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

After Tingyao said that, Shishiruyi dared not make a sound.

I have no clue what to do and can't figure anything out.

Tingyao felt that in the first playthrough, she was an outsider, but this time she was a character in the play.

She took a deep breath and slowly stood up, supporting herself on her knees.

His gaze was fixed on the Xuanzheng Hall.

Zhao Siwei will also learn a lesson from the Yan family's affairs.

That means you shouldn't tell them all the arrangements; now you're in for a headache.

Actually, Zhao Fucang is in a more difficult position.

It's not that we can't see Zhao Siwei, it's that we don't know how to deal with him.

The Yan family definitely had ulterior motives. So, did Crown Prince Zhao Sicong participate? If so, how was he dealt with? If he was, what punishment was he given?

The power of princes cannot be equal; it must be equal.

The purpose of princes was primarily to maintain the stability of imperial power and to give court officials something to do as soon as possible.

This way, the emperor won't be watched every move by his court officials every day.

If Zhao Sicong is dealt with, the only remaining guise will be Zhao Siwei.

If he gains the approval of the court officials, will it threaten his position as emperor?

Yes, definitely.

It seems that Prince Zhang Zhan is just a tool for Zhao Siwei. How could he possibly regain his true identity and be allowed to suppress Zhao Siwei?

Therefore, Zhao Fucang must have really wanted to protect the crown prince.

"Have Jingzhe attend to the Xuanzheng Hall. If the Empress arrives, inform me."

Shishi nodded and quickly turned around.

Ruyi stepped forward, took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, and asked, "Your Majesty, should we go back to the Ji family or back to the palace now?"

"His Majesty has already told us to go back, which means that the whole family is going to deal with these messy matters behind closed doors."

Tingyao shook her clothes.

We need to find out the truth about Old Mrs. Ji's death.

What exactly is this poison? It's the same poison Meng** used in the first playthrough from time to time.

Tingyao started to get a headache from thinking.

The Xuanzheng Hall was bustling with activity.

Empress Yan arrived at Xuanzheng Hall last night, but she had changed into a palace maid's dress and was wearing a cloak. Everyone in Xuanzheng Hall recognized Empress Yan, so they let her in.

She hid in the back and did not show herself during the morning interrogation.

"What does this have to do with His Highness the Ninth Prince?" Consort Xian spoke first. "It's the Empress's family that's rebelling!"

Empress Yan stood calmly to the side, not looking at anyone.

Zhao Siwei spoke up, "Father is probably already aware of the whole story. Zhang Zhan and I can testify that the Crown Prince is innocent. As for the Empress..."

The fact that the Yan family dared to act recklessly in the capital must be because they had the Empress Yan's support.

Empress Yan: "When the news came from home, I sent a letter to my father, asking him to come to the palace to see me. When he went out, he had a conflict with the Ninth Prince's men. Once the fight started, more and more people from both sides joined in."

"Her Majesty the Empress, for no reason—"

"Shut up." Zhao Fucang looked at her. "How are you going to explain Old Madam Ji's death?"

Zhao Fucang pulled out several confessions from the side and threw them in front of Consort Xian. "Take a good look at them. Before you were locked up, I asked you some questions. What did you answer?"

Consort Xian was shocked that Zhao Fucang had found out so quickly and even obtained a confession. She knelt on the ground, her mind blank.

"Do you think you're very clever, or do you think no one cares about the Ninth Princess, or do you think the Duchess of Xu is a very kind person?"

"Consort Xian, you are truly foolish! You've caused the Ninth Prince to fall out of love with his new wife. What will happen to the Bai family at the front lines?"

"The Ninth Princess Consort has a close relationship with the eldest daughter of the Meng family. I have even heard rumors about how much the Meng family dotes on that daughter. Are you trying to cause trouble for the Ninth Prince?"

"I heard Zhang Zhan also owed the Ninth Princess some favor. You're truly foolish! If I could find out, so could the Ninth Princess. The Duchess of Xu deliberately wanted to sow discord between you and your son, creating a rift between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, so that Xu Tutu could have an opportunity to take advantage!"

"If your son truly loved Xu Tutu, would I have arranged for him to be chosen as a concubine? Not even a single concubine would be given to him, which means your son knew that the Xu State Duke's mansion would harm him! Don't you know what's happening in Yongzhou? Are you completely unconcerned about what's happening at the front lines, or are you just pretending not to know?"

Zhao Fucang coughed uncontrollably. "Now that Zhong Youling is dead, it's probably partly your fault. Stop looking. Nobody said you had a grudge against Zhong Youling. It was just my guess!"

"Now tell me, how should I deal with you?"

Upon hearing this, Empress Yan truly smiled.

Zhao Siwei had long noticed the faint smell of blood on Empress Yan, and it was highly likely that she had personally interrogated her about these crimes.

As the legal wife, if she really wanted something, Zhao Fucang would eventually give it to her.

