The news of Prince Yi's appointment as the Crown Prince sent a shock throughout all levels of society. No one thought that the Emperor would appoint a Crown Prince out of the blue.It had been so many years. The Emperor's intention was apparent to everyone, and it was clear that he was enemies with Prince Yi. To suddenly appoint Prince Yi as the Crown Prince was the Emperor's show of weakness. Moreover, the news from the Lord Guardian's Manor had spread. Nearly everyone in the capital found out that the Emperor had stolen his minister and younger brother's wife.It was an unethical crime that made the perpetrator look worse than a beast. To think that the Emperor would conduct himself like this! It was unbefitting of a monarch.Thus, the stubborn court officials submitted an official complaint of misconduct, though they didn't dare to impeach the Emperor. They first impeached Chief Hua of the Imperial Academy of poor character. He had failed to

"Commandery Princess Xianyun couldn't make it?" the Empress asked angrily, slamming her hand on the table. She didn't expect Ning Xueyan to be so domineering and defy her order. Had this happened in the past, Ning Xueyan would have been beheaded for her crime, but things were different now. The Emperor was very ill and all the authority was in Ao Chenyi's hands. Her words were no longer useful.She had planned to wait for Commandery Princess Xianyun to bear a son and find a way to make the princes and Ao Chenyi face-off until they lost their lives. Then, she would adopt Xianyun's son and make him the next Emperor. She would become the Empress Dowager, instead of the biological mother, Xianyun. A mere prince's consort couldn't be compared to her.Since the new Emperor would be young, she would be able to govern behind the curtain and take on the role of a regent. She would raise the child on her own, making him into an obedient adult thankful for her role in

It was early in the morning after that Ming Feiyong's army departed the capital. By the time Ning Xueyan woke up, Ao Chenyi was no longer beside her and even the bed next to her felt cold to the touch. She didn't know what time he had left.All was calm in the capital over the next few days. However, there was a rumor that the Emperor had passed away. This rumor was, of course, circulating only among the ordinary folks. The Emperor was still in a coma but he was undoubtedly alive. The Empress had been serving him the entire time, and several imperial consorts were guarding the door as well. Even though they couldn't meet the Emperor, they could see the imperial physicians going in to help change his medicine.It was tense inside the palace.The Emperor had many children, but few managed to reach adulthood. Most of his imperial consorts were without children. If something were to happen to him, they would be done for. Therefore, they refused to

"What is it?" Xia Yuhang asked, stopping in his tracks.The maid in black wiped the sweat on her head and said in a panic, "Someone is… Someone is looking for you."She was contradicting her previous words. He didn't immediately understand her intention, so he went straight to the point. "Who is looking for me? Madam or someone else?""Someone came for you for an urgent business, Eldest Young Master. He has been taken to the study. Madam is panicking because she couldn't find you anywhere."The maid was a clever one. She stopped stuttering and explained the matter to him.Who was looking for him? Why did his mother lead the guest to his study? Xia Yuhang was surprised. His mother never interfered in his business. Why did she take matters into her own hands and invite the guest in? Why was she desperate to find him? Did they have a special guest?He contemplated for a moment before telling the maid, "Tell m

Ning Xueyan was surprised that Heng Yuqing was invited as well.The poetry exchange at Wu Manor was a bigger event than she thought, and the guests more influential than she expected. These people formed what felt like a politically-neutral faction of people and leaders who dared to criticize the monarchy. Some noble families and off-shoot imperial families sent their daughters as guests as well.Unlike the typical guest list full of rich, honorable, and beautiful ladies, the women invited to the poetry exchange were known to be talented. One could say that most of the guests were from noble families, but some ladies weren't invited despite their honorable families.For a moment, people in the capital took pride in receiving Madam Wu's invitation.Someone even said that this was the most meaningful gathering in the capital for the past tens of years. The lack of an invitation meant that the lady was vulgar and boorish. Initially, t