Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Qingxin Pavilion

When Su Qianrou woke up, she heard about what had happened in Fengtian Hall, which really shocked her. "You said that the Empress Dowager was going to hold court and rule the country."

Mu Zexuan nodded and said, "Grandmother Empress Dowager does want to, but I and the ministers have not agreed."

Su Qianrou hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to have such grand ambitions, but why so suddenly? "Didn't the Duke of Su agree to it either?"

"The Duke of Su seemed unaware of this beforehand. However, after court, he went to the Longevity Palace and stayed for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before leaving."

Such a big matter was not even discussed with the Duke of Su. It must have been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Who gave her this idea? "Yingyue, have the secret guards investigate who the Empress Dowager has been getting close to lately, or if anyone has appeared around her."

"Yes".

"The Empress Dowager's aunt suspected that the Empress Dowager had been instigated by someone."

"It's obvious that the Prince has been gone for more than half a month, and the Empress Dowager only had this idea now. She didn't even have time to inform the Duke of Su before she suddenly appeared in the main hall. This can only mean that she made the decision last night."

"Could it be someone from the Duke of Su's mansion?"

"No, if it were someone from the Duke of Su's mansion, they should have obtained the Duke of Su's consent first, otherwise it would all be in vain. Although the Duke of Su did not speak out to stop it in the main hall, he did not speak out to help either. This proves that, firstly, he really did not know beforehand, and secondly, he did not agree. But if he did not agree, then the Empress Dowager would not have appeared in Fengtian Hall."

"Indeed, without the support of the Duke of Su, the Empress Dowager's plan would not have worked at all."

"So, it means that Duke Su did not know beforehand. But the Empress Dowager did not discuss such a big matter with Duke Su in advance. What does that mean?"

"This indicates that it was a decision made by the Empress Dowager on short notice."

"That's right."

"In your opinion, Aunt, who is instigating Grandmother?"

"do not know".

Mu Zexuan frowned, deep in thought.

"Alright, stop thinking about it. We'll find out once the secret guards find out. Don't worry, with me here, I won't let the Empress Dowager rule from behind the curtain."

"Ok".

Duke Su's Mansion

The study was filled with almost all the male members of the Li family from three generations, numbering more than a dozen.

Su Guogong asked openly, "The Empress Dowager wishes to rule from behind the curtain. What are your thoughts on this?"

"My son thinks this is a good thing. If the Empress Dowager can rule from behind the curtain, it will be entirely beneficial to our Duke Su's mansion."

"Second Brother is right. We should take this opportunity to strengthen the Li family."

"I also think it's feasible. If Aunt can rule the court, our Li family will soon become the number one family."

"Ruling the court is easier said than done. You saw the attitudes of the officials at the morning court session, Father, as well as His Majesty. They will never agree to it."

"Brother, you are mistaken. With the Prince absent and His Majesty young, it is only reasonable for the Empress Dowager to rule as regent."

"Second Uncle, don't forget that before the Prince left, he asked Grandfather, Minister Song, and Minister Su to jointly oversee the country."

"Hmph, Regent, in the end you still don't trust your father, otherwise why would you let Song Mingxian and Su Jing'an go together?"

“If Your Highness did not trust Grandfather, you would not have allowed him to oversee the country. Minister Song and Minister Su are both Your Highness’s men. Your Highness’s inclusion of Grandfather in the list proves that Your Highness trusts Grandfather.”

"Xuan'er is right."

“I think you and your son have been bribed by him. If he trusted our Duke Su’s mansion, he wouldn’t be suppressing us at every turn.”

“If His Highness truly intended to suppress the Duke of Su’s mansion, he wouldn’t have made my father the Minister of Rites, nor would I have been the Vice Minister of Revenue. As for why my second uncle was dismissed by His Highness and why my third uncle was demoted, you all know the answer in your hearts, and everyone is well aware of the truth.”

"you……".

“Nowadays, almost everyone in the court is the prince’s man. Let’s not even talk about whether the Empress Dowager can rule from behind the curtain. Even if she does, how many people do you think will listen to her? Also, you should know very well what kind of person the prince is. If he finds out that we have treacherous intentions, do you think he will let our Duke Su’s mansion off the hook?” Li Fangyi said.

Duke Su remained silent, as if deep in thought.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Li Zixuan continued, "Grandfather, Prince Min and Prince Qing are the lessons of the past. Our Duke Su's Mansion has gone through a hundred years to achieve its current glory. Let's not make a mistake in the end and end up losing everything."

“I think you guys are just cowards. As long as we have enough power, even if he is the regent, he can’t touch us at will.”

“Now our Duke Su’s Mansion is the only Duke’s Mansion in Yunyue, and my grandfather is the Regent Minister. Isn’t that enough power? How much more power does my second uncle want? Does he want to rebel?”

"Xuan'er, be careful what you say," Li Fangyi reminded him.

“Alright, let’s not discuss this matter any further. I will write a letter to persuade the Empress Dowager to abandon her idea of ​​ruling from behind the curtain,” said Duke Su.

Li Fangming didn't expect his father to be so cowardly, "Dad, how come even you are..."

"Alright, everyone go back. Yi'er and Xuan'er, stay here."

Li Fangming glanced at Li Fangyi and Li Zixuan with resentment, then turned and left.

Li Fanghong also went out.

Seeing this, the others dared not linger and all left.

Longevity Palace

The Empress Dowager was changing her clothes, preparing to go to bed, when she suddenly said, "Summon Wang Bing here."

Fanghua couldn't help but look at Granny Xu.

Granny Xu couldn't help but advise, "Master, this is probably not a good idea. Wang Bing has been coming almost every day lately, which may attract attention."

"Then tell him to be careful and not to get caught."

"this……".

"What, is it that my words no longer carry any weight?"

"This old servant dares not," he said, then gave Fanghua a wink.

Fanghua then walked out.

The Empress Dowager then walked to the bedside and sat down.

Qingxin Pavilion

After the meal, Su Qianrou sat on the couch and read a book.

Yingyue walked in and said, "Your Highness."

Su Qianrou looked at her and asked, "Has the secret guard found anything?"

"Yes".

"explain".

"The Empress Dowager has recently been getting very close to a eunuch."

"Eunuch?" Su Qianrou was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, his name is Wang Bing."

"You said they're very close, how close are they?"

"For the past two weeks, the Empress Dowager has summoned Wang Bing to her bedroom almost every night, where she stays for more than half an hour. During this time, Xu Mama will drive away the palace servants of Changshou Palace and not allow anyone to get close."

"How they met, where, and when."

"Wang Bing was a eunuch in the Imperial Household Department. He was responsible for tending to the flowers and plants in the Imperial Garden. The Empress Dowager liked to take walks in the Imperial Garden, so she would often run into him. Over time, the two became acquainted."

"What does Wang Bing look like?"

"He could be described as having delicate features."

No wonder. "Have the secret guards investigate him carefully. Also, have someone keep an eye on Changshou Palace."

"Yes".