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When the two performed their salutations, the Empress quickly reminded them, "Lady Shen is with child, so there is no need for formalities at this time."

After speaking, she commanded Qing Ying, "Please be seated."

Xiao Jinyan stepped forward to pay his respects first, "Mother Empress, I wish you peace and prosperity."

Following the Empress’s gesture, Xiao Jinyan helped Shen Chuwei to sit down on the chair.

At this moment, Lady Chang was brought in by Steward Ren, kneeling on the ground to pay respects to the Empress.

"Empress, I wish you peace and prosperity."

Xiao Jinyu also ran over to join the crowd.

Looking at Lady Chang kneeling on the ground, the Empress asked coldly, "Lady Chang, with both human and material evidence present, do you admit your guilt?"

Confronted with the evidence, Lady Chang had no choice but to confess, "Empress, it was my momentary confusion, a misunderstanding involving Lady Shen. It is my fault."

"You had Imperial Doctor Yan say Lady Shen was four months pregnant, was that a misunderstanding? You’re simply talking nonsense with your eyes open!

" Xiao Jinyu snorted, "Mother Empress, Lady Chang did this on purpose.

Her heart is clearly filled with jealousy.

If she is not severely punished now, who knows what schemes she might devise in the future. "

Listenting to Xiao Jinyu’s words, Lady Chang was so angry she nearly spat blood. After all, she was Xiao Jinyu’s cousin. How could he treat her this way for an outsider?

Xiao Jinyan said, "Mother Empress, someone as scheming and malicious as Lady Chang must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others."

Lady Chang looked at the cold-hearted Xiao Jinyan. Was he dead set on seeing her punished severely?

Just for Shen Chuwei?

Lady Chang gazed at Shen Chuwei, who was sitting in the chair, clearly seeing her rounded belly. Why was she the one to carry Xiao Jinyan’s child?

A woman with neither power nor status, what could she bring to Xiao Jinyan? Why was he so concerned about Shen Chuwei?

Xiao Jinyan heard the scoff. How powerful her family was didn’t matter. He simply didn’t like her.

If you behave, I can let you live without worries.

If you don’t behave, then don’t blame me.

The Empress was also extremely angry this time, looking at her niece whom she had cherished for so many years felt nothing but disappointment.

"Lady Chang, you framed Lady Shen’s innocence and plotted against the heir to the throne. You are demoted to Fengyi, moving out from Xinlan Hall to live in Suixin Pavilion, and must transcribe the Diamond Sutra a hundred times."

The Diamond Sutra is so long; to transcribe it a hundred times would take until when?

What difference is there between Suixin Pavilion and the Cold Palace? Like the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, both are desolate and ignored.

Lady Chang choked up, "Empress, I realize my mistake, please show mercy."

The Empress said sternly, "If only you had thought about the repercussions earlier. You have disappointed not only me but also my brother. Reflect on your wrongdoings in Suixin Pavilion."

Lady Chang was led away in tears to Suixin Pavilion.

Xiao Jinyan watched this scene with indifference. If Lady Chang didn’t have a powerful family behind her, plotting against the heir would have left her with no chance to live.

After the Crown Prince’s return, the Emperor had Steward Li send the memorials to the East Palace, and whenever he had free time, he would go to Fengyi Palace.

The Empress was preparing little garments with Qing Ying.

Seeing the Emperor arrive, Qing Ying rose to pay her respects before withdrawing.

The Empress looked at the detestable Emperor, reluctantly rising to receive him, "Your Majesty."

The Emperor sat down at the table, glancing over the several small garments laid out. He picked one up and asked the Empress, "Are you preparing clothes for the child?"

The Empress couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Wasn’t that obvious?

Handling a small garment, she chose not to look at the despicable Emperor, "This concubine had nothing better to do, so I made a few."

Seeing the Empress’s distant tone, the Emperor took her hand from the table, his voice gentle, "Empress, are you still angry?"

"This concubine would not dare," replied the Empress as she retrieved her hand and continued cutting a tiny piece from the garment.

The Emperor took her other hand, "And you knew all along that Lady Shen was pregnant. Why didn’t you inform me? If you had told me earlier, these misunderstandings could have been avoided."

The Empress looked up at the contemptible Emperor, "It was Your Majesty who wanted to imprison Lady Shen, and it was also Your Majesty who failed to clarify the truth. How can you blame your concubine now?"

"I didn’t mean that," the Emperor faltered, swiftly changing the subject, "This matter is resolved now. Are you still going to be cross with me?"

The Empress gave the despicable Emperor four words, "This concubine would not dare!"

The Emperor: "..." You wouldn’t dare? Just yesterday, you almost started hitting people, is there anything you wouldn’t dare?

The Emperor saw that the Empress kept busy with little garments and hats, clearly ignoring him.

"I’ve waited so long for a daughter and now she’s gone. Shouldn’t you console me, Empress?"

The Empress: "That is something Your Majesty conjured up by yourself, not something this concubine took away."

The Emperor: "..."

East Palace

Xiao Jinyan reviewed the memorials. Although he hadn’t done so for five months, he found it easy to get back into it, and the less troublesome memorials were easy to settle.

After he finished reviewing, Xiao Jinyan went out through the back door to the Hehuan Hall.

Shen Chuwei was lying in bed, struggling to stay awake. Xiao Jinyan had asked her to wait for him to have dinner together.

She yawned, "If you don’t come soon, I will go to dreamland."

Xiao Jinyan had just entered when he heard her say this, "Who are you going to meet?"

Shen Chuwei climbed up from the bed, smiling at Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, you’ve arrived."

"Hmm, there were more memorials today, so I’m late," Xiao Jinyan said as he took off his clothes and sat down by the bed. Seeing her dressed so thinly, he couldn’t help but pull her into his embrace.

Shen Chuwei wrapped her arms around his neck and guided his hand to her belly, "Your Highness, talk to the baby."

This was part of prenatal education, letting the father talk to the baby is beneficial.

Xiao Jinyan looked down, his hand on her stomach, but he did not speak.

Shen Chuwei immediately sensed something was amiss and subtly shifted her position.

Xiao Jinyan held her waist, his breathing becoming heavier, "Don’t move."

ps: Second update