Peach Blossom.

Tao Ye looked at Si Yuan who was unconscious and felt confused. She didn't even know how to start to plead for mercy and atone for her crime.

Shang Yun squatted down, pushed Si Yuan onto his back with all his strength, and carried him down the stairs in one breath.

Tao Ye stood at the door of Shen Hui's room and saw a carriage parked not far downstairs. It should be the carriage that Si Yuan took when he came to Meixiangxie.

Shang Yun placed Si Yuan in the carriage.

Tao Ye stared blankly at the king and his minister. She thought that Shang Yun should at least send Si Yuan back to the palace for medical treatment first, and then have time to capture her. Then she might still have a chance to seek help...

Before Tao Ye could think about it, Shang Yun came out of the carriage and blew a whistle, and then a large group of soldiers jumped out from all directions.

Tao Ye was suddenly shocked.

"Catch the murderer who murdered the empress dowager." Shang Yun pointed at Tao Ye and gave an order.

"No! It's not me!" Tao Ye desperately denied it. She suddenly turned around and glared at Shen Hui who was sitting calmly, and asked sternly: "How can you let me take the blame for you? How could you do this?"

Shen Hui lowered her head and said nothing, as if she didn't hear Tao Ye's words.

Several soldiers had already rushed up to the attic, grabbed Tao Ye's arms, and without giving her a chance to resist, they pulled her down and escorted her out of Meixiangxie.

The huge commotion attracted the girls and guests inside and outside the Meixiang Pavilion to look out. They all looked in shock at Tao Ye being taken away by a group of soldiers. They could also hear Tao Ye shouting, "I'm not the murderer... I didn't harm the Queen Mother..."

But the sound became farther and farther away and gradually disappeared into the night.

After Shang Yun handed over the task of capturing Tao Ye to a general under him, he still personally drove the car for Si Yuan, rushed back to the palace, and quietly sent Si Yuan back to Shiqian Palace.

At this time, Si Rong and Si Xiu had already left Shiqian Palace.

Si Xiu was beaten with a stick under the Dengwen Drum, and the injury was naturally three-quarters real and seven-quarters fake, but he had announced to the public that he was seriously injured and had to return to Yanming Palace to rest.

As for Si Rong, she was extremely angry because of Si Yuan's question during the day. She didn't want to stay in the palace any longer. Without waiting for Chen Ji to wake up, she ordered the servants to harness the carriage, lifted Chen Ji onto the carriage, and took him back to the Duke of Qiao County's Mansion.

Unexpectedly, just as Si Rong had arranged Chen Ji's sickbed, Madam Han's maid came to tell her that Si Yuan had suddenly become seriously ill and was unconscious, and asked Si Rong to go to the palace to check on him.

"Another torture trick? No, no ...

Si Rong yelled at the maid so loudly that it woke Chen Ji up.

He sat up, looked around, and could see that this was Si Rong's bedroom.

"Are you awake?" Si Rong shouted at the maid, turned around and saw Chen Ji sitting there. She was surprised and ran quickly to the bed. Her voice was much gentler than before.

"How did we get home?"

Hearing Chen Ji's question, Si Rong immediately remembered Si Yuan's words and couldn't help but vent: "Why don't you come back? Don't protect that heartless person anymore, it's not worth it!"

After hearing these words, Chen Ji probably understood what was going on, but he still held Si Rong's hand and asked with a comforting smile, "What happened?"

"It's my father! You suffered such a serious injury for him, and it would be fine if he wasn't grateful...but he actually doubted your intentions! He...he pissed me off!" Si Rong confided, and suddenly sat down heavily, shaking the whole bed.

Chen Ji curled his lips slightly, not caring. He had expected this. Si Yuan was able to become a king from an exile, so how could he be someone who easily trusts others?

Si Rong was still not satisfied. She became angrier and angrier as she spoke, almost roaring: "He knew I left in anger. I just got home, but he had the nerve to pretend to be sick and sent someone to ask me to go see him in the middle of the night? He was full of energy during the day, but now he is "seriously ill and unconscious". Who is he trying to fool? I won't go! Unless he comes to apologize, I will never see him again in my life..."

