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

On a new day, people carried loads on their shoulders and backs, flooding into the city gates like a tide to begin their daily work.

Suddenly, a deep, resonant bell rang out, piercing the sky like thunder.

In an instant, everyone stopped what they were doing, their smiles froze, and they looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise and unease.

During the Qin Dynasty, the palace bells always held special significance and were never rung lightly unless there was a major event.

"What happened? Are they going to close the city gates?"

Indeed, in the event of an emergency, ringing the bell ten times would signal the closing of the city gates.

People travel between urban and rural areas every day, their livelihoods entirely dependent on this, so they naturally pay the most attention to the opening and closing of the city gates.

Everyone held their breath, staring intently in the direction of the palace, their ears perked up, carefully discerning the rhythm of the bells.

"They're still knocking; it's not a city lockdown, it's the capital."

The crowd breathed a sigh of relief, their hearts finally at ease, and they quickened their pace, rushing into the city.

The dull tolling of the bells still echoed in the air, making people wonder what major event had occurred in the palace.

"How many times?"

Today was a day off, and the Ye family was having breakfast when the bell rang, and they all put down their chopsticks.

"Twenty-seven chimes." Ye Jingyang listened intently, his face showing surprise, having already guessed the meaning behind the chimes.

"It is the death knell of the Empress Dowager."

"Why did the Empress Dowager pass away so suddenly?"

Liu Yunshu covered her mouth in surprise, her face full of disbelief.

The Empress Dowager had always been in good health, and her passing without warning must have meant something major had happened in the palace.

"Something seems to have happened in the palace. Let's go there."

As Ye Xiumu spoke, Liu Yunshu got up and went back to her room to change into a simple dress.

"Mother, I'll go to the palace with you." Ye Yaoyao took her hand.

"The palace is probably in a lot of chaos right now. Your father and I will go."

"Mother, I must go."

Liu Yunshu looked at Ye Yaoyao thoughtfully, and suddenly had a ridiculous feeling: did her daughter know something?

In truth, she felt heavy-hearted at that moment. The Ye family and the Qi family had already discussed the marriage between Qi Jinlan and Ye Xiyao, but now they had to postpone it.

At the palace gate, many carriages were already waiting to be inspected.

When the Empress Dowager suddenly passed away, noblewomen and court officials rushed to the palace to attend the funeral. For a time, people came and went inside and outside the palace, and everyone deliberately kept their voices down.

Ye Yaoyao found her maternal grandmother, who was being helped there by Liu Langyue.

The old man's face was full of grief, and his eyes were red and swollen, clearly indicating that he had been crying all the way.

The old lady Liu and the Empress Dowager had a very deep relationship, and her sudden departure was undoubtedly a heavy blow.

"Why did the Empress Dowager leave so suddenly..."

Old Madam Liu suppressed her sobs and wept softly.

Ye Yaoyao stepped forward, supported the other side, and comforted her:

"Grandmother, please take good care of yourself. The Empress Dowager is a kind and loving woman, and she would certainly want you to be well."

After comforting her grandmother, Ye Yaoyao searched for the Crown Prince among the crowd of people dressed in plain clothes.

A palace maid approached Ye Yaoyao and curtsied, saying:

"Miss Ye, Prince Jing requests your presence!"

Ye Yaoyao looked the unfamiliar palace maid up and down.

"Really? Where do you work?"

"This servant is a third-class palace maid of He'an Palace. The Second Prince had an accident, and the Noble Consort was extremely anxious. She sent us out to inquire. This servant met Prince Jing on the way."

Prince Jing instructed me to come and fetch you.

He'an Palace was the residence of Consort Mei. The palace maid explained the whole story in detail in one breath, but her eyes revealed a hint of nervousness.

"What happened to the Second Prince?"

The palace maid approached Ye Yaoyao and whispered something.

"I heard it's related to the Empress Dowager."

Ye Yaoyao's eyes flashed, and after a moment's thought, she nodded gently.

"Oh! Is that so? Then take me to Prince Jing."

"Please, Fourth Miss." A palace maid led the way.

After winding their way through several palace paths, which became increasingly remote, Ye Yaoyao frowned but remained silent, continuing to follow behind the palace maid.

"Fourth Miss, Prince Jing is inside."

The palace maid led Ye Yaoyao to an extremely remote palace.

Suddenly, the palace maid stretched out her hands and swiftly pushed the unsuspecting Ye Yaoyao into the room.

Ye Yaoyao staggered a few steps, steadied herself, and as soon as she stood still, she heard a "click" and the door was quickly locked.

"I'd like to see who's behind this."

The palace maid's story was full of inconsistencies. She did not see Qin Jingyu when she entered the palace, nor did she produce any tokens from the Prince Jing's residence.

Ye Yaoyao knew full well that there were tigers in the mountains, yet she still went into the tiger's den, quietly waiting in the room.

Until the door was unlocked, Hua Mama, who was by the Empress's side, came in.

Granny Hua's gaze fell on Ye Yaoyao. Seeing her staring at her so calmly, she was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Miss Ye knew it was a trap, yet she still dared to come."

"Hmm! Let's see what your purpose is."

Granny Hua frowned. A young lady so calm at a time like this, thinking about how people outside called her a little fairy, she really did have a rather intimidating air about her.

"You guys go over there."

At Granny Hua's command, several palace maids immediately stepped forward and subdued Ye Yaoyao like wolves and tigers.

They skillfully searched her body, taking out all the items she was carrying.

Then a palace maid pinched Ye Yaoyao's cheeks hard, pried open her mouth, and quickly fed her a pill.

Ye Yaoyao instantly collapsed onto the table, and only then did the group move away from her.

"Miss Ye, please stay here a little longer."

Granny Hua was about to leave when she finished speaking.

"Once I'm no longer of any use, will Her Majesty the Empress give me a bowl of poison, just like she poisoned the Crown Princess?"

Granny Hua stopped in her tracks, turned around, and looked at Ye Yaoyao in shock. Most of the people who knew about this matter had been dealt with, and apart from the Empress's confidants, no one knew. How did she know?

"Miss Ye, be careful what you say, or you won't even be able to die as you wish."

After saying this, Granny Hua left briskly. After the door was locked, Ye Yaoyao sat up straight, and there was no trace of the weakness she had just experienced.

After Liu Yunshu helped her mother to rest, she realized that Ye Yaoyao was nowhere to be seen. She panicked and searched for her in the crowd.

Inside the Taiji Hall, the atmosphere was solemn. Qin Jingyu and the Crown Prince stood side by side, while several senior officials stood solemnly on either side.

In the center of the hall, the Second Prince knelt on the ground, his face pale and his body trembling slightly. Beside him knelt the Empress Dowager's personal maid and head maid, both with their heads bowed and their expressions sorrowful.

"The Empress Dowager was thinking of the Emperor and brought a few of us to visit him. Fearing that too many people would disturb His Majesty's health, we could only wait outside the door."

The old woman raised her hand and wiped her eyes with her sleeve, her voice trembling slightly as she continued:

"Unexpectedly, not long after we went in, we heard the Empress Dowager scream. We were startled and rushed in."

And then they discovered…discovered…the Second Prince's hands were covered in blood, the Empress Dowager's chest was soaked with blood, and she lay on the ground, already…already lifeless.