Sheng Li reached the Eastern Palace and saw Jian Guozhi. The two bowed at each other. "The First Brother returned after many days," Sheng Li stated. "Hopefully, the journey was not troubling."

  "The journey was comfortable, Brother Sheng unless the rain poured and the route became muddier. That's why we returned late," Jian Guozhi replied. "How is Brother Sheng doing? I heard a few things from a few ministers," he stated.

  "I am well, First Brother. You might have heard about the Ministers," Sheng Li stated. The two started to walk towards the Pavilion.

  "Yes. The Imperial mother's name is dragged. The Ministers are creating chaos among the Royal Family members," Jian Guozhi opined. Sheng Li did not tell the First Prince about the true intentions of Deng Hui as he wanted to give her a chance for improvement. Moreover, Sheng Li had promised the Fourth Prince that he would take care of his mother.

  "Hmm. The Aristocrats want some power in the Imperial Court and also over the Palace matters," stated Sheng Li.

  "Brother Nianzu should not have left like this. If we had talked with the elders and the Court Ministers, his wife might be accepted by everyone. Earlier, I saw Lei Wanxi, but he was not as active and happy as he used to be," Jian Guozhi asserted. They both halted near the railing of the pavilion.

  "But it was what the Fourth Brother wanted. Even if we had fought, it would be difficult for us to give Chuntao the status of Brother Nianzu's wife. Under the pressure, he might have had to marry a girl of the same level," Sheng Li asserted. "Brother Nianzu did not want to see Chuntao living as a concubine with restrictions. He already has suffered seeing his mother as a Concubine for many years. That's why Brother Nianzu took such a decision," Sheng Li affirmed.

  Jian Guozhi took a deep breath and after thinking for a while said, "Brother Sheng, you also know that living as a commoner is tougher than living as a Prince. If something wrong happens, Brother Nianzu will not be able to protect himself, let alone his wife."

  Sheng Li did not say anything. He did not want to reveal the location of Prince Nianzu to anyone. Jian Guozhi had proved himself to be loyal but somewhere Sheng Li still lacked faith in him. After Deng Hui's sudden change in nature, his trust had again wobbled a little from everyone around him except a few.

  "The hearing of the judgment will be in a while. Minister Xi plotted against the Imperial Father, so he will not be able to escape the death sentence. The other Ministers might have to serve lifetime imprisonment," Jian Guozhi deduced the judgment of the Emperor. Sheng Li agreed with him.

  "Brother, I need to meet the Imperial Mother. I will see you later in the Court," Sheng Li took his leave. Jian Guozhi also left for his chamber.

  During the morning greetings, Sheng Li had seen how terrified Deng Hui was after last night's incident. "I want to meet the Empress," Sheng Li told a maidservant, who was at service of the Empress. The maidservant informed the Empress first and let Sheng Li go in.

  Sheng Li bowed in front of Deng Hui. "Greetings to the Imperial Mother." He lifted his head and found the sweat on her forehead. "Imperial Mother, why don't we have tea?" Sheng Li suggested.

  Eunuch Zhen was also trembling in fear by the presence of the Crown Prince. He ordered a maidservant to bring the tea for the Empress and the Crown Prince.

  Deng Hui got seated around the floor desk while Sheng Li sat a meter away from her. A tiny table for tea was placed in front of him. The tea was served to them. "Leave," Deng Hui ordered them. Both Eunuch Zhen and the tea server left the chamber.

  Sheng Li picked the teacup after Deng Hui took the first sip from her teacup. Taking the scent of the tea, Sheng Li took a sip and put it on the table. "It seems the Imperial Mother already knows why I am here. Now, whatever we talk about will remain between us only," Sheng Li said with a menacing expression.

  "Forgive me, Crown Prince," Deng Hui apologized and lowered her head. "I am sincerely apologetic towards you," she stated.

  "I called you mother affectionately," he chuckled. "I did not know the one whom I called 'mother' never considered me her son because I am not her birth son. I did not know that she would act more evil than Weng Wei, the woman I hated the most," asserted Sheng Li.

  Deng Hui lifted her eyes, gulped, and gazed at him.

  "I am not Weng Wei," Deng Hui answered.

  "You are more evil than her," Sheng Li corrected her, whose eyes flickered in anger. "Accept the truth. At least Weng Wei was truthful of her character, Imperial Mother," Sheng Li stated and picked the cup. He sipped the tea and finished it.

  "She did not dare to poison the Emperor unlike you. It is weird that you did not care about the life of the person who gave you this much respect," Sheng Li opined.

  "The Crown Prince is the one who forced me to do this," Deng Hui blamed Sheng Li, who was now not surprised with Deng Hui's words. "The Crown Prince lied to me about my son. He did not tell me about my son's departure and let him go," Deng Hui complained.

  "Do you know that your son also knows about your evil plans?" Sheng Li's question bewildered Deng Hui.

  "I realized later that Brother Nianzu knows your true face. However, he did not tell me. He met me because he wanted to make sure that I would take care of his mother. Brother Nianzu knew that you would be the first one to harm his wife that's why he left the Palace. Also, you did not understand your own son, his sufferings which made him leave without meeting you," Sheng Li explained to Deng Hui, whose eyes turned teary.

  "You earlier made plans with Gu Zhenya, yet I forgave you. But, you did not stop. Poisoning your own husband, blaming the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess– were the parts of your plan," affirmed Sheng Li.

  "How was it my fault? Even at this moment, I saved you. I have risked my position to save a culprit. Do you know why?" Sheng Li questioned her.

  Deng Hui shook her head.

  "I am responsible towards you as a son. I once called you 'mother', and you called me 'son'. Our relationship was so pure- a selfless one. But as time passed, greed grew. The selfless relationship of a mother and a child turned selfish. At least, from my side, you were always my mother, but not anymore. This is the last time I will protect you. If I find you are again plotting, then be ready to die. Also, don't try to say bad things about Lili. It's fine to say anything to me but not to Lili. Violating any of these things will result in your instant, brutal death. Even your son won't be able to save you," Sheng Li pronounced.

  Deng Hui's eyes filled with tears. "Bring my son back. I beg you, Sheng Li. You considered me a mother. I promise that I will never try or think evil. I cannot live without my Nianzu," Deng Hui joined her both hands to request Sheng Li.

  "I cannot. Brother Nianzu's life can get at risk. I do not consider you my mother anymore. So, pleading with me is useless. It will annoy me more," Sheng Li menacingly said and stood up. "It was a nice conversation with the Empress. Thank you for sparing your precious time, Your Majesty," Sheng Li bowed and left the chamber. Deng Hui started crying as she realized that she made the biggest mistake of her life.

  Sheng Li pushed the door in anger and scowled at Eunuch Zhen. He grabbed his collars and pulled him up. "Zhen Dao, how dare you arrange the poison for Xi Feng?" Sheng Li questioned him.

  Zhen Dao got confused. "What is his highness saying?" Sheng Li pushed him, and he fell to the ground. The maidservants got terrified, seeing the anger of Sheng Li. A few soldiers came there whom Sheng Li ordered to take Eunuch Zhen away.

  "Your Highness! Your Highness!" Eunuch Zhen shouted…… Deng Hui closed her eyes as she heard the cries of Eunuch Zhen.