Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Those images overlapped with the impeccably polite and aloof Minister Gu before me, making me feel inexplicably dazed...

Gu Jinxiao gently raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Shen Zhinian's protruding belly before lowering them again. He finally couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty's health is precious, and the heat here is stifling; it is not advisable to stay here for long."

Shen Zhinian nodded: "I will return shortly. Lord Gu, please continue with your business."

"My minister retire."

Gu Jinxiao bowed again, then turned and walked steadily away along the cobblestone path she had come from.

The purple figure gradually disappeared behind the flowers and trees until it could no longer be seen.

After resting in the pavilion for a while, Shen Zhinian, supported by Fuqu, got up and slowly walked back along the shady path.

They boarded the sedan chair and returned to Yongshou Palace. Shen Zhinian sat down on the soft couch by the window, leaning against the soft pillows prepared by Granny Lin, and let out a soft sigh.

A body seven months old is definitely different.

After walking this lap, the soreness and stiffness in my body became quite noticeable.

Granny Lin knelt down familiarly and massaged Shen Zhinian's calves with just the right amount of force.

Han Dan gently fanned herself with her round fan and casually said, "Your Majesty, I just met Lord Gu in the Imperial Garden. I suddenly remembered that I heard the previous dynasty has been quite turbulent these days."

"They say that the court has uncovered a spy who was colluding with the Xiongnu, and now the entire court is conducting a thorough investigation. The situation is incredibly tense."

"Many officials from government offices were summoned for questioning. Some... were even imprisoned."

"The guards on duty at the palace gate are checking things several times more strictly than usual, and they have to check several passes to get in and out."

Shen Zhinian said calmly, "My father mentioned this matter briefly in his letters home."

Shen Maoxue's secret letters were always written in a subtle way, but how could Shen Zhinian not understand them?

Imperial purges have always been a common practice.

It is not unimaginable that the Xiongnu would take advantage of the chaotic political situation during the reign of the late emperor, when the emperor and his ministers were indulging in pleasure, to infiltrate and plant spies within their ranks.

If all those people can be found out, it would be like removing a festering sore for the country, and in the long run, it would be a good thing.

However, the process was inevitably bloody and turbulent, involving a wide range of people.

Shen Zhinian raised her hand and gently stroked her abdomen.

No matter how turbulent the outside world may be, Yongshou Palace remains peaceful.

Just then, Xiao Mingzi came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Xiao Huizi has arrived."

"Bring him in."

"Yes!"

Xiao Huizi entered, gave a crisp bow, and put on a charming smile: "This servant greets Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

"His Majesty has sent me to inform the Empress that she will come to Yongshou Palace after dinner."

The emperor has been overwhelmed with state affairs lately.

The task of purging the traitors and tracking down Jiang Wange's whereabouts was extremely demanding.

Even so, he still tried to make time to visit Yongshou Palace.

Sometimes he would just watch Shen Zhinian have a late-night snack, exchange a few words, and then go back to reviewing memorials.

"I understand. Thank you for making this trip."

Shen Zhinian gestured to Fuqu.

Fuqu understood, took a prepared purse, and smiled as she stuffed it into Xiao Huizi's hand: "It's so hot today, Father-in-law must be tired. Here's a little something for you to have a bowl of cool tea."

Xiao Huizi's smile widened even more: "Thank you for the reward, Your Highness!"

"Your Majesty's complexion is getting better and better; the imperial heir in her womb must be healthy and well-behaved!"

"This servant will not disturb Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort any longer and will take my leave now."

Shen Zhinian, supporting her lower back, said slowly, "His Majesty seems to be suffering from internal heat again these past few days. He has instructed the kitchen to prepare some rock sugar stewed pear soup."

"Yes!"

Handan and the others responded in unison and got to work.

evening.

The chill emanating from the ice chest dispelled the sweltering heat of the summer night.

Nangong Xuanyu sat on the soft couch by the window.

