The news that the King of Qin had recovered from his leg injury quickly spread throughout the capital.
Although he has not yet returned to the capital, the city is already seething with undercurrents due to the rampant rumors.
Now that the Emperor's health is deteriorating, the affairs of state are being handled by the Crown Prince. Admittedly, the Crown Prince is quite capable and handles state affairs diligently and methodically. However, upon hearing that the King of Qin's legs have been healed, people's minds are inevitably unsettled.
Many people recalled the illustrious reputation of Crown Prince Yuan Jin and couldn't help but compare the brothers Xue Shen and Xue Heng.
In fact, if we really look at it, it would be more legitimate for the Prince of Qin to succeed to the throne. After all, the Prince of Qin was originally the crown prince. It was only because the late emperor passed away suddenly and the Prince of Qin lost both legs that he was forced to pass the throne to the emperor.
Moreover, there were still many doubts surrounding the emperor's ascension to the throne. Although people dared not discuss it, they still had doubts when they thought about it occasionally.
Now that the King of Qin's legs have been healed, according to ancestral rules, it is more appropriate for the King of Qin to sit on the throne.
But everyone only dared to think about this in their hearts, after all, the current emperor was Emperor Cheng'an, while Xue Heng was still firmly sitting in the position of crown prince.
Because of this connection, after Shen Youying and Xue Shen returned to the capital, they found that they suddenly received many invitations, some inviting her to have tea around the stove, others inviting her to enjoy the snow scenery... However, after sorting through the invitations, Shen Youying found that most of the people who invited her were noblewomen who did not hold real power in the capital or officials of low rank.
"These people dared not openly visit the Prince's residence, but they wanted to get close to him, so they did it subtly, having their wives invite me to a gathering."
In Tingmei Pavilion, Shen Youying leaned lazily against the balustrade, with Xue Shen sitting beside her, occasionally feeding her a piece of fruit: "They're all just opportunists, wanting to be on both sides but not daring to offend either. Zhaozhao, you don't need to pay them any mind. The main event is the palace banquet tomorrow. Are you afraid, Zhaozhao?"
The two arrived in the capital yesterday evening, and today countless invitations have been delivered to their door. Furthermore, Emperor Cheng'an has hosted a family banquet and summoned them to the palace.
Shen Youying shook her head: "I'm not too afraid. The officials value their reputation, so even if they have some thoughts in their hearts, they have to maintain a peaceful facade. I don't think they'll make things too difficult for us."
Xue Shen nodded: "The Emperor is easy to deal with, but the Empress and Xuan Ci are the difficult ones to deal with."
If Emperor Cheng'an was unable to do something or say something, Empress Zhou and Xuan Ci would do it and say it for him.
Shen Youying thought for a moment and said, "We have to get through this eventually. We'll deal with whatever comes our way."
Xue Shen touched her cheek, then bent down and pressed his hand against her still flat stomach, and instructed her: "Now that you are pregnant, if you are made difficult, you don't have to risk your precious body. You should take care of yourself and not be too tolerant."
Shen Youying smiled brightly at him: "When have I ever made myself suffer?"
Xue Shen affectionately pinched the tip of her nose: "Yes, Zhao Zhao is the smartest."
*
The family dinner was scheduled for the morning, so the two of them got up early to wash and change.
This was the first time Xue Shen had appeared in front of everyone without his wheelchair, and Shen Youying personally picked out a navy blue round-necked robe for him.
The dark blue silk was embroidered with subtle patterns. As he walked, the hem of his robe flowed, and the patterns shimmered, highlighting his tall and imposing figure. It was as if the noble and dignified Crown Prince Yuan Jin had returned.
Shen Youying personally fastened his waistband, and when she looked up at him, her expression was momentarily dazed.
The violent, sinister, and menacing man from my past memories has been replaced by the deep and reserved man before me, though I don't know when it happened.
