Shen Zhixian bled immediately after falling.
Naturally, the investigation could not proceed further.
The physician arrived quickly and said it was due to excessive fright, but fortunately the baby was saved.
The old lady sat in the outer room, her eyes filled with confusion and disappointment.
Actually, her last sentence was meant to deceive Shen Zhixian, but Shen Zhixian, feeling guilty, immediately gave herself away.
Shen Jiming stood in the center, hands clasped, seemingly wanting to speak but hesitating.
The old lady said blankly, "Even now, you still want to claim you didn't know anything?"
Shen Jiming smiled wryly, "Didn't you notice that Zhi Xian's every word and action is just like Princess Rongping reincarnated?"
Princess Rongping was none other than Jiang Zhixian.
The old lady shuddered.
Shen Jiming's face was filled with sorrow. "I come from a poor family and am not valued at home. Princess Qingping is of noble status, and it was originally my turn to marry above my station. She is marrying me, and although she feels resentful, I dare not complain. I used to think that her strictness towards Zhixian was out of deep love and a desire for her daughter to succeed. Later I learned that she was determined to have Zhixian enter the palace, become the Crown Princess, and even the Empress, to fulfill her lifelong wish."
The old lady's eyes widened.
Shen Jiming sighed softly, "From her name to her temperament, everything was carefully cultivated by her. Sending her to your side was also in the hope that she would have the opportunity to come into contact with the Crown Prince."
But how could the Empress tolerate the daughter of a woman who once tried to kill her getting close to her son?
Emperor Hongde naturally wouldn't allow it either.
So, despite both growing up in the Duke of Anguo's mansion, Jiang Shuman could enter the palace at any time, while Shen Zhixian could only be an obedient and sensible young lady by the side of the old lady.
“Zhi Xian grew up by your side, saw the world, became reasonable and sensible, and gradually developed her own opinions. She no longer wanted to be a puppet in her mother’s hands. Especially after she met the Imperial Advisor.”
The old lady had fully regained her senses and did not completely believe his words.
“I never taught her to claim credit for others. And if she was in trouble, why didn’t she tell me?”
Shen Jiming's expression turned even more bitter. "Zhi Xian's fear of her mother has been long-standing. Moreover, seeing that you are always controlled by Princess Qingping, how dare she complain about her birth mother in front of you? Wouldn't that be extremely unfilial?"
The old lady choked up.
She thought of Xiao Yitang.
Princesses usually live in their own princess residences after marriage, but Xiao Yitang and Jiang Zhixu were childhood sweethearts, deeply in love, and out of love for each other, Xiao Yitang was also willing to serve her as his mother-in-law.
At that time, their relationship with their mother-in-law was harmonious.
After Jiang Sixian returned to the capital, her daughter-in-law gradually developed a rift with her and even moved back to her own princess residence.
After the witchcraft case, Jiang Sixian revealed her true colors, and the old lady slowly realized that Jiang Sixian's previous confessions and displays of weakness in front of her were all an act.
It's just a ploy to gain sympathy.
It's laughable that she's led by the nose at every turn, completely at Jiang Sixian's mercy.
"As for claiming credit for someone else's work," Shen Jiming paused, then said, "that's also a misunderstanding. Back then, the Imperial Preceptor was down on his luck and almost died at the hands of Young Master Gu. Princess Yongle bravely rescued him and even took him to a clinic for treatment, which was a kind act. However, she left behind her personal keepsake, and at the time, Princess Yongle was engaged. If this matter were to become known, it would be detrimental to the princess."
The old lady fell silent.
She had always disapproved of Jiang Shuman's boyish behavior of wielding swords and spears all day long, and had also subtly advised Jiang Zhixu and Xiao Yitang to guide her more as parents.
But neither of them took it to heart.
When opinions differ, the only solution is mutual respect.
Seeing that her expression had finally softened, Shen Jiming continued, "That day, Zhixian was traveling with the princess, and the sachet was originally made by her, so she accepted it. At that time, the Imperial Preceptor did not yet have his current status. If it weren't for the princess's reputation, what else could Zhixian have gained by accepting this favor?"
The old lady couldn't answer.
"As for the fact that the two later developed feelings for each other, it can only be attributed to fate. I originally wanted to let them be together, but the county princess's temper..."
Shen Jiming hesitated, his eyes filled with deep helplessness.
“She won’t budge, and there’s nothing I can do. Zhixian is naturally aggrieved and heartbroken. She’s probably been holding back for too long and has rebelled for a moment, wanting to marry her sweetheart in this way. Although this move is bold and dishonorable, I really can’t bear to criticize her. In the end, it’s also my fault as a father who is incompetent.”
He spoke with such sincerity, clearly a victim living in the shadow of a domineering wife.
"If it weren't for the witchcraft case, Zhixian and the Imperial Preceptor would already be engaged. But Princess Qingping's conspiracy was exposed, and she was ordered to commit suicide by His Majesty, forcing Zhixian to observe mourning. Originally, this wouldn't have been a problem; she could have waited three years. But then she became pregnant... I couldn't bear to let her suffer the pain of miscarriage, so I had no choice but to send her to the estate to rest and prepare for childbirth. The original plan was to wait until she gave birth, the mourning period ended, and then the two of them could get married, and then bring the child back. Even if he couldn't be recognized as the legitimate son, he could be adopted. Who knew..."
He didn't say the rest.
The old lady understood.
Unexpectedly, she interfered and exposed the matter.
The old lady had been fooled so badly by Jiang Sixian that she had finally learned her lesson; even though his explanations were flawless, she still didn't dare to believe him completely.
"You go back first, let me think about this matter some more."
Shen Jiming said, "It's too late. His Majesty intends to marry the eldest princess to the Grand Preceptor. At that time, Zhixian will only have one way out: death. I only have this one daughter, and I really can't bear it. The best course of action now is to explain the situation to His Majesty before the imperial decree is issued. Before I came here, I sent someone to the Grand Preceptor's residence to inform him. The Grand Preceptor should have already entered the palace by now."
The old lady's mind wasn't as quick as those political players', and she couldn't think of a better idea for the time being, so she could only acquiesce.
**
Chang Le Palace.
After listening to Wen Zhixuan's account, Emperor Hongde frowned, but his expression remained unreadable.
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