Chapter 42
"Consort Shu is dead?"
Shen Qianxue raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Shen Chaoyan's gaze darkened. "Consort Shu was more clever than I imagined. She actually thought so quickly to use her own death to elicit His Majesty's pity for the Eldest Prince."
Shen Qianxue looked at Shen Chaoyan, puzzled, and asked, "Brother, what do you mean by that?"
"Qianxue, have you forgotten why the Third Prince is so favored by His Majesty now?" Shen Chaoyan answered her question with another question.
His words were an instant revelation.
Shen Chaoyan's words quickly enlightened Shen Qianxue. "Brother means that bitch Consort Shu wanted to imitate Noble Consort Rong?"
[荣 (Róng): glory, honor, prosperity]
Noble Consort Rong, Du Yingrou, was the birth mother of the Third Prince, Ying Ziqi. In her day, Du Yingrou enjoyed favor surpassing all others in the harem, even Shen Qianxue had to be cautious around her and survive under her thumb. The Du family's power was overwhelming. However, after Du Yingrou later gave birth to the Third Prince, it aroused Ying Zhengjing's suspicion and jealousy.
Later, the Du family was accused of several major crimes including corruption, breaking the law, and deceiving the monarch. Ying Zhengjing executed the entire clan. Du Yingrou decisively chose to die to atone for the crimes, making Ying Zhengjing feel guilty towards the young Ying Ziqi, thus ensuring his survival.
"Correct." Shen Chaoyan nodded, a dark light flashing in his eyes. "However, Consort Shu miscalculated. The downfall of Noble Consort Rong's clan back then was a scheme set by His Majesty. Furthermore, the Third Prince was very young at the time, which is why His Majesty felt guilty towards him."
The reason Shen Chaoyan could reveal the inside story of that incident was precisely because the tragedy of the Du family resulted from advice he gave to Ying Zhengjing. One could say Shen Chaoyan climbed up by stepping over the corpses of the entire Du clan.
Moreover, the situation with Ying Ziqi could happen once, but not a second time. If Shen Chaoyan could think of this, Ying Zhengjing certainly would as well.
In other words, Helian Yuxi was essentially seeking her own death. If Shen Chaoyan wasn't mistaken, after today, Ying Zihui would no longer be reused by Ying Zhengjing.
Hearing this, Shen Qianxue immediately became excited. "Brother, then after this, the Eldest Prince's faction is completely without chance of recovery, right?"
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, that can be said." Shen Chaoyan nodded, but didn't state it absolutely.
As the saying goes, a centipede dies but never stiffens. The Eldest Prince's faction was now dispersed, but the power it had left behind still could not be underestimated. It was hard to guarantee that no one would secretly assist Ying Zihui, giving them a surprise attack.
[百足之虫，死而不僵 (bǎi zú zhī chóng, sǐ ér bù jiāng): lit. a centipede dies but never stiffens; fig. A powerful person or institution may decline but does not collapse immediately, retaining some influence even after a fall.]
Shen Qianxue smiled gracefully. "Brother, you can rest assured. I will have people keep an eye on the Eldest Prince's side. Not even the slightest movement will escape my notice."
Shen Chaoyan nodded. "Good. The Eldest Prince's side will be left to you, Qianxue."
Seeing the discussion was nearly over, Ying Ziheng suddenly asked, "Uncle, Aunt, why is Sister Ningyu not here?"
He Danyan replied with a gentle smile, "Yu'er? She said she wanted to play with the Fifth Princess."
"Ah? What a coincidence. That girl Xichen went early this morning to accompany the Empress Dowager to Yunling Temple. She should still be at Yunling Temple now. Sister Ningyu will probably make a trip for nothing."
Hearing this, Shen Chaoyan frowned slightly. "Qianxue, since the Fifth Princess isn't here, could you trouble a palace maid to call Ningyu back?"
Shen Qianxue nodded and instructed a palace maid to go find her immediately.
Ying Ziheng suggested subtly, "Mother Consort, I happen to be passing by Xichen's place later. Why don't I help look as well? After all, the rear palace is quite large. I'm afraid the maids might not find her quickly enough."
Although Ying Xichen was Shen Qianxue's daughter, she gained the Empress Dowager's favor since childhood. Shen Qianxue went with the flow and let the Empress Dowager raise Ying Xichen, so Ying Xichen lived in the Empress Dowager's palace.
"Mm, that's fine too." Shen Qianxue thought for a moment and agreed, then looked at Shen Chaoyan. "Brother, sister-in-law, with such a major event happening in the palace, I still need to go and see. Please wait here for a while. I'm sure Ningyu will be found soon."
Shen Chaoyan acknowledged affirmatively. He Danyan also bowed slightly to Shen Qianxue.
At the same time, Ying Ziheng also took his leave from Shen Chaoyan and his wife.
He Danyan had maintained a composed smile throughout the exchange. However, the moment Ying Ziheng and Shen Qianxue disappeared from view, her expression turned serious as she looked at her husband and asked, "Husband, judging by the Second Prince's demeanor just now, does he have intentions towards our Yu'er?"
Shen Chaoyan replied, "The Second Prince is not a good match."
Clearly, Shen Chaoyan had long been aware of Ying Ziheng's fondness for Shen Ningyu, but had never brought it up himself.
He Danyan understood immediately, quickly guessing the meaning in Shen Chaoyan's words. "Husband is worried that if we form a marriage alliance with the Second Prince, it will provoke His Majesty's suspicion?"
"Correct." Shen Chaoyan nodded.
From the moment Ying Ziheng harbored ambitions for the throne, any possibility between him and Shen Ningyu was extinguished. Even if genuine affection were to blossom between them in the future, Shen Chaoyan would discreetly orchestrate their separation, for any other course would inevitably bring calamity upon the Shen family.
For Shen Chaoyan, although Shen Ningyu was his favorite daughter, once it involved the Shen family's interests, he would not stand by idly.
Hearing this, He Danyan couldn't help but feel puzzled. "Husband, since you have no intention of a marriage alliance with the Second Prince, why didn't you voice your objection earlier?"
"Qianxue intends to match them." Shen Chaoyan sighed silently.
Basically, Shen Chaoyan didn't not want to oppose earlier, but he couldn't. His relationship with Shen Qianxue currently was very good, but human hearts were hard to predict. If he consistently objected, it would certainly arouse Shen Qianxue's suspicion.
He Danyan couldn't help but frown. "Husband, then what should we do next?"
"No rush." Shen Chaoyan shook his head meaningfully. "Ningyu is still young and doesn't understand love. In a couple of years, I will find a way to make Ying Ziheng give up on Ningyu."
Shen Chaoyan's so-called 'making him give up' involved planning to work through Shen Qianxue. After all, Shen Qianxue's actions were all aimed at helping Ying Ziheng ascend to the Crown Prince position. If she encountered a noble daughter who could help Ying Ziheng more, Shen Qianxue couldn't possibly remain unmoved.
Therefore, as long as Shen Qianxue abandoned the idea, it would be useless even if Ying Ziheng was unwilling, unless he intended to defy his own mother, regardless of the consequences.
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