Chapter 105 The Abandoned Eldest Daughter Makes a Comeback (29 chapters)
Shen Yunshu was well aware that going to the palace at this time would not be of much use.
She had seen this elder sister in person. Beneath her beautiful and captivating appearance lay a heart that was extremely indifferent to the Shen family. Observing her behavior, she was also very unruly and not someone who would be bound by ethics and morality.
“Grandmother, Mother, there’s probably more to the story behind Father’s imprisonment than meets the eye. We need to find out what’s going on first. Maybe we should send someone to investigate or see if we can get a chance to see Father.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Wu finally realized what was happening and said repeatedly, "Yes, Shu'er is right. Let's try to see my son first. He will definitely have a way."
She had blind confidence in her son, and Liu Ying was the same. In her mind, her husband was omnipotent. Rather than going to that wretched girl, she would rather go to her husband for advice.
"I will immediately go find someone and try to get into the prison to see the master."
"Then what are you still doing here? Get up and go!"
Wu urged him sternly, saying he couldn't wait a moment longer.
"Daughter-in-law will go right away."
Liu Ying was unwilling to be bothered by Wu's unreasonable behavior any longer, so she immediately turned around and left quickly.
For some reason, His Majesty ordered Shen Zhengde to be imprisoned in the imperial prison, but did not punish the rest of the Shen family. Their residence was not even surrounded, and they could come and go freely. This was one of the reasons why everyone had not yet completely fallen into panic.
I always felt it was just a temporary situation and not serious.
Liu Ying also successfully entered the prison and met Shen Zhengde. The process was exceptionally smooth and without any setbacks.
Upon seeing Shen Zhengde, Liu Ying's tears instantly flowed.
The prison cell was very simple and dirty. Shen Zhengde did not receive any special treatment. He lay on straw, his clothes were stained with dirt, and his hair was no longer as neat as before, but extremely messy.
Fortunately, there were no signs of torture on his body, which reassured Liu Ying somewhat.
Liu Ying called out affectionately, "Master, Ying'er has come to see you."
Hearing the familiar voice, Shen Zhengde sat up abruptly, took a few steps to the fence, and hurriedly asked, "Why are you here?"
Liu Ying wiped away her tears and choked out, "Master, the house is in complete chaos. Mother and Shu'er are extremely worried. We really don't know what to do, so we tried to come and see you. Master, what exactly happened? Why did His Majesty suddenly imprison you?"
Shen Zhengde frowned, his face grim, and said in a low voice, "The people from the Dali Temple said that Zhang's death was suspicious and suspected that I was the one who did it, so they detained me and forbade me to leave the prison until the truth is found out."
"What?! How did they find out?!"
Liu Ying gasped in shock, her face turning deathly pale.
"Shut up!" Shen Zhengde quickly reached out and covered her mouth through the bars, hissing, "Keep your voice down! Do you want to attract everyone in the entire prison?"
Liu Ying trembled with fright and nodded repeatedly.
Shen Zhengde slowly released his grip, glanced around warily, and only after confirming that no one was paying attention did he lower his voice and continue:
“Remember this: Zhang died of illness. No one harmed her. Her pregnancy and childbirth damaged her health, which led to her passing away so early.”
Shen Zhengde's eyes were fierce as he stared straight at Liu Ying. "If I ever hear you talking like that again, you'll be sorry."
Liu Ying shrank back: "I understand, I won't talk nonsense anymore."
"Then, sir, what do we do now? What if it really gets discovered..."
What an idiot!
Shen Zhengde glared at Liu Ying with annoyance, but still spoke in a very low voice:
“I handled it very cleanly back then. Except for Yu Mei, everyone else was silenced, so no one else will know.”
Upon hearing this name, a fleeting, distorted expression crossed Liu Ying's face.
"Master, could it be that Concubine Yu leaked this information?"
"Impossible," Shen Zhengde denied outright.
Leaving aside whether Yu Mei could survive if word got out about her betrayal, she also has a daughter, and for Yun Xuan's sake, she wouldn't lie.
The master trusts her to this extent!
A flash of ruthlessness crossed Liu Ying's eyes.
"Then, sir, who do you think did this? Zhang has been dead for so many years, who would still stand up for her and seek justice?"
Shen Zhengde said bitterly, "Who else could it be? It must be that wretched daughter, Shen Yunzhen!"
Previously, because of her, the Crown Prince openly impeached him in court, causing him to be suspended from his post and stay at home. Now that the wicked girl has entered the palace, His Majesty has turned around and thrown him into prison.
Speaking of Shen Yunzhen, Liu Ying was filled with hatred. "Mother even asked me to go to the palace to beg her before, but now the master is like this, and it turns out that she's the one who caused it. That damned bitch!"
