The women in the rear courtyard who were already jealous of Chu Shengsheng’s favor felt even more bitter and sour upon hearing the news.
Residing long-term in the Crown Prince’s sleeping palace? What an extraordinary honor!
The Crown Prince had placed her at the very tip of his heart—how was she any different from the principal wife?
Yet, no matter how much jealousy they felt, it all turned into deep fear and resignation when they remembered Liu Yiyi and the tragic fate of the Liu family behind her.
No one dared to provoke misfortune at this time, let alone scheme against her.
In Lady Li’s courtyard.
The crisp sound of shattering porcelain rang out one after another, and the floor was already a mess.
Li Yuanyuan’s chest heaved violently, her beautiful face twisted with envy and hatred. She could only suppress her voice, gritting her teeth as she cursed in a low tone to her trusted maid: “That wretch! Who knows what kind of fox-spirit tricks she used to be able to stay long-term in His Highness’s sleeping palace! What does she think she is? Just a Lady of Goodness, does she really think she’s the mistress?”
The maid trembled as she picked up the fragments, whispering in consolation: “Lady, please calm down, be careful not to hurt your hands. Right now… Consort Chu is at the peak of her favor, even the Liu family…”
“The Liu family is the Liu family!”
At the mention of this, her voice first rose sharply, then fell dejectedly, tinged with unwilling fear.
“I know… no one dares to touch her now. This Eastern Palace truly is her domain.”
As she spoke, she slumped into a chair, her gaze venomous yet helpless. After a long moment, she suddenly sneered again, as if grasping at her last straw, and said:
“Fine, let her be smug! A Lady of Goodness is still just a concubine after all. Her background is what it is; no matter how favored she is, she can never truly step onto the main stage.”
“His Highness is bewitched by her now, but can the Eastern Palace remain without a Crown Princess forever?”
“When the principal wife enters in the future, with her noble status and illustrious family, let’s see how long she can keep up her arrogance!”
“We’ll just wait and see how long her glory lasts!”
Meanwhile, inside the sleeping palace.
Chu Shengsheng reclined on the soft couch by the window. Pei Zhen had gone to handle official duties, and she had just finished her medicine and had some free time. Watching the renovations begin outside, she silently pondered what to do next.
Now that she had become the Crown Prince’s Lady of Goodness and had also won Pei Zhen’s true heart, the matter of pregnancy should be put on the agenda.
However, once she became pregnant, there was one thing that could not be ignored.
That was her status, her identity.
Her current identity was that of an orphan girl trafficked to the capital. As a Lady of Goodness, she had probably reached the peak, but it was definitely not enough.
Otherwise, when she gave birth to a child in the future, the palace likely wouldn’t allow her to raise the child herself.
Moreover, there was an even more crucial point: Pei Zhen still didn’t have a Crown Princess!
And whoever could become the Crown Princess would undoubtedly be someone of noble status with an illustrious family background.
So, even if she could become pregnant and give birth, what then?
She would still be beneath the Crown Princess!
“That won’t do. I must raise my own child.”
Thinking this, Chu Shengsheng abruptly sat up, crossing her legs as she began to ponder.
“And I don’t like being beneath others either. The position of Crown Princess must be mine.”
“I wonder if there’s a tool in the System to change my identity.”
With this thought, she immediately began inquiring with the System.
[Yes, there is. Tool: Identity Clue (Random): Can randomly refresh a new identity. Required Points: 1000 points. Can be purchased repeatedly, no upper limit.]
There really is?!
After listening, she did not hesitate and directly made one purchase.
[Spent 1000 Points to purchase Identity Clue (Random) item. Remaining Points: 94099.]
[Identity Clue generated: The long-lost youngest daughter of the tofu shop owner in the West Market of the capital.]
Chu Shengsheng: “…”
This identity might as well not exist. She pursed her lips. Since she had plenty of Points, she decisively chose to refresh again.
