That’s right.

The witchcraft and gu in Empress Dowager Zhen’s hand was made by her.

Empress Dowager Zhen was also framed by her.

The woman had just lost her son, what a great opportunity for revenge!

First, she used Wushi Powder to drive her insane and neurotic.

Then she placed the witchcraft and gu in her hand to falsely accuse her.

According to the laws of the Imperial Court, practicing witchcraft and gu is punishable by death, and those who curse the Emperor while knowing the law will implicate their family.

That woman knew too much.

She had no choice but to find a way to eliminate her.

Once she was dead, no one would know about that secret.

She could live as the Empress Dowager for a lifetime, using the favor of nurturing to control him.

Making him have no choice but to show filial piety, even if only for appearances, that would be enough.

But...

What she hadn’t anticipated was.

The Emperor actually did not execute Empress Dowager Zhen!

The witchcraft and gu with his birth date and countless pinpricks were right in front of him.

He could actually remain calm, analyze rationally, peel layers to find traces of evidence.

Has this man already become so terrifying?

He is not the same as the Late Emperor.

He surpasses the old, and is much more powerful than the Late Emperor.

So when he came to ’visit’ her today, did he notice something?

The Empress Dowager’s body slightly swayed as she knelt before the Buddha.

’No! It won’t be, I left no trace, he can’t possibly find out!’

’If he discovered something, how could I still be calmly kneeling here praying?’

’Since he quietly left, it means he discovered nothing!’

’Yes, definitely!’

The Empress Dowager’s heart settled, her expression returning to calm and clarity.

There was even a subtle sense of pride and disdain in her demeanor.

’At most, it’s just suspicion, what good is suspicion? What can you possibly do to me?!’

...

Leaving Ningshou Palace.

Zhao Junyao’s doubts remained unresolved.

Sitting in the Imperial Study Room, contemplating again, he still instructed Li Shengan.

"Keep a close eye on Empress Dowager Zhen’s place for me!"

"If she dies, bring your head to see me!"

Li Shengan felt a chill down his neck and quickly bowed in response.

"Don’t worry, Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao shot him an ’I’m not the least bit reassured’ look and continued reviewing the memorials.

...

The Capital City.

Since the army returned in triumph, the people have been bustling with joy.

Those families who returned victorious from the battlefield and received the Emperor’s generous rewards were absolutely full of pride.

The unmarried bachelors, matchmakers were eager to break through their doors.

Those years ago, some were forced to join the army due to poverty and adversity, single men and old bachelors.

Now, overnight, they turned their lives around.

With silver, they purchased farmland, gained status to bring honor to their ancestors, married wives in happiness.

Even those who were already married were no better off.

Matchmakers wanted to squeeze a lovely concubine or beautiful maid into the house, to earn more reward money.

The happy occasions filled every corner of the Capital City’s streets and alleys, even the ecstatic play troupes and sedan chairs were busy without a pause.

In such an environment.

The newly appointed officials, and still single bachelors, like Tiger and Rat, became prized catches in the eyes of matchmakers.

These two were both serious officials in the Imperial Court.

Having won a victory and just been promoted, the Emperor also awarded plenty of gold and silver treasures.

If they manage to make this marriage arrangement... Oh, the reward money...

Thinking of the reward money, the matchmakers wished for wheels under their feet, running swiftly one by one.

Rat was easy to deal with.

Although he looked rather sleazy, he at least appeared quite normal.

So he quickly got engaged to the second daughter of an old scholar’s family.

The girl was pretty and charming, gentle and virtuous, with no flaws except for the poverty of her family.

Rat was very satisfied, grinning so much it almost reached the back of his ears.

He was filled with blood-boiling enthusiasm, wanting to give his heart and soul to the girl.

In his worldview.

When visiting a brothel, it’s naturally better if the flower ladies are more seductive and proactive.

But if marrying into the home, then such reserved and shy virgins are naturally better.

As for Tiger.

He was still in a miserable state, despite efforts from dozens of matchmakers trying desperately, they couldn’t even get him a wife.

His heart was simply cold and desolate.

After all these years, he was not short of silver, but he could never find a wife.

Mainly thanks to his ’dominant presence’ and ’distinguished reputation.’

(The more he couldn’t marry a wife, the lonelier he felt, and the more intense he became when frequenting brothels...)

Whenever families with some standing made inquiries, they couldn’t hide these matters.

It’s not a pity if those women in the brothel died or were maimed.

But how can you say a proper family’s daughters could withstand such a thing.

They’re not looking to send their daughters to their deaths, marrying anyone is marrying, why bother marrying him.

Over time.

Marrying Tiger equaled sending the daughter to her death, this perception sunk deep into people’s hearts.

The beloved daughters of poor families were raised delicately since childhood, naturally the parents wouldn’t send their daughters to their deaths.

Wealthy families cared about their reputation.

Even if they considered sending two unloved daughters to him, they feared earning the reputation of ’selling daughters for glory and disregarding their wellbeing.’

So...

Tiger’s marriage had become a major obstacle in his path forward.

Seeing Rat hugging a beauty in his arms, enjoying a cozy family life with wife, children, and warm bed.

Tiger was still in his pathetic predicament, his bed cold, alone with a hard pillow, and suffering in silence.

Tiger’s heart simply reached the peak of imbalance.

No way! He still had to marry a wife.

Thus, to marry, he promised the matchmakers a hefty reward.

Just bring him a good wife and the reward would be ten taels.

Ten taels of silver might not be much temptation, but ten taels of gold... cough cough!

The matchmakers wished they could offer themselves, dressed beautifully, to say:

Never mind anything rich boy, how do you like me?!

After a few matchmakers worked tirelessly day and night.

Finally, a widow was willing to marry Tiger.

When Tiger heard, it struck another blow.

"Damn! Why can others marry virgins, but I can only marry a widow?"

After the matchmaker winked and imparted the several benefits of marrying a widow.

Tiger suddenly felt tempted.

’Fair-skinned and beautiful?’

’Slim waist and long legs with wide hips?’

’Capable in the hall and kitchen, willing to accommodate in bed movements...’

’This is something a virgin girl can’t fully achieve!’

"So what are we waiting for?"

"Hurry and marry her!"

A virgin girl, not, virgin girl, who cares about that!

The matchmaker was pleased beyond measure.

"You’re the best, Official Master!"

"Marry her, and I guarantee your days will be comfortable and harmonious!"

Tiger was delightedly rubbing his hands, urging repeatedly.

"Hurry, hurry, the sooner the better!"

He then handed the matchmaker a silver ingot to seal the deal.

The matchmaker left happily, swaying her hips.

"Official Master, just wait and see!"

"Once you nod, within a month you will have her married into your home!"