Eunuch Huang handled the matter properly and went back to take a bath. When he returned to the imperial study, Emperor Yong was reading memorials.

He walked in crouching and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, everything is settled."

When Eunuch Huang said this, he carefully looked at Emperor Yong's expression.

Emperor Yong nodded indifferently, then suddenly remembered something and said calmly:

"Then after the daughter of the Sheng family enters the palace, she will be sent directly to Chonghua Palace. Although the second son has been confined, don't let him suffer. Send something over in private on my behalf."

Eunuch Huang buried his head deeply, with a myriad of thoughts in his mind for a moment.

He racked his brains on the way to the imperial study just now, and actually recalled a lot of past events.

One month before Empress Yu Liu was diagnosed with pregnancy, she did spend a lot of time in the emperor's bed.

According to the rules, a princess from an enemy country who came to marry a prince could not give birth to a royal heir, but the emperor doted on Concubine Yu Liu and never allowed her to drink contraceptive soup.

During that period, Empress Yu Liu also became docile, no longer showing the resistance and cold attitude she had when she first arrived.

The emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with an oriental pearl for the first time.

But just now, after listening to Di Zaiying's dying words, he seemed to be certain that the second prince was his offspring...

Eunuch Huang thought about it over and over again, but he really couldn't tell who the second prince's biological father was.

Having thought about this, Eunuch Huang no longer dared to think about it and just replied respectfully, "Yes."

Di Zaiying is dead, and there is no evidence to prove this matter.

If he rashly opens his mouth to remind her, considering the emperor's infatuation with Empress Yu Liu, he will be executed immediately even if he has served the emperor for more than 30 years!

At this moment, Eunuch Huang wished so much that he had not heard Di Zaiying’s murmurs before his death!

"Huang Pei, pass the order down, wait until the ranking of the Spring Examination is checked and then hold the Palace Examination immediately. This matter has been delayed for long enough."

Emperor Yong spoke in a deep voice.

"That Tan Hanchi is a talented person. I need to think about where to place him..."

————

Chonghua Palace.

The second prince was dressed in a white robe, sitting upright behind a long desk, holding a book in his hands.

Although he was under house arrest, there was no sign of annoyance on his face and he looked extremely calm.

Next to him stood a maid in palace dress. Although she had an ordinary appearance, her back was straight and her eyes were sharp. It was obvious that she was not an ordinary person.

"Your Highness, the palace has sent someone to pick up Miss Sheng. According to Sheng Mingcheng, after the brother and sister fainted, they woke up and appeared in the East Suburb Villa."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanbai put down the book in his hand and tapped the desk lightly with his fingertips, as if thinking about something.

The maid hesitated for a while, then asked, "Your Highness, where will Miss Sheng be placed after she arrives?"

When Shen Yuanbai heard this, a hint of impatience appeared between his brows.

"Just arrange for her to stay in the side hall. Since you're using her as a shield, you have to pretend anyway."

"You are responsible for her daily life. Don't let her leave the side hall on weekdays."

At this time, Zhou Bo walked in from outside the hall, holding a tray with a bowl of hot soup on it.

Shen Yuanbai frowned immediately upon seeing this, "Uncle Zhou, I've already told you that you don't have to do these tasks."

Zhou Bo was married here from the Northern Kingdom. He used to be his mother's personal guard and was truly devoted to him.

Although Uncle Zhou had messed things up during the last Lantern Festival and caused him to lose Zhucui Pavilion, Shen Yuanbai was reluctant to blame Uncle Zhou.

After all, when he was very young and had a hard time making ends meet in the palace, it was Zhou Bo who risked his life to take care of him and allowed him to grow up safely.

"Your Highness, I am worried about leaving your food and daily life to others."

Zhou Bo walked to the table with a smile on his face. Just as he was about to put down the tray, the maid beside him continued:

"Your Highness, there is one more thing. The northerner Di Zaiying who assassinated the Fourth Prince a few days ago was ordered by His Majesty to be chopped into pieces and fed to dogs today."

