Old Zhengzi saw that Sheng Jinyan had been silent for a long time without speaking, and softly called out, "Your Majesty? Your Majesty?"
Sheng Jinyan snapped back to reality, thinking to himself that he had actually been lost in thought.
Especially since he had actually thought of that boring yet deeply loving woman, Shi Zhenxiang.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't seen the children for too long, so he asked about the princesses, "Where are the princesses now?"
Old Zhengzi replied, "They're probably at the General's Estate right now."
The princesses were all very clingy to Imperial Consort; basically, wherever Imperial Consort was, the princesses would be there.
Sheng Jinyan thought it was only natural; it was right for the children to stay by their mother's side.
After all, he had observed that animals also had mothers take care of their young.
So he had never considered separating the princesses from Shi Zhenxiang.
Even back then when the Empress had suggested raising one of the princesses by her side, saying it might gather some luck for pregnancy, and perhaps raising a princess by her side would help her conceive a prince.
But at the time, he didn't agree.
Thinking back to that time, when Shi Zhenxiang heard that he had refused, her usually boring face lit up, making her look much more lively than usual.
They had only just parted, so why was he already starting to think about that woman again?
Enough, enough. He might as well go see the princesses.
Old Zhengzi was quite surprised to see him heading to the General's Estate again.
He hadn't expected the Emperor to love the princesses so deeply that he wanted to see them every few days.
It was worth noting that even the Empress Dowager couldn't see the Emperor this often.
It seemed the saying "one's own child is the dearest" was indeed reasonable.
Shi Zhenxiang had originally been at home pretending to be sick.
Who would have guessed Sheng Jinyan would come again?
She was truly exasperated, not understanding why this guy always came over.
It forced her to stop halfway through faking her illness and get up to welcome him.
Sheng Jinyan, however, was sharp-eyed and noticed, "Imperial Consort, why does your complexion look so bad?"
You were still rosy a few days ago; why are you so pale today?
Shi Zhenxiang, thinking of the Empress's venomous scheme, feigned weakness and said, "Earlier, a bowl of medicinal broth was sent from the Imperial Palace. Your subject drank it without a second thought, but afterwards, she began to feel unwell."
As expected, Sheng Jinyan frowned upon hearing this.
"Who sent you that medicine?"
Shi Zhenxiang looked completely 'bewildered.' "Could it not have been sent by Your Majesty?"
"After all, Your Majesty treats your subject the best."
Sheng Jinyan, seeing her innocent and foolish expression, became irritated. "I never sent you any medicinal broth."
"Where is that medicinal broth now?"
Although he was oblivious in matters of love and romance, he had seen the methods of vying for favor and poisoning in the harem.
So he immediately thought someone was trying to harm Shi Zhenxiang.
He promptly summoned the Imperial Physician.
Shi Zhenxiang still played the naive sweet girl, lying down obediently and groaning in discomfort from time to time.
Sheng Jinyan had originally found her expression when she loved him somewhat pleasing to the eye, but now seeing her so brainless—daring to drink medicinal broth from a stranger—she was clearly stupid.
He wondered if the children would inherit this from her.
For no reason, he began to worry about the princesses' intelligence.
(Shi Zhenxiang thought: ...)
(You can take back that look like I'm an idiot.)
But she dared not, so she could only close her eyes and pretend to sleep.
Finally, the Imperial Physician examined the medicinal broth and took her pulse before breathing a sigh of relief. "Fortunately, she didn't drink much of the medicine; it can still be remedied."
"But it has still caused harm—depleted Qi and blood. She likely won't be able to conceive a child easily for the next few years."
Sheng Jinyan was slightly angered by this. "If she had drunk the entire bowl of medicinal broth, what would have happened to her body?"
The Imperial Physician said, "She would have bled uncontrollably, and her life would have been in danger."
"If she were fortunate enough to be saved, I fear she would never be able to bear a child in her lifetime."
Sheng Jinyan was indeed furious.
"Presumptuous!"
How dare someone commit such a vicious act right under his nose.
