Qi Zhong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and thanked him with a forced smile.
Emperor Cheng'an was very pleased with his trembling appearance. He placed his hand on his shoulder and ordered, "Prepare the carriage to go to the Empress's palace. I haven't seen the Empress for a long time. She is pregnant now, and I want to go and see her."
Qi Zhong quickly got up, carefully supported his arm, and loudly ordered the carriage to be prepared.
When Emperor Cheng'an arrived, Empress Zhou was lazily eating lychees on her chaise longue. She had already heard about what happened during the morning court session, and she was pleased. So she ordered someone to bring over the freshest lychees, and while her ladies-in-waiting sang little tunes to amuse her, she enjoyed the lychees.
Now that it's summer, the lychees are chilled, making them refreshing and perfect for cooling off in the heat.
However, since she was pregnant, she didn't dare to eat too many. After eating only a few, she gave the rest to the palace servants who were serving her, saying in a good mood, "Take them away and distribute them."
The palace servants who were serving him hurriedly expressed their gratitude. Just as they were sharing the lychees, they heard a loud announcement from outside: "His Majesty has arrived."
Empress Zhou's smile faltered, and she muttered, "What an unlucky day!" But she had no choice but to have the female official tidy up the things in front of her and pretend to be melancholy as she went to the palace gate to greet them.
Emperor Cheng'an alighted from his carriage and saw Empress Zhou leading a group of palace servants to greet him at the gate.
He looked at the radiant Empress Zhou and said in a strange tone, "The Empress looks to be in good health."
Empress Zhou curtsied and gently stepped forward to support his arm, speaking softly, "It's all thanks to the medicinal cuisine prescribed by the imperial physician. I hadn't been sleeping well for a while, but after using the medicinal cuisine, my sleep has improved a lot, and my complexion is better than before. Your Majesty must be feeling down these days. Why don't you come to my palace more often for some medicinal cuisine to get some rest? It will also be good for your health."
Emperor Cheng'an sighed, "How can I sleep peacefully when the Crown Prince has not returned?"
Empress Zhou also showed a worried expression, but still comforted him, saying, "The Crown Prince left the capital because he was confused for a moment. Once he has figured it out, he will return soon. Your Majesty need not worry too much."
She smiled and said, "How could the Crown Prince bear to truly abandon his own father, with whom he shares the same blood?"
Her words seemed unintentional, but they were nonetheless a sharp and incisive stab to Emperor Cheng'an's heart.
Emperor Cheng'an glanced at her with a gloomy expression, and asked in a seemingly ordinary manner, "Speaking of which, there is another matter that I find very strange. I sent people to ask all the servants in the Eastern Palace, and they all said that on the night the Crown Prince left the capital, someone went to the Eastern Palace to request an audience with the Crown Prince."
Emperor Cheng'an gazed at her for a long time: "I heard that person is a woman, dressed as a palace maid. Judging from her figure and demeanor, she does resemble the Empress somewhat."
Empress Zhou's heart skipped a beat, but a look of surprise appeared on her face: "Really? Who would go to see the Crown Prince at night?"
Emperor Cheng'an chuckled noncommittally: "Yes, I'd also like to know who went to see the Crown Prince and what they said to him that made him decide to leave the capital that very night."
Empress Zhou frowned and said, "Since they are dressed as palace maids, they might be from the Prince of Qin's side."
"His Highness the Crown Prince is skilled in both literature and military strategy, and his abilities are no less than those of the King of Qin. He is the King of Qin's most threatening opponent. If the Crown Prince is forced to leave, the King of Qin's conspiracy will have succeeded another step."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng'an's expression shifted, and he said with an ambiguous look, "What the Empress said is not without reason."
Empress Zhou helped him sit down in the hall and said, "The Prince of Qin is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and his methods are treacherous. He not only forced the Crown Prince to leave, but also tried to frame me. If this man is allowed to stay, it will be like raising a tiger to cause trouble."
Emperor Cheng'an sighed in agreement with her words: "How could I not worry about this matter? It's just that Prince Qin now has many followers, and I can't easily shake him."
Empress Zhou seized the opportunity to say, "The Prince of Qin, like the Crown Prince, is a man of deep affection and loyalty, especially towards the Princess Consort of Qin, to whom he is deeply in love. When the Crown Prince lost his wife and son, he was almost completely devastated. I heard that the Princess Consort of Qin is pregnant with twins this time. Childbirth is a life-or-death ordeal for a woman. If the Princess Consort of Qin doesn't make it through this ordeal, I don't know how badly the Prince of Qin will be affected."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng'an's eyes flashed: "I have heard that Princess Qin is in very good health, and the Qin Prince's residence has prepared the best midwives and doctors, so I don't think there will be any problems."
Empress Zhou said, "There is no fixed rule for a woman's childbirth, especially premature birth, which is the most dangerous."
She made it sound like a casual remark, then turned the topic back to the Shen family father and son: "Speaking of which, is the case of the Shen family father and son still under investigation? If it can be solved sooner, Princess Qin will be able to give birth with peace of mind."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng'an showed a thoughtful expression.
After a long silence, he patted Empress Zhou on the shoulder: "What the Empress said makes sense."
Empress Zhou smiled knowingly at him and then invited him to stay for lunch.
Emperor Cheng'an came today intending to give her a warning, so naturally he did not refuse.
The palace servants laid out the lunch dishes one by one. Emperor Cheng'an ate a few bites and then put down his chopsticks: "I've eaten enough. Empress, please eat more. We mustn't let anything go wrong with the baby in your belly."
"Just now it was said that the Princess Consort of Qin was in danger during childbirth, but isn't the Empress in the same predicament?"
Empress Zhou's smile faltered, and she forced a smile as she said, "After all, I have given birth to two children, so I know how to take care of myself."
Emperor Cheng'an wiped his hands and said, "It's good that you know. Yesterday, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review came to report to me that the matter of embezzling military funds may be related to the Zhou family. Considering the Zhou family's past actions, I think there must be some misunderstanding."
Empress Zhou's smile grew increasingly forced, and she said with a look of panic, "Your Majesty, my father and brothers have always been loyal to Your Majesty and to the Great Wei, and they would never dare to do anything illegal or criminal."
Emperor Cheng'an patted the back of her hand: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I understand. I came today just to give you some information. If you hear any news in the future, please don't believe it and it could harm your pregnancy."
Empress Zhou was filled with unease and could only force a smile to express her gratitude.
Emperor Cheng'an reprimanded him, and only then did he prepare to leave, satisfied.
Just as they reached the door, one of them rushed over to report the news.
Emperor Cheng'an frowned as he looked at the hurried manner of the group: "What's the matter that you're in such a rush?"
Qi Zhong quickly walked to his side, bowed his head and replied, "Your Majesty, there is something important to report."
Emperor Cheng'an glanced at Empress Zhou, then strode towards his carriage. Qi Zhong followed closely beside him. Once they were some distance away, Qi Zhong lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty, news has come from the Palace Guard that rumors about the Shen family father and son are rampant in the streets. The story of Consort Shen single-handedly disrupting the Tibetan royal family has somehow spread, and now the people regard the Shen family father and son as great heroes. Many commoners and even scholars are pleading for the Shen family father and son."
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