“The venomous empress was resurrected after being killed by her son.

Cui Rou was naturally fearful of Empress Dowager Jiang Mingzhu. Now, being glared at with such authority, her body trembled uncontrollably.

That day, for the sake of her son, she had risked everything without hesitation.

But now, having calmed down, recalling the Empress Dowager's formidable methods made the Empress pale with fear. Her body trembled, and it was only through sheer willpower that she managed to maintain her composure.

Even though Nangong Yi was still young, he could sense his mother's fear. Furthermore, he had always felt the Empress Dowager's disdain toward him. She would often scold him and never showed him any kindness. Though he was frightened too, he remembered his father's words: he was a little man, and it was his responsibility to support his mother in such times.

"Grandmother, it's all Yi'er's fault. Please don't blame Mother."

Seeing her son standing up for her, Cui Rou suddenly felt a surge of courage.

"Your servant was blinded by selfishness and wronged the Empress Dowager. Whatever punishment you deem fit, I am willing to bear."

Cui Rou didn't know how the Empress Dowager would punish her. In the past, she had been ordered to copy scriptures or kneel in the Buddha Hall. Once, after committing a graver mistake, the Empress Dowager had even punished her with a ruler. This time, having defied the Empress Dowager publicly, she braced herself for the worst.

Jiang Mingzhu glanced at the Empress and the Crown Prince, trembling but putting on a brave front. Her lips twitched slightly.

Was she really that terrifying?

"This time, since you acted out of a mother's protective instincts, I will let it go. But if there's a next time…"

Before Jiang Mingzhu could finish her sentence, the Empress suddenly fell to her knees again with a loud thud. Even Jiang Mingzhu winced at the sound, feeling the pain on her behalf.

"Mother, I dare not make such a mistake again. I will never go against your wishes in the future."

For saving her son, the Empress's gratitude was genuine this time.

"Yi'er, come here. Thank your Grandmother for saving your life. You must be filial to her from now on, understand?"

The Empress pulled the young Crown Prince down to kneel beside her.

"Yi'er thanks Grandmother for saving his life."

Following his mother's example, Nangong Yi bowed respectfully to Jiang Mingzhu.

"Rise. The Crown Prince is still recovering, and there's no need to linger in the Cining Palace. You may leave now."

Seeing the mother and son trembling in her presence was giving Jiang Mingzhu a headache. She decided to dismiss them.

Hearing this, Cui Rou assumed the Empress Dowager still harbored resentment. Terrified, she didn't dare delay and promptly took her son away.

After leaving the Cining Palace, Nangong Yi noticed his mother's anxious expression.

"Mother, did Grandmother trouble you again? Yi'er will study hard and grow up to confront her so she won't bully you anymore!"

Startled by his words, Cui Rou quickly covered Nangong Yi's mouth and looked around nervously.

"Yi'er, don't speak nonsense! How dare you show disrespect toward your Grandmother? You must never say such things again."

"Mother…"

"Yi'er, you're still young and don't understand. Although your Grandmother has a bad temper and isn't fond of us, the most she'll do is trouble us on the surface. Mother can endure that. She is not our true enemy."

Reflecting on the recent attempt on her son's life, Cui Rou thought further. To the Empress Dowager, Yi'er might not be likable, but he wasn't a threat yet. The real threat came from those whose paths her son and she had crossed—there were other consorts in the palace with children.

"Mother, then who is our real enemy?"

Cui Rou shook her head. "When you grow up, Mother will tell you. For now, Mother will protect you."

Because Jiang Mingzhu had saved the Crown Prince, the palace's two most powerful figures reached a temporary truce. For a short time, the palace enjoyed an unprecedented peace—but it lasted only two days.

After the morning court session, a report came to Jiang Mingzhu.

"At court today, the First Master claimed illness and was absent. The Second Master, leading a group of ministers, opposed the Emperor's reform policies. They advised against it, and even an official from the Censorate knelt and vowed to die as a remonstrance should the Emperor insist on implementing the reforms."

Jiang Mingzhu could already imagine how heated the court session had been. However, compared to the previous lifetime, this was relatively mild. Back then, with her support, her elder brother Jiang Hui had prepared in advance, rallying more than half the court against the Emperor's reforms. One censorate official even dashed his head against the golden palace doors to protest, forcing the Emperor to temporarily yield.

"The Emperor must be furious," Jiang Mingzhu said, toying with the luminous pearl presented by the Inner Court. Her tone carried a trace of amusement.

Fang Ruo, however, was filled with worry.

"The Emperor rebuked the Second Master furiously, declaring that the reforms are for the welfare of the people and the nation, and that anyone obstructing them is a traitor!"

"Your Highness, it seems the Emperor is truly enraged. The Second Master's defiance will likely be blamed on you. Even though you already stopped the First Master, this was entirely the Second Master's doing."

Fang Ruo fumed. The Second Master had acted on his own, ignoring the Empress Dowager's advice, yet the consequences might fall on her shoulders.

"Well, he wasn't wrong. Obstructing the reforms is indeed treasonous, harming the nation and ignoring the people."

Fang Ruo hesitated, unsure of her mistress's stance. Normally, the Empress Dowager sided with the Second Master, sometimes even over the First Master. But today, her words seemed critical.

"Your Highness, should we explain this to the Emperor?"

Fang Ruo was anxious. Even if they clarified the situation, the Emperor might not believe them, given the Second Master's familial ties to the Empress Dowager. Their already delicate relationship with the Emperor could worsen.

"It's time to communicate with the Emperor. No one in this palace can force me to take the blame—not even Jiang Su."

Meanwhile, in the imperial study, shattered porcelain littered the floor.

"Outrageous! Someday, I will tear them all to pieces!"

Nangong Qing's expression was dark with anger. Though he had anticipated resistance to the reforms, he couldn't suppress his rage. These incompetent officials only cared about their own interests, ignoring the plight of the people. They were fools, and sooner or later, he would seize full control of the court.

"Your Majesty, don't harm your health. Jiang Su was likely acting on the Empress Dowager's orders to hinder the reforms. But Jiang Hui's absence from court today is suspicious."

Jiang Hui was the head of the Jiang family and the Empress Dowager's elder brother. Ordinarily, he would have led the opposition.

"I've investigated. Jiang Hui isn't ill; he merely claimed to be."

Nangong Qing frowned in thought. Before he could unravel the mystery, a messenger from Cining Palace arrived.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."