Chapter 88: A Reminder

Chapter 88: A Reminder

"Does this mean the second prince will be registered under the Zhao family, unlike the second princess, who was recorded in the jade register under the Hu family?"

Originally, when Lady Hu committed an offense, the second princess was brought to Fengyi Palace, and even the jade register was altered, as if Lady Hu never existed in the palace. But now, the Emperor seems reluctant to register the second prince under her name…

The Empress's heart sank slightly, but she maintained a smile and replied, "Of course."

Xiao Sheng turned to look at her and continued, "Does Zitong have anything to say about this?"

The Empress knew the Emperor was referring to the matter of Doctor Qiu, but Doctor Qiu, concerned for his own life, would never admit to deliberately harming the concubine in the Emperor's presence. Thus, with no evidence, she could not confess, and with a puzzled expression softly inquired, "Your Majesty is referring to...?"

With only the Emperor and Empress in the hall, Xiao Sheng spoke bluntly, "Zitong, even if Doctor Qiu says nothing, with the information tightly guarded in Changmen Palace and the concubine not yet showing signs of pregnancy, how could Zhao Shuren possibly know about her condition and arrange for someone to cause her harm?"

Naturally, it was the Empress who told her.

The Empress's face paled, listening as the Emperor continued calmly, "When Lady Liu died along with her unborn child, I already gave you the dignity of a principal wife, allowing you the chance to bear a legitimate firstborn son. This was not meant to encourage you to recklessly harm the concubine and her child."

Lady Liu, another palace maid bestowed by the Empress Dowager, served alongside Shi Cairen in the early days of Prince Cheng's household.

She secretly poured away the contraceptive decoction and bound her belly to conceal her pregnancy, hoping to bear Xiao Sheng's first son before Prince Cheng's wife, thus elevating her status from a mere palace maid. In the end, she was given a bowl of monkshood soup by Lady Wang, who was also pregnant at the time.

However, due to her advanced pregnancy, Lady Liu ultimately died along with her unborn child.

The Empress rarely thought of the events at Prince Cheng's mansion, but now, hearing the Emperor bring up the past, she couldn't help but feel momentarily dazed.

This daze lasted only a moment before she concealed any inappropriate emotions in her eyes, knelt before the Emperor, and firmly stated, "Your Majesty, I had no such intentions!"

Her voice carried the right mix of urgency, regret, and worry as she laid bare her thoughts, "Your Majesty knows, I have longed for a child for many years without success, and naturally took an interest in Zhao Shuren's child. I even thought perhaps my barrenness was retribution for past deeds. Therefore, this time, I only wanted to accumulate some blessings for my adopted son..."

"I thought, although Zhao Shuren wouldn't survive, she was still the child's biological mother. So, wanting to fulfill any unmet wishes of hers, I satisfied them..." She glanced at the Emperor and continued, "She wanted to know the latest news in the palace, and I thought it harmless, so I told her, never expecting..."

"Never expecting that she would choose yesterday, when neither you nor I were in the palace, to give birth and plot against the concubine?" The Emperor picked up where the Empress left off, his tone still calm despite the questioning nature of his words.

Uncertain whether the Emperor believed her story, the Empress fell silent for a moment, offering no response.

With no palace maids attending inside the room, the candlelight on the corner candelabra flickered, alternating between bright and dim, deepening the Empress's unease.

Still, she remained kneeling upright, maintaining a façade of a clear conscience.

After a long silence, the Emperor's voice finally floated down from above, "Empress, you may rise."

With those words, she stepped out of the inner chamber, leaving only the echo of a respectful "Farewell, Your Majesty" lingering outside the window.

The Empress let out a soft sigh, relieved that this ordeal was finally over.

Chunyan and Xiachan entered, gently wiping the fine sweat from her forehead and offering her warm water to drink.

The Empress, catching her breath, asked, "Has His Majesty gone to Yaohua Palace?"

Chunyan shook her head, whispering, "His Majesty went to Jianzhang Palace."

The Empress nodded softly, saying, "It's getting late, let's settle down for the night."

Xiachan brought the nightclothes, helping her change and softly asked, "My lady, now that Doctor Qiu has resigned, should we look for another discreet and reliable physician?"

"No rush," the Empress calmly replied, "Has Xu Yuanpan returned to the capital yet?"

Xu Yuanpan, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, had taken leave due to a family bereavement three years ago, and no other physicians had yet risen to fill his position due to lack of experience.

"Xu Yuanpan left the capital in May, he should be returning soon," Xiachan said.

"Good," the Empress nodded, "We'll discuss it when the time comes."

In Guangyang Palace, with the Empress waiving the requirement for formal greetings, Consort Xu found herself increasingly idle, spending her days waiting for the newly appointed lady Shi to return from her greetings, to accompany her in playing Yezi cards.

Today was no different.

However, Consort Xu seemed distracted today, quickly winning Lady Shi's jewelry three times over before setting it aside, dismissing the palace attendants to wait outside, and then mysteriously saying to Lady Shi, "I've recently heard some interesting news."

Alone with Consort Xu, Lady Shi felt uneasy, responding hesitantly after a long pause, "Oh?"

"What do you mean, 'oh'?!" Frustrated by the lack of the expected reaction, Consort Xu pressed, "Aren't you going to ask what the news is?"

Shi Cairen asked, "Lady Xu, am I actually privy to such news?"

Lady Xu clicked her tongue, slightly tilting her chin up with dignity, "I am telling you only because you share the residence in Guangyang Palace with me and have played leaf cards with me for so long."

Pausing for a moment and seeing Shi Cairen still dumbfounded, she said impatiently, "Well, ask then!"

Shi Cairen nodded and straightforwardly asked, "What is the news?"

Lady Xu finally got her wish and smiled, her peach blossom eyes shining. Leaning closer to Shi Cairen, she whispered, "I have learned that the child in Consort Zhao's womb... is a sham! She isn't pregnant at all!"

After speaking, she fixed her gaze on Shi Cairen, ready to see her astounded reaction.

Shi Cairen did not disappoint Lady Xu, showing a shocked expression and rarely speaking up, "Lady Xu, where did you get this information?"

"I heard it from..." Lady Xu suddenly stopped, eyeing Shi Cairen suspiciously, "Why do you need to know?"

Shi Cairen replied blankly, "I thought, since Lady Xu got such crucial news, the person who informed you must be quite remarkable. Shouldn't I send a thank-you gift?"

“……”

Lady Xu, feeling superior over the clueless Shi Cairen, said condescendingly, "You wouldn't understand even if I told you, so don't bother asking."

Shi Cairen still appeared bewildered, not quite grasping Lady Xu's meaning, and after a long pause, she meekly responded with an acknowledgment.

A moment later, unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, "Lady Xu, now that you know this, do you plan to inform His Majesty?"

"Of course," Lady Xu glanced at her and laughed, clapping her hands, "I bet Consort Zhao just couldn't bear others being pregnant and had to spread her own pregnancy news to vie for favor. Now let's see how His Majesty continues to dote on her!"

She still held a grudge for not being able to intercept the Emperor at the eldest prince's first birthday banquet earlier in the year.

Shi Cairen hesitantly said, "But if Consort Zhao is faking her pregnancy, how will she produce a royal heir when the time comes?"