The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

The main hall of the Empress Dowager.

"My son, I wish to express my regards to my mother!"

Princess Jianning walked lightly with lotus steps and bowed respectfully.

The moment she raised her eyes, she caught sight of the princesses sitting on both sides, and a trace of displeasure welled up in her heart.

The secret guard she sent to assassinate Xu Keke was captured by the Regent's men last night, and she only learned the news today.

Princess Jianning naturally knew that Regent Chu Musheng was ruthless.

After finding out the truth, he was afraid that she would attack him, so he hurried to the palace to seek the protection of the Empress Dowager.

But at this critical juncture, those princesses whose fiefdoms were far away in various states were actually sitting here.

Originally, after celebrating the birthday of the Empress Dowager, these princesses should have returned to their respective fiefdoms.

They stayed in the capital because the Regent's wedding was imminent, so it was only natural for them to come and accompany their mother in their spare time.

But if she did so, how could she explain her predicament to her mother in time?

If the regent ordered people to arrest her at this time, the bad things she had done would be exposed, causing these princesses to laugh at her.

Princess Jianning was in a state of confusion, but she showed no sign of it on her face, and continued to maintain a dignified and calm demeanor.

The Empress Dowager raised her hand and signaled Princess Jianning to stand up.

"Jianning, come and sit next to me."

Princess Jianning nodded slightly and walked to the side of the Empress Dowager as she was told and sat down, but her eyes unconsciously glanced at the other princesses.

The Empress Dowager saw this and chuckled:

"You are all royal sisters, so there's no need to be so reserved. The princesses who came to the palace today are also concerned about Sheng'er's wedding, just like you, Jianning."

Princess Jianning forced a smile.

"Yes, Queen Mother."

At this time, one of the princesses spoke with a smile.

"Jianning is the most fortunate. He has been able to live in the Imperial City and always be by the Queen Mother's side. I envy him so much!"

Princess Jianning snorted in her heart and thought:

"This isn't sisterly concern at all; it's clearly an attempt to curry favor with me."

But she still said, "It is only the grace of the late emperor that has allowed me to stay with my mother for a long time to show my filial piety on his behalf."

The Grand Empress Dowager patted Princess Jianning's hand and said, "Don't be ungrateful for the blessings you have."

Princess Jianning nodded slightly, but her mind was not on this idle chat at all.

I just hope to find an opportunity as soon as possible to explain the purpose of my request for an audience with the Empress Dowager alone.

The Empress Dowager looked at the other princesses again.

"Since you guys are so filial, after the Regent's wedding, why not take your mother to enjoy the good life on the fiefdom?"

Several princesses quickly stood up to express their gratitude.

"Thank you, Queen Mother, for your kindness. I will do my utmost to take care of you and let you enjoy your old age in peace in your fiefdom, in return for the Empress Dowager's kindness."

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, raised her hand to signal them to sit down, and her gaze returned to Princess Jianning.

"Jianning, have you prepared any gifts for the Regent's wedding?"

Princess Jianning's heart tightened, and she answered with forced calmness.

"Mother, I have carefully prepared a gift and will not be impolite."

At this time, another princess interrupted and said, "Sister Jianning's gift must be an extraordinary and generous one."

Princess Jianning curled her lips and did not respond.

She was extremely anxious at the moment, and felt that every moment in front of this group of princesses was extremely torturous.

After sitting for a while, Princess Jianning could no longer contain herself and stood up and spoke.

"Mother, I am a little tired and would like to go to the side hall to rest for a while."

After the Empress Dowager agreed, Princess Jianning hurried to the side hall.

He was thinking about how to convince the Empress Dowager to help.

When the princesses in the hall saw Princess Jianning leave, they exchanged meaningful glances with each other.

Jianning has always had a high opinion of himself and always acts superior in front of them. The princesses have long been accustomed to it.

After an unknown amount of time, Princess Jianning, who had been pacing back and forth, finally waited until the Empress Dowager dismissed everyone and came to the side hall.

She knelt down in front of the Empress Dowager with a plop and spoke anxiously.

"Mother, please save me!"

The Empress Dowager was shocked and quickly helped Princess Jianning up.

"What happened to make you so panicked? Do you still have the bearing of a royal daughter?"

Princess Jianning then confessed the whole story of how Xu Ke was assassinated by the secret guards and how she was captured by the Regent.

After hearing this, the Empress Dowager's face darkened. She pushed Princess Jianning's hand away and said angrily:

"How can you be so arrogant! Why would you send someone to assassinate Miss Xu for no reason?"

Princess Jianning knelt down for a few steps, held the Empress Dowager's hand and continued to beg in tears.

"Your Highness... Your Highness was confused for a moment. Please, Mother, save me."

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, broke free from her hand, walked to the chaise longue and sat down, saying coldly:

"Jianning, even at this point, you still refuse to tell me the truth. Can you cover up your foolish behavior by saying you were confused for a moment?

Your momentary confusion may cost Miss Xu's life, even if you think Miss Xu's life is not worth mentioning.

But have you considered the Regent's feelings? Sheng'er is your biological brother, born of the same mother.

He is twenty-one years old this year. He finally met someone he likes and wants to marry her.

You did this at this critical moment. Not to mention Sheng'er, I can't forgive you either!

It would be fine if outsiders didn't know, but as a princess of the Chu royal family, don't you know that the life expectancy of male members of the Chu royal family does not exceed thirty?

Why do I keep giving in to Sheng'er? It's because I want him to live a happy and fulfilling life in the limited time he has.

Now he is happily getting married, but you are causing him such trouble!

If you still want me to save you, explain the whole story clearly."

Princess Jianning trembled and sobbed as she spoke the excuse she had prepared earlier.

"Mother, I am truly jealous of Xu Keke. The Regent dotes on her in every way.

I feel that I no longer have any status in my brother's heart. I am the daughter of a minor official, and in the future I will become your brother's princess, and my status will be more noble than yours.

Furthermore, I heard that Xu Ke's identity is unknown, and I am worried that she is a spy from the enemy country and will harm our Great Chu, so..."

The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and closed her eyes.

Knowing that Jianning is hopeless, this is nothing but extremely selfish and malicious slander.

"Ridiculous! How can you be so suspicious without any evidence? Even if you really have doubts, you should investigate thoroughly before taking any action. You are simply courting death by being so impulsive."

Princess Jianning cried even more miserably.

"Mother, I know I was wrong. Please save me this time. I will never do it again."

The Empress Dowager rubbed her brows and said after thinking for a moment.

"Now, I can only try my best to find a way to calm Sheng'er's anger. I hope he can spare your life for the sake of our brotherly relationship.

But you have to be mentally prepared, because you might have to endure some hardship this time."

Princess Jianning kowtowed repeatedly.

"As long as I can save my life, I am willing to endure anything."

The Empress Dowager shook her head helplessly and walked out without looking back.

"Just take care of yourself."

On the other side, Regent Chu Musheng was sitting in the imperial study, and his subordinates were reporting the results of the investigation to him.