Chapter 257: Prince Huai Leaves the Capital, Prince Rui's Ending

In Chengqian Palace, ever since being summoned by the palace staff yesterday, Shen Nianxin has been staying in the side hall of Chengqian Palace to take care of

Apart from the fixed personnel serving by his side, she hasn't seen any other people around the Sixth Prince.

Up until now, she hasn't even caught a glimpse of Consort Shen herself.

Shen Nianxin isn't worried about other matters, after all, the one who came to the Prince of Duan's mansion to invite her to enter the palace was Qiao Pan, the most trusted chief palace maid by Consort Shen's side. She is clear in her heart that no matter what, there can't possibly be any issues with Qiao Pan and Consort Shen.

However, Shen Nianxin did not expect that after arriving at Chengqian Palace, she was informed that she would be staying in Chengqian Palace for the next few days. Moreover, this was without even seeing Consort Shen Xian.

Only then did she feel a bit of panic in her heart.

However, fortunately, there were still many people in the Chengqian Palace who listened to Mu Ziyan. Lu'er, whom she had painstakingly sent to Concubine Shen's side before, was one of them. Shen Nianxin learned from Lu'er that everything was normal on Mu Ziyan's side and there was no major issue, which made her feel slightly more at ease.

Thus, Shen Nianxin spent her days in Chengqian Palace eating and sleeping, occasionally receiving some news from the outside world through Lü'er. Most of the time, she behaved very obediently, playing and joking around with the Sixth Prince.

It was not until the third day that Shen Nianxin finally got to meet Shen Xianfei for the first time.

"Aunt." Shen Nianxin couldn't help but frown slightly as she saw Shen Xianfei from afar. Shen Xianfei, who had always been clean and tidy, now had wrinkled clothes on her body, as if she had been wearing them for several days without changing. Without waiting to hear the latest news received by Lü'er, Shen Nianxin hurried to greet the haggard Shen Xianfei, embracing her to the inner chamber to take a bath and change clothes.

"How did Auntie end up in such a state," Shen Nianxin sighed softly, her eyes full of concern. However, she remained silent on the matter of why Shen Xianfei had not been seen for so long.

Here is the English translation with the original HTML tags preserved:But even if she didn't ask, Shen Xianfei had to speak.

"Xin'er, your aunt is a bit afraid in her heart," Shen Xianfei said after hastily washing up and changing into a clean set of clothes again, standing before Shen Nianxin with undisguised fatigue and worry in her eyes. "How much do you know about the Prince of Duan?"

Shen Nianxin was slightly surprised in her heart, but she didn't show it on her face at all, as if Shen Xianfei's question didn't cause the slightest ripple in her heart. She said in a flat tone, "Why does aunt ask this? Although I dare not say that I understand him completely, at least in terms of his way of doing things, temperament, and disposition, I still trust him."

Shen Xianfei sighed heavily and lamented, "In this imperial harem, some people's ambitions have grown without them even realizing it." Shen Xianfei shook her head regretfully and said, "Although His Majesty is gravely ill, he is not a muddleheaded or ignorant person. At this time, whoever reaches out their hand will meet with great misfortune."

Upon hearing Shen Xianfei's words, which carried a clear, suggestive undertone, Shen Nianxin's heart skipped a beat as she was suddenly overcome by a bad premonition. Tentatively, she asked, "Aunt, do you mean...?"

Consort Shen held her hand, lightly patted it twice, and spoke to her with sincere and heartfelt words, "We are family, and there are no hidden messages between us. Even though Heng'er is currently favored, I am very clear in my heart that he will absolutely not ascend to that position."

"Therefore, your aunt hopes that Prince Duan can make it to the end. Xin'er, I know you have confidence in Prince Duan and believe that he has the character and means to do so." Consort Shen's tone suddenly turned serious as she said, "But Xin'er, at this time, the one who can remain calm and composed will be the winner."

Able to remain calm and patient...

