The cold wind howled.

Xie Shi’an had walked all the way back and was sweating from the exertion.

As he reached the Xie family entrance, he saw a carriage parked beside the main gate. He recognized at a glance that this was a carriage from Prince Pingxi’s residence.

He couldn’t help but quicken his pace, lifting his leg to step over the threshold.

He saw Yun Chu standing in the courtyard.

The originally desolate and barren courtyard had gained considerable luster from her arrival.

In that instant, he had the illusion that the Xie family was still the Xie family of old.

“Princess Consort.”

Xie Shi’an bowed his head with clasped hands in salute.

“You’re busy. I’ll take my leave now.”

Yun Chu, supported by her maid, walked toward the exit.

“Princess Consort, please wait.” Xie Shi’an called out to stop her. “In such cold weather, with the Princess Consort being pregnant as well, this shouldn’t be a simple matter of passing by the Xie family and sitting for a while, should it?”

Yuan Shi opened her mouth in astonishment. “Chu’er, you’re pregnant?”

Hadn’t the physician said back then that Chu’er could never get pregnant again? Ever since that last pregnancy ended in tragedy, during all those years at the Xie family, she stubbornly failed to conceive.

How was it that after marrying into the prince’s residence, in just over half a year, she had conceived a child?

If back then Chu’er and Jingyu had had a legitimate son of their own, the Xie family probably wouldn’t have turned out like this, would it?

Yun Chu’s face showed the awkwardness of being exposed. She pressed her lips together. “I just came to take a look. I have no other intention.”

“If the Princess Consort has something to say, you might as well speak directly.” Xie Shi’an looked at the old and young in the courtyard. “Grandmother, take them inside. The Princess Consort and I have important matters to discuss.”

Xie Shiwei opened his mouth wanting to object, but now all his food and drink were paid for by his elder brother. He didn’t dare offend him, fearing his elder brother would treat him the way he treated Xie Shiyun. He could only leave reluctantly.

After the front courtyard had emptied, only then did Xie Shi’an say, “Princess Consort, please speak.”

He didn’t believe that Yun Chu, as Princess Consort of Prince Pingxi and pregnant, would come to the Xie family of her own accord. A twice-married woman would never visit her former husband’s home without good reason.

Moreover, it must be something important that required her to make this trip personally.

“I did indeed come to the Xie family with a purpose.” Yun Chu sighed. “But given the Xie family’s current situation… I’ve thought it over and decided to abandon the idea.”

Xie Shi’an’s fingers twitched.

Indeed, he had guessed correctly.

He spoke up. “We were once mother and son. The Princess Consort has protected me many times. It should be my turn to do something for the Princess Consort. If the Princess Consort gives up, I’ll be unable to eat or sleep peacefully.”

Yun Chu had a conflicted and hesitant expression. After a long while, she finally said, “I came hoping to use our former mother-son bond to ask you to help investigate Prince Gongxi’s interference in the imperial examinations. Rest assured, you won’t be shortchanged. Whatever silver you need, just name your price.”

Xie Shi’an’s heart sank heavily.

The imperial examinations were the court’s primary means of selecting officials, and also the only path for ordinary common people to rise from the bottom. If there was fraud involved, it would be a massive blow to imperial authority. Therefore, the Emperor would absolutely not allow this to happen. If it did happen, those who committed fraud would certainly be severely punished as a warning to others!

Prince Gongxi had actually participated in this matter?

If Prince Pingxi investigated and reported it, Prince Gongxi would probably…

Various thoughts churned in Xie Shi’an’s mind, though his face showed a different expression. “Being able to serve the Princess Consort is my honor. How could I demand money? If Prince Gongxi truly participated in examination fraud, for students from poor families like our Xie family, this is the greatest injustice. Countless students’ ten years of cold window study would have been in vain… I must investigate this thoroughly, not only to help the Princess Consort, but even more to seek justice for the vast number of poor students!”

