CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 192: HANDLE IN HAND

The crowd was still watching the Fourth Prince, discussing in murmurs.

Inside, Lady Ying had already been tidied up.

Then, with a slightly weary voice, she said.

"Mother, let the Fourth Prince go find the wet nurse first. In a few days, when I feel better, I’ll speak with the ladies."

With her saying this, even if others wanted to stay, they felt embarrassed.

So, one by one, they tactfully offered their congratulations and left.

The Fourth Prince, after being scrutinized by numerous pairs of eyes, finally went to the wet nurse.

Perhaps because of his healthy constitution, his appetite was especially good.

The wet nurse marveled at how rarely she saw a child able to swallow like this.

She praised him so much that Lady-in-waiting couldn’t stop smiling out of joy.

After giving birth, Lady Ying was weak and fell asleep shortly.

While the entire Yao Yue Palace was still immersed in joy, the sound of a shattered cup came from the distant Yuexiu Palace.

At this moment, Princess Consort Yi’s face was filled with anger. If she weren’t a woman, her presence might rival that of a battlefield general.

"Cousin is indeed exceedingly foolish, all because grandmother spoiled him. Staying in prison for some time to reflect would have been enough, yet he dared..."

The original indifferent expression now clouded over with anger.

If that foolish cousin were in front of her, she might have kicked him to death by now.

Spare the Liu Family from disgrace!

Ruan Ming, standing by the side, remained unmoved, yet his eyes were exceptionally sharp.

In his view, what the old lady did was indeed excessive!

To dare to bribe the jailers and swap out the Third Young Master, now caught red-handed after the plot was discovered.

Originally there were only seven serious charges, but now they might turn into ten.

It’s fortunate that the Emperor is not currently in Shengjing City, or news would’ve likely reached the imperial court.

If it had, perhaps the edict for execution would have already been sent to the Ministry of Justice Prison.

"What news from grandfather’s side? Still nothing back? How long has it been, why is it so slow?"

"Your Highness, under normal circumstances, there should have been news in about a month, but now not only is there no reply, but we are even worried whether the Marquis received the letter."

Otherwise, with the Liu Family’s private lines, it shouldn’t have taken this long.

The outcome would only be of two kinds: either someone intervened and intercepted the information, preventing it from being sent out, or trouble erupted in the Northwest, leaving the Liu Family Army unable to handle this side.

Neither is desirable for them to see.

Princess Consort Yi had to suppress her anger; it was best to smooth out the matter for now.

Otherwise, if it reached the Emperor, just bringing out the whole Liu Family wouldn’t help.

It might even implicate grandmother, who was secretly manipulating things.

If she were implicated too, the Liu Family’s prestige in Shengjing City might indeed be shaken.

"Who discovered this matter?"

"It was Ling Yan, Ling Family’s grandson who recently entered the bureaucracy. He currently works in the Ministry of Justice. It’s said that he discovered this when inspecting the prison, but it was intercepted by our people during reporting."

The Ling Family?

Princess Consort Yi pondered.

The Ling Family isn’t much of a prominent family in court, just so-so.

Unexpectedly, a principled and upright grandson emerged.

His aunt, wasn’t she the lady who married into the Pei Family?

Currently, she is Lady Ying’s mother.

She’s in the palace taking care of her daughter who is about to give birth.

Thus, a series of thoughts rapidly crossed Princess Consort Yi’s mind.

If they took action, they could surely suppress the Ling Family.

But if it alarmed the Pei Family, it could spell trouble.

The master pillar of the Pei Family is the Assistant Minister of Rites.

The position is modest, but it’s admired by all scholars and literati.

If it agitates the officials, these daring individuals might blow things up!

So, they could only handle it with appeasement.

While she was continuously thinking, Ruyi quietly slipped in from outside.

"My Lady, news from Yao Yue Palace; it’s said Lady Ying has given birth."

"She’s given birth? So soon?"

"Yes."

"Is it a prince?"

Princess Consort Yi could tell from Ruyi’s hesitant look, guessing with certainty.

If it were a princess, she would have mentioned this joyful news as soon as she entered, no need to wait until now.

"Yes, it’s the Fourth Prince. It’s heard that the Inner Court Department has already sent someone to inform the Emperor."

"That’s great, it’s good to have a prince. Our Da Wei has gained another rightful heir."

The word "heir" uttered by Princess Consort Yi surprised both Ruan Ming and Ruyi.

Though in her own palace, such words were close to disrespect.

After all, the Emperor is still in his prime. Talking about future succession is premature.

Everyone assumed Princess Consort Yi would be quite displeased upon hearing this news.

Unexpectedly, she seemed joyously exuberant.

She then instructed Ruan Ming.

"Noble Princess Consort Ying has birthed the Fourth Prince, a contributor to our Da Wei. Send two hefty gifts, one to the Pei Family, one to the Ling Family. Tell them, as His Majesty is not in the palace, all matters are decided by me, and if Lady-in-waiting wishes to stay in the palace longer to attend more, it’s not out of the question."

The words were ambiguous.

Outsiders might think it’s some great honor.

But only the Pei Family and Ling Family would understand; this was grasping their lifelines.

If it were only a princess, they might have dared to risk it all.

But now it’s a promising prince.

Even a fool would know what choice to make.

Thinking how her troublesome issue was resolved, Princess Consort Yi felt that the timing of this newborn Fourth Prince couldn’t have been better.

Before the Ling Family gave up on reporting this matter, she would protect the Fourth Prince and Lady Ying’s safety.

Otherwise, how could she use them as a lever to threaten the Pei Family and Ling Family?

The Fourth Prince, contentedly asleep in his swaddling clothes, blissfully unaware, had altered the destinies of many with his birth.

Outside the palace, the Ling Family was in chaos.

Ling Yan’s upright nature; he’d been placed at the Ministry of Justice because his character could easily offend others.

They thought, since the jail held criminals, offending them was no big deal.

Who would have known he would expose such a scandal for the Liu Family?

Initially, they considered making a big fuss over it, but after receiving Princess Consort Yi’s generous gifts, even the Assistant Minister of Rites visited in person.

"Yan’er, this matter must not be exposed. Your aunt, your cousin, and the newborn Fourth Prince, they’re all in the palace. If you offend the Liu Family, where would they find a way to survive?"