Second time: [The granddaughter of a retired seventh-rank county magistrate from Jiangnan, who was left adrift outside.]
Still too low.
Third time: [The daughter given away in early years by the postmaster of a border town.]
Fourth time: [The illegitimate daughter of a distant cousin of the late Duke of Chen’s household.]
This time, the identity seemed somewhat relevant, but with layers of distance—distant relative, cousin, and illegitimate daughter—it still wasn’t impressive enough.
“One last time.”
She took a deep breath. She refused to believe her luck was this bad!
[Identity Clue generated: The legitimate eldest daughter of the Zhenguo General’s household, who went missing during the Lantern Festival sixteen years ago. Supporting evidence: A mutton-fat white jade pendant carried on her person, engraved with the character “Ning”; a faint pink plum blossom-shaped birthmark on the back of her left shoulder.]
Seeing this newly generated identity, Chu Shengsheng’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she was instantly delighted.
The Zhenguo General’s household!
Wielding heavy military power and favored by the emperor, they were one of the top-ranking noble families in the court.
The missing legitimate eldest daughter…
This identity carried enough weight!
“This is the one.”
She made no further changes, and the item’s identity took effect immediately.
The moment she decided, a mutton-fat white jade pendant materialized in her hand. Its texture was exquisite, carved with delicate cloud patterns and a small, elegant character “Ning” in the center, simple yet profound.
At the same time, a faint, warm, tingling sensation briefly emanated from the back of her left shoulder before disappearing. She knew the plum blossom birthmark was now in place.
Next, she needed to figure out how to make this identity reasonably recognized.
In the study, Pei Zhen had almost finished handling official matters when a Shadow Guard silently appeared, presenting a confidential letter.
“Your Highness, there is news from Jiangnan. After thorough investigation, it has been discovered that Consort Chu is not biologically related to the Chu family but was adopted.”
“Adopted?”
Hearing this, his hand paused while writing, and he asked, “From where was she adopted?”
“Your Highness, she was sold from the capital to Jiangnan and later adopted by the Chu family. As for her identity in the capital, due to the long passage of time, it has not yet been…”
The Shadow Guard did not finish, but Pei Zhen understood what he meant.
“Continue the investigation. I want to know Sheng Sheng’s original identity in the capital.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” The Shadow Guard accepted the order and withdrew as silently as he had arrived.
The study returned to silence.
Even before the Shadow Guard arrived, Pei Zhen had already been contemplating the issue of Chu Shengsheng’s identity.
Now that he had realized his true feelings, in his eyes, the status of Lady of Goodness was unworthy of the woman he loved. Only the position of Crown Princess was suitable.
However, given Chu Shengsheng’s current identity, it was absolutely impossible for his father, the emperor, to agree to her becoming the Crown Princess.
Thus, he was considering how to manipulate her identity.
For example, arranging a formal adoption.
But now, having discovered that she was originally from the capital—though her exact identity remained unclear—it was a small surprise.
From here on, he could continue investigating Chu Shengsheng’s true identity. Regardless of whether it was high or low, arranging an adoption would do no harm.
Moreover, this adoption had to involve a family of sufficient status, at least one worthy of producing a Crown Princess.
“The General’s Manor… seems quite suitable.”
Pei Zhen’s mind ran through several possible families, ultimately settling on the General’s Manor.
He remembered that many years ago, the General’s Manor had lost a legitimate daughter. After that, the General’s wife had no more children. If Sheng Sheng could be recognized as her goddaughter, it would be quite fitting.
Having made up his mind, he next needed to consider the feasibility of this plan.
However, even after being recognized as a goddaughter, he could not abruptly propose her as Crown Princess—there would inevitably be criticism in the court, especially from those families eyeing the position.
He must not rush. He needed to find the right opportunity, one that would both legitimize her status and leave no room for objection in the court.
Three months—he set the deadline in his heart.
He must secure the position of Crown Princess for her!