Shen Nianshu vaguely felt that Bai Nanyu's assassination was too strange. Not to mention that the palace was heavily guarded, the timing alone was already incredible at this juncture.

As soon as Shen Nianshu stepped out of the room, whispers came from behind her.

She turned her head slightly and caught a glimpse of the group of palace maids and eunuchs gathering together, whispering to each other with a bit of disdain and ridicule on their faces.

"She really takes herself seriously. She's just pregnant, so why should she be so careful?" A palace maid curled her lips. Although her voice was low, it was enough for Shen Nianshu to hear clearly.

"That's right, the Queen is also pregnant. I have never seen anyone like her. She is not allowed to do this or that all day long." Another eunuch said, his face full of ridicule.

Shen Nianshu's heart sank. She knew that she had many enemies in the palace, but she didn't expect that even these servants would dare to talk about her like this.

She took a deep breath, tried to calm down the anger in her heart, turned around and continued walking forward.

She knew that she couldn't get distracted by these gossips. She had to stay calm in order to protect herself and the fetus in her belly.

But Shen Nianshu thought again, why should I endure it?

Shen Nianshu stopped, turned around, and glanced at the group of people whispering.

"Caiwei." She called softly. Although her voice was soft, it carried unquestionable majesty.

Caiwei immediately came from the side, lowered her head and responded respectfully, "What are your orders?"

Shen Nianshu pointed at the group of palace maids and eunuchs, and said in a cold tone, "What crime should they deserve for talking about me?"

Caiwei understood and immediately stepped forward and said sternly, "The Queen is pregnant and she is of royal blood. You dare to discuss it in private. It is really disrespectful! Come on, slap me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several guards came forward and held down the palace maids and eunuchs, preparing to execute the punishment of slaps.

"Why?" Shen Nianshu's voice was as cold as ice. She slowly walked up to the held down palace maids and eunuchs, her eyes like daggers, "Because I am a concubine given by the emperor, and because of the royal blood in my belly ! Do you think you can discuss the master’s rights and wrongs freely in this palace?”

One of the palace maids struggled to raise her head, her face full of dissatisfaction and resentment, "Why do you beat us? You are just a woman who came out of the cold palace, why do you show off your power here?"

Shen Nianshu sneered and raised her hand to signal the guards to stop, "A woman from the cold palace?"

A chill flashed in Shen Nianshu's eyes, and she slowly knelt down and looked directly into the eyes of the palace maid.

She raised her hand and gently patted the palace maid's cheek.

" Caiwei , she said that I am a woman who came out of the cold palace. I cannot bear to hear such dirty words." Shen Nianshu stood up, her tone was cold and decisive, "Pull out her tongue and let her know what What should be said and what should not be said.”

As soon as Shen Nianshu finished speaking, Caiwei immediately took the order and ordered the guards to take action. The palace maid's eyes widened in fear, and she tried to struggle but to no avail.

One guard stepped forward and pinched the maid's chin, while another guard slowly approached with a sharp dagger. The palace maid's eyes were full of fear and despair. She screamed loudly and tried to beg for mercy, but Shen Nianshu didn't seem to hear her and just looked at everything coldly.

The cold light of the dagger flashed, and the palace maid's screams suddenly stopped. Blood flowed down the corner of the palace maid's mouth and dyed her clothes red. When the other palace maids and eunuchs saw this, they were trembling with fear and no longer dared to complain at all.

Shen Nianshu looked at the scene in front of her, but her heart was not disturbed at all. She knew that only in this way could those with evil intentions know that she was not someone they could bully at will.

At this moment, Shen Nianshu suddenly felt a discomfort in her stomach. She frowned, covered her abdomen, and turned pale.

"Empress, what's wrong with you? " Upon seeing this, Caiwei immediately stepped forward to support Shen Nianshu and asked with concern.

Shen Nianshu shook her head and said softly, "My stomach feels a little uncomfortable. Please help me lie down."

Caiwei did not dare to neglect and immediately supported Shen Nianshu towards the palace . Along the way, Shen Nianshu's face became paler and paler, and beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. Caiwei was anxious, but she could only try to stay calm and comfort Shen Nianshu.

Caiwei carefully helped Shen Nianshu back to the palace. Shen Nianshu frowned all the way , as if she was enduring a lot of pain.

placing Shen Nianshu on the couch , Caiwei immediately felt Shen Nianshu's pulse.

