When she went to meet Emperor Ying, she passed by Yangxin Hall.

Yu Tingwan paused to take a few glances.

The fire had left only a few broken walls and ruins.

Yangxin Hall was much larger than the Yu Family’s house, yet after burning for several days and nights, it had become a ruin.

"Young Madam."

The eunuch urged her, and softly mentioned, "Nowadays, every time this servant passes by here, I feel a lingering fear."

The fire that night was truly eerie.

He intended to curry favor.

"The Holy Emperor, aside from seeing ministers, sees no one from the harem except for the Empress Dowager. He is injured and occasionally has headaches. Meeting with you, Madam, shows that you are blessed."

Would you want this blessing?

Yu Tingwan just smiled without speaking.

Headaches. Of course, it wasn’t the newly buried witchcraft taking effect. It was the poison powder spread by Wei Zhao taking effect.

Since Mr. Tu’s death, the position of Chief Eunuch remained vacant, and apart from the Imperial Physician, only the Black Shadow served Emperor Ying closely.

The eunuch leading the way only escorted Yu Tingwan to the hall entrance.

The guards here were most stringent, like an impregnable fortress, and there were patrolling Imperial Army guards everywhere.

A few stern-faced guards saw the situation and let her pass, but stopped Tan Jiang and Shunzi.

Tan Jiang and Shunzi were uneasy.

Shunzi, ever resourceful, slipped a hefty bag of silver into the nearest guard’s hand.

"Share it among yourselves, buy some wine to drink."

"Before Madam left, the General ordered us to serve her closely."

"Could you do us a favor? Madam is not familiar with palace etiquette. Without a servant by her side to remind her, I fear she might unwittingly offend the Holy Emperor."

An emperor’s status is noble, and not just anyone can casually meet the emperor on a whim.

But, special circumstances require special handling.

Previously, when Mr. Tu was still around, some noble ladies who visited the palace for the first time would timidly be brought in for a question. The accompanying senior maids, handpicked by elders for their steady presence, sometimes entered together based on Mr. Tu’s decisions.

The guards exchanged glances, unable to decide. Instinctively, they looked at the eunuch.

The eunuch dared not make a decision.

He was seldom allowed inside the hall, merely a messenger.

At that moment, a guard who usually kept a low profile among them stepped forward, took the money, and tossed it back to Shunzi.

"The Holy Emperor only intends to ask Madam a few ordinary questions. Madam need not be too reserved; the Holy Emperor will not nitpick at you. Please proceed."

He moved silently, with a gentle presence, yet his voice was deep and powerful, clearly not an ordinary guard.

Yu Tingwan was not surprised.

Shunzi and Tan Jiang were people assigned to her by Wei Zhao. Regardless of their martial prowess, to the Emperor, they were Wei Zhao’s people.

If he wanted to probe, how could he let them in?

Yu Tingwan instructed them to wait outside and stepped into the hall.

Seeing her figure disappear, Tan Jiang looked worried, suspecting that Madam would suffer and was about to find an opportunity to send news out.

But before she could act, Shunzi stopped her.

Shunzi gave her a look, signaling her to be patient.

After a moment, someone hurried over.

It was Gu Fuju, who stayed in the palace to discuss the reconstruction of Yangxin Hall with the court ministers.

The eunuch saw him and hastily greeted him: "Grand Tutor, why are you here? Is there an important matter to report?"

Gu Fuju’s eyes were heavy, his gaze falling on the partially open door.

He spoke: "I’m here to take my daughter out of the palace."

"This..."

The eunuch was in a dilemma: "Young Madam just went in."

"Not sure when she’ll come out. You might as well sit in the side hall."

"No need."

Gu Fuju replied calmly, "I will wait here."

Thick medicinal fragrances mixed with the smoky scent from the incense burner wafted, pungent and unpleasant.

Vermilion doors gilded in gold, dragon curtains lowered.

Someone kneeling offered a bowl of soup, and upon hearing footsteps, the half-lying Emperor Ying waved his hand in dismissal, the Buddha beads on his wrist clinking against the gilded bowl with a crisp sound.

