Just like in Shen ng’s mory, the Empress’s illness was getting worse. Liang Jue, mindful of the child in his belly, didn’t dare to wander around. He stayed at ho, handling the chaotic affairs in the mansion and the estate, and making so small clothes for the baby who would be born in half a year.
During this ti, Shen ng continued to attend court as usual, but she definitely wouldn’t see the Empress these days.
Although reluctant to relinquish power, the Empress still knew that major state affairs couldn’t be delayed. Currently, the court was temporarily managed by the eldest princess.
The eldest princess had long coveted this position. Once she obtained this power, her suppressed nature couldn’t be restrained. Taking advantage of this opportunity, she imdiately dealt with many supporters of the third and second princesses.
If not for the need to balance the court, so influential families wouldn’t have been shaken by her so easily. She would have certainly removed all the thorns in her side.
For a while, except for the eldest princess’s faction, there was unease in the court. Although Liang Jue was in the palace, it didn’t an he didn’t care about the changes in the court.
In fact, with a mother who was a senior official and so distant relation to the Emperor Dowager, he was more inford about certain matters than Shen ng.
One day, after Shen ng finished court, she dined with him. He poked at the food with his chopsticks, feeling no appetite.
Seeing this, Shen ng served him a small bowl of soup. “Have so hot soup; you shouldn’t go hungry.”
“It’s not because of that.” Liang Jue took the bowl of soup, looking hesitant.
“Just say what’s on your mind; there’s no need to keep it to yourself.” Shen ng understood his concerns and added, “Even if it’s unpleasant to hear, I’d rather know. I don’t want you to keep anything from .”
Liang Jue bit his lip. “I’m not trying to hide anything from you, but things in court are chaotic right now, and I’m just a bit worried.”
Shen ng’s background wasn’t low, but the resources of the Shen family were limited. Given her current strained relationship with her mother, the latter wouldn’t support her in court. In the court, one’s position depended on both background and luck.
If luck wasn’t on her side, it was possible to stagnate in a position for more than a decade. Shen ng’s position wasn’t low now, but at this critical mont, he was worried that she might choose sides too early.
Shen ng set down her chopsticks and said, “What is my husband worried about? Just speak your mind.”
Liang Jue glanced at the servant standing beside him and said, “You may leave us for now.”
Once they were alone in the room, Liang Jue lowered his voice and said, “I heard from my mother that the Empress vomited blood a few days ago. It seems her health is deteriorating. Wife wants to choose the Third Princess as her candidate.”
Shen ng didn’t respond directly but instead asked him, “Why would my husband guess that I would choose the Third Princess?”
Liang Jue was quite clever; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to keep Shen Li under control even when she neglected her in her previous life. She knew this from her past life, but she still couldn’t understand how he could guess her thoughts.
“Because the Third Princess is ambitious, and it’s suitable.” The more he interacted with Shen ng, the better he understood her. Despite her usual silence, she wasn’t a gentle and kind person.
Compared to the other two princesses, the Third Princess was more ruthless and ambitious, and her position was lower.
Such a person was better at hiding their intentions and could take advice. Importantly, they were more likely to help Shen ng achieve her goals.
After all, the other two princesses had powerful families to rely on, making it harder for Shen ng, a later arrival, to gain their trust.
So, while the Third Princess might seem disadvantaged on the surface and not the best choice, for Shen ng, choosing her would be more suitable if she wanted to take a risk.
Liang Jue’s guess was actually correct; she did choose the Third Princess in her previous life without knowing the circumstances.
Shen ng chuckled softly. “My husband does understand . But if I choose the Third Princess, what then?”
Liang Jue pursed his lips, feeling a bit parched. He took a sip of the creamy soup, and when his lips were slightly tinted with color, he continued, “The Third Princess is not good.”
Shen ng hadn’t intended to discuss court matters with Liang Jue, but his remark piqued her interest. “You’ve never t the Third Princess, so how do you know she’s not good?”
“When I entered the palace to see the Emperor Dowager, I happened to et the Third Princess a couple of tis and heard so rumors about her.”
His mory drifted back to a sunny day five years ago when the Third Princess clashed with Consort Zhang, who was favored by the Empress at the ti, causing a disturbance that startled Consort Zhang, who was pregnant with the imperial heir.
Plotting against the imperial bloodline was a grave cri. Although the child in Consort Zhang’s womb wasn’t fully ford and couldn’t compare to the already born princesses, it was still a matter of concern. So, Shen ng feared the Third Princess!
In the palace, the Empress’s favor decides one’s status, and the Third Princess isn’t favored. At this ti, fearing she might be implicated, she couldn’t wait to pin the bla on the old nanny who had raised her, even though the old nanny was loyal. She confessed and endured fifty beatings, nearly losing her life and falling ill thereafter.
That was not all; although the Third Princess comforted the old nanny verbally, she distanced herself. Later, when Consort Zhang, the favored consort, lost the Empress’s favor due to his arrogant behavior and his child didn’t survive, the Third Princess kicked her while she was down, just like she did to the old nanny, seeking revenge for her past grievances.
This incident was observed from a distance. The old nanny was beaten until she was bloodied and mangled, abandoned by her mistress, left with nothing.
The palace was ruthless, but if the Third Princess had even a shred of gratitude, the old nanny wouldn’t have lost her life so easily.
Comnting, “Her temperant is inferior to the current Empress’s but is still extraordinary and valuable. However, such rare goods must be valued accordingly.”
People are selfish, but as a good ruler, one can’t always act selfishly. The current Empress was known for being petty, and his daughters weren’t gentle either, unfit to be benevolent rulers.
The Third Princess was even worse; not only was she extrely selfish, but she also lacked any sense of responsibility. Such a person would take others’ efforts for granted and dispose of them rcilessly when they beca inconvenient.
“Dealing with a tiger’s hide cos with risks,” Shen ng remarked.
Liang Jue beca more anxious; his child in the womb seed to have caught his restlessness and kicked him disobediently.
He exclaid softly, clutching his stomach.
Shen ng hurriedly asked, “What’s wrong? Is your stomach hurting?”
Placing her hand on his abdon to soothe it, he shook his head, “She kicked , and it startled .”
Shen ng’s expression softened, “It’s good as long as everything is fine. If you feel uncomfortable, don’t force yourself.”
In the end, it was her own bloodline. Even in her past life when she didn’t like the child’s father at all, she was still deeply saddened when Liang Jue had no children. The pool of bright red blood left behind at that ti was truly too glaring, too shocking, a sight she couldn’t forget in both her lifetis.
Just seeing Liang Jue reminded her of that scene, so she avoided him and completely ignored him.
In this life, the child was still healthy, but she began to worry.
Seeing how much she cared about the child, Liang Jue felt joyful in his heart and secretly resolved, “Whatever wife wishes to do, I will support her, and I can bear any consequences.”
While changing Shen ng’s mind would be good, if he couldn’t, he was willing to bear whatever happened with her.
Shen ng shook her head, “My husband guessed half-right. I did indeed consider the Third Princess at first, but then I changed my mind.”
“Then whom did wife choose?” With the Empress critically ill, if she remained indecisive, regardless of who ascended the throne in the future, Shen ng would find it difficult to gain favor.
Shen ng said, “I choose Her Majesty.”
In her mory, the Empress’s remaining days were few. Although she briefly recovered, she soon passed away. However, if the major trajectory hadn’t changed in her previous life, the throne in this life wouldn’t have fallen into the hands of the Third Princess or the other two princesses.
Because this kingdom underwent a complete change in its fate, with a change in dynasty!
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