Chapter Eleven: The Crown Prince Comes Up with a New Idea

After the morning court session, the Emperor dragged his heavy steps back to the palace chamber, collapsing onto the soft couch with an unmistakable weariness etched across his face.

“Alas, growing old...” he sighed deeply, the sound laden with endless loneliness and the weight of years.

The attendant beside him hurriedly spoke, “Your Majesty is blessed beyond measure, surely a sage ruler for all generations to come! It is only that recent affairs at court have been turbulent and complicated; Your Majesty has labored day and night without rest, hence the fatigue.”

“You old fox, spare me your empty flattery. Who can remain forever young? It is just that I still have unresolved matters. I only hope time does not slip away so swiftly.”

Lowering his voice cautiously, the attendant gently inquired, “Does Your Majesty refer to...?”

The Emperor’s tone grew faint, “Look at my sons. They used to be like infants, playing and laughing by my side, and in the blink of an eye, they have all grown into men. Yet not one can share even a fraction of my burdens; they are only sources of headaches. And then there is...”

The latter part of his words seemed to be stopped by an invisible barrier, caught in his throat.

The attendant knew well that the unspoken name was that of the Prince of Dinghuan.

Whenever that name was mentioned, the Emperor felt as if something lodged painfully in his throat.

Since the Emperor would not speak it aloud, the attendant dared not touch the sore spot and simply said, “All Your Highnesses are dutiful and filial, but as befits their reverence for imperial authority, they do not dare show too much closeness casually.”

The Emperor snorted coldly, and the exhaustion on his face was instantly replaced by a layer of anger. “Filial? They are truly filial. Take the Crown Prince, for example—lately he has been clamoring to break off the engagement, and the Empress has been fanning the flames and indulging him. Does he think my eyes cannot see through the twisted schemes their mother and son hatch?”

Sweat beaded on the attendant’s forehead as he hurriedly bowed and tried to mend the situation, “Your Majesty places great hopes on the Crown Prince. As for marriage, his cautiousness shows he does not disappoint Your Majesty’s intentions.”

The Emperor said no more, sinking into prolonged silence.

The matter of the Shen family was far too complicated. As for this engagement…

Enough. He would give the Crown Prince one more chance. If he failed to hold onto it, then he, as a father, would no longer show mercy.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince was filled with anxiety.

He had never expected that even after playing such a risky hand, the Emperor’s attitude toward the engagement remained ambiguous. His heart sank deeply.

Returning to the Eastern Palace, he dismissed everyone and paced solemnly in his study, his brow furrowed deeply like a mountain ridge.

The Shen family’s current situation was complex. The court was rife with hidden currents and entangled factions, like lurking beasts waiting to devour the unwary.

The marriage contract was like a fuse ready to ignite disaster, where a single thread could unravel the whole.

Just as Shen Ningshuang had predicted, the Crown Prince did not truly wish to break off the engagement. Shen Wan was merely a pawn in his temporary strategy, a contingency plan for escape.

A concubine’s daughter, even from the Shen family, had no right to be Crown Princess, and could not compare to Shen Ningshuang, the legitimate daughter, who brought countless connections and family backing.

But how could he marry the Shen family’s legitimate daughter without arousing the Emperor’s suspicion?

Lost in his troubled thoughts, he suddenly stopped, as if resolved.

“Send a summons to the Shen residence. I wish to see General Shen.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The attendant hurried away with the order.

At that moment, Shen Fengmo, having received the imperial edict, immediately gathered his trusted men to discuss the matter of the black-clad intruders.

The atmosphere in the room was as heavy and impenetrable as thick fog.

“This matter with the black-clad men is riddled with suspicion. First, we must figure out how they assembled at the foot of the imperial city without detection. There must be an insider or a secret passage.”

Shen Fengmo frowned deeply, his eyes sharp as he stared at the map of the imperial city spread on the table.

The confidants nodded in agreement. One elder said, “General, these black-clad men act with such organization, they are unlike ordinary bandits. They seem like rigorously trained assassins. Moreover, their weapons are very peculiar.”

“Exactly. That is what worries me.”

Shen Fengmo stroked his chin thoughtfully. “We must quickly uncover their origins and intentions. The Yulin Guards assigned to us must be the elite. Order them to conduct a thorough search around the imperial city. Even mouse holes must be scrutinized carefully. No clue can be overlooked.”

“As you command.”

Just then, hurried footsteps approached, and a young servant reported breathlessly, “General, the Crown Prince has come to visit the residence.”

Slightly startled and filled with suspicion, Shen Fengmo dared not delay. He gestured for his men to withdraw and swiftly went to the gate to greet the visitor.

The two met, exchanged formal greetings, and after customary pleasantries, walked side by side into Shen Fengmo’s study.

The Crown Prince broke the silence first, bowing apologetically, his tone earnest. “General Shen, I know you have just received an important mission. It is not my wish to trouble you now. I beg your forgiveness.”

“Your Highness is too polite. Please speak freely if you have any orders.”

The Crown Prince sighed deeply, cheeks flushed. “It is still about the engagement. My previous recklessness has put your two ladies into an awkward position. I offer my apologies to General Shen.”

Shen Fengmo’s expression remained calm and unreadable. “May I ask, Your Highness, have you come today with a proper solution in mind?”

“We have both navigated the treacherous waters of court politics for many years. We understand the stakes. You can probably guess the reasons behind my decision to break the engagement. Yet the Emperor remains silent on the matter. I suspect he is waiting to see your stance.”

The Crown Prince looked up earnestly, as if willing to lay bare all his thoughts.

For him, marrying into the Shen family would bring support but also the Emperor’s suspicion. For the Shen family, it was no different.

By rights, with the marriage, the Shen family would firmly side with the Crown Prince. However, because Shen Ningshuang was never favored by Shen Fengmo, the family’s position remained uncertain—like leaves drifting in the wind, still maneuvering their options.

Faced with the Crown Prince’s question, Shen Fengmo replied indifferently, “Both ladies involved are my daughters. Though one is legitimate and the other a concubine’s child, in my heart, their status is equal. If Your Highness favors one and His Majesty consents, I will abide by the decree.”

The Crown Prince felt as if he had punched cotton, his frustration mounting. He had thought his sincerity and forthrightness would move the general, but the man stood like an immovable mountain, revealing no cracks.

“General Shen, I once said I preferred the second lady of the Shen family. But she is a concubine’s daughter; even if she enters the Eastern Palace, she can only be a secondary consort. The position of Crown Princess must belong to another.”

Shen Fengmo’s face remained composed as he quietly regarded the Crown Prince, waiting for him to continue.