Chapter 373

“In the King Wife’s frank words, Qiao Jiaojiao finally learned some insider information that outsiders couldn’t uncover.

Currently, in Nanli Kingdom, there are two prominent families: the Shen family, longstanding nobles for three generations, and the Lan family, rising in prominence over the past few decades.

The former King Wife was Shin Hye-ran, sister of Shin Go-rang, head of the Shen family.

She married the King of the Country when she was young, becoming the esteemed King Wife, but unfortunately bore only three daughters, never a son.

During this time, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were born successively, but their birth mothers were not of high status.

The former King Wife had hoped for a son but was diagnosed with a serious illness at that time, making further pregnancies inadvisable.

After much thought, to preserve the honor of the Shen family, she compared the two princes back and forth and ultimately decided to recognize the Second Prince under her name as her legitimate son.

To foster goodwill with the sixteen-year-old Second Prince, the former King Wife decided to arrange a marriage between her brother’s daughter, Shen Ningyun, and the Second Prince.

Because of this, the former King Wife also arranged for the Second Prince to meet Shen Ningyun.

Both of them were talented and attractive, and under the former King Wife’s arrangement, they gradually developed feelings for each other.

Fate played its part, and before the former King Wife could propose formally recognizing the Second Prince, she fell seriously ill and passed away.

At that time, the Crown Prince was also highly favored, so it was uncertain which prince would prevail.

To continue the glory of the Shen family, Shin Go-rang immediately devised a foolproof plan: marrying his daughter, Shen Ningyun, to the King of the Country as a concubine!

If Shen Ningyun could bear a legitimate son, the position of King of the Country might eventually pass to his grandson.

As the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, Shen Ningyun couldn’t control her own fate.

When Shin Go-rang presented this matter to the King of the Country, surprisingly, the King agreed.

Thus, by a twist of fate, Shen Ningyun and the Second Prince, this pair of lovers, became mother and son in name only…

After the King Wife, Shen Ningyun, said this, her face was filled with bitterness.

“This matter is known only to my father and aunt. It was not announced publicly.”

“When I saw the Second Prince in the palace, I always pretended not to know him, but somehow rumors started circulating.”

“At that time, rumors spread widely, and the King of the Country urgently summoned me to discuss this matter. His words were quite displeased, and it seemed he vaguely understood some of the truth.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but sigh silently.

But what the King Wife said next shocked her even more!

“In the past… though there was a relationship between me and the Second Prince, we always upheld propriety and never did anything inappropriate.”

“Therefore, when the King of the Country questioned me, I was in tears and immediately denied it.”

“At that moment… the King suddenly mentioned to me that he favored Yu’er to become the next King of the Country. Now, at such a critical time, such unbearable rumors have spread.”

“I was filled with fear upon hearing this, afraid that this would block Yu’er’s path.”

“At that moment, the King ordered someone to bring a pot of wine, claiming it was mixed with a sleeping potion.”

Meng Guxue, upon hearing this, widened her eyes in astonishment.

This wine was not to be drunk lightly. What if the King was just bluffing? Who knew if this sleep would ever end!

“The King Wife clearly had this suspicion as well, but she was bound by the honor of the Shen family and the future prospects of her son. That day, even if the King truly meant to kill her, she had no choice…

“The King told me that he couldn’t bear to see Yu’er heartbroken, nor could he bear to sever the bond of so many years of marriage. Therefore, he would not harm my life. I was only to drink this wine, and publicly proclaim my resolve through death.”

“After the birthday celebration, when the position of heir is settled, Yu’er would naturally no longer face any threats. At that time, the King would instruct me to drink the antidote, and we would enjoy family happiness together.”

As the King Wife spoke, her voice gradually softened. When she looked up again, a faint and serene smile appeared on her face.

“That’s the truth of it. Since I woke up, though not at the right time, I can tell that the King did not deceive me.”

Qiao Jiaojiao watched the King Wife’s calm and composed demeanor, feeling a hidden sadness for some reason.

[“Actually, this King Wife is outwardly gentle but inwardly strong. When she drank the poisoned wine that day, she must have already prepared herself for death.”]

[“But is what she said really true?”]

[“If the King of Nanli Kingdom is truly paving the way for Baili Chengyou, then why doesn’t he reveal any hint to alleviate Baili Chengyou’s current distress over his mother?”]

[“Moreover, Baili Chengyou has invited renowned doctors from all over the country. Everyone is helpless in the face of the King Wife’s sleep. Does the King really have an antidote?”]

[“Or is he planning to go through with it, allowing the King Wife to die in her sleep?”]

[“After all, if it weren’t for my Merit Store, and if the King Wife hadn’t awakened to say these words, everyone would probably have believed she truly resolved to die, inadvertently causing a blunder…”]

[“People’s hearts can be so terrifying…”]

Qiao Jiaojiao shivered slightly.

Meng Guxue couldn’t imagine the twists and turns of this situation. Whatever she thought of in her heart, she spoke out immediately.

“Mother, if Father truly favors Baili, does he really need to take such a big detour?”

“He is the King after all. Can’t he openly declare Baili as the heir?”

Seeing Meng Guxue’s innocent words, the King Wife couldn’t help but smile.

“Xu’er, if you remain so naive, you may be bullied by Yu’er in the future.”

“Establishing an heir has implications across all aspects of the court, involving countless noble families. The waters run deep in this matter.”

“Moreover, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince are much older than Yu’er and have a solid foundation in the court. It’s not easy to shake their positions.”

“I am just a simple woman, only superficially knowledgeable. The intricacies of this matter… Xu’er, if you want to move forward or retreat with Yu’er, there is much you need to learn.”

The King Wife’s words were already very accommodating, showing that her expectations for Meng Guxue were not high, or perhaps, deep down, she did not wish for Meng Guxue to change.

At this point, Qiao Jiaojiao had already glimpsed some of the complexities of the Nanli royal family.

As for the gentle King Wife lying on the bed, her heart was probably filled with countless regrets and bitterness…

At that moment, Qiao Jiaojiao unexpectedly thought of the dignified and steady Second Prince. What exactly were his intentions?

Meng Guxue was deep in thought due to the King Wife’s words when suddenly, a summons rang out from outside the hall:

“The King summons the Third Empress to the Hall of Tianhe for an audience!”

Meng Guxue startled at the sound, immediately stood up nervously.

Summoning her?