frightfiction Chapter 1673 Shen Zhinian is going to steal the show.
Chapter 1673 Shen Zhinian is going to steal the show.
Even her grief for Master Xingchen had to be kept hidden.
Consort Kang found the so-called auspicious omen extremely grating!
Another side hall.
Xi'er listened with slight excitement as the palace maid recounted the auspicious tales.
Her face was as beautiful as a flower, but her eyes were filled with frost, and she sneered inwardly!
Her body, Xingchen, is barely cold, and the world is already busy with Yongqing? What a ridiculous joke!
The auspicious omen was nothing more than a fig leaf used by Nangong Xuanyu to cover up the bloodstains and appease people's hearts!
On the surface, Xi'er smiled sweetly and said to the palace maid, "The auspicious omen is a blessing from the heavens, a great fortune for His Majesty and for the Great Zhou."
One day... she will make Nangong Xuanyu pay the price in blood for Xingchen's death!
Changchun Palace.
Consort Zhuang listened to the immediate report about the palace's reaction to the auspicious omen, her eyes filled with a calm confidence: "...They're all talking about it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The news has spread everywhere, and everyone says it is a blessing from Heaven for the Great Zhou Dynasty, and His Majesty's holy virtue has moved Heaven."
Ruoji said, "The preparations at Xianfu Palace are also complete."
Consort Zhuang nodded slightly.
……
Yongshou Palace.
Shen Zhinian was sitting on a soft couch by the window, embroidering a child's bib by hand.
On the crimson satin, the koi fish embroidered with gold thread was only half-finished, yet it was vividly depicted with its tail raised.
Fuqu relayed the most important information she had overheard outside: "...Your Majesty, everyone in the palace is saying that an extremely auspicious omen has appeared in Yuzhou!"
"A huge rock, several meters high, was washed out of the river by rainwater. It had words naturally growing on it, praising His Majesty's wisdom and the peace and tranquility of the world!"
"Everyone says this is an auspicious sign sent down by Heaven in recognition of His Majesty's civil and military achievements!"
Shen Zhinian paused, looked up at Fuqu, and a thoughtful look flashed in her charming fox eyes: "Oh? There's such a strange thing."
"Is the handwriting legible? What do local officials say?"
Han Dan added, "I heard the handwriting is very clear! It's eight large ancient seal characters, something like... 'May the Holy Ruler Reign, and the Four Seas Be Forever Peaceful!'"
"The magistrate of Puyang personally led a team to investigate and wrote a report overnight. Minister Zhuang even went to the palace to meet the emperor about this matter!"
"Your Majesty, this is an extremely auspicious sign! It indicates that the Great Zhou Dynasty is prosperous and His Majesty is a true Son of Heaven, even Heaven itself has bestowed its praise upon him!"
As Shen Zhinian listened, a smile that wasn't quite a smile curved her lips.
The true Son of Heaven, praised by Heaven. These words sound pleasing, but... the auspicious omen has come at a more than opportune time.
The emperor had just dealt with Xingchen and his cronies with swift and decisive action, and the court and the public were in turmoil because of the corruption and treasonous case involving Fatu Temple.
Shortly after, a stone praising Puyang's achievements fell from the sky.
Is it a coincidence or human error?
If it was done by someone... the effort was considerable, and the ingenuity was quite remarkable.
Nangong Xuanyu probably needs auspicious omens to calm people's hearts now.
Shen Zhinian thought about it more deeply.
The bookmaker.
In the imperial harem, Zhuang Yumin held the position of Noble Consort, while Zhuang Yurou was granted the title of Charming Consort.
In the previous dynasty, Grand Tutor Zhuang was one of the Three Dukes, Zhuang Shouzheng was the Minister of Rites, and Zhuang Shouzhuo was the Vice Minister of War. They were all important officials!
