The moment these words left his mouth, everyone present, including the Empress Dowager, was startled.

The Emperor’s expression grew grave, his gaze fixed on Prince Xi as he said in a deep voice, “My brother is a Prince of the realm—choose your words carefully.”

“If this humble brother did not have solid evidence, he certainly wouldn’t dare say such things.” Prince Xi smiled and cupped his hands. “This humble brother happened to find Prime Minister Hua’s wet nurse, and learned some rather extraordinary things. After investigation and verification, having gathered a great deal of related information, only then did he dare reach this conclusion.”

It took the Empress Dowager a long moment to recover, her lips trembling slightly. “Everyone else, withdraw first!”

The Emperor’s eyes flickered with hidden light. “No need to withdraw. Everyone wait in the side hall of Huiming Hall. Zichong, lead the way.”

Present besides the Empress Dowager, the Prince, and the Emperor were a number of palace maids and consorts. Upon hearing Yuwen Xi’s words, everyone’s feelings grew complicated, and hearing the Emperor’s order, a sense of foreboding immediately settled over them.

The Emperor hadn’t even determined whether it was true or false, and already wanted to seal it off?

“Mother.” Prince Xi frowned slightly. “This matter should be heard by everyone—why make the others withdraw?”

“This is a matter of great importance.” The Empress Dowager’s expression turned serious. “If there’s been a misunderstanding, what you’ve said today alone is enough to harm a Prime Minister who has served the nation loyally all this time. And if it’s not a misunderstanding, this is an earth-shattering calamity—before the Emperor makes his decision, it shouldn’t be allowed to spread and become the subject of gossip!”

Yuwen Xi curved his lips, laughing softly. “Does Mother truly believe that, or is she, like Imperial Brother, simply trying to shield Prime Minister Hua?”

The Empress Dowager was somewhat angered. “What reason would I have to shield the Prime Minister?”

Prince Xi looked up, glancing at his mother, understanding clear in his eyes.

There were things from years past that he too knew about—the covered-up scandals of the imperial family, the story connected to the Empress Dowager and Hua Zhengrong. As for why she’d always protected Prime Minister Hua and the Hua family so fiercely, he could say, if he wanted to.

Empress Dowager Ning startled, her brow furrowing, and she turned her head away.

The atmosphere grew strange, the two sides at a standstill, when suddenly someone stepped in from outside: “Western Xia envoy Yang Yuanchen, here to pay respects to the Empress Dowager!”

His pupils contracting slightly, Yuwen Jie instinctively waved his hand, and Huo Zichong beside him flew over to block the envoys at the door.

“The Emperor and Empress Dowager are discussing important matters—please, envoys, hold your steps.”

“This subject has a matter of great importance to report!” Yang Yuanchen shouted loudly toward the inside. “Though this subject is a minister of Western Xia, he is also subordinate to Great Liang. Now that this subject has learned someone has been deceiving His Majesty, he simply cannot help but report it!”

It’s over.

Yuwen Jie felt the thing in his chest sinking uncontrollably. He opened his mouth to say something, but his mind only roared with a deafening sound.

Vicious as Yuwen Xi was, he’d actually gone so far as to join forces with foreigners just to bring about Hua Jinghua’s death.

What could he do? What should he do now?

For the first time, the Emperor felt utterly powerless. With Hua Jinghua not by his side, there wasn’t even anyone he could consult. With this sudden turn of events, he was genuinely so agitated he couldn’t think of a solution.

“Let them in.” Prince Xi called out.

Huo Zichong didn’t budge, but turned to look at the Emperor.

The Emperor closed his eyes, saying nothing.

He startled, his grip loosening slightly, and several envoys rushed straight in.

“Prime Minister Hua is a woman!” Yang Yuanchen declared the moment he entered. “As far as this subject knows, women of Great Liang are forbidden from serving as officials at court. Prime Minister Hua has disguised herself as a man to deceive His Majesty, and has also bullied the envoys—this is truly an unforgivable crime!”

“We beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to see clearly—this Prime Minister harbors ill intentions and should be thoroughly investigated!”

“If she has indeed committed the crime of deceiving the sovereign, we beg Your Majesty to punish the Prime Minister severely!”

Each of them was eager for revenge—if not for Hua Jinghua, they wouldn’t have been pushed step by step to such a desperate situation. Every envoy felt that Hua Jinghua was the most formidable person in Great Liang; without him, the matter of the gold mines might still have room to turn around.

The Emperor still said nothing, and the Empress Dowager stared blankly at the crowd kneeling below, at a loss.

“Things have come to this point—it can’t be concealed any longer.” Yuwen Xi said gravely. “Might as well summon Prime Minister Hua into the palace and confront her face to face.”

Even the foreign envoys knew now—if this matter wasn’t handled quickly, Great Liang would lose all face.

“Go and summon Prime Minister Hua into the palace.” Yuwen Jie lowered his eyes and gave the order.

Huo Zichong at the door acknowledged and hurried out.

Hua Chun was in the residence having someone check Qing Niao’s pulse. The physician, brought in from outside, had examined her several times and still said, “It is indeed a pulse of pregnancy.”

“Thank you for your trouble, doctor.” Hua Chun nodded, having Pin Tan see him out, then looked at Qing Niao and said, “I will take good care of you.”

Qing Niao nodded, reaching out to hold her hand. For some reason, her expression looked tense and uneasy.

Just as Hua Chun was about to ask what exactly she was worried about, a group of guards rushed in from outside, led by Huo Zichong.

“Prime Minister.” He said, his face full of concern. “His Majesty requests that you come into the palace immediately.”

Hua Chun startled, looking at him and asking, “What’s so serious? I took a leave of absence today.”

