Wang Zhongyi was also drenched in sweat. At this moment, even he, if he misspoke, might be granted death by Emperor Zhengyong!
He quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am not aware."
"However, the only people who could know about this, besides the harem, would be your teacher…"
"Tang Xiaozu!"
Emperor Zhengyong suddenly opened his eyes, a murderous intent flashed across.
He is not a celestial eunuch!
Twenty years ago, the previous Crown Prince was involved in a treason case, the Crown Prince was deposed and imprisoned.
Back then, he also had the opportunity to contend for the position of Crown Prince.
Who would have expected to be targeted by someone with an ulterior agenda, sending a woman skilled in intimate affairs to secretly enter the residence to tempt him.
A young man, brimming with vitality, how could he resist the allure of such a seductive woman?
For several consecutive years, he indulged in pleasures night after night, sometimes dealing with a dozen or so voraciously eager women in one night.
The woman even offered him fierce drugs, causing him to focus solely on intimate relations day and night.
How could a young body endure such wear and tear?
In just a few years, his vigor was completely exhausted, and he could no longer rise to the occasion.
It wasn't until later that he realized this was orchestrated by King Tang's concubine and Noble Consort Sun of Langya County!
Thus, upon becoming Crown Prince and successfully securing the throne, he immediately raised his sword against the lineage of King Tang.
As for his teacher Tang Xiaozu, he inadvertently discovered his physical condition.
How could a prince unable to bear children be the ruler of the world?
This is why Tang Xiaozu sided with King Tang, nearly causing the throne to fall into their hands.
Thinking of this, Emperor Zhengyong's hatred for Tang Xiaozu deepened!
"The harem, Tang Xiaozu... who is it really?"
Wang Zhongyi whispered, "Your Majesty, underlings have heard that when Tang Xiaozu was held in the Celestial Prison, Prime Minister Yang personally went to inspect."
"At the time it was thought that Prime Minister Yang was there to advise Tang Xiaozu; now it seems he learned about this from Tang Xiaozu."
"Prime Minister Yang! Yang Xuansu!"
Emperor Zhengyong's tone changed immediately; if this matter came from Prime Minister Yang's mansion, then wouldn't that mean...
Just then, a little eunuch suddenly knocked on the door and said, "Your Majesty... The Empress Dowager has sent a message asking you to visit Yongshou Palace for a discussion."
"Mother…"
Emperor Zhengyong stood up abruptly, took a deep breath, and said, "Send word to Mother, I will go immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The little eunuch promptly withdrew, and Wang Zhongyi hesitated, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager calling you at this time…"
"Go and see."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Wang Zhongyi bowed and withdrew, arranging for the sedan chair to head towards Yongshou Palace.
The reason Emperor Zhengyong was able to ascend to the throne after losing Tang Xiaozu was all thanks to this Empress Dowager!
Yongshou Palace.
The Empress Dowager, dressed in magnificent attire and with an imposing presence, sat alone. When Emperor Zhengyong entered, she beckoned him in, and Wang Zhongyi promptly exited.
"Your son greets Mother, wishing Mother's health."
"Rise."
The Empress Dowager gently raised her hand and said, "Please sit, Your Majesty."
"May I ask, what urgent matter requires my presence so late?"
The Empress Dowager glanced lightly at Emperor Zhengyong and said calmly, "Technically, I need not concern myself with former court matters, but this involves royal affairs."
"If the former court is unstable, how can the harem be at ease?"
"Mother's teaching is right."
"Rumors are rampant in the court now; what does the Emperor plan to do?"
Emperor Zhengyong quickly said, "Your son has instructed the Imperial City Department to investigate thoroughly, and those spreading rumors will face death without pardon!"
"Foolish!"
The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Doing so merely confirms the rumors as true to outsiders."
"Mother's teaching is right…"
"Alas…" The Empress Dowager shook her head, "You are still the same, overthinking."
"If not for that, you might have…"
"Enough." The Empress Dowager continued, "There is only one course of action now, to address this urgent matter."
"Please instruct, Mother."
"Prince Ning's concubine is already pregnant, but it hasn't been announced yet. The Emperor can secretly perform a substitution."
