Chapter 108: Equal Wife
The next day, just as the sky was getting light, an imperial edict broke the morning tranquility of the Shen Mansion.
The eunuch who announced the decree had no expression on his face and only asked Chen He to enter the palace immediately to meet the emperor.
The air in the imperial study was so heavy that it almost froze.
The emperor sitting on the dragon throne had a face so gloomy that water could drip out of it.
The teacup on the table in front of him was untouched, obviously he had not slept well the night before.
"Chen He!"
The emperor's voice was not as gentle as usual, but instead was filled with suppressed anger.
"Do you admit your guilt?!"
Chen He bowed and said calmly, "I don't know. Your Majesty, please explain."
"Explicit?" The emperor sneered and slammed the dragon table!
"Bang!"
"What a clueless one!"
"If you hadn't insisted on marrying the Sixth Old Man at the birthday party, we wouldn't be in this situation today!"
The emperor's fury was practically bursting from his eyes: "And now! A 'Mars Lord' has reincarnated! A 'Heir of God' has descended!"
"I will also grant marriage to those two!"
"What have I become? A laughing stock in the world?!"
He was the king of a country, but he was fooled by a director of the Imperial Observatory and a woman in the harem!
Chen He lowered his eyes, but his mind was clear.
Xiao Jingren, ah Xiao Jingren, you have lost the emperor's favor for such a loophole-ridden game. You are so hopelessly stupid.
She slowly raised her head, her eyes clear as she looked directly at the emperor sitting on the dragon throne:
"Your Majesty, calm down."
"Your Majesty, now the whole city is saying that what is in Shen Jiao's belly is the god of war who has come to the world to protect Dayin."
"But if..."
Chen He paused, a hint of temptation in his voice:
"What if she can't give birth?"
"Or perhaps the one who was born wasn't the 'Heir of God' that everyone expected?"
When the emperor heard this, the anger in his eyes paused slightly, and then he narrowed his eyes.
"Huh, do you think I haven't thought about it?"
His tone slowed down a bit, but still contained a hint of annoyance.
"However, now the Queen Mother is convinced of this matter and has personally brought Chen Jiao into the palace to take care of her, asking about her well-being. No one else can interfere."
The Empress Dowager has always been pious towards matters of gods and Buddhas.
This time, Chen Jiao was given the title of the reincarnation token of "Mars Star God", and the Queen Mother regarded her as a treasure.
"Your Majesty," Shen He's voice was gentle, but with an unquestionable firmness, "Please believe me."
"My humble servant has a solution."
The emperor stared at Shen He with sharp eyes, as if he wanted to see through her.
After a while, he slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of fatigue and scrutiny: "Why should I trust you?"
Chen He smiled slightly, neither humble nor arrogant: "Because your majesty and I have the same goal."
There was a moment of silence in the imperial study.
After a long time, the emperor seemed to have made up his mind and heaved a long sigh of relief.
"Whatever."
He rubbed his brows.
"I will immediately issue an order to lift the Crown Prince's house arrest."
"Chu Yue," the emperor's voice regained some of the majesty of the emperor, "you will be appointed as the female doctor of the Medical Department, in charge of all matters concerning the female doctors in the palace."
"Zhou Yan'an, I will issue an order to promote you to the position of Chief of the Ministry of Justice. Let you gain some experience first."
Chen He's heart moved, and she bowed gracefully: "On their behalf, I would like to thank Your Majesty for his grace."
The emperor looked at her with a complicated expression, but a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth:
"Chen He, all the wishes you made at the birthday banquet have now been fulfilled one by one."
Chen He raised his eyes and met the emperor's gaze, a faint smile spreading across his lips, also meaningful:
"His Majesty."
"Now, that is also His Majesty's wish, isn't it?"
There was silence in the imperial study for a moment.
The king and his minister smiled at each other, and everything was said without words.
***
When Chen He came out of the imperial study, it was already bright outside.
