Chapter 73

Huang Gonggong handled it properly, then specially went back to bathe. When he returned to the study, Emperor Yong was reading memorials.

He crept in, bowed slightly, and reported in a low voice, “Your Majesty, everything is in order.”

As Huang Pei spoke, he cautiously observed Emperor Yong’s expression.

Emperor Yong nodded indifferently and suddenly remembered something, instructing lightly, “After the Sheng family’s daughter enters the palace, she should be sent directly to the Chonghua Palace. Although the Second Prince is under house arrest, don’t let him suffer. Send something to him privately.”

Huang Pei bowed deeply, burying his head deeply in thought for a moment.

On the way to the study just now, he racked his brains and actually recalled many past events.

Back when the Empress was diagnosed with pregnancy, there was indeed a period of intensive intimacy.

Despite being a princess of a hostile nation married for an alliance, according to the rules, she couldn’t bear a royal heir, but Emperor Yong, who favored the Empress, never allowed her to drink contraceptive potions.

During that time, the Empress was gentle and obedient, without the resistance and coldness she showed when she first arrived.

Emperor Yong was greatly pleased, even rewarding him with a rare Eastern Pearl.

But listening to Di Zaiying’s dying words just now, it seemed that he was certain the Second Prince was his…

Huang Pei pondered, unable to say for sure who the Second Prince’s biological father really was. At this moment, he didn’t dare to think deeply anymore, just respectfully acknowledging.

With Di Zaiying’s death, there was no evidence left for this matter.

If he rashly spoke up, given Emperor Yong’s infatuation with the Empress, even though he had served Emperor Yong for more than thirty years, he would be executed immediately!

At this moment, how much Huang Pei wished he hadn’t heard Di Zaiying’s dying murmurs!

“Huang Pei, order them to verify the ranking of the Spring Examination immediately and hold the palace examination as soon as possible. This matter has been delayed enough.”

Emperor Yong spoke in a deep voice.

“That Tan Hanchi is talented. I need to think about where to place him…”

—

Chonghua Palace.

The Second Prince, dressed in white robes, sat upright behind the desk, holding a book in his hands.

Although he was under house arrest, there was no trace of annoyance on his face, appearing calm.

Standing beside him was a palace maid, plain in appearance but with a dignified posture and sharp eyes, obviously not an ordinary person.

“Your Highness, the palace has sent someone to pick up Miss Sheng. According to Sheng Mingcheng, after they both fainted, they woke up in the Eastern Suburb Villa.”

Shen Yuanbai heard this and put down the book, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk, as if pondering something.

Seeing this, the maid hesitated for a moment before asking, “Your Highness, after Miss Sheng arrives, where should she be placed?”

Shen Yuanbai frowned impatiently at the maid’s words.

“Just arrange her in the side hall. Since she’s being used as a shield, we need to at least make it look good.”

“Her daily affairs will be managed by you, and don’t let her step out of the side hall on weekdays.”

At this moment, Zhou Bo walked in from outside the hall, holding a tray in his hand with a cup of hot soup on it.

Seeing this, Shen Yuanbai immediately frowned, “Zhou Bo, I already said you don’t need to do these tasks.”

Zhou Bo had come from the Northern Kingdom as a dowry, formerly a personal guard by the Empress’s side. He was indeed wholeheartedly devoted to him.

Although Zhou Bo had caused trouble during the Lantern Festival last time, causing him to lose the Zhucui Pavilion, Shen Yuanbai still didn’t have the heart to blame Zhou Bo too severely.

After all, when he was young and struggling in the palace, it was Zhou Bo who risked his life to take care of him, allowing him to grow up safe and sound.

“Your Highness, I’m worried about your food and daily life. I can’t rest assured,” Zhou Bo said with a smile, walking to the desk, about to place the tray down. The maid continued to speak:

“Your Highness, there’s one more thing. A few days ago, the Northern man who tried to assassinate the Western Prince, Di Zaiying, was ordered by His Majesty to be chopped up and fed to the dogs today.”

