Chapter 422: Chapter 420: Shen Zhaozhao Protects Her Food, and Stands Up for Her Peers
Having the security of the empress’s position is not enough.
Huo Mingyan deeply remembered her grandmother’s teachings—In the harem, only offspring provide a firm footing.
Just look at the current Empress Dowager Li. Isn’t she being sidelined simply because the new emperor isn’t her direct grandson?
Lu Ying slowly rotated the Moyu Ring on his finger. Facing the hopeful gaze of the young lady, he stayed silent for a long time.
Privately, he wished for Shen Zhaozhao to bear his child.
But publicly, he knew he bore the duty of continuing the line with the Empress.
For instance, his father, no matter how much he adored Noble Consort Zhang, still left the throne to him, the legitimate son.
In the past, he resented his father for favoring a concubine over his wife. Yet, now that he was in the same position, he realized that human hearts are not scales forged of iron. Since emotion exists, favoritism is inevitable.
Lu Ying found himself caught in a profound inner conflict.
He liked Shen Zhaozhao, wanting to give her the best of everything.
But after witnessing his own mother’s passing, he didn’t want to become like his father, a man who spoiled concubines and slighted his wife.
The Moyu Ring circled his finger over and over again.
At long last, Lu Ying spoke in a low voice, making a promise: "There will be a child. The son borne by you and me will become the Crown Prince of the Great Zhou."
Huo Mingyan’s gaze gradually turned sharp and bright.
She smiled and curtsied: "With these words from you, my cousin, I am content."
As she stepped out of the Imperial Study, Han Sang couldn’t help but ask, "Your Majesty, do you truly intend to fulfill His Majesty and Princess Zhaoning?"
Huo Mingyan responded nonchalantly, "Have you forgotten the words Grandma said when we left the borderlands? The harem is filled with beauty and bloom, but no flower stays fresh for one hundred days. Now, my cousin is infatuated with Shen Yinning only because he loved her in his youth, coupled with the fact that she remains physically stunning today. Shen Yinning is about to give birth. I’ve heard that women of the Central Plains are typically pampered and fragile; after childbirth, they tend to grow ugly and plump. By that time, will my cousin still be enchanted by her? Instead of opposing him now, it’s better to go along with him."
Han Sang nodded: "Your Majesty is most wise."
A glint of coldness appeared in Huo Mingyan’s eyes: "On another note, write a letter to my father. Inform him that His Majesty has started to grow wary of the Huo Family. Instruct him to remain cautious these next few years and refrain from stirring up trouble beyond the border despite possessing the command of three hundred thousand troops."
"This servant understands."
Huo Mingyan cast a fleeting glance in the direction of Furong Palace: "There’s a long road ahead. We’ll take our time."
Inside the Imperial Study.
Lu Ying gave the order: "Remove all the spies the Empress has placed by my side."
In the past, he thought it a hardship for Huo Mingyan to marry him all the way from the borderlands to the capital to become his Empress, so he had tolerated her agents gathering information and tracking his whereabouts. It didn’t seem like a big deal—merely a power play between husband and wife.
Yet, Huo Mingyan had overstepped.
The Huo Family’s influence had overstepped as well.
Gui Quan chuckled: "This servant obeys!"
Lu Ying cast him a glance: "I’m aware of your dissatisfaction with the Empress. But even so, mind your expression."
Gui Quan scratched his head while holding his horsetail whisk with a guilty smile: "Hehe, how would this servant dare!"
That night.
Lu Ying arrived as agreed at Furong Palace.
Stepping off the sedan, he saw Shen Yinning standing under the palace eaves, eagerly looking his way.
She held a small enameled hand warmer decorated with gold filigree, dressed in a scarlet pomegranate-fronted jacket and skirt, draped with a fox fur brocade cloak. Her high-styled hair was adorned with two hibiscus flowers crafted from gold leaf. Framed by the snowy fur, her delicate face was like polished white jade, radiant and clean in the cold wind.
In just a few strides, he mounted the steps and took her hands: "Why are you waiting in the wind?"
Shen Yinning pulled her hand back and stepped down the stairs: "Hurry, let’s go."
She was in a rush to head to the Ministry of Justice to review some case files.
