The imperial family has a scarcity of descendants, with only two children both belonging to Zhao Wang. Now that Yu Sangning is pregnant again, she is practically showered with attention like stars surrounding the moon. After all, imperial offspring are also bargaining chips in the competition for the throne.
Although His Majesty is still in his prime and the princes have successively married, there will certainly be no shortage of imperial heirs. But who knows if His Majesty might suddenly meet with misfortune? Throughout history, there have been numerous emperors who died abruptly in their prime.
The Crown Prince is also short-lived. When the time comes, those with offspring will become favored by the imperial clan, and Zhao Wang additionally holds the advantage of being the eldest.
When Shen Xihe was present, many people restrained themselves somewhat. But after Shen Xihe concluded her ceremonial observation and left early, Yu Sangning, as the eldest sister-in-law among the princesses, became the center of everyone's attention.
"Crown Princess, Princess Consort Zhao is an intelligent person. Why is she so eager to announce her pregnancy news?" Biyu couldn't understand, so she asked Shen Xihe directly.
As Shen Xihe's trusted confidante who knew about her future path, Biyu believed that the more she understood, the more she could share Shen Xihe's burdens.
"For legitimacy," Shen Xihe answered Biyu without hesitation, her gaze through the faint gauze window at the flickering candlelights lining the streets swaying in the night breeze.
Since her maid was willing to learn and strive to keep up with her pace, she naturally provided careful guidance.
"Legitimacy?"
"Princess Consort Zhao hasn't yet worshipped at the ancestral temple nor been recorded in the imperial genealogy. In common terms, this means she hasn't been recognized as a daughter-in-law," Zhenzhu explained on Shen Xihe's behalf. "If she were to die, she couldn't even be buried with her husband."
Had it not been for the imperial decree specifying her as the principal wife, she wouldn't even deserve the title of Princess Consort Zhao.
The matter regarding Bu Shulin, complicated by the death of the Fifth Lady Yu, had unexpectedly affected her maternal family. This was something Yu Sangning hadn't anticipated. Her relationship with her maternal family was now extremely strained, and the entire Yu clan clearly understood her misdeeds, naturally opposing Yu Xiang's continued leniency toward her.
Her only reliance was Xiao Changmin, who currently felt deep guilt toward her, knowing she had lost everything and become isolated because of him.
But Yu Sangning was clever, and clever people understand that Xiao Changmin's guilt wouldn't last forever. She couldn't depend on his fleeting remorse for a lifetime—she needed to quickly find another way out.
Her rapid pregnancy would draw attention from the imperial clan, preventing her child from being disadvantaged later. Announcing it early would secure her legitimacy sooner.
This would also allow her to leverage Xiao Changmin's lingering guilt to make him willingly compensate her.
Tomorrow, Xiao Changmin would begin lobbying and maneuvering. Soon, Yu Sangning would gain the right to worship at the ancestral temple and be recorded in the genealogy.
This was Yu Sangning's goal: with an heir, those seeing Zhao Wang's household flourishing would pledge allegiance. With some manipulation allowing the Yu clan leader to gain benefits, she could regain recognition. And with her family's support, she would earn more respect from Xiao Changmin.
Just as Shen Xihe was about to withdraw her gaze, she noticed Cui Jinbai in an upstairs room of a food shop by the window, gulping down liquor desperately. She immediately ordered, "Stop the carriage."
The carriage pulled aside to avoid blocking the path. Shen Xihe watched through the gauze window for a long while as the distressed Cui Jinbai drowned his sorrows in drink before sighing softly and turning to instruct Zhenzhu, "Have Mo Yuan send someone to watch over him. Make sure nothing happens."She surveyed her surroundings; Cui Jinbai likely hadn’t brought anyone with him. He probably didn’t want too many people to witness his grief and disheveled state at this moment.
As Shen Xihe had anticipated, Yu Sangning’s matter quickly escalated. Xiao Changmin persuaded the clan elders to plead with the Emperor. The Youning Emperor ignored their appeals, and even the Minister of the Imperial Clan dared not say more. Yet Xiao Changmin persisted—he sought out Shu Fei.
No one knew what benefits he offered her, but Shu Fei eventually swayed the Emperor. His Majesty replied, "Let her fidget after the pregnancy stabilizes."" Though no specific date was given and his tone was filled with displeasure, the message was clear: however much the Emperor disliked Yu Sangning, he would still save face for his own grandchild.
"Has Shu Fei allied with Prince Zhao?" Bu Shulin asked. Three days after her wedding, she returned to the palace with Xiao Wenxi to express gratitude—a visit that naturally included stopping by Shen Xihe’s quarters.
Unaware of the secret dealings between Shu Fei and Shen Xihe, Bu Shulin only knew of Shu Fei’s resentment toward Shen Xihe. Now that Shu Fei was consistently aiding Prince Zhao, Bu Shulin felt compelled to warn her shrewd friend, "You must be cautious."
"She wouldn’t dare provoke me," Shen Xihe replied calmly.
Yu Sangning had always feared her and would never risk opposing her while pregnant. Yu Sangning understood perfectly how precious the child in her womb was.
Ambitious for wealth and status, Yu Sangning knew her pre-marital honors came from her father, and post-marital privileges from her husband. Having achieved her desires, her focus now was preserving this hard-won dignity—which hinged entirely on her son.
Since Shen Xihe was well aware, Bu Shulin said no more on the matter. After a pause, she added softly, "Youyou, I came to bid you farewell."
Shen Xihe looked at her abruptly.
Bu Shulin met her gaze, her eyes filled with reluctance and helplessness. "Father… can’t hold on much longer. In a few days, the mourning announcement will be issued. As his only child, not even His Majesty can prevent me from returning to Shu’nan to attend the funeral and observe filial mourning. Besides…" She trailed off, resting a hand on her abdomen. "I’m almost four months along. I can still conceal it for now, but if I stay any longer…"
It would become impossible to hide. Early summer had arrived, and Bu Shulin couldn’t plausibly wear heavy layers. Her belly was already showing and would only grow more prominent. Leaving sooner was the safest course.
"His Majesty won’t let you return to Shu’nan easily," Shen Xihe voiced her concern. "Have you devised a strategy?"
"The Crown Prince has already planned it for me," Bu Shulin reassured her.
Bu Tuohai had long ago informed Xiao Huayong of his declining health, hoping the Crown Prince could arrange Bu Shulin’s return to Shu’nan. By revealing Bu Shulin’s true gender, Bu Tuohai demonstrated the Bu family’s sincere allegiance: once Bu Shulin returned to Shu’nan, the region would pledge loyalty to the Crown Prince.
The temptation of Shu’nan’s fifty thousand troops was irresistible to most.
However, Xiao Huayong’s assistance wasn’t motivated by this allegiance or the military strength—he had other means to acquire such resources if he wished. His aid stemmed from valuing Bu Shulin’s friendship with Shen Xihe.
Knowing Xiao Huayong had personally devised the plan eased Shen Xihe’s mind. That evening, when he returned, she asked, "How will you ensure A Lin’s safe return to Shu’nan?"
The fact that Bu Shulin was pregnant only added to the difficulty."When the obituary of the Prince of Shunan arrives, Worldly Son Bu will inevitably enter the palace to bid farewell. We shall keep her in the Eastern Palace and send a substitute back. Over the past two months, I have found many people disguised as him who have left the capital. We will first stage a pursuit to disrupt Your Majesty's line of sight and make everyone lose track of Worldly Son Bu." They would discover many individuals resembling Bu Shulin heading toward Shunan from different directions.
This would mislead the judgment of those serving Your Majesty while simultaneously dispersing His Majesty's manpower.
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