“Excellent!” Yun Chu’s eyes were full of admiration. “I indeed didn’t misjudge you. Deep inside, you’re still that principled young man.”

Xie Shi’an felt a moment of confusion.

After Yun Chu left, he stood in the courtyard for quite a while.

Only when small snowflakes began falling from the sky, landing on his shoulders, did he come back to his senses.

He lifted his foot and walked out of the Xie family home. San Jiu, as his attendant, immediately followed. “Where is Young Master going?”

Xie Shi’an went directly to the entrance of Prince Gongxi’s residence.

He was now an advisor to the prince’s residence and came to conduct business every day, entering directly through the side gate.

He walked to the courtyard of Prince Gongxi’s study. After someone announced him, he entered with his head bowed. “I pay my respects to the Prince.”

When Prince Gongxi Chu Mo saw him coming to the residence at this hour, he knew there must be some important matter and told him to speak quickly.

“This subordinate just met with the Princess Consort of Prince Pingxi.” Xie Shi’an raised his head. “Through my probing, I learned that Prince Pingxi is investigating whether there has been fraud in past years’ imperial examinations, and suspects Prince Gongxi’s residence is involved.”

“What did you say?!”

Chu Mo shot to his feet.

Xie Shi’an’s fingers tightened. Prince Gongxi had indeed participated in this matter.

If it were discovered, Prince Gongxi’s residence would fall, and he would once again have nowhere to go.

Fortunately, he had made the correct choice.

Betraying Yun Chu could earn him Prince Gongxi’s trust. Why not?

“Everything had clearly been handled so cleanly. Why…” Chu Mo paced back and forth. “Someone must have leaked information. Damn it. I said only dead men don’t reveal secrets. We should have back then… Someone come!”

With his cold shout, guards from outside immediately entered.

“Arrange for people to take care of these individuals…” Chu Mo’s eyes were ruthless. “Do it discreetly.”

“Yes!”

Chu Yi had been arranging for people to watch Prince Gongxi’s residence all along.

Naturally, he knew about the movement there.

“Chu’er, it’s indeed as you said.” Chu Yi’s eyes were profound. “This second brother of mine is truly bold, daring to interfere even with the imperial examinations.”

Looking at all past dynasties, anyone who participated in examination fraud, even imperial princes and grandsons, would be dealt with severely. They would never give the vast number of students grounds for criticism.

One must know that the pen in a scholar’s hand was sometimes more dangerous than the spear in a soldier’s hand. Any ruler would be unwilling to offend scholars, much less thousands upon thousands of scholars.

As long as they could obtain witness testimony and physical evidence, this second brother of his would probably be finished.

“I’m not afraid of him making a move. I’m afraid of him not moving.” Yun Chu leaned in the man’s embrace. “This year’s metropolitan examination just ended not long ago. Who knows how many scholars lost their qualification for the palace examination because of this.”

Who knows how many of his own people Prince Gongxi managed to place in the court.

“Rest assured, your husband will investigate everything clearly.” Chu Yi held her. “Your husband has one small request. Chu’er, hear me out.”

Before he could speak it, Yun Chu had already guessed. “Don’t worry. I won’t go to the Xie family again in the future.”

Although she had long known Xie Shi’an was a selfish and cold person, right after she left the Xie family, Xie Shi’an had entered Prince Gongxi’s residence and betrayed her. He had betrayed her so decisively.

She had exploited his selfishness.

Similarly, his selfishness sent chills down her spine.

Once Prince Gongxi fell…

Xie Shi’an would no longer have anyone to rely on.

Over the next few days, Chu Yi continuously examined archives and sought witnesses…

Yun Chu ate and slept, slept and ate, visibly gaining quite a bit of weight, appearing plump and lustrous.

In the blink of an eye, it was the twenty-third of the twelfth month, the two children’s birthday. Now the two children were exactly six full years old. Adding one year at birth and one year of nominal age, they were already eight in nominal years.

After celebrating their birthday at home, the next day Yun Chu sent the children to the palace to celebrate with Consort Yin.