Chapter 45: Congratulations to the Heir and His Consort

Chapter 45: Congratulations to the Heir and His Consort

Everyone was caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, struggling to keep up.

"The Heir's consort is a man?"

"Can a man get pregnant?"

"You must be out of your mind; the Heir's consort is a woman, who got pregnant and was falsely accused of being a man."

The princess dowager's joy was evident on her face, almost too good to be true. "Tru... truly?"

She supported Ran Qinggu, her voice filled with excitement and warmth. "Yur, why... why didn't you tell your mother about this?"

Ran Qinggu raised his eyebrows slightly, puzzled by Shang Rongyu's intentions.

Despite him deceiving him, Shang Rongyu was willing to help him at such a critical moment.

Didn't he despise men in love with other men?

Shouldn't he hate him to the core?

Shang Rongyu half-hugged Ran Qinggu's shoulder. "Mother, it's because the time wasn't right, so he didn't dare to tell you. But Lady Lu knew about this matter."

Lady Lu, Lu Yunshen's sister-in-law, stepped forward with a smile. "Congratulations, Princess Dowager, congratulations! Half a month ago, the Heir noticed something odd about the Heir's consort, who seemed unwell all day. He heard from Yunshen that the Heir's consort's symptoms were similar to mine when I was pregnant. Indeed, they did visit the Lu family's horse ranch on the outskirts, and I was aware of this. However, the Heir feared that the pregnancy might not be stable, so he didn't inform you. But it's not too late now."

Ran Qinggu looked at Lady Lu in surprise.

That day, Lady Lu asked him many strange questions...

Could it be that Shang Rongyu thought he was really pregnant those days? Yet, they hadn't even shared a bed!

The princess dowager scolded Shang Rongyu. "You child, you're too undisciplined. Such matters should have been reported to your father and me immediately."

Shang Rongyu obediently admitted his mistake. "Yes, son knows he was wrong and won't do it again."

Li Feiluan's face turned green then pale, and back to green again as she muttered, "Impossible, he's lying. How can a man get pregnant?"

The princess dowager glared at Li Feiluan, her chest puffed out and her brows raised. "Miss Li, you claim that Yur is a man, but do you think we in the Wang Palace wouldn't know if someone is male or female? Do you insist on stripping naked in front of everyone to prove your point? You've always done as you pleased, disregarding propriety, but Yur is different from you."

Tears welled up in Li Feiluan's eyes, threatening to spill over.

She held them back, barely managing to prevent them from falling.

She had her own sense of propriety. To expose the truth about the person before her, she risked her reputation as a maiden, but she never expected the princess dowager's words to pierce her heart like sharp blades.

The princess dowager publicly humiliated her for being shameless, comparing her unfavorably to a refined lady who knew etiquette, propriety, and self-respect.

Madame Li's anger flared. "Princess Dowager, you're going too far. My daughter only acted rashly because she didn't want the Emperor to be deceived. Even if she went to the west wing to strip and verify the identity, your Heir's consort would be affected since she's already married. My daughter, however, is still an unmarried maiden. Wouldn't the impact be greater on her? This matter could have been resolved by verifying only your Heir's consort, but my daughter feared resentment from the Heir's consort and suggested this fair method. Why has it become solely my daughter's fault in your eyes? Some things don't happen without reason..."

Empress Liu chimed in, "Indeed, Princess Dowager, there's no need to push the matter further. Miss Li is young and acted impulsively, but her intentions were good. If this matter reaches the Emperor, it won't be as simple as a public examination. It will surely be reported to the Royal Clan Temple for a thorough investigation..."

The princess dowager covered her lips with a smile. "Your Highness, your words... It seems you forget that I grew up in Jiang Nan and am unaware of the capital's bureaucracy. Reporting to the Royal Clan Temple is reserved for cases involving royal kin who break the law. Now, someone of questionable character is slandering our Heir's consort. Even if it reached the Emperor, the lowlife would be beaten to death first. As for saying Miss Li is young... Yur is only one year older than her. Does that mean he's also lacking in propriety?"

"And then there's the part about acting impulsively but having good intentions... That's even more... speechless. The vile rapists in prison could also claim they had good intentions, driven by infatuation. But the question is, did the victims consent?"

