Unlike the stifling atmosphere in the Qi Kingdom's palace at this time, the Jin Kingdom was full of joy for several days because of Ye Zhen's return. Everyone's face was filled with cheerful smiles. They were no longer afraid to see the emperor. Before the Empress returned, they felt a big stone pressing on their hearts when they saw the emperor from afar.
After seeing Zhao Ning, Ye Zhen persuaded him to return to the Wang Fu first. She felt that the truth she knew now was not necessarily true. She should wait until it was clear before making a decision. In fact, Ye Zhen also wanted Zhao Ning to give Mo Rongyi a chance.
After sending Zhao Ning away, Ye Zhen called Ye Chundong over. She knew that Mo Rongzhan would send someone to investigate the people around Mo Rongyi, but she always felt that the person would not be so easy to find out. Ye Chundong was not a secret guard, so it should be easier for him to find out the truth.
"Fifth brother, I know you don't want to be an official in the imperial court. When you were in the Yuan Kingdom, you refused. Now that we are in the Jin Kingdom, do you still have the same intention?" Ye Zhen looked at Ye Chundong and asked.
When she was in the Yuan Kingdom, she wanted Ye Chundong to be a general, but he refused. He felt that he was not suitable to serve in the imperial court. He was used to freedom and did not want to be bound at all.
"Niang, I used to do something for Second Uncle in Jinkou City. I'm really not used to being a general or something." Ye Chundong scratched his head. This time, he protected Yao Yao from the Hua Kingdom and survived in the military camp for a while. He was more aware that it was not suitable for him.
"Then …" Ye Zhen glanced at him, "What are your plans next?"
Ye Chundong thought about it seriously, "Niang, Second Uncle asked me to come back to help you. In addition to being an official in the imperial court, you also need someone to work for you outside the palace, right?"
"Indeed." Ye Zhen nodded with a smile, then said seriously, "Fifth brother, what I need is not someone to help me outside."
"I understand what you mean." Ye Chundong whispered, "Except for Yan Han and the others who will stay with you, I will take the others outside. No matter what you order, we will complete it. We will be your secret guards outside the palace."
Ye Zhen did have such an intention. She wanted some people to work for her outside, just like Mo Rongzhan's secret guards.
"Yan Han and the other three will stay in the capital. You can take the other eight." Ye Rou's eyes were cold. "I want you to investigate something for me first."
"What is it?" Ye Chundong asked.
Ye Zhen said, "The little prince has lived in Nanyue for almost two years. In these two years, no matter who appears around him, we must carefully investigate. Most importantly, who is in the prince's mansion now?"
"Your Highness, do you suspect that the little prince has done something behind the scenes?" Ye Chundong asked in a low voice.
"I'm just worried that someone might want to use him." Ye Zhen did not doubt Mo Rongyi. She was just worried that there would be someone hiding around him. Although Mo Rongzhan had asked Shen Yi to investigate, Shen Yi was a shadow guard, and his identity was too obvious.
Ye Chundong already understood Ye Zhen's meaning. "Your Highness, I know what to do."
"Good." Ye Zhen whispered, "If you need anything, just tell me."
"Yes, Your Highness." Ye Chundong responded.
Ye Zhen glanced at him with a smile. "Fifth brother is now living in the Ye family mansion."
"At Third Brother's place …" Ye Chundong sighed softly. "I once thought that it was impossible to step into the Ye family mansion again. I didn't expect that when I came back, everything had changed."
"Have you seen Brother's child?" Ye Zhen and Ye Chundong chatted. She wanted to see Ye Chunnan's son as soon as possible, her little nephew.
Ye Chundong said, "Yes, he looks like Third Brother."
Ye Zhen had only been back for three days, but she had not yet sat down and talked to Ye Chunnan. She still had a lot to ask him.
After chatting with Ye Chundong for a while, Ye Chundong went out of the palace. When Ye Zhen saw that it was getting late, she did not let anyone summon Ye Chunnan to the palace. She took a nap on the soft couch for a while. When she woke up, it was already dark.
"Your Highness, just now Eunuch Fu came to pass on a message. The emperor is in the Palace of Heavenly Purity to discuss matters with the ministers. He will come back later and let Your Highness have an early meal." Hong Ling said as she dressed Ye Zhen.
Ye Zhen was still a little dizzy from sleep. She just nodded gently and did not answer.
After grooming, she felt a little better.
"Have Ming Xi and Ming Yu eaten?" Ye Zhen asked.
"His Royal Highness and the Princess came to see you just now. Knowing that you were still sleeping, they went back and said that they would not come over for dinner today." Hong Ling said with a smile.
Ye Zhen rubbed her eyebrows. "Tomorrow, let Xue Lin know who has children of the right age in the capital. This Empress will have a look first, and then let them enter the palace."
"Yes, Your Highness." Hong Ling responded.
"Let's set the table." Ye Zhen said. She had slept for too long, and now she really felt hungry.
Dai Mei soon came back with the meal.
Ye Zhen drank a few mouthfuls of soup first. She remembered that she had been away from the palace for so long, but it seemed that she had not asked what happened during this period.
"Dai Mei, where is Hu Yue 'er in the palace now?" Ye Zhen thought of Hu Yue 'er. She knew that Mo Rongzhan would not let her go easily.
"Why does Your Highness ask about this person? After the Emperor came back, he sent her to the cold palace. For so many years, this slave has not heard any news about her." Dai Mei whispered. In her opinion, no matter how many times Hu Yue 'er died, she could not atone for her crime.
Ye Zhen raised her eyebrows slightly. Hu Yue 'er's crime was indeed not worthy of death. If she was only in the cold palace, Mo Rongzhan would have been merciful.
"When you weren't in the palace, His Majesty would rest in Eternal Life Palace every day. Some unwilling women would think of ways to see His Majesty. One time, His Majesty came back a bit late and saw Sun Jieyu burning money in front of His Majesty. She was even kneeling in front of His Majesty and crying like a pear blossom in the rain. She looked like she wanted to die in place of Her Ladyship. His Majesty had already ordered that no one was allowed to mention the word 'death'. I don't know what this Sun Jieyu was thinking. She thought that this was her sincerity towards His Majesty.
In fact, at the beginning, the palace maids of the Yong Shou Palace did not have an easy time. Those people thought that without the Empress, they were all easy to bully. She was molested by those old eunuchs several times. If it weren't for Lu He's protection, she didn't know what would have happened to the palace maids of the Yong Shou Palace.
"Burned to death?" Ye Zhen cried out in surprise.
Dai Mei hurriedly said, "This slave also heard about it, but I haven't seen Sun Jieyu since then."
"Don't make it sound so terrible, it's scary." Hong Ling said, "Your Highness, that's all in the past. No matter what happens to Sun Jieyu, she asked for it."
Ye Zhen nodded gently. If Sun Jieyu was sentenced to death, she didn't think that Hu Yue 'er's fate was just to be banished to the cold palace.
...
(Nine-headed Bird Academy)
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