The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Forced entry into the palace?

Such a treacherous term sprang from Song Zhiyuan’s mouth, shocking Prince Zhou and the others into a pallor.

Who dares to touch such a deadly taboo? Who dares to admit to such a mortal crime?

”Prime Minister Song, you are making groundless accusations.” At this moment, Consort Fan couldn’t care less about winning over Song Zhiyuan; she was eager to clear herself. After all, forcing entry into the palace was tantamount to treason, a label that spells death for whoever wears it, a risk they wouldn’t take.

Prince Zhou swallowed hard, holding Consort Fan’s hand, speaking in a softer tone: ”Exactly, Prime Minister Song, we merely wish to request an audience with our father, how can you call it forcing entry? You are imposing guilt unjustly.”

”Is that so? I see your stance is quite firm; perhaps my eyes are failing me.” Song Zhiyuan said mildly, hands behind his back: ”I have stated that the Emperor was exhausted from last night and has just fallen asleep; it is inappropriate to disturb him.”

Prince Zhou nearly spat blood. Exhausted? In what aspect, overindulgence in pleasure the type of fatigue?

Bah, as if they didn’t know that last night’s companion was a favored person of talent, now nowhere to be seen, and the father emperor is avoiding meeting anyone. There’s certainly something amiss here.

Just like that old sly Song Zhiyuan claiming they discussed national affairs until dawn, bah, clearly a cover-up.

Prince Xiao, having watched the spectacle for long enough, cupped his hand toward Song Zhiyuan and said: ”Prime Minister Song, we merely wish to express our filial piety to our father.”

”If you wish to show filial piety, then I invite you princes to put more effort into providing disaster relief and addressing the epidemic, to alleviate the Emperor’s worries. That is where your filial piety should lie, not in making noise for a brief meeting with the Emperor and calling it filial piety.” Song Zhiyuan looked at Prince Xiao and said: ”Prince Xiao, profiting from national disasters will be despised by people; as the Emperor’s eldest son, you must restrain those around you and not disappoint the Emperor.”

Prince Xiao’s face changed from white to green, extremely unpleasant.

Several princes, Wu, Yan, and Zhou, glanced over, eyebrows slightly raised.

”And you, Prince Wu, while brother-in-law ties are good, you need to be more vigilant. It’s heard that Princess Wu’s elder sister’s husband is using the refugees as forced labor, not feeding them and beating them to death. Oh, was that estate built for you, Prince?”

Prince Wu’s eyes widened: ”???”

Song Zhiyuan then turned to the suddenly nervous Prince Yan, saying: ”It’s heard that the favored person of talent is the distant cousin of Princess, greatly favored by the Emperor, but it’s uncertain whether arranged by the Shen family or the Fan family.”

The tone, sinister, while his gaze fell upon the faces of Consort Hui and Consort Fan.

Prince Yan’s hairs stood on end, without thinking, said: ”Prime Minister Song, this Prince knows nothing of any sort!”

Song Zhiyuan stood with hands behind, although sunlight spilled down, everyone felt chilly, as if standing exposed before the person, being seen through clearly.

Prime Minister Song knows everything; what he knows, the Emperor knows too, right?

Cold sweat formed on everyone’s foreheads, momentarily caught in a dilemma.

What to do?

Sneak away or forcefully break through?

”Empress Dowager has arrived.”

Just as everyone was at a loss, a voice sang out, prompting a collective sigh of relief, a savior had arrived, providing an easy way out.

Song Zhiyuan lightly brushed his sleeves, watching the sedan chairs of the Empress Dowager and Empress stop, taking two steps forward, sleeves lightly flicked, respectfully saluted: ”Your servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager, pays respects to the Empress.”

Empress Dowager Wang’s face showed urgency, waved to exempt ceremony, looked at Song Zhiyuan and questioned: ”Yunzhi, I heard the Emperor has suspended court. Where is the Emperor?”

Song Zhiyuan unhurriedly repeated what he had told Prince Xiao and the others.

Not only did Prince Xiao disbelieve, even Empress Dowager Wang herself didn’t trust it, yet she didn’t forcefully break in, just steadfastly stared at Song Zhiyuan, asked: ”Is the Emperor well? Can I trust you?”

”Lady, please rest assured.” Song Zhiyuan cupped his hand again.