In Prince Lu’s residence, Prince Lu didn’t laugh but instead sighed, saying to Princess Lu, “Why do you think the Crown Prince threw away his position as heir apparent and courted death?”

He had disliked the Crown Prince for many years, but now that the person was suddenly gone, it felt oddly unsettling.

Princess Lu glanced at Prince Lu and retorted, “My lord, instead of worrying about others courting death, let’s make sure we don’t do the same.”

She had realized that being the Crown Prince was truly a high-risk occupation.

Prince Lu scoffed, “As a mere Prince, what death could I court? I’m telling you, I stepped back because I knew a high position was dangerous. That’s why I chose to broaden my horizons by taking a step back.”

Princess Lu’s mouth twitched, barely resisting the urge to spit in Prince Lu’s face.

Huh, so that’s how “broadening horizons by taking a step back” is used?

“Then I must truly thank you, my lord, for protecting our family.”

Prince Lu swept a smug glance at Princess Lu, “It’s good that you understand.”

Now that he had shown such foresight, surely there would be no problem if he indulged in the company of a few beauties?

Princess Lu raised her eyebrows and smiled coldly.

She felt that this man’s heart was stirring again. Indeed, give him an inch and he’ll take a mile. It seemed she’d need to dig out the cleaver again soon.

Prince Shu returned to his residence and immediately shut himself in his study, summoning his advisors for a meeting.

Princess Shu stood by the window, gazing towards the outer study, a faint sneer on her lips.

With the Crown Prince dead, was her husband’s ambition awakening?

Prince Shu’s heart was indeed stirring.

In his view, below the Crown Prince was Prince Qi, and he was the only one who could compete with Prince Qi.

He was younger than Prince Qi, which was his biggest disadvantage, but his mother was more favored by the Emperor, and he was also more liked by the Emperor.

Originally, the Emperor had been most concerned with following protocol, intent on having the Crown Prince succeed him. But now that he had raised a traitorous eldest son who attempted patricide, this must have greatly affected the Emperor’s mindset. Perhaps the Emperor’s views had changed?

Since the eldest legitimate son couldn’t be relied upon, why couldn’t he choose the son he liked best to inherit the throne? Or even if the succession wasn’t decided based on love, he still had a chance if it was based on virtue.

Fourth Brother’s reputation for virtue was nothing but a facade of benevolence. Did he think no one saw through his little schemes? If Fourth Brother could vie for the throne, why couldn’t he give it a try? The outcome was far from certain.

In Prince Xiang’s residence, Prince Xiang didn’t retreat to his study. After all, he didn’t even have a wife, so there was no one to avoid when speaking.

Prince Xiang lay down on his bed, staring at the canopy with furrowed brows, deep in thought.

He had always had a good relationship with Fourth Brother. Now that Fourth Brother was about to rise in power, would he be able to benefit from it?

Compared to the temporary quietness of the other princes’ residences, Prince Yan’s was livelier.

The Empress’s rewards for Erniu had arrived.

Erniu received a golden collar inlaid with red jewels, weighing a full two jin.

Of course, ordinary gold collars weren’t even half this weight, but this was thanks to Erniu’s thick neck.

After the eunuch left, Yu Jin held up the gold collar and said with a smile, “It seems this gold collar is the reward for Erniu.”

Having eliminated the Crown Prince, their greatest threat, Jiang Si replied with a light, relaxed smile, “Did you expect Erniu to be promoted? Others don’t know about Erniu’s role in this matter, and if they did, it wouldn’t be good for Erniu. A two-jin gold collar inlaid with rubies is quite practical.”

Yu Jin, also in good spirits, rubbed Erniu’s head and chuckled, “A two-jin gold collar might not be as beneficial as a promotion. You know, Erniu also receives a salary. If its fourth-rank position were to advance one step, the salary increase wouldn’t be comparable to a gold collar.”

Jiang Si laughed, “I had forgotten that our Erniu also receives an annual salary. Come to think of it, Ahuan had a noble title from birth, Erniu has a salary, but you, my lord, had your salary docked for a year for hitting the Crown Prince, and haven’t received any money yet…”

Yu Jin froze, his expression complex, “Are you saying that for over a year, we’ve been living off Erniu and our daughter?”

Jiang Si put on a serious face, “Who said that? We still had my dowry.”

Yu Jin awkwardly rubbed his face, then suddenly pulled Jiang Si into his arms.

“What are you doing?”

Yu Jin whispered in Jiang Si’s ear with a low laugh, “I’ve been thinking, and I’ve decided to repay you in kind—”

Jiang Si pushed him away, “Stop fooling around, Erniu is still here.”

Yu Jin released Jiang Si, glaring dissatisfiedly at the big dog.

This fellow was getting more and more inconsiderate. Couldn’t he see that his master had important business to attend to?

Erniu grabbed the gold collar in its mouth and ran off, only putting it down after reaching its warm, comfortable doghouse.

The master had been holding onto its things and wouldn’t let go. Was he trying to keep it for himself?

Erniu picked up the gold collar again and tossed it into the air, catching it in its mouth when it fell. I was very pleased with this shiny yellow thing. However, on the fourth toss, it failed to catch it properly, and the two-jin gold collar smashed into its face.

Erniu let out a yelp, then quietly dug a hole and buried the gold collar.

In the Imperial Palace, Pan Hai was reporting to Emperor Jingming about the interrogation results of the palace maid Hong Yu.

“You couldn’t get anything out of her?” Hearing this result, Emperor Jingming felt utterly exhausted.

The Crown Prince’s death had become a thorn in his heart, one dipped in poison, causing pain even when left untouched.

Knowing Emperor Jingming’s mood was at its worst, Pan Hai kept his head low and said, “Your Majesty, it seems the palace maid Hong Yu truly doesn’t know anything…”

“So she just happened to stumble upon the maid Cui Shan carving dolls?” Emperor Jingming asked with irritation.

Madam Duo had caused such a commotion in the palace, yet they couldn’t get any information about Wu Miao. This had already left Emperor Jingming feeling extremely frustrated, and now they faced this situation again.

Even now, he couldn’t be sure if there was someone behind the Crown Prince’s witchcraft case. Could it all be a coincidence?

“Your Majesty, in this slave’s opinion, if this wasn’t a coincidence, then it’s possible that the maid Cui Shan intentionally let Hong Yu witness the act…”

Emperor Jingming massaged his temples helplessly, feeling a splitting headache, “No matter how you put it, if Cui Shan had a mastermind behind her, we can’t find this person for now, can we?”

Pan Hai was silent for a moment before saying, “This slave has already ordered people to investigate the hometowns of the two palace maids. Perhaps we’ll find new clues.”

“Continue investigating Hong Yu, but don’t let her die.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At this moment, a eunuch came in to report, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence in Cining Palace.”

Emperor Jingming let out a quiet sigh in his heart and stood up to go to Cining Palace.

“Mother, why aren’t you resting?”

The Empress Dowager looked at Emperor Jingming, her eyes reddening, “Your Majesty must take care of your health.”

“I understand, Mother. Please don’t worry about me.”

The Empress Dowager was silent for a while before saying, “I shouldn’t say much, but with the Crown Prince causing such trouble, people’s hearts are unsettled. Your Majesty must be mindful of this.”

“I understand, Mother. I’ve been on the throne for many years and still cause you such worry. I truly feel ashamed.”

“There’s no need for such talk between us, mother and son.” The Empress Dowager sighed and changed the subject, “In these past two years, many things have happened in the palace. I no longer enjoy the quietness, always feeling uneasy in the silence. From now on, let Fuqing and the Fourteenth Prince come to keep me company often.”