All these years, Emperor Youning dared not mention this child, not wanting to recall how his selfish desires and lust for power led him to kill his brother and seize the throne. He thought that since the Empress Dowager was still the child’s grandmother, she couldn’t possibly harm him.

This was why when His Majesty feigned illness and insisted on seeing Xiao Juesong, Shen Xihe presented a real Seventh Prince.

To make His Majesty suspect the Empress Dowager, Shen Xihe had already known the Empress Dowager was the most suspicious person. Therefore, the Empress Dowager’s words about Xiao Huayong must have been untrue. She had deliberately gone to the imperial tombs to pay respects to the Empress.

Legend said the Humble Prince Consort’s “daughter” died young and wasn’t buried in the imperial tombs. But since the Empress Dowager and His Majesty knew this “daughter” was born to the Empress, they should have given the child a grave. Even if not beside the Empress, there should have been some irregularity during memorial services, but Shen Xihe noticed nothing unusual.

She had Zi Yu investigate. The palace servants tasked with offerings didn’t prepare extra sacrificial items, so Shen Xihe suspected the real “daughter” hadn’t died. But if it was just a princess, even if switched to become the Humble Prince Consort’s daughter, her being alive wouldn’t have threatened anyone. Why find a replacement to fake a death and send away the real child?

Thus, Shen Xihe made a bold conjecture – there was no princess at all. That was just a story for the public. Both the Humble Prince Consort and the Empress had given birth to boys.

If the Empress Dowager was truly the mastermind, willing to sacrifice her son, how much more readily would she dispose of a grandson once removed? This grandson alive presented too many variables; she would surely strike ruthlessly.

Those sent to silence him would also be silenced, burying the secret forever.

With this bold theory, though lacking evidence, Shen Xihe took the risk of creating the story that Xiao Juesong had raised the true Crown Prince, instilling in him hatred for being sacrificed, and returning for revenge against His Majesty.

Because of the true Crown Prince’s appearance, even the Empress Dowager couldn’t be certain if he was genuine or fake.

The Empress Dowager couldn’t have personally witnessed the Empress’s son being silenced, or she couldn’t have hidden it from His Majesty. The person sent must have been loyal, but if they failed and Xiao Juesong truly took the child – would they dare return and tell the truth? Wouldn’t that be suicide?

These human nature elements made Shen Xihe’s plan flawless.

She had verified everything that needed verification.

All eyes turned to the Empress Dowager, who, as Shen Xihe predicted, had gradually regained her composure: “I don’t know either.”

She indeed hadn’t intended for that child to live. The person sent to silence him had reported success, and she had silenced them in turn. Last year at the heaven-worshipping ceremony, that child’s appearance…

Just as Shen Xihe predicted, the Empress Dowager couldn’t be certain about past events.

Emperor Youning’s gaze turned to meet Shen Xihe’s cold expression: “What does the Crown Prince Consort think?”

“If the Empress Dowager doesn’t know, how could I?” His Majesty indeed suspected the person from last year’s prayer ceremony, but even with suspicions, he erred on the side of caution and buried him in the imperial tombs, legitimizing his identity.

Whether from guilt toward the Humble Prince or his child, or perhaps both.

Emperor Youning fixed Shen Xihe with a deep stare: “Stop here. Back down.”

“Your Majesty, the death knell has rung. There’s no turning back,” Shen Xihe’s gaze was steady, unyielding.

Everyone drew in sharp breaths – she intended to turn His Majesty’s feigned death into reality.

Otherwise, how could she follow Emperor Youning’s wishes, using herself as bait to draw out the Empress Dowager and confront her first?

Ultimately, for her son to naturally inherit the throne, His Majesty still held the advantage of popular support.

“Such bold words,” Emperor Youning sneered.

“Your Majesty, though I don’t know why you appear healthy, you have at most two days. Why pretend with me? Even if I truly backed down, could Your Majesty spare me and the Northwest?” Shen Xihe challenged.

After a moment’s silence, Emperor Youning answered honestly: “Between Us and the Northwest, there can only be victory or defeat, no letting go.”

This battle was inevitable.

“I am also the Northwest King’s daughter.” Naturally, she would share her family’s fate.

Emperor Youning’s eyes darkened: “If you weren’t a Shen…”

He left the words unfinished because there was no “if.”

Changing the topic, Emperor Youning said: “Then let Us see your capabilities.”

“And let me truly experience Your Majesty’s Divine Brave Army!”

They faced off, neither giving ground. Everyone realized that the seemingly fragile Crown Prince Consort’s presence matched that of His Majesty, who had ruled for over twenty years!

Just then, the drum struck again – it was the fourth watch.

“Fierce Princess Consort, take people to collect the Fierce Prince’s body,” Shen Xihe instructed after having Mo Yu move Xiao Changqing to a nearby couch.

Though tears still stained You Wenjun’s face, she gave Shen Xihe a complex look before following her instructions.

Emperor Youning didn’t stop them. He turned to sit across from the Empress Dowager: “You’re quite composed as if you understand completely how I’ve arranged things.”

“How dare I presume to know Your Majesty’s intentions.” Though Shen Xihe’s words were humble, she gracefully took a seat at the round wooden table. “These are merely self-preservation measures.”

“Since we have nothing else to do, why not tell Us about it?” Though the situation remained uncertain and both sides were clearly at odds, they could sit here calmly waiting for changes in the greater situation.

At Shen Xihe’s gesture, Mo Yu poured her a cup of water. Though it was cold, Shen Xihe didn’t mind and took a small sip.

Her action deepened Emperor Youning’s gaze.

At this moment, given Shen Xihe’s caution, daring to consume anything from Qinzheng Hall meant she was certain the water was safe.

What gave her such confidence?

This was worth Emperor Youning’s deep consideration.

“Your Majesty’s Divine Brave Army, if I’m not mistaken, should be divided into three,” Shen Xihe set down her cup silently. “One portion led by Prince Xun must be on their way to enter the palace, arriving in about a quarter-hour.

One portion has long infiltrated outside the Northwest, and another is moving toward the Northeast.”

Emperor Youning’s expression remained unchanged: “Continue.”

While everyone waited for an outcome, Shen Xihe didn’t want to sit idle, especially with so many of His Majesty’s consorts present, all more or less closely connected to the previous dynasty.

Let them spread today’s events through their mouths so that in the future, no one would dare bully these widows and orphans.

“The Northeast is where Prince Xun’s mansion serves as Your Majesty’s place of stability – the Shiwei, Heishui, and Bohai Governorships. All are Your Majesty’s trusted allies. With one call from Your Majesty, they could gather hundreds of thousands of troops. Even if the palace changes hands, even if the Northwest causes trouble, they probably already have Your Majesty’s pre-prepared imperial edict to suppress treachery and launch an attack,” Shen Xihe explained unhurriedly.