She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

Consort Ling's face gradually darkened. How could she not know what Madam Ling was talking about?

However, Madam Ling believed in her heart that it was because of her and her son that the Ling family had suffered an undeserved disaster.

Now, in order to beg her to save his life, he's willing to risk everything to threaten her.

It's hard to guarantee that she won't stand by and watch the Ling family perish, and Madam Ling will hate them for it. When the Ling family is interrogated, Madam Ling will surely confess that she was instructed by them to take someone down with her.

Thinking of this, Consort Ling became wary and personally helped Madam Ling up: "We are blood relatives, even if our bones are broken, our tendons are still connected. How could I stand by and watch her die?"

"Besides, the Ling family is my maternal clan. I understand the principle that we share both prosperity and adversity."

She spoke of her difficulties: "I have survived to this day entirely thanks to the protection of Empress Yuanrong. After the Qingzhou incident, my son and I were both disliked by the Emperor, and even Empress Yuanrong could no longer be my shield."

"I am in the deep palace, how could I possibly stir up trouble in the court? If Jing'er stays in the capital, I won't have to worry about this matter."

Seeing that Consort Ling was wavering, Madam Ling's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope, and she quickly said, "Your Majesty, please find a way to keep Prince Yu in the capital. With Prince Yu's abilities alone, he will surely be able to turn the tide for the Ling family."

"This is a matter of great importance, and we cannot rush it. We are afraid that haste will lead to chaos, so we must plan carefully." Consort Ling took out a handkerchief to wipe Madam Ling's face: "After Jing'er's wedding, when he brings his new bride to the palace to serve tea, I will discuss this with him properly."

Madam Ling's heart sank, suspecting that Consort Ling was trying to appease her and her son by accusing her of implicating them.

Consort Ling saw through Madam Ling's thoughts and said helplessly, "His Majesty has always been suspicious of my son and me. Your coming to the palace to see me at this critical juncture is enough to make him suspicious."

“As soon as you leave the palace, I will immediately summon Jing’er back. I’m afraid the Emperor will assume we have ulterior motives. If he sends someone to investigate and finds out that my brother smuggled weapons out to sea, then no one can save us.”

"I will ask someone to hold my brother's case in check for now, and we'll discuss everything after Jing'er's wedding."

Lady Ling couldn't tell whether Consort Ling's words were true or false. Just as she was about to say something more, she heard a eunuch standing outside the door announce, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is coming to Yanxiang Palace."

Consort Ling's expression suddenly changed. She pushed Madam Ling into the inner hall and instructed Xiu Dong, "Go and tidy up Madam Ling's appearance."

Madam Ling was also quite frightened; her hands and feet felt weak.

Xiu Dong helped Madam Ling to the inner hall to wash her face, quickly redrew her makeup, and then helped her out. She then went to the small kitchen to bring two bowls of lotus seed and bird's nest soup, placing them in front of Madam Ling and Consort Ling respectively.

"This servant greets Your Majesty."

As the maid's voice faded, the palace doors suddenly opened.

Emperor Jing'an stood at the door, and in his line of sight, Consort Ling sat upright in the main seat, scooping up a spoonful of lotus seed and bird's nest soup and swallowing it.

His gaze shifted to the side, where he saw Madam Ling sitting on a chair below, hurriedly putting down the lotus seed and bird's nest soup in her hands, the spoon clattering against the soup bowl with a series of crisp "clinking" sounds.

Madam Ling's heart pounded like a drum, fearing that Emperor Jing'an would notice something amiss. She hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Seeing Madam Ling's pathetic state, Consort Ling frowned. She rose gracefully and calmly bowed to Emperor Jing'an: "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

Emperor Jing'an dismissed Madam Ling's formalities and sat down in the main seat: "I've come to see how your discussions are going regarding Jing'er's wedding."

As he spoke, he glanced at Madam Ling's slightly reddened eyes, seemingly casually.

Madam Ling lowered her head, her legs trembling so badly she could barely stand.

"My brother sold his properties some time ago, intending to donate the proceeds to disaster-stricken refugees, hoping to accumulate some good fortune for the Ling family. After Jing'er's wedding, my brother will resign from his official post and take the whole family back to our ancestral home." Consort Ling personally accepted the tea offered by the palace maid and handed it to Emperor Jing'an with both hands: "I was thinking that tomorrow is Jing'er's wedding..."

"Bang" sound.

Consort Ling's teacup suddenly fell to the ground, followed by a sharp pain in her abdomen and a feeling of something blocking her throat, making it difficult to breathe.

Emperor Jing'an watched as Consort Ling's face turned pale and cold sweat poured down her forehead in that short time, and his expression changed drastically: "Someone, summon the imperial physician."