“This matter still requires Old Fang to investigate thoroughly. We must restore my mother consort’s innocence.”

“Your Highness, rest assured! This old one will handle it immediately! I will certainly not fail Your Highness’s trust!”

After speaking, Old Fang rose and bowed to the Crown Prince, then turned and hurried away.

Just after Old Fang left, a young eunuch came running and whispered in Quan Yu’s ear. Quan Yu nodded to indicate the young eunuch should withdraw, then entered and bowed: “Your Highness, Imperial Teacher Old Tan and War Minister Lord Shen have arrived.”

“Help me change clothes!” The Crown Prince’s voice carried exhaustion; he only felt that being Crown Prince was difficult.

Bai Qingyan returned to her mansion and summoned Wei Zhong, instructing him to secretly help the Crown Prince’s people find the servants who had been sold off by the Fu Family and the Empress’s maternal family back then, ensuring the Crown Prince would be able to investigate successfully.

Wei Zhong acknowledged the order. Before he could retreat from Qinghui Courtyard, news came from the front courtyard that Old Madam Fu had come to request an audience with Princess Zhenguo.

Chun Tao brought Bai Qingyan hot tea and pastries, setting them on the small table, then busily helped Bai Qingyan change clothes, feeling deeply distressed: “Young Miss just returned home and hasn’t even had a hot meal, yet hasn’t stopped for a moment.”

Bai Qingyan put on her outer robe and smiled softly as she adjusted her sleeves: “When Grandfather and Father were here, weren’t they all the same?”

“But when Duke Zhenguo and Prince Zhenguo were alive, they only handled outer courtyard affairs while Madam managed the inner quarters. Now Young Miss must handle both outer and inner affairs – it’s much more taxing.” Chun Tao, kneeling on the ground, finished putting on Bai Qingyan’s shoes and sighed. “Young Miss, at least eat two bites of pastries to tide you over.”

“It wouldn’t be good to keep Old Madam Fu waiting long. Leave it there – I’ll eat after seeing Old Madam Fu!” After speaking, Bai Qingyan turned and walked outside.

The maids hurriedly lowered their heads and lifted the door curtains. Chun Tao also hurried after Bai Qingyan out of Qinghui Courtyard.

Old Madam Fu sat restlessly in the main hall, having no mind for the hot tea the maids brought, constantly craning her neck to look outside.

This time, Fu Ruoxi had caused great trouble.

Sending those four words “await the opportunity” to the Capital City could still be excused, but drawing his sword against the Crown Prince in public – this matter was not easily explained.

Old Madam Fu heard that Fu Ruoxi was spared because of Bai Qingyan’s intercession, so she came to beg Bai Qingyan to speak on Fu Ruoxi’s behalf.

The Fu mansion was now surrounded. If not for the fact that it was Patrol Battalion Commander Fan Yuhuai who surrounded the Fu mansion, Old Madam Fu definitely couldn’t have gotten out.

Fan Yuhuai usually had dealings with the Fu Family, so he exploited a loophole in the Crown Prince’s orders – the Crown Prince ordered the Fu mansion surrounded but didn’t say people from the Fu mansion couldn’t enter or exit – and secretly arranged for someone to bring Old Madam Fu to see Bai Qingyan.

However, Fan Yuhuai said Old Madam Fu only had half an hour, and no matter what, she had to return after half an hour or he would be in trouble too. This was why Old Madam Fu felt anxious inside, as if on fire.

With Fu Ruoxi drawing his blade against the Crown Prince, Old Madam Fu knew in her heart that her son Fu Ruoxi couldn’t be saved, but she had to protect her grandson and preserve their entire Fu Family!

Seeing Bai Qingyan enter the main hall, Old Madam Fu hurriedly stood and kowtowed to Bai Qingyan: “I greet Princess Zhenguo! Thank you, Princess Zhenguo, for speaking on my son’s behalf!”

“Old Madam, please rise quickly!” Bai Qingyan hurried to help Old Madam Fu up. “Old Madam Fu is an elder; you must not perform such a grand ceremony.”