“Then let’s take it one step at a time,” Zhao Fucang said. “Consort Xian, whether you admit it or not, you indirectly caused the death of Old Madam Ji, as well as the deaths of Zhang Zhan’s grandparents. You probably know better than I do who Zhang Zhan is!”

Before Consort Xian could speak in rebuttal, Zhao Fucang interrupted her sternly, “Zhang Zhan is my son! He is mine! I owe him so much, so I’m going along with him. Of course, I’m also reassured that Ninth Prince will protect him for life.”

Consort Xian pursed her lips.

"Taking advantage of my favor, you have become far too lawless. From this moment on, you are to go to the imperial mausoleum and never come out again!"

Consort Xian was struck dumb. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you can't! Your Majesty, you mustn't! I, I gave birth to the ninth prince for you, Zhang Zhan! I truly cared for Zhang Zhan for several years!"

"Don't try to defend Zhang Zhan. It wasn't you. He could have grown up properly in the palace, under my very nose. It was you who almost killed him and even tried to hand him over to Prince Fan!"

"Considering you are the ninth prince's biological mother, and for his sake, I will spare your life. From this day forward, our marriage is over. Take care of yourself in the imperial mausoleum!"

Consort Xian laughed out loud, "Did His Majesty ever really like me? His Majesty was just using me to spite the Empress! If he really liked anyone, it was Luozhu, so how could I not make a move! I also want to live in the palace! Clearly, clearly I could have left the palace in a few years if I had just stayed put, it was His Majesty who said he liked me!"

Zhao Fucang called someone in, "Send Consort Xian to the Imperial Mausoleum! Do not harm her. No matter how noble she is in the palace, she will be the same there at the Imperial Mausoleum."

Consort Xian was dragged out.

Zhao Fucang looked at Zhao Siwei, "Do you have any complaints?"

Zhao Siwei: "I will leave it to Father Emperor to decide."

"I know it's difficult for you, so I'll do this for you. From now on, you don't need to worry about what Zhang Zhan and Ting Yao do at the imperial mausoleum. If they commit evil deeds, they must be replaced. I said we can't take their lives, so no matter what, Zhang Zhan and Ting Yao won't do anything reckless."

"Your mother has been a great burden. It's good that she's locked up. If you go to your fiefdom in the future, I will allow you to take her with you. Now, let's talk about what happened last night."

Were you involved?

Zhao Siwei: "No."

"I'm not talking about last night, I mean, you were the one who put that letter in there?"

Zhao Siwei: "Your Majesty, I do not understand your words. What letter?"

Zhao Fucang: "Wasn't it your letter?"

Zhao Siwei: "If I were to give anything to harm the Yan family, may I die a horrible death, be struck by lightning, and may those I care about never be happy again."

Zhao Fucang remained silent. "So, how do you think this matter should be handled now?"

"The Yan family has been exiled. Last night's plot to rebel has been confirmed. The Yan family has two daughters: one is the Crown Princess, the other is my concubine, and the third is the Empress. This is to leave hope for the Yan family."

Zhao Fucang waved his hand, "Go outside and kneel down." Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Was Zhang Zhan involved?"

Zhao Siwei: "If he wants to get involved, I've already hanged myself."

Zhang Zhan is acting recklessly; he'll surely be driven to his death by anger.

After saying that, Zhao Siwei saw that Zhao Fucang had nothing more to say, so he obediently got up and left.

Only the Emperor and Empress remained in the room.

Empress Yan walked to the bedside. "Does His Majesty trust the Ninth Prince so much? You believe everything he says?"

“It’s not that I trust him, but you’re familiar with Zhang Zhan. Haven’t you experienced how serious and deadly the ideas he gave your son are?” Zhao Fucang looked at her. “The exile that Ninth Prince mentioned just now is also a method I’ve been considering. After all, your family has gathered an army this time, which is treason.”

"Then should I thank Your Majesty for remembering our marital bond? Your Majesty was not like this back then. Indeed, how can a prince compare to the emperor? In my opinion, it would be better to depose the crown prince, depose myself as well, and exile us together."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Zhao Fucang coughed again. "You are my first wife, the mother of the nation, and your son is the crown prince!"

"Now Your Majesty wants to talk to me about marital affection?" Empress Yan said. "How much was the Ninth Prince involved? Does Your Majesty dare to investigate? No, I'm afraid Your Majesty tacitly approved it."

"Have you not seen the Yan family's wolfish ambitions all these years?"

Empress Yan: "Isn't it because His Majesty has been too harsh?"

"I won't suppress it. You're the Empress Dowager now, aren't you?"

Empress Yan pursed her lips, stung by the words "Empress Dowager," and finally knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to give up my position as Empress, but I beg Your Majesty to spare the entire Yan family."

“Then retire and return to your hometown.” Zhao Fucang finally backed down. “Go and tell them to behave themselves. This is the biggest concession I can make for you.”

