Jiang Si looked at Emperor Jingming.

The bright light in the hall allowed her to see the Emperor’s furrowed brows, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, and the white hair at his temples.

Between a mother and a pregnant daughter-in-law, choosing who should live or die wasn’t a particularly difficult decision according to the ethical norms of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If a father wants his son dead, the son must die. For instance, in common households, if an elderly mother sued her unfilial son, the authorities would help the mother execute her son, without even giving him a chance for redemption. This was considered one of the ten unpardonable crimes.

For Emperor Jingming, the fact that he was hesitating between the Empress Dowager and his daughter-in-law could already be considered merciful.

Jiang Si, of course, couldn’t wait for Emperor Jingming to make a decision. She said, “Father Emperor, the Imperial Grandmother is controlled by the Mother-Child Heart Worm of Nursemaid Duo. If Nursemaid Duo decides to perish together with her enemies, it would endanger the Imperial Grandmother’s life. Your daughter-in-law has transferred the larva from the Imperial Grandmother’s body into mine, and I have a seventy percent chance of suppressing it. I’m deeply grateful for your concern for me, but the Imperial Grandmother is advanced in age and cannot withstand such tribulations…”

“Do you have a seventy percent chance?” Emperor Jingming’s eyes lit up.

Jiang Si nodded gently, “I should have seventy percent confidence.”

The Empress’s lips quivered, very much wanting to ask if this was also a result of innate knowledge, but ultimately decided against it.

The Emperor must have already sent the Brocade Scale Guard to investigate this matter. If there was anything unusual about Prince Yan’s wife, the Emperor wouldn’t have remained so calm until now.

Emperor Jingming fell silent.

Time ticked by slowly.

The Empress finally couldn’t help but urge, “Your Majesty?”

If they don’t make a decision soon, it might be too late.

Emperor Jingming looked at Jiang Si, his gaze extremely complex. “Seventh son’s wife, I’ll entrust the Empress Dowager to you.”

He very much wanted to make some promises, but couldn’t bring himself to say them.

If something were to happen to her, what use would promises be? If nothing happened, he would naturally compensate her well.

Seeing that Emperor Jingming had made a decision, the Empress let out a slight sigh of relief and asked Jiang Si, “What preparations do we need to make? The Empress Dowager should be asleep now…”

“No preparations are necessary. Just have someone lead me to the Empress Dowager. It’s perfect if she’s asleep, but when transferring the larva, there must be no disturbances…”

“Empress, have someone take the Seventh son’s wife to change into palace maid’s clothes, and she will accompany us to visit the Empress Dowager,” Emperor Jingming instructed.

The Empress nodded and ordered someone to take Jiang Si away.

With only the Emperor and Empress remaining, the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

“Am I being too selfish?” Emperor Jingming broke the silence.

The Empress chose her words carefully, “People have different levels of closeness. After all, the Empress Dowager raised Your Majesty. You needn’t blame yourself.”

“I’m afraid that if something happens to the Seventh son’s wife, I won’t be able to face our Seventh son…”

The Empress was at a loss for words, and after a while, she said dryly, “It’s often difficult to have the best of both worlds.”

Emperor Jingming smiled bitterly, “I know. Between the Seventh Son’s wife and the Empress Dowager, I chose the Empress Dowager. In reality, if the seventh Son’s wife hadn’t said more, she wouldn’t have needed to be placed in a position to be chosen against the Empress Dowager. This child is filial and kind-hearted. It is I who have failed her…”

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry. The Prince Yan’s wife will surely be blessed by heaven.”

Emperor Jingming nodded.

Such consolation was weak, but he still needed it.

If… if something were to happen to the Seventh son’s wife, he would generously reward her father and brothers’ clan, ensuring their glory for a lifetime.

Jiang Si was soon led out by a palace maid, dressed in plain clothes like an ordinary palace servant.

Emperor Jingming couldn’t help but ask, “Seventh son’s wife, do you have any last requests?”

Jiang Si curtsied to Emperor Jingming, “Father Emperor, regardless of the outcome of this endeavor, please do not reveal the truth to Ajin.”

Emperor Jingming slowly nodded, “Very well, I promise you.”

