The peerless and dark princess

"Empress, it's time to put the Crown Princess and Yunfeng's wife on the agenda. Considering my age, I should have a royal grandson. What do you think, Empress?"

"Your Majesty is right. Yunjie has been in the Eastern Palace for so long that he should be under the supervision of the Crown Princess. That way, he can focus on assisting Your Majesty in handling state affairs. Feng'er is younger, so he should find a suitable wife to take good care of him... Your Majesty, which lady have you chosen?"

Queen Meng Yujiao first pointed out that Crown Prince Chen Yunjie had been living in the Eastern Palace for so long but still had no Crown Princess. Managing the mansion took up too much time and he could not fully assist Chen Yan in handling state affairs. She then pointed out that Chen Yunfeng was younger and needed a qualified wife to take care of him. She also tried to find out Chen Yan's opinion.

"We originally wanted to let the Crown Prince and Yunfeng see the noble ladies during this hunting trip, but Yunfeng and Yunjie were too busy hunting. Well, Yunbin is almost old, so we'll keep an eye on him for now. Once the Crown Prince and Yunfeng are done, we can handle Yunbin's case as well."

Emperor Chen Yan stroked his forehead, thinking that his third son Chen Yunfeng was only slightly younger than Yunfeng and Crown Prince Yunjie.

"That's because they have Dali in their hearts and don't think about those romantic affairs."

"I hope so. Well, there will be a celebration banquet the day after tomorrow. You can ask the wives of the court officials to bring their daughters to attend. It just so happens that Minister Du and Zuo Ci will also arrive in Beijing tomorrow..."

"I understand. I'll have it arranged."

Emperor Chen Yan dined at the Empress's residence and then left. After they left, Empress Meng Yujiao's face turned livid. "They didn't come to see me at all. They were just discussing the Crown Princess's affairs. They must have gone to Concubine Yu by now. Ma'am, how is Feng'er doing?"

"His Highness has listened to the Empress and has restrained himself considerably. However, Concubine Zhao Yaxin has been ill for some time, so His Highness is still staying at Concubine Namu's place. Also, a few days ago, His Highness favored a maid during a hunting trip, is that correct?"

"Since Muruohan is not a concubine, then let's make that maid a concubine. I'm tired, so please go and make the arrangements, Madam."

"Yes. The slave has withdrawn."

The old nanny bowed respectfully, then waved her hand and led all the eunuchs and maids in the bedroom out.

In the Second Prince's mansion, Zhao Yaxin carefully protected her belly. In order to hide the fact that she was pregnant, she did not go out for a walk these days.

Fortunately, the courtyard is remote, and Muruhan, who boasts that she has captured Chen Yunfeng's heart, is even more disdainful to come here. At the same time, she has also heard the news in the palace and is plotting something, so Zhao Yaxin can live in peace.

"Miss, this is the pregnancy-preserving medicine I secretly bought. I'll make it for you right now."

"There's no rush for this. It's just about whether my eldest brother agreed to what you told him."

Zhao Yaxin was a little anxious because it had been some time since this happened. She was afraid that Muruohan would find out, so she didn't go out to ask. She didn't know what was going on, and Zhao Yaxin's belly could no longer be hidden.

"Oh, look at me, young lady. The eldest master asked you to wait for another month or two. Then he will find a way to rescue you."

"Really?"

Zhao Yaxin was a little bit unbelievable. It was clear that at that time in the Zhao Mansion, her brother and sister had not treated him well. Although she, Zhao Yaxin, had not hit him, she still ridiculed her eldest brother with her words...

"It's true. The eldest master told me so himself."

"Okay, I'll wait a little longer." Zhao Yaxin's voice was a little choked.

"Miss, you are still pregnant, don't be sad."

"Dongxue, I'm happy."

"I just ran into the housekeeper. The Queen and His Majesty are hosting a celebration banquet for Prince Chu. Would you like to go?"

"No. In my current condition, I'll definitely be discovered. Anyway, this celebration banquet has nothing to do with us. In a month or two, we'll set up a small courtyard outside, and then when my child is born, we'll..."

Zhao Yaxin didn't want to get involved in the royal family's struggle, as it was this that hurt her so badly in the first place.

"Okay, Dongxue will accompany the young lady. But, what about the master and the mistress?"

"Forget about them. I've been married to the Second Prince for so long, and have you ever seen them ask me anything? On the contrary, my eldest brother agreed to help you the moment you asked for help. From now on, the child will only have my eldest brother as his uncle and you as his aunt."

"Miss, Dongxue is a servant. How can she be the aunt of your child?" Dongxue thought that she was Zhao Yaxin's maid, so how could she be worthy of such an identity.

Zhao Yaxin didn't say anything but just smiled, and suddenly she remembered the maid Dong Yu who was stabbed to death by the emperor at the Hundred Flowers Banquet. She used to respect Dong Yu, but Dong Yu told her those things without thinking. Dong Xue has been taking care of her for so long, even though she didn't have a good life in the Second Prince's Mansion, Dong Xue still did her best to take care of her... In comparison, she, Zhao Yaxin, was really blind at the time.

The next day, Du Yuanhuai and Zuo Ci went to the palace immediately after entering the capital.

"My dear nephew, tell me how your trip to Moon City went."

"I didn't eat well, and I didn't sleep well. Besides, Master Du didn't allow me to look for beautiful girls. But, on the way back, I ate..."

Zuo Ci talked eloquently about what he ate on the way back, the beautiful girls he met, and where he went to the gambling house again.

"Well, Lord Du is doing this for your own good. However, you did a great job on this matter. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

"Really? You are the emperor, and your word is law. Actually, I want to be an official. My brothers always complain to me that a prince doesn't even have to attend court. He's just an official who does."

"Well, I need to think about it carefully. Then you go back to the palace to rest first. We can talk about it at the celebration banquet tomorrow." Chen Yan thought about it and sent Zuo Ci away first.

Zuo Ci was also thinking about leaving. He wanted to go see the sharp-tongued Miss Mu. He missed her a little after not seeing her for a while.

"Minister Du, this Zuo Ci didn't cause you any trouble, did he?"

"Your Majesty, Prince Heng did not cause any trouble for me. Instead, he gave me some very good ideas."

Du Yuanhuai told the truth, but whether this person believed it or not was another matter.

Sure enough, Emperor Chen Yan didn't believe it at all. He thought it was Du Yuanhuai's euphemism to save face for him and Zuo Ci.

"Thank you for your hard work, Minister Du. Come, give Minister Du a reward of 1,000 taels of gold. My dear Du, you have just returned to the capital to take up the position of Minister. I will not mention your official position for now. Let's talk about it next time."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."

……

"How did you do this without anyone noticing? No, how did you know I was here?" Mu Wange, who was in the room, was startled. Didn't this man just return to Beijing?

"I want to know where you are. It's not that simple."

As usual, Zuo Ci tapped Wange's head with his fan.