Empress Yan's eyes welled up with tears upon hearing that she was retiring to her hometown. "Thank you, Your Majesty! I thank you!"

Zhao Fucang looked at her and said, "The Crown Prince is a child I watched grow up. He is a kind and honest man. However, this position is not something I can give to whomever I want."

"Whoever can bring good to the court and the country will sit in this position. When you return from the Yan family, you will stay by my side and keep me company. How about that?"

Empress Yan: "Your Majesty's wishes are my own, and I dare not disobey."

"I have considered dealing with your family, but I have always felt sorry for you and was unwilling to take action. This time, the Ninth Prince's empty letter tricked your family into taking action. Do you still dare to say that the Yan family has no intention of doing anything?"

"Your Yan family's brainwashing teachers are amazing. They all think the Yan family is right, and they all think... cough cough cough!"

Zhao Fucang coughed up blood.

Empress Yan stepped forward in fright, but Zhao Fucang waved his hand, "Don't call anyone, don't call anyone, we can't. We can't let people think that I'm going to die, otherwise the court will be in chaos. Your Yan family will come to me immediately, support the crown prince to ascend the throne, and then, under the Zhao family's name, do the Yan family's business. At that time, will you have any way to deal with it?"

Empress Yan wiped Zhao Fucang's mouth, "Now that something has happened at Zhongyouling, what will happen to His Majesty's health?"

“We can change the imperial physician.” Zhao Fucang took a couple of sips of water that Empress Yan had brought to his lips. “Go tell Ninth Prince that no one from the Yan family can be killed. First, arrest them by threatening to exile them, and then change it to retiring to their hometown. Crown Prince, have him come to see me. You, you stay in Xuanzheng Hall.”

Empress Yan nodded, got up and walked out.

Zhao Siwei remained kneeling, and upon seeing Empress Yan emerge, he cupped his hands in greeting, "Your Majesty the Empress."

After explaining Zhao Fucang's meaning, Zhao Siwei stood up and asked, "Is there anything else Your Majesty can help you with?"

Empress Yan suddenly felt that she couldn't see clearly what was in front of her, which was quite tall. "Zhao Siwei, you've been hiding for so many years. I've really been fooled by you."

"Without His Highness the Crown Prince, I couldn't have accomplished this for the Yan family on my own. The Crown Prince has been in power longer than me, and he actually knows what the Yan family is really thinking. The only one who didn't see through it is Her Majesty the Empress."

"Actually, it's not that Your Majesty hasn't seen things clearly, it's that you haven't seen Father Emperor clearly. Father Emperor has you in his heart, but you always give him attitude because of the Yan family. Over time, Father Emperor will feel that you are helping the Yan family to plot something."

"Actually, everyone knows that you haven't done anything for the Yan family. Now that things are settled, the royal men are surrounded by Yan family members, which is another way to protect the Yan family."

Zhao Siwei took a deep breath and said, "Mother, if you want to manage the affairs of the court, you should talk to Father properly. Mother is the only one who can keep him company in his bedside. From today onwards, the winds of the harem will change, and Mother must manage it well."

After speaking, Zhao Siwei bowed and left.

"Zhao Siwei".

Zhao Siwei turned around and looked at Empress Yan on the steps. "What does Mother want to say?"

Empress Yan: "You're thinking too simply. You think you've won, but you've already started to lose. Zhao Siwei, there are gains and losses. I've just lost my backing. You probably won't have anyone you care about."

Zhao Siwei: "Thank you for reminding me, Mother. I will remember it."

Empress Yan changed her clothes and entered the room, picking up a memorial from the table as she went.

This is from the front lines; they demand peace talks and a marriage alliance.

It's best not to look at Zhao Fucang now; wait a few days.

She put the folded document downstairs and carried the medicine inside.

Zhao Fu'er is Zhao Fucang's most beloved younger sister and Zhao Siwei's biggest supporter.

Her pain was meant to be experienced by all of them.

Since he refuses to cripple her, then let's see what happens before Zhao Fucang does.

"Did Lao Jiu yell at you?"

"He doesn't have time to talk to me now, he's even changed his address, calling me 'Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager'." Empress Yan carried in the medicine. "What is Your Majesty thinking about?"

"These are turbulent times. Now I just hope that the Crown Prince and Ninth Prince's families can be more harmonious. The Crown Princess is pregnant, and I can finally enjoy the company of my grandchildren."

Empress Yan smiled.

"If you don't want to laugh, then don't laugh."

"I've been trying not to smile all along. Is it only today that Your Majesty has realized?"

Zhao Fucang shut his mouth for a moment, then asked, "What do you think of Tingyao?"

"I'm not very familiar with him. He's quite similar to the Ninth Prince, and he knows how to hide his true abilities." Empress Yan brought the medicine to his lips. "Your Majesty, please drink your medicine first."