Old Madam Fu rose with tears streaming down her face: “Today this old woman shamelessly comes to beg Princess Zhenguo to speak to His Highness the Crown Prince. Fu Ruoxi drawing his blade against the Crown Prince deserves death, but my daughter-in-law and little grandson are innocent!”

“Old Madam, please sit!” Bai Qingyan helped the old madam sit down, instructed the maids to withdraw, then leaned forward and grasped the old madam’s hands, saying: “Old Madam, I have something to ask you. I hope you will answer truthfully.”

“Princess, please ask! This old woman will tell everything I know without reservation!”

“Back then… did General Fu and the Empress have a marriage engagement? Were they mutually affectionate?”

Bai Qingyan didn’t tell Old Madam Fu that she already had witnesses in hand – she wanted to see if Old Madam Fu could treat her with sincerity.

If Old Madam Fu could treat her with sincerity, Bai Qingyan could find ways to preserve the lives of the rest of the Fu Family. If she couldn’t speak frankly, then Bai Qingyan could only stand aside and let the Crown Prince handle the matter.

Old Madam Fu’s hand holding the handkerchief tightened. She bit her teeth, tears streaming down her face again: “I dare not deceive Princess Zhenguo. The two were indeed mutually affectionate and had a marriage engagement. Initially… before the Empress married His Majesty, she got wind of the news first and came to the Fu Family… asking my son to go propose marriage. But my son felt our family status was inferior to the Empress’s maternal family’s prominence, and he couldn’t compete with the Imperial Family for a woman, so he felt deeply guilty toward the Empress over this matter!”

Old Madam Fu didn’t conceal anything. She only gripped Bai Qingyan’s hand tightly and looked up, crying: “Back then… I believed the Empress had feelings for my son, but later everything was completely used by my son!”

Bai Qingyan nodded, then said: “Old Madam, General Fu drew his blade against the Crown Prince – his life certainly cannot be saved.”

Hearing these words, Old Madam Fu felt as if her heart was being carved out. Her back bent slightly, but she still nodded firmly: “This old woman understands! But my daughter-in-law and grandson at home are innocent! They absolutely cannot be implicated by this rebellious son!”

After speaking, Old Madam Fu couldn’t bear it anymore. She pressed her forehead against the back of Bai Qingyan’s hand and wept loudly, so grieved she couldn’t straighten her back.

Bai Qingyan admired Old Madam Fu’s decisive action, unlike ordinary women who would only know how to beg people to save their son’s life.

Not everyone could have the courage to cut off a limb to save the body, especially when… what Old Madam Fu was sacrificing was her flesh and blood, her son.

“Old Madam’s ability to make choices and have the courage to cut off a limb to save the body – Bai Qingyan admires this!” Bai Qingyan truly admired Old Madam Fu from the bottom of her heart. She squeezed Old Madam Fu’s hand and lowered her voice: “Old Madam, the Crown Prince has already begun investigating the past relationship between General Fu and the Empress. If Old Madam can righteously eliminate relatives and help the Crown Prince resolve difficulties, His Highness the Crown Prince, even for the sake of benevolence and righteousness, will spare the entire Fu Family’s lives. But… it can only be sparing their lives! Old Madam Fu should prepare in advance – the future won’t all be bitter days.”

With this hint, Old Madam Fu immediately understood.

The whole family could be spared death, but to uphold national law, the Fu Family’s men would at minimum face exile, and their property might be confiscated. Bai Qingyan was advising Old Madam Fu to make arrangements in advance, spend some silver so the children could live more comfortably, and when the new emperor ascended and granted general amnesty, there would still be a way to survive!

Hearing these words, Old Madam Fu gathered her spirits and nodded: “Princess Zhenguo speaks correctly!”

“Old Madam, time is of the essence – it’s best to set out for the Crown Prince’s mansion immediately!” Bai Qingyan said.

Old Madam Fu bowed her thanks to Bai Qingyan again and left directly for the Crown Prince’s mansion.

Bai Qingyan, who had seen Old Madam Fu to the door, stood with hands behind her back, watching the carriage disappear in the distance, recalling Old Madam Fu’s earlier words… that she believed the Empress had feelings for Fu Ruoxi back then, but later it was all manipulation.