Shen Shi and Shen Yu escaped this calamity because of their status as princes.
Calls for the removal of the crown prince are growing louder and louder in the court and among the public.
The consensus among the court and the public was that those with royal blood were not fit to be the crown prince.
However, Empress Wang's death caused Shen Tunan to feel a pang of guilt, which temporarily preserved Shen Yu's position as crown prince.
Two years later, the fourth prince, Shen You, died in an accident after falling from his horse.
Once all the evidence pointed to Shen Yu, his position as crown prince was immediately revoked.
During the search of the Crown Prince's residence, a host of charges were uncovered, including stealing a yellow robe and showing great disrespect to the Emperor. It seems that when one is determined to find fault, one can always find a pretext.
Enraged, Shen Tunan exiled Shen Yu to the Northwest.
This gave Shen Yu and his uncles the opportunity to reunite, and they, relying on the remaining prestige of the Marquis of Zhenbei, raised an army of tens of thousands of people.
Just as he was preparing to return to the capital to seek revenge, news arrived that Shen Tunan had been dethroned, and the unknown Gu Yuanbai became emperor.
This was inseparable from the support of the Qiang Kingdom, and at this time Mu Tu had become the king of the Qiang Kingdom.
How ironic that a puppet controlled by the Qiang state became the emperor of the Qi state.
It's a pity that Marquis Zhenbei has taken the blame for Gu Yuanbai, bearing the infamy of treason and collusion with the enemy.
At this time, Shen Shi was still imprisoned in the deep palace.
Shen Yu, stationed at the border, decided to raise an army to kill Gu Yuanbai for the safety of his younger brother and for the people of Daqi.
To restore righteousness to the world and to restore the honor of heroes.
Everything from his past life played out in Shen Shi's mind like a movie, the final image freezing on the moment he fell to his death.
The grand assembly was in ten days, and to ensure everything went smoothly, Shen Shi was extremely busy.
On this day, Chen Shi was at Yanxi Palace, having lunch with Empress Wang. The mother and son hadn't seen each other for several days.
As a mother, Empress Wang keenly sensed the unusual behavior of her two children and was extremely flustered.
After dismissing the servants, Empress Wang looked like a helpless child, pulling at Chen Shi and talking incessantly.
"Shi'er, your mother has been feeling anxious lately, especially yesterday. I dreamt that you fell from the city wall. I tried to reach out and grab you, but I couldn't touch you no matter what I did!"
As she spoke, she recalled that terrible scene again, and Empress Wang felt an overwhelming pain in her heart, her eyes gradually welling up with tears.
Afraid of upsetting the child, she quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe it.
"Mother!"
Seeing his heartbroken mother, Shen Shi panicked and frantically tried to comfort her, saying, "No, it's just a dream!"
No one knows a child better than their mother.
Seeing Chen Shi's attitude, Empress Wang immediately knew that something big was about to happen.
A mother's biggest worry is the safety of her children, but this worry should not become an obstacle on their journey of flight.
"Shi'er, always prioritize your own safety and don't worry your mother." After wiping away her tears, Empress Wang lovingly stroked Chen Shi's face.
Empress Wang was the only person who made him feel maternal love, and Shen Shi had long regarded her as his mother.
"Mother, I promise you, we will all be safe and sound," Shen Shi said with a firm gaze.
The son who once cried in his swaddling clothes has grown into a strong and upright man.
"Good child." Empress Wang smiled with satisfaction.
After leaving Yanxi Palace, a thousand thoughts flashed through Shen Shi's mind.
"Don't follow me anymore." Chen Shi, wanting to be alone for a while, waved away his attendants.
Wandering aimlessly, I unknowingly arrived at the cool pavilion.
"Greetings, Fifth Prince," said the beautiful woman in the cool pavilion softly.
The maids behind her also bowed and said, "This servant greets the Fifth Prince!"
This beautiful woman was actually an informant, working for his eighth uncle, Prince Huai.
The Prince of Huai had long coveted the throne, and there were three or four of his concubines in the harem, but these women were all short-lived.
Only this Lady Ying received the emperor's exclusive favor every day after entering the palace, even surpassing that of Consort Zhang.
Unfortunately, his uncle was too slow and hesitated, missing the opportunity to make a move.
Thinking of this, Shen Shi smiled at Ying Meiren.
"Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities. What brings you here?" she asked, looking at the basket in her hand with a puzzled expression.
Seeing his interest, Sakura tilted the basket towards him and explained, "These are mimosa flowers I collected to make sachets."
"Your Highness is so elegant," Shen Shi exclaimed, taking two steps forward.
Where the maid couldn't see, Asaka made a few hand gestures.
Upon seeing this, Sakura panicked instantly.
How could the Fifth Prince know the code they used to transmit information while undercover?
“I also really like these mimosa flowers. Would Lady Ying be willing to help you make this happen?” Shen Shi asked, looking at her.
When he realized that the old man's true intention was not in the wine, he was actually drunk.
"Of course!" After thinking for a moment, Sakura handed over the basket in her hand.
After taking it, Chen Shi tapped the basket handle lightly with his fingers a few times.
Sakura Beauty realized he meant, "I'm waiting for your good news!"
After nodding, Shen Shi turned and left.
Upon reaching the outside of Guangyang Palace, Shen Shi immediately sensed that something was amiss.
Why is it so quiet, there's not a sound at all?
Hesitantly, he went inside and saw the chief eunuch beside Shen Tunan standing on the steps, holding the imperial edict.
Shen Shi was startled. Could it be...?
"Fifth Prince, you've finally returned! Quickly receive the imperial decree!" Eunuch Wang said in a high-pitched voice.
He broke out in a cold sweat and knelt down, saying, "Shen Shi, accept the imperial decree!"
The servants of Guangyang Palace also knelt down.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Fifth Prince, Shen Shi, is virtuous and cautious by nature, diligent and studious, gentle and pure, with a mild temperament and virtuous character. He is hereby conferred the title of Prince Rong."
After reading the document, Eunuch Wang, beaming with delight, said obsequiously, "Congratulations, Fifth Prince! You will be the Prince of Rong from now on, the first among all princes to achieve this!"
Shen Tu Nan bestowed upon him the title of Prince? Judging from Eunuch Wang's words, Shen You didn't even receive that.
"Thank you, Eunuch Wang." Shen Shi accepted the bright yellow imperial edict with both hands, and only after examining it carefully did he dare to confirm that it was real.
But why?
Everyone knows the current situation: Shen Tunan is about to take action against the Wang family, but he has sealed himself off at this critical juncture.
Is it to appease or to numb?
After giving a handful of golden melon seeds as a reward and seeing Eunuch Wang off,
The entire Guangyang Palace rejoiced: "Congratulations, Prince Rong! Congratulations, Prince Rong!" Everyone offered their congratulations in unison.
Qingyu's voice was the loudest among them.
"Alright, pass on my order: all those in Guangyang Palace shall be rewarded with three months' salary." Looking at the rewards sent along with the imperial edict of promotion, Shen Shi spoke generously.
The laughter in Guangyang Palace grew louder and louder.
Unable to figure out what Shen Tunan intended, Shen Shi simply stopped thinking about it.
Anyway, we're supposed to go express our gratitude tomorrow, so we'll find out something about it then.
The next morning, Shen Shi set off for the Qianqing Palace. The court session had not yet ended, and he was arranged to wait in a side hall.
Perhaps due to the overwhelming amount of work, Shen Shi sat in the side hall for quite some time before a eunuch came to announce his arrival.
"Prince Rong, His Majesty invites you in."
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