His face was as pale as paper, and he was clutching the sheets tightly with both hands, as if he was trying to endure the torture of abdominal pain.

Seeing Shen Nianshu's painful expression, Cai Wei felt sad in her heart.

She knew that the empress had always been cautious in the palace for fear of making mistakes, but now she still had to suffer such pain.

At this moment, Shen Nianshu suddenly spoke, her voice weak but firm, " Caiwei , what happened today must not be told outside."

Caiwei nodded quickly, her eyes full of worry, and softly comforted, "Mother, don't worry, I know what's appropriate. What you need most now is to rest, and your mood must not fluctuate too much. Take a sleep, and you will be fine when you wake up tomorrow. never mind."

After saying that, she carefully tucked Shen Nianshu into bed to ensure that she would not catch a cold. The candlelight in the palace flickered, reflecting on Shen Nianshu's pale and tired face, adding a bit of delicate beauty to her.

Caiwei quietly exited the bedroom and closed the door gently. She stood outside the door, watching for Shen Nianshu's sleep, silently praying in her heart that the empress would be safe.

As the night gets darker, the moonlight shines through the clouds on the roof of the palace, making it peaceful and peaceful.

Early the next morning, a ray of sunlight shined through the window lattice into Shen Nianshu's bedroom. She was lying on the couch , although her face was still a little pale, but her spirits were much better.

Someone came to report, "Mother, the emperor's condition is under control! The imperial doctor said that as long as we continue to nurse him back to health, the emperor will recover soon!"

Hearing this, Shen Nianshu nodded slightly.

"What about the queen and the others?" Shen Nianshu asked softly, with a hint of exhaustion in her voice.

The palace maid was startled for a moment, then replied in a low voice, "The queen and the others have been waiting outside the palace last night and waited all night. This morning, after learning that the emperor's condition had improved, they each returned to the palace."

After hearing this, Shen Nianshu couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion in her heart. I can't understand, what are you waiting for there? Are there not many mosquitoes? Does your knee hurt? Or is the bed uncomfortable?

Shen Nianshu was sitting on the couch , playing with an exquisite jade cup in her hand, her expression indifferent. Outside the window, the sun shone on her body, covering her with a golden glow.

Suddenly, Caiwei hurried in with a hint of urgency on her face, "Mother, there is news."

Shen Nianshu raised her head slightly, her eyes fell on Cai Wei, and her tone was calm, "What's the matter?"

Caiwei walked to Shen Nianshu and whispered, "The emperor has decided to add another test in five days at the request of the officials."

When Shen Nianshu heard this, she paused for a moment and then put down the jade cup in her hand. She stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the distant sky, with a trace of complicated emotions flashing in her eyes.

There will be an additional test in five days. This is undoubtedly a major event in the DPRK.

Shen Nianshu turned around and looked at Caiwei, a sharp light flashed in her eyes, "Who will invigilate the exam? Who will set the questions?"

Caiwei was caught by her eyes, lowered her head slightly, and replied, "It is said that the emperor was personally present at the scene, and the person who asked the question... was the Grand Tutor ."

Shen Nianshu frowned slightly when she heard this. Master Taifu is a veteran official in the court and has always been known for his fairness and strictness. But in this current situation, who can guarantee that no one will be operating secretly?

She walked to the case, spread out a piece of white paper, dipped her pen in ink, and began to think about countermeasures. Outside the window, the wind gently blew the curtains , bringing a touch of coolness. The sunlight shines through the window lattice and shines on Shen Nianshu's profile, reflecting her firm outline.

Shen Nianshu's carefully conceived countermeasures had taken shape, and she carefully transcribed them on paper, with every word embodying her hard work and wisdom.

Then, he whispered, "Send this letter to Mr. Qin's house immediately, and be sure to hand it over to him personally."

She knew that this additional test was crucial to her, and Mr. Qin was the key to her success .

When they arrived at Mr. Qin's mansion, they saw that the door was closed.

He walked forward, bowed respectfully and said, "Please inform him that I have something important to discuss with Mr. Qin."

The messenger looked Caiwei up and down , with a look of disdain on his face, "Mr. Qin is not feeling well today and refuses to see guests. You can go back now."

Caiwei was anxious, she knew that this letter was of vital importance to the Empress and she must not give up so easily.

She gritted her teeth and pleaded again, "Please be flexible."

Just when Caiwei was extremely anxious, an old and powerful voice came from inside the mansion, "Why is it you again? Never mind, let her in."