He had previously instructed the imperial concubines in the harem not to use despicable methods to harm others, yet he never expected someone would still defy the order.
"Go! Investigate this for me!"
He wanted to see exactly who dared to touch his scales.
Watching him storm off in anger, Shi Zhenxiang thought to herself that the show was about to begin.
Seeing this, Sister-in-law Shi was also very excited.
"This time, without us having to lift a finger, the Emperor should avenge you, right?"
Shi Zhenxiang shook her head. "It's not that he's avenging me; he simply hates it when people defy the rules he has set."
Whether in matters of the Imperial Court or managing the harem, Sheng Jinyan had his own rules.
Whoever dared to break his rules, he would not let them off lightly.
Sister-in-law Shi's eyes were shining. "Then if the Emperor knows it was the Empress who made the poison move, will he depose her?"
Shi Zhenxiang shook her head. "That I don't know."
After all, the Prime Minister's Estate also had deep roots; it wasn't something that could be taken down just by wanting to depose an empress.
Besides, she hadn't died from it, so deposing the Empress would certainly be blocked, and it was mostly unlikely.
Sister-in-law Shi sighed. "So we just let this sneak attack go unanswered?"
Shi Zhenxiang raised an eyebrow playfully. "How could that be?"
"The plan I mentioned to you before still needs to be carried out."
Inciting public outrage is much more effective than me going after the Empress alone.
When the number of victims increases, the Prime Minister's Estate won't be able to cover it up; in fact, they might even come to silence me.
Sister-in-law Shi's scalp tightened. "How would they silence you? They wouldn't kill you to cover it up, would they?"
Shi Zhenxiang smiled. "He wouldn't dare. At most, they'll use silver to shut me up."
When that happens, I'll ask for a lot, and then I'll have the money to open a branch store.
By then, small money will make big money, money will make more money, and soon I might become the richest person in the region.
Sister-in-law Shi's heart was also moved. "Ninth Sister, when you become the richest person, you have to take me along."
Shi Zhenxiang chuckled. "Of course."
These sisters-in-law had been very good to her, so naturally, she would bring them along to prosper together.
That night.
News came from the harem that several imperial concubines had suddenly experienced uncontrollable lower abdominal bleeding, suspected to have drunk something poisonous.
The Emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation.
The Empress hadn't expected the matter to blow up so big, and she felt a bit panicked inside.
Nanny Huang comforted her, saying, "Empress, don't worry. This old servant made sure everything was clean; they won't trace it back to you."
But the Empress was still a little fearful.
"This Palace is just afraid that some idiot might drag us down."
After all, just because the subordinates are smart doesn't mean the people they find are smart.
Especially since Sheng Jinyan was extremely clever.
The Empress's worries were justified; Sheng Jinyan quickly traced it back to her.
In the middle of the night, this was the first time Sheng Jinyan had come to her palace without following the scheduled day.
As soon as he arrived, he directly questioned, "Was the infertility medicine made on your orders?"
This was not an inquiry, it was already an affirmation.
The Empress's heart turned cold, but she strongly denied it. "Your Majesty, in these years of managing the harem, your subject has never harmed any concubine's offspring. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."
Sheng Jinyan gave her a stern glance.
"You know my temper. If it really was you, I will not forgive you."
The Empress's knees went weak, and she knelt down.
"Your Majesty—after six years as husband and wife, does your subject have no trust at all in Your Majesty's heart?"
Sheng Jinyan nodded with the expression of a steel straight man. "What else? You are the daughter of the Prime Minister. Your father once opposed my ascension to the throne. What trust could there possibly be?"
Unless the Prime Minister proved his loyalty with his death.
The Empress (thought: ...)
She had never dreamed that Sheng Jinyan had no trust in her at all—clearly, he had no feelings for her.
The Empress's heart sank, but she also knew that what Sheng Jinyan said was true.
Back then, her father had supported Sheng Jinyan's rival; no wonder Sheng Jinyan was wary of her.
But now that her reputation was at stake, she naturally would not admit that she had sent the medicinal broth.
Moreover, she hadn't sent medicinal broth to that many women.
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