sbdcsierra Chapter 1597 Father will come to see Ah Xu soon.
Chapter 1597 Father will come to see Ah Xu soon.
Even this small guarantee depends on the princess's status, not on her as a person.
Seeing that Princess Yun'an remained silent for a long time, her expression changing, Xia Yue panicked: "Princess, what... what's wrong?"
"Did I say something wrong?"
Princess Yun'an gently shook her head, closed her eyes, and forced back the tears welling up in them: "You're not wrong."
"Minister Gu... is a very good person..."
It was precisely because he was a good person that she felt even more regretful…
……
Yongshou Palace.
Shen Zhinian had also heard about what was happening outside, and was not surprised by it.
In my past life, before Princess Yun'an was married off to a distant land, everyone in the court said that the princess should prioritize the overall situation.
Only Gu Jinxiao, amidst unfavorable public opinion, stubbornly wrote a petition, strongly advocating that Princess Yun'an's rights be clearly included in the national document.
He wasn't doing it for Princess Yun'an, but for the principles of propriety and righteousness in his heart.
However, at that time, Shen Zhinian had not yet become a first-rank imperial consort, and had only vaguely heard that some ministers opposed it. She did not know the specific outcome.
The course of this life has changed, but Gu Jinxiao still fights for Princess Yun'an.
Shen Zhinian had no idea how much of a role this integrity could play in the vortex of exchanging interests.
At this moment, Yuanbao came in to announce: "Your Majesty, Xiao Huizi has arrived."
Shen Zhinian's eyebrows twitched slightly: "Let him in."
"Yes."
Soon, Xiao Huizi bowed and entered, respectfully greeting the Imperial Noble Consort: "This servant greets Your Highness, may Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
Shen Zhinian raised her hand calmly: "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine!"
Xiao Huizi said with a smile, "His Majesty sent me to inform the Empress that His Majesty will be coming over for dinner later tonight."
Shen Zhinian paused for a moment while holding the teacup, then resumed her normal posture.
She looked up at Xiao Huizi, a gentle smile blooming on her lips: "I understand. Thank you for making this trip."
Fuqu immediately took out a small silver ingot from her purse and handed it to Xiao Huizi with a smile: "Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Xiao Huizi."
Xiao Huizi thanked him repeatedly, said a few auspicious words, and then withdrew.
The palace doors closed again, leaving only Shen Zhinian and her confidant in the inner chamber.
Han Dan and Fu Qu exchanged a glance, both seeing worry in each other's eyes.
Han Dan, being rather impatient, couldn't help but lower her voice and call out, "Your Majesty..."
Fuqu frowned as well.
Since news of Consort Feng and Lady Chu's pregnancy spread, His Majesty has been preoccupied with affairs of state and the arrival of Xiongnu envoys, and has not set foot in the inner palace since.
Now His Majesty suddenly wants to come to Yongshou Palace...
In the past, this would naturally be something to be happy about, but now... Her Majesty is pregnant!
Her Majesty's pregnancy is still in its early stages and the pregnancy is not yet stable; this is precisely the time when she needs to rest and recuperate. If it were His Majesty…
Han Dan and Fu Qu simply couldn't bear to think about it anymore.
"Why panic?"
Shen Zhinian put down her teacup, her fingers gently tracing her still flat stomach. A new life was quietly growing there, the child she and Nangong Xuanyu had both longed for.
Shen Zhinian understands Han Dan and Fu Qu's concerns.
If the emperor were to arrive, she would normally be obliged to sleep with him. However, it is indeed not advisable to engage in sexual relations during the early stages of pregnancy.
But Shen Zhinian wasn't particularly flustered.
She could roughly guess Nangong Xuanyu's state of mind at this moment.
The scandal remains unresolved, causing me great distress.
His visit to Yongshou Palace was less about rekindling his interest and more about seeking solace and tranquility.
She was his constant thought, his emotional refuge.
At times like these, what Nangong Xuanyu needs is perhaps not physical pleasure, but mental relaxation.
Even assuming that man really is...
A glint of calmness flashed in Shen Zhinian's eyes.
She has her own way of dealing with it.
"I know my limits."
Shen Zhinian looked at Handan and Fuqu and said calmly, "It's a good thing that His Majesty came. It shows that he still cares about Yongshou Palace."
"As for serving me in bed... my current health is indeed not suitable. But you don't need to worry too much."
"If it really comes to that, I will speak frankly to His Majesty."
She guessed that when Nangong Xuanyu decided to have another child with her, he regained his ability to make women pregnant.
After that, he only stayed overnight at Yongshou Palace.
The child's arrival was perfectly timed, a result of the emperor's personal promise and his own efforts. He felt only joy and anticipation, and would never think of anything else.
This is precisely Shen Zhinian's greatest source of confidence.
After experiencing the humiliation of having his bloodline confused, Nangong Xuanyu conceived a child with undeniable timeline from the woman he trusted and loved most. For an emperor, this was not only the fruit of love but also a source of psychological comfort and proof.
This proves that he was not entirely deceived, and that there were still pure places in the harem.
Therefore, even if we confess now, the risks are far less than those of concealing it.
Of course, unless absolutely necessary, Shen Zhinian still wants to wait until three months later, when the pregnancy is more stable, before announcing the good news.
However, if circumstances force one to do so, it is acceptable to inform the emperor in advance.
Seeing Shen Zhinian's calm expression, Handan and Fuqu were relieved: "Yes."
The Empress has always had her own ideas.
Shen Zhinian said, "Tell the kitchen to prepare a few of His Majesty's favorite dishes, and make sure the soup is well-seasoned."
"Your Majesty has been busy these past few days and has probably not been able to eat properly."
"Add some calming styrax to the hall."
Han Dan and Fu Qu quickly split up to prepare: "Yes!"
The arrival of Nangong Xuanyu is also an opportunity for Shen Zhinian to observe his true inner state.
How is the investigation into the Chu family's matter going?
What are his plans regarding Consort Feng?
Which side did he favor in the marriage alliance with the Xiongnu?
Many questions may be answered in tonight's conversation.
As dinner time approached, Yongshou Palace was already fully prepared.
The palace lanterns under the corridor have all been lit.
The inner room was warm and cozy, with charcoal burning in the fire.
Shen Zhinian changed into a begonia-red velvet casual outfit, with a moon-white vest trimmed with silver threads over it. Her hair was loosely tied up and adorned with only a translucent mutton-fat jade hairpin.
Her makeup was also much lighter than usual, which made her skin look even more radiant.
She held the fourth prince's little hand and waited in front of the main hall.
The fourth prince wore a sapphire blue brocade robe, and his fair and lovely face was visible under his tiger-head hat. His big, black grape-like eyes were wide open, and he was looking curiously in the direction of the palace gate.
He is almost two years and five months old, and can already run and jump steadily and speak in complete sentences.
The fourth prince looked up and asked in a childish voice, "Mother, is Father coming?"
Shen Zhinian bent down, straightened his clothes, and said softly, "Yes, Father will come to see A-Xu soon."
Just then, Li Changde's announcement came from outside the hall: "His Majesty has arrived—!!!"
Nangong Xuanyu's figure appeared in the interplay of light and shadow.
He wore a bright yellow dragon robe with a black fox fur coat over it, and a lingering gloom hung between his brows.