Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

When she learned that the Empress had summoned Lin Zizi into the palace, she knew the Empress’s intentions in an instant.

“Women in ancient times are so magnanimous, so willing to find other women for their men,” she thought, “If it were her, her man with this terrible character should just die. Wouldn’t it be great for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne and herself to become the Empress Dowager?”

Nevertheless, she hurriedly ordered Huang Ying to send a message to Li Hongyuan saying that she also wanted to go to the Emperor.

Li Hongyuan was very busy nowadays, being surrounded by a large group of ministers in the last dynasty, buzzing in his ears.

The Eunuch came forward to notify him of the Crown Princess’s message. He glanced at the chattering ministers and said, “The Princess Consort wants to visit Emperor Father?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” replied the Eunuch, not understanding why the Crown Prince spoke out loudly about this matter in front of the ministers and simply complied with it.

The ministers, who were originally arguing incessantly, immediately quieted down upon hearing this.

After all, there was still a great suspicion about the Crown Princess Consort, and it was already extraordinary leniency for the Emperor not to put her in the Imperial Prison. Was she not content to stay in the East Palace but wanted to go to the Emperor’s sleeping quarters?

The ministers felt that it was inappropriate.

Immediately, an upright and outspoken minister stepped forward to stop her.

The rest of the ministers chimed in.

A significant portion was merely going through the motions.

They thought that the Crown Prince would not heed their advice, but to their surprise, he actually agreed.

“All of you ministers have made very good points. The Crown Princess Consort should not go to Emperor Father. However, there is no evidence to prove that she is guilty at the moment. As she wants to fulfill her filial duties, it is not right for me to stop her,”

The ministers looked at each other, unsure of his intentions.

But they soon found out.

The Crown Prince closed the memorial, stood up, and said, “I am not at ease and must go personally to see that Emperor Father is safe and sound before returning to hear the memorials from you ministers.”

The ministers were somewhat dazed, “Ah, right, of course. We appreciate your efforts, Your Highness.”

So, the Crown Prince left with a flourish of his sleeve.

After they left the Imperial Study Room and walked quietly for a while, Li Hongyuan sighed, “My head is buzzing, and only now do I feel a little quiet.” Accompanying Eunuch Li Xiu followed behind with his hands hanging down, slowly saying, “Your Highness has to shoulder the world, and it will be hard work in the future. Please take care of yourself.”

Li Hongyuan said, “Go and summon Mu Jian.”

Li Xiu hesitated, “Isn’t Your Highness going to see the Crown Princess Consort?”

“How come? Must I tell the ministers the truth about everything I do?”

“…Your servant understands. I’ll bring General Mu Jian right away.” “Besides,” Li Hongyuan instructed, “Send someone to the East Palace and tell them that by order of my command, the Princess Consort is not allowed to leave the East Palace until the investigation results are revealed.”

“As you command,” Li Xiu obediently replied.

Li Xiu immediately waved to a young eunuch and asked him to go to the East Palace to deliver the message.

Li Xiu himself went to summon General Mu Jian personally.

Mu Jian was the leader of the Crown Prince’s personal guards, a low-key and loyal man.

Jiang Ning in the East Palace felt uneasy when she received Li Hongyuan’s order.

Did Li Hongyuan still suspect that she had killed the Imperial Consort?

Jiang Ning had done nothing herself, so she was not afraid of any false accusations. It wouldn’t be a problem if she didn’t leave the East Palace and waited for the final investigation result.. But how could she not go when Jiang Ruobai had specifically asked her to take care of Lin Zizi?