Shen Zhengde shook his head: "There's no need to beg her, it's useless."
"Yes, sir." Liu Ying naturally had no intention of bowing down to that vile woman.
but……
"My lord, with her whispering in His Majesty's ear, he may not forgive you easily. What should we do?"
Shen Zhengde clearly understood all of this, and his expression was extremely gloomy.
He pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "There is a letter in my study, tucked inside the Analects. Find it and deliver it to the First Prince's residence. Remember, don't let anyone find it."
He could no longer sit idly by and wait for his doom; he had to find another way out.
Shen Zhengde had originally chosen the third prince.
The third prince is simple-minded and has no desire for power. If he can be helped to ascend the throne, he will be able to wield power without any obstacles due to his status as a maternal relative.
Unfortunately, all of this was ruined by that wretched girl. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince became her dogs. Now he can only choose the First Prince.
Fortunately, his preparations over the years have not been in vain. He has a lot of leverage, and he can gain many benefits by siding with the eldest prince.
However, it's far inferior to seeking refuge with the Third Prince.
Shen Zhengde felt deeply regretful.
"Alright, I'll have someone deliver it to the Crown Prince when I get back."
Shen Zhengde then instructed, "As for you, just stay at home and don't do anything rash."
"Don't worry, sir, I will definitely take good care of the family."
Shen Zhengde patted Liu Ying's hand: "Alright, you should go back and take care of things. It's not good to stay in the prison for long."
Liu Ying reluctantly let go of his hand and left the cell, turning back every few steps.
Upon returning to the Shen residence, Liu Ying immediately retrieved the letter and had it secretly delivered to the First Prince's residence.
After receiving the letter, the eldest prince pondered for a long time before ordering his carriage to be prepared and taken to the prison of the Dali Temple.
His carriage was very simple and unassuming, and his clothes were also inconspicuous, clearly intended to conceal his whereabouts. Little did he know that he had already been secretly observed by others.
The eldest prince had a long talk with Shen Zhengde in the prison cell. After returning to his residence, he consulted with his advisors until the lanterns were lit, at which point the advisors took their leave and went home.
Soon, a thick letter was sent to the palace and handed to Xiao Yuheng.
After reading the letter, Xiao Yuheng sneered and tossed it aside without paying it any attention.
The commotion in the court did not bother Shen Yunzhen, and no one in the palace dared to say a word.
Of course, it's also possible that they weren't actually missing, but were dealt with by Xiao Yuheng.
Shen Yunzhen's life in the palace was quite comfortable, not much different from that outside the palace. She remained unrestrained and happy.
Xiao Yuheng kept his promise and sent the actors that Xiao Chengxu had given her to the palace. He also added some more. These actors each had their own unique skills, which made Shen Yunzhen's life more colorful.
In addition, his frequent gifts of precious treasures and antiques kept her savings growing richer day by day. This comfortable life made Shen Yunzhen have no intention of leaving the palace for the time being.
Shen Yunzhen did not restrain herself just because this was Xiao Yuheng's harem, and did not confine herself to Lanyue Palace all day long.
There are several scenic spots in the palace that are quite beautiful, so she would visit them from time to time.
Perhaps Xiao Yuheng had intentionally instructed her to do so, because Shen Yunzhen never saw any palace concubines during her trip, as if they did not exist.
However, these restrictions only apply to ordinary concubines. Even with Xiao Yuheng's strict guard, the Empress, who is the actual power holder in the harem, can still find a sliver of opportunity.
After all, Xiao Yuheng had always focused his energy on the court and never concerned himself with the affairs of the harem. More than ten years was enough time for the Empress to cultivate many confidants and spies.
In the Imperial Garden, flowers bloom in profusion, their shadows dancing gracefully.
Shen Yunzhen leaned lazily against the soft couch in the pavilion. The couch had been specially brought over and was covered with soft brocade, which made her look even more charming and languid.
A maidservant gently fanned her, dispelling some of the autumn heat. Not far away, a musician's fingers lightly plucked the strings, and the melodious music flowed like water.
Just as they were enjoying themselves, a slight commotion suddenly came from outside the pavilion.
Shen Yunzhen raised her eyes slightly and saw a group of people about to enter the pavilion, but they were stopped outside by the people she brought.
The palace servants stood in a staggered formation, obscuring most of the group. Shen Yunzhen could only glimpse a corner of a magnificent robe through the gaps, its gold embroidery shimmering in the sunlight, exuding an extraordinary elegance.
A slightly sharp and stern voice rang out: "How dare you! Your Majesty the Empress! Get out of the way!"
