Dong Bingkun understood that reasoning only too well. If the emperor grew suspicious of them over this incident, even without finding any solid evidence, he would inevitably begin to harbor doubts about the Dong Family. That could very well affect his nephew Xue Daoming's prospects. This nephew was the Dong Family's greatest hope for the future. Only if he successfully became Crown Prince and ascended the throne could their power and standing in Great Yong rise to greater heights.
After weighing the matter for a long time, Dong Bingkun finally asked, "Who do you think did this?"
Worthy Consort Dong bit her lip. "Dao Ming and I have no enemies. If we do have one, it can only be that person."
Dong Bingkun naturally knew whom she meant. He slowly shook his head. "Without evidence, you must never make careless accusations. Especially before His Majesty, you must exercise the utmost caution." At this point, he recalled that the emperor had not held morning court for the past two days and asked quietly, "What exactly has His Majesty been occupied with these past two days? Why hasn't he appeared at court?"
Worthy Consort Dong said, "I don't know either. He's spent both days in the Diligent Governance Hall, refusing to see anyone."
Dong Bingkun asked, "Could he be ill?"
Worthy Consort Dong said, "I specifically asked around at the Imperial Medical Academy. No Imperial Physician has been summoned. But he'll be holding morning court tomorrow, so it should be nothing serious."
Dong Bingkun said, "You shouldn't have gone to Qichen Palace."
Worthy Consort Dong sneered. "If I hadn't gone, people would certainly have called me cold-hearted. Now that I have, someone will say I have a guilty conscience, that I'm deliberately putting on a show for the world. But in this