A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 320 Ambition
The news that the Duke of Song had been assassinated and poisoned, resulting in his complete paralysis and being trapped at Yuguan Pass spread like wildfire two days later!

Song Shuyu stormed the palace to request an audience with the emperor and asked for permission to go to Yuguan, but the emperor refused and ordered him to guard the gates of the capital and not to leave the capital without permission!

Outside the Imperial Study, Song Shuyu knelt for a long time, his words impassioned: "Your Majesty, for the peace of the Great Zhou and the stability of the Shen family's empire, I have been separated from my father for more than ten years. Is such a sacrifice not enough? Now that my father is seriously injured, as a son, I should serve him at his bedside to fulfill my filial duty!"

"presumptuous!"

The emperor was furious and smashed his teacup at Song Shuyu without mercy, shouting, "This is utterly treasonous!"

The teacup shattered, and shards of porcelain flew onto Song Shuyu's head, piercing his skin and flesh. Fresh blood trickled down from his eyebrows, a shocking sight of crimson!

Zhou Chun knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling, and said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I beg Your Majesty to consider that Lord Song has been diligent in his duties and loved the people, has solved many strange cases, and has made great contributions to the court, and to forgive Lord Song!"

However, Song Shuyu was very stubborn. "Your Majesty, every word I have said comes from the bottom of my heart. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth and grant my filial piety!"

"As the Prefect of Jingzhao, it is your duty to govern the capital and its six counties! If it weren't for the loyalty of the entire Duke's family, I would surely punish you for the crime of disrespect!"

The emperor spoke sternly and issued a series of edicts, then decreed: "Imperial guards, listen to my command and send Song Shuyu back to his residence! If he resists, he shall be flogged fifty times!"

"emperor--"

No matter how loudly Song Shuyu shouted, the imperial guards still took him away!
Overnight, the Duke of Song, who held military power, became a cripple, and Song Shuyu, who was at the height of his power, fell out of favor with the emperor. The only direct successor of the Song family was the young master Song Shuxing!
However, Song Shuxing joined the army at the age of twelve. Although he is now a fourth-rank Mingwei General, he rarely interacts with his clansmen and never inquires about clan affairs.

Therefore, the Song clan members, who were originally filled with anxiety, suddenly found a way out of their predicament and became enlightened. Those who had committed crimes not only did not turn themselves in to the Jingzhao Prefecture, but also spread a lot of cold ridicule and sarcasm!
Song Shuyu was in a state of panic and no longer cared about dealing with the Song family. Moreover, the Song family members no longer feared him. They even took this opportunity to jointly petition the Empress Dowager to elect a new clan leader!
Among those who took the lead were the Second Uncle and the Fifth Uncle!
Upon receiving the news, Song Shuyu was furious. He returned to Jingzhao Prefecture that very day and sent a letter to the magistrate of Heyang County, demanding that Song Shushen's trial be expedited!
Song Li, accompanied by a group of secret guards, was nowhere to be seen all day.

Mu Qingcheng always followed Song Shuyu's arrangements, never refusing the protection of the secret guards, nor ever stepping out of the capital city.

She didn't know how to comfort Song Shuyu; if she couldn't cure the Duke of Song, any words of comfort would be in vain.

But clearly, Song Shuyu didn't need her comfort. He didn't give up, but instead frequently summoned Xu Chunshan, the Junior Magistrate of Jingzhao, and Fu Qi to discuss matters.

Mu Qingcheng didn't know what Song Shuyu was up to, but she believed that he wouldn't admit defeat easily and that he was probably scheming for his own game.

……

At the same time, the news of the Duke of Song's misfortune struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving the Empress Dowager feeling as if she had fallen into an ice cave. She fell ill and refused to see anyone.

The Emperor, concerned about the Empress Dowager's health, went to Shou Kang Palace to pay his respects.