The sun was high in the sky, dispelling the morning mist, but it could not dispel the haze deep in the palace.
She gathered her sleeves, her eyes calm and peaceful.
Although the conversation with His Majesty just now was thrilling, it also allowed her to thoroughly understand the thoughts of this emperor.
The chess game has been set.
Next, it depends on how each party makes its move.
She pondered for a moment and decided to go to the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace first.
Firstly, it is a rule to visit one's parents every morning and evening to avoid giving others a chance to criticize.
Secondly, of course, he wanted to test Chen Jiao's true strength.
After all, they were the "Mars Star Lord" and the "Heir of God" who were brought into the palace by the Queen Mother herself and looked after like the apple of her eye.
She wanted to see how Chen Jiao and Shan Zhuyu planned to continue the play.
Just as he reached the entrance of the Imperial Garden, a slightly gloomy voice came from behind him.
"Chen He."
Shen He paused and slowly turned around.
I saw the third prince, Xiao Jingren, wearing a brocade robe and standing not far away with a stern expression.
Behind him followed several eunuchs, all of whom lowered their heads and looked submissive, not daring to speak.
Chen He's lips curved slightly, forming a perfect arc, and he knelt down in greeting.
"This subject greets His Majesty the Third Prince."
Xiao Jingren snorted coldly, walked forward, and his eyes were like a poisoned knife, scraping across her body.
"After not seeing you for a few days, Miss Shen has become more patient."
The sarcasm in his tone was not concealed at all.
Shen He smiled slightly, as if she hadn't heard the malice in his words.
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness."
She paused, then changed the subject, her voice carrying just the right hint of surprise:
"Come to think of it, I haven't congratulated the Third Prince yet."
"Oh?" Xiao Jingren raised his eyebrows, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes, "Where does your joy come from?"
Chen He smiled brightly, but his eyes were clear, as if he could see through people's hearts:
"Of course, congratulations to His Highness the Third Prince. He is about to marry my second sister, the reincarnation of the 'Mars Star Lord'. He is also very happy to have a 'divine heir' arrive. The glory of the family is just around the corner!"
Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear and reached Xiao Jingren's ears.
Xiao Jingren's face darkened instantly.
"Chen He!"
He took a step forward and grabbed Shen He's wrist!
"Stop being so sarcastic here!"
His strength was so great that he almost crushed Shen He's wrist bones.
Shen He frowned slightly, but did not struggle, just looked at him coldly.
"What does your Highness the Third Prince mean? Could it be that... I am wrong?"
Xiao Jingren had a sinister look in his eyes as he dragged her towards the depths of the imperial garden.
“Follow me!”
The palace maids around lowered their heads, not daring to look any further.
When they reached a secluded place on a rockery, Xiao Jingren suddenly shook off her hand.
He sneered, his eyes filled with contempt and arrogance. "All your schemes and calculations will ultimately be in vain! I've thought about this for a long time. I'm afraid you still have feelings for me, so you're going to such great lengths to sabotage me and Gillian."
He suddenly sneered, his eyes filled with contempt and alms-giving arrogance: "Chen He, considering your infatuation with me, it's not impossible for this Highness..."
He paused, and spoke in a long tone, as if bestowing a great gift:
"...I will marry you as my co-wife."
"how?"
He looked at Chen He as if he were looking at a clown.
Chen He rubbed his red wrist, and everything became clear in his mind.
Yes, Xiao Jingren always thought that the child in Chen Jiao's belly was his.
It's so stupid.
A hint of sarcasm appeared on Chen He's lips. His voice was light, but like a needle, it accurately pierced Xiao Jingren's ridiculous self-esteem:
She tilted her head slightly and looked at him with a smile, a hint of pity and a hint of mockery in her eyes.
"Your Highness is so sure, the child in my second sister's belly is yours?"
“Sometimes, what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears may not necessarily be the truth.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingren's face suddenly changed!
"What do you mean?!"
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