Favored concubine deposed empress? I'll seize your throne and marry you to a powerful minister.

Did Xiao Heng really not suspect Ling Xianru when they were in the tent just now?

He was best at hiding his true feelings and pretending, making everyone believe that he had genuinely let go.

Then, without warning, I'll stab you in the back and not let you know how you died.

Xiao Heng was that kind of person.

"Is Your Highness worried about me?" Ling Xianru wanted to make a joke, but seeing Wei Rong's serious expression, he said solemnly, "I am no longer the young man who was wandering in danger fourteen years ago. If you are afraid of dragging me down with you, you don't need to. I jumped into this deep pool myself."

"I don't want that either."

Wei Rong firmly replied, "You don't understand me at all. I don't need to rely on anyone for the time being."

She doesn't believe that mutual affection will always turn into conflict if interests clash.

Rather than pinning her hopes on a vague deal, she decided to trust herself.

Ling Xianru sighed softly, "Okay."

If she doesn't believe it, then so be it.

The day's turmoil ended without any major incident.

Everyone saw that Xiao Heng kept Feng Wantang in his own tent and took great care of her.

I heard that the Empress also bestowed many gifts upon me.

This indicates that Empress Wei Rong was very satisfied with the investiture ceremony. Some speculate that the Feng Wantang incident was a result that the Empress was happy to see.

Otherwise, since the Imperial Household Department was under the jurisdiction of the Empress, why was Feng Wantang able to enter the Emperor's presence so legitimately?

All are not fools.

Consort Xian was promoted from Noble Consort to Imperial Concubine, but the Emperor's favor remained. The Emperor's apparent punishments were actually rewards, and his lenient treatment was merely a deception of the outside world.

Empress Wei Rong desperately needed an ally as she had no imperial favor.

Therefore, forming an alliance with the Empress Dowager is not unreasonable.

Now that the emperor has offered a concubine position, it remains to be seen how the virtuous concubine will respond.

Shen Mingxiu was certainly not one to sit idly by and wait for death.

Since the carrier pigeon incident was a misunderstanding, it means that she has completely lost Ling Xianru as a supporter. Furthermore, the Shen family accepted bribes right under the emperor's nose, making her position extremely precarious.

The best course of action now is to completely win over Xiao Heng's favor.

Even if Feng Wantang was arranged to take her place, her injuries were real. Even if Xiao Heng only showed her a little affection, it would still be enough to make Chuxiu Palace live in fear.

What a fascinating story unfolded during the hunt!

However, rumors also circulated that the Prime Minister and the Empress seemed to be getting quite close lately.

Some people even saw them chatting in the woods, but no one knew what they were saying. However, the way the Prime Minister looked at the Empress was not innocent.

That's how rumors work; they can make even baseless accusations sound plausible.

Moreover...moreover, Ling Xianru herself does not believe she is innocent.

He put down the letters that had been sent back from the southern border and snorted: "Who said this? Looks like they think hunting is too easy. Mo Bai, break one of their legs."

Mo Bai glanced at him, then lowered his head again: "Master—"

"Don't try to persuade me. Xiao Heng is suspicious. He already suspects me, so let's give him some more leverage. Four years has passed. We've been in Dajing for far too long."

Mo Yu understood what he meant and quickly glanced at his brother.

He was both surprised and delighted, knowing that his master was about to make a move.

Mo Bai had no time to pay attention to his younger brother: "Master, four years is a long time, and therefore there is even more to clean up."

As Ling Xianru's subordinate, he couldn't just think about the present; if his master wanted to take action, he had to consider everything thoroughly.

This is the difference between Mo Bai and Mo Yu. Mo Yu is childlike and obedient to orders.

Mo Bai is a confidant, and he understands me more thoroughly.

Ling Xianru tossed him what she was holding: "Take a look."

There were several documents, detailing what they had found in the southern border region these past few days. When he saw one of them, Mo Bai suddenly looked up: "Fu Wentao?"

Fu Wentao was Wei Beimu's most trusted strategist.

Wei Beimu had served in the Southern Frontier Army for just as many years as Fu Wentao.

The deputy general was Wei Beimu's backer, while Fu Wentao, the strategist, was Wei Beimu's soul.

But this letter was written in Fu Wentao's own handwriting.

"The Battle of Yimeng Mountain," Mo Bai sighed after reading it, "Fu Wentao is also on the list of those who died in the battle."

suspended animation.

His feigned death explained everything.

He was a spy in the Southern Xinjiang army and the culprit who leaked the route to Yimeng Mountain.

This was the most important factor that led to Wei Beimu's death.

Mo Yu interjected curiously, "Since he's still alive, doesn't that confirm the crimes of the Great Jing Emperor?"

"Take them under control, as long as they're alive." Ling Xianru's gaze was dark and gloomy under the lamplight. "Hand over this evidence to Wei Rong."

Mo Bai agreed, then added, "Your Majesty, King Su Meng has met with the Empress."

Ling Xianru was not surprised. He had already guessed a bit about Wei Rong's mood that day, but he did not expect King Su Meng to arrive so quickly.

"He's impatient for quick success and only wants to use Wei Rong to achieve his goals," Ling Xianru handed the things to Mo Bai, "Invite him to a meeting."

"Your Majesty, the Empress forbids you from interfering in these matters."

Ling Xianru scoffed, "Is it not allowed for me to get a piece of the pie?"

Mo Bai was speechless.

He knew his master's motives were impure, but this King Sumon might not be able to outmaneuver them.

Let's see as we go.

However, if Wei Rong found out that Fu Wentao had betrayed his commander, she might kill him on the spot.

Shen Mingxiu was indeed not idle either.

On the third day, Feng Wantang's injuries had healed somewhat, and he was able to get out of bed with difficulty. Xiao Heng then took him to the woods for some fresh air.

The beautiful woman was delicate and frail, wearing Xiao Heng's cloak, and was being protected in Xiao Heng's arms.

Standing in the path, Wei Rong watched Xiao Heng dote on the newlyweds, treating them like fragile treasures, and the hatred in her heart almost burst forth.

Fu Wentao faked his death.

What does Fu Wentao's faked death signify?

Considering the various statements made by King Su Meng, the person who could turn Fu Wentao against his father after he was betrayed by his trusted confidants was none other than Fei Xiaoheng.

As long as she captures Fu Wentao, she will be able to confront Xiao Heng.

The Xiao family has become too comfortable in ruling the Great Jing Dynasty, forgetting the preciousness of human life, especially for a family of generals and marshals like themselves who are willing to risk their lives.

He was unaware of the despair of going to the battlefield and having his life hanging by a thread.

Or did he believe that sacrificing just two hundred people would ensure that countless others would still risk their lives to protect his empire?

ridiculous.

it is ridiculous.

"Your Majesty, what does Consort Xian want to do?" Qiaoyu's words suddenly woke Wei Rong up.

Shen Mingxiu appeared out of nowhere. She looked a little haggard after a few days, but her pitiful appearance remained.

She approached Feng Wantang step by step, tears already streaming down her face before she even got close.

"Your Majesty truly dotes on Consort Jia." She turned away to wipe her tears; the beauty's tears were truly pitiful.

Feng Wantang frowned. In terms of fragility, she was now even more vulnerable, despite her serious injuries: "Sister, what happened?"

She was as frail as a willow in the breeze, needing to lean on Xiao Heng to stand, one hand supporting her in front of him: "If you're not feeling well, it's best to stay indoors and avoid the wind. I've heard that your family is currently under investigation by the Dali Temple. In such turbulent times, it's best to behave yourself, isn't it?"