Zhou Shaojin was frightened half to death.

How could this happen?

In her previous life, the Crown Prince had died of illness in the winter of the twenty-seventh year of Zhide. It was only the twenty-third year of Zhide now… The Crown Prince had died four years early.

What on earth had happened?

Zhou Shaojin hurried to find Cheng Chi.

But Cheng Chi noticed that the edict had been written by Cheng Shao.

That meant that when Cheng Shao was summoned to the palace, it might not have been to play chess, but rather to handle the Crown Prince’s sudden death.

The Crown Prince had died two days ago.

But why wasn’t the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace when he died suddenly, but rather in Cining Palace?

And the Imperial Grandson was there too.

Others might not know, but the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Grandson both knew the Crown Prince had heart disease. What kind of matter could have caused the Crown Prince to die suddenly?

As soon as Cheng Chi came out, he said to Gu Xu, who had come looking for him, “Is there anything unusual happening at the Eastern Palace?”

Gu Xu smiled bitterly. “The Eastern Palace is in complete chaos—what normal order could there be! The Imperial Grandson is still in the palace. The Crown Princess has already fainted from crying. The Crown Prince’s consort is taking care of the Crown Princess. That consort was originally a palace maid who had served by the Crown Prince’s side since childhood. Because she bore the Crown Prince an eldest daughter, the Crown Prince specifically requested she be granted the title of consort. Other than her, the Crown Prince has no other concubines. She’s timid and weak. Normally, apart from going to the temple to offer incense, she never steps out of her chambers. Never mind expecting her to take charge of the situation—even when daily household matters come to her, she can’t explain them clearly…”

“Then we can only wait until Second Uncle comes back to discuss it.” Cheng Chi thought for a moment and advised Gu Xu, “Fortunately, the Crown Prince didn’t die suddenly in the Eastern Palace. The only thing you can do now is ‘endure’—mourn for the Crown Prince day and night without sleep. Cry to everyone you meet about the grief of losing the Crown Prince. Whoever can display the most loyalty will be able to weather the Emperor’s fury. Whoever can endure will come out ahead and secure their future.”

“That’s what I was thinking too!” Gu Xu said helplessly. “It’s just that the Crown Prince’s death is too suspicious, making me very uneasy. Tell me, Cining Palace is what kind of place? Even if someone had a headache or fever, other palaces might not be able to summon physicians immediately, but who would dare delay matters at Cining Palace even for a moment? How could His Highness the Crown Prince just die like that? I don’t dare speak to or ask others about this. I can only ask Uncle Chi to help me sound out Second Uncle-Grandfather.”

No wonder he was dejected.

With each new emperor came new ministers.

Similarly, with each Crown Prince came a new Office of the Heir Apparent.

What had been a bright future had become dim and uncertain due to the Crown Prince’s sudden death. His prospects were now unknown!

Thinking of Gu Xu’s previous respect toward him, Cheng Chi said, “Don’t worry. I also want to know what exactly happened.” At this point, he thought for a moment and said, “At a time like this, it wouldn’t be wrong in either emotion or reason for you to ask the Imperial Grandson about anything.”

Hearing this, Gu Xu’s gaze focused slightly. He hesitated and said, “Is Uncle Chi saying that the Emperor might intend to establish an Imperial Heir Grandson?”

Cheng Chi couldn’t be certain either, but Zhou Shaojin had said that in her previous life, the Emperor had established an Imperial Heir Grandson.

Although the current situation had changed greatly, who could guarantee the Emperor wouldn’t establish an Imperial Heir Grandson now?

Cheng Chi said subtly, “There are unexpected turns in everything. Having an extra option means having an extra path.”

Gu Xu looked thoughtful.

Qingfeng came to report that Zhou Shaojin had arrived.

Gu Xu rose to take his leave.

Cheng Chi saw him to the courtyard gate before returning.

Zhou Shaojin had already arrived and was standing before the large writing desk, observing a painting he had just done of rain on banana leaves.

“Is Silang feeling unsettled?” She pointed at a raindrop on the tip of a banana leaf that seemed about to fall but hadn’t. “This raindrop was painted with a hesitant brush, making it seem somewhat heavy.”