The Emperor and Empress walked hand in hand towards Cining Palace, with Jiang Si blending in among the palace maids following behind the Empress.

Cining Palace was still lit.

The Empress Dowager had suddenly experienced unbearable hand pain, and after summoning the Imperial Physician, she had just settled down to rest. The entire Cining Palace didn’t dare to close their eyes, and even the old Imperial Physician was temporarily kept back.

Seeing the Emperor and Empress approach, the eunuch at the door was about to announce their arrival but was stopped by Emperor Jingming.

“Do not disturb the Empress Dowager’s rest.”

The head matron of Cining Palace came forward to pay respects to the Emperor and Empress.

“We heard that the Empress Dowager is unwell, so the Empress and I have come to see her. How is the Empress Dowager now?” Emperor Jingming asked.

The head matron walked alongside Emperor Jingming towards the inner chambers and replied, “The Empress Dowager has retired for the night.”

“I’ll go and take a look at the Empress Dowager.”

They soon entered the inner chamber and saw the sleeping Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager appeared normal, except for her tightly furrowed brows that wouldn’t relax.

“Go to the outer hall and give me a detailed account of the Empress Dowager’s condition,” Emperor Jingming dismissed the head matron and instructed the Empress, “I’m worried about the Empress Dowager. Empress, please stay here and attend to her first.”

“Your Majesty, rest assured,” the Empress curtsied slightly. After Emperor Jingming left with the head matron and others, she immediately turned to Jiang Si and said, “Prince Yan’s wife, the rest is up to you.”

The Empress, very tactfully, walked to the doorway and turned her back.

Jiang Si examined the Empress Dowager, then placed her hand on the Empress Dowager’s wrist.

Carefully sensing the energy within the Empress Dowager’s body, she couldn’t help but show a surprised expression.

It seemed that the Empress Dowager had only recently been infected with the Mother-Child Heart Worm.

Nursemaid Duo had been by the Empress Dowager’s side for over a decade. Why did she choose to act only recently?

Jiang Si couldn’t understand it for a moment, but with limited time, she couldn’t dwell on it and immediately began to transfer the larva.

About an incense stick’s burning time later, Jiang Si walked to the Empress’s side and said softly, “Mother Empress, it’s done.”

The Empress’s tense nerves immediately relaxed, and she gestured for her trusted palace maid to inform Emperor Jingming.

Emperor Jingming returned and asked the Empress, “How is Mother?”

“The Imperial Mother has been sleeping, and she seems quite peaceful.”

Emperor Jingming appeared relieved and said to the head matron, “Keep a close watch on the Empress Dowager tonight. If anything is amiss, immediately send someone to inform the Empress and me.”

Although the head matron felt that the Emperor and Empress’s night visit to check on the Empress Dowager was somewhat excessive, she was moved by their filial piety and quickly agreed.

“There’s no need to tell the Empress Dowager that we came, to avoid worrying her.”

“This servant understands.”

Emperor Jingming, barely containing his anxiety, returned to the previous palace and eagerly asked Jiang Si, “How did it go?”

Jiang Si smiled, “The larva has been successfully transferred to your daughter-in-law’s body. The Empress Dowager is now safe.”

“Then you—” Emperor Jingming started to speak but stopped, feeling inexplicably guilty when he met those bright, shining eyes.

This was the first time he had felt this way when facing a younger generation. People indeed shouldn’t do things that weigh on their conscience.

“Fortunately, the larva had only been in the Empress Dowager’s body for a short time and hadn’t caused significant problems. Your daughter-in-law has no issue suppressing the larva.”

“If Nursemaid Duo harms herself, or if we torture her, will it affect you?”

“Father Emperor, don’t worry. Once the larva is suppressed, it won’t be affected by the mother worm’s actions.”

Emperor Jingming finally showed a genuine smile and said repeatedly, “That’s good, that’s good.”

The Empress reminded from the side, “Your Majesty, didn’t Nursemaid Duo say she had other poison worms in her body? If we torture her, she could activate the poison worms and die in an instant. If so, we still won’t be able to get her to talk…”

“Your daughter-in-law can try,” Jiang Si offered.