The two arrived at the Ministry of Justice, which Lu Ying had cleared in advance.
Inside the file room, lit thoroughly by lamps, Lu Ying, concerned about Shen Yinning getting cold, had already ordered several basins of coal fire to be prepared.
The case files related to the treason incident had originally been classified, but as the Emperor now, Lu Ying had the authority to access them.
Shen Yinning opened the files.
Her reading speed was impressively fast, scanning through several rows with precision until she caught the most glaring discrepancy.
Pointing to a passage, she asked, "My elder brother took the Commander’s Seal in the dead of night and charged out of the city alone?"
Lu Ying confirmed: "Yes."
"Impossible. While my elder brother may be arrogant and proud due to his young fame, he understands the gravity of matters. He would never do something so reckless!"
"All the commanding officers and soldiers stationed at the Northern Gate personally witnessed the event. Even if Shen Yan could bribe them to fabricate testimonies, how could he ensure the consistency of accounts from hundreds of witnesses? As a general, leaving the capital without an imperial decree—or worse, secretly carrying the authority to mobilize two hundred thousand border troops—Shen Xingye’s actions are hardly anything less than treason."
"My brother must have had a reason for doing this!" Shen Yinning retorted. She pointed to another line in the file. "How could the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Punishments conduct their investigation like this? What does it mean that my brother refused to explain himself?"
Lu Ying fell silent.
At the time, Shen Xingye had been his brother-in-law. To avoid suspicion, Lu Ying had refrained from involvement in the case.
However, during the trial conducted by officials of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Punishments, he had sat behind a screen, listening in.
When questioned by multiple officials, Shen Xingye indeed said nothing in his defense.
Even when Minister Zhang Keyuan banged the table and yelled accusations of treason, Shen Xingye remained stoically silent.
Shen Yinning quickly skimmed through the remaining files. With reddened eyes, she said, "So, the crux of the case isn’t Shen Yan framing us for treason, but rather my brother fleeing the city with the Commander’s Seal?"
Lu Ying confirmed: "Yes. Later, I sent people to the Shen Guogong Mansion to investigate that night, but nothing conclusive came to light."
Shen Yinning pressed her hands against the files firmly.
Her downcast lashes drew long shadows beneath her eyes.
She was determined to clear her father and brother’s names, but facing a dead end, how could she overturn the verdict?
The candle burned quietly.
After a long pause, she insisted, "My father and elder brother would never rebel."
Lu Ying said nothing.
"Even if they really did rebel..." Shen Yinning suddenly swept all the files onto the floor, eyes brimming with hatred, "It must have been someone else’s fault! Your father must have pushed them too far, leaving them no choice but to rebel!"
Lu Ying was not surprised by her reaction.
Shen Zhaozhao was fiercely loyal—protective of her loved ones through and through.
Even if Shen Yan and her father truly committed treason, she wouldn’t feel a shred of guilt. Instead, she would still blame others.
Patiently, he bent down, picked up the scattered files, and set them back in order. Then he clasped Shen Yinning’s hands: "The whole truth can’t be uncovered in a short time. For now, what matters most is the child in your belly. Take care of yourself first; we’ll address everything else after the birth."
Resigned, Shen Yinning returned to Furong Palace. Haitang and the others were laughing and chatting as they cut paper decorations.
Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve.
In the Central Plains, it was customary to celebrate the New Year with paper cuttings, couplets, and red lanterns.
"Greetings to His Majesty and the Princess!"
The sight of them returning prompted Haitang to lead the palace maids in bowing and quickly stepping forward to help. She undid Shen Yinning’s cloak while signaling the younger maids to bring hot tea and snacks.
It was still early.
Lu Ying glanced at the crimson, festive paper cuttings on the table. In a warm mood, he picked up scissors and teased Shen Yinning: "Zhaozhao, what pattern do you like? Let me cut one for you."
Seated by the window on a soft couch, Shen Yinning sipped her tea coldly.
She raised her eyes, a faint but mocking smile curving her lips: "Your servant wishes for Cui Ji. Why not cut out a figure of him for me, Your Majesty? I’ll just put it by my bed and gaze at it day and night to ease my longing."