Inside the imperial study, the emperor was reviewing memorials, his brow furrowed. The list of names implicated in the Jiangnan salt tax case was shocking.

"Your Majesty..." A charming and alluring voice called out. The Imperial Concubine, dressed in a light, smoky-colored palace gown, gracefully entered, carrying a bowl of ginseng soup. "You have been reviewing memorials for a long time. Please rest. Your health is of utmost importance."

The emperor put down his vermilion brush and rubbed his temples: "Why has my beloved concubine come?"

The Imperial Concubine served the ginseng soup, nestled softly against the Emperor's side, and massaged his temples with her slender fingers: "Your Majesty, I am concerned for you. The affairs of Jiangnan can be handled by the Crown Prince and the court officials. Why should Your Majesty trouble yourself so much?" She changed the subject, her tone tinged with worry, "However... His Highness the Crown Prince is not young anymore. The Eastern Palace is vacant, which is not a long-term solution. A Crown Prince without a legitimate son is also prone to controversy."

The emperor closed his eyes, enjoying the massage: "Jing'er has her own ideas."

“Your Highness is a man, and it’s inevitable that he might be careless,” the Imperial Concubine said in an even softer voice. “I have observed that my niece, Wanru, is only sixteen years old. She is dignified in appearance and gentle in nature, and is very well-educated and reasonable. She has long admired His Highness the Crown Prince. If Your Majesty can grant her wish, firstly, it will help His Highness find a good match and continue the family line; secondly, my family will certainly do our utmost to assist His Highness the Crown Prince and stabilize the foundation of the nation.” As she spoke, she observed the Emperor’s expression.

The Emperor was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Wanru is a good child. However, Jing'er's marriage still needs to be discussed with the Empress and his own wishes."

"The orders of parents and the words of matchmakers are the natural order of things," the Imperial Concubine said coquettishly. "My sister, the Empress, has just recovered from her illness and must be hoping that the Crown Prince will settle down soon. As for His Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty's words are law, how could His Highness disobey? Besides, that Shen family member from Jiangnan is still of unknown identity, and the identity of the child in her womb is still unknown..." She stopped there, leaving much to the imagination.

The emperor frowned slightly, remaining silent, but his gaze deepened noticeably. The concubine's whispered words, like a seed, had quietly taken root.

The study in the East Palace was brightly lit. Several secret reports and a bronze plaque engraved with the word "Shadow Studio" were spread out in front of Xiao Chengjing. His face was stern, and his eyes were filled with a chilling light.

"Have you found out?" he asked in a low voice.

Yingyi knelt and reported, "Your Highness, it's basically confirmed. The palace servants who were in charge of the wine, incense, and escorting Miss Chen to the side hall for the banquet that year, although they either died 'accidentally' or 'retired,' all had secret contact with an old eunuch surnamed Qian in the Consort's palace. Eunuch Qian died suddenly last year, but several large sums of silver notes of unknown origin were found in his nephew's cellar in the countryside, right after the banquet. In addition, the 'Shadow Studio's' ambush of Your Highness at Luoying Gorge and their recent unusual movements in Jiangnan also vaguely point to... the Consort's maternal family."

"It really was her!" Xiao Chengjing slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups clink. The chain of evidence wasn't completely closed, but the clues were crystal clear! The palace banquet scheme was designed to destroy Shen Yuewei and sow discord between him and the Shen family, who might support him; the assassination attempt at Luoying Gorge was to prevent him from returning to the capital to investigate; and now the disturbances in Jiangnan… she was going to harm Wei'er and the child!

"How is it in Jiangnan?" Xiao Chengjing's voice carried a hint of tension that was barely perceptible.

"The two elders of the Shen family, the second young master of the Shen family, and Miss Lin have arrived safely. The number of guards has been tripled, and they are on guard day and night, making it impenetrable. The midwife, wet nurse, and doctor have all been arranged and are all reliable people. Miss Shen is doing well, but... her due date is approaching," Yingyi replied.

Xiao Chengjing felt a slight sense of relief, but was immediately gripped by even greater worry. Childbirth is a major hurdle for a woman, and also the most vulnerable time, when she is most susceptible to exploitation! The Imperial Concubine would never let this opportunity slip by!

"Send word to Jiangnan!" Xiao Chengjing stood up abruptly, his voice resolute. "All guards to the highest alert! Arrest any suspicious persons immediately! Everything that enters the room must be inspected by at least three people! No one is allowed to approach the delivery room except for the designated midwife, doctor, Madam Shen, Miss Lin, Chun Tao, and Zhang Mama! If there is any unusual movement, kill them without mercy! At the same time, send a message by carrier pigeon to Shen Wenbai, informing him of the situation in the capital and the possible methods the Consort might employ, and instructing him to be on high alert and stay by Wei'er's side at all times!"

"Yes!" Yingyi accepted the order and quickly withdrew.

Xiao Chengjing walked to the window, gazing at the deep southern night sky, his fist clenched tightly in his sleeve, knuckles white. Wei'er, wait for me! You must wait for me! He wished he could sprout wings and fly to Jiangnan immediately to stay by her side! But the murky waters of the capital required swift action; he had to clear the biggest obstacle for Wei'er and her child before she gave birth!

He turned, his gaze falling on the file on the desk concerning the Imperial Concubine's niece, Zhao Wanru, a cold glint of mockery in his eyes. Trying to force someone into the Eastern Palace? They'd better see if he agrees!