Perhaps because she was too excited and moved her body too vigorously, Si Rong fainted before she could finish her words.

"Rong'er...Rong'er?" Chen Ji shook Si Rong's body and called her repeatedly, but there was no response. He hurriedly sent someone to call the imperial physician.

Soon, Si Rong woke up, but Chen Ji was still worried, so he waited for the imperial physician to arrive and took Si Rong's pulse.

"Congratulations, Lord. The princess is pregnant."

Xiaoying and several other maids cheered when they heard the good news announced by the imperial physician.

Si Rong lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, with the corners of her mouth unconsciously rising slightly.

Chen Ji was stunned for a moment, and quickly expressed his happiness. He thought he should be happy.

He got out of bed and watched the imperial physician prescribe pregnancy-maintaining medicine. He vaguely sensed someone outside the window, so he looked up and saw Chen Liang slightly sticking his head out and winking at him.

Chen Liang was previously ordered by Chen Ji to go to Yongchang to investigate the Bai family. He was gone for several months and came back at this time.

Chen Ji guessed that Chen Liang must have some information that he needed to tell him alone, but in recent days, Si Rong had long been accustomed to being inseparable from him, and he had no chance to talk to anyone behind Si Rong's back.

That night, after they went to bed, they talked a lot about children. Chen Ji kept expressing his joy and gratitude of being a father for the first time.

Then, Chen Ji changed the subject: "If one day in the future, our child has a lover, and he gets angry with me because of that person and even refuses to see me, I will definitely be sad."

Si Rong pouted. She knew that Chen Ji wanted to persuade her not to be angry with Si Yuan.

"Tomorrow morning, go see your father, okay?"

"He treated you like that, and you asked me to go see him."

Chen Ji stroked Si Rong's face, saying affectionately: "He is your father, and you are his most beloved child. Don't miss any visit to him. He has always been in poor health. I am afraid that you will leave regrets in your life. If that happens, you will definitely be sad. You should understand what I mean..."

Si Rong's eyes were scattered. Of course she understood what he said, especially the possible "regret". She couldn't help but worry: "What if...what if he is just pretending to be sick this time?"

"If my child refuses to see me, I have to maintain my dignity as an elder and cannot bow to him, but I really want to see him, so what should I do? The best way is to pretend to be sick and lure him over. Just imagine how much your father misses you now?" Chen Ji spoke softly, and every word warmed Si Rong's heart.

Si Rong couldn't express how touched she was, and tears fell unconsciously: "Husband...how can you be so kind?"

Chen Ji kissed Si Rong's eyes and replied with a smile: "Because you are so good, I have to be worthy of your goodness."

Si Rong hugged Chen Ji tightly, immersed in infinite happiness.

The next morning, as Chen Ji said, Si Rong went to the palace early and instructed the maid to change the dressing on Chen Ji's chest wound regularly.

Taking advantage of this time, Chen Ji hurriedly called Chen Liang over.

At Chen Ji's bedside, Chen Liang briefly explained: "Mrs. Bai has three brothers. The one who followed their father to the capital to serve as the Weiwei is her second brother. The eldest brother inherited the position of the chief of Yongchang County. The third brother is said to have become a monk long ago and traveled around the world. He is a Taoist."

"Taoist?" Chen Ji repeated in a low voice. This identity made him suspicious.

Chen Liang continued, "Mrs. Bai has a twin sister who is said to have married a merchant in Jiaozhou. I went to Jiaozhou. Guess what? This merchant has thirteen brothers, all of whom are engaged in business, covering all walks of life."

Chen Ji showed an incredible expression: "Twin sister? Does she look exactly like Madam Bai?"

"This... I have never seen it. I have asked the people in Jiaozhou, but none of them have seen Madam Bai. Since they are twin sisters, they should be similar."

Chen Ji nodded, feeling that there was something wrong here, but he couldn't figure it out for a moment: "What about Madam Bai? Do you know why she didn't come to Beijing?"