Shen Nianxin immediately understood what was going on. Mu Ziyan was definitely not the kind of person who couldn't keep his composure, and when Emperor Chengming was seriously ill, Shen Xianfei risked being accused of privately passing messages to invite her into the palace, just to give her a reminder.

Some people are losing their patience... and if this person loses their patience, the one who will ultimately suffer will certainly be Mu Ziyan himself.

Thinking of the news from the palace these past two days, Wan De Fei, who has always been indifferent to fighting for favor and has been secluded for years, seems to have suddenly become enthusiastic about His Majesty. She stays by Emperor Chengming's side every day, not leaving for a moment. Even when Shen Xian Fei and Jiang Zhao Yuan are present, she refuses to leave even half a step, as if she is afraid of missing something.

To say that Wan Defei suddenly realized that her love for Emperor Chengming was true love that transcended life and death... even hearing this sounds quite absurd. In that case, there is only one possibility - Wan Defei must have ulterior motives at this time.

Or rather, it was the birth of Qin Wang Mu Ziheng and Emperor Chengming's favor towards the Qin Wang that forced Wan De Fei to start plotting her own schemes.

Shen Xian Fei did not make her words too clear, after all, no one knew which of the many ears outside the walls belonged to her own people, and which ones she could control. However, Shen Nian Xin was able to fully understand Shen Xian Fei's meaning.

Here is the translation with the original HTML tag preserved:The goal is to eliminate all of Wan Defei's improper thoughts before she has a chance to take any action. This way, she won't have any leverage that falls into the hands of Emperor Chengming.

In the imperial harem, it has always been that the mother's status depends on the son, and the son's status depends on the mother. They rely on each other, and they rise and fall together. If Wande Fei really has unclean hands and intends to make some overstepping moves, then when the time comes, it will implicate the entire Duanwang Mansion.

"Aunt, don't worry. I will promptly remind the Prince of this matter," Shen Nianxin solemnly nodded, but then remembered another issue. Unable to hold back, she opened her mouth, wanting to inquire some news from Shen Xianfei, "Aunt, I wonder, regarding the matter of stationing troops in Yunzhou yesterday... what was Father Emperor's final decision?"

With the war on the verge of breaking out, there naturally wouldn't be any more leeway for Emperor Chengming to hesitate and consider all aspects. Yesterday's morning court session, Emperor Chengming still couldn't manage to get up, and as for today's morning court session, she hasn't had the time to inquire about it yet. However, Shen Nianxin is also clear that when it comes to the decree concerning Yunzhou, it truly cannot be delayed even for a single day.

Therefore, she was quite certain that there would be a result to this matter today.

And what Shen Xianfei said next was mostly as she had expected. Emperor Chengming had indeed chosen Mu Ziyu to go to Yunzhou to defend the border. This outcome had already been anticipated by Shen Nian from the moment she heard that Mu Ziyu had volunteered himself during the morning court session.

Emperor Chengming had been sitting on the dragon throne for decades. While his eyes might not be as discerning as the legendary "fiery golden eyes," he could still see through people with a high degree of accuracy. As for Mu Ziyu's personality, Shen Nianxin didn't have a clear understanding of it before, but now she knew him better than anyone else.

Even though Mu Ziyu now has the status of a prince and the title of a king, at his core, he is still a healer. He is too gentle and mild-mannered, unsuitable for taking on a position that requires decisive ruthlessness. As for Emperor Chengming, even for the sake of Consort Shen and Prince Qin's mother and son, he would not send Mu Ziyan to a place as far away as Yunzhou at this time.

Moreover, Emperor Chengming did not just send Mu Ziyu alone. Shen Qingmo, the newly appointed Prince An Guo, who had previously returned to the capital with Shen Nianxin to settle family affairs, had just settled down in the Northwestern Army when he was once again dispatched to Yunzhou by an imperial decree from Emperor Chengming, tasked with fully assisting Prince Huai in guarding the border and defending against the enemy.

This is not to say that Emperor Chengming does not trust Mu Ziyu enough. Rather, for the current Emperor Chengming, there can be no more slip-ups in court politics or military affairs.

