Like Zhou Weizhao, Empress Lu had already been branded with the mark of plotting to harm Emperor Jianzhang. The difference was that the accusations against Zhou Weizhao had reason and evidence, while the suspicions against Empress Lu lacked proof. Therefore, she was temporarily only under house arrest and left ignored. But what about Zhou Weizhao?

Eunuch Jiang pressed himself even lower, his body prostrate on the ground while his head lifted to look at Empress Lu and the Crown Prince. “His Highness… after the Cabinet deliberated, they temporarily placed His Highness in the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs.”

The Court of Imperial Clan Affairs—the Crown Prince smiled sarcastically. Since ancient times, the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs had been where imperial relatives who committed crimes were imprisoned. Now that they had placed Zhou Weizhao there, in a few days Zhou Weizhao would probably “commit suicide out of guilt.”

“Quickly—” He frowned and glanced at Empress Lu. At this critical moment, he couldn’t think about quarreling anymore, nor could he think about saying those meaningless words. He turned to Princess Rongcheng. “Have the Prince Consort submit a memorial requesting that Dongping temporarily exercise the Emperor’s authority… There’s no time left…”

Following this, they would surely push forward Prince Su or Prince Lu. If they were more ruthless, they should simply hand over the throne directly to Zhou Weiyin, then wait for Prince Gong to return to the capital to take over the throne.

These people had painstakingly arranged things in the capital for so long, building momentum for so long—wasn’t it all for today?

Prince Dongping also felt a chill of horror. He finally understood why Han Zhengqing had sent people to fetch him several times. So this was their scheme. Han Zhengqing had probably planned it long ago—at this moment, he would directly push Zhou Weiyin to power. That’s why he was so eager to take him away, afraid that he would be pushed forward by the ministers to compete with Zhou Weiyin and thereby offend Prince Gong.

He had always wondered why Han Zhengqing didn’t become Emperor himself. He was already so capable and had directly colluded with the Tatars himself—why not simply become Emperor?

Now it seemed Han Zhengqing understood the issue of reputation very well. Whether his identity or his connection with the Tatars, both determined he could never have the opportunity to become Emperor. Prince Gong was the Emperor’s son and hadn’t done anything too terrible. Even though Emperor Jianzhang had previously labeled him as unfilial and rebellious, that had been cleared away. Clearly, supporting Prince Gong was the most correct choice.

Suddenly feeling cold in his limbs, he realized this was also facilitated by Grand Consort Fan, wasn’t it? Grand Consort Fan was probably afraid that Han Zhengqing might later have ideas of usurping the throne. Therefore, she always pushed Han Zhengqing to handle contact with the Tatars and providing conveniences for the Fan family. Colluding with ministers in the capital, placing moles beside Zhou Weizhao, contacting people from Longhu Mountain—Han Zhengqing had handled it all single-handedly.

The purpose was to ensure Han Zhengqing had countless vulnerabilities for others to attack, to completely cut off any thoughts of usurpation.

Empress Lu straightened her clothing and let out a cold laugh. “This Empress will go to Taiji Hall!”

She was now the Empress. She had committed no crime. There was no evidence proving her guilt. Therefore, with the Emperor critically ill and unconscious, and the Crown Prince embroiled in the poisoning scandal, she had every right to go and inquire.

Princess Rongcheng was somewhat hesitant. The situation was becoming increasingly urgent, yet the Prince Consort still seemed unhurried. He repeatedly instructed her not to panic no matter what happened and that she didn’t need to say anything. She vaguely felt something might be amiss but didn’t know exactly what. Therefore, hearing Empress Lu speak this way, she instinctively tugged at Empress Lu’s sleeve. “Mother Empress…”

However, the Crown Prince agreed. He pointed at Prince Dongping. “Dongping… go together.”

Empress Lu nodded without hesitation. What the Crown Prince said wasn’t without reason. If Zhou Weizhao truly could not be tolerated by the ministers or by all under heaven, she couldn’t let things become worse. She was absolutely determined not to let the empire fall into the hands of Prince Gong—this unfilial and rebellious son who dared collude with foreign tribes.

She beckoned the still-stunned Prince Dongping to come forward, then looked at Princess Rongcheng. “Earlier I already sent someone to summon the Crown Princess and Crown Prince Consort, but they haven’t arrived yet. Go check personally what’s happening.” As she said this, she glanced at the Crown Prince and added solemnly, “Don’t let anything happen to them.”

If Zhou Weizhao truly couldn’t extricate himself, they absolutely couldn’t let Crown Princess Lu and Song Chuyi suffer as well. As long as people remained, there was still hope. Moreover, behind Song Chuyi stood the entire Earl Changning’s estate and the Cui family.

Crown Princess Lu in Mingcui Palace had also received the news. She sat restlessly, watching Xiangling and Baizhi hurry out. Frowning, unable to contain herself, she asked Nanny Liang, “Still no news?”

The eunuchs had left to deliver messages long ago. Logically, they should have reached Earl Changning’s estate to deliver the message by now. Why hadn’t Song Chuyi returned yet?

Nanny Liang was somewhat troubled. She also didn’t know the news from outside and could only stamp her feet anxiously while trying to steady her mind to comfort Crown Princess Lu. “Your Highness, don’t worry. Everything will be fine…”

Before she finished speaking, Xiangling rushed in, lifting her skirts. She took a breath and looked at Crown Princess Lu. “Your Highness, the palace gates are under martial law… Not a single message can get through…”

The palace was under martial law naturally because Daoist Master Ciyun, who was at Zhang Tianshi’s side, had personally stepped forward to testify that Zhang Tianshi had poisoned the Emperor under the Crown Prince’s orders. For the imperial family, this was undoubtedly a tremendous scandal.

For the common people, it was also a monumental matter. In their eyes, it was precisely because of Zhou Weizhao’s shameless actions that chaos had descended upon the realm, that Tatar raiders were rampaging through Xibei and ravaging Datong. Filled with righteous indignation, they stormed government offices, surrounded Earl Changning’s estate, and angrily shouted for the Crown Prince to be punished.

Nanny Liang’s face went pale. Her entire spirit seemed to be drained all at once. Unable to suppress the fear in her heart any longer, her legs went weak and she sat on the ground, mumbling, “It’s over…”

The common people were so filled with righteous indignation—she heard that even several officers from the Five Cities Military Command had been beaten to death. What about the Crown Prince Consort then? These past days, what the common people and court officials hated most was probably the Crown Prince Consort, who was deemed to have bewitched His Highness the Crown Prince. Now the Crown Prince Consort was stranded outside the palace at this moment… The Crown Prince Consort was probably…

When it rains, it pours. That wasn’t all. Baizhi also rushed in right after, panting heavily. “Your Highness, the Cabinet Elders have deliberated and reached a decision. They say they will temporarily imprison His Highness in the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs.” She bent over, supporting her knees, and looked up at Crown Princess Lu in panic. “There are also people proposing to select Prince Su, Prince Lu, or… or Prince Gong’s heir apparent as acting Emperor…”

Pressing them step by step to this point, these people… Crown Princess Lu stood dazed for a moment, then began to laugh coldly, her laughter filled with infinite mockery.