Unlike the spirited young crown prince in the Crown Princess's memories, and unlike Shen Youying's first meeting, he possesses a different kind of captivating charm.
Shen Youying stared at him for a long time, then lowered her eyes shyly, trying to conceal her embarrassment as she adjusted the ornaments at his waist.
Xue Shen noticed and lifted her face: "What, don't you recognize your husband?"
Knowing that he was deliberately making fun of her, Shen Youying gave him a reproachful look, her eyes glistening with tears, but she pursed her lips and shook her head.
Xue Shen's Adam's apple bobbed, and he couldn't resist lowering his head to kiss her.
Shen Youying had already combed her hair and put on makeup. Xue Shen, afraid of messing up her hair, held the back of her head and kissed her tenderly and lingeringly. After a long while, their intertwined lips and tongues reluctantly separated. Xue Shen's thumb caressed the lip rouge that had smudged at the corner of her lips, and his voice was hoarse: "The lip rouge is smudged."
Shen Youying pushed him away somewhat resentfully from his chest: "Let go first, I'll go and take care of it."
Xue Shen smiled and licked away the remaining rouge from the corner of her lips, saying, "Zhao Zhao looks beautiful even without lipstick."
Shen Youying couldn't bear to hear any of this. She broke free from his embrace, went to the dressing table, took out her lip rouge, and carefully reapplied it.
After she had finished getting ready, the two of them rode together in a carriage into the palace.
*
Since it's a family dinner, naturally the whole family gathers together.
Apart from Prince Shou, who lived a secluded life after being disfigured, Emperor Cheng'an, the Crown Prince, Empress Zhou, and Princess Xuanci were all present.
When the two were led over by the eunuch, the family seemed to be having a casual chat, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. After Xue Shen and Shen Youying arrived, Emperor Cheng'an also waved his hand very kindly and gently: "Yuan Jin, come forward quickly and let me take a look at you."
Xue Shen bowed according to custom before stepping forward.
Emperor Cheng'an looked him up and down, his face bearing the kind smile of an elder, but the murderous intent in his heart grew stronger.
It was certain that Xue Shenshuang was disabled in his legs back then, but now, as he walks step by step, there is no trace of his former disability, which shows his firm and forbearing character.
They were able to endure the pain of being disabled in both legs, and even after their legs were healed, they remained silent and inactive.
No matter which aspect it was, it made Emperor Cheng'an deeply wary.
On the surface, however, he appeared greatly relieved and said, "If my elder brother were alive and knew that your legs had recovered completely, he would have far fewer worries. After I pass away, I would be able to give my elder brother and sister-in-law a proper account."
Xue Shen smiled and replied, "After my legs were healed, I held a religious ceremony at Chuyun Temple. Besides paying homage to the gods, it was also to comfort the spirits of my deceased parents. If they are watching from heaven, they are probably looking at us right now."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng'an's heart sank.
Admittedly, he was not afraid of ghosts and gods, otherwise he would not have kept mentioning his elder brother after murdering his brother and usurping the throne, but Xue Shen's words made him feel a strong sense of threat.
Clearly, he not only harbored ambitions to reclaim the throne, but he may also have known about what happened back then.
Emperor Cheng'an smiled and patted his shoulder, then picked up the wine cup in front of him and said, "Now, we should drink a cup together to toast my elder brother and sister-in-law."
Xue Shen readily picked up his wine cup. He clinked glasses with him, laughing and chatting, then turned to the silent Xue Heng beside him.
Xue Heng watched the two men getting along so well, like the closest uncle and nephew. His dark gaze lingered on Xue Shen for a long time before he raised his cup to clink glasses with him.
The three of them drank together in harmony. Meanwhile, Empress Zhou pulled Shen Youying to sit between herself and Xuan Ci, and chatted with her as if she were an elder caring for her junior: "I heard that the Prince's leg was healed by that Fire Cave Immortal using immortal magic? Is there really such a miraculous thing in the world? Tell me about it quickly."
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