The queen is sober in the world, and she is winning every step of the palace fight.

"Sister, what are you talking about?" Fei Wan was surprised. "Have you forgotten about the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet and the incident at Changle Palace?"

Empress Yan said, "Sister, how could I forget how you saved me? However, climbing over a wall or jumping out of a window is something you can do with a light body. Dragging a woman requires a bit of strength, too. However, fighting an enemy is a different matter, especially when the enemy is an assassin who was able to escape from the siege of the imperial guards."

When meeting Queen Yan's eyes, Fei Wan knew that she was beginning to doubt herself.

Queen Yan knew that she had ulterior motives, that she was not as gentle and docile as she appeared, and that she was not sincere to the emperor.

But I am still willing to interact with her and be honest with her.

He even told her that he was dissatisfied with the emperor and said that he wanted to be "the one in power."

Queen Yan was sincere in her love.

Naturally, I also hope that she will be sincere.

Hiding the fact that she would meet in martial arts meant that she had ulterior motives.

If this matter is not explained clearly, it may become a thorn between the two of them.

But what is there to explain?

Fei Wan's eyes turned stern, and she said bluntly, "It turns out Sister Yan doesn't know martial arts. I didn't even know that!"

Queen Yan was stunned.

Fei Wan continued, "As the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, born into a family of military commanders, how could she not know martial arts? The Great Ancestor of Daliang founded the country on military principles, and taught martial arts to his descendants for generations. Even our Majesty, who enjoys literature, has not violated the ancestral teachings and continues to practice martial arts—although in reality, his practice is not very good. My sister came from a military family and became the Queen of Daliang, yet she doesn't know any martial arts at all. It's really surprising."

Queen Yan felt guilty.

She originally wanted to question Fei Wanzang's intentions, but somehow she became the one being questioned.

Fei Wan's self-righteousness gave people an invisible sense of oppression, making her feel that it was really inappropriate for her to not know martial arts.

"...Not only the girls in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, but also the girls in other dukes' and marquises' mansions don't practice martial arts." The tone was inexplicably weak.

Fei Wan then pursued him: "So they have enjoyed the title of nobility for generations, but have not maintained the good habit of practicing martial arts for generations. No wonder our Daliang's military preparations are declining."

Queen Yan blushed, "Practicing martial arts is a man's job."

"Are all the children of the Zhenguogong Mansion good at martial arts?"

“…”That’s not the case.

"When the assassin sees my sister, will he not attack her because she is a woman?"

"……"Won't.

"When my sister wanted to be the one in power, why didn't she think that power was a man's job?"

"..."Sister, please shut up.

Fei Wan saw that it was almost time, so she put away her sternness, took Empress Yan's hand, and spoke in a gentle and earnest voice.

"Sister Yan, men don't allow us women to do this or that. They want us to stay in the boudoir and follow the three obediences and four virtues. We have to work hard all our lives to serve them, their children, their concubines, their concubines' children, their parents and grandparents, their relatives, friends, and colleagues... But sister, we can't belittle ourselves. We must be strict with ourselves. We should enjoy what we should enjoy, and we must not be vague about what we should do.

My sister, despite being the heir to the Zhenguo Mansion, comes from a family of military commanders, yet she doesn't practice martial arts herself. She was helpless yesterday when faced with the assassin. Although she's constantly surrounded by guards, she still needs to be able to protect herself, so she doesn't sit back and wait for death in a critical moment. I don't know anyone who practices martial arts, but I learned some from watching street performers and observing the movements of the eunuchs and guards in the palace during martial arts competitions. I've been practicing these techniques myself, and they really came in handy yesterday. And sister, if you want to practice martial arts, you can find a great master. Why not? Even if you don't fight, it's good for your health!"

Empress Yan nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, sister. After this matter is over, I will find someone to teach me martial arts."

"Why wait until things are over? If you want to practice, you can go back to Fengming Palace and practice today."

"……it is good."

Fei Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

I managed to get through this stage!

However, letting Queen Yan practice martial arts was indeed intended to make her mentally stronger.

The spoiled daughter of a noble family has never experienced real hardship. If she wants to gain a foothold in the palace and the political struggle, it is useless to just be ruthless. She must also be able to keep up with both her mind and body!

While Queen Yan agreed readily, she also had a flash of thought: the questioning had yielded no results, but she had been convinced. Should she become a martial artist in the future?

It surprised me that!

It's also quite interesting.

Thinking carefully, what could she blame Fei Wan for? Even if Fei Wan had been practicing martial arts in secret without telling her, she still saved her at the critical moment and became her benefactor again.

If Fei Wan hadn't held her and rolled away, she would have been attacked by the assassin and might be lying in bed like the emperor now.

Queen Yan felt ashamed.

After dealing with the emperor so much, I was actually infected with his sinister mind. I always doubt others and only think about how others have wronged me, but I never think about what I have done for others!

So he whispered to Fei Wan to apologize.

Fei Wan smiled: "Sister, you are so kind and bright, why do you care about these details? Do we still care about these things between each other?"

The two of them talked about the whole story and details of He Shuangying's connection with the spy.

We chatted for a long time.

The emperor was sleeping in his bedroom.

The two concubines were having a secret conversation in the warm room.

On a winter night, a chilly north wind blew through the palaces. The stone steps were chilling, and hearts were filled with uncertainty. Yet, within the vermilion walls and golden tiles, there was a certain warmth that, through the frost and cold, made one yearn for the arrival of early spring.

……

"Dad, Dad, please save your son! Your birthday is in the spring, and I want to celebrate your birthday. You can't die now, Dad!"

In the severe punishment room of the Palace Administration Office.

Cao Bin came here privately when the emperor was asleep and did not need to be served for the time being.

Cui Liang, the adopted son, was covered in blood, having been tortured. His confession clearly explained how he had repeatedly helped He sneak into the Chenqian Palace to seduce the emperor, how he had instructed He to ask the eunuchs in the pharmacy to buy medicine, and how he had been bribed by spies to repeatedly pass on details of the emperor's daily life to them.

At this time, facing his adopted son's call for help, Cao Bin remained indifferent.

He simply walked up to Cui Liang who was hanging on the wall, took out a handkerchief from his arms, wiped the bloodstains around his eyes, and smoothed his hair back.

"Does it hurt?"

"It hurts! Dad, it hurts! They're so cruel! Dad, you must punish them when you get back. They're clearly seeking revenge and are displeased with you, so they're deliberately torturing their son..."

"This is painkiller."

Cao Bin interrupted Cui Liang's chatter, took out a box of ointment and applied it to several obvious wounds on Cui Liang.

"Feeling better?"

"It feels cooler and more comfortable, but it still hurts. Dad, please save me. I was just momentarily possessed by a ghost. Dad, please save me!"

"Okay, I'll find a way. Don't act silly here. Cooperate with them. I'll plead for you in front of the emperor."

"Thank you, Dad! Thank you, Dad! You are the best! I am confused. I will never do anything behind your back again. I will do whatever you say!"

Cui Liang cried with joy.

Cao Bin wiped away his tears.

She took out the bowls and plates from the food box she brought, scooped up the soup with a spoon, and fed it to him with her own hands.