Lu Cheng had a terrible headache.
It's normal for scions of noble families to have maids before marriage, but his mother had strictly forbidden it.
He was terrified by this change in attitude.
He looked at the Crown Prince of Yanping and Tang Ze, "You two quickly help me think of a way to remedy this."
Prince Yanping and Tang Ze looked helpless.
It's beyond repair.
If we confess now, Marquis Xuanping and his wife will only be angrier.
Their son lied to them like this just to marry a girl. They used to be very opposed to it, but now they're probably completely against it.
Lu Cheng knew that it would be difficult to make amends. He had been thinking about this matter all night and couldn't sleep, tossing and turning in his study.
The three rode into the palace on horseback, and as they were heading to the banquet, the carriage from the Prince Ling's residence arrived. The three then prepared to wait for Xie Jingyan before going over to greet him.
Upon seeing Lu Cheng, Shen Wan thought of the Lady of Xuanping Marquis and asked with concern, "Is the Lady of Xuanping Marquis alright, as she is not feeling well?"
This question completely baffled Lu Cheng. "Is my mother unwell?"
Shen Wan, "..."
...Could this son have been adopted?
wrong.
Lady Xuanping was the one who was adopted.
The mother is so sick she needs to see a doctor, and the son doesn't even know...
Could you be any more filial?
Shen Wan's lips twitched as she said, "Just as I left the manor, a servant from the Xuanping Marquis's residence went to fetch Doctor Tao, saying that the Xuanping Marquis's wife was unwell..."
Lu Cheng, “…!!!”
He simply sent the two maids back and spent the night in the study.
Surely his mother wouldn't worry herself sick?
Feeling uneasy, Lu Cheng said to Tang Ze and the others, "I'll go back to the manor to check."
It's still early, so he can go back and check before coming back without missing the palace banquet.
As Lu Cheng rode swiftly out of the palace, Shen Du and Princess Huai'an also entered the palace. Shen Du was with Xie Jingyan and the others, while Princess Huai'an was with Shen Wan, and they were led by palace maids towards the Imperial Garden.
As soon as I entered the Imperial Garden, I heard cheerful laughter coming from afar, a sound as melodious as silver bells.
Passing through the moon-shaped archway into the Imperial Garden, one sees a variety of exotic flowers and plants blooming in profusion, their vibrant colors and delicate fragrances delightful.
The young ladies from respectable families chatted in twos and threes, or chased butterflies, truly more beautiful than the flowers themselves.
The palace maid led Shen Wan and Princess Huai'an to pay their respects to Empress Song.
The young ladies from prominent families who were passing by all curtsied to Shen Wan and Princess Huai'an.
Inside the pavilion, Empress Song and several concubines were greeting the noble ladies.
Fu Shu and Shen Ying were both there.
Seeing Shen Wan walk in, Fu Shu's smile vanished completely.
Seeing Shen Wan, Fu Shu couldn't help but think of her child who had only been in Shen Wan's womb for two months.
Empress Song was more trouble than she was worth; she not only failed to harm Shen Wan's child, but also caused her to abort it.
Thinking about this, Fu Shu felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if it were being pricked by needles.
Shen Wan and Princess Huai'an stepped forward and curtsied to Empress Song.
Empress Song smiled and said, "Princess Ling looks quite well. It seems she really hasn't suffered much during her pregnancy."
In the pavilion, everyone, without exception, envied Shen Wan.
It is no exaggeration to say that she was the happiest woman in the Great Chu.
Shen Wan's ears turned slightly red. Just as she was wondering how to respond to Empress Song, Fu Shu spoke up, "Who put the abortion drug in my tea? It still hasn't been found out. And Princess Ling still dares to attend the banquet in the palace. Aren't you afraid of following in my footsteps?"
These words could be interpreted as concern for Shen Wan, or as a deliberate attempt to upset her; it all depends on how you interpret them.
Shen Wan looked surprised. "Haven't they found out yet?"
That incredulous tone completely humiliated Empress Song and Prince Jin.
Fu Shu was carrying the Empress Song's own grandson, who was murdered right under her nose. As the mistress of the harem, she couldn't even find out who was responsible, which was a real loss of face for her.
Wang Zhaoyi looked at Shen Wan and said, "You are pregnant and should not stand for long. Please sit down."
Shen Wan and Princess Huai'an then sat down.
The palace maids served them tea.
Empress Song sipped her tea, and as she lifted the teacup, the noble ladies followed suit.
When Shen Wan wanted to serve tea, Princess Huai'an offered her her own cup.
Shen Wan was taken aback for a moment, feeling a warm glow in her heart, and reached out to take it.
She drank from Princess Huai'an's cup, while Princess Huai'an drank from Shen Wan's. This scene caught Shen Ying's eye, and Shen Ying said, "Is Princess Huai'an afraid that someone will put an abortion drug in eldest sister's tea?"
As soon as Shen Ying opened her mouth, she drew everyone's attention to Shen Wan and Princess Huai'an.
Empress Song's eyes showed displeasure.
Princess Huai'an said, "Although we haven't found out who harmed Princess Jin, the investigation has been going on for so long, which can serve as a deterrent. However, since Princess Jin mentioned it, it's still good to be on guard. No one will put abortion pills in my tea. I'll give it to Princess Ling, and then Princess Jin and the Empress won't have to worry."
Are they worried about Shen Wan?
It's more likely I'm worried she'll be able to give birth safely.
However, Fu Shu's words just now can be interpreted as concern that Shen Wan might follow in her footsteps. Since Shen Wan drank the tea from the Princess of Huai'an, Fu Shu doesn't need to worry. As for Empress Song—
Fu Shu had already been drugged and miscarried right under her nose. Empress Song had failed in her duty by not finding the person who drugged her. If someone were to drug Chen Wan's tea as well, the Emperor would question her competence and whether she was still fit to be Empress.
Shen Ying said, "Princess Huai'an cares about your elder sister, but you also need to take care of yourself. You've been married to your elder brother for some time now, what if you're pregnant too?"
Princess Huai'an blushed and said, "No, how could it be so easy to get pregnant..."
Her voice was so weak it was like a mosquito's hum; Shen Wan was so close that she could barely hear it.
Fortunately, Princess Cheng entered with her daughter, Princess Yong'an, at that moment. Empress Song was about to greet her, so the topic was dropped.
Princess Cheng stepped forward to greet Empress Song, who smiled and said, "I've never seen Princess Cheng look so well in all these years. Has the Crown Prince's condition improved significantly?"
Princess Cheng looked much better than the last time she saw her. After she sat down, she said, "Thanks to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, Yun'er's health has improved day by day since she went to Huguo Temple."
Empress Song smiled and said, "Prince Cheng only has one son, the Crown Prince. His Majesty is also afraid that something might happen to the Crown Prince, so he cares about him more than his other sons. Now that the Crown Prince's condition has greatly improved, His Majesty can rest assured."
Princess Consort Cheng said with gratitude, "Emperor is busy with state affairs, yet he still cares so much about the Cheng Prince's residence. I will definitely urge the Prince to share the Emperor's burdens."
Since her son was born, he has been in poor health, and Princess Cheng has been worried about his condition for more than ten years, which has taken a toll on her health.
Now that her son has been sent to Huguo Temple, she visits him every other day. Her son's condition is visibly improving. Even the delicacies in Prince Cheng's mansion can't fatten him up much, but the vegetarian food at Huguo Temple has made him gain some weight. Princess Cheng is both happy and heartbroken.
More importantly, Crown Prince Seong was very happy at Huguo Temple, unlike when he was sullen at home.
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