Zhou Shaojin was frightened half to death.
How could this happen?
In her previous life, the Crown Prince had died of illness in the winter of the twenty-seventh year of Zhide. It was only the twenty-third year of Zhide now… The Crown Prince had died four years early.
What on earth had happened?
Zhou Shaojin hurried to find Cheng Chi.
But Cheng Chi noticed that the edict had been written by Cheng Shao.
That meant that when Cheng Shao was summoned to the palace, it might not have been to play chess, but rather to handle the Crown Prince’s sudden death.
The Crown Prince had died two days ago.
But why wasn’t the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace when he died suddenly, but rather in Cining Palace?
And the Imperial Grandson was there too.
Others might not know, but the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Grandson both knew the Crown Prince had heart disease. What kind of matter could have caused the Crown Prince to die suddenly?
As soon as Cheng Chi came out, he said to Gu Xu, who had come looking for him, “Is there anything unusual happening at the Eastern Palace?”
Gu Xu smiled bitterly. “The Eastern Palace is in complete chaos—what normal order could there be! The Imperial Grandson is still in the palace. The Crown Princess has already fainted from crying. The Crown Prince’s consort is taking care of the Crown Princess. That consort was originally a palace maid who had served by the Crown Prince’s side since childhood. Because she bore the Crown Prince an eldest daughter, the Crown Prince specifically requested she be granted the title of consort. Other than her, the Crown Prince has no other concubines. She’s timid and weak. Normally, apart from going to the temple to offer incense, she never steps out of her chambers. Never mind expecting her to take charge of the situation—even when daily household matters come to her, she can’t explain them clearly…”
“Then we can only wait until Second Uncle comes back to discuss it.” Cheng Chi thought for a moment and advised Gu Xu, “Fortunately, the Crown Prince didn’t die suddenly in the Eastern Palace. The only thing you can do now is ‘endure’—mourn for the Crown Prince day and night without sleep. Cry to everyone you meet about the grief of losing the Crown Prince. Whoever can display the most loyalty will be able to weather the Emperor’s fury. Whoever can endure will come out ahead and secure their future.”
“That’s what I was thinking too!” Gu Xu said helplessly. “It’s just that the Crown Prince’s death is too suspicious, making me very uneasy. Tell me, Cining Palace is what kind of place? Even if someone had a headache or fever, other palaces might not be able to summon physicians immediately, but who would dare delay matters at Cining Palace even for a moment? How could His Highness the Crown Prince just die like that? I don’t dare speak to or ask others about this. I can only ask Uncle Chi to help me sound out Second Uncle-Grandfather.”
No wonder he was dejected.
With each new emperor came new ministers.
Similarly, with each Crown Prince came a new Office of the Heir Apparent.
What had been a bright future had become dim and uncertain due to the Crown Prince’s sudden death. His prospects were now unknown!
Thinking of Gu Xu’s previous respect toward him, Cheng Chi said, “Don’t worry. I also want to know what exactly happened.” At this point, he thought for a moment and said, “At a time like this, it wouldn’t be wrong in either emotion or reason for you to ask the Imperial Grandson about anything.”
Hearing this, Gu Xu’s gaze focused slightly. He hesitated and said, “Is Uncle Chi saying that the Emperor might intend to establish an Imperial Heir Grandson?”
Cheng Chi couldn’t be certain either, but Zhou Shaojin had said that in her previous life, the Emperor had established an Imperial Heir Grandson.
Although the current situation had changed greatly, who could guarantee the Emperor wouldn’t establish an Imperial Heir Grandson now?
Cheng Chi said subtly, “There are unexpected turns in everything. Having an extra option means having an extra path.”
Gu Xu looked thoughtful.
Qingfeng came to report that Zhou Shaojin had arrived.
Gu Xu rose to take his leave.
Cheng Chi saw him to the courtyard gate before returning.
Zhou Shaojin had already arrived and was standing before the large writing desk, observing a painting he had just done of rain on banana leaves.
“Is Silang feeling unsettled?” She pointed at a raindrop on the tip of a banana leaf that seemed about to fall but hadn’t. “This raindrop was painted with a hesitant brush, making it seem somewhat heavy.”
Cheng Chi smiled and put his arm around Zhou Shaojin’s shoulder. His gaze followed hers to the raindrop on the banana leaf tip as he said, “You’ve seen through me!”
Zhou Shaojin nodded gently and said softly, “Silang, I also don’t know why things in this life are different from what I knew before…”
“This isn’t your fault.” Cheng Chi’s voice became even gentler. He whispered in her ear, “In the previous life, we knew nothing and did nothing. In this life, not only have we begun frequently contacting several princes through the Seven Stars Hall, but because of my rising prominence, I’ve also caught the Fourth Prince’s attention. Last time Shi Kuan invited me to dinner, he mentioned the Fourth Prince’s conduct and dealings multiple times. And the Seventh Prince’s matter also let other princes know that not everyone is willing to accept the Crown Prince as heir apparent. More people have developed ulterior motives.
“Originally, I thought only the Emperor and especially close people like the Imperial Grandson knew about the Crown Prince’s illness. Later I discovered that Second Uncle also knew.
“Since even Second Uncle knew, we can’t rule out that others knew as well.
“It’s as if a sword was hanging over the Crown Prince’s head. As long as the methods were clever, there were plenty of ways to bring about his death.
“I think perhaps because this life is different from the previous life, the Crown Prince died early.
“We’ll know about this matter when Second Uncle returns.
“Don’t be anxious! Gu Xu also wants to inquire about the Crown Prince’s matter from Second Uncle through me…”
Zhou Shaojin turned and hugged Cheng Chi tightly, leaning into his embrace with her eyes closed, listening to his heartbeat.
This was something she had only recently discovered.
As long as she listened to his heartbeat while in Cheng Chi’s arms like this, her panicked heart could quickly calm down.
Cheng Chi let her act spoiled toward him, gently comforting her. “It’s alright, it’s alright. Even if you didn’t have your memories of the previous life, wouldn’t we still have to live our lives?”
Zhou Shaojin made a muffled “mm” sound, feeling that even though she knew about the previous life, it didn’t seem to help Cheng Chi much.
She really wanted to help Cheng Chi!
Sensing her mood wasn’t good, Cheng Chi held her like a child, gently rocking her as he smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’m here for everything. Otherwise, what’s the point of getting married? Living alone is quieter and simpler.”
Just being able to marry Cheng Chi and have a child as adorable as Yun Ge’er was reason enough for her to marry…
As this thought flashed through her mind, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but laugh softly.
When had Yun Ge’er become more important in her heart than Cheng Chi!
Two days passed like this when suddenly an edict came from the palace saying that the Second Prince and Seventh Prince had colluded, associated with external officials, and plotted treasonous acts. They were granted poisoned wine to commit suicide, and their children, wives, and concubines were demoted to commoner status and exiled to Xining Guard.