Shen Zhinian sat opposite him.

A chessboard was placed between the two people.

The black and white pieces are scattered on the chessboard, indicating that the opening stage has passed and the game has entered the middle game.

Nangong Xuanyu, playing black, made steady and confident moves, with an underlying offensive intent.

Shen Zhinian played white, displaying a lively and meticulous style of play, combining defense with offense.

As another piece was placed, Nangong Xuanyu picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea. His gaze shifted from the chessboard to Shen Zhinian's rounded belly: "Has the child been behaving well lately? Has he been causing you any trouble?"

Shen Zhinian smiled and said, "No, the child is very well-behaved."

"Aside from occasionally stretching their arms and legs, they don't cause much trouble."

As she said this, she raised her hand and gently stroked her breast: "It's quieter than when I was pregnant with Ah Xu."

Nangong Xuanyu recalled how Shen Zhinian had suffered quite a bit during the later stages of her pregnancy with the Fourth Prince. Her legs and feet were swollen, and she couldn't sleep well at night: "That's good then."

"It seems this child is considerate of his mother."

Shen Zhinian said gently, "It's always a little difficult for a woman to carry her first child before her body has adjusted."

"The second pregnancy was much smoother."

Nangong Xuanyu raised an eyebrow as he watched where she placed her piece.

This move, seemingly to strengthen the edges and corners, actually poses a subtle threat, as his central group of isolated stones is not yet fully secure.

The emperor responded calmly, "How has Ah-Xu been lately?"

"He's always running and jumping around, he's full of energy."

Mentioning the Fourth Prince, Shen Zhinian's eyes lit up with a smile: "Just a few days ago, he was pestering Granny Xiao, insisting on learning to recognize the characters on the plaque under the corridor. Granny Xiao taught him the three characters 'Yongshou Palace,' and he actually remembered most of them, but he still couldn't trace the strokes well."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Nangong Xuanyu's eyes: "Axu is exceptionally talented; he's a diamond in the rough."

"Niannian, I remember, Axu will be three years old in two months."

According to the ancestral system of the Great Zhou Dynasty, when a prince turned six, he would enter the Imperial Study, where he would be formally taught the classics, history, philosophy, and literature by Hanlin scholars or great Confucian scholars of the court, and would also learn literature and martial arts.

Generally speaking, children should begin learning etiquette at the age of three to lay a foundation for their future studies.

Shen Zhinian was naturally aware of this rule.

Privately, she had already taught the fourth prince many simple nursery rhymes and five-character quatrains.

The fourth prince had an excellent memory and could often recite the poems after only a few repetitions.

However, the fact that the emperor selected important ministers to formally educate the fourth prince was of extraordinary significance.

This foreshadows the importance of the fourth prince in the emperor's heart!

No one in the world loves the Fourth Prince more than Shen Zhinian; she had long considered this in her heart.

During the day, I ran into Gu Jinxiao in the Imperial Garden.

Both his past and present life memories showed Shen Zhinian that he was upright, prudent, and knowledgeable.

More importantly, it is his upright and honest character.

If a tutor were to be chosen for the Fourth Prince, Gu Jinxiao would undoubtedly be an excellent candidate.

Born into a distinguished family, he entered officialdom through the imperial examinations and rose through the ranks to become Vice Minister of Rites based on his genuine talent and learning. He was impartial and selfless, and enjoyed an excellent reputation at court.

He was a scholar of etiquette and law, rigorous in his studies yet flexible in his approach.

More importantly, Gu Jinxiao is upright and does not flatter the powerful.

He is the most suitable person to teach the Fourth Prince the principles of conduct and how to be a good person.

However… precisely because Nangong Xuanyu places such high hopes on the Fourth Prince, Shen Zhinian, as a concubine in the harem, must be even more cautious in her words and actions, avoiding any suspicion or distrust, when it comes to matters of great importance concerning his education.