Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

When the morning light quietly penetrated the clouds and gently awakened the sleeping world, Zhang Tianai slowly opened her eyes after a deep sleep.

"Miss, are you awake?" Chunmei's voice gently floated into her ears.

A reassured smile broke out on her face, and then she lowered her voice and looked quietly out the window.

"You suddenly fainted yesterday, and Eunuch An was terribly worried. He searched everywhere for a doctor and medicine. When he learned that you were overworked and weak, he personally arranged for the staff to come and stay, strictly ordering the servants not to leave even a step. He himself also stayed there for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianai curled up the corner of her mouth into a faint smile, "I already know, no need to say more. Afterwards, I fell into a deep sleep, and no one disturbed me during that time?" Although her voice was soft, it revealed unquestionable majesty.

Chunmei shook her head slightly, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes. "Although no one came to disturb us directly, the guards outside the door have not yet withdrawn. I was also worried that the young lady would sleep for too long, so I came to wake you up in advance."

"Are you worried that I'll never wake up?" Zhang Tianai chuckled, a hint of playfulness between her brows. "After all, I'm unconscious again and haven't returned to the courtyard yet. I'm afraid Madam Liu and the others must be getting impatient."

Her words showed a bit of insight and helplessness into the ways of the world.

Chunmei was about to explain when she heard this, but a slight knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

Zhang Tianai raised her hand slightly, motioning Chunmei to go and answer the door.

A moment later, Chunmei returned, followed by Eunuch An, who looked concerned.

Zhang Tianai signaled Chunmei to greet the eunuch and wait for a moment, while she began to tidy up her appearance.

Chunmei brought some clean water, and all the supplies were carefully prepared by Eunuch An, demonstrating his importance and care for Zhang Tianai.

After washing up, Zhang Tianai changed into the simplest clothes and lightly powdered her face, adding a touch of elegance and refinement. She softly uttered a word: "Let's go."

Chunmei looked at her puzzledly, as if she didn't understand what she meant.

"Let's go pray." Zhang Tianai explained with a smile, and then took Chunmei with him and set off on the journey to the place of prayer.

As soon as they stepped out of the door, they saw Eunuch An standing on the side, whispering to someone, as if waiting for something.

She called out softly, and Eunuch An heard her voice, gently waving the whisk in his hand, his face filled with worry: "Miss Zhang, you suddenly felt unwell again yesterday. I was restless all night and have already informed His Majesty. Why are you up now? Where are you going? Look at your body..."

Zhang Tianai looked even thinner, her face paler. She replied softly, "I was indeed exhausted yesterday, but we can't delay praying today."

After saying this, she secretly speculated in her heart that since Eunuch An had reported it, he might have already seen through the emperor's other arrangements. Otherwise, how could he, given his caution, easily reveal her situation? She nodded slightly to Eunuch An, indicating that Chunmei was about to leave.

"Miss Zhang, wait a minute!" Eunuch An stepped forward hurriedly, wanting to speak but holding back, his hand already stretched out to stop her, "Your body..."

"Don't worry, Eunuch An. I know what I'm doing and there shouldn't be any more mistakes." Zhang Tianai took the lead, with a hint of uncertainty in her words. After all, things in the world are unpredictable.

Chunmei was standing by, her eyes full of concern.

"Miss Zhang, your words make me even more worried. Your health..." Eunuch An didn't finish his words, his eyes fixed on Zhang Tianai.

"Eunuch An, it is my duty to pray for blessings. Since yesterday, I have made up my mind that even if the emperor is not here, I must take on this responsibility." Zhang Tianai's tone was firm and no one could question it.

Eunuch An was furious when he heard this: "The Emperor didn't instruct Miss Zhang to pray on his behalf, and besides..."

He thought to himself, there are others who can take care of this matter, why bother you.

Seeing this, Zhang Tianai's attitude became even more resolute: "Eunuch An, you should have understood my temper over the past few days. I have made up my mind, and no one can change it."

"Miss Zhang, you haven't even had breakfast yet, and you still have medicine to take." Eunuch An reminded again, his tone full of concern, "You must obey these."

Zhang Tianai smiled slightly: "Don't worry, Eunuch An, I don't intend to ignore these things. I just want to trouble you to arrange for someone to send them to the place of prayer."

After saying that, she left with Chunmei, leaving Eunuch An shaking his head helplessly. In the end, he ordered the servants to prepare everything, thinking to himself: If this former Crown Princess falls again, I can only help her up again.

Soon, Zhang Tianai and Chunmei arrived at the place of prayer.

Chunmei whispered, "Girl, I thought you were going to..."

"Although the emperor is not here, only when we are well fed and well-drinking can we have more energy to pray." Zhang Tianai smiled indifferently and then prayed devoutly.

After praying, she enjoyed her meal with peace of mind, and everything was in order.