The Empress Dowager stated directly, "After all, it is a royal offspring, find an obedient woman to pretend to be pregnant…"
"What?!"
Emperor Zhengyong raised his head sharply, looking incredulously at the Empress Dowager.
Substitution?
The child of Prince Ning?
Then wouldn't that mean the throne belongs to Prince Ning's lineage in the future?
He hesitated, "What if it's a girl?"
"It's a boy." The Empress Dowager said coldly, "If I say it's a boy, then it is a boy!"
Looking into the Empress Dowager's eyes, Emperor Zhengyong understood.
Any pregnancy or child of Prince Ning was false!
As long as there was a woman to cooperate, in ten months, he could have a boy!
He quickly thought and immediately said, "Rest assured, Mother. I secretly dispatched the Imperial City Department to Nanyue County to find a medical genius, known as one who can bring the dead back to life."
"Under his miraculous treatment, I have improved significantly, and... I recently favored a palace maid."
"Really?"
The Empress Dowager looked Emperor Zhengyong up and down and shook her head, "You… enough, at most three months' time. If it still doesn't work by then, we'll have to proceed as mentioned."
"As for that palace maid, give her a title."
"Everything must be for the stability of the Imperial Court, do you understand?"
"Yes… Mother!"
Returning to Jiaotai Hall, Emperor Zhengyong's expression remained extremely sullen, filled with inner conflict.
Wang Zhongyi cautiously approached, "Your Majesty…"
"How is the Shadow doing over there?"
"Quite well." Wang Zhongyi said, "He is a diligent person, though not very talented, he is very hardworking."
"Loyal to me?"
"This person is absolutely loyal to Your Majesty!"
Wang Zhongyi immediately said, "He holds the values of heaven, earth, sovereign, parents, and teacher deeply in his heart."
"During the recent assassination incident, I was not by his side. If he had any second thoughts, he could have easily escaped, but he stayed put and waited for the Imperial Guard to reinforce."
"Ordinary people, once enjoying wealth and glory, would rarely give it up easily."
Emperor Zhengyong drummed his fingers against the table and said blandly, "If that's so... then we shall rely on this person!"
"If he can grant me a dragon child, I will reward him generously!"
"Yes… Your Majesty!"
The Imperial City Department acted, extensively arresting those who spread rumors.
In just seven days, they had already arrested hundreds of people.
This only fueled the rumors, intensifying them. The latest rumor even said that the current Emperor Zhengyong was not the son of the previous emperor, but a transformed raccoon dog…
In such a context, Emperor Zhengyong called upon the Imperial Household Department.
The Chief of the Imperial Household Department knelt on the ground, holding a wooden tray with great anxiety inside.
He, too, had heard the rumor!
Yet tonight, the Emperor unexpectedly summoned him voluntarily to flip the plaques!
It had been three years…
This was the first time since Emperor Zhengyong ascended the throne that he had flipped a plaque!
On the cinnabar-stained wooden tray lay six intricately crafted wooden plaques side by side.
Empress.
Noble Consort Cui.
Consort Shuu.
Consort De.
Consort Duann.
And... Lady Bi.
Among these six, the Empress was the Empress Dowager's niece; she grew up with the Emperor and they had a close relationship.
Noble Consort Cui, from the Qinghe Cui Family, a thousand-year-old noble family, was also an ally before the Emperor ascended the throne.
Consort Shuu, daughter of the current Prime Minister Yang Xuansu, named Yang Huan, known for her stunning beauty since youth, was taken into the harem by the Emperor two years ago.
Consort Duann, daughter of Xu Mujun, Commander of the Dragon-soaring Army, traveled the martial world in her youth, detesting evil, and once single-handedly exterminated those in the Beggar Gang specializing in life-taking and mutilation.
Consort De, granddaughter of Minister of War Li Changfeng, fond of military strategy, considered a remarkable woman.
Lady Bi...
Half a month ago, she protected the Emperor during an assassination attempt and was just recently conferred the title of Noble Lady.
Looking at these six plaques, Emperor Zhengyong was filled with inner turmoil, ultimately grabbing the one on the furthest edge and flipping it over casually.
This was why he had always kept Bi He hidden.
"Let it be her then."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"