He squinted, smiling as he watched the young woman approach, closer, and finally salute him.

"Peace to the Holy Emperor."

"No need for formalities."

"Someone, grant Gui Zhi’s daughter-in-law a seat."

"Cining Palace is quite a distance from here, and it’s raining. You must be tired from the walk."

Finished speaking, he seemed like a benevolent elder, with no scrutinizing in his eyes, speaking gently.

"Why won’t you look at me?"

Yu Tingwan held her breath, speaking in a faint mosquito’s voice: "I dare not."

Emperor Ying saw her so terrified she barely dared to breathe, further believing she was just a foolish pretender.

Daring in Cining Palace was solely because it was the Empress Dowager’s territory.

Anyone knows, those associated with Jiasan and He Xuran’s sibling relationship, the Empress Dowager extends her love to them all.

"I am of the same age as your father-in-law, once treating him as a brother. The bond between us is indescribable. You may regard me as an elder. What’s there to fear?"

Hearing this, most would be excited and kneel to express gratitude.

But hearing such nonsense, Yu Tingwan felt disgusted.

Feigning surprise, she raised her head: "Really?"

Just don’t speak love words, and it’s not awkward at all!

Emperor Ying had injuries on his face, his hair mostly burned. Though still careful about health, his current appearance was quite ugly to Yu Tingwan.

If Wei Zhao were in this state, she’d be heartbroken.

But Emperor Ying...

How did he survive?

Emperor Ying nodded: "I am serious."

Her face broke into a smile.

But seemingly reminded of something, she uneasily fiddled with her fingers.

"I’m not afraid of the Holy Emperor, but worried you’d blame me."

Emperor Ying followed her words: "Then tell me, what are you afraid I’ll blame you for."

He was feigned ignorance, so Yu Tingwan followed suit, acting oblivious.

Her eyes drifted, seemingly unable to hide her thoughts, cautiously glancing at Emperor Ying.

"It’s just..."

"I just offended the Fifth Prince Consort and Li Pin."

After she finished speaking, she quickly added.

"But it wasn’t my fault. Those two were too unreasonable."

Emperor Ying: ...

Saying in front of him that his consorts and daughter-in-law were unreasonable was something no normal person would dare do.

He didn’t interrupt, signaling for Yu Tingwan to continue.

Could Yu Tingwan be polite?

She sat down, hands resting on her knees, not quite gracefully but decently.

"Their behavior is questionable."

"I just argued with them a bit. The reason is on my side."

Emperor Ying raised an eyebrow.

The descendants of Duke Shun Mansion have always been outstanding, comparing them unfavorably to the Ying Family’s.

He, his father, his grandfather, and past predecessors, how many didn’t resent them?

But somehow, that wasn’t enough.

The Yu Family’s daughter-in-law was exceptionally talented, on par with any empress consort from the Imperial Family.

How many noble daughters from prestigious families didn’t desire to marry into the Wei Family? Those who became Wei’s daughter-in-law, how many did the Imperial Family not covet?

Imperial Family members had to rely on the Wei Family’s power, with no room for greed.

How could they not resent?

When his grandfather was dying, he clung to his deathbed, and as he closed his eyes, he heard him calling Madam Wei’s name, learning of his grandfather’s hidden affection.

His father focused on weakening the Wei Family’s power, never indulging in romance.

As for him?

He followed in his grandfather’s footsteps.

But he resolved the issue of Wei Fengxing.

Yet he also had fears, unable to compel Ning Suxuan to comply with him.

Emperor Ying’s eyes brimmed with more laughter.

See, nothing is unbreakable.

This new daughter-in-law of the Wei Family pales in comparison to each mother of the Wei Family.

She fell short, not even having much scheming.

Duke Shun Mansion is bound to decline.

Li Pin, to Emperor Ying, was merely a reproductive tool, insignificant: "Are you suggesting that the Fifth Prince’s wife is not good?"

Yu Tingwan acknowledged: "Indeed, I couldn’t find any merits in her. Though she didn’t speak, I could tell she was quite discontented."