Page 351

The Emperor’s pleasure was instantly replaced by fury upon the mention of that whore Consort Chu and her adulterous affair with a guard – and the child she now carried.

With a cold gaze, the Emperor turned to Lady Chang, "Lady Chang, is what you said true?"

Lady Chang asserted confidently, "Your Majesty, every word your concubine has spoken is true."

A fierce look brewed in the Emperor’s eyes, "Eunuch Li, summon Lady Shen for Us."

"Yes." Eunuch Li understood that a serious issue had arisen and quickly withdrew.

A glint of satisfaction flashed in Lady Chang’s eyes, "Shen Chuwei, now that your aunt from the Fengyi Palace is not around, no one is here to protect you. You’re truly finished this time."

Xiaoxiang Pavilion

After having her fill, Shen Chuwei lay on the couch and fell asleep almost instantly.

She vaguely heard Chun Xi calling her.

"Miss, wake up, please wake up,"

"Something serious has happened."

Shen Chuwei struggled to open her eyes, only to see an anxious Chun Xi. Extremely tired, she asked, "What’s happened?"

Chun Xi, frantic like an ant on a hot pan, circled around, "Eunuch Li said the Emperor wants to see you, I’m afraid something bad has happened."

Shen Chuwei was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Eunuch Li wouldn’t come to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion for nothing; no wonder Chun Xi was so anxious.

"It’s fine, let’s go see," she said. It wasn’t as if they had a choice; imperial commands were not easily ignored.

"Miss, let me wrap up your belly with cloth first."

Chun Xi was about to grab the cloth when Shen Chuwei stopped her, "No need to hide it. I feel the Emperor wouldn’t summon us without reason. It’s better to be straightforward than to keep hiding."

Worried, Chun Xi said, "But the Empress and Your Highness are not here. What if the Emperor makes things difficult for you? There’s no one to back you up now."

Shen Chuwei patted Chun Xi’s shoulder to calm her, "Don’t be afraid, we haven’t done anything wrong."

"...But still." Chun Xi remained worried.

Eunuch Li was waiting outside, so they didn’t dare to dawdle any longer and hurried out from the inner room.

Shen Chuwei was petite and dressed in loose clothes, so her pregnancy was not very noticeable.

Eunuch Li gave her an extra glance before speaking, "Lady Shen, the Emperor has an urgent summon for you."

Since it concerned the East Palace, it was inappropriate to discuss in the Imperial Study Room. Even though the Empress was absent, the Emperor still chose to handle the matter in the Fengyi Palace.

"Thank you, Eunuch Li, for leading the way," said Shen Chuwei.

Eunuch Li, with a whisk in hand, led the way.

Shen Chuwei followed Eunuch Li leisurely to the Fengyi Palace.

Bowing deeply, Eunuch Li announced, "Your Majesty, Lady Shen has arrived."

As Shen Chuwei stepped into the bedchamber, she spotted another person standing in the center of the hall – Lady Chang.

At that moment, Lady Chang was looking at her, with a smile in her eyes that held an ambiguous meaning.

Shen Chuwei withdrew her gaze and stepped forward a few paces. Because of her belly, her movements to kneel were slower.

Chun Xi, at her side, supported her and knelt down as well.

The Emperor looked down at Shen Chuwei’s movements and immediately noticed the issue. His eyes were drawn to her belly, which, due to her kneeling posture, revealed an obvious curve.

Shen Chuwei bowed her head, "May the Emperor be blessed with peace and prosperity."

Chun Xi also bowed her head, "May the Emperor be blessed with peace and prosperity."

The Emperor, eyes brewing with a towering rage, coldly interrogated, "Lady Shen, Lady Chang claims you are with child. Whose is it?"

Shen Chuwei replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, your concubine is indeed pregnant, and of course, it is the Crown Prince’s."

Lady Chang scoffed, "Lady Shen, the Empress’s kind heart has allowed you to deceive her, but the Emperor is wise and decisive, and you won’t be able to fool him. How could the child be his when the Crown Prince has been on a military campaign for over four months?"

Shen Chuwei looked up at Lady Chang and countered, "I’ve been joyful for five months, how could it not be His Highness’s?"

"Although I have never been pregnant myself, I have seen pregnant women. A belly at five months should be much larger than yours," she said.

After speaking, Lady Chang looked toward the Emperor and curtsied, "Your Majesty, call the Imperial Doctor to examine Lady Shen’s pulse, and it will be clear."

Hearing this, Shen Chuwei nodded in agreement, "Your concubine also believes that it’s most appropriate for the Imperial Doctor to take the pulse."

Chun Xi was nearly beside herself with worry. Lady Chang was thoroughly vile, actually suggesting that the child my lady carried wasn’t His Highness’s?

Initially, when Lady Chang claimed Lady Shen was pregnant, Eunuch Li didn’t believe it. The Imperial Doctor had said that Lady Shen would have difficulties conceiving. Now that she was suddenly pregnant, who would believe it?

Seeing it now with his own eyes, and with Lady Shen admitting it herself, it meant that Lady Shen could indeed have children.

Unfortunately, the child in Lady Shen’s belly might not be the Crown Prince’s.