The next day, Emperor Yu Ning, who had long been absent from court due to illness, forced himself to attend.

The civil and military officials harbored various thoughts, speculating about yesterday’s assassin.

His Majesty’s reaction and subsequent orders to handle the assassin’s body properly left countless questions in their minds.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Emperor Yu Ning looked haggard, but his eyes still held imperial authority. After sweeping his gaze around, he slowly spoke: “Yesterday’s assassin was my royal brother’s son.”

Xiao Changqin gently closed his eyes, releasing an almost imperceptible long breath.

Although His Majesty’s behavior yesterday had been enough to convince him of Shen Xihe’s predictions, only now did everything truly settle.

While His Majesty’s words relieved Xiao Changqin, they stirred massive waves among the court officials.

“But… didn’t Prince Qian’s consort give birth to a princess?”

“Yes, yes, the princess was weak and passed away that night.”

“Then… then what’s this about a prince?”

The officials forgot decorum, unable to resist whispering amongst themselves. His Majesty’s words were like thunder from clear skies, leaving their minds in chaos.

It took one light cough from Emperor Yu Ning to silence them all.

“Back then…” Emperor Yu Ning drew a deep breath, “both my sister-in-law and the Empress gave birth to sons. Due to my negligent oversight, my brother’s son was kidnapped by the traitor Xiao Juesong. The matter was too serious, so we had to announce that my sister-in-law had given birth to a daughter.”

Xiao Changqin lowered his head, his lips curling slightly in a smile that seemed both mocking and sardonic.

The officials easily accepted His Majesty’s explanation.

The situation had indeed been extremely complex then. Prince Qian’s troops were at the city gates, and most of his following generals were trusted confidants. Had they known Prince Qian’s only bloodline had been kidnapped, they would have exhausted all efforts to search, and might not have readily accepted His Majesty’s ascension.

Half might have truly only recognized Prince Qian, while the other half had selfish motives – wasn’t a young ruler easier to control than the steady His Majesty?

As for dealing with court officials, they didn’t have such a long-term vision, only caring about immediate benefits.

“Your Majesty, since he is Prince Qian’s son, how will Your Majesty handle this?” The Minister of the Imperial Clan stepped forward to ask.

They no longer had the right to advise on this matter – it was too profound. Though he was an assassin, he had been lost in childhood and raised by Xiao Juesong to harbor a deep hatred for His Majesty. Yet yesterday, when he had the chance to severely wound or even take His Majesty’s life, he had still held back – how should this be judged?

“He has passed. I ultimately failed him. The Ministry of Rites and Imperial Clan Court will handle his burial, following the mourning rites of a prince,” Emperor Yu Ning spoke softly but with an undeniable tone.

The officials looked at each other and bowed: “Your Majesty is wise.”

Every step had been within Shen Xihe’s predictions.

Now, His Majesty truly couldn’t harm the child in Shen Xihe’s womb, but he also couldn’t let her child become heir to the throne. Shen Yueshan held a high position and great power – historically, a young emperor’s ascension had always been the root of powerful imperial in-laws’ dominance.

“Brother, how did she determine that Prince Qian’s consort had given birth to a son?” Xiao Changying followed Xiao Changqin back to Prince Xin’s mansion, unable to contain himself.

Xiao Changqin had plotted with Shen Xihe without including Xiao Changying, but Xiao Changying was used to clinging to his brother. Since Xiao Changqin hadn’t remarried and had no women in his household, there was no need for propriety. After his marriage, he preferred not to return home.

Xiao Changqin hadn’t hidden many things from him. Xiao Changying also knew yesterday’s person was arranged by Xiao Changqin – after all, he was Xiao Changqin’s death warrior. Xiao Changying had seen him once and remembered him deeply because of his appearance.

The birth of Prince Qian’s consort’s daughter had been settled fact – yet Shen Xihe had overturned it!

Xiao Changqin looked at his brother, who probably still thought His Majesty’s loss of composure yesterday was due to killing his brother’s only offspring.

“I also don’t know how she determined it,” Xiao Changqin smiled slightly.

Xiao Changying couldn’t believe it: “Brother…”

Shock, fear, and relief intertwined on Xiao Changying’s face, leaving him speechless for a long while before he squeezed out: “Brother, you’re mad!”

This was too crazy, completely unlike his brother.

To act so rashly without evidence was risking their heads in a dangerous gamble.

Xiao Changqin patted Xiao Changying’s shoulder: “But we won, didn’t we?”

Regarding Xiao Huayong being Prince Qian’s son, Xiao Changqin had no plans to tell his brother – not out of distrust, but because it was too complex and too ugly. He had already lost all hope in this royal family; why make his brother sink into endless coldness too?

Let him know their father had killed his brother and abandoned his son for the supreme position.

Xiao Changying was straightforward by nature and particularly despised evil. If he knew these things, he would inevitably show it when facing His Majesty.

In the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe stood under the Pinzhong tree, wearing a light fur coat.

Amidst the golden vista, she was a delicate streak of white.

The desolate wind stirred the fur at her neck, brushing against her bare face.

“Your Highness, you’ve won, why don’t you look happy?” Zhenzhu didn’t understand.

They had been waiting for news from Qinzheng Palace, and all news had been within Shen Xihe’s predictions, yet she remained expressionless upon hearing it.

Shen Xihe was a calm, composed person who rarely showed extreme emotions and wouldn’t gloat over victory, but at least she shouldn’t be like this – seeming troubled, as if defeated her expression grave.

“Actually…” Shen Xihe watched the flying Pinzhong leaves, “I would rather have lost this round.”

Losing would just mean a hard battle, winning also meant a hard battle, but some things were too unseemly.

Zhenzhu didn’t understand, looking at Tianyuan, who was also startled. Biyu and the others all wore confused expressions.

Before Zhenzhu could ask further, Shen Xihe spoke: “Has the matter of the ink been handled properly?”

The ink was now in the open – Xiao Changqin’s arranged person had pointed it out before dying. His Majesty would surely believe this was his and Xiao Juesong’s revenge, but with the mastermind revealed, how it entered the palace still needed thorough investigation.

This was truly what had endangered His Majesty’s life – anyone suspected of involvement would likely pay a price.

“Your Highness, Prince Xin has taken responsibility for this matter,” Zhenzhu reported.

Such a harmful substance entering the palace and affecting His Majesty – His Majesty would investigate harshly. Though Shen Xihe controlled palace affairs and could distance herself completely, she still bore responsibility for poor palace management. However, now she had the protection charm of the child in her womb. Emperor Yu Ning only needed to confirm there was no evidence of her involvement or even knowledge; no matter how displeased he felt, he wouldn’t take action against her.

Hearing this, Shen Xihe understood Xiao Changqin’s intention but didn’t know how to respond. After a long while, she said: “Thank Prince Xin for me. I owe him this favor.”

Xiao Changqin taking over undoubtedly meant pushing back the timeline of when the ink entered the palace, to before Noble Consort Rong managed palace affairs.