Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1666 Informing Shen Zhinian

"...To be honest, Your Highness, besides paying my respects, I have another piece of good news to share with you today."

"Oh?"

Shen Zhinian feigned interest and asked, "What joyous occasion has made Madam so happy?"

Xia Lingshu smiled, her hand unconsciously touching her lower abdomen: "A few days ago, I asked the imperial physician to examine my pulse, and he said I am two months pregnant."

Shen Zhinian was indeed somewhat surprised, then her gaze fell on Xia Lingshu's lower abdomen, and she smiled, "Really? This is a very happy occasion!"

"The Shen family is about to have a legitimate son, which is a great blessing. Congratulations, Father and Madam!"

Xia Lingshu blushed even more and quickly said, "Thank you, Imperial Noble Consort."

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty has also been waiting for this for a long time."

The Shen family's illegitimate sons were all around her age. She knew that if she didn't give birth to a legitimate son as soon as possible to solidify her position, it was uncertain who would be in charge of the Shen family in the future.

With a legitimate son, the alliance between the Shen family and the Xia family will be even more solid!

As Xia Lingshu spoke, she seemed to recall something and sighed, "Speaking of which, I was so anxious back then that I even thought of going to Fatu Temple to ask for a talisman for granting children. It was the Imperial Noble Consort who privately suggested that the Guanyin Bodhisattva at Ci'en Temple in the suburbs of the capital was more efficacious. I listened to Her Highness and went to Ci'en Temple to pray for blessings."

Looking back now, it was truly a stroke of luck!

"If I had gone to Fatu Temple back then in my ignorance, I would have felt unlucky and uneasy if I had been involved in even the slightest scandal there."

Xia Lingshu understood that the Imperial Noble Consort's advice back then was not just a casual remark, but rather she knew some inside information.

But she wisely didn't ask any further questions.

A knowing glint flashed in Shen Zhinian's eyes.

Xia Lingshu was indeed perceptive.

"Madam, you flatter me."

"I only heard about it by chance. Ci'en Temple is quiet and secluded, and I thought it might suit your taste better."

"Now that Madam's wish has been fulfilled, it is due to her own good fortune, and it has nothing to do with where she went to pray for blessings."

The two exchanged a smile, their unspoken understanding unspoken.

After chatting for a while, Shen Zhinian noticed that although Xia Lingshu was still smiling, she seemed hesitant to speak.

She understood, and waved her hand, saying, "You may all leave now."

"Yes!"

Soon, only his trusted confidants remained in the inner chamber.

Xia Lingshu's smile gradually faded, replaced by a cautious expression. She leaned forward slightly and whispered, "Your Majesty, besides bringing good news, I have come to see you today because there is something that troubles me, and I feel I must inform you of it..."

Shen Zhinian remained expressionless and nodded slightly, saying, "Please speak freely, Madam."

Xia Lingshu took a deep breath and said, "These past few days, something seems a little off about some old matters related to the Empress in the manor..."

Shen Zhinian frowned slightly: "What's wrong?"

Xia Lingshu said, "Initially, he was a classmate of yours, who now holds a local position and is returning to the capital to report on his work. He invited you to a banquet."

"During the meal, he mentioned casually that when he was an official in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, he took his daughter to visit some famous temples and ancient monasteries. Some of these places were as famous as Fatu Temple."

“At that time, Fatu Temple had not yet collapsed, so he asked the master if he had ever taken any of the women in his family to Fatu Temple to offer incense?”

"At the time, the master thought it was just a casual chat between classmates and answered offhand. But when he talked about it with me afterwards, I felt it was a bit strange."

"Although that gentleman and the master were classmates, they haven't been in close contact over the years, and the matter he asked wasn't like ordinary small talk..."

Shen Zhinian's gaze sharpened slightly: "Only this one place?"

"more than."

Xia Lingshu shook her head and said, "In the following days, I noticed that two old nannies who had served the late Madam and were now living in luxury on the estate had unfamiliar faces visiting them or asking for directions."

"Try to find out if the late Madam ever took the Empress out to worship Buddha when she was alive, especially to temples in the capital. Or if she invited a high-ranking monk from the temple to perform a religious ceremony at home."

"There is also one of your childhood nannies who has long since left the capital. Her neighbor from her maternal family has recently been asked about similar matters."

At this point, Xia Lingshu paused, her tone becoming increasingly serious: "If you look at each of these things individually, they might be coincidences. But the fact that several things happened in succession, and that they all involved inquiries about whether Your Highness had any dealings with temples or monks in the capital before entering the palace..."

"I took note of this and instructed my capable manager to secretly investigate the background of those who were asking questions, under the guise of business dealings."

Shen Zhinian narrowed her eyes slightly: "Has Madam discovered anything?"

Xia Lingshu asked in confusion, "Your Highness, those people are quite cautious in their actions, and their backgrounds are all different. There are itinerant doctors, peddlers who go from street to street, and seemingly ordinary servants."

"But the way they gather information and the way they ask questions, upon closer examination, reveals an indescribable method. They don't seem like ordinary busybodies or private spies; they seem to have received some training."

"They hid very well, and my people didn't dare to follow them too closely, so we couldn't find out who was ultimately instigating them..."

Shen Zhinian lowered her eyelashes, concealing the turbulent thoughts in her eyes.

Is someone investigating her whereabouts before she entered the palace? Or is it related to the temple...?

Who is investigating?

What's the purpose?

Shen Zhinian could only think of one person...

"My Lady Imperial Concubine..."

Seeing her silence, Xia Lingshu spoke with concern: "In my humble opinion, this matter is by no means accidental."

"Those people are asking about old matters, but the timing of their inquiries suggests... that they are probably related to the recent turmoil. I am worried that someone might be plotting against Your Majesty."

Shen Zhinian looked up at Xia Lingshu, whose eyes were filled with genuine worry.

Her ability to perceive these things and promptly inform the palace demonstrates her keen awareness.

“I understand your concerns, Madam.”

Shen Zhinian suppressed the surging emotions in her heart and comforted her, "It's already quite remarkable that you were able to perceive these things."

"Madam, please pretend you know nothing about these things when you return. Also, please subtly remind Father that if anyone asks about my past, especially anything related to Buddhism or temples, just tell them the truth."

Anyway, she doesn't believe in Buddhism, and she has no dealings with monks.

Xia Lingshu respectfully replied, "Yes."

Shen Zhinian added, "The old servants in the mansion also need to be instructed to be careful with their words and actions."

"Those who are secretly investigating have not revealed their identities, so we should pretend we don't know them and not provoke them."

Xia Lingshu solemnly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I have remembered."

Shen Zhinian nodded: "As for the rest, I will handle them myself."

Xia Lingshu felt somewhat relieved to see that she was confident.

Next, she said some words of advice to the Imperial Noble Consort to take care of her health, and seeing that it was getting late, she got up to take her leave.

Shen Zhinian bestowed a generous reward upon him.

After Xia Lingshu left, Handan and Fuqu couldn't hide their worry.