HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 684: Pregnancy Confirmed

Chapter 684: Pregnancy Confirmed

“We couldn’t determine when Second Prince started watching World Son Bu, but the Ministry of Justice found that Second Prince visited the same pleasure house as World Son Bu and Junior Chief Justice Cui on the same day half a month ago,” Tianyuan reported.

Xiao Huayong’s people always thought for themselves, not just completing exactly what was ordered. This meant that Xiao Changmin might know about what happened between Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai that day.

No, he must have grown suspicious but hadn’t confirmed it yet, which was why he had people watching Bu Shulin.

“Investigate this pleasure house,” Xiao Huayong ordered.

“Yes,” Tianyuan withdrew after responding.

After Xiao Huayong’s prompt, Shen Xihe understood his meaning: “You suspect this pleasure house belongs to the Second Prince?”

“Has Youyou ever encountered Second Brother in plain clothes?” Xiao Huayong asked.

Shen Xihe recalled meeting him twice before, both times because of Shen Yingruo, and nodded truthfully: “Yes, I have.”

“Did Youyou notice his attire when in plain clothes?” Xiao Huayong continued.

Shen Xihe thought carefully but couldn’t recall anything unusual.

Seeing Shen Xihe’s questioning look, Xiao Huayong smiled and placed a chess piece: “Like others, Youyou thinks it’s natural for princes to wear expensive things.”

The current dynasty’s princes had limited allowances and no fiefdoms. They held nominal positions, but with many people to support in their households, without some business ventures, their expenses would certainly exceed their income.

Xiao Changmin was different from Xiao Changyan – he had no support from his wife’s family or maternal relatives. Yet he not only avoided deficits but wore priceless items. Because he preferred items that appeared simple but were invaluable, only Xiao Huayong, who had developed a keen eye following Hua Fuhai, could truly see through this.

Including Shen Xihe.

“I’ve long suspected he had a source of wealth, but he’s been very careful about it, and I couldn’t pin it down,” Xiao Huayong chuckled. “Never expected that after searching everywhere, it would come to light so effortlessly – Second Brother revealed it himself.”

Xiao Changmin did not value women excessively. All the brothers had inherited this trait from His Majesty well, not placing much importance on women. Xiao Changmin must have gone to the pleasure house for another reason.

No matter how drunk Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai were, they wouldn’t have acted without closing the door, or everyone would have known by now. Since even those drinking with Bu Shulin noticed nothing unusual, how did Xiao Changmin become suspicious?

It could only mean someone from the pleasure house told Xiao Changmin. Pleasure houses had their rules, and when it came to clients’ privacy, especially distinguished ones, only the owner would dare reveal such secrets.

“You… truly have keen eyes.” Even able to deduce Xiao Changmin’s source of wealth this way, Shen Xihe couldn’t refute it, finding his reasoning logical.

“You’re too kind,” Xiao Huayong acted modestly, though his smile nearly reached his ears.

Shen Xihe couldn’t bear to look at him: “If your guess is right, his suspicions about Alin must run deeper.”

She wasn’t ignorant about intimate matters. Anyone experienced would understand the signs left after such encounters, especially those working in pleasure houses who could tell at a glance. Two men, even if they made a scene, couldn’t leave the same traces as a man and woman.

“Not necessarily,” Xiao Huayong placed another piece following Shen Xihe’s move, looking at the board. “If Second Brother were certain, he’d be trying to expose this now rather than carefully seeking proof. Activities in pleasure houses are never definitive – even if a man and woman were together, it couldn’t confirm it was World Son Bu and Zhihe.”

At least if the pleasure house was Xiao Changmin’s territory, neither he nor the madam had personally seen Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai leave the same room together. According to Bu Shulin, they likely only saw Cui Jinbai alone, unsure which courtesan he’d been with. The madam must have questioned all the girls before making her guess.

After the incident, both Cui Jinbai and the Cui family remained calm, with no one seeking redress, leading to Second Brother’s bold speculation.

“Even so, it’s troublesome,” Shen Xihe frowned slightly.

The situation was already difficult to resolve due to Bu Shulin’s identity, and now with Xiao Changmin watching like a tiger eyeing its prey, settling things quietly had become even more challenging.

Xiao Huayong’s long, well-defined fingers placed a piece on the board, his tone casual: “If someone alive causes you to worry, let them lie down.”

Shen Xihe didn’t even raise an eyebrow, placing her piece without hesitation: “We’ll see if they know what’s good for them.”

She never feared killing. Many had died by her hand, too many to count. Among them were distinguished figures like Prince Kang and Princess Yangling, so another prince wouldn’t matter.

She wasn’t moving against Xiao Changyan and Xiao Changqing in Dengzhou only because the situation there was sensitive, with citizens already suffering greatly. Killing two more princes would incur His Majesty’s furious wrath, and Dengzhou’s people would bear the consequences.

Now in the capital, if Xiao Changmin truly came charging in, Shen Xihe would have no choice but to kill again.

“Next month is the Second Prince’s wedding to Second Lady Yu. Hopefully, Second Prince understands when to advance and retreat.” Otherwise, to have a wedding followed by a funeral would be quite inauspicious.

The couple exchanged smiles, their previous words like casual conversation, before returning their full attention to the chess game.

Cui Jinbai’s completion of his duties was naturally first known to Xiao Huayong. On the day of Cui Jinbai’s return, Xiao Huayong brought a physician to Bu Shulin’s residence, as she couldn’t risk visiting the Eastern Palace anymore.

The diagnosis left everyone heavy-hearted – Bu Shulin was indeed pregnant. Not just Xiao Huayong’s physician, but Bu Shulin’s household physician confirmed it without doubt.

Bu Shulin asked for abortion medicine, but Xiao Huayong refused, saying: “This child cannot be kept, but you have no right to decide alone. Zhihe returns tomorrow – you must tell him.

The second Brother is watching you. Your household members must not leave to obtain abortion medicine, or your identity will be known to His Majesty in an instant.”

Xiao Changmin hadn’t told Emperor Youning yet because the matter was too serious. If he couldn’t obtain evidence while accusing a court official’s descendant, even his title as Prince would be at risk.

Bu Shulin’s face paled. She didn’t want to tell Cui Jinbai. Somehow, she feared that once she told him, she might act rashly and want to keep the child. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to stay firm when facing him.

Xiao Huayong didn’t order her, but he wouldn’t let her act alone and left with his people.

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