“Sister…” Shen Xihe rushed to the scene immediately. Upon seeing her, Shen Yingruo called out softly before lowering her head in shame.
“Zhenzhu, go inside with Axi and check,” Shen Xihe commanded.
After the incident, An Zhengyi’s injuries were too severe to move her, so she was carried to the nearest rest pavilion with a viewing area. The Imperial Physician and Shen Xihe arrived nearly simultaneously, having just gone inside.
Shen Xihe glanced at her and said simply: “Don’t worry.”
After these two words, Shen Xihe went to the pavilion atop the rockery from which An Zhengyi had fallen. She examined the trail of evidence, but because it was summer, the path paved with blue stones hadn’t retained even the slightest trace that could benefit Shen Yingruo’s case.
After a brief inspection, as Shen Xihe was descending, His Majesty arrived with several Imperial Princes and ministers. Today being a court day, Prince Xiao Huayong had also attended and now arrived with them. Upon seeing Shen Xihe, he walked to her side.
After exchanging proper greetings, Emperor Youning asked: “What happened?”
“Your child also does not know the full circumstances,” Shen Xihe replied evenly. “This matter involves both Huaiyang and Lady An. Currently, only Huaiyang is present. For the sake of fairness, perhaps we should wait until Lady An regains consciousness, so both can present their accounts to Your Majesty together.”
Shen Xihe’s words caused Emperor Youning, who had been about to question Shen Yingruo, to fall silent before giving a slight nod.
Shen Yingruo kept her head lowered without speaking, though her heart gradually steadied. She knew that since An Zhengyi had gone to such lengths, this matter certainly wouldn’t end simply. Not yet knowing the full extent of An Zhengyi’s injuries, she was uncertain how to handle the situation.
With Shen Xihe now standing beside her, she inexplicably felt reassured, and her thoughts began to clear.
Emperor Youning waited outside with his entourage for approximately a quarter-hour. The Imperial Physician-in-Chief emerged first, followed closely by Zhenzhu and Axi. Zhenzhu’s gaze toward Shen Xihe carried a gravity that spoke volumes.
Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows slightly, thinking to herself: It seems An Zhengyi has indeed wagered everything on this.
“Your subject pays respects—”
“Rise. Tell me, how is Lady An?” Emperor Youning interrupted the Imperial Physician-in-Chief.
The Imperial Physician-in-Chief bowed and replied: “Your Majesty, Lady An appears to have suffered severe injuries recently to her lower abdomen. Today’s fall from height caused her lower abdomen to strike against a sharp point of the rockery. With new injuries compounding old ones, while her life isn’t in danger, however…”
The Imperial Physician-in-Chief trailed off here, seeming unsure how to continue.
“Please give us a clear answer about my daughter’s condition,” An Jingnan hurriedly implored.
The Imperial Physician-in-Chief looked questioningly at Emperor Youning, who commanded: “Speak plainly.”
“Lady An’s injuries have affected her internal organs. In the future, she will likely be unable to bear children,” the Imperial Physician-in-Chief replied with clear sympathy in his tone.
Shen Xihe looked toward Zhenzhu, who gave a confirming nod.
An Zhengyi’s injuries were indeed severe. While her life wasn’t in danger, the area crucial for bearing children had sustained extensive damage. She might be able to conceive but would be unable to carry to term – effectively losing the ability to become a mother.
However, Zhenzhu suspected this wasn’t caused by the current incident. An Zhengyi’s old wound was from an arrow, and it likely had already rendered her unable to bear children. But they lacked evidence, and as an official of the Crown Princess, Zhenzhu couldn’t voice these suspicions without it appearing as deflection, given that the Crown Princess’s sister was involved in causing An Zhengyi’s new injuries.
Without Zhenzhu needing to explain, Shen Xihe understood that for An Zhengyi to make such a desperate gambit, she must have already been incapable of bearing children. This explained why she dared to pursue a position in the Eastern Palace despite knowing the Crown Prince might not live long.
Although women’s status in the current dynasty had improved somewhat compared to previous eras, an unmarried woman who couldn’t bear children – especially from such a family – was essentially discarded by her clan. Even marrying her off to secure connections with talented but humble families would be unreliable.
An Zhengyi clearly understood this. It happened that at this moment, His Majesty needed someone to enter the Eastern Palace, and she needed to create new value for herself.
“Your Majesty…” An Jingnan heard this and broke down in tears. He didn’t plead for justice or cry for the Emperor to pass judgment, but his grief and implicit supplication were all the more moving for their restraint.
“When will Lady An regain consciousness?” Emperor Youning asked in a deep voice.
“This…” the Imperial Physician-in-Chief looked toward Sui Axi. “Lady An was in unbearable pain, so Young Master Sui administered acupuncture for pain relief.”
