully once again.

"Your humble servant pays respects to Your Highness, the Noble Consort."

Consort Cao did not wake up immediately, but instead admired her own nail guards.

"Su, do you know your crime?" A low but oppressive voice came from Consort Cao's mouth.