Caiwei was delighted when she heard this, and hurriedly thanked him and walked into the mansion. After passing through the winding corridor, she came to a quiet study. She knocked on the door gently, and after receiving a response, she pushed the door open carefully and entered.

In the study, a white-haired old man was sitting at the desk, holding an ancient book, with a focused look. Caiwei didn't dare to disturb him, so she walked up to him and handed him the letter with both hands.

The old man raised his head and looked at Caiwei with a sharp gaze, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. He took the letter, slowly unfolded it, and read it word by word. As he read deeper, his brows gradually furrowed, and his expression became solemn.

After reading the letter, a gleam of admiration flashed in Mr. Qin's eyes. He gently put the letter down, stood up, walked to the window, looked at the scenery outside, and fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he turned around and said to Caiwei, "Wonderful!"

After that, he returned to his desk, spread out a piece of rice paper, picked up his brush and dipped it in ink, and began to write furiously. His handwriting was vigorous and powerful, and each word seemed to contain deep wisdom and power.

As the pen and ink flowed, a memorial gradually took shape. Mr. Qin reviewed it carefully, and after making sure it was correct, he carefully folded it and put it in an envelope.

Caiwei hurried back to the palace with Mr. Qin's reply in her arms. The sunlight shone on the bluestone slabs, reflecting her hurried footsteps. Her heart was full of doubts and curiosity. What kind of idea did the queen give to Mr. Qin that made him praise it so much?

As soon as she entered the palace, Caiwei eagerly presented the reply letter to Shen Nianshu. Shen Nianshu took the letter and unfolded it gently, with a glimmer of pride in her eyes. She glanced at Caiwei , with a mysterious smile on her lips.

"Empress, what idea do you have for Mr. Qin?" Caiwei couldn't help but ask, her eyes full of curiosity.

Shen Nianshu smiled slightly, but did not answer directly. Instead, she gently shook the reply letter in her hand and said, "This idea can not only ensure the fairness of the additional test, but also allow some people to reveal their flaws. As for what it is specifically, Just watch."

The sunlight shines through the window lattice and shines on Shen Nianshu's profile, reflecting her focused and determined expression. She had already conceived a brilliant plan in her mind - let the emperor randomly select one of the hundred test papers as a test question. This will not only ensure the fairness of the additional test, but also make it impossible for those who operate secretly to start.

Shen Nianshu was meditating on countermeasures when suddenly, a palace maid came in a hurry and said respectfully, " Concubine Shu, the Queen, please come over."

Shen Nianshu raised her head slightly, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes. She put down the pen in her hand, stood up, straightened her dress, and walked towards the queen's palace .

After walking through the long corridor, Shen Nianshu arrived in front of the queen's palace. The palace door was open, and two palace maids were guarding the door. When they saw Shen Nianshu, they quickly saluted.

Shen Nianshu nodded slightly and walked into the bedroom. In the palace, the queen was sitting on the throne, with several maids standing beside her, discussing something in a low voice. Seeing Shen Nianshu come in, the queen waved her hand to signal the maids to leave.

When Shen Nianshu stepped into the palace, she saw the queen sitting on the phoenix throne, dressed in gorgeous clothes and surrounded by pearls and greenery, but she could not hide the tiredness and sadness between her brows. The atmosphere in the palace was solemn, as if something important was about to happen.

Shen Nianshu stepped forward, bowed, and asked softly, "Empress, I wonder why I have summoned my concubine to come here?"

The queen raised her head slightly, her eyes lingering on Shen Nianshu for a moment, and then she slowly said, " Concubine Shu, there have been a lot of rumors in the palace recently, and I have also heard some rumors."

When Shen Nianshu heard this, her heart moved, but she remained calm on the surface.

Shen Nianshu frowned slightly and asked pretending to be confused, "What are you referring to, Madam?"

The queen sneered, with a hint of sharpness in her tone, "Last night you said you were unwell, but how come I heard that you pulled out her tongue?"

Shen Nianshu's heart trembled , but her face remained calm. She shook her head gently and said, "My Majesty is aware that I was indeed unwell last night and had rested early. As for the matter of pulling out my tongue, I really didn't know about it. "

The queen's eyes were like daggers, staring closely into Shen Nianshu's eyes, as if she wanted to see into her heart.

She spoke slowly, her voice low and majestic, " Concubine Shu, I know that you are a smart person. But in this palace, being too smart is not a good thing. Some things, if done too much, will always leave traces. ”