The others frowned and remained silent, unable to imagine who else could be behind this.
Suddenly, Song Xibai's brows relaxed, and he smiled, raising an eyebrow.
"It seems there's an unseen force operating in the harem. I wonder what their purpose is?"
Jin Xiang's face revealed a murderous aura: "What else could it be? They must want to harm the two young masters! His Majesty only has one son, the Crown Prince. If anything happens, the situation in the court and the harem will be thrown into chaos."
Jin Xiang has been following Yuan Shen around lately, which has broadened his horizons considerably, and he immediately hit the nail on the head.
"You can deal with that palace maid. See if you can get any more clues out of her."
"Yes," Jin Xiang replied, bowing his head. Then he asked, "Shall we continue the search of the palace?"
Song Xibai shook her head.
"This person is very capable. He probably already got the news and has taken care of everything. Even if we search again, we probably won't find anything."
"So we're just going to let him go like this?"
Wei Hong was indignant.
"They'll definitely have more schemes up their sleeves. Let's wait and see!"
Song Xibai had now completely calmed down and waved for Jin Xiang to leave.
The atmosphere inside Changqing Palace was tense, but elsewhere, people remained unaffected and immersed in the joyous atmosphere of the New Year.
After nightfall, Yuan Shen dragged his tired body back home. As soon as he entered the door, he asked about the two children.
"Your Majesty need not worry, the children are all fine."
Yuan Shen frowned deeply, his face showing worry: "Such a big thing, why didn't you send someone to inform me immediately?"
Song Xibai raised her hand and gently stroked his chest, looking at him with a serious expression.
"Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, the first day of the new reign title. If things get out of hand, it could be detrimental to His Majesty."
People are so superstitious these days!
If a major incident were to occur on the very first day of the new year, after a new emperor has just been appointed, it would not only affect Emperor Yuan Shen's prestige among the people, but also give the ministers an opportunity to offer various remonstrances.
Yuan Shen sighed, said nothing more, and hugged her tightly.
He used to only think about taking the throne from his father, but after he actually sat on the throne, he realized how difficult it was.
"Others only see how powerful it is to be an emperor, but you are different, my love."
After a long while, Yuan Shen finally spoke in a low voice.
That's right! He gets up earlier than the chickens and goes to bed later than the dogs every day, working year-round without a break, and even busier during the New Year. If it weren't for Song Xibai keeping a close eye on him, helping him relax, and having the kitchen prepare nourishing soups, Yuan Shen would have collapsed from exhaustion long ago.
Even with people in this state, those ministers outside still want to send women in every day.
Song Xibai once suspected that those people wanted to wear Yuan Shen down.
He has just ascended the throne and inherited a mess left by a fake emperor; there's really nothing he can do.
I just hope things will get better in two years.
Otherwise, Song Xibai was worried that Yuan Shen would suddenly die in the future.
Wasn't Emperor Yongzheng in his previous life so busy that he died?
Suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Song Xibai shook his head and touched the wrinkles between his brows.
"Alright! Don't overthink it, let's go check on the baby! By the way, you didn't know, Zhaojing was able to roll over today!"
Song Xibai smiled, took his hand, and led him toward the west side room.
At this time, the two children had just had their bedtime feeding and were not asleep yet!
When Song Xibai and Yuan Shen went in, both children were lying on the bed, trying hard to grab their toes.
As soon as the two entered, the wet nurse Qiao and the other servants in the room hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects.
"This servant greets Your Majesty."
Yuan Shen casually waved his hand and called out, then quickly walked to the bedside.
"Zhao Jing? Zhao Yan?"
He called out twice, and Zhao Jing immediately turned his head, staring at him with his big, dark eyes for a long time, as if trying to recognize him.
Song Xibai walked to Yuan Shen's side, put her right hand on his shoulder, and took Zhao Jing's hand with her other hand, pointing at Yuan Shen.
"Zhaojing, this is Father Emperor!"
Zhao Jing couldn't understand the meaning of the word "father emperor," tilted his head, and didn't react.
Song Xibai then took Zhao Yan's hand and helped him recognize people.
Zhao Yan didn't react at all.
Yuan Shen was somewhat disappointed.
He spends too little time with the children.
Song Xibai didn't say anything to comfort her. Instead, she bent down and approached Zhao Jing, took out a colorful cloth tiger, and helped her turn over.
"Zhaojing, come here~"
Zhao Jing's eyes lit up, and he reached out to grab it, but Song Xibai immediately moved away.
Zhao Jing couldn't catch it and cried out twice.
Yuan Shen asked in surprise, "Is she asking you to give it to her?"
Song Xibai chuckled and nodded, but refused to "give in," instead taking the cloth tiger even further away.
Zhao Jing frowned slightly, began to twist her body, and with a kick of her legs, flipped over in one go. Then, she grabbed the cloth tiger and stuffed it into her mouth.
"Ouch, you can't eat this."
Song Xibai hurriedly went to pull the cloth tiger.
Zhao Jing was unwilling to give in. She hurriedly reached out to protect her toys.
As a result, because he lost the strength of one hand, his head couldn't hold up and fell heavily.
Yuan Shen reacted quickly and reached out to protect her forehead.
Then, he picked her up in his arms.
“Our Zhaojing is really smart, just like me.”
Yuan Shen smiled and lowered his head, nuzzling her forehead.
Zhao Jing suddenly raised his neck, stared at Yuan Shen with his big eyes, and then suddenly rested his head against Yuan Shen's chest.
This intimate gesture immediately surprised and delighted Yuan Shen, and his heart melted instantly.
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