Cheng Chi smiled and put his arm around Zhou Shaojin’s shoulder. His gaze followed hers to the raindrop on the banana leaf tip as he said, “You’ve seen through me!”

Zhou Shaojin nodded gently and said softly, “Silang, I also don’t know why things in this life are different from what I knew before…”

“This isn’t your fault.” Cheng Chi’s voice became even gentler. He whispered in her ear, “In the previous life, we knew nothing and did nothing. In this life, not only have we begun frequently contacting several princes through the Seven Stars Hall, but because of my rising prominence, I’ve also caught the Fourth Prince’s attention. Last time Shi Kuan invited me to dinner, he mentioned the Fourth Prince’s conduct and dealings multiple times. And the Seventh Prince’s matter also let other princes know that not everyone is willing to accept the Crown Prince as heir apparent. More people have developed ulterior motives.

“Originally, I thought only the Emperor and especially close people like the Imperial Grandson knew about the Crown Prince’s illness. Later I discovered that Second Uncle also knew.

“Since even Second Uncle knew, we can’t rule out that others knew as well.

“It’s as if a sword was hanging over the Crown Prince’s head. As long as the methods were clever, there were plenty of ways to bring about his death.

“I think perhaps because this life is different from the previous life, the Crown Prince died early.

“We’ll know about this matter when Second Uncle returns.

“Don’t be anxious! Gu Xu also wants to inquire about the Crown Prince’s matter from Second Uncle through me…”

Zhou Shaojin turned and hugged Cheng Chi tightly, leaning into his embrace with her eyes closed, listening to his heartbeat.

This was something she had only recently discovered.

As long as she listened to his heartbeat while in Cheng Chi’s arms like this, her panicked heart could quickly calm down.

Cheng Chi let her act spoiled toward him, gently comforting her. “It’s alright, it’s alright. Even if you didn’t have your memories of the previous life, wouldn’t we still have to live our lives?”

Zhou Shaojin made a muffled “mm” sound, feeling that even though she knew about the previous life, it didn’t seem to help Cheng Chi much.

She really wanted to help Cheng Chi!

Sensing her mood wasn’t good, Cheng Chi held her like a child, gently rocking her as he smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’m here for everything. Otherwise, what’s the point of getting married? Living alone is quieter and simpler.”

Just being able to marry Cheng Chi and have a child as adorable as Yun Ge’er was reason enough for her to marry…

As this thought flashed through her mind, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but laugh softly.

When had Yun Ge’er become more important in her heart than Cheng Chi!

Two days passed like this when suddenly an edict came from the palace saying that the Second Prince and Seventh Prince had colluded, associated with external officials, and plotted treasonous acts. They were granted poisoned wine to commit suicide, and their children, wives, and concubines were demoted to commoner status and exiled to Xining Guard.

When the edict was issued, the entire court was in an uproar.

No one had expected that the Second Prince, who had always been at odds with the Seventh Prince, would actually collude with him.

But Madam Song came to Zhou Shaojin with a worried face to complain. “No marriages are allowed for three months. How can my eldest son’s marriage be so difficult? First, the Old Master fell gravely ill, then we encountered national mourning. Tell me, after this national mourning ends, will something else happen? Never mind me—even my father-in-law is holding on by a thread, saying that no matter what, he must see Dalang married before he can peacefully go meet my mother-in-law who died long ago.”

Zhou Shaojin also felt Song Mu’s luck wasn’t very good. She could only comfort Madam Song. “Good things come to those who wait. Perhaps the Bodhisattva knows that Young Master Song will have a peaceful and smooth life afterward, which is why his marriage encounters difficulties now.”

“I hope so!” Madam Song felt much better hearing this and said, “I heard your family’s Second Uncle is still in the palace? Do you know what’s going on?”

Was Madam Song here on behalf of Minister Song to inquire about the Crown Prince’s sudden illness?

