He first openly visited Prince Kang himself, and then Shen Yingluo went to see Prince Kang. Even if someone suspected Shen Yingluo had ulterior motives for her visit, they wouldn't suspect Zhao Wang.
To conceal his own intentions and avoid drawing suspicion, he never considered her status as the Northwest King's illegitimate daughter, nor did he consider that as Prince Kang's own niece, visiting him on his deathbed just like others eager to suck his last drops of blood would make her appear despicable and break Prince Kang's heart.
This was the man she once adored. Ever since her mother was imprisoned and he refused to help her visit, Shen Yingluo knew that power and reputation meant more to him than she did.
"County Lord, shall we go to the Princess Manor to speak with the Princess and the heir?" the wet nurse whispered.
In the wet nurse's eyes, Shen Yingluo was truly pitiful - she had lost everything overnight.
"No need. Neither Brother nor Elder Sister like seeing me," Shen Yingluo smiled bitterly. "They don't like me, but they don't hate me either. They won't become distant because I visited Uncle, nor will they become fond of me if I didn't."
To them, she was someone who shouldn't exist. Her presence constantly reminded them of their mother's death. Not being blamed for it already showed their noble character. She should avoid bothering them as much as possible in the future.
Shen Xihe and Shen Yungan learned about Shen Yingluo's visit to Prince Kang before she even left the Imperial Clan Court.
Shen Yunnan commented indifferently: "She is Prince Kang's own niece after all. It's understandable she would visit him at this time."
He wasn't angry at all. Since he never considered Shen Yingluo family, her closeness to her maternal relatives seemed natural to him, and he didn't think she was confusing familial bonds.
Shen Xihe frowned and ordered Mo Yuan: "Investigate which prince she has been closely associated with."
"Youyou, do you think she didn't visit Prince Kang out of familial affection?" Shen Yungan frowned.
This made him somewhat disgusted. While Prince Kang was their enemy, the thought of his close relative using family ties to exploit him on his deathbed for someone else's benefit made him feel this person was cold-blooded, though he didn't sympathize with Prince Kang.
"Can't jump to conclusions." Shen Xihe felt neither liking nor dislike for Shen Yingluo, assessing her as a stranger. "I don't know if she went for profit. I only know her timing was wrong."
Prince Kang had been imprisoned overnight, and this couldn't be kept secret - everyone knew.
If Shen Yingluo was simply bidding farewell or visiting, she should have gone early in the morning. Once sentenced, visitation would be impossible, and no one knew how long the investigation and sentencing would take.
Now at dusk, it seemed more like she went at someone's request or reminder - just like Zhao Wang who visited last night.
But when Mo Yuan returned from his investigation, he looked ashamed: "I failed to find which prince the Second Young Lady has been closely associated with."
Shen Yingluo was Changling Princess's study companion. Changling Princess had no biological brothers, her mother died early, and it was said she resembled the Empress in appearance, earning her special favor from the Youning Emperor.
"No matter. If they were easy to uncover, they wouldn't be His Majesty's sons." Instead of being disappointed, Shen Xihe smiled lightly. "I thought they would all reveal their tricks and show their ugly sides, but unexpectedly, they're all clever."
They even knew how to use Shen Yingluo to achieve their goals without leaving traces."If you wish to know, simply summon her and ask," Shen Yungan said bluntly.
"Brother, let the grievances of the previous generation end here. Whether we acknowledge it or not, whether we like it or not, she shares our bloodline," Shen Xihe said softly. "As long as she doesn't provoke us, it's best to maintain peace. Don't make things difficult for Father."
After all, Shen Yingluo is Shen Yueshan's own flesh and blood. No matter how much Shen Yueshan dislikes her, he still has paternal responsibilities and obligations to fulfill.
Previously, there was Xiao Shi standing between them. With Xiao Shi present, Shen Yueshan could remain indifferent, but now he could no longer do so.
"Knowing or not knowing makes no difference," Shen Xihe wasn't curious. Regardless of who benefited from this matter, it was the same for them. "We might as well quietly watch the show unfold. The most anxious person right now should be His Majesty."
The Youning Emperor was indeed very anxious.
Pinning it on Zhao Wang would appear too unsightly and wouldn't withstand scrutiny, yet everyone else was being so obedient it gave him a headache. Never did he expect that at this very moment, Ding Wang Xiao Changtai would request an audience. The moment Xiao Changtai saw the Emperor, he threw himself to his knees, weeping bitterly: "Your unfilial son has conspired with his uncle for personal gain. I beg Father to punish me."
The Youning Emperor abruptly turned to look at Ding Wang, seeing nothing but remorse and pain in his tear-filled eyes: "I was blinded by greed and entertained improper ambitions. I beg Father to grant me a path to survival. I will thoroughly reform myself."
"Do you know what you're saying?" the Youning Emperor asked gravely.
Ding Wang bowed his head to the ground: "All faults are mine alone to bear. I am willing to accept full responsibility. Though I can no longer serve at Father's side in the future, I pray Father will take good care of himself."
The Youning Emperor's mind raced with countless thoughts as he stared heavily at Ding Wang, remaining silent for a long time.
The great hall fell into complete silence, with only the incense smoke curling upward, floating and sinking soundlessly.
"You shall go to Tanshan to guard the imperial mausoleum and reflect on your wrongdoings before our ancestors," the Youning Emperor said without inflection.
"Your son thanks you for your mercy." Ding Wang kowtowed heavily, his expression one of relief, a faint smile flickering briefly at the corner of his lips.
This was a risky move. After years of hiding his capabilities, someone had torn away his facade of disinterest in fame and fortune, leading to marital discord and the complete loss of imperial favor. Remaining here now felt like sitting on pins and needles.
From last night until now, he had discussed countless times with his advisors before finally deciding to take the blame for His Majesty, his imperial father, to regain imperial favor while once again concealing his ambitions. The Emperor was still in his prime - the timing wasn't right.
Meanwhile,
Xiao Changtai stumbled back to his princely residence, his face deathly pale, heading straight for Ye Wantang's courtyard: "Wanwan, this time I've truly abandoned everything. I confessed everything to His Majesty. From now on, I'm no longer a noble prince, just a criminal at the imperial mausoleum, forbidden to leave even one step without an imperial decree. If you're unwilling, we can divorce."
"What happened?" Ye Wantang asked worriedly, supporting him.
Xiao Changtai gazed at her obsessively: "Wanwan, I've given you everything you wanted, everything..."
Only when the imperial decree was read at Ding Wang's residence, stripping Xiao Changtai of his title, reducing him to a commoner, and sentencing him to guard the mausoleum at Tanshan, did Ye Wantang understand what had happened.
She firmly grasped Xiao Changtai's hand: "I will accompany you. I am your wife."
Both Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong were stunned by Ding Wang's desperate move of seeking life through death.
"Heh, the fourth brother actually has such courage. I've truly underestimated my brothers," Xiao Huayong laughed, but after laughing he heaved a heavy sigh.
"Why does Your Highness sigh?" Tianyuan asked, puzzled."Another one has left, one less person to take the blame in the future." A trace of worry surfaced on Xiao Huayong's handsome, thick brows. "I'm afraid Youyou will recognize me even more easily now."
Tianyuan:
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