After drinking the medicine, the bitterness overflowed, and she almost vomited. Then her lips opened slightly and she sang softly: "I stand at the head of the Yangtze River, and you live at its tail. I miss you day and night, but we are unable to see each other. We can only drink from the same river. When will the river run dry, and when will this love end? I only hope that your heart is like mine, and that you will not let me down in my endless longing for you."

Chunmei had sharp ears and caught this delicate feeling. She looked at the girl with a bit of inquiry in her eyes.

Zhang Tianai smiled indifferently and said lightly: "It's nothing special, just reciting it casually." However, although his voice was light, it could not conceal the deep affection in the poem.

Chunmei knew it well, even the passers-by outside the window stopped to look and then left quietly.

Zhang Tianai's eyes moved around, and finally calmed down, as if nothing had happened.

---

Inside the Forbidden City, Murong Shuo finally finished his heavy work at the desk. With a frown on his face, he rubbed his temples with his fingers. A cup of tea and a few plates of snacks relieved his fatigue a little.

He stood up and was about to leave, with a barely perceptible eagerness in his steps.

"Your Majesty, are you going to..." Seeing this, the young eunuch became even more confused. Since last night, His Majesty has been unusually busy and anxious.

Murong Shuo's eyes flashed, and his tone was filled with majesty: "Do I need to report my actions to you?" After he finished speaking, he knew that his tone was too harsh, but he did not retract it.

The young eunuch was terrified and quickly knelt down, repeatedly apologizing, his forehead touching the ground, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty, please calm down. I spoke too much and deserve to die!"

Murong Shuo sighed lightly, waved his hand to signal him to stand up, and said nothing more, leaving only a series of heavy footsteps echoing in the empty palace.

Just as he was about to step out of the palace, he saw the queen walking towards him. Unlike the past, the absence of the imperial concubine made this scene even more meaningful.

Murong Shuo thought for a moment and ordered the eunuch to invite the queen in.

The Queen walked in, carrying some homemade snacks, her eyes gentle yet firm. "I heard that Your Majesty has been awake all night, so I have prepared some light food to comfort Your Majesty."

The young eunuch bowed and stepped aside, not daring to say anything more.

The Queen stepped forward and faced Murong Shuo, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes: "Your Majesty, where are you going? This is also why I came here."

Murong Shuo gestured for the Queen to take a seat, and he went straight to the point: "Your Majesty, there is no need to ask further questions. I have my own plans."

After he finished speaking, ripples could not help but form in his heart. He was not completely indifferent to the Queen's concern.

Murong Shuo opened his red lips slightly and said concisely: "I need to leave the palace for a while. If the Queen has no important matters..." After he finished speaking, he seemed unwilling to talk more, and there was a hint of haste in his tone.

"Your Majesty, I have prepared breakfast. Why don't you stay for a while?" There was a hint of urgency in the queen's gentle voice. She then called out to the door, signaling the servants.

Murong Shuo finally agreed, and they shared the simple yet exquisite meal: a bowl of warm rice porridge, a few exquisite side dishes, and a pot of carefully prepared nourishing soup. Every bite exuded the warmth of home.

After the meal, the atmosphere became a little solemn.

The Queen's eyes flickered with inquiry, "Your Majesty, why did you leave the Imperial Concubine's residence in such a hurry last night? What urgent matter was there? Even if there was a reason, you should still consider the feelings of the Imperial Concubine and the other women in the harem. They must be filled with confusion and loss."

Upon hearing this, Murong Shuo said directly and firmly: "I have my own arrangements and will make amends in due time. Queen, don't worry. I will set off immediately and arrange for someone to escort the Queen back to the palace later."

He immediately summoned the young eunuch, who came in and everything was arranged in an orderly manner.

Murong Shuo turned and left without stopping for a moment, leaving the room in silence and the queen with complicated emotions.

The queen looked at the young eunuch, thinking in her mind how to follow His Majesty secretly and ensure his safety.

The little eunuch stood there alone.

Deep in the East Palace, the Crown Prince also quickly learned the news of his father's departure from the palace. Perhaps he was one of the first people to know this news.

He secretly planned in his heart that he would get rid of Zhang Tianai, a serious threat, when his father was away, but his father's departure did not change his determination.

Zhang Tianci still feels sympathy for Zhang Tianai and repeatedly begs the prince to let her go.

This kindness put the prince in a dilemma, and he deliberately avoided talking about it last night so as not to hurt Ci'er's feelings.

At this moment, a servant hurried into the East Palace, interrupting the Crown Prince's thoughts. He looked out the door, feeling a mixture of emotions.

On the other side, Zhang Tianci's heart was also in turmoil. She secretly wondered when the prince would take action against Zhang Tianai, but she didn't dare to intervene directly. She could only wait silently and pray that everything would go as he wished.

She knew that she couldn't directly ask the prince to do anything, so she could only wait for the opportunity.