Crackling——

Without warning, Uncle Zhou trembled all over and couldn't even hold the tray steady, causing the cup of hot soup to fall directly to the ground and break into several pieces.

"Uncle Zhou!"

Shen Yuanbai stood up suddenly and hurriedly helped Zhou Bo to the side.

But what shocked Shen Yuanbai was that Zhou Bo's whole body was shaking violently, and his lips were turning white.

Shen Yuanbai was shocked and was about to call for the imperial physician, but Zhou Bo suddenly grabbed Shen Yuanbai's hand.

He turned stiffly and asked the maid in a trembling voice, "Liuyun, what was the name of that northerner you just mentioned?"

Liuyun was a little terrified and repeated in a low voice: "My name is Di Zaiying."

"He was hired by His Majesty to be the Fourth Prince's first teacher, but he suddenly had a fit a few days ago and tried to assassinate the Fourth Prince and Miss Qiao, but the Crown Prince arrived in time and caught him."

Zhou Bo's whole body swayed, and for a moment he was overwhelmed with grief.

It's him...

I haven't seen him for more than ten years. How come he is back in the palace? How can he be so stupid?

Shen Yuanbai saw the tears in Zhou Bo's eyes and his face became solemn.

"Uncle Zhou, is Di Zaiying an old friend of yours?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bo suddenly raised his head and looked at Shen Yuanbai, and asked quickly: "Your Highness, have you... have you seen him? Have you seen him?"

Shen Yuanbai shook his head in confusion. He had not been to the study room for a long time, so naturally he had never seen Di Zaiying.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bo closed his eyes and felt dizzy.

Never seen...

They haven't even met each other!

If the princess knew about this, she would be so heartbroken and regretful!

"Uncle Zhou, what's wrong with you?"

Zhou Bo rarely looked so panicked, which made Shen Yuanbai, who cared about him very much, a little anxious.

Zhou Bo knew that Shen Yuanbai was smart and was afraid that Shen Yuanbai would send someone to investigate secretly, so he made up a lie.

"Your Highness, that... that was an old friend of mine in the Northern Country. He was a close friend of mine. Now that I have heard the tragic news, I cannot calm down."

He really couldn't bear to let His Highness know the truth! This would be too cruel to His Highness!

"Your Highness, I am really fine. I just need to go back and rest."

Shen Yuanbai didn't have too many doubts in his heart.

Because Zhou Bo really had deep feelings for the North Country, when Uncle Liu, who came with him, passed away, Zhou Bo was sad for a very long time.

He sighed softly, "Uncle Zhou, please accept my condolences."

When Zhou Bo heard this, his whole body trembled violently and tears streamed down his face instantly.

The scene of that year is still vivid in my mind.

After the princess married Emperor Yong, she was always unhappy.

After discussing with Liu Xi and others, he risked his life, broke through layers of checkpoints, and secretly brought Di Zaiying in.

That night, all of them were in fear, but the lights in the hall were always on.

He knew exactly what had happened and just wanted the princess to be happy.

Soon after that, the princess became pregnant.

Although the Dog Emperor had forced the princess several times before, they all firmly believed that the child was Di Zaiying's!

That was the first time the princess smiled in the Yong Kingdom's palace. He felt sad but extremely relieved when he saw it.

At that time, he thought everything was fine and the princess could live happily...

"Uncle Zhou, let me help you go back and rest."

Shen Yuanbai's words interrupted Zhou Bo's memories.

He clenched Shen Yuanbai's hand and suppressed all the pain deep in his heart.

"No need, Your Highness. You are busy. I will be ready tomorrow."

Zhou Bo let go of Shen Yuanbai's hand and walked out with a staggering gait.

Shen Yuanbai looked at him quietly for a while, then turned around and coldly told Liuyun: "From now on, don't mention anything in front of Zhou Bo."

Liuyun was terrified and knelt down quickly, "I obey your order."