Transmigrating into a book to save her best friend, her sickly husband vies for her affections every

Empress Yan disliked Zhao Fu'er's words very much.

In her view, Zhao Fu'er's refusal to leave was simply a way of making a fool of Zhao Sicong.

The fact that Zhao Fu'er and her son were at odds was known throughout the capital.

Furthermore, in her opinion, no matter what happens, it has absolutely nothing to do with Zhao Sicong.

Zhao Sicong was in charge of this hunt, and he was more afraid of something going wrong than anyone else.

This is beyond just being a gimmick.

It's absolutely amazing.

My mind went blank.

If anything happens this time, it's all a conspiracy by these three people against Zhao Sicong.

Empress Yan knew better than anyone that her son was a kind and good person.

In her view, Zhao Fu'er, Zhao Siwei, and Zhang Zhan were plotting to kill her son at the hunting grounds.

To put it bluntly, it's frustrating that they haven't lived up to their potential.

Her son is good in every way, except that he is too innocent and kind, and no matter how many times she tells him, he refuses to change.

That's why we've come this far.

Years ago, she said that if she couldn't subdue Zhang Zhan, she would kill him to prevent future troubles. While the Yan family still had some influence, Zhao Fucang wouldn't easily deal with the crown prince.

Moreover, Zhao Siwei was not someone to be trifled with. Without the support of his maternal family, he relied solely on Consort Xian's charm to maintain his position in the palace. The only capable person he had by his side was Zhang Zhan.

At this point, let alone Zhang Zhan, Zhao Siwei could be wiped out in one fell swoop.

So what if he's killed? Zhao Fucang only has one son left, what else can be done?

The only way is to work with the Yan family to save Zhao Sicong.

Zhao Sicong didn't even need to make a move.

As long as he doesn't interfere, and as long as he acquiesces, plenty of people will arrange things for him.

Zhao Sicong called out "Mother" a few times before Empress Yan turned around, only to find Zhao Fu'er was gone. "Where did she go?"

Zhao Sicong: ...

It wasn't that he ignored Zhao Fu'er's greeting; he simply didn't hear it.

He said, "I'm going back."

"He went back. Only you believe him. He probably went to find those two scoundrels." Empress Yan gestured for Zhao Sicong to hold an umbrella for her and told the palace servants not to follow, as she wanted to speak with her son alone.

"Isn't Mother going in to see Father?" Zhao Sicong asked.

In the past two or three years, he felt that the relationship between his father and mother was becoming increasingly tense, and could be resolved in a few words, giving Consort Xian an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

In fact, when it comes to chatting, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor could have very pleasant conversations, discussing everything from the affairs of the court to the romance of the harem.

After all, he had observed it firsthand.

"If you had allowed me to go in, you would have told me when you came out just now."

Empress Yan knew that Zhao Fucang didn't like her at all. He only married her because he valued the Yan family's military power, which could be used to help him ascend the throne. She also wanted to find a powerful backer for her family.

So what was she going in for? To make him vomit blood, to make him call for the imperial physician, and to make people say that she, the empress of the country, had angered the emperor.

Over the years, she felt that Zhao Fucang had become increasingly cold-blooded, openly and secretly plotting to weaken the Yan family's power.

Is it really a case of "once the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked"?

There are still battles to fight, and the Yan family is needed.

why?

She never understood it.

After so many years of marriage and raising a child together, why is there no affection between them?

Even though there was never any romantic feeling between them, they were, after all, allies...

Whenever she thinks of this, Yan Huanghou feels a pang of sadness in her heart.

Zhao Sicong had been trying to repair his parents' relationship. "After all, you are the mother of the nation and the emperor's first wife. You still have to do what needs to be done. Remember to come tomorrow."

Empress Yan is right, Father Emperor doesn't want to see anyone at all right now.

If not now, we can go tomorrow.

Father will definitely meet him.

Ultimately, everyone else needs to know what has happened to their father.

The words of the mother of a nation are always the most convincing.

Moreover, the fact that Consort Xian didn't come this time is a sign from Heaven, as if it wanted the couple to have a proper talk.

"What did your father say to you?"

Zhao Sicong truthfully said, "I talked a lot with Ninth Brother. Zhang Zhan and I knelt outside."

Empress Yan's face turned cold.

"Mother, you must not cause any more trouble. Father already has enough to do."

It's just difficult to deal with. Now, no matter who runs into them, as long as the Emperor can immediately make an example of them, they will be used as a scapegoat and punished even more severely.

Empress Yan understood the meaning of the saying, "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger."

"I just have a question about your father's attitude towards Zhang Zhan. What do you think?"

Zhao Siwei himself is not a reliable figure, but Zhao Siwei with the support of a prince is quite terrifying.

