From a Frail Imperial Concubine to an Empress Dowager Ruling Behind the Curtain

"Xiao Chengze".

Bai Yuan had barely slept all night because of the tossing and turning, and had just fallen asleep when the man pressed himself against her again.

She got angry and kicked the man in the stomach. "Xiao Chengze, get out of here!"

Unexpectedly, the man grabbed her ankle and pulled her back, saying, "You provoked me first. When it ends is not up to you."

Bai Yuan looked at the man's face as it drew close, her teeth itching with hatred. She raised her hand and slapped him. "Are you never going to stop? If you come any closer, I'll call for help."

She had no energy at all, was extremely sleepy, and was unusually irritable.

Xiao Chengze wasn't angry even after being hit, and continued to pull her, saying, "Shout! This is the General's Mansion. I'm not the one who should be afraid."

He was indeed a prince, and a prince of high status with military power, who appeared glamorous on the surface.

However, from a young age, he was instilled with only one idea by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor: he should help his elder brother, the Emperor, to stabilize the dynasty.

He also believed that this was what he should do, and he was willing to do it, without even the slightest covetousness for the throne.

But ever since his pregnant concubine died unexpectedly and his princess suffered a miscarriage, and he couldn't find out anything, he knew that these were not accidents.

But he still didn't complain, because it wouldn't make a difference anyway.

He was a prince in charge of the army, but if he had other intentions, it would be the common people who would suffer, and he couldn't bear that.

Moreover, while his elder brother outwardly showed him affection, he was actually wary of him and kept a close eye on the size of the army under his command.

He thought his life would be like this forever, but now suddenly a petal has fallen into his desolate world. Why should he let him go?

He won't release it now, and he won't release it in the future either.

Bai Yuan looked at him, getting angrier and angrier. She bit Xiao Chengze's arm and said in a muffled voice, "Let go of me, or I won't let go of your mouth."

Xiao Chengze was amused by her. "Hahaha, I'm not afraid of sword wounds or knife wounds on the battlefield. Now you think you can threaten me with your little white teeth?"

After he finished speaking, he exerted force, and the muscles in his arm clenched up, causing Bai Yuan to lose her grip and have to let go.

But she didn't give up and started looking for men's weaknesses.

Xiao Chengze wasn't in a hurry and watched her fuss with great interest.

This gaze made Bai Yuan grind her teeth in anger, thinking to herself, "Has this man gone too far with his flirting?"

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside.

Then came a knock on the door. "Your Highness, something has happened to you."

Upon hearing that the visitor was He Xiao, Xiao Chengze straightened his expression and asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"

"His Majesty has fallen ill."

"What?"

Xiao Chengze and Bai Yuan both exclaimed in surprise.

The emperor paid special attention to health and had always been in good health, so how could he suddenly fall ill?

As Xiao Chengze rolled out of bed, he glanced at Bai Yuan and saw that she was also filled with shock. He suddenly felt a pang of self-reproach.

He subconsciously thought this matter had something to do with her, but upon closer inspection, that didn't make sense. Even if she had this thought, she definitely wouldn't do it now.

"I'm leaving now."

Bai Yuan rubbed her temples and glared at him. "I'm not going to be able to sleep now. The news will probably come over soon, and I have to go back to the palace."

After saying that, he began to complain in his heart, "That emperor, couldn't he have waited a little longer to fall?"

She had originally planned to rest for a day, adjust her condition, and go back in the evening.

As Xiao Chengze finished dressing and was about to leave the room, he thought for a moment and came back, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Don't be afraid. Now that I'm here, no matter what happens, I will protect the General's Mansion for you."

Bai Yuan paused, looking up at him with some surprise.

Xiao Chengze simply smiled faintly and then turned and left the house again.

After the others left, Wanyue quickly came in. "Master, let me help you change your clothes."

Bai Yuan thought for a moment and then waved her hand, "No need, let's wait for the news. Going back too early might not be a good thing. I'll lie down for a while, and someone will call me later."

"Yes, Master."

Half an hour later, Bai Yuan was helped up by Wan Yue and immediately felt that it would be better not to sleep at all.

Now it's not just my head that hurts, my whole body aches.

Bai Yuan, like a puppet being manipulated by Wan Yue, kept her eyes closed. "The messenger said His Majesty has some kind of illness?"

Wan Yue shook her head. "I made some inquiries and found that the Imperial Medical Academy's Director Qian and the two chief physicians have all entered the palace. I haven't seen anything yet."

Bai Yuan nodded. Others might not understand, but she knew immediately who had done it.

The female lead is Shen Xun'er.

Now that the Empress and Consort Shu are trapped, and the Crown Prince and the Second Prince are also in a low mood, she, as a Noble Consort, has no children.

Shen Xun'er had no family background and therefore no way to pave the way for the Fourth Prince.

It's likely that the Fourth Prince ran into a snag with Consort De, and he'll definitely start ruining the Emperor's health now. The longer it drags on, the less likely she is to win.

But there is still a problem: although His Majesty is wary of the Crown Prince, he is still the Crown Prince.

His Majesty is dead, and he is the rightful successor to the throne.

It seems that Shen Xun'er is also planning to target the Crown Prince, or perhaps frame him.

Before she could finish tidying up, Bai's mother arrived. She didn't say anything, but just kept holding her hand, wiping away her tears as she tried to see her off.

As they approached the door, Bai Yuan stopped them. "Mother, please see me off here. There are too many formalities if you see me off at the door. I don't like seeing you bow to me."

Bai's mother cried even harder, "Then my A-Yuan, please take care."

Bai Yuan squeezed her hand tightly. "Mother and Father, please take care. Don't worry, if I encounter any problems I can't solve, I'll have someone send a message back."

Bai Yuan walked out of the general's mansion, and Wei Ci stood at the door waiting for her, looking somewhat sad.

Seeing her come out, he forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty, this servant will escort you back to the palace."

He was sent by His Majesty to protect her, and even after she returned to the inner courtyard, he continued to guard her in secret.

That night, he felt as if he were in an ice cave, so cold that he shivered all over, but what could he do with his disabled body?

What can he do with Bai Yuan?

Bai Yuan saw that he had also adjusted his emotions, biting his lip tightly, almost bursting into tears.

Wei Ci helped her into the sedan chair and said in a low voice, "I understand your helplessness. You don't need to feel guilty. I am already satisfied just to be by your side."

Bai Yuan didn't speak and went straight into the sedan chair. After a while, she lifted the curtain and whispered to Wei Ci, "I suspect that Shen Xun'er was behind this. Be careful and don't let her use your methods on you."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, this servant will be careful. Please also be mindful of things in Your Majesty's palace."

"Um."

Bai Yuan gave a faint reply before continuing, "I suspect she's planning to harm the Crown Prince. You should keep an eye on him; he can't die yet."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ci's face was filled with shock. Bai Yuan pointed out something, and Wei Ci immediately understood, "This servant understands."

Not long ago, Shen Xun'er sent him a message, telling him to pay attention to the movements of the two princes. It seems that this woman is really preparing to make her move.

She's just a lowly concubine now; even if the fourth prince ascends the throne, she'll most likely be forced to commit suicide.

Thinking about it this way, Shen Xun'er must have made some moves in the harem recently.

What he didn't know was that Shen Xun'er did indeed have a plan, and everything was proceeding according to plan.

Who knew that Bai Yaoting would suddenly fall seriously ill, disrupting all her plans.