The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

"Given her behavior, how could she not be involved?" Qiong Niang pondered for a moment before continuing, "Perhaps, when the Grand Princess was plotted against, the late Emperor was just a front, and she was the one truly manipulating everything behind the scenes."

"After all, if the Grand Princess was fine, how could her son possibly inherit the throne, and how could she possibly become the Queen Mother?"

"If her biological son, Li Shan, hadn't been killed by a Xirong spy in an accident, how could she be content to be just an empress dowager now? Her greed and ambition wouldn't allow her to just be a leisurely empress dowager with a wealthy harem."

"An accident?" Shen Tianjiao still had some recollection of Li Shan's murder by a Xirong spy. At the time, she hadn't thought much about it because it didn't concern her, but now it might not be so simple. "Whether it was an accident or intentional, it's hard to say."

"The person has been dead for so many years, it doesn't matter whether it was an accident or man-made." Having been in the palace for so many years, Qiong Niang has seen all kinds of despicable means. In this cannibalistic palace, there is only power, but no family affection or morality.

"If Li Shan hadn't died, the throne would never have passed to Li Rui. However, I heard that Li Shan had a son who was raised in the Empress Dowager's family. Regardless of whether this rumor is true or not, I'm afraid another battle for the throne is imminent and could break out at any moment."

"What does the battle for the throne have to do with us? Let Li Rui worry about this kind of headache, otherwise he will really be a waste as the emperor." Shen Tianjiao thought of Li Muyang, and suddenly felt a little uncomfortable in her heart. Being born in an imperial family is not necessarily a good thing.

"Hmph!" Qiong Niang snorted in dissatisfaction, "He's no different from a piece of trash now."

"Okay, let's not talk about him anymore. It's so upsetting." Shen Tianjiao stood up and walked to the window sill. Looking at the peach tree in the yard outside, which hadn't yet bloomed but was swaying in the wind, she sighed and said, "Although it's just speculation now, I don't know why I feel so uneasy. If all this is related to the Grand Princess, she must have come here with a purpose. What is her purpose? Or what does she want from me?"

"And if she's really the mastermind behind this, then Wang Yunzhi and Zhou Dehai are undoubtedly her people. This chain of events is interconnected. Besides us, who else could be the hidden link in this chain?"

"I always thought Wang Yunzhi was hard to figure out, but I never thought there were so many twists and turns behind this. This heroic Grand Princess is truly extraordinary. She can even make Wang Yunzhi willingly become her pawn, letting her control him."

Seeing Shen Tianjiao's frown, Qiong Niang also stood up, walked over to her and looked out the window with her, "How about I tell you some secrets about our family history to change your mood and cheer you up?"

"Are you sure you want to tell me your family's secret history?" Shen Tianjiao turned sideways and looked at Qiong Niang with a look as if she were a fool. "Family disgrace should not be made public. Aren't you afraid that your ancestors will come and settle accounts with you tonight?"

"Anyway, with you here, what do I have to fear?" Qiong Niang shrugged nonchalantly. "We're in the same boat now. We prosper together and suffer together. What else can I hide from you? Besides, this matter is about that Prime Minister Wang. Are you sure you don't want to hear it?"

"Prime Minister Wang's gossip? I'm very interested in listening to it." The nature of human beings is to watch the fun and eat melons. Shen Tianjiao is no exception. She stares at Qiong Niang with shining eyes, waiting to eat melons.

Qiong Niang was amused by Shen Tianjiao's appearance. She took Shen Tianjiao's arm and said, "Empress, have you forgotten that Prime Minister Wang and I are from the same family, both descended from the Wang family of Langya?"

"Uh, well," Shen Tianjiao smiled embarrassedly, "I really forgot about it, but you can't blame me. I've never heard you mention it before. And when your family was in trouble, Prime Minister Wang not only didn't plead for your father, but also cleared himself of the matter. At that time, I thought you just had the same surname but different clans."

"That's right, he is just as you can see, an extremely selfish and indifferent person. Not to mention pleading for my father, he didn't even have an ounce of brotherhood with his fellow clansmen. He severed all ties with our family because he was afraid that we would drag him down." Thinking of the hustle and bustle of her family when it was still a while before it fell into decline, Qiong Niang couldn't help but sigh at the coldness of human nature in this world.

"Oh, okay, okay, let's not talk about those unhappy things. Let's wait a little longer. When we become stronger, we will help your Wang family overturn the verdict. As long as it is proved that Lord Wang is innocent, it is only a matter of time before his official position is restored and the family is honored." Seeing that Qiong Niang looked depressed, Shen Tianjiao reached out and patted her on the back, holding her in his arms to comfort her.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Wang family's affair was a deliberate frame-up by Li Rui in order to divide the power of the aristocratic families. As long as Shen Tianjiao's power was strong enough, it would be easy for her to overturn the verdict for them.