"Mother," Zhao Sicong called out to her earnestly, "Father has few sons, so please don't act recklessly."

Empress Yan remained silent.

Zhao Sicong said, "If you harm Zhang Zhan, Zhao Siwei will rebel."

Although he was not entirely aware of his ninth brother's prowess, anyone who could get his father to speak to him alone, especially at this crucial juncture, was definitely not simple.

Zhang Zhan may seem formidable, but it was actually Zhao Siwei who protected him throughout.

"Who did this to Prince Fan?" Empress Yan asked curiously. "Zhao Jiu? I doubt he has the ability. Zhang Zhan?"

“Everyone would suspect Zhang Zhan, so it definitely wasn’t him,” Zhao Sicong said. “If Mother wants to curry favor with Father, then she should suppress the matter between Zhang Zhan and Prince Fan from back then.”

Zhao Sicong knew very well what Empress Yan was thinking: she wanted to kill Zhang Zhan.

Zhang Zhan cannot die.

This person is truly useful to the country.

“Your father has always been suspicious of us.”

Zhao Sicong saw that they had arrived at Empress Yan's tent. "Mother, tell Grandfather and the others not to do anything rash. Who the Prince of Fan is has nothing to do with us. As long as it's not us, we can just watch the show."

Empress Yan didn't nod, but she didn't say no either. "Why have you become increasingly timid lately?"

Zhao Sicong dared not say that the Crown Princess was pregnant. "What do you mean by 'I'm afraid'? It's always better to be cautious, Mother."

Zhao Sicong returned to his tent and heard that Zhao Fu'er had arrived, which gave him a headache.

"What on earth are you——"

Zhao Sicong noticed a man dressed as a eunuch beside Zhao Fu'er; it was Zhao Siwei.

His expression changed. "What do you want with me?"

He even stepped back a little.

The man that even the Prince of Fan dared to kill was probably just a lump of meat in Zhao Siwei's eyes, someone he could deal with at will.

"I came here to protect Zhang Zhan."

Zhao Siwei nodded to Zhao Fu'er, signaling that she could leave.

Zhao Fu'er didn't know what kind of riddle the two were playing, but her intuition told her that this was a mess she shouldn't get involved in.

After the man left, Zhao Siwei continued, "I was afraid that your maternal family would attack Zhang Zhan tonight, so I brought him here to avoid trouble."

Zhao Sicong's expression became quite interesting; he almost bit his tongue. "Zhang... Zhang Zhan?"

Zhao Siwei said yes, and pointed inside, "He still has a bit of a fever and is sleeping in your bed. How about we have a chat?"

Zhao Sicong: ...

He's a prince, after all. What does Zhao Siwei think he is?

Zhao Siwei sat down and poured tea for Zhao Sicong. "Don't worry, I wouldn't dare to poison him. I just have a bit of guts, not a fool."

Seeing that Zhao Sicong wasn't coming over, Zhao Siwei didn't call him any further. "Let's cooperate."

Zhao Sicong took another half step back.

What on earth is this kid up to?

"First, I need to protect Zhang Zhan. My personal strength is not enough at the moment, so I need your help. I have thought of the benefits for you. I will let Zhang Zhan work for you for the time being."

Zhao Sicong didn't believe it.

Zhang Zhan is a very ambitious man.

Although it should be said, Zhao Siwei really could make him listen to him.

But at times like this, he will absolutely not believe you if you say it from the bottom of your heart.

"Secondly, let's make it look like Prince Fan's death was an accident. If you help me, then Father Emperor won't be able to do anything about it. After all, if he decides to punish someone, it's the same as punishing two princes."

In this situation, the Emperor would have no choice but to make Zhang Zhan a prince, essentially the crown prince.

If Zhang Zhan becomes the only prince, he will definitely be the first to be rescued. Once he is rescued, Zhao Sicong will naturally be safe as well.

"I think this is your idea."

Zhao Siwei sipped his tea. "You're overthinking it. I can do it myself. I just think there's nothing wrong with working together. At least we're in the same boat."

"I'm serious. Crown Prince, think it over carefully. If we princes are of one mind, Father will get anxious."

"You don't actually want anything to happen to the Yan family, right? Then you need to find a way to make the Yan family listen to you."

"If you're on my side, the Yan family will worry that I've bewitched you. Then you'll have to protect me a lot, and the Yan family will start to indulge you in order to make you obedient..."

At this point, Zhao Sicong should have a complete understanding.

“Father feels guilty towards his younger brother, Prince Fan,” Zhao Sicong said.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Siwei knew that the Crown Prince had softened his stance.