Upon hearing this, Bihe stood up abruptly, instinctively about to go to greet her. But as soon as she lifted her foot, she suddenly realized what she was doing and quickly stopped, looking at Shen Yunzhen with a nervous and bewildered expression on her face.
"girl?"
Facing the Empress made her even more nervous than facing the Emperor. After all, when she was in the Eastern Palace, she had never interacted with the Emperor, but she had interacted with the Empress countless times, and she had a deep-seated awe for her.
Shen Yunzhen was a little surprised, raised an eyebrow, and slowly sat up.
The palace servants who blocked the Empress trembled slightly, but remained steadfast in their positions, without moving an inch.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Please forgive me, but you cannot enter without the master's permission."
Before they were assigned to Shen Yunzhen's side, they had been warned countless times that from then on, their only mistress was Miss Shen, and they had to obey her orders. Even when facing His Majesty, they could not back down in the slightest.
"How dare you, you insolent servant!"
The head eunuch raised his hand to push the person away.
A flash of anger crossed the Empress's eyes, but she said in a calm tone, "Yonglu, stop."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yonglu withdrew his hand, glared fiercely at the palace maids who had tried to stop him, and then retreated behind the Empress.
The Empress ignored them, walked past the palace servants, looked into the pavilion, and called out, "Miss Chen, I have come here today to see you. Would you do me the honor?"
His voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority.
Shen Yunzhen was a little curious about what the Empress wanted to say to her.
She slowly stood up, straightened her sleeves, and said, "Bihe, please invite Your Highness in."
Bihe quickly responded, walked briskly to the outside of the pavilion, and respectfully bowed: "Your Majesty the Empress, the young lady requests your presence."
The Empress nodded slightly and stepped into the pavilion.
She wore a magnificent phoenix robe and a golden phoenix hairpin, her eyes and brows exuding dignity and majesty.
As she walked in, the entire pavilion seemed to become even more luxurious.
The Empress had come with a degree of scrutiny and wariness, but when she actually saw Shen Yunzhen, she was stunned by her beauty and temperament, and was momentarily speechless.
Shen Yunzhen wore a plain-colored long dress. Her eyebrows and eyes were exquisite, clear and sparkling. Her skin was as white as snow, delicate and radiant. Under the gentle caress of the sunlight, she exuded a soft glow. She was ethereal and graceful, like a fairy who had wandered into the mortal world.
However, beneath this otherworldly purity lies a captivating charm.
With just a gentle gesture, it quietly entwines people's hearts, making them willing to fall into its trap forever.
"I wonder what business the Empress has with me?"
Shen Yunzhen spoke softly, pulling the Empress back to her senses.
The Empress snapped out of her daze, a mixture of undisguised amazement and complex emotions flashing across her face.
No wonder His Majesty and the Crown Prince are so infatuated with her; with such beauty, what man could resist?
As an empress, she had seen many beauties in her daily life, and as a woman herself, she thought she was already used to outstanding looks, but she was still captivated by her appearance.
The Empress composed herself, her tone gentle yet probing: "Miss Chen is indeed exceptionally beautiful; no wonder His Majesty favors you so much. But I wonder what His Majesty's plans are? If there are any arrangements, please tell me, so I can make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible."
Shen Yunzhen met her gaze with a calm expression: "There's no need for any arrangements. This is fine. I'm just staying in the palace for a short while."
The Empress was taken aback. "A short stay?"
“Yes.” Shen Yunzhen nodded. “Xiao Yuheng invited me to stay in the palace for a while, and I agreed.”
Upon hearing Shen Yunzhen address Xiao Yuheng by his full name, the Empress's expression became complicated once again.
She had been married to His Majesty for many years, but His Majesty had always treated her with politeness and distance. Before he ascended the throne, she called him "Your Highness," and after he ascended the throne, she called him "Your Majesty," but she never called him by his name.
Even so, there had never been a moment when she so clearly realized how special this woman was to His Majesty.
She was allowed to call him by his name, and even in the heavily guarded imperial palace, she was allowed to come and go as she pleased.
Yes, how could it not be special?
Before welcoming the person into the palace, he personally visited the entire harem, from the Empress down to the lowest concubine, leaving no one out, and gave each of them a stern warning.
After bringing her into the palace, they would send people to warn her every few days. She was even restricted from freely visiting the Imperial Garden. Whenever Miss Shen left Lanyue Palace, the concubines were not allowed to go out and could only stay obediently in their own palaces.
Therefore, even though the Empress was furious that the Crown Prince had been toyed with and then abandoned by her, she did not directly force her way into Lan Yue Palace. Instead, she took the opportunity to come and see her, and even now she does not dare to be too forceful.
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