Chapter 808: I, Shen Xihe, Have the Final Say
Before the joyous news of Shen Yungan arrived, letters from Cui Jinbai and Bu Shulin came first. Bu Shulin had also given birth. Unlike Xue Jinqiao, who delivered at full term, Bu Shulin was two months premature because she had twins. With two sons at once, Bu Shulin was overjoyed.
In her letter to Shen Xihe, she revealed her plan to separate the children: one would be sent back to Shu to inherit the title of Prince of Shunan, while the other would be taken back to the Cui family by Cui Jinbai after his return to court.
She intended to marry Cui Jinbai under the identity of the long-lost younger sister of the Prince of Shunan—a story she and Cui Jinbai had concocted together. She had already fabricated a tumultuous and poignant tale of her origins, more dramatic than any storyteller’s teahouse rendition. From then on, she would no longer concern herself with the affairs of the Shu Southern Royal Manor.
Whether Shen Twenty-Seven would continue as the Prince of Shunan or "die," paving the way for a young heir to ascend, would be entirely up to Shen Xihe. In any case, Bu Shulin had fulfilled her mission to ensure the Shunan royal bloodline continued. As long as Shen Xihe guaranteed the hereditary title of the Shu Southern Royal Manor endured, the loss of actual power was inconsequential.
It seemed Bu Shulin had been utterly captivated by Cui Jinbai’s charm—no title, princedom, or military authority could compare to even a fraction of his allure.
Yet, Shen Xihe could sense the joy and sweetness radiating from Bu Shulin’s words.
With one happy event after another, Shen Xihe’s entire demeanor softened. She wrote a letter to Xiao Huayong every day, though she never sent them. She recorded her daily life so that when Xiao Huayong returned, he could read them, as if they had never been apart.
Upon hearing the news that she had gained a little niece, the smile in Shen Xihe’s eyes never faded.
She prepared three generous gifts to send to them and placed a hand on her own six-month-pregnant belly, filled with anticipation.
"They have all arrived safely into the world. Now, my little balancing pivot, we await only you."
In the tenth month of the twenty-third year of Youning, the palace, which had been shrouded in gloom for nearly half a year, finally welcomed a joyous occasion—the wedding of Princess Pingling.
As the daughter of Noble Consort Rong and sister to two imperial princes, Princess Pingling’s dowry was exceptionally lavish, with His Majesty indulging in the celebration to lift spirits. All civil and military officials showed great respect, for it remained uncertain whether Shen Xihe would bear a son or a daughter. Among the imperial princes, if Xiao Changqing claimed second place in capability, no one dared claim first.
Only Yan Wang Xiao Changgeng, who had recently risen swiftly in influence and enjoyed the Emperor’s trust, could slightly overshadow him, but no one else could compare.
On the day of Princess Pingling’s wedding, even His Majesty attended the banquet in person. Only Shen Xihe, still in deep mourning as the imperial sister-in-law, did not attend. However, she sent generous gifts. Regardless of her current lack of conflict with Xiao Changqing, she owed him a debt of gratitude for suppressing the Emperor’s attempt to exhume the coffin for inspection.
But Shen Xihe never expected that the Youning Emperor would collapse at Princess Pingling’s in-laws’ residence!
"His Majesty fainted?" Shen Xihe’s gaze sharpened upon receiving the news.
Given His Majesty’s cunning, if he did not wish it, how could he allow others to easily learn of his poor health?
Lately, the Emperor had frequently summoned imperial physicians in secret, yet kept it strictly confidential. His incense ink had never ceased.
This time, fainting in public during Princess Pingling’s wedding—was it a deliberate bait or had the Emperor fallen victim to a covert scheme?The former was His Majesty preparing to take action, while the latter was someone seizing the opportunity to force those with imperial ambitions to make their move!
"Your Highness, Crown Princess, Prince Xin has sent a messenger: the winds of change are coming!" Tianyuan hurried in to report.
Shen Xihe placed a hand on her abdomen. She was less than eight months pregnant—delivering the child now would inevitably leave it congenitally weak. Having endured such hardships herself, she refused to let her own flesh and blood suffer the same.
Her fingertips tightened. Shen Xihe met the messenger’s gaze and declared, "Tell Prince Xin: when the heavens change, and how they change—will be decided by me, Shen Xihe!"
To be continued tomorrow at 10 a.m.
(End of Chapter)
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