If the Empress of the Central Palace were still alive, even though the Crown Prince’s birth mother, Consort Yu, now controlled the inner palace, she still wouldn’t be able to do so with such legitimate authority, and the Crown Prince would never allow such a thing to happen.

Bai Qingyan had a plan in mind and spoke with righteous conviction, as if Fu Ruoxi had truly suffered great injustice.

Hearing these words, Fu Ruoxi’s hands at his sides clenched tightly, knowing that Bai Qingyan was trying to save him.

Confronting the Empress, Fu Ruoxi still felt somewhat guilty, but the more guilty he felt, the less he could show it. Otherwise… how could he face his deceased mother, how could he face Bai Qingyan’s painstaking efforts to save him?

He closed his eyes. When the Empress sent people to kill him, he had already severed all emotions. Over these years, he had been used by the Empress so many times – it could be considered repaying what he once owed her.

Now, for the sake of protecting his wife and children, for the sake of protecting the entire Fu family, Fu Ruoxi could only wrong the Empress.

“Cough cough cough cough…” Upon hearing the word “Empress,” the Emperor suddenly began coughing violently. The Crown Prince quickly rose to help the Emperor catch his breath. Gao Demao knelt before the Emperor holding a spittoon, and Imperial Physician Huang also hurried forward to take the Emperor’s pulse.

The Emperor waved his hands repeatedly, taking deep breaths to calm himself. His chest gradually stopped heaving, and he looked toward the Crown Prince, asking, “What does the Crown Prince think?”

“Father Emperor already knows the situation and believes in General Fu’s innocence. As for confronting the Empress… I think Father Emperor should speak with the Empress privately later when we younger generation, are not present.” The Crown Prince turned to look at the Emperor, and seeing the Emperor nod in agreement, he quickly stepped forward to gently help Bai Qingyan up, lowering his voice, “This concerns the imperial family’s dignity. This is ultimately our family matter behind closed doors. Fu Ruoxi is an outsider… it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to be involved.”

By calling this matter “our family affair,” the Crown Prince aimed to draw closer to Bai Qingyan, wanting her to know he didn’t consider her an outsider.

“The Crown Prince speaks reasonably!” Bai Qingyan stepped back respectfully and bowed to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s gaze fell on Bai Qingyan’s constantly trembling arm and quickly said, “Let the imperial physician examine your arm first! This time, you’ve rendered great service protecting His Majesty. Father Emperor will surely reward you handsomely. After having your arm treated, return to your mansion early to rest! Leave the remaining matters for others to handle!”

The Emperor also looked at his paternal aunt with her silver hair and deeply lined face, suddenly feeling tender-hearted. He spoke, “During the days I was unconscious, thanks to Imperial Teacher Old Tan and Aunt, and last night, Aunt risked her life entering the palace to protect me. It has truly been hard on Aunt. Let Aunt and Princess Zhenguo return and rest!”

Grand Princess and Bai Qingyan acknowledged the order.

Outside, Prince Liang’s wailing could be heard again: “Father Emperor… Father Emperor, this son truly knows nothing!”

Prince Liang was, after all, an imperial prince. Holding a sword to his throat and refusing to leave with the patrol battalion, he stood crying in the heavy rain, begging to see the Emperor. Fan Yuhuai, who had been taken to the corridor to have his wounds bandaged by imperial physicians, found himself in a difficult position upon seeing this. He could only kneel at the palace door to request the Emperor’s instructions: “Your Majesty, Prince Liang holds a sword to his own throat, claiming he must see Your Majesty. How should this humble minister handle this?”

Grand Princess’s eyes were cold and clear. She had truly misjudged before… this Prince Liang was indeed very capable of adapting to circumstances.

Prince Liang had grown up caught between forces since childhood, knowing what it meant to bend and submit. He was more willing than most to sacrifice dignity and integrity, knowing when to kneel and grovel. Even when victory seemed within grasp, until achieving complete triumph and ascending to the supreme position… he would never show arrogance, always leaving himself room to wag his tail and beg for mercy from those in higher positions.

