The emperor knew the empress dowager was behind everything but he was more concerned about the imperial lineage. Since Huai Yan was ill, she couldn't give Di Xuan an heir. Therefore, the emperor obliged.
Di Xuan was just the crown prince, he didn't have any real power. He could only watch as his lover was chased out of court like some kind of country traitor.
At night, Di Xuan tried to sneak out of the palace to see Huai Yan. Huai Yan was his only lover. However, the empress dowager had planted a spy by Di Xuan's side and he was stopped.
Huai Yan's illness worsened but she was still hanging on. She was tortured endlessly by the illness. The empress dowager needed Huai Yan to die so she pushed the witch again. The witch had no choice but to find Huai Yan's father. She tried to manipulate the father's love for his daughter. The witch gave him the poison, telling him that it was the only way for Huai Yan to leave the world in peace.