“The situation is urgent. You must come in person.” Huo Zichong cupped his hands. “Please!”

She glanced at Qing Niao with some difficulty, about to say something conciliatory and apologetic, when Qing Niao stood up and said, “This concubine will go with you into the palace.”

Huh? Hua Chun quickly shook her head. “You’re pregnant! With all the jostling of the carriage ride, what if it disturbs the pregnancy?”

Huo Zichong startled, glancing at Qing Niao in disbelief.

Qing Niao smiled, saying gently, “It won’t. This concubine’s body is quite well. Today I simply don’t want to be apart from my lord—can my lord grant me this?”

Thinking it over, Hua Chun looked at Huo Zichong. “Can I bring my wife along?”

The latter nodded blankly, for some reason looking a bit dazed.

And so Prime Minister Hua and his wife entered the palace together.

Huo Zichong had originally wanted to give Prime Minister Hua some warning, to let him mentally prepare himself, but he’d been so shaken by the news of Madam’s pregnancy that no matter how many times Hua Chun asked what was going on, he could only stammer without managing to explain clearly.

Huiming Hall was bustling with activity—many people, a strange atmosphere, palpable the moment one stepped through the door.

Hua Chun frowned, bringing Qing Niao forward with her to bow in greeting. “This official pays respects to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager.”

Yuwen Jie and Empress Dowager Ning looked at the person before them, and neither of them told her to rise.

She found this rather odd, looking up at them.

“Why has Prime Minister Hua brought his wife along?” the Empress Dowager spoke, her tone also quite complicated. “This is the first time.”

Hua Chun smiled, explaining, “My wife discovered she was pregnant yesterday, and today she couldn’t bear to be apart from me. Out of necessity, this official brought her along, and it happens to be a good opportunity to thank Your Majesty for arranging our marriage.”

Pregnant?!

Prince Xi paused, narrowing his eyes slightly. “Has a physician examined her?”

“Her pulse was just checked a moment ago.” Hua Chun turned to look at him. “Why is the Prince so concerned about my wife as well?”

Prince Xi fell silent, glancing behind him, and immediately someone went to fetch the imperial physician.

Looking at Hua Jinghua’s expression, he clearly didn’t yet know what was happening—but the fact that he’d brought a pregnant woman along seemed almost like he’d come prepared.

What was going on here?

“Qing Niao was given to you by the Marquis of Gongyu.” The Emperor spoke, his voice inexplicably hoarse. “So she would never betray you, correct?”

Looking at him curiously, Hua Chun nodded. “Qing Niao is virtuous and well-suited to household matters—naturally she would never betray this official.”

“So then, this child is yours?”

“Indeed.”

Recovering somewhat, Yuwen Jie nodded, and when the physician arrived, gestured for Qing Niao to extend her hand for the pulse examination.

Qing Niao’s expression was somewhat tense, an air of unease enveloping her; with one hand she gripped Hua Chun’s, extending the other to the physician.

The Empress Dowager leaned forward, watching nervously. The consorts and envoys beside her also widened their eyes.

“Congratulations, Prime Minister. Your esteemed wife is indeed one month pregnant.” After about half a stick of incense’s time, the physician said with a smile. “Congratulations, congratulations.”

Hua Chun nodded, looking around blankly.

Everyone’s expressions around her were quite something—red, green, blue, white, all sorts, like a revolving lantern.

“Now may this official ask what exactly has happened?”

The Emperor’s expression finally returned to normal. He looked deeply at Qing Niao, his gaze settling on her, and said, “Prince Xi and the Western Xia envoys have jointly accused you, Prime Minister, of disguising yourself as a man and deceiving the sovereign.”

“Huh?” Hua Chun was startled, but fortunately she’d anticipated such a scenario beforehand, and her acting skills immediately went into overdrive as she stood up and said angrily, “This official may be delicate of build like a woman, but should not be slandered like this! It’s one thing for ignorant people to talk nonsense, but has even Prince Xi been taken in by such rumors?”

Yuwen Xi looked at her quietly and said, “Your wet nurse, Jixiang, is waiting outside.”

“Oh?” Hua Chun smiled calmly. “Do you mean the wet nurse who, when my mother kindly let her retire to the countryside, stole treasures from the Hua residence and fled the capital? I’ve been looking for her for a long time—thank you, Prince.”

What had been a hundred percent certainty in his heart began to waver at seeing Hua Jinghua’s reaction like this, and Yuwen Xi couldn’t help but start doubting himself again.

Could it be that he’d been deceived by that wet nurse working together with Hua Liuying?

“Bring the wet nurse in.” The Empress Dowager said gravely.

Hua Chun turned around and saw a timid-looking peasant woman enter, dressed rather finely, with ordinary features and somewhat plump, her eyes darting around like a thief.

“This commoner pays respects to all the lords.”

The Emperor glanced at her twice, then looked at Hua Jinghua. “Are you certain this is your wet nurse?”

Hua Jinghua shook her head. “My wet nurse left when this official was very young; this official has no impression of her. And my mother is not currently in the capital, so there’s really no way to confront her for confirmation.”

“That’s simple enough.” Prince Xi smiled. “Aren’t there other people from the Hua residence? Bring them into the palace to identify her.”

“No need.” Hua Chun cut him off, her expression grim, and stood up. “Hasn’t the Prince been fixated on the matter of whether this official is male or female all along? This is actually quite simple to prove. This official is willing, in front of everyone here, to strip and be examined on the spot!”

The Emperor frowned. “Prime Minister.”

“Your Majesty need not say more!” Hua Chun’s expression was furious as she looked at Prince Xi. “This official hasn’t finished. The Prince keeps insisting on whether this official is male or female—if these clothes come off and this official turns out to be a woman, this official is willing to bear all consequences. But what if not?”