“How can I feel guilty? Zhang Zhan is his son; this is a disgrace to the royal family,” Zhao Siwei said.

He caused quite a stir back then.

"So, you want Zhang Zhan to become a legitimate prince?" Zhao Sicong said, "Then can I also make a request? Apart from what you just promised, I want Zhang Zhan to never become a prince."

"This is not something that you or I can decide right now; it's Father Emperor's decision."

"We need to deal with the matter of Prince Fan together first, then bring down a member of the Yan family, and then cover it up."

Zhao Sicong listened quietly to Zhao Siwei speak.

Zhang Zhan was fast asleep inside, unaware of what his two older brothers were whispering about outside.

In short, when he opened his eyes the next day, he saw Zhao Sicong standing with his arms crossed, looking down at him.

He was so frightened that he rolled inside. "What are you doing?"

"I've noticed you've been too irritable lately. Where's your usual gentle and refined manner? You weren't just faking it, were you?"

Actually, he had known Zhang Zhan for many years.

Zhang Zhan does have a bad temper sometimes. Now it seems that he just has a bad temper, but he has been living under other people's roofs for too long, so he has learned to pretend and to be good-tempered so that people will like him.

As for what gave him that confidence...

It seems he really does have an older brother, someone he relies on very much.

"If my information is correct, then I'm practically your older brother, right?"

Zhang Zhan: "What are you saying? I don't understand."

Zhao Sicong: "It's like this, your Ninth Brother wants you to stay with me until you go back. If there's anything I need you to do, just tell me."

Zhang Zhan frowned. What did that mean? He had only taken a nap, and yet everything had happened.

Zhao Sicong gave him the letter left by Zhao Siwei.

After reading it, Zhang Zhan was absolutely furious.

Everything was arranged perfectly, and there wasn't a single flaw to be found.

"So, you also think that Lao Jiu is someone none of us have seen through?"

Zhang Zhan was still a little dizzy. "You should rest and recover first."

It wasn't about getting Zhang Zhan to do things for him; it was just about finding him a safe place to recuperate.

He had consulted the imperial physician, who said that this scoundrel wouldn't recover in three to five days; if he went out for a bit of fresh air, he might come back lying on his side.

Zhang Zhan was indeed dizzy. Upon hearing this, he grabbed the letter and collapsed onto the pillow.

“I was just looking at your face, and I noticed that your eyebrows and eyes are somewhat similar to those of my father.”

Zhang Zhan snorted and closed his eyes.

Zhao Sicong responded with a sound of agreement, "I was your former master, after all, and I haven't treated you badly over the years, have I?"

"Did I never do your homework, or did I never help you with anything, or did I not take care of you when you were sick in the Crown Prince's Palace?"

Zhao Sicong was speechless.

Okay, that makes some sense.

**

The other end.

Tingyao looked at the heavy rain and listened to Jingzhe say that Zhao Siwei had gone inside again.

What could you do inside at this time? Destroy the body and cover up the crime.

But the task of destroying the evidence should have been completed yesterday.

Someone walked in through the rain; it was Meng**.

"Xu Tutu is hosting a banquet and has invited us," Meng** said as he approached. "It's tonight. They said it's going to rain heavily, so I won't go into details. I've given you your invitation."

Tingyao was puzzled.

This didn't happen in my previous life.

Later that evening, the rain would get heavier, and someone would tell Zhao Fucang whether he should leave first, because there would be a landslide.

They will be among the first to leave. The casualties from this mudslide were not significant, but everyone was in a rather disheveled state.

"Are you going or not?" Meng asked. "If not, I'll go back."

Tingyao said, "Don't panic."

Whether we return or not is of any importance. No matter how heavy the rain is, even if the event is successfully held, some people will definitely say it's too heavy. It's better to leave it to fate to decide later.

Meng**: "What do you think Xu Tutu does from time to time?"

What can we do? Zhao Siwei isn't here.

Meng**, "By the way, did you know that Zhang Zhan was sent to the Crown Prince's side?"

Yes, I know. They briefly mentioned the Awakening of Insects.

"And His Majesty was poisoned, but he can still move his body now."

Tingyao hummed in agreement.

Seeing her serious expression, Meng said, "Don't be afraid. We won't get close if we feel threatened. Let's save our lives first."

"By the way, did Xu Tutu send Zhang Zhan a scare invitation?"

"Do you think Zhang Zhan can go now?" Meng** asked, noticing Tingyao's gaze. "He's definitely been invited, and the Crown Prince has also sent someone, but whether he actually goes is another matter."

The two chatted on and on, and sure enough, someone soon came to tell them to pack up and leave immediately, saying that the rain was too heavy.

Yu had already packed up her valuables and told Meng** to go back and pack as well.