Chapter 1119: Grand Finale: Return of the Old Friend (27)

No dynasty is completely stable, especially when there is no leader.

The court, which had been calm, began to stir again. There were always some restless officials, always trying to make a move. They had ambition but no courage, but they were unwilling to let this opportunity slip away.

Shen Miao asked Eunuch Deng, "Is the quarrel in the former court very intense right now?"

Eunuch Deng said, "That's right. The court is currently considering nominating someone to temporarily oversee the government. We'll make further plans once His Royal Highness returns to Longye."

“How outrageous.” Shen Miao twitched the corner of her lips: “You really are the princes who want to steal the country!”

Eunuch Deng fell silent.

He didn't know why, but he always felt that this young Princess Rui had an indescribable aura, a temperament very similar to that of the former Empress Xian De, but with a more sharp edge. She usually seemed gentle and easygoing, not delving too deeply into things, but once her expression turned cold, she was intimidating.

He feels very similar to Prince Rui Xie Yuan.

However, before Emperor Yongle left, he had also instructed Eunuch Deng to assist Xie Jingxing after he returned. Eunuch Deng had lived in the palace of Longye since he was a child and could help with many things. Now that Xie Jingxing had not returned yet, Eunuch Deng naturally could not neglect the things Shen Miao had instructed him to do.

"Eunuch Deng, please pack up. I'm going to the front court." she said.

Eunuch Deng was stunned and said, "Madam..."

"The court is in turmoil. At this critical juncture, if bad news gets out, the people of Longye will inevitably panic, and chaos will lead to trouble. It's better for me to be the bad guy first. It doesn't matter what others think. I must first calm down these restless people."

“But,” Eunuch Deng looked at Shen Miao’s belly and said, “You are still pregnant.”

“It is precisely because of this child that the former dynasty can be controlled.” Shen Miao smiled faintly. “Royal blood, even if they want to do something, they still have to consider their reputation. Although I am from Mingqi, they will definitely make a fuss about this, but the child in my belly has royal blood, and they dare not disrespect me no matter what.”

Eunuch Deng thought for a moment and said, "This will indeed temporarily calm the situation, but then, Princess, your pregnancy will be revealed."

"I originally kept it a secret because I didn't want to distract His Highness from the battlefield. Now that the war is almost over, the dust has settled, and victory is at hand, there's no need to hide anything." She looked at Eunuch Deng, who was still frowning, and smiled, "You're worried that there's unrest in the palace and someone wants to harm me."

Eunuch Deng hurriedly rolled up his sleeves and said, "I will definitely protect the safety of the princess and the young master!"

Shen Miao nodded: "Thank you for your help."

After Eunuch Deng left, Shen Miao breathed a sigh of relief and sat on a chair, looking at the fallen leaves outside the window.

Empress Xian De had left in such a hurry that the many problems she left behind were exposed. The palace, once so large and bustling in the spring, now seemed deserted and cold, giving rise to a sense of desolation. However, she knew that things were far from over. Before Xie Jing Xing returned, she had to stabilize the somewhat chaotic former dynasty.

“Ever since you were born into my belly, you haven’t had a good moment.” Shen Miao whispered to her belly, “But everything will be fine.”

…….

Five days later, the imperial edict declaring the succession was publicly released, causing an uproar throughout the court. Those who questioned the succession were confronted with corroboration by important officials. Before his death, Emperor Yongle had made sure everything was in place. Officials were speechless.

Some people, claiming that the court was leaderless, requested that several officials be nominated to serve as regents. However, this was rejected, and Shen Miao, the wife of Prince Rui, was appointed to handle court affairs.