Tragic death on wedding night, replacement doctor concubine reborn to kill the whole family

Xiao Yao and Xie Yun Chu paused, looking at each other in disbelief.

"What did you say? There were rumors like this a year ago?" Xiao Yao looked at Li Huili in disbelief, as if she hadn't heard what he said.

Li Huili cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not speak presumptuously. That courtesan did indeed say that. Your Majesty and I believe that this matter is of great importance, so we dare not conceal it and have rushed to report to the Emperor!"

This is definitely not a small matter!

Knowing about the Empress Dowager and Uncle Rong a year ago, this person must either have seen Chen Qingshan's landscape painting or be one of Chen Qingshan's former subordinates left in Cangyun Kingdom.

Tao Wenjun also said, "Your Majesty, what Lord Li said is all true. This matter is of great importance. If someone made arrangements in advance, then they are deliberately plotting an unspeakable secret!"

Xiao Yao naturally understood, and she asked, "During my reign, were all the successful candidates from Lord Tao's cohort appointed?"

"They were almost all appointed."

"Then, have those scholars shown any unusual behavior?"

Li Huili and Tao Wenjun both shook their heads. "When the Emperor was away, the Regent worked hard to govern the country, and the people were won over. Those scholars also followed the rules and regulations. In fact, they made important contributions to women's rights."

Xiao Yao frowned and looked at Xie Yun Chu, "Yun Chu, what do you think?"

Xie Yun Chu originally wanted to say that he was unwilling to get involved in politics, but things are different now. They went through the events of the Jade Seal Kingdom together, and he had already taken on the political affairs!

Besides, since Ayao asked him, he shouldn't distance himself from the situation, making himself seem useless and unable to help at all!

Xie Yun Chu cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter is inextricably linked to Chen Qingshan. However, to avoid going in the wrong direction, we must continue to investigate the source of the rumors and find out what the person behind them is really up to."

Furthermore, if this matter is left unattended, it will damage the reputation of the Emperor Emeritus, the Empress Dowager, and Lord Rong.

Xiao Yao nodded, then looked at the two of them, "My two beloved ministers, it seems that I will have to ask you to continue investigating this matter."

"Wei Chen accepts the order."

Xiao Yao took a deep breath and waved for the two to leave.

After Li Huili and Tao Wenjun left, Xiao Yao quickly called Tang An in, gave him a few instructions, and then sent Tang An to deliver a message.

Xie Yun Chu looked at Xiao Yao and said, "In this matter, which version of events does the Emperor believe more?"

Xiao Yao said, "There's one more thing you didn't mention: General Zhao Lei and his men who were guarding Old Chen Mountain back then—"

"I believe it can't be them. Zhao Lei was personally promoted by Wei Shuying, General Wei. There's no way he could have any problems."

“What we can think of, Li Huili and Tao Wenjun should also have thought of, but they didn’t say it, and neither did you.”

Xie Yun Chu nodded. "Then, you don't really think it's General Zhao Lei and his group?"

Xiao Yao shook her head, "How could I possibly suspect General Zhao Lei? The most suspicious people are naturally Chen Qingshan's disciples. He still has a backup plan!"

Thinking of this, Xiao Yao felt a surge of rage!

Xie Yun Chu said, "What good is it if he's already dead and has a backup plan? He's just a stinking rat crossing the street, coming out to annoy people."

As she spoke, Xie Yun Chu hugged Xiao Yao, "No matter who it is, the truth will come out one day!"

"Ah."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Tang An arrived at the Regent's Palace with the Emperor's edict.

After learning the information gathered by Li Huili and Tao Wenjun, Xiao Chen did some calculations and vaguely sensed unease in the south.

He couldn't help but think of those people in the Jiangnan region, and those who had been exiled to Lingnan—

"Husband, what's wrong?" Xie Ying asked, noticing Xiao Chen's furrowed brows.

The Emperor, the Empress, and Uncle Rong all told them to handle the funeral arrangements.

Did they anticipate that someone would ruin their reputation, so they left the palace early and faked their deaths to stop the rumors?

Xiao Chen looked at Xie Ying, his eyes full of tenderness yet tinged with sorrow, "I can't explain it."

He didn't have Uncle Rong's ability to predict everything.

"According to the information obtained by Lord Li and Lord Tao, this news has been spreading for over a year, so now, I estimate that the whole country knows about it."

"Ah."

"Actually, the funerals requested by Father Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Uncle Rong could completely refute this rumor. We could simply say that they passed away four years ago!"

Xiao Chen shook his head, "If it weren't for this incident, we could have faked a death as requested by Father, Mother, and Uncle Rong!"

But now it's not possible. Firstly, if someone is watching this matter closely and pushes Father, Mother, and Uncle Rong into the spotlight—they're not dead, they're still alive and well—yet a funeral is held. Isn't that to cover up the scandal between Mother and Uncle Rong?

Xie Ying: "..."

She pursed her lips and nodded unconsciously.

Yes, especially at times like these, we absolutely cannot hold a funeral!

If someone keeps an eye on Father and his family and pushes them into the limelight, this matter may not end well!

"What should I do?"

“Continue the investigation and find out what these people are up to! As for Father, Mother, and Uncle Rong, if they find out about this, they will only watch how we handle it and will no longer concern themselves with worldly matters.”

Xie Ying sighed softly, "I really didn't expect to encounter something like this!"

There are so many unexpected things.

Xie Ying took a deep breath and hugged Xiao Chen. "Every day is precious, my husband. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Don't be too hasty."

"Ah."

Xiao Chen gently stroked Xie Ying's hair, his gaze passing over the courtyard wall and onto the rooftop, where he saw a higher and farther place. He then summoned a guard and gave him a few instructions.

After nightfall.

Xiao Chen finished reviewing some memorials that Xiao Yao had given him.

When he and Xie Ying walked out of the study, they saw Xiao Zetian standing at the door.

"Father, Mother."

"Little Nuomi, what's wrong?" Xie Ying bent down and picked her up. "Where's Little Yuanzi?"

"The wet nurse was with her younger brother."

"Then how did you escape?" Xie Ying asked with a smile.

Xiao Zetian pursed his lips slightly, then looked at his father and mother, and after a long while said, "Father, Mother, the Emperor's aunt has returned, so her child is the rightful Crown Princess, isn't that right?"

Xiao Chen was taken aback, then said to Xiao Zetian, "Why would our Zetian think that way?"

"Everyone says that sons inherit their fathers' businesses, but Zetian believes that, especially the imperial throne—"

"That's true. But because I wasn't in the palace back then, and didn't even want to return to the capital, your grandfather passed the throne to your aunt. Later, your aunt also said that whichever of the three of us siblings had a child born first would be the next emperor!"

Later, your imperial grandfather, grandmother, and imperial aunt all had to leave for a period of time, and since you were the firstborn, your position as crown prince was legitimate.

Is the position of Crown Prince legitimate?

Xie Ying smiled and said, "Even if we have to establish another crown prince, our Zetian will be an excellent prince. In our Cangyun Kingdom, women can also be made princes!"