The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

The tea was piping hot, steaming.

Even through the saucer, you can feel the heat, let alone holding it in your hand.

The empress sat on her throne with a smile on her face, dignified and poised.

She was deliberately making things difficult, seemingly trying to vent her anger.

Holding such a hot teacup in your hand can make your fingers feel like they're being pricked with needles, let alone raising it above your head to offer tea.

Song Wenjun finally understood Xiao Ji's worries; the Empress was indeed going to make things difficult for her.

Seeing that Song Wenjun did not move, the nanny urged, "Princess Consort of Chu, please serve tea."

She shoved the tea tray toward Song Wenjun, her eyes full of threat: "Your Highness, you must hold it carefully, or you'll make a fool of yourself."

Song Wenjun smiled and reached out to pick up the teacup.

She raised her arm slightly, revealing the dragon and phoenix bracelet on her wrist to everyone's eyes.

Just as her hand was about to touch the teacup, the Empress suddenly lost her composure and shouted, "Wait!"

Even the old woman's eyes showed fear, and she immediately knelt down, trembling all over.

The Empress stared intently at Song Wenjun's wrist, her face pale and her voice trembling: "She...she actually gave you these bracelets?"

“My mother cherishes her daughter-in-law, and I feel deeply apprehensive.”

Song Wenjun's words enraged the Empress, but due to her status, she could only grit her teeth and remain silent.

You slut, you're such a slut.

How could she possibly humiliate me like this?

These bracelets were a gift from the retired emperor, and naturally represent him.

Moreover, the Emperor Emeritus said that seeing this bracelet is as if seeing him in person.

Furthermore, because of Consort Ning's pregnancy, she no longer needed to perform the grand ceremony when she met the Empress.

It was like giving her a talisman.

Consort Ning knew that Song Wenjun was going to serve tea to the Empress, yet she still put the bracelet on Song Wenjun's wrist. Wasn't this using the Emperor Emeritus to pressure the Empress?

The Empress was so angry she almost vomited blood, her eyes blazing with fury, but she quickly suppressed her anger and gave the nanny a wink.

The latter was also terrified and quickly stepped back to bring out fresh tea.

Song Wenjun chuckled to herself, knowing she had made the right bet.

This bracelet certainly has a deeper meaning.

She raised her teacup again and said, "Please have some tea, Mother."

The nanny took the tea from her hand and handed it to the Empress, who almost gritted her teeth as she took a sip.

Then, he rewarded her with a jade pendant and specifically instructed Song Wenjun: "You must wear the things I have given you at all times to show the depth of my feelings for you. You must not let down my good intentions."

"The daughter-in-law will keep this in mind."

"Alright, you may leave." The Empress waved her hand gently, and Song Wenjun walked out of the Empress's palace.

After coming out, she stared at the jade pendant, lost in thought.

There's probably something fishy going on here. I'll have to ask Qin Qing to take a look when we get back.

Inside the Qiankun Hall.

Emperor Wen's gaze was piercing, and the eldest prince, Xiao Yin, who was kneeling on the ground in the hall, felt a chill run down his spine.

From the moment he entered the hall, Emperor Wen looked at him with that gaze, as if trying to see right through him, which was absolutely infuriating.

What made Xiao Yin even more furious was that Xiao Ji could actually stand up.

Moreover, she was looking at him with an expression of anticipation, as if she were watching a good show.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, but Xiao Yin was drenched in sweat.

"Father..." he said with difficulty. The feeling of being stabbed by a dull knife was worse than being killed with a single blow.

Emperor Wen withdrew his gaze and then looked at Xiao Ji: "An assassin broke into your wedding residence yesterday. How is the matter progressing?"

"Father, I have captured the assassin. He is seriously injured and we are doing our best to save him. Once he wakes up, the truth will come out." Xiao Ji said loudly, "I feel that there must be a mastermind behind this. Otherwise, he alone would not have the ability to enter the palace."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yin's brows twitched violently.

A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, and he nervously curled his fingers, sweating even more profusely.

From the moment he entered the palace, Emperor Wen's gaze towards him was strange.

Now that the matter of the assassin has been brought up again, could it be that Emperor Wen has discovered something?

Emperor Wen composed himself and said meaningfully, "The mastermind behind this seems to be deliberately trying to upset you. Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed you to sneak into the mansion on your wedding day and almost injure the Princess Consort of Chu."

Emperor Wen didn't even want to mention the name Gu Huaizhou.

If it weren't for him, his grandson wouldn't have been stranded outside and nearly lost his life several times.

Emperor Wen hated the Gu family to the core.

Even if Gu Huaizhou didn't die, he would never let him live in this world.

"Do everything you can to save him. I want to see who's behind this." Emperor Wen was furious.

Xiao Yin was extremely panicked; that good-for-nothing Gu Huaizhou was still alive.

If he wakes up, he'll be the first to betray you.

It was he who hid Gu Huaizhou, and it was he who ordered Gu Huaizhou to assassinate Song Wenjun.

If these things were exposed, his image in Emperor Wen's eyes would plummet, and he would be completely out of the running for the position of Crown Prince.

No, Gu Huaizhou must die.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yin tried his best to show his anger and heartache: "Father is right. Daring to assassinate on the day of Third Brother's wedding shows how wicked they are. Zhang, the head of the Imperial Hospital, is extremely skilled in treating arrow wounds. Why not send Zhang to take a look? Maybe he will make a difference."

"Brother, how did you know the assassin was wounded by an arrow?" Xiao Ji's eyes were deep and his gaze sharp, making Xiao Yin feel guilty.

Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and he gave an awkward smile: "I guessed, I guessed."

"Brother, you are truly a genius. You can even guess such a secret matter. I thought you had planted a spy in my palace."

Xiao Yin felt like he was about to vomit blood. Xiao Ji's words were full of barbs and sarcasm; he was truly annoying.

"Third brother, you really know how to joke. Your palace is as solid as a rock. What ability do I have to plant spies in your palace? Besides, I'm not that kind of person. Father knows me best. He knows that I am the kindest and most benevolent person, right, Father?"

Emperor Wen's eyes were like knives. Although there was no evidence yet regarding the matter of the Prince of Chu's residence, he had received information that it was inextricably linked to Xiao Yin.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have made him kneel in the hall for so long to reprimand him.

He used to think that his son had a good reputation and felt very gratified.

I never expected him to be a wolf in sheep's clothing, no pushover at all.

Emperor Wen snorted in annoyance, but agreed with Xiao Yin's suggestion, ordering Zhang, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, to go to the Prince of Chu's residence to help rescue the assassin.

After leaving the Qiankun Palace, Xiao Yin said to Xiao Ji with a disappointed look, "Third brother, we are like brothers, why are we so hostile? If you have any opinions about me, you can tell me. As long as it is within my power, I will definitely do it for you."

"Big Brother dislikes this kind of backstabbing behavior."

Xiao Ji asked him with a half-smile, "Can you do anything?"

"Of course. Even if it were the throne, my elder brother would give it up without hesitation if you wanted it. You know I don't care about these things at all."

"Oh." Xiao Ji gave a meaningful "oh," and said, "Why don't you go and ask your father now, and leave the capital for your fiefdom tomorrow?"

The implication is that since you don't care about the throne, you shouldn't be an eyesore in the capital.