Crack—

Without warning, Zhou Bo shuddered all over, even dropping the tray, causing the cup of hot soup to spill onto the ground, breaking into several pieces.

“Zhou Bo!”

Shen Yuanbai suddenly stood up and hurriedly helped Zhou Bo to the side.

But what shocked Shen Yuanbai was that Zhou Bo was trembling violently, his lips turning white.

Shen Yuanbai was greatly alarmed and was about to call for the imperial physician, but Zhou Bo suddenly grabbed Shen Yuanbai’s hand.

He stiffly turned around and asked the maid tremblingly, “Liuyun, what did you just say, the name of that Northern person?”

Liuyun was somewhat frightened and repeated in a low voice, “His name is Di Zaiying.”

“He was hired by His Majesty to be the Second Prince’s tutor, but a few days ago, he suddenly attempted to assassinate the Second Prince and Miss Qiao. He was caught by the Crown Prince in time.”

Zhou Bo’s whole body shook, overwhelmed with grief for a moment.

It was him…

They hadn’t seen each other for over a decade, how did he end up in the palace again? How could he be so foolish?

Shen Yuanbai saw tears in Zhou Bo’s eyes, his expression couldn’t help but darken.

“Zhou Bo, is Di Zaiying your acquaintance?”

Zhou Bo looked up suddenly at Shen Yuanbai, asking urgently, “Your Highness, have you… have you seen him? Have you seen him?”

Shen Yuanbai shook his head incomprehensibly. He hadn’t been to the study for a long time, so he had never seen that Di Zaiying.

With eyes closed, Zhou Bo felt dizzy.

He hadn’t seen him…

They hadn’t even seen each other once!

If the princess knew, how painful and regretful it would be!

“Zhou Bo, what’s wrong with you?”

Zhou Bo rarely showed such a panicked appearance, which made Shen Yuanbai, who was very concerned about him, a little anxious.

Knowing Shen Yuanbai’s intelligence, Zhou Bo was afraid that he would secretly investigate, so he fabricated a lie.

“Your Highness, that… he’s an old friend of mine from the Northern Kingdom, a close friend. Hearing the bad news suddenly, I can’t calm down.”

He really couldn’t bear to let His Highness know the truth! It would be too cruel to His Highness!

“Your Highness, I’m really fine. I’ll go back and rest.”

Shen Yuanbai didn’t have much suspicion.

Because Zhou Bo did indeed have deep feelings for the Northern Kingdom. When Uncle Liu, who came with him, passed away, Zhou Bo was also upset for a long time.

He sighed lightly, “Zhou Bo, please accept my condolences.”

Zhou Bo trembled all over at the words, tears streaming down his face in an instant.

The scene from years ago was still vivid in his mind.

After the princess married Emperor Yong, she was depressed for a long time.

He and Liu Xi and others had discussed it, and at the risk of their lives, they secretly brought Di Zaiying in.

That night, they were all on edge, but the lights in the palace were still on.

He knew what was happening inside, but all he hoped for was the princess’s happiness.

Shortly after that, the princess became pregnant.

Although before that, the Emperor had forced the princess several times, they all believed that the child was Di Zaiying’s!

It was the first time the princess had shown a smile in the palace of Yong, which was both heartbreaking and comforting to him.

At that time, he thought everything was fine, and the princess could live happily…

“Zhou Bo, let me help you back to rest.”

Shen Yuanbai’s words interrupted Zhou Bo’s memories.

He squeezed Shen Yuanbai’s hand, burying all the pain deep in his heart.

“No need, Your Highness. You’re busy. I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

Zhou Bo let go of Shen Yuanbai’s hand and walked unsteadily out.

Shen Yuanbai watched quietly for a while, then turned back and coldly instructed Liuyun, “From now on, don’t mention anything to Zhou Bo.”

Liuyun was terrified and hurriedly knelt down, “I will obey, Your Highness.”