Shen Zhiyi felt a headache coming on. When the carriage passed the Third Prince's residence, soldiers had already searched and sealed it off overnight. It was the Qixi Festival, and there were many people on the street who had all come to watch.

All the princesses and concubines in the Third Prince's residence were expelled, including...

There was Wei Mingzhen, who had provoked him tonight.

It's pitiful, though. Ever since she married the Third Prince, her life has been full of ups and downs. She always thought she could soar to great heights, but she never got her wish.

perhaps……

That's fate.

When Shen Zhiyi returned to the mansion with her father, the whole family was still awake.

With such a major event occurring, who can sleep soundly?

Seeing that the two had returned safely, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Xu Yunyi held her daughter's hand and looked her over, asking, "Are you alright?"

"Mother, what could be wrong with me?"

"Then why did His Majesty summon you to the palace?"

"At once……"

Shen Zhiyi only said that the people who harassed him today were all arranged by the Third Prince, and that he was demoted because he attempted to assassinate the Regent. He briefly explained the matter.

"Assassinate the Regent? Has he gone mad?" Shen Muzhi exclaimed in shock. "Is the Prince injured?"

Shen Chongde took a sip of warm tea. "The injury has triggered an old ailment, and I'm afraid his days are numbered."

"Can I still go horseback riding at his residence recently?"

After Shen Muzhi finished speaking, everyone looked at him as if he were a fool.

Shen Chongde gritted his teeth and threw the teacup at him, "You bastard, what time is it and you're still thinking about riding a horse? Is there anything else on your mind besides riding horses?"

"Yes, I have."

What is it?

"Practice martial arts!"

Shen Zhiyi almost burst out laughing, but Shen Chongde was so angry he wanted to kick him a couple of times, and looked at his wife.

"When Jingchuan got married, didn't someone want to arrange blind dates for Muzhi? Let him go on those! Arrange ten or eight for him every day, so he won't be idle and doing nothing all day."

"Ten or eight?" Shen Mu was dumbfounded. "Father, I don't want to get married yet. I'm still too young."

"You little brat! People your age already have kids running around."

After Shen Chongde finished speaking, he realized that his words were a bit vulgar. He coughed and glanced at Wen Qing sitting to the side. Feeling that he had lost face in front of his daughter-in-law, he cursed Shen Muzhi a few more times.

It was late at night, and everyone went back to their courtyards to rest.

Only then did Shen Zhiyi have a chance to observe the magnolia hairpin in her temple. Upon closer inspection, she discovered that the words "Yi Yi" were engraved in a hidden place.

Zhou Xuance's words from earlier today came to mind:

Wait for me to marry you.

What exactly does he want to do?

So, his so-called marriage to her was just a pretense of illness?

Could it be that he's planning to fake his death and escape?

**

next day

The matter of the third prince shocked the court officials, and the regent's critical illness caused further turmoil in the court and among the people.

Emperor Xiaoxuan did not attend court for five consecutive days. Those who had urgent matters to attend to and needed to see the emperor were almost always reprimanded.

Therefore, the entire capital was filled with anxiety.

Shen Muzhi has been constantly arranged for blind dates by his mother lately, so he came to Shen Zhiyi's place to find some peace and quiet: "It's still more comfortable here with you."

Shen Zhiyi chuckled softly and poured him a cup of cool tea.

"Second brother, how was the girl you met today? I heard she's the youngest daughter of the military governor."

"Don't even mention it. I know her father; I've dealt with him before. He's a big, burly man. I always thought his daughter would be a skilled archer and horsewoman from a military family, but..."

Shen Muzhi picked up the cup and drank the tea in one gulp.

"She's a delicate little girl. I just raised my voice a bit, and she looked at me pitifully, which made me coax her for ages."

"Those arms, those legs, that waist... they look like they could be broken by a gust of wind."

"She speaks in a very sweet and delicate voice."

Shen Zhiyi laughed out loud.

"By the way, do you know what everyone in the capital is talking about lately?" Shen Muzhi asked in a low voice.

"What?"

Everyone's talking about when the Regent will kick the bucket!

"..."

"I heard that even the imperial physicians couldn't help him. His Majesty has even invited the abbot of the royal temple to chant sutras and perform divination to pray for his well-being. He's even started to believe in ghosts and gods. It's clear that his days are numbered." Shen Muzhi exclaimed in astonishment.

"Fortune telling?" Shen Zhiyi frowned.

"Yes, he was a genius, what a pity."

Since the Qixi Festival, Shen Zhiyi has not seen Zhou Xuance again; he has been faking his illness for quite a long time.

Knowing it was an act, she wasn't too worried. Even though everyone else was anxious, she continued to live her life as usual.

However, good news has come from the household in the past few days.

Wen Qing found out she was pregnant.

"Sister-in-law, really?" Shen Zhiyi was overjoyed.

"Yes, it's only been a little over a month." Wen Qing was also delighted.

Because of the matter of the Regent, the Duke's Mansion only dared to celebrate behind closed doors. The smiles on the faces of Shen Chongde and his wife never faded, and Xu Yunyi even said frankly: "Qingqing, it would be great if you could give our Duke's Mansion a little girl."

"You like girls?" Wen Qing asked.

"Of course I like it."

Wen Qing looked at Shen Jingchuan again, but he said, "Both men and women are fine."

The Shen family also invited the Wen family to their home, and the two families dined together.

Xu Yunyi took Madam Wen's hand and asked her to stay at home for a while longer. "It's a young woman's first pregnancy, and her emotions are going through a lot. If you can stay at the manor for a while longer and keep her company, she will surely be happy."

Mrs. Wen smiled and agreed.

The two families were getting along harmoniously until two days later, news came from the palace:

"My lord, something terrible has happened!"

"What's causing such a panic?" Shen Chongde frowned.

"The Regent's days are probably numbered."

"So what?"

"It is said that a master divined for him that if a woman were to marry into the Prince's mansion to bring him good fortune, she might be able to ward off evil spirits and disasters and allow him to live a few more days."

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