The smile on Shen Zhizhang's face froze instantly, replaced by a deep look that was unfamiliar to Shen Yunjiao.
He lay back down on the wooden chair and waved his hand lightly, saying, "Daughter, your father is a little tired. Let your father rest. We can talk about this another day."
Shen Yunjiao naturally refused. She sat down on the wooden stool in front of Shen Zhizhang, placing her hands on her knees. "Father, tell me the truth. What exactly happened with the deposition of the Crown Prince?"
"What else could have happened? The Crown Prince was momentarily blinded by greed and colluded with the Empress Dowager's relatives, secretly exchanging letters. His Majesty discovered this and, in a fit of rage, demoted him to a commoner."
After his gaze lingered subtly on Shen Yunjiao's face, Shen Zhizhang picked up a cup of steaming tea, took a sip, and said nonchalantly, "Yunjiao, you don't need to care about the affairs of the court. Anyway, the Crown Prince's removal is only beneficial to the Shen family. Your father has already made plans in mind."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunjiao's expression immediately changed.
She looked up at Shen Zhizhang's still-sturdy and handsome face in disbelief, "Father, are you really in cahoots with Consort Shu, just as they say?"
"Them? Who told you that?" Shen Zhizhang's eyes immediately darkened.
He slammed down his teacup and demanded sharply, "Who is spouting nonsense in front of you? Prince Pei?"
Shen Yunjiao knew that Shen Zhizhang was a man who never showed his emotions and kept his thoughts to himself.
Seeing his intense reaction, I felt a chill in my heart.
"Father, didn't I warn you not to get involved in these power struggles within the imperial court? Didn't you know that—"
"Enough!" Shen Zhizhang slammed his hand on the table and stood up. He pressed his throbbing forehead and replied irritably, "I've told you before that a woman shouldn't interfere in a man's affairs, much less speak recklessly. I've been too lenient with you. You should go back and reflect on your actions. Don't come to pay your respects to me for the next few days."
As Shen Zhizhang waved his sleeve and turned to leave, Shen Yunjiao suddenly ran in front of him, opening her arms to block his way.
"Father, if you are in cahoots with Consort Shu, you should stop now."
Shen Yunjiao looked directly at Shen Zhizhang and raised her voice.
She was very conflicted, afraid that if she told Shen Zhizhang directly, she would expose her identity as a time traveler.
But if he didn't speak up, Shen Zhizhang's life would be even more in danger!
Not only will Shen Zhizhang suffer, but his entire Shen family will be branded as traitors and rebels...
"Father, I'm begging you, whatever your reasons for rebelling with Consort Shu, please stop now. If you stop now, there's still a chance to salvage the situation," Shen Yunjiao pleaded, her eyes misting over.
Shen Zhizhang had long been her family, and she didn't want anything to happen to him.
Shen Zhizhang gave his daughter a deep look.
Shen Yunjiao lost her mother when she was three years old and was frail and sickly from a young age. Shen Zhizhang loved her far more than he loved his other children. He would give her almost anything she wanted.
Therefore, her arrogance was mostly due to her father's indulgence.
Now she has grown into a graceful and sensible young woman, and she is becoming more and more mature, bearing a resemblance to her mother.
A wave of sorrow washed over him as he thought of his first wife, who had passed away many years ago.
He has already wronged Shen Yunjiao's mother, so why should he wrong Zheng Yuanyuan as well?
Zheng Yuanyuan ended up on this path because of him...
"Yun Jiao, your father has his own reasons for doing this. Don't try to persuade him anymore!" Shen Zhizhang replied cryptically.
“Father!” Shen Yunjiao took a deep breath and gritted her teeth, “Consort Shu has repeatedly tried to murder the Crown Prince. She is vicious and cruel. Such a person will not have a good end.”
"Say it again?" A hint of anger flashed in Shen Zhizhang's hawk-like eyes.
"Father, evil will be punished, and the wicked will be punished by Heaven—"
"Smack!"
A resounding slap echoed throughout the glass hall.
Shen Zhizhang's raised hand trembled slightly at that moment.
He couldn't accept that his own daughter had said Zheng Yuanyuan's fate was tragic!
Shen Yunjiao stood there stunned for a moment, her cheek burning with pain.
Father actually hit me?!
Is this still the same Shen Zhizhang who loves me dearly? What exactly is his relationship with Consort Shu? Why can't Shen Zhizhang take it after I've only said so much?
"Father, you..." Shen Yunjiao was about to ask when a dull pain shot through her chest, making her feel dizzy.
Her breathing became rapid, her cheeks flushed an unnatural red, and she swayed precariously.
This is a sign that you are about to faint.
That shouldn't be the case. I've been taking good care of my health lately, so how could I faint from just one slap?
The thought flashed through Shen Yunjiao's mind, but soon a more intense wave of dizziness struck, and she felt the world spinning around her.
Shen Zhizhang snapped out of his rage and realized he had actually hit his daughter. A wave of guilt and remorse washed over him. "Yun Jiao, I was just too angry and that's why I hit you. You—Yun Jiao? Daughter?"
Shen Zhizhang wanted to step forward to comfort her, but he saw that Shen Yunjiao was losing consciousness and falling straight to the ground.
"Yun Jiao! Someone come quick! Get a doctor!" Shen Zhizhang's pupils suddenly contracted, and he shouted in panic.
Everyone was shocked when they saw this. Not long ago, their master was always on his hands and feet and was now recovering. Could something bad have happened to him?
Thinking of the things that terrified her, both Lin Mama and Fu Xia felt heartache and panic, and Shen Zhizhang was also sweating profusely with anxiety.
Fu Xia and the others quickly settled Shen Yunjiao on the bed and then hurriedly sent someone out to fetch Doctor Li from the Four Clinics Hall.
Upon hearing this, Doctor Li stopped eating and was led in at a brisk pace. Before he could even catch his breath, Fu Xia invited him to the inner room to take his pulse.
Li Wei had long regarded Shen Yunjiao as a good friend with whom he could exchange medical skills. Now, seeing her pale and unconscious, he was naturally both scared and anxious. Moreover, with the powerful Prime Minister watching him, he was even more vigilant.
He cautiously placed his hand on the silk handkerchief covering Shen Yunjiao's wrist, his face covered in sweat.
The pulse is slow, weak, and feeble, like rain dripping from the eaves.
Miss Shen, is she poisoned?
Doctor Li hurriedly called over Fu Xia, who was standing nearby, "Little girl, what did your master take today?"
Fu Xia was taken aback. Just as she was pondering, Shen Zhizhang spoke coldly, "Doctor, why did my daughter faint?"
Doctor Li trembled in fright at his rebuke. He quickly replied to the Prime Minister, "Your Excellency, Miss Shen's pulse is slippery and rapid, and her heartbeat is very slow. It is caused by poisoning."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhizhang's brows furrowed deeply. "Didn't Yun Jiao spend the entire day at the clinic today? Why would she suddenly be poisoned? Fu Xia!"
When Fu Xia heard Shen Zhizhang call her name sternly, she was so frightened that she immediately knelt on the ground.
She cried and said, "My lord, the young lady rushed to the clinic as soon as she got up this morning, and has been so busy that she hasn't even had breakfast yet."
Suddenly, an image flashed through Fu Xia's mind.
"Wild raspberries! The girl ate wild raspberries!"
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