Madame Li scoffed coldly. "The Princess Dowager sure has a way with words, equating rapists with this situation. Clearly..."

The princess dowager interrupted Madame Li. "Madame, I see no difference between these two situations. Moreover, I'm uneducated and fail to understand what Madame Li meant when she said the Heir's consort was affected because she's already married, while your daughter is still a maiden. What does that imply? It only makes me feel a bit..."

She paused, choosing her words carefully. "Shameless."

Madame Li: "You..."

Jian Zuihuan: "We're all maidens here; there's no such thing as a bigger or smaller impact. Madame, you're married too; can you walk around unclothed?"

Shang Rongyu marveled inwardly.

His mother was indeed his mother. A few words not only left Madame Li speechless but also left Empress Liu embarrassed.

Li Feiluan: "Princess Dowager, this matter started because of me. If you want to target someone, target me, not my mother."

Jian Zuihuan: "Miss Li, it was Madame Li who criticized me first. Everyone saw it. How can you say I'm targeting Madame Li? This incident did start because of you, so you should apologize to our Heir's consort of the Cheng Wang Palace."

Li Feiluan argued: "Who knows if his pregnancy is real or fake? We can't just take his word for it, can we?"

She wondered if Shang Rongyu knew about this. If he did, why would he cover for that man?

The Second Prince watched the unfolding drama with interest and spoke up. "It's easy to determine if the Heir's consort is truly pregnant. Just find a court physician, and everything will be clear."

Li Feiluan quickly agreed. "Yes, a court physician can confirm it."

Shang Rongyu recalled Ran Qinggu mentioning that Wang Taiyi was aligned with the Third Prince. He believed that if Shang Yuzhou wasn't incompetent, he should have bribed the Imperial Medical Academy by now.

They still had a fifty percent chance of winning.

Ran Qinggu said calmly, "Fine."

If he didn't allow an examination today, his identity would undoubtedly be exposed.

Moreover, with the Second Prince's involvement, he likely suspected something...

Being suspicious by nature, he would only dispel his doubts by inviting a court physician.

However, finding a court physician now probably wouldn't involve Wang Taiyi.

After all, Wang Taiyi had previously taken his pulse and didn't mention anything about him not being a woman.

The Second Prince would certainly be wary.

He had placed all his bets on Shang Yuzhou.

Shang Rongyu instructed the servant boy, "Go fetch the imperial physician."

The Second Prince called out, "Hold on."

Everyone looked over.

The Second Prince said to his own servant boy, "Follow him."

In no time, the two servants had invited the retired imperial physician who used to dine at the residence for banquets.

This elderly imperial physician had previously been in charge of delivering the palace's concubines, including the Crown Prince, the Second Prince... the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and even the Second Master and Third Master of King Cheng's Mansion, as well as King Cheng's Heir. They were all delivered by his hands.

He was the most senior in the Imperial Medical Institute, with the highest status and the greatest say.

Physician Yu, aged and with dim eyesight, approached, "Who needs to be delivered?"

The servant supported him, "It's not a delivery; it's that our Heir's Consort is pregnant, and we need you to check her pulse to see if she's truly pregnant."

Physician Yu nodded, "Your Heir's Consort needs to be delivered?"

Servant: "No, she's just pregnant. We need you to help check her pulse."

Physician Yu nodded repeatedly, "I understand, I understand. Your Heir's Consort is going to give birth."

Servant: "No, she's pregnant. We want you to check her pulse."

Physician Yu reeked of alcohol, "Oh, checking the pulse. You should have just said 'checking the pulse.' Where's the Heir's Consort?"

Ran Qinggu hesitated.

This man was very senior and held an extremely important position. It was impossible for the Third Prince to buy him off, nor did he seem like someone Wang Taiyi could sway.

As he weighed whether Physician Yu was friend or foe, Shang Rongyu put his arm around his shoulders.

His palm was warm and strong.

He held tightly, as if signaling something.

Shang Rongyu led Ran Qinggu toward the imperial physician and smiled sideways, "Yuer, don't be afraid. Let the old physician check your pulse to see if our child is healthy."

That hand was incredibly firm, transmitting warmth through his cloak and clothes, and Ran Qinggu instantly understood.

