Before setting off for the estate, Xue Shen received another message from Shen Muyu.
After reading it, he raised an eyebrow: "Zhou Zhenrong miscarried?"
The message Shen Muyu delivered said that for the past month or so, Empress Zhou had been summoning Zhou Zhenrong to the palace every few days. She and Zhou Zhenrong didn't get along, so she paid more attention and discovered some unusual signs—she suspected that Empress Zhou was summoning Zhou Zhenrong to the palace not to chat or relieve boredom, but to have a child through sperm donation.
Prince Chen is disfigured and impotent, so he probably won't be able to have any more children. Empress Zhou only has this one son, so if she doesn't want to give up her fight for the throne, she must have a child.
Zhou Zhenrong is a concubine of Prince Chen. If she becomes pregnant, those who once supported Prince Chen will turn around and support the child.
Moreover, a young infant is easier to control than an adult prince.
If the plan succeeds, Empress Zhou can rule from behind the curtain, and the ministers who assist her will naturally be able to compete for the position of this most powerful minister.
"She guessed the right direction, but she underestimated Zhou Jihou's ambition."
Xue Shen asked the secret guard, "Last time, the palace spies said that Empress Zhou intended to have another son. I wonder what method she has used these days to gain the Emperor's favor?"
The guard replied, "Yes."
Xue Shen smiled sarcastically: "It seems that Zhou Zhenrong is the Empress's plan. The Empress is not young and it will be difficult for her to conceive again. Even if she is lucky enough to get pregnant, childbirth will be a life-threatening experience. Using a surrogate mother is a good idea. Zhou Zhenrong is a daughter of the Zhou family. Even if the Zhou family knows the truth, they probably won't object. Moreover, she is confined to the Prince Chen's mansion, so no one will notice that such a lowly concubine is pregnant."
"Anyway, they are all of the Zhou and Xue family bloodlines. After the child is born, there is no need to worry about any discrepancies in the child's appearance. When the time comes for delivery, we will use a trick to switch the baby, and the Empress will have another son. The Empress is really good at scheming. She is much more ruthless and decisive than Prince Chen. She shows no mercy to this son who survived."
The guard asked, "Should we give it another push?"
Xue Shen shook his head and said, "No need. The fire is already burning brightly enough. Proceed according to plan. If necessary, we can provide Xue Zhan with some assistance."
*
After making the arrangements, Xue Shen went to Tingmei Pavilion.
When Shen Youying saw him coming over, she said, "The trunks and luggage are all packed, but do you really need to pack so much stuff? These belongings will last until at least after the Lantern Festival, right?"
Xue Shen dismissed the servants, pulled the woman into his arms, and whispered to her about Zhou Zhenrong and Empress Zhou.
"There will probably be something big happening in the palace this Spring Festival."
Shen Youying's mouth dropped open as she listened, and she was speechless for a long time before finally saying, "This is too absurd."
Xue Shen said sarcastically, "There are countless absurd things that will be done for power."
Shen Youying leaned against him and sighed softly, finally saying, "Then let's stay until after the fifteenth and then come back."
Xue Shen pinched the tip of her nose and said gently, "If nothing unexpected happens, this will be our last peaceful time. Don't think too much, just have fun."
Shen Youying hummed in agreement.
The next day, the servants loaded the trunks and luggage onto the carriage, and the two of them ostentatiously left the capital.
With the Lunar New Year's Eve approaching, the Qin Prince's carriages and horses left the capital in a grand procession, attracting the attention of many. After inquiring, it was learned that the Qin Prince disliked the lack of festive atmosphere in the capital and had taken his wife to Longquan Manor to celebrate the New Year.
Upon hearing the news, the officials were all envious of the King of Qin's unbridled behavior. With the war situation in the north unclear and no grand celebrations taking place in the palace, and all the civil and military officials keeping their eyes down and not daring to celebrate the New Year, he had gone out of the capital with his queen in a grand manner.
Meanwhile, Shen Youying, who was being envied, had already left the capital. She lifted the curtain, looked at the unfamiliar road outside, and said, "Why isn't this the same road as before?"
Xue Shen embraced her from behind and said, "Let's not go to the old manor."
Shen Youying was slightly surprised: "Where to?"
Xue Shen said, "I'll take you to a fun place."
Shen Youying's curiosity was piqued, and she racked her brains trying to figure out what fun places there were to visit at this time of year. But Xue Shen insisted on keeping her in suspense and refused to tell her. Unable to get any answers from him, she became annoyed and simply turned away, ignoring Xue Shen.
Xue Shen laughed loudly from the side, hugged the person, and coaxed, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Do you know Longquan Manor?"
Shen Youying recalled for a moment and then remembered: "That Longquan Manor, which is said to be warm as spring even in winter?"
Xue Shen nodded: "Longquan Manor is located at the bottom of the canyon, and the ground is full of hot springs. Even in the cold winter, the climate is as warm as spring."
Shen Youying was truly intrigued this time. She had heard of Longquan Manor before, because the manor was so famous because one of its springs had been highly praised by the late emperor and named "Longquan".
Longquan Village was not originally called this; it was renamed after the late emperor bestowed the name upon it.
Shen Youying had only ever heard of it, but never had the chance to go.
"Is Longquan really shaped like a dragon?" Shen Youying asked curiously.
Xue Shen said helplessly, "According to my father, it was just a medicinal spring. My mother was in poor health, and my father heard that this spring had a warming effect, so he took her there for a short stay in the winter. When the villagers received them, my father casually mentioned that the spring was shaped like a dragon, so they changed the name and spread the word, saying that my father had given it the name to attract tourists."
Shen Youying looked surprised.
Xue Shen smiled and said, "Father knows that it's not easy for ordinary people to make a living, so he didn't mind. Besides, that medicinal spring does have some effect. My mother goes to Longquan Village for a short stay every winter, and her health has improved a lot. That's why I thought of taking you there for a while this time."
Shen Youying said, "My health is perfectly fine."
Xue Shen's hand slid down from her waist and stopped on her lower abdomen, rubbing it gently: "There's no major problem, but when I took her pulse last time, the imperial physician said that you fell into the water as a child and caught a chill, so you have some cold-related ailments that need to be properly treated. Otherwise, if you become pregnant in the future, you'll probably suffer a lot."
Shen Youying was wondering how the conversation had suddenly turned to this topic. Her lower abdomen was slightly itchy from being massaged by a strong, firm hand. She pressed down on Xue Shen's hand to stop him from moving and said, "Didn't you say you would let nature take its course and weren't in a hurry to have children?"
“Yes, there’s no rush.” Xue Shen pressed against her back, his chin against her neck, and whispered, “But it’s frustrating that I’m working so hard day and night without any results.”
He lightly nibbled on Shen Youying's earlobe, almost imperceptibly: "Zhaozhao, please understand, hmm?"
It was freezing cold outside, but he was radiating heat, especially his lips, which were burning hot. As he spoke, wisps of warm breath trickled into his ears, sending shivers down his spine.
Shen Youying tried to dodge, but couldn't. She bit the inside of her lip and refused softly, not very firmly, "It's cold in the car."
Xue Shen kissed her ear, then the corner of her mouth, and said in a hoarse voice, "Hmm, don't finish."
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