Zhou Shaojin said, “I don’t know. Our Madam is going back in a few days. These past few days I’ve been busy accompanying our Madam shopping everywhere for gifts to bring back to relatives and friends. I really haven’t paid attention to these matters.”

Madam Song sighed.

Zhou Shaojin secretly felt fortunate that her fourth-rank Lady of Imperial Favor title hadn’t come down yet, otherwise she would have to enter the palace tomorrow to mourn.

Cheng Chi wasn’t as fortunate as her.

The seamstresses at home worked through the night to sew mourning clothes for him.

Madam Guo was worried about Cheng Shao and called Cheng Jing over, asking him to find a way to contact Cheng Shao. After Cheng Jing left, she asked Cheng Chi, “Nothing will happen to Second Uncle, will it?”

“What could happen to the old gentleman?” Cheng Chi smiled and said, “During this time, the Hanlin Academy and Ministry of Rites have been frantically busy with the Crown Prince’s funeral. Second Uncle is familiar with the statutes and can speak before the Emperor. It’s precisely the time to ease the Emperor’s burdens. If Second Uncle weren’t busy at a time like this, that would be more worrying!”

Though he said this, thinking of Zhou Shaojin’s words, his heart still tightened.

Though Madam Guo nodded after hearing this, she still sighed wistfully. “I keep feeling uneasy in my heart. The Emperor has suddenly lost three sons and seven or eight grandsons. One of them was even the Crown Prince in whom he had always placed high hopes. Even an ordinary family couldn’t bear such a blow, let alone when it involves the nation and its foundation…”

Seeing the atmosphere wasn’t right, Zhou Shaojin quickly signaled for Zhenzhu to bring Yun Ge’er over.

Only when Madam Guo saw her grandson did she become happy. She changed the subject and began playing with Yun Ge’er.

Cheng Chi cast a grateful look at Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin’s face immediately flushed red, and her gaze, once it fell on Cheng Chi, couldn’t be withdrawn.

Holding Yun Ge’er, Madam Guo said to her son and daughter-in-law, “If you two have something to say, go back to your room to talk. I have Yun Ge’er, and Yun Ge’er has his grandmother—that’s enough. Sitting here with you looking at me and me looking at you, others would think the Cowherd and Weaver Girl have arrived. They’d say our Yun Ge’er doesn’t understand propriety, wouldn’t they, Yun Ge’er?”

Yun Ge’er just grinned foolishly at Madam Guo.

Zhou Shaojin’s face was burning so hot she couldn’t lift her head.

But Cheng Chi, without even blushing or panting heavily, took Zhou Shaojin’s hand and walked away. “Then we’ll return to our room first. We’ll come pay our respects to Mother again later.”

Zhou Shaojin didn’t dare struggle. Only after leaving Tingxiang Courtyard did she say in a low voice, “Let go of me quickly, or Mother will tease us again.”

“We’re husband and wife by proper matchmaking with three letters and six ceremonies. What is there to fear?” Cheng Chi smiled. Thinking of her thin skin, he still let her go and said, “If we didn’t speak to each other and ignored each other, that’s when Mother would worry and frown!”

Zhou Shaojin laughed despite herself and said, “You always have your reasons ready.”

Cheng Chi smiled and scraped Zhou Shaojin’s face playfully.

Huai Shan strode over and said in a low voice, “Three bricks have been stacked under the stone drum at Elm Money Lane.”

Cheng Chi’s expression grew slightly grave. He dismissed Huai Shan and said to Zhou Shaojin in a low voice, “This is a signal Second Uncle and I agreed on beforehand. If Second Uncle has any inconvenience and cannot see us, he’ll place three bricks under the stone drum by the gate. I’ll go quietly to check.”

Zhou Shaojin said, “Then you must be careful. Like Mother said, I also feel uneasy in my heart.”

“I know.” Cheng Chi looked at her tenderly and said quietly, “I’ll think of you and our child. I won’t act rashly.”

Zhou Shaojin’s face grew even redder. She smiled with pursed lips and nodded.

But after Cheng Chi left, she couldn’t sit still at home, looking at the Western clock one moment and the water clock the next, completely unable to focus on grooming herself.