After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

"Your Highness, can't I teach a man who has repeatedly disrespected me a lesson?"

"Imperial Uncle, no matter what, attacking a court official in the Taiji Hall is unprecedented. This trend must not be allowed to continue. Take him away!"

Qin Jingyu did not plead for Kuang Yun, and looked at the imperial guards who entered, saying:

"If that's the case, drag Censor Wu out and give him eighty strokes of the cane."

Upon hearing this, Imperial Censor Wu was furious.

"Your Highness, as an imperial censor, it is my duty to speak frankly and offer advice. What have I done wrong?"

Immediately afterwards, he knelt heavily on the ground with a "thud" and kowtowed repeatedly in the direction of the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, Prince Jing is arrogant and domineering. I beg you to do me justice."

Qin Jingyu snorted coldly, his eyes shooting towards Imperial Censor Wu like knives.

"When has this dynasty ever allowed its officials to arbitrarily frame a prince for treason without any evidence? Do you even deserve the position of Censor?"

"Uncle, you are absolutely right. Take them all out and fight them."

"Your Highness, I am innocent!"

Wu, the Imperial Censor, was struck dumb. He had been promoted by the Crown Prince, and now he was ordered to be beaten so quickly. Where would he have a place to stand in the future?

Compared to the others, he was much more experienced and shrewd, keeping his mouth shut and shrinking to the side.

"Your Highness, do not act recklessly because of your malice. The Qin Dynasty will not tolerate your arbitrary actions."

Qin Jingyu glanced at the Crown Prince, his tone indifferent yet not to be underestimated.

"Uncle, I understand."

The crown prince agreed gently, but a dark glint flashed in his eyes.

Qin Jingyu snorted coldly and left.

After the three judicial departments took over the trial, all five officials confessed their crimes. With conclusive evidence, they were immediately sentenced.

The general who was wrongly accused in the military pay scandal has been released without charge.

"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence."

The person who came was a eunuch serving the Empress.

"It's time to go see the Empress Dowager."

The crown prince raised an eyebrow slightly, put down his pen, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his eyes before he regained his calm demeanor.

The Empress sat high on the couch, dressed in magnificent palace attire. Upon seeing the Crown Prince approaching, she hurriedly stepped down from the couch and greeted him with a smile.

The pearls and jade on her phoenix crown swayed gently with her movements, making a crisp sound.

"Jinhuai, I heard that you have been busy with court affairs and governance these past two days. You must take care of your health and not overwork yourself."

"Someone, quickly bring the tonic soup for the prince to drink."

The Empress held the Crown Prince's hand, her eyes filled with concern.

"Mother, I am not busy. Father is unwell. I am in charge of the country and will do my best without any slack."

The Empress led the Crown Prince to the table and sat him down. She personally ladled out a bowl of nourishing soup, handed it to him, and looked at him tenderly.

"Drink this. This was specially prepared for you by the Imperial Kitchen at the Empress's request. It's full of nourishing medicinal herbs."

A hint of mockery flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes. He knew that the Empress always had ulterior motives behind her expressions of concern, and he waited for her to say what she was about to say.

She took the soup, sipped it, and said with a smile, "Thank you, Mother. It tastes very good."

“My son, I have heard about what happened in the court. Qin Jingyu is a thorn in your father’s side. Now that you are overseeing the country, he is so arrogant. We must think of a way to get rid of him.”

The queen revealed her intentions.

"With such a major concern, you must think twice before you act and never act impulsively."

The Crown Prince nodded slightly, indicating his approval of the Empress.

The Empress nodded in satisfaction and continued, "And the Second Prince, he was drugged by the Empress Dowager and is infertile. He is still a potential threat, and the Empress Dowager will deal with him as soon as possible."

The Empress spoke as calmly as if she were discussing today's meal, but a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes.

“Even if he loses his fertility, there’s no guarantee he won’t resort to desperate measures and collude with Qin Jingyu, which could be detrimental to my child and me.”

The Crown Prince looked at the Empress with a half-smile and replied gently:

"I will follow Mother's arrangements."

The Crown Prince was still so obedient, which pleased the Empress. She took his hand and spoke to him earnestly.

"My son, if there is anything you are unsure about, you must ask your mother. We share the same fate, and we will share the same fate."

"You must unite as one. Your mother will find a way to help you, to ensure that your trusted ministers are loyal to us, and to help you ascend the throne as soon as possible."

The empress looked confident, her eyes gleaming with ambition, as if she could already see the crown prince ascending the throne, herself firmly seated as empress dowager, controlling the world, and becoming the most honored woman under heaven.

[Mother, your ambitions have grown even greater; you're probably thinking of ruling from behind the curtain right now! Unfortunately, you will not be able to achieve your goal.]

The Crown Prince discreetly observed the Empress's expression, while maintaining a respectful and submissive demeanor on the surface.

"Mother, it seems that my uncle has realized my intentions."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's relaxed brows furrowed instantly. She thought to herself, "Qin Jingyu is indeed troublesome; he is the biggest stumbling block for us, mother and son, on our path to the pinnacle of power."

The thought that the late emperor's edict was still missing filled me with a nameless anger.

The people secretly sent out to investigate found nothing, except that there were still forces left behind by the late emperor following Qin Jingyu in the shadows.

He couldn't help but complain:

"The late emperor was truly extremely biased, leaving the best things for Qin Jingyu. Mother, please find a way."

The Crown Prince's face immediately showed gratitude. "Thank you, Mother."

After saying that, the corners of his mouth turned up almost imperceptibly, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

As soon as the crown prince stepped out of the palace, the eunuch waiting outside immediately bowed and reported:

"Your Highness, Consort Liu has caused a scene at Chengqian Palace several times today, repeatedly saying that she wants to serve the Emperor while he is ill."

"So thoughtful. No wonder she was the Emperor's most favored concubine before his illness. Let her go in."

"Your Highness, won't this disturb the Emperor's rest?"

"This is clearly someone trying to test the Emperor's condition," the eunuch asked cautiously.

The crown prince's lips curled into a cold smile, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

"Enter is allowed, but exit is not."

The eunuch's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly replied, "Yes, this servant understands."

In contrast to the conspiracy theories surrounding the imperial palace, the Ye family was immersed in a joyous atmosphere.

Ye Yaoyao spent her coming-of-age ceremony in a deep sleep, but she herself didn't seem to care.

After discussion, the family decided to hold a grand and solemn coming-of-age ceremony for Ye Yaoyao.

The street in front of the gate was packed with carriages and horses, and guests who came to offer their congratulations poured in like a tide.

The Ye family held a banquet with a hundred tables, and even the servants and maids were handing out wedding candies outside. The whole capital knew that the Ye family was holding a coming-of-age ceremony for Ye Yaoyao.

Ye Yaoyao, dressed in a silver dress, looked like a flowing painting.

The neckline is embroidered with delicate silver threads featuring elegant patterns, like stars scattered across the sky; the wide sleeves flow like clouds, with the cuffs subtly shimmering with a silvery halo, as if carrying a radiant glow.

Her long skirt trailed behind her like a cascading silver river, each step exuding a dreamlike and ethereal beauty.

"So beautiful! Miss Ye looks like a fairy descended from heaven in this dress."

"Women wore festive clothes when they came of age, but now I think those are too tacky."

The guests were full of praise for Ye Yaoyao's outfit.