In this regard, Prince Liang far exceeded the Emperor and his several brothers.

Prince Liang harbored deep hatred for the Bai family. Grand Princess absolutely could not allow such a person to ascend to Jin’s supreme throne; otherwise would the Bai family would have no chance of survival.

Grand Princess turned to look at the Emperor: “Your Majesty, Prince Liang claims repeatedly that he knew nothing of Prince Xian’s affairs, holding a sword to his throat, begging to see Your Majesty. But when Prince Xian led the Nandu Army to fight with the patrol battalion under Lord Fan Yuhuai, we didn’t see him holding a sword to his throat begging Prince Xian to stop! If Prince Liang truly dared to sacrifice his life to save the throne, why didn’t he raise his sword then to threaten Prince Xian with his life? After all, without Prince Liang in hand, Prince Xian’s actions would lack legitimacy. Even if Prince Xian relied on his daughter carrying the imperial bloodline, Your Majesty… has other princes.”

Imperial Teacher Old Tan also nodded.

After a pause, Grand Princess spoke solemnly to the Emperor: “From this perspective, I’m afraid Prince Liang is not entirely without ambitions toward the supreme throne.”

The Crown Prince lowered his eyes, joy flickering in their depths. If Prince Liang died, he could rest easy.

Hearing Grand Princess’s words, the Emperor’s expression grew even darker, and he couldn’t help coughing violently several times: “Gao Demao, pass the order… throw that rebellious son into prison. If he wants to kill himself… let him be! Out of sight, out of mind!”

Gao Demao quickly bowed in acknowledgment and hurried toward the palace door, relaying the Emperor’s words exactly to Fan Yuhuai, then quickly added: “Lord Fan should leave matters to others to handle. You must rest quickly!”

Gao Demao looked at Fan Yuhuai, whose face and body were covered in blood, with one eye already wrapped in fine cotton cloth by the imperial physician.

Fan Yuhuai nodded: “Thank you for your concern, Eunuch!”

Just as Fan Yuhuai finished speaking, he saw Bai Qingyan supporting Grand Princess, along with Imperial Teacher Old Tan, emerging from the Emperor’s bedchamber. Fan Yuhuai quickly bowed deeply: “Grand Princess, Princess Zhenguo, Imperial Teacher Old Tan.”

Fan Yuhuai, having had his wounds re-bandaged, had fresh blood seeping through the gauze. His other eye was also bloodshot and red. His rain-soaked armor and clothes clung tightly to his body, making him look quite disheveled.

“Lord Fan has worked hard! Lord Fan is injured and should return early to rest! His Majesty has already sent someone to summon Lord Liu Hong to take over, so Lord Fan can rest properly!” After Grand Princess finished speaking, she added, “His Majesty will not forget Lord Fan’s merit in risking his life to save the throne. There will surely be great rewards later! Lord Fan… has a boundless future.”

Hearing these words, Fan Yuhuai quickly bowed deeply to Grand Princess, his body trembling slightly with excitement.

What official doesn’t want to rise rapidly through the ranks? Who doesn’t want to reach high positions?

The patrol battalion deputy commander had already rushed into the rain curtain, shouting at Prince Liang: “His Majesty decrees: Prince Liang is to be imprisoned. If Prince Liang wishes to kill himself, he may do as he pleases.”

Hearing this, Prince Liang’s face went pale. The sword in his hand suddenly slipped from his grasp, his legs went weak, and he knelt, tears and snot flowing freely, displaying the full appearance of a spineless wretch.

“Father Emperor! This son is wronged! This son truly didn’t know Prince Xian was planning a rebellion! This son was just afraid of death, afraid Prince Xian would chop off this son’s head with one stroke. This son knows he has disgraced Father Emperor!”

The patrol battalion deputy commander looked at Prince Liang’s weak appearance, contempt showing in his eyes, and waved his hand: “Take him away!”