Deposed Crown Prince: After three years of service on the frontier, the entire court knelt and begge

Xiao Wenqin felt very pleased by what Xiao Yang said, and said, "Second Brother, if you have something to say, just say it... there's no need to be so polite!"

Seeing this, Xiao Yang said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony. I visited my mother yesterday, and I noticed that although she had shaved her head, her mood seemed a bit off... I was thinking that my father and mother were very loving, so could it be that my father's passing has caused my mother to become like this?"

"Now that my father has passed away, my mother should, according to custom, move out of the palace after his funeral. I was thinking, could we have my mother move out first..."

Xiao Wenqin nodded in agreement: "Of course, no problem... Actually, Second Brother, I went there when you weren't around, and I did notice that Consort Hui was acting strangely."

Before Xiao Yang could speak again, Xiao Wenqin said, "However..."

Xiao Yang quickly asked, "Is there a problem?"

Xiao Wenqin nodded: "Second brother, there's no problem. The affairs of the inner palace are now managed by my mother... so, what I meant was that I wanted to inform her first... and once she approves, there won't be any issues! However, I can assure you, there won't be any problems. Are you in a hurry?"

Xiao Yang nodded upon seeing this: "If it's convenient, please do so as soon as possible!"

Without hesitation, Xiao Wenqin said, "Alright, I'll go and inform the Empress Dowager right away. Once she agrees, you can leave with Consort Hui!"

Seeing Xiao Wenqin's sincerity, Xiao Yang bowed and said, "Then I'll trouble Your Majesty."

Xiao Wenqin waved his hand and said, "Second Brother, you're too kind!"

Xiao Yang also bowed and left, telling Xiao Wenqin that he would be waiting for him in Consort Hui's palace.

So Xiao Yang went to Consort Hui's residence.

After arriving at Consort Hui's residence, Consort Hui was still chanting scriptures.

According to the palace maid, Consort Hui recited scriptures until dawn last night and started again early this morning.

Xiao Yang tried to go to his mother, the Empress Dowager, but Consort Hui still ignored him completely.

Xiao Yang could only wait for news from Xiao Wenqin.

He thought he'd just take it with him when the time came.

...

This is where Consort Yun resides at this time.

When Consort Yun saw Xiao Wenqin approaching, she asked with some surprise, "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

After bowing to Consort Yun, Xiao Wenqin recounted the events that had just occurred.

After listening, Consort Yun nodded: "The Prince of Anyang is truly remarkable."

Xiao Wenqin nodded: "That's right, Mother. I didn't expect my second brother to be so frank and supportive of me!"

Consort Yun said to Xiao Wenqin, "Your Majesty, have you ever considered the possibility that you and he actually have no relationship? Why would he do this?"

When Consort Yun asked this question, Xiao Wenqin was taken aback for a moment...

He then said, "He made it very clear: it was for the development of the country, and also to respect the Emperor's will!"

Consort Yun gave a wry smile, then said, "Your Majesty, you're thinking too simply... Prince Anyang used to be a troublemaker... how could he suddenly change his ways? He doesn't owe you any favors, does he..."

Xiao Wenqin wasn't stupid. He frowned slightly and asked Consort Yun, "Mother, do you mean it's because of Consort Yun? He thinks Consort Yun is in our hands?"

Consort Yun nodded in agreement: "Very likely. Prince Anyang used to be fearless, but he did listen to his mother a few times..."

Xiao Wenqin nodded: "Even so, we might as well do him a favor. We can't let Second Brother turn against me just because we send Consort Hui away."

"If I disagree, my second brother will probably hold a grudge..."

Consort Yun nodded: "I actually suggested that Consort Hui stay here... Don't you think Consort Hui is acting strangely?"

Xiao Wenqin nodded: "Mother, it's because of his strange behavior that Second Brother wanted to take her away. Mother, you don't mean for me to use Consort Hui to hold Second Brother hostage... do you...?"

Consort Yun said to Xiao Wenqin, “Your Majesty, you are still unfamiliar with court affairs. The late emperor’s funeral is not yet over. If Consort Hui leaves, your officials in the court will surely have something to say. How about this, you say that for the sake of Consort Hui and Prince Anyang’s reputation, she will leave the palace after the funeral is over.”

