The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Led by palace servants, Shen Jingyan stumbled and rushed into the inner chamber of Jiaofang Palace.

More than two months of confinement have made her once bright and beautiful face much thinner.

"Mother!" Shen Jingyan burst into tears as soon as she saw Wulan Yun. She rushed over and hugged her tightly, her voice choked with sobs. "Mother! They've locked me up. I'm not allowed to go anywhere, not even the courtyard."

"I'm so scared, so very scared..."

Wulan Yun let her daughter hug her, feeling her body trembling. Her heart ached, but she forced herself not to shed a tear.

She gently patted Shen Jingyan's back, "It's alright, Jingyan, it's alright, your mother is here."

Shen Jingyan sobbed uncontrollably, "Does Father really not want me anymore? Why is he so heartless..."

"Ayan, listen to what your mother has to say." Wulan Yun held her daughter's shoulder, making her look at her with a serious expression. "Your father is first and foremost the Emperor of Great Zhou, and only then is he your father."

Shen Jingyan sobbed, looking at her with confusion.

"You could do whatever you wanted before because you were his beloved eldest daughter. But now, his heart is no longer with us." Wu Lanyun's voice was low, but every word was clear.

"We can no longer think that we can get everything from him by crying and whining, just like before."

Shen Jingyan froze, tears still clinging to her face.

"We must be patient." Wu Lanyun stared into her daughter's eyes, her tone resolute. "Put your temper aside for now and behave yourself."

"Once your elder brother has established himself in the court, once he becomes the rightful crown prince, and once that bitch Shen Qingruo falls out of favor one day, then we can slowly take back everything that belongs to us."

Looking at the unfamiliar gaze in her mother's eyes, Shen Jingyan's grievances were gradually replaced by confusion.

She bit her lip and asked softly, "Then...how long do we have to endure it?"

"Endure until we have enough power." Wulan Yun wiped away her tears. "Until then, do not provoke Shen Qingruo again, and do not show any dissatisfaction in front of your father. Do you understand?"

Looking at her mother's unquestionable gaze, Shen Jingyan finally nodded slowly, "Your subject understands, Your Majesty."

-

Meanwhile, inside the Prince Xiaoyao's mansion.

Shen Yinian sat behind his desk, with a staff member surnamed Chen standing in front of him.

"Your Highness, as you instructed, our men have been secretly searching in Jiangnan and Shu," Chen's advisor reported in a low voice. "They are looking for a woman with a respectable family background, outstanding appearance, gentle and compliant nature, similar in style to the woman in Yilan Palace."

Shen Yinian tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his gaze calm: "Hmm. There's no need to rush things; we need to carefully select candidates. Once we find suitable people, we'll settle them in first, but there's no need to send them to the capital immediately."

"Yes, I understand."

The staff member acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Shen Yinian sat alone in the study, the light shining on his young face, revealing a depth that seemed beyond his years.

Now that the Emperor is bewitched by Shen Qingruo, any attempts to dissuade him will only backfire.

Since her advantage lies in her unique gentleness, she will find other women who are equally beautiful but have a similar style to share her favor.

This is not a long-term solution, but at least it can break her monopoly and buy him and his mother more time.

The Empress Dowager needed power and a stable position.

All of this is predicated on the fact that the Emperor's gaze cannot be limited to the Yilan Palace.