This imperial physician was likely one of Shang Rongyu's people.

If the Third Prince knew to plant spies in the Imperial Medical Institute, how could King Cheng's Heir not know?

Approaching the imperial physician, Ran Qinggu extended his hand, "Thank you, Physician."

The maids immediately stepped forward, placing a light silk handkerchief on Ran Qinggu's wrist.

Physician Yu stroked his beard, feeling the pulse carefully, his brows furrowing.

After he finished checking the pulse, Shang Rongyu, wearing a face that said "Best Husband in All of Da Su," asked, "Physician Yu, is Yuer alright? Is there anything wrong with him and the child in his womb?"

The Second Prince raised his eyebrows and asked, "Physician Yu, if there's anything, you can speak directly."

Physician Yu looked at Ran Qinggu, sniffing him, then sniffing Shang Rongyu, and finally sniffing himself.

Everyone was utterly perplexed.

After sniffing, Physician Yu advised, "The Heir's Consort has been pregnant for more than half a month, but her body is too weak, showing signs of miscarriage."

The princess consort anxiously asked, "Physician Yu, this is the first child of the mansion. You must take extra care."

Physician Yu looked at Ran Qinggu, his cloudy eyes full of warning. "Heir's Consort, there were many cold dishes and drinks at today's banquet that clash with the medicines you usually take. Did you feel any discomfort today?"

Ran Qinggu thought about his sudden stomach cramps and uncontrollable vomiting. "A little."

Physician Yu was warning him that someone had put something in the food that clashed with the medicines he usually took.

It seemed his guess was correct; someone indeed tampered with the food.

Such a crude trick could only be from those two cheap sisters-in-law of his.

But it had to be said that these two had inadvertently helped him today; otherwise, he wouldn't have publicly shown signs of morning sickness and vomited.

Su Xi's face turned pale, grinding her teeth in secret.

She and Gu You had been in the mansion for so long without any signs of pregnancy. Despite taking large doses of tonics, they remained barren. How could this Heir's Consort get pregnant after being in the mansion for just over a year?

Physician Yu stroked his beard, "I'll write you a prescription later. The Heir's Consort can send someone to the Imperial Medical Institute to collect the medicine."

Ran Qinggu: "Thank you, Physician."

The Second Prince pondered with suspicion.

He remembered that the emperor had once mentioned that the Heir's Consort's features resembled someone in his memory, but he couldn't recall who.

Now, he couldn't fully trust Physician Yu, but he also knew the weight of his words. This person not only held high authority in the Imperial Medical Institute but also had a place in the imperial court.

Moreover, Physician Yu had checked the pulses of the palace's concubines for years without ever making a mistake. If he said a child would be born at the third watch on the first day of the month, it would never wait until the fifth watch. If he said there were signs of miscarriage, if precautions weren't taken, a miscarriage would inevitably occur within two days.

Therefore, he enjoyed extremely high prestige among the ladies of the nobility.

He couldn't stir up trouble in this murky water anymore.

The Second Prince hypocritically thanked Ran Qinggu and Shang Rongyu, "Congratulations to the Heir and Heir's Consort."

Shang Rongyu smiled as he embraced Ran Qinggu, "Congratulations, congratulations. When the child is born, His Second Highness must grace us with your presence for a celebratory drink. Last time, I had already prepared my gift money waiting for the birth of my two nephews. Alas, what a pity, truly tragic, one was a double death, and the other was dropped dead by the midwife... But don't lose heart, Second Highness. Pray to Guanyin, do good deeds, and soon enough, you will also have a precious child."

A barely perceptible flash of viciousness flickered in the eyes of the Second Prince.

Shang Rongyu dared to poke at his sore spot right before him.

To see the other celebrating fatherhood while his own children had died twice in succession, and still force a smile to congratulate them...

He felt an urge to flay Shang Rongyu alive.

The man on stage yelled, "No, it's impossible. He's a man, men can't get pregnant... Strip him and check... Ran Qinggu, dare you strip and let them check... You... Ah!"

Shang Rongque appeared out of nowhere, kicking the talented scholar Zhang in the back, sending him flying off the stage.

