eone led us. But when we reached the territory of Forest King, there was trouble within their ranks.A strange tree appeared out of nowhere, growing from the very center of Forest King's lair. The Fore..."All of you, leave! I want to stay with mother."

"Hon Kee said to those who waited on his mother,"

Yun Shan replaced Hong Ye, so he had time to come and see his mother.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

In a moment, all the servants left the bedroom, the last to go were Nanny Sun and Lan Zhi.

"You guard the door, don't let anyone disturb."

"Yes!"

After the bedroom had returned to its peaceful state, Hongji tentatively called out:

"Mother, your son has come to see you."

Then ripples opened her eyes and smiled softly at Honki.

Seeing the ripple's faint smile, Hongji's large stone in his heart finally moved. He lowered his voice and said:

"Mother, how is your body"

"Rest assured, there's nothing seriously wrong with my body. I just don't want to go and keep vigil for your father, lest this old bones of mine be taken in as well."

Ripple said casually.

Hongji felt a bit helpless. He had long discovered that his mother and the imperial concubines were different from others in the palace. Although they weren't favored, their positions were very stable. What they did always pleased the emperor. Besides having the support of their clans, the most important thing was that his mother understood what the emperor wanted.

But just as the maternal family surrendered their military power, the emperor's health deteriorated. He suspected foul play and believed that he wasn't the only one who felt this way; other ministers likely had suspicions too, but they lacked evidence.

At this time, Hongji had ten thousand questions in his mind, but he didn't know where to start. While Lianyi was much more straightforward, she calmly said:

"Da Bao, Mother has paved the way for you. Now it's up to you."

"My son knows, only..."

"Do you think all these things were arranged by your mother"

"Hmm!"

"Now that you've asked, my dear child, let me tell you the truth so you know what's going on."

It was through ripples of her words that the story unfolded, though she never revealed that she was a substitute bride. She only spoke of the reason why the former emperor had granted the marriage, the hardships she faced entering the imperial city, the intrigues within the palace, and the dangers during the births of their three children, recounting how on several occasions they had narrowly escaped death.

As for the matter of the Emperor's inability to have children, she readily admitted it.

Since I gave birth to you, I will not allow anyone to shake your position.

I am also a woman, so I wouldn't mistreat the women in the harem. After all, they entered the palace shouldering their families' missions and were not masters of their own destiny. The emperor chose them to enter the palace to balance the power of various factions.

So I solved the problem at its root. Your father has lost his fertility, so there will be no more children in the harem, and only the three of you will be precious. If he doesn't want the Jiang family's dynasty to fall, he will naturally protect you.

I intended to wait until you turned eighteen, then have your father bestow upon you the title of Crown Prince, ensuring a smooth succession to the throne. Unfortunately, your father is ambitious and seeks to diminish the Meng family's influence, to control me, and to manipulate both you and Hong Ye. This is something I will not tolerate.

My child, whom I raised, is not a tool he uses to manipulate the imperial power. If he dares to reach out to you three, I will have him pay with his life.

Hung-ji was shocked by Lian Yi's words, waves of astonishment crashing over him. He never expected his own mother to be the true mastermind behind everything. Since she married his father, it was destined that the Emperor would not live a long and happy life with only one empress.

"Mother, you have spared no effort in planning for your son's future. It is a great blessing to be your son. I will now take care of the rest myself."

"Your mother believes in your abilities. Go for it, and if anything goes wrong, she'll have your back."

"Yes!"

Hongji's eyes sparkled as he said.

"Capture the Dark Dragon Guards from your father as soon as possible, they can protect you. The deputy general of the nearby camp was arranged by your great-grandfather. If the Imperial City is unstable, you can send people to reinforce it. This is the token."

Liàn yī gave Hóngjī a piece of green jade, the size of a palm, carved into a fierce tiger.

"Mother, my son wants to send troops into the city tonight. Now that news of your illness has spread, some people's minds have become more active."

Hong Ji's eyes flashed, she put away the letter and said in a low voice.

"You figure it out. It's a good thing to let those demons and ghouls come out now, so they won't make trouble when you ascend the throne."

Moreover, you have to be wary of one person, your Third Uncle. He is still alive, and this is the opportune time for him to strike.

The ripples reminded.

"The son remembered."

"Alright, go get some sleep. Don't let a dead person weigh you down."

"Yes, mother."

Hung-Chi twitched the corner of his mouth and helplessly replied.

This dead man was his father, and he suspected that the three siblings might not be Empress Qingxiang's biological children. However, he didn't dare to ask, afraid of another earth-shattering revelation.

And at this time, the third prince who had been lying low received news from those left behind in the capital that his elder brother had died. His face changed repeatedly as he decided to take a gamble and immediately assembled his men. He was going back to the capital.

And as soon as the Meng family entered the imperial city and arrived at the residence of Duke Ding'an, they immediately changed into mourning clothes and were arranged to enter the palace to mourn.

When Lady Meng entered the palace with her second daughter-in-law, she cast a glance around but didn't see her nominal daughter. Taking advantage of wiping away tears, she asked the wife of the Minister of War beside her:

"Where is the Empress"

The Empress fainted after the Emperor left and was carried back to her Phoenix Residence. She doesn't look good at all!

The wife of the Minister of War spoke in a low voice.

After hearing this, Mrs. Meng's lips curled slightly, and her mood instantly brightened. However, because the situation was inappropriate, she immediately covered her mouth with a handkerchief.

Liàn'yī was currently being tended to by Sun Mama as she took her medicine. Upon hearing that Madam Mèng had arrived, she told Sun Mama:

"Have someone take Mother Meng to the side hall to rest. Make sure she doesn't strain herself. Stay and talk to her. I don't need to explain my situation too clearly here."

Yes, my lady!

Grandmother Sun also wants to see the old master. After we settle the Empress, I will arrange it.

When Madam Meng saw Grandma Sun, her eyes lit up. Afterward, she was led to a side hall by the maidservants, and she couldn't wait to ask:

Isn't she almost out of it

That's a pretty direct question, even Grandma Sun was taken aback.

Suddenly, a potted camellia in the side hall swayed and dropped a flower, as if blown by the wind, then returned to its stillness.

"I'm asking you a question, why aren't you answering"

Mrs. Meng said unhappily.

"My Lady, the Empress is unwell and resting. Please be careful with your words!"

Grandma Sun lowered her eyes and spoke.

"Humph! Just an impostor who's using my daughter's name."

"Meow!"

The rest of the sentence was interrupted by a meow.

Xuan Feng squatted beside the hibiscus pot, a pair of cat eyes staring at Madam Meng with ill intent.

Grandma Sun was also taken aback. She knew how powerful this black cat was, both spiritually and fiercely. She couldn't even find the words to comfort him anymore.

"Where did this black cat come from, how unlucky!"

Mrs. Meng covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said.

"My lady, this is a cat raised by the Empress. During the palace coup, it protected her with its whirlwind-like agility and has been by her side ever since. This feline possesses quite a spirit."ied to ambush us before and our driver was injured. We need to reach Wujiang County first and assess the situation."Ripple spoke frankly and with veiled meaning.What she meant was: You haven't figured...