What Tang Qingwan suggested was tantamount to reducing the Emperor to a mere figurehead.
Currently, the imperial court was divided into several factions: the Cui and Tang families, the Liu family, Prince An, the Crown Prince, Shen Xiabai, and the royalists.
Attempting to unite the remaining factions against the Emperor was practically impossible.
Yet, this was the reality of the situation. If they failed, Grand Tutor Tang would undoubtedly die.
Shen Xiabai had old grievances with the Cui and Tang families, and it was even less likely for Prince An and the Crown Prince to help the Cui family usurp the Emperor's power.
Tang Qingwan tightly gripped the handkerchief in her hand. "We have to try, no matter what."
Prime Minister Cui's face was stern and cold. "Qingwan, do not be impulsive. I am here to handle the court. Stay quietly in the Crown Prince's estate and do not do anything foolish."
Tang Qingwan gave a small smile.
"Uncle, if my father is gone, how much longer will the Emperor allow me to live? How can I possibly stay quiet?"
Prime Minister Cui replied, "Your uncle will not let your father die. At the very least, I can save his life."
"I know you can do it, Uncle, but clashing head-on with the Emperor will only result in mutual destruction. My father's incident is only the beginning. If the Cui family's power is weakened, what happened to my father will repeat itself a thousand times over."
Tang Qingwan gazed at the towering palace, her eyes profound. "Uncle, let us change our direction. I will create an opportunity for you to eliminate the Liu family."
Only then would the problem be solved once and for all.
A direct confrontation would exact too heavy a price. Every weakening of their power would only hasten their death warrants.
"He wants the Cui and Tang families to be isolated officials, besieged on all sides. Then let him taste what that feels like."
Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng looked at Tang Qingwan's back, feeling a deep sense of sorrow in their hearts.
The Crown Prince and Prince An were waiting nearby, and since they were in the palace, Prime Minister Cui had no choice but to leave first.
Tang Qingwan said, "I am going to the Fengluan Palace. You two go ahead to Consort Liang's place."
Cui Yunfeng's eyes were red, as if she wanted to say something, but Cui Yunchu did not give her the chance and pulled her away.
Tang Qingwan watched their figures depart before turning to look at the Crown Prince.
"Qingwan, rest assured, I will definitely protect my father-in-law's life."
Tang Qingwan lowered her eyes and then surprisingly gave a soft laugh.
"Let us go. It is time to pay our respects to the Empress."
She turned and walked ahead. The Crown Prince furrowed his brows, his heart filled with an overwhelming unease.
Since the incident occurred, Tang Qingwan had not questioned him, had not gotten angry, and had not argued with him. This only made him more anxious.
"Qingwan, I know you are upset, you..."
Outside the Fengluan Palace, Tang Qingwan suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Your Highness, our marriage was a political gamble from the start. I understand your difficulties and do not blame you."
The Crown Prince remained silent.
This was completely out of character for Tang Qingwan, and he felt deeply, profoundly unsettled.
"Wait for me here. Do not go in, or Her Majesty will be displeased again."
The Empress strongly disliked how the Crown Prince clung to Tang Qingwan every day.
Tang Qingwan looked up at the three elegant, sprawling characters of the Fengluan Palace sign and stepped gracefully inside.
After the palace servants announced her arrival, she was led into the main hall.
The Empress first glanced behind her before asking, "Where is the Crown Prince?"
"His Highness is in low spirits and is taking a walk around the palace."
The Empress gave a hum of acknowledgment and then said, "With the trouble your father has caused lately, the palace is quite restless. If you have no urgent matters, you should not leave your estate casually, lest you cause more trouble."
In simple terms, she meant: do not show your face in public, so as not to displease the Emperor, stir up gossip, or annoy the Empress. After all, her maiden family was on the verge of ruin.
Tang Qingwan smiled faintly. "Your Majesty is right. However, I am the Crown Princess. If I do not make public appearances, could it be that a side consort from the estate should show her face instead? That would truly make us a laughingstock."
"How insolent!" The Empress stared at Tang Qingwan in disbelief.
A nearby palace maid immediately chimed in, "Crown Princess, how can you speak to Her Majesty the Empress in such a manner?"
Tang Qingwan brushed it off with a smile. "I am merely speaking the truth. No matter how much Your Majesty likes Side Consort Liu, she is ultimately just a side consort. Even if you force the Crown Prince to favor her, it will be useless."
"What do you mean?" The Empress stood up abruptly.
Tang Qingwan smiled lightly. "Does Your Majesty not have spies in the Crown Prince's estate? Do you not know what the Crown Prince has done to her for my sake?"
The Empress's eyes shifted from anger to suspicion, and she sat back down. "Tang Qingwan, have you lost your mind because of what happened to your father?"
She did not seem to be here to pay her respects today; she seemed to be here to pick a fight.
"I have simply realized that no matter how good or sincere I am to you, it cannot outweigh power and interests. Since I cannot earn your sincerity, why should I compromise and endure grievances?"
Having said her piece, Tang Qingwan ignored the Empress's utterly livid expression, curtsied, and left directly.
"Insolent! Absolutely lawless!" The Empress was furious.
"Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. Perhaps the Crown Princess is in a bad mood because Grand Tutor Tang is in trouble."
"She is in a bad mood?" The Empress sneered. "The Tang family is like a grasshopper at the end of autumn. Even if Prime Minister Cui tears away all pretenses, he cannot silence the mouths of the people. The best possible outcome for them is merely saving Grand Tutor Tang's life."
The Tang family had fallen. Allowing Tang Qingwan to remain in the position of Crown Princess was already extremely merciful of her.
Who gave her the audacity to be so arrogant?
The Empress narrowed her eyes, the last trace of softness in her heart completely dissipating.
The heir apparent did not need a woman with no achievements or backing to be his Crown Princess. Moreover, that person was a thorn in the Emperor's side.
"She is truly rushing to her own doom."
She had thought Tang Qingwan was smart, but when an accident occurred, she proved to be just as impatient and reckless.
"Go and find out what happened to Side Consort Liu."