Sui Axi bowed and replied: “Your Majesty, Lady An can be awakened at any time.”
He needed only to adjust the needles to bring An Zhengyi back to consciousness, and the acupuncture would also temporarily numb her pain.
Emperor Youning then led his group inside.
Sui Axi adjusted the acupuncture points for An Zhengyi, and she soon awakened. Due to Sui Axi’s needles still being in place, though An Zhengyi was pale, she showed little sign of suffering.
Having granted special permission for her to remain half-reclined, Emperor Youning looked between Shen Yingruo and An Zhengyi and asked: “What caused the conflict between you two?”
An Zhengyi, permitted to remain half-lying down, lowered her head without speaking, appearing as fragile as a porcelain doll that might shatter at the slightest touch.
“Your Majesty.” Shen Yingruo stepped forward with a straight posture. Her gaze was steady and direct: “Lady An sought out Huaiyang of her own accord and spoke inappropriately, even saying many unjust things about my sister, attempting to drive a wedge between us. Huaiyang didn’t understand Lady An’s motives and could only try to avoid her. Although the pavilion entrance was narrow, Huaiyang is certain she never made contact with Lady An. Yet as Huaiyang was passing by, Lady An suddenly fell backward.
When it happened, only Huaiyang and her wet nurse were present, along with Lady An and her maid. From below, it might have appeared as though Huaiyang pushed Lady An down.
Huaiyang has grown up in the palace since childhood, blessed by Your Majesty’s favor, and has never dared to be arrogant. In more than ten years, she has never even raised her voice in anger. Your Majesty knows better than anyone what kind of person Huaiyang is. Please judge this matter.”
While Shen Yingruo indeed wasn’t an aggressive or domineering person, given the severity of An Zhengyi’s injuries, the matter couldn’t be dismissed solely based on Shen Yingruo’s usual character.
Emperor Youning questioned Shen Yingruo’s wet nurse, Madam Tan. Her account matched Shen Yingruo’s exactly. However, An Zhengyi and her maid gave a different version: An Zhengyi had wanted to marry into the Eastern Palace and asked Shen Yingruo to speak to Shen Xihe on her behalf, but Shen Yingruo became angry and pushed An Zhengyi down.
Each side maintained its story, with no other witnesses. An Zhengyi had suffered such severe injuries, while An Jingnan stood to the side continuously lamenting his failure to properly educate his daughter.
If An Zhengyi had only suffered surface injuries, or even if she had sustained internal injuries but could recover, the matter could be settled with appropriate compensation. But the current situation left An Zhengyi unable to bear children – an irreparable injury for an unmarried woman.
“Crown Princess, what is your opinion on how this matter should be resolved?” Emperor Youning decided to ask Shen Xihe directly.
First, it involved Shen Yingruo, and second, as a matter concerning women and given Shen Xihe’s authority over palace affairs, she should handle it.
Shen Xihe smiled slightly: “Your Majesty, this matter cannot determine who is right or wrong. Lady An’s injuries are extremely severe, and she won’t be able to find a good match in the future. The current solution, a compromise that benefits both sides, would be to have Lady An enter the Eastern Palace.”
No one had expected Shen Xihe to directly propose accepting An Zhengyi’s marriage into the Eastern Palace. Many people realized this might have been An Zhengyi’s ultimate goal, but they thought achieving it would still require much negotiation.
After all, Shen Xihe hadn’t injured An Zhengyi, and Shen Yingruo wasn’t close to Shen Xihe. If Shen Xihe ignored the matter, at worst Emperor Youning would simply punish Shen Yingruo.
“Is this truly your wish?” Emperor Youning also showed uncertainty and surprise.
“Yes,” Shen Xihe nodded.
“Sister…” Shen Yingruo had just opened her mouth when Shen Xihe shot her a sharp glance.
“Jingnan, what do you and your daughter think?” Emperor Youning asked An Jingnan and his daughter.
An Jingnan looked at An Zhengyi, who lowered her head shyly: “We defer to Your Majesty’s decision.”
“Seventh Son, do you agree?” Emperor Youning finally asked Xiao Huayong.
Since Shen Xihe had made her statement, Xiao Huayong had been staring at her unwaveringly. Shen Xihe met his gaze calmly. As husband and wife’s eyes met, one remained peaceful and undisturbed while the other roiled with anger.
Only when Emperor Youning questioned him did Xiao Huayong clench his fists: “Your Majesty, I refuse!”
After speaking, Xiao Huayong bowed and left.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is momentarily angry that your child made this decision without first consulting him,” Shen Xihe hurriedly explained. “I will go persuade the Crown Prince now.”