Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

A few days later, rumors spread throughout the palace that the affair between the Empress Dowager and the eunuch had somehow been leaked and even spread outside the palace, becoming common knowledge within the capital.

Upon learning this, the Empress Dowager fainted, whether from anger or shame, it is unclear.

Qingxin Pavilion

At this moment, Su Qianrou was having lunch.

Yingyue entered and reported, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has summoned the imperial physician."

"Do you know why?"

"She must have been so angry that she fainted. Now everyone in the palace is talking about the Empress Dowager having an affair with a eunuch."

"What happened? Why did this get out?"

"We don't know for now."

"Send the secret guards to investigate immediately."

"Yes".

Then Su Qianrou got up and went to Changshou Palace.

Longevity Palace

When Su Qianrou arrived, the Empress Dowager was still unconscious, with Xu Mama and Fanghua by her side.

"How is the Empress Dowager? Is she alright?"

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Immediately afterwards, Xu Mama replied, "Your Highness, the imperial physician said that His Highness was just upset and suffered a heart attack, but there is nothing serious about it. He will be fine after a few days of rest."

"Although there is no major problem, she still needs to be taken good care of."

"Yes".

At this moment, Chunzhu noticed that the Empress Dowager had woken up, so she said, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has woken up."

Su Qianrou looked at the Empress Dowager and asked, "Mother, you've woken up. How are you feeling?"

"Su Qianrou, how dare you mock me!" The Empress Dowager was furious.

"Whether Mother believes it or not, I did not do this."

"If it's not you, then who else could it be?"

"I've already had someone investigate, and I believe we'll have results soon."

"Hmph, who knows if you're just crying wolf."

"If this gets out, it will not only empress dowager lose face, but also His Majesty and the prince. Therefore, I will never do this unless absolutely necessary."

The Empress Dowager thought about it and it seemed to make sense, then murmured, "If it's not you, then who could it be?"

"I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly. Mother, please rest assured and recover."

The Empress Dowager said nothing more.

Afterwards, Su Qianrou came out of Changshou Palace and walked on the road, saying, "Have Steward Xu come to see me."

“Yes,” Chunzhu replied.

Qingxin Pavilion

Su Qianrou sat on the tatami mat, drinking tea while pondering matters.

A moment later, Xu Tao walked in and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Chief Steward Xu, you must already know about the rumors circulating in the palace."

"This old servant knows."

"Did you find anything?"

Not yet.

"The source of the rumors must be found within three days."

"Yes, this old servant will go and investigate immediately. If Your Highness has nothing else to say, this old servant will take his leave."

"Go ahead".

Then, Xu Tao walked out.

Su Qianrou asked, "Is there still no news from the Prince?"

"No," Chunzhu replied.

Su Qianrou wanted to ask Su Haoyu if there was any news, but then she thought that he was still on his way, so she didn't ask.

Then, Chunzhu said, "Your Highness, the eldest princess sent someone to ask if she could come and have dinner with you later."

"Can".

"Then this servant will send someone to Luoyang Palace to inform the eldest princess."

"Ok".

In the afternoon, the eldest princess arrived at Qingxin Pavilion as promised. Upon learning that Su Qianrou was in the study, she went there.

When Chunzhu saw her, she hurriedly bowed.

The eldest princess gestured for her to be quiet, and then waited quietly to the side.

About fifteen minutes later, Su Qianrou put down her pen and stared at the letter she had just written without saying a word.

Chunzhu reminded her, "Your Highness, the eldest princess has arrived."

"Imperial Aunt".

Su Qianrou then noticed the presence of the eldest princess and asked, "Why is the eldest princess here?"

"I've come to have dinner with my aunt."

"Oh, right, you sent someone to say that at noon," he said, handing the letter to Chunzhu and adding, "Keep it."

Chunzhu took the letter and put it in a box.

The eldest princess didn't ask any further questions, pretending not to have seen anything.

Su Qianrou stood up and said, "It's still early, let's go to the main room and chat for a while."

"it is good".

three days later

Su Qianrou was reading, but she couldn't concentrate on it, so she put the book down and looked out the window.

It's been ten days already, and I still don't know how Jinchen is doing. Logically speaking, Xiaoyu should have arrived at the Southwest Military Camp by now, but I don't know if he has.

Seeing that she was lost in thought again, Chunzhu knew that she was worried about Mu Jinchen and couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

At this moment, Yingyue entered and said, "Your Highness, Chief Steward Xu requests an audience."

Su Qianrou then came to her senses and said calmly, "Please."

A moment later, Xu Tao walked in and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"But we've found out the truth."

"Your Highness, the matter has been investigated, but..."

"Steward Xu, please speak frankly."

"That person is from the Longevity Palace, so this old servant cannot arrest him directly."

Su Qianrou was not surprised by this result, because she had expected it. "Since they are people from the Empress Dowager's palace, then the Empress Dowager should deal with them. Let's go to the Longevity Palace."

Longevity Palace

The rumors have intensified in recent days, and the Empress Dowager is so angry that she can't get out of bed and has a terrible headache.

"I shouldn't have believed that bitch Su Qianrou, saying she would find out the truth. It's been several days now, and she still hasn't found anything. Xu Mama, you go and investigate yourself. I want to see which fool dares to rebel against me."

"Yes".

At this moment, a palace maid entered and said, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Regent's Consort and Chief Eunuch Xu request an audience."

"What are they here for?"

"It seems the matter has been resolved, so I've come to inform you, Master," said Granny Xu.

"Let them in."

Soon, Su Qianrou and Xu Tao walked in.

"I have met the Empress Dowager."

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager."

"Is Mother feeling any better?" Su Qianrou asked as usual.

"Hmph, as long as you don't anger me, I'll be fine," the Empress Dowager said irritably.

"Knowing that my mother doesn't like me, I haven't bothered her these past few days, so as not to worsen her condition."

"So, does that mean I should thank you?"

"Mother, there's no need to be so polite. It's all what I should do."

“Su Qianrou, you…”

Seeing that she was about to get angry again, Xu Mama quickly changed the subject and asked, "Your Highness, you and Steward Xu have come here because there has been a result regarding the rumors."

"There is indeed a result, Steward Xu, please tell the Empress Dowager."

"Yes," Xu Tao replied, then said, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, according to this old servant's investigation, this matter was spread by a palace maid from Changshou Palace."

"Who are the people in my palace?"

"Youth".

"That's impossible. Fanghua has been by my side for over ten years. It can't be her."

Hearing that it was Fanghua, Su Qianrou was also a little surprised. She originally thought it was just a little palace maid, but she didn't expect it to be her. This was quite unexpected. "Steward Xu, are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"

"Your Highness, this old servant has checked repeatedly and is certain that it is indeed her."

"Aunt Fanghua is a person in the Empress Dowager's palace. How to deal with her should be decided by the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager, with a stern face, ordered, "Go and summon Fanghua."

The palace maid went out immediately, and after a short while, she rushed in in a panic, stammering, "Empress Dowager, Aunt Fanghua, Aunt Fanghua, she...she..."

"What do you mean, 'she'? Tell me quickly."

"Aunt Fanghua... committed suicide."

"What did you say? Suicide?" After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager continued, "I never imagined that after more than ten years, I would raise such an ingrate. Xu Mama, investigate for me. I want to know the reason for her betrayal."

"Yes".

"Mother, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

The Empress Dowager remained silent.

Su Qianrou took it as a yes and went out.

"This old servant takes his leave," Xu Tao followed closely behind.