Shen Nianxin subconsciously stroked her highly bulging belly. During this period, Mu Ziyan and Consort Shen Xian had been taking very meticulous care of her. In just a month after returning to the capital, she quickly regained what she had lost during the previous ordeal. As she placed her small hand on her belly, the little one inside happened to turn over, giving her a very lively response. This instantly brought back Shen Nianxin's original calmness and steadiness, which had been somewhat unsettled just moments before.

At this point, we can no longer allow some people who can't get their act together to mess around.

"Lü'er." Shen Nianxin leaned back on the chaise lounge and softly called Lü'er over, saying, "Go to Taiyuan Palace and invite Wan De Fei. Tell her that I'm not feeling well, but I don't want to make a fuss by summoning the imperial physician at this time. Just ask her to come and have a look."

缕儿有些为难，道，“可是王妃……若是万德妃不愿意来呢？”

就连缕儿都看出来了，这会儿万德妃哪里还有闲心顾上别的？恨不得就黏在泰元殿后殿里那张龙床上呢。别说是端王妃说不舒服了，恐怕就是连端王自己有什么不舒服，都未必请得到万德妃移驾半步。

Shen Nianxin chuckled lightly and said, "I asked you to invite Wan Defei. If she is unwilling to come, you will naturally have ways to bring her here, won't you?"

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Defei has been working hard for the past few days. Remember to bring a small sedan chair to invite her."

Xiao Jiao nodded thoughtfully and responded in a deep voice.

At this moment, a secret report was delivered to the palace of the King of Northern Qi, landing in the hands of the queen.

Shen Jiaqi read the secret report in her hands word by word, a hint of deep mockery appearing in her eyes. She sneered inwardly and snorted lightly, saying, "I didn't expect that he would actually dare to come. Does he not fear that this journey might be a one-way trip?"

At the other end of the screen, a palace maid stood with a respectful bow and responded in a plain tone, "If it weren't for the enticing olive branch you extended, Your Highness, and the other party feeling they had no other way out, today's events would not have transpired. In the end, it's all thanks to Your Highness's skillful maneuvering."

Shen Jiaqi let out a scoff, her delicate eyebrows slightly raised, the deliberately elongated eyeliner at the corners of her eyes also curling up slightly, her features displaying the utmost alluring and gorgeous charm between her brows and eyes.

Her voice was low, a heavy hatred lingering in her chest, unable to dissipate or be relieved. With gloomy eyes, she said, "Driven into a corner? Hah, what he experienced couldn't even be called being driven into a corner, it was merely a case of human greed biting off more than one can chew."

Here is the translation of the webpage content into English, preserving the original HTML tags:The true feeling of being at the end of one's rope, only those who have experienced it can understand.

"What the Empress says is true."

Shen Jiaqi's expression turned solemn. She then asked the palace maid behind the screen, "Last time, the medicine I asked you to request from your master on my behalf, has there been any reply?"

It was not that there were no imperial physicians in the royal palace of the Northern Qi Dynasty, but among those people, there were not many whom she could truly trust. If she were to go to the Imperial Physician Institute to request contraceptive medication, Rong Hui would probably be the first to kill her.

Shen Jiaqi wanted to live on. She was willing to become a sharp nail that the Great Ming had hammered into the Northern Qi royal court. However, she could not bear the thought of giving birth to a child with Northern Qi bloodline.

Here is the translation to English, preserving the original HTML tags:The palace maid took out a pouch from her sleeve, bowed with hands clasped, and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, the item you requested has been delivered."

Shen Jiaqi paced around the folding screen, took the medicine pouch from the palace maid's hands, and suddenly with a sharp look in her eyes, questioned in a low voice, "Who does your master truly serve?!"

King Huai? Or King Duan?

The palace maid lowered her head to avoid Shen Jiaqi's sharp gaze and tactfully said, "My master, regardless of which side he belongs to, as long as Your Highness is clear in your heart, it is beneficial to Your Highness."

Shen Jiaqi was slightly dazed. Yes, for now, being a useful pawn was enough for her. As for the rest, what else was there that she had any say in?