"Okay, let's get back to the point and talk about the gossip about Prime Minister Wang. I'm really curious about what this gossip is. After all, our Prime Minister Wang looks like such a polite and old-fashioned person. It turns out that such a person also has an unknown side. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, it really is true that you can't judge a person by his appearance."

Qiong Niang was amused by Shen Tianjiao. Why didn't she realize that the Queen was such a witty and humorous person before?

She only remembered that the previous Shen Tianjiao was also a well-mannered, methodical, and old-fashioned person who always followed the rules in everything.

"Okay, satisfy our Queen's curiosity." These past two days have been the days when Qiong Niang was in the happiest mood and laughed the most since she entered the palace.

"I overheard this from my grandfather and father. The reason why Wang Yunzhi became the Grand Princess's man was because when he was young, he was also dazzled by her charm and fell at her feet."

"Who? Prime Minister Wang?" Shen Tianjiao imagined the scene and couldn't help laughing wildly.

Seeing Shen Tianjiao laughing so hard that she was almost out of breath, Qiong Niang shook her head helplessly and patted her back to calm her down. "What's so funny about this that makes you laugh like this?"

"No, no, I just can't help laughing when I think of Wang Yunzhi's serious and proper look." Shen Tianjiao laughed so hard that her stomach hurt, and she finally stopped. "Go on, I promise I won't laugh anymore."

"There's nothing much to say. It's nothing more than a love-struck man meeting a heartless woman. Even though they can't get the love they want, they still love each other deeply." Qiong Niang found it incredible that a selfish man like Wang Yunzhi could actually be a love-struck man.

"I never thought that Prime Minister Wang was such a passionate lover. Not only is he infatuated, but he's also devoted. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk. Now I actually have a little respect for that old man."

"Hey, do you know why the eldest princess doesn't like Prime Minister Wang?" Shen Tianjiao was so gossipy that she had to get to the bottom of it.

Qiong Niang shook her head. "I don't know about that. I was still young at the time and only overheard a few things. But what is certain is that Wang Yunzhi is deeply in love with the Grand Princess, to the point where he would even sacrifice his life for her."

"My grandfather and father discussed this matter back then because they were worried that Wang Yunzhi would do anything recklessly because of this love affair, which would not only harm himself but also bring trouble to our Wang family."

"But later I heard from others that the eldest princess had a lover whom she loved deeply, and she gave up many things for that person."

"So I guess the reason why the Grand Princess was so disastrously defeated and ended up in this situation today must have a lot to do with that person."

"This matter is becoming more and more interesting. Sending someone to investigate this matter may be of great help to us." Shen Tianjiao withdrew her thoughts and made a plan in her mind.

Now everything is confusing and the road ahead of Shen Tianjiao is destined to be one full of difficulties and extremely dangerous. She must be more careful and cautious.

"Well, when you have the chance, you can go and meet the Grand Princess." Qiong Niang was actually uneasy in her heart. The Grand Princess was definitely a tough character who could not be provoked. She just didn't know whether she was a friend or an enemy.

"Opportunities aren't waited for, they're created. When the time comes, we can go together. It will be a blessing to be able to see this legendary figure in our lifetime." Shen Tianjiao smiled at Qiong Niang. "Where does this Grand Princess live now?"

"Anguo Temple, they told others that they were in poor health and wanted to meditate and practice, but in fact it was just a disguised imprisonment." Qiong Niang sighed silently. It was so difficult to be a woman. Even the stunning and beautiful princess could not escape the control of fate.

"Mother." Li Muyang's sudden appearance interrupted the conversation between the two.

Looking at Li Muyang running towards her, Shen Tianjiao unconsciously raised the corners of her mouth, "Run slower, don't fall."

"Mother." Li Muyang threw himself into Shen Tianjiao's arms, hugged her, looked at her hopefully and said, "Mother, Sister Dongyang made some delicious snacks. Can we go eat them together?"

"Okay, look at your sweaty head." Shen Tianjiao took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off Li Muyang's head.

"Mu'er, come here. This is Empress Qiong. From now on, all your affairs will be under her care." Shen Tianjiao pulled Li Muyang in front of Empress Qiong. Li Muyang looked at Empress Qiong curiously and called out timidly, "Hello, Empress Qiong."

"Well, hello, the eldest prince." Qiong Niang couldn't help but reached out and touched Li Muyang's head, feeling a little sad.

"Why call me the eldest prince? It's too formal. Just call me Mu'er with me. We are our own children, so why should we be so polite?" Shen Tianjiao pulled Li Muyang and took Qiong Niang's arm. "Let's go and have some snacks."