"If Prince Anyang is concerned about Consort Hui's condition, he can freely dispatch the imperial physicians within the palace, and even bring in renowned doctors from outside the palace... As long as the late emperor's funeral is over, Prince Anyang can take Consort Hui out at any time. Your Majesty, what do you think of this?"

Hearing Yunfei say this, Xiao Wenqin nodded: "Since Mother says so, it makes sense... I believe that if you tell your second brother about your concerns, he will understand! Mother, then I will take my leave."

Consort Yun nodded: "Your Majesty, the late Emperor asked you to summon the Prince of Anyang so that you could make good use of him... You mustn't let him use you instead!"

Xiao Wenqin bowed and nodded, then took his leave without saying anything more.

Watching Xiao Wenqin's departing figure, Consort Yun sighed deeply.

"I originally intended to protect him and keep him away from the court! Who knew he would study at the ancestral home? He's a bit too naive."

A young eunuch standing nearby said, "Your Majesty, give His Majesty some time... He's a smart man! But we should be careful about the Prince of Anyang's unusual behavior."

"He's completely different since he came back... He seems much more shrewd and less arrogant than before! Most importantly, he seems to be a very good actor. Just these past two days, he's been mourning the late emperor, and his crying has been absolutely heart-wrenching..."

Consort Yun listened and nodded, saying, "I've heard..."

As she spoke, Yunfei's face turned colder: "This mother and son are no pushovers either! I wonder what kind of show they're putting on here."

Then, Consort Yun looked at the eunuch and asked, "By the way, did you send someone to keep an eye on Xiao Yang? What did he do after leaving the palace?"

The eunuch bowed: "Nothing special. After leaving, he went straight to Qian's Hot Pot restaurant for a meal. He still loves to join in the fun. So you can tell that his wailing at the funeral hall was obviously an act... Otherwise, if he were truly heartbroken, who would turn around and eat hot pot?"

Consort Yun nodded: "Besides eating hot pot, where else did you go? Who else did you meet?"

The eunuch shook his head: "No, that's all. After finishing the hotpot, they went back to his residence. I've been monitoring his residence, and no strange people approached them..."

After listening to the eunuch's words, Consort Yun nodded: "Alright! I understand... Keep an eye on them, this mother and son are definitely not as simple as they seem!"

The eunuch nodded.

Consort Yun continued, "By the way, have you checked Linhai County yet? Haven't our distinguished guests arrived yet?"

The eunuch bowed and nodded: "Your Majesty, people have been asking every day... but there's been no news. However, General Wang Guanzhong said that it might be due to the recent high winds and waves at sea, causing the delay!"

"General Wang Guanzhong also said that Your Majesty need not worry too much! Everything is under control! Let them jump around, they won't be able to keep it up for long!"

Consort Yun nodded in agreement: "I can't sleep soundly for a single day without His Majesty firmly establishing himself on the throne..."

The eunuch said to Consort Yun, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is blessed with good fortune!"

Consort Yun shook her head and said, "Originally, our plan was very good. I don't know who poisoned the late emperor... causing him to die prematurely, which disrupted all my plans! Is there any progress on the matter of poisoning the late emperor?"

The eunuch shook his head again: "Your Majesty, there's still no news... As you know, before the late Emperor died, he killed so many eunuchs and palace maids, and all those involved—at least eight thousand, if not ten thousand. Even if there were clues before, those who poisoned him were all killed by the late Emperor..."

Consort Yun said bitterly, "That emperor, even in death, caused us so much trouble! Do you think it might have been Consort Hui who did it? After all, she was acting very strangely! After the late emperor was poisoned, she transferred all the people in his palace away... There must be something wrong with that."

The eunuch shook his head and said, "Didn't the late Emperor investigate all of this? Besides, Consort Hui has no motive for doing this! Logically speaking, with Prince Xiao Yang far away on the frontier, no longer by the Emperor's side, she should be the one who least wants the late Emperor to die!"