Chen Liang snorted, apparently knowing everything: "I heard from the servants of the eldest brother of the Bai family that when the emperor was engaged to Madam Bai, it was agreed that she would be the principal wife. But later the emperor was conferred the title of "Prince of Yongchang" and he was determined to posthumously confer the title of queen on his deceased first wife, while Madam Bai was only a lady. Madam Bai felt awkward about this for a while.

The Emperor's family was able to gain a foothold in Yongchang back then, all thanks to the Bai family. Mrs. Bai came from a prominent family and was the Emperor's benefactor. But when the Emperor ascended the throne, he posthumously conferred the title of empress on his first wife, and this Mrs. Bai was still a lady, which meant she was on the same level as her cousin from the Han family who came from a humble family. Do you think she can come?

They said that when the emperor sent someone to pick up Mrs. Bai, she told the messenger that "she should be received as the queen when she enters the capital", but the emperor refused. Bai Shuo also advised Mrs. Bai, saying "If you don't go, there will be more women jumping over your head in the future."

Who knew that Madam Bai was just as stubborn as the emperor? If she couldn't be the empress, she would rather be a widow and stay in the lonely city. Bai Shuo was afraid that the Bai family would lose power, so he brought his second son to the capital, so that he could have a place in the capital, and left his eldest son in Yongchang to take care of Madam Bai. "

Chen Ji curled his lips, thinking about these things, feeling puzzled: "In fact, Mrs. Bai's request is reasonable. Moreover, the emperor's posthumous title of empress to his first wife does not affect the appointment of Mrs. Bai as empress. Why must he leave the position of empress vacant? If he leaves Mrs. Bai in Yongchang like this, aren't you afraid of what the people below will say?"

Chen Liang made a wild guess: "Could it be that... the emperor favors Madam Han and wants to find an opportunity to change the crown prince and then make Madam Han the queen?"

Chen Ji shook his head: "In the emperor's heart, it is impossible for him to truly love any woman, so how can he have a preference?"

After thinking for a while, Chen Ji made a new plan: "Mrs. Bai's sister, as the eldest daughter of the county chief, married a businessman, which is not a good match; the thirteen brothers are all in business, and they should be in the same business to be strong, but they are scattered in different industries, which is also not normal.

I will find a way to get you to Jiaozhou to serve as an official, so that you can learn more about this matter. In addition, it would be best if you could find out where her third brother "traveled around the world". I'm afraid that what you "heard" is just a trick, and there are mysteries hidden in it."

Chen Liang took the order and retreated. Just as he reached the door, he turned back and said, "By the way, when I came back from outside last night, I heard someone say that the murderer who murdered the Queen Mother has been caught and will be executed today. Guess who it is?"

"Huh? So fast?" Chen Ji was not surprised. He smiled faintly and raised his eyebrows: "That person... could he be caught from Meixiangxie?"

"So the Duke knew?" Chen Liang was surprised for a moment, then he sighed slowly, "It would be a pity if Miss Tao died, she was so beautiful."

Chen Jiru was struck by lightning and quickly got up from the bed: "What? You said the person who was arrested was Tao Ye?"

"Yes, the emperor ordered the Grand Marshal to arrest him. Many people saw it with their own eyes last night." Chen Liang was a little confused when he saw Chen Ji's reaction.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Chen Ji hurriedly put on his coat and boots and walked out.

Chen Liang was startled and hurriedly stopped Chen Ji: "You can't come out to save her! What will the princess think if she finds out? Maybe the emperor is just trying to test you!"

Hearing the word "test", Chen Ji suddenly realized, yes, Si Yuan couldn't be unaware of who the real murderer was. He let Tao Ye take the blame and arrested the person in public. It was very likely that he was testing his sincerity towards Si Rong.

"You... are a person with the most ideas, but every time you encounter Miss Tao's problems, you lose your composure." Chen Liang sighed and shook his head helplessly.

Chen Ji had to calm down and stood there, but his brows were tense: "But she is a person with a nominal official title and no family background... If no one stands up for her, she will definitely die..."