tallest building

Chapter 358 Just in Case
"In a few days, there will be a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the palace. We should invite more children over. It will be more festive with them playing and making noise," the Empress said. "In previous years, I always found it a bit noisy, but this year I am in a good mood."

"Festivals are always better when they're lively, and it would be even better if there were operas or variety shows to add to the festivities," Grand Tutor Dong said with a smile. "It's clear that Your Majesty has grown bolder and more spirited. You're not afraid of noise or getting tired, which is truly a cause for celebration."

In fact, Grand Tutor Dong usually didn't care about the banquets held in the palace, but the Empress thought that she was joining in because her health had improved and her father was happy.

Grand Tutor Dong had lunch in the Empress's palace before leaving the palace.

He was always smiling in the palace, but as soon as he left the palace gates and got into his sedan chair, his old face immediately turned gloomy, as if it could drip water.

At this point, he had made up his mind to get rid of Gong Chang'an as soon as possible.

"This is a source of trouble; with him around, the Dong family will never have a good end," Grand Tutor Dong thought to himself.

Once he is eliminated, the rest of us will be no threat.

Even the emperor, though unwilling, had no choice.

After all, Gong Chang'an's true identity has not yet been made public, so killing him now is no different from killing him in the womb.

Of course, the best way to get rid of him is to create an accident.

Grand Tutor Dong decided to devise a plan to ensure that Gong Chang'an died in an accident without leaving any evidence against him, which was no easy task.

Gong Chang'an and her son returned to Mingjing Palace. Gong Chang'an said, "Why did that Grand Tutor Dong suddenly ask the Empress to recognize me as her adopted son?"

“I also find it strange,” Wen Mingqian said. “Logically, he should be outside the palace and unlikely to notice anything. Could it be that he is testing whether we have any ambitions? After all, some people still have quite a few complaints about the Wen family.”

"I always felt that this old fox was not simple; he wouldn't bring this up for no reason." Gong Chang'an felt something was amiss.

"We can't tell what he's up to right now, so we can only be careful with our words and actions," Wen Mingqian said. "Fortunately, the Empress hasn't suspected anything yet, and the Dong family doesn't have many helpers left. Almost everyone who could be transferred has been transferred."

Just like playing chess, you have to plan ahead.

So far, Wen Mingqian and his group have transferred the Zhao King's family to the northern frontier and the Chu King's family to Longxi.

Moreover, the King of Zhao and the King of Chu were originally on the same side, but they became enemies because of the rivalry between their two heirs.

Both Dong Sicheng and Dong Siye were ordered to leave the capital on official business, and besides, the Dong family's power was not what it used to be.

"My lord, I just returned from outside and heard that a royal physician went to Mingcui Palace to examine the princess's pulse. Could something have happened?" Xiaoyue came in and said.

"Summoning the imperial physician at this time must mean you're feeling unwell somewhere," Wen Mingqian stood up. "I'll go take a look."

At this time, all the palaces had finished their lunch and were preparing to rest. Normally, the imperial physicians would be summoned in the morning or evening, not at noon.

When she arrived at Mingcui Palace, Su Qingyun had just finished taking her pulse.

"Why are you here?" The eldest princess looked at Wen Mingqian and smiled. "Didn't you say you were serving the Empress?" "I was indeed in the Empress's palace before. When I returned to Mingjing Palace, I heard from Xiaoyue that an imperial physician had come here. I was a little worried, so I came to take a look," Wen Mingqian said.

"I don't know why, but today I keep feeling my stomach tightening in waves," Princess Duanmin said, touching her belly. "And I'm starting to feel a little scared."

"It's alright. The princess is quite far along in her pregnancy. She'll be due in about a month, so there are bound to be some subtle signs if it's a little early," Su Qingyun said. "As long as she doesn't experience extreme joy or sorrow, and doesn't overexert herself, she'll be fine."

"This is her first pregnancy, while I've never had one before," the princess laughed. "How would I know? Of course, I'd call the imperial physician at the slightest sign of trouble, just in case something went wrong."

Princess Duanmin is almost thirty years old, and this is her first child, so of course she has to be careful and attentive.

“When I was seven or eight months pregnant, my belly would often feel tight when I was tired, but it would be fine after lying down and resting,” Wen Mingqian said.

"So you don't need to take medicine?" Princess Duanmin asked. "That's wonderful."

"It's time for a nap, Your Highnesses, please rest. I'll be going back now." Wen Mingqian was relieved that Princess Duanmin was alright.

"Since you're here, don't leave. Come with me to that room and we can chat for a bit!" the princess said, getting up. "It's been quite a few days since I've spoken to you."

Wen Mingqian mentioned to the Princess the matter of Grand Tutor Dong's visit to the palace today.

"Your Highness, what was the purpose of Grand Tutor Dong's sudden remark?" Wen Mingqian had thought about this matter several times, but he still couldn't figure it out.

"What did the Empress say?" the eldest princess asked.

"When the Empress heard what the Grand Tutor said, she was about to agree on the spot, but I stopped her. You know, Chang'an cannot recognize the Empress as her adoptive mother; it would cause too much trouble in the future. Could it be that Grand Tutor Dong knows something?" This was Wen Mingqian's biggest worry.

"How could he know?" The eldest princess frowned upon hearing this. "Don't scare yourself unnecessarily. However, it's only right to be extra careful. Take this opportunity to investigate everyone around Chang'an and see if there's anything suspicious."

"I can guarantee that." Wen Mingqian was confident in this. "The people around Chang'an are all reliable."

“Then there’s no need to worry too much. Grand Tutor Dong is always outside the palace, and he doesn’t come into the palace often,” the Princess said. “Or perhaps he also wanted to win over your Wen family, after all, the Dong family is not what it used to be. Chang’an’s background is extraordinary, and many people are trying to win him over, not just the Dong family.”

Wen Mingqian listened in silence for a long time before finally saying, "But I still think it's better to be safe than sorry. If Grand Tutor Dong really has sensed something and his visit to the palace was a test, then he must have done more than just a test."

"What do you mean he's going to do?" the princess asked.

"If he has some suspicions and comes to the palace to test us, then he has probably already determined Chang'an's true identity. Then he will definitely try to harm Chang'an and eliminate him completely." Wen Mingqian had to think the worst. After so many years, it was not easy for the emperor and Chang'an to recognize each other. He couldn't let something happen at the last moment.

“Better safe than sorry, you’re right. We need to come up with a solution as soon as possible so we don’t fall into a passive position,” the princess said. “With that old fox, Grand Tutor Dong around, it won’t be easy for the Dong family to be completely defeated.”

Grand Tutor Dong's contributions are too great. As long as the Dong family does not commit treason, the Emperor will show them some leniency.

This is the fundamental reason why the Dong family was able to sit comfortably in the position of Empress for so many years and why the Dong family was able to wield such immense power.