They were in charge of being beautiful, and she was in charge of taking the hits.

After all, they were members of the royal family, and they had all sorts of thoughts. After thinking it over, they finally nodded.

Wu Ziyan returned to her residence, sorted things out, and went over it in her mind to see if there were any oversights. This plan had been too rushed, and she needed to adjust her emotions.

The palace walls at dusk cast long shadows, and the tall red gates seemed to lock away countless people. Wu Ziyan entered the palace alone, feeling utterly lonely. Moreover, the wind was unusually cold, carrying with it an air of unknown danger.

[You bastard, if it weren't for my life, would I be risking my life like this?] She shivered, still feeling a little guilty.

While Wu Chengye was in his room dealing with these matters, a dark figure appeared in the corner and handed him a slip of paper. After reading it, Wu Chengye smiled, burned the paper, and went out to instruct, "Prepare the carriage; I'm going to the palace. No, a fast horse!"

When Wu Ziyan arrived at the palace, the Empress was reviewing memorials and handling state affairs. She slightly raised her eyes to look at Wu Ziyan and asked as if she did not know what Wu Ziyan was doing there, "Ziyan, why have you come to the palace? What brings you here?"

"Your Majesty, I have something to report." Wu Ziyan knelt down, kowtowed, and looked very serious as if he had something important to say.

"Get up and talk."

"The Situ family put on quite a show of substituting the prince for a cat." Her expression was one of scathing criticism, showcasing her ten years of professional acting skills.

The Empress narrowed her eyes, signaling her to continue. Mo Baiyun had already sent word about this matter beforehand, which was all part of Wu Ziyan's plan.

Wu Ziyan recounted the story in detail: the Situ family actually made their men generals, and they served as generals for many years. How could men fight on the battlefield? How could they possibly strike fear into the hearts of those people on the border!

This is unheard of! The Situ family must be given a major demerit. I think we should just remove them from their general positions!

Although every word spoke ill of the Situ family, every sentence also praised Chu Qiu's achievements on the border.

Then, she changed the subject again, saying, "A few days ago, I had drinks with my older sister, and she told me about the things happening on the border. It was very thrilling. The border is in chaos, and it's really a headache."

I happened to run into the general of the Situ family this time, who was discussing important military matters with my elder sister. When I heard about this momentous matter, I was shocked and came to tell the Empress Dowager, asking her to make a decision.

The Empress was slightly annoyed and frowned after hearing the details, but there were other emotions mixed in.

"Mother, please don't be angry yet, and listen to my opinion." Wu Ziyan smiled again and began to plan her next steps, but her heart was pounding and her palms were sweaty.

"Speak." The Empress closed the memorial and began to listen attentively to her fourth daughter, her eyes fixed on her as if trying to see through her.

Wu Ziyan swallowed hard, trying to calm himself down: "Your subject believes that even if the Situ family has committed a major crime, they are still people who are deeply loved by the people on the border, and should not be dealt with lightly."

Moreover, the border people are unaware of Situ Chuqiu's identity. We can take advantage of this, accept Situ Chuyu's title, and then, under the pretext of recuperating from illness, keep him under house arrest in the court, which will also help to control the Situ family.

"I will consider what you have said." The Empress's eyes narrowed slightly. She was astonished that such a scheme could be devised by her leisurely fourth daughter!

"Mother Queen."

"Ziyan, I never thought you would walk this political path." The Empress pointed this out to her as if it were dangerous.

Wu Ziyan was so frightened that she knelt down. She was indeed a bit too hasty in doing so, but she had no choice, after all, she had to save this man.

"Mother Queen, I..." She was already drenched in sweat when she suddenly heard the announcement from outside. She knew that she had a chance of winning again.

"The Second Princess requests an audience." The long voice interrupted their conversation, and the Empress seemed less angry.

Because Wu Ziyan didn't mention Wu Chengji at all. If anyone should be punished, it should be Wu Chengji, since she was their leader. How could she not know about the "switching of the crown prince" incident? But Wu Ziyan cleverly avoided the topic.

Wu Ziyan withdrew and went behind the screen. As soon as Wu Chengye entered the hall, he bowed and then stood up and said that he had important matters to report. The Empress told him to speak, but unexpectedly, Wu Chengye's first words were about Wu Chengji.

"Mother Queen, my eldest sister has been hiding many things from you!" Her eyes held a cunning glint, tinged with a hint of malice.

When Wu Ziyan heard Wu Chengye say this, she knew that if her good second sister found out about the Situ family's affairs, she would definitely use this matter to smear Wu Chengji. Everything was within her expectations.

The Empress blinked, looking somewhat tired. She looked up at Wu Chengye, signaling him to continue, but her expression was too calm, as if she already knew everything.

"Eldest sister actually allowed a man to take the position of general. This is a serious crime, especially since it involves the powerful Situ family with their own army. Your Majesty, please make the decision." These words could push someone to the brink of utter ruin.

This was supposed to be big news, but she had already heard it three times, each version using different wording, which evoked different thoughts.

After hearing Wu Chengye's explanation, the Empress frowned and chuckled, but did not reply. She waved for him to leave. Wu Chengye was puzzled. It was such important news, yet the Empress showed no reaction whatsoever. He couldn't understand it.

After Wu Chengye walked away, Wu Ziyan came out from behind the screen. The Empress showed her more approval. Before leaving, Wu Ziyan kowtowed and said, "Your subject takes his leave. Please consider it, Mother Empress."

Even tigers don't eat their cubs, and Wu Chengji has always been the Empress's preferred successor, so how could she possibly let anything go wrong? Besides, she's also starting to take an interest in her fourth daughter.

As Wu Ziyan stepped out of the palace gate, a dark figure appeared behind her. A cold wind whistled as she turned around. A masked person stared at her. She was startled at first, then her expression calmed down. Her face was not visible, but her scent was noticeable: "Little Yun'er."

Mo Baiyun took off her slightly suggestive clothes and whispered in Wu Ziyan's ear, "Master, now you've seen everything about me."

Wu Ziyan took his mask and put it on: "Can you please not say things that could cause misunderstandings?"

"I don't want others to misunderstand, I only want you to misunderstand." His smiling eyes were full of sincerity.

Mo Baiyun and Wu Ziyan chatted and laughed. Mo Baiyun felt more and more that Wu Ziyan was exactly the kind of person he had been hoping for. She would never have come up with such a scheme before, but it was still not enough, not enough.

Wu Ziyan returned to the manor very late and went straight to sleep, but she got up very early the next morning. Sima Lingchuan was curious and lit the lamp: "Why did Ziyan get up so early today?"

While asking Sima Lingchuan to find her court robes, she complained, "Who would be a good person and get up at five in the morning to go to work? I... No wonder ancient emperors died young!"

Her words were so startling that Sima Lingchuan was taken aback and quickly stepped forward to cover her mouth: "Ziyan, you absolutely mustn't say that!"

Wu Ziyan yawned and nodded. Sima Lingchuan helped her put on her court robes, and she prepared to go to court.

Her arrival at the court was indeed unexpected for many, but they still greeted her politely as a sign of respect. However, it was all superficial. Only the generals from the Situ family, who arrived late, were truly warm towards her.