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

Chapter 1319: Nian Nian always listens to Yu Lang

Nangong Xuanyu teased the Fourth Prince for a while, asked the wet nurse a few questions about his daily life, and then signaled the wet nurse to take the Fourth Prince, who had already started rubbing his eyes, to rest.

The door to the inner room was gently closed, leaving only the emperor and his concubine. The atmosphere became ambiguous and private.

Inside the brocade tent, the clouds and rain had just stopped, and the air was slightly disturbed.

Shen Zhinian lay on Nangong Xuanyu's solid chest, feeling his steady heartbeat, her fingertips unconsciously drawing circles on it.

She raised her eyes, her eyes sparkling with water, with a hint of laziness and charm afterward, her voice soft and gentle: "Yu Lang..."

Shen Zhinian rarely called Nangong Xuanyu like this, and every time he did so, he felt his bones go soft.

"Just now, when I was looking at Ah Xu, I suddenly thought, how wonderful it would be if I could give Yu Lang a beautiful and lovely little princess, so that we could have both a son and a daughter, and enjoy the company of our children."

Her words were full of longing for the future, like an ordinary wife who longed to have children for her beloved.

However, Shen Zhinian keenly noticed that when she said this, Nangong Xuanyu's arm around her shoulders stiffened for a moment.

The emperor was silent for a moment before he spoke again. His voice was lazily afterward, yet still sounded gentle: "You can't force things between children. It all depends on fate."

He raised his hand and stroked Shen Zhinian's long hair, his gesture intimate: "Now that I have Ah Xu, I feel very good. Nian Nian, you don't have to be too obsessed with this, just let it go."

Shen Zhinian's heart slowly sank.

In the past, if she had expressed her desire to have another child, this man would have been delighted and looking forward to it, if not ecstatic. He would even jokingly discuss with her who the little princess would resemble more.

It will never be like this...almost evasive attitude now.

This seemingly gentle phrase "let it be" may hide an absolute impossibility...

Shen Zhinian was almost certain that the silence in the harem for more than half a year was no accident.

Could it be... her guess is true?

Nangong Xuanyu actually knew about this?

Maybe even...he was the one who led it?

This thought made Shen Zhinian's heart sink suddenly, but he didn't dare to show it at all.

She buried her face in the crook of the emperor's neck, hiding the doubt and complexity surging in her eyes, and only responded softly: "Well... Nian Nian will listen to Yu Lang."

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

The candlelight was bright, illuminating Zhan Weiran's dusty but still straight back.

He knelt on one knee and reported the progress in the sky prison to the emperor behind the imperial desk in a solemn voice.

"...Your Majesty, Liu Shixiu has finally given in, unable to endure the torture. He has relented and expressed his willingness to reveal the names of all the Liu family's remaining spies and collaborators, as well as the property they have transferred and concealed over the years."

Nangong Xuanyu did not show much joy when he heard this, but just waited for Zhan Weiran's next words.

Because he knew that Liu Shixiu would never easily spit out everything.

Sure enough, Zhan Weiran paused and continued, "But he put forward two conditions."

"First, he wants to see my subordinate's sister-in-law, Lin Wan."

"Secondly... he wants to see the Imperial Concubine."

Nangong Xuanyu raised his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Oh?"

He could understand why Liu Shixiu asked to see Lin Wan.

After all, they were once husband and wife, but in the end, they ended up breaking off their friendship and becoming enemies. Given Liu Shixiu's narrow-minded and resentful nature, it is not surprising that he wanted to see his ex-wife again before his death to vent his resentment or have other ulterior motives.

But why do you want to see Nian Nian?

Zhan Weiran had clearly pondered the reason behind this, and replied cautiously, "My guess is...it might be related to the incident at Mulan Paddock."

"At that time, my wife's sister surrendered to the Imperial Noble Consort and provided crucial evidence, which accelerated the downfall of the Duke Dingguo Mansion."

"Liu Shixiu may be holding this grudge against the Imperial Noble Consort, or perhaps...he is trying to sow discord at the last moment."

Nangong Xuanyu's eyes darkened slightly.

The remaining Liu family forces were like poisonous snakes lurking in the shadows. They weren't a major threat, but if we couldn't seize them all, they would continue to stir up trouble and become a nuisance.

Liu Shixiu's confession is indeed of great value.

But, letting Nian Nian go to a filthy place like the Heavenly Prison to meet a heartless prisoner?

Nangong Xuanyu subconsciously felt unhappy and resistant.

"I understand."

There was no emotion in his voice: "You go and make arrangements with Lin Wan."

"As for the Imperial Concubine..."

The emperor paused, his tone clearly protective, "I need to ask her what she thinks. If she doesn't want to, then let it go."

"I don't need Liu Shixiu's confession."

He would never force Nian Nian to do something she didn't want to do just for the so-called list.

Zhan Weiran replied respectfully, "Yes, I understand."

He understood clearly that His Majesty protected the Imperial Concubine.

At this moment, the voice of Li Changde bowing could be heard from outside the palace: "Your servant pays homage to Her Majesty the Imperial Noble Consort. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health!"

Then, the palace door was gently pushed open.

Shen Zhinian walked in lightly, holding a small stew pot.

She was wearing an elegant palace dress of moon-white cloud brocade today, with only a jade hairpin in her hair. In the solemn Yangxin Palace, she was like a gentle touch of moonlight.

"His Majesty."

Shen Zhinian bowed gracefully and said softly, "I have stewed some bird's nest with rock sugar. It is very good for moistening the lungs and soothing the mind. Your Majesty has worked hard reviewing memorials. Would you like to have some?"

During this period, she would personally deliver food to the emperor from time to time to show her concern for his health.

Nangong Xuanyu's originally stern expression softened unconsciously when he saw Shen Zhinian come in, with a hint of warmth in his eyes: "It's so late, why did Nian Nian come here in person? Just let the palace servants bring it over."

Having said that, the emperor was obviously quite touched by Shen Zhinian's kindness.

Shen Zhinian smiled faintly and placed the stew pot on the corner of the imperial desk: "The palace maids are clumsy and I am worried about them."

"Besides, I also want to come and see Your Majesty."

After a few gentle words of concern, Nangong Xuanyu thought of what had just happened, and after a moment of hesitation, he said to Zhan Weiran, "You go down first."

Zhan Weiran bowed and said, "I'll take my leave!"

The emperor looked at Shen Zhinian and calmly stated Liu Shixiu's conditions before saying, "...This matter depends entirely on Nian Nian's wishes. If you are unwilling, there is no need to worry. I have my own way."

As Shen Zhinian listened, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and many thoughts flashed through her mind.

Liu Shixiu wanted to see her? This was interesting.

She also wanted to see with her own eyes how miserable the man who had repeatedly caused trouble was now. She also wanted to hear what tricks he planned to play before his death.

But Shen Zhinian showed no expression on his face. He just raised his eyes and looked at Nangong Xuanyu with clear and firm eyes.

"Your Majesty is troubled by state affairs. If I can help relieve your worries with this trivial matter, and in return provide clues to eliminate the remaining remnants of the rebels, I am willing to go."