Everyone’s expressions changed rapidly, it was no longer just a matter of looking uncomfortable, but rather about being frozen in shock.
The implications of Song Yalin’s words meant that she was declaring the child in her womb to be the future ruler of Yu State!
It is generally known that Princess Pingyang had only one daughter in the past six years. The Prince had never taken a side consort or concubine, hence his Royal Mansion had yet to have an heir. With the sudden news of Prince Pingyang’s death, Yu State plunged into significant chaos. No matter how strong Yu State was, without a leader, it would crumble. Fortunately, the Princess currently had high prestige within the army, temporarily maintaining the overall situation, which managed to stabilize the entire state of affairs in Yu State.
But who knew that today, Song Yalin would drop such a bombshell, blasting the calm lake into ripples of chaos.
"Damn it! If this woman gives birth to a son, won’t we have to obey her orders in the future?" Pei Yong, always straightforward, couldn’t help but curse in a low voice upon hearing Song Yalin’s announcements.
Still, he managed to retain a semblance of rationality and did not dare to openly insult her too harshly.
However, Pei Yong’s grumblings resonated with the thoughts of all the Yuzhou Army at this moment. That was why their expressions turned so stiff and ugly.
Let aside whether what Song Yalin said today was true or false, the mere fact that she had this child in her stomach could allow her to immediately establish a footing in Yu State. If she gives birth to a boy, even the Princess might not be able to suppress her. After all, a mother gains honor through her son. But obviously, the Yuzhou Army was "biased" towards the Princess. Having jointly defended Yu State, the entire army deeply respected her, and hence they naturally had strong aversions towards Song Yalin, especially since she was granted marriage by the Emperor!
If Yu State truly fell into her hands in the future, wouldn’t they be incredibly disgruntled?
The mere thought of this made the atmosphere even more tense.
Song Yalin seemed oblivious to the drastic change in atmosphere, shedding tears, "I didn’t return today for myself, but for His Highness. His Highness has passed away, but he is yet to leave an heir. This vast legacy of Yu State could potentially be destroyed because of this."
Upon hearing Song Yalin’s words, those who didn’t know the full story were almost moved to tears.
However, no one is a fool here. Who couldn’t guess why she had come back? Plainly put, she wanted to contend with the Princess for power using the child in her womb!
"Concubine Song, don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Who knows if you’re carrying a boy or a girl? You haven’t even given birth, yet you’re already thinking of succeeding His Highness’s title?" Someone snorted coldly.
Yet, Song Yalin lifted her head, "It’s a boy."
A commotion immediately erupted from the crowd.
The servant next to Song Yalin sneered with sarcasm, "The esteemed Doctor Xue has diagnosed that the concubine is, without a doubt, carrying a little heir! The concubine is indeed one of the most fortunate people. It’s not like those who occupy the nest but don’t lay eggs, thinking that all the women in the world can’t give birth to sons?"
Song Yalin stood in the carriage, one hand protecting her abdomen, looking down at the soldiers of Yu State Army and the masses who came to watch the excitement. She loudly said, "The little heir is here, why aren’t you making way? Has His Highness not yet been given a decent burial, and you’re already thinking of rebelling?"
Song Yalin’s reprimands indeed had a certain forceful presence.
But this presence was entirely reliant on the unidentified child in her belly, making her words seem incredibly deceitful.
Despite this, once Song Yalin’s words came out, no one dared to utter another word.
They exchanged glances, and finally, the general guarding the city gate pursed his lips, and with a solemn expression, raised his hand, "All of you, stand down."
The soldiers who were blocking the path dispersed, making way for Song Yalin.
If it were just Song Yalin alone, they would have the audacity to stop her. Given the current deep-seated hatred between the imperial court and Yu State, a concubine sent by the Emperor had no place to swagger into the city this crucial time!
However, Song Yalin was carrying the Prince’s seed! The people of Yu State held immense respect for Marquis Mu. Even if he were still alive, no one in Yu State would dare to harm his child, despite the fact that this woman was from the imperial court.
Moreover, what if the child she was carrying was indeed the Prince’s child left behind?
This was crucial! Who would dare to stop her outside?
Song Yalin smirked slightly, turned and went back into the carriage. The cavalcade then set off slowly under the gaze of the masses and entered the city gate.
The passersby all discussed in hushed tones, "This must be the side consort that was granted to the Prince by His Majesty over a month ago, right? She sure is impressive. After entering the Royal Mansion, she had been low-key to the point of being forgotten, almost making me think that she had a low-profile personality. But I didn’t expect that once she reveals herself, she would be this formidable."
"Humph! What do you know? Previously, she had no support, so naturally she didn’t dare to show off. Did you really think it was because the Prince was modest and restrained? If he was truly modest and restrained, would he let the side consort get pregnant as soon as she entered the mansion? In the end, it’s because the Princess cannot put up with the grit in her eyes. She is very powerful! This woman grantedby the Emperor could not be refused. So they let her into the mansion. But this Concubine Song must have seen the situation, she dared not to provoke the Princess too much, that’s why she had been low-key and inconspicuous. But now it’s different. She’s pregnant with child, and it’s rumored to be a boy, this isn’t a chit she can use against the Princess now? Naturally, she would reveal herself, ah, this woman is not simple!"
"Now that I think about it, I’m very uncomfortable knowing that this woman was granted marriage by the imperial court. Our Princess defended Yu State, personally led troops into battle, and defeated the enemy, whereas this woman was probably enjoying herself during the battle. Now that the war is over, she is brazenly returning. I feel really unfair for the Princess."
"I know right. If the power of Yu State really falls into her hands in the future, I’m afraid there won’t be many people in Yu State who will be at ease. However, I don’t think we need to worry too much. You should know that our Princess is not a pushover. Could she really let this Concubine Song do as she pleases? Let’s wait and see."
"Sigh, I don’t know whether our Prince is alive or dead. With the current mess in Yu State, I don’t know when we will have peaceful days."
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