dognovel Chapter 1667 What a fine Nangong Xuanyu!
Chapter 1667 What a fine Nangong Xuanyu!
They couldn't interrupt when the lady was there.
Seeing Shen Zhinian frowning in thought, Fuqu finally couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Your Highness, what did Madam just say..."
"Who exactly is spying on us in secret? What are they planning to do?"
Han Dan also said, "Those bald monks at Fatu Temple colluded with rebels and harbored filth, which is why His Majesty uprooted them with swift and decisive measures. What does that have to do with Your Highness?"
"Who's investigating the Empress's past before she entered the palace? Isn't this just slandering her for no reason!"
Shen Zhinian did not answer immediately, but she already had a guess in her mind.
Colluding with traitors, plotting rebellion... these are merely the crimes that Xingchen has made public.
The real reason he was executed was for his debauchery in the harem and for confusing the imperial offspring.
Given Nangong Xuanyu's personality, how could he tolerate his harem having affairs with a seemingly respectable monk?
Feng and Chu are just the tip of the iceberg. He will definitely suspect that there are more than just those two women in the palace who have had affairs with Xingchen, and will continue to investigate others.
Shen Zhinian never expected that Nangong Xuanyu would trace the matter back to her.
it is good!
It’s really great!
After three or four years together, Shen Zhinian's feelings for Nangong Xuanyu could no longer be simply described as love or not love.
Especially since Shen Zhinian is currently pregnant and her emotions are already sensitive, she was really angered!
What a great Nangong Xuanyu!
Shen Zhinian couldn't help but feel fortunate. No matter how good Nangong Xuanyu was to her, she had never forgotten that the man was an emperor. She maintained a calm demeanor and did not completely give her heart away.
Otherwise, how heartbroken she must be right now...
Seeing that Shen Zhinian's face was slightly pale and her breathing was a little rapid, Han Dan was frightened and quickly stepped forward, gently patting her back: "Your Highness! Your Highness, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Please don't get angry! Doctor Tang said that you are pregnant now, and it is most important to avoid getting upset, as anger will damage your liver and spleen."
Fuqu also hurriedly said, "Yes, Your Majesty! No matter who is behind this, the innocent will be proven innocent."
"Your Majesty, you have absolutely no connection with the rebellious monk. No matter how they investigate, they will find nothing. Please take good care of yourself; the imperial heir is of utmost importance!"
Shen Zhinian gently placed her hand on her lower abdomen, where a new life was growing.
It was this child who made her emotions more sensitive than usual, and the disappointment in her heart surged even more intensely.
However, Shen Zhinian is still Shen Zhinian.
After a brief emotional fluctuation, she took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself down.
She has never been someone who lets her emotions dictate her actions.
Anger, sadness, and disappointment are all useless; they only expose weaknesses and give others an opportunity to exploit them.
Shen Zhinian closed her eyes, slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and when she opened her eyes again, her gaze was calm.
If her guess is correct, why did Nangong Xuanyu suddenly suspect that she had a connection with Xingchen?
She has been in the palace for three or four years, and has always enjoyed the Emperor's favor. Countless eyes are watching her every move and every aspect of her life. If she truly had an affair with Xingchen, how could she have kept it a secret for so many years?
Logically, it doesn't make any sense.
Nangong Xuanyu couldn't possibly be unaware of this.
There are only a few possibilities.
Either Nangong Xuanyu wasn't just investigating her, or perhaps he suspected all the women in the harem. It's just that the investigations had different priorities; because of her high position and the fact that she had given birth to a prince, she was a key target.
Emperors are often suspicious; they would rather investigate three thousand cases incorrectly than let one go unpunished.
Or perhaps... Xingchen is cunning and deliberately tried to frame her, the most favored Imperial Noble Consort whose son is the most likely to inherit the throne. Maybe... even Axu was falsely accused.
Xingchen's purpose was to sow discord between the emperor and his concubines to the greatest extent possible!
Nangong Xuanyu may not have believed Xingchen's nonsense, but the emperor's suspicious nature led him to still choose to investigate Shen Zhinian.
From the emperor's perspective, this was not wrong, but Shen Zhinian couldn't help but feel disheartened.
Thinking of this, her eyes filled with coldness!
If Xingchen really wanted to drag them down with him before he died, then he deserved to be torn apart by five horses!
Shen Zhinian only regretted that she could not kill him with her own hands!
But right now, dwelling on the reasons is no longer of much significance.
The deed is done. If Shen Zhinian were to confront the emperor with anger, question him, or express her hurt and grievances...
Knowing that man's personality, he'd definitely try to appease her verbally. But whether his suspicious nature would lead Nangong Xuanyu to interpret her normal reaction as guilt, only he knew…
The body is not afraid of the shadow slanting.
Shen Zhinian had no connection with Xingchen, and no matter how the emperor investigated, he could only clear her name in the end.
This is her source of confidence.
However... simply passively waiting for the results would be too easy on the people investigating her behind the scenes, and it would be a waste of this opportunity.
As Shen Zhinian's eyes darted around, she had already made up her mind.
She couldn't let Nangong Xuanyu know that Xia Lingshu had already noticed and informed her about the secret investigation.
To stir up trouble and alert the enemy is not the act of a wise person.
But this doesn't mean that Shen Zhinian can only silently endure this suspicion.
Perhaps... she could use this to gain something in return.
For example, it could make that aloof and in control emperor feel even more guilty towards her.
What could touch a monarch's deepest vulnerability and sense of guilt more than a pregnant concubine who is devoted to him, trusting him unconditionally, yet secretly suspected and investigated by him?
The best course of action for Shen Zhinian now is not to cry, make a scene, or question, but to pretend that she knows nothing and continue to be a perfect imperial concubine.
She was gentle, submissive, and devoted her heart and soul to him and their child, entrusting him with all her dependence and love.
When the emperor found nothing and learned that she was pregnant, he actually began to suspect and investigate her... That guilt would ferment even more intensely!
Guilt, at times, is a stronger bond than pampering.
It is also a more powerful bargaining chip when exchanging benefits.
Thinking of this, Shen Zhinian's lips curved into a slight smile: "Lotus, lotus."
The two women quickly replied, "Yes, sir."
Shen Zhinian's gaze swept over them: "What Madam said today, once you leave this door, you must forget it completely and not mention a single word about it to anyone."
Han Dan and Fu Qu exchanged a glance. Although still somewhat confused, they replied, "Yes, we will remember this and dare not reveal a single word!"
Shen Zhinian continued, "As for those clandestine investigations... I act with integrity and have no regrets, so let them investigate."
"Just serve us as usual. There's no need for extra inquiries or special precautions, lest we give others something to say and make us look guilty."
"And His Majesty, every few days, I still have the small kitchen prepare nourishing dishes and send them over, saying that I am worried about His Majesty's hard work in handling state affairs and that I want His Majesty to take care of his health."