Zhang the talented scholar fell to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Shang Rongque had been following King Cheng into battle since childhood, and his martial arts were exceedingly strong.

That kick was powerful; even if not maimed, Scholar Zhang would be bedridden for half a month or more.

Shang Rongque barked coldly, "Where did this lowlife come from, daring to insult the Consort of my Cheng Wang Palace? Guards, drag him away and chop him up to feed the dogs."

Scholar Zhang was so frightened that he wet himself, pushing away the guards who came to grab him. "Stay away, let me go, let go..."

Shang Rongyu approached Scholar Zhang.

Shang Rongque grabbed Scholar Zhang's hair, forcing his head up.

Shang Rongyu squatted down, looking directly into Scholar Zhang's eyes. "I doubt you have the guts to provoke my Cheng Wang Palace. Who sent you?"

If there was one such incident, there would surely be another.

If they just executed this scoundrel, who knew what might happen next?

If Scholar Zhang wasn't smart, then his death would be his death.

But if he was smart enough, he would certainly implicate Li Feiluan.

This way, if Li Feiluan continued to cause trouble, the prominent families of the capital would only treat it as a joke, not taking it seriously.

Shang Rongyu was not a man who broke his promises. He said he would protect Ran Qinggu, and he would keep his word.

Whether she was his consort or the current Ran Qinggu.

Li Feiluan glared at Shang Rongyu angrily. "What do you mean, Shang Rongyu?"

Shang Rongyu didn't even glance at her. "This person appears here without reason. If no one sent him, who would believe it? Miss Li, why are you so nervous?"

Li Feiluan was furious. "You..."

She glared fiercely at Scholar Zhang.

Scholar Zhang trembled in fear.

Both of these people were not to be trifled with. No matter what, it was a dead end.

Shang Rongyu lost patience and stood up. "Guards, first peel the skin off his hands and legs while he's still alive. If he doesn't talk within an hour, continue peeling."

He said with a peculiar amusement, "I want him to be alive when all his skin is peeled off, then I'll soak him in wine."

The guard came forward to take the man. "Yes."

Shang Rongyu stood up, draped his arm over Ran Qinggu's shoulder, his eyes filled with affection. "As long as I'm here, no one can harm you."

Ran Qinggu was momentarily dazed. If it weren't for Shang Rongyu's playful smile, he would have believed it.

After a long moment, he said, "Yes, thank you, Heir."

The nobles knew Shang Rongyu was cruel, but they didn't expect him to be this cruel.

To actually peel someone alive and soak them in wine.

Scholar Zhang was paralyzed with fear upon hearing this.

This was worse than death.

Now, he had seen what kind of person the violent Heir of Da Su was.

Now, he found the most terrifying thing was not Shang Rongyu, but Ran Qinggu, who impersonated the Heir's consort and deceived Shang Rongyu.

This person, with a male body, had bewitched such a terrifying person, making him willingly serve him.

Consort Liu had been stunned by the news of the Heir's consort's pregnancy.

Now, seeing Shang Rongyu wanting to shed blood at her father's birthday celebration, she hurriedly intervened. "Heir, today is my father's eightieth birthday, we cannot see blood. Whatever you wish to do with this lowly person, wait until after my father's birthday."

Shang Rongyu raised an eyebrow. "And what if I say no?"

After the birthday, who knew if this person would be alive or dead. How could he extract useful information from him, making him point the finger at Li Feiluan?

Consort Liu's face turned ugly. "Is the Heir being too harsh? Are you trying to ruin the Liu family's birthday celebration?"

Shang Rongyu sneered coldly. "Your Liu family put this kind of person in the courtyard to publicly slander my Heir's consort. Now, you don't want to get dirty? I haven't even accused your Liu family, and you have the nerve to question me? I'd like to ask Consort Liu, my Heir's consort just discovered her pregnancy two days ago, and today the palace's meals are all cold-natured. This kind of person appears on the stage, and even a pet ferret is tied in the backyard to attack my Heir's consort. What are your intentions? Are you trying to harm the royal heir?"

Whispers and pointed gazes came from around them.

Consort Liu's face turned green and white, about to plead her innocence to everyone, but unexpectedly, Shang Rongyu spoke again: "Also, Consort, if you think you're a Liu, I can immediately have Father give you a divorce decree..."