The Empress Dowager's face was pale and haggard, a far cry from her former exquisite beauty. She gazed at the Emperor for a long time, tears suddenly rolling down her swollen eyes. "Your Majesty, when will the Duke of Song arrive in the capital? He... After his return, I wish to visit him at the Duke's residence. I wonder if Your Majesty would grant me permission?"

The Emperor said, "The Duke of Song is the Empress Dowager's elder brother. It is only natural for the Empress Dowager to care for the Duke of Song, and I have no reason to refuse. However..." Seeing the Emperor hesitate and a troubled look on his face, the Empress Dowager asked anxiously, "However, what?"

The Emperor sighed, “The Empress Dowager’s return to her parents’ home is both a matter of state and a family matter. However, the Duke of Song and General Song have been away from the capital for many years, and the Duke’s mansion is now entirely under the control of Song Shuyu. Song Shuyu seems to have some misunderstandings about the Empress Dowager, and I am worried that he will obstruct the process.”

"I am the Empress Dowager, how dare he!" The Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with anger.

The Emperor said helplessly, "He even dares to question me, so what can I do? He has been spoiled by the Duke of Song since he was a child. The Duke of Song has never refused any of his requests. Everyone in the Duke's mansion obeys his orders, and even the old Duchess of Song grants him every wish. Now that the Duke of Song is paralyzed, Song Shuxing has to take command of the army in his father's place and guard the border. The Duke's mansion has been without a head for many years. If Song Shuyu develops ambitions to become the Duke, I'm afraid the Duke of Song will grant his wish and make Song Shuyu the heir apparent."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager shuddered, and the terrifying image of the insane Song Shuyu grabbing her chin and force-feeding her the poison of the Qi-Tracing Poison flashed through her mind!
If Song Shuyu were to rise to power and become the next Duke of Song, who would hold immense power in the court, then she would surely die!

Moreover, as long as Song Shuyu lives, her wish will never be fulfilled!
Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager concealed the dark light in her eyes and smiled enigmatically. "Shuyu is indeed a bit spoiled, but I can't blame him. He's the youngest, and a motherless child, quite pitiful. His current dissatisfaction with me is probably because of the arranged marriage. It was my carelessness; I never expected that a lowly woman outside would dare to seduce Shuyu. Bewitched, Shuyu has forgotten filial piety and respect, frequently disobeying his own aunt!"

The emperor nodded slightly in agreement.

The Empress Dowager then said, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Zhongshan and his son will soon be leaving the capital to return to their fiefdoms. I intend to hold a farewell banquet. What does Your Majesty think?"

"The Empress Dowager is in charge of these matters," the Emperor agreed without hesitation.

The Empress Dowager's face was kind, and a slight smile appeared on her face. "In addition, I heard that Che'er is in love with a woman. The Prince of Zhongshan came to me for help. I couldn't bear to hurt the Prince of Zhongshan's feelings over such a trivial matter, so I decided to bestow a marriage between Che'er and that woman. However, that woman is of low birth and is not worthy to be the principal wife. I will grant her the position of a concubine, which will save face for Che'er."

Upon hearing this, the emperor casually asked, "But whose daughter is she?"

"I don't know either. Che'er didn't say, probably because he was afraid I wouldn't agree."

"The affairs of the inner palace are naturally decided by the Empress Dowager."

"Well, it's good that His Majesty doesn't object."

At this moment, Zhou Chun reminded him from the side, "Your Majesty, it's almost time. Several officials from the Ministry of War are waiting for Your Majesty to summon them."

The emperor rose, cupped his hands to the empress dowager, and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured and recover. I will visit you another day."

As the emperor's figure faded from sight, the empress dowager's carefully maintained spirit vanished instantly.

She leaned against the cushion, breathing heavily and weakly. "Granny, send a message to the Prince of Zhongshan for me, telling him to prepare. Also, bring me the Muscle Regeneration Pill; I need to take it."

(End of this chapter)