This auspicious omen was orchestrated by Minister Zhuang, who personally went to the palace to report it to the Emperor…
Shen Zhinian absolutely refused to believe that the dealers didn't intend to take advantage of this opportunity to gain greater profits for themselves.
Given Consort Zhuang's shrewdness and Minister Zhuang's deep cunning, how could they possibly let go of this golden opportunity that was destined by fate?
Thinking of this, Shen Zhinian's hand involuntarily touched her lower abdomen.
She had been waiting for the right moment to share this good news with the public, paving a brighter and more stable path for herself and her child!
What better time could there be than auspicious omens from heaven?
The appearance of auspicious omens is a great blessing for the country. If, at this time, the joyous news of the Imperial Noble Consort's pregnancy were to also spread...
Therefore, the child in her womb is not just an ordinary imperial heir, but an auspicious sign born in accordance with the will of Heaven!
This identity, bound to destiny, will be an unparalleled halo!
No matter what the dealer's plans are, as long as she can seize this divine favor, she will take away most of the dealer's brilliance!
Thinking of this, Shen Zhinian's eyes became fervent.
Opportunities are fleeting; we must not sit idly by and wait for the big players to make their move, but seize the initiative.
Even though it was a bit rushed at this moment, Shen Zhinian couldn't care less and called out in a deep voice, "Handan, Fuqu."
The two women replied respectfully, "Yes, sir."
Shen Zhinian instructed, "Handan, go to the Imperial Hospital immediately and summon Physician Tang. Tell him that I have suddenly felt dizzy and have palpitations, and ask him to come and examine me as soon as possible."
"Fuqu, you are a little behind Handan. Go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and report this matter to His Majesty."
Han Dan was still a little confused...
As Fuqu pondered, she suddenly understood Shen Zhinian's intention: "Does Your Highness want to use this opportunity to link the auspicious omen with the imperial heir?"
Shen Zhinian countered, "Why not?"
Fuqu said worriedly, "This plan seems very good. However... if Your Highness is newly pregnant, it would be quite normal for her to faint and discover the pregnancy in the process."
"But Your Highness is almost four months pregnant. If His Majesty finds out about this and asks why you concealed it until now, how will Your Highness respond?"
Shen Zhinian calmly said, "I have my own way. Just do as I say."
Fuqu and Handan exchanged a glance.
Having followed Shen Zhinian for many years, they knew that the Empress was meticulous and had no flaws in her plans.
Seeing her so calm, their doubts vanished instantly.
Without further hesitation, Han Dan said, "This servant will go and summon Imperial Physician Tang right away!"
Fuqu composed herself and said to Shen Zhinian, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant knows what to say."
Shen Zhinian nodded slightly.
After the two left, she slowly stood up and walked to the bronze mirror. The woman in the mirror still looked beautiful.
Shen Zhinian raised her hand and picked out a few strands of her meticulously combed sideburns, letting them fall beside her cheek. Then she lay down on the bed, pulled a thin quilt over her waist, closed her eyes, adjusted her breathing, and pretended to be weak and powerless.
……
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
Nangong Xuanyu was reviewing memorials.
Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.
Li Changde's usually composed face showed panic. He abandoned his usual demeanor and said urgently, "Your Majesty, Fuqu from Yongshou Palace reported that the Imperial Noble Consort suddenly fainted in the palace just now, and someone has been sent to fetch the imperial physician!"
Nangong Xuanyu suddenly stood up: "What did you say?!"
Niannian fainted?!
how come? !
Two hours ago, when Fuqu brought the bird's nest in a food box, she said that Nian Nian was doing well, so why did she suddenly...?
"Where's Fuqu?! Let her in!"
"What exactly happened? The Imperial Noble Consort was perfectly fine during the day!"
Fuqu strode in, her face pale and her eyes slightly red: "This servant greets Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, after Her Majesty had lunch and rested for a while, she said she felt a little dizzy when she got up. We were about to go forward to help her when suddenly, Her Majesty fainted!"