Consort Liu angrily pointed at Shang Rongyu. "You..."

At this moment, a group of people approached on the Covered Bridge.

The one in front wore a yellow robe with dragon patterns, while another had snow-white hair. Seeing the crowd, they headed over.

Everyone hurriedly knelt down and shouted, "Greetings to His Majesty, long live our Emperor."

Shang Qianxian smiled. "Today is the eightieth birthday of the Imperial Consort Liu. I wish to celebrate with the people, rise..."

Zhang Dacai Zi was pressed to the ground by Shang Rongque, struggling desperately to seek help from the Emperor, wanting to expose the matter. "Your..."

As Shang Rongque bowed, he struck the back of his head, causing the scholar to faint.

He couldn't let this person speak before the Emperor. If this person had any useful information that led the Emperor to thoroughly investigate the matter, it would be hard to ensure that Rongyu and his Heir's Consort wouldn't be implicated.

Now wasn't the time to publicly accuse Li Feiluan; it was the time to protect the Heir's Consort.

Shang Qianxian raised an eyebrow as he saw Scholar Zhang lying on the ground and asked, "What happened? It's such a good birthday celebration?"

Seeing Ran Qinggu's fierce hair and the torn white gauze sleeves under her cloak, he asked, "What happened to the Heir's Consort?"

"The Heir's Consort was attacked by a ferret in the backyard, breaking a cup. Unexpectedly, upon entering the main hall, this villain accused the Heir's Consort." Shang Rongyu briefly embellished the situation.

After hearing this, Shang Qianxian, favoring Li Xiang, said, "Rongyu, since it was all a misunderstanding, it should be resolved. Miss Li will apologize to the Heir's Consort after the banquet. This matter should just pass as it is."

With no evidence pointing to Li Feiluan's involvement, Ran Qinggu and Shang Rongyu could only agree. "Yes."

Grand Duke Liu Guozhang caught the key information and asked anxiously, "The Heir said a cup was broken?"

Shang Rongyu nodded. "Yes, the white porcelain cup containing the floral dew tea. I was just accompanying the Heir's Consort for a walk in the backyard, enjoying the floral dew tea provided by Lord Guozhang, when a ferret suddenly appeared, scratching at the Heir's Consort, causing me to accidentally drop... Lord Guozhang's cup."

Everyone was shocked. "What? That was bestowed by the late Emperor... Lord Guozhang has been unwilling to take it out for so many years!"

"It's said that the craftsmanship of that cup is unparalleled, making the teacup a priceless treasure."

Liu Guozhang, being elderly and hard of hearing, asked, "What did you break?"

Shang Rongyu shouted loudly, "A cup."

Liu Guozhang: "What cup?"

Shang Rongyu: "The one bestowed by the Emperor."

Liu Guozhang still didn't hear clearly. "What did you say about the late Emperor?"

Shang Rongyu shouted loudly into Liu Guozhang's ear, loud enough for everyone in the Imperial Duke's residence to hear.

"The cup bestowed by the Emperor to Lord Guozhang was shattered by a ferret, but I've already avenged the cup. I killed the ferret, don't thank me, it's what I should do."

Boom—

Liu Guozhang felt as if struck by lightning on a clear day.

The cup bestowed by the late Emperor was broken?

This set of tea ware was his favorite, with patterns and craftsmanship that were masterpieces. And now, one of them was broken??

Before he could mourn, the Second Prince stepped forward and grabbed Shang Rongyu's arm fiercely. "What did you just say? A ferret? What ferret?"

Shang Rongyu glanced at him coldly. "A white one."

The Second Prince's face darkened. "With a strand of black fur around its neck?"

At this moment, a servant carried out a blood-soaked ferret from the backyard.

The ferret's head was flattened, bloody and mangled, with brains mixed with fresh blood sticking to its blood-drenched fur.

Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but retch.

When the Second Prince saw the ferret, his body froze as if frozen.

This ferret, which he had raised for more than ten years, was given to him by his father when he was a child. It was the only thing he had that the Crown Prince didn't.

It was also the only item that both the Crown Prince and he liked, and in the end, his father bestowed it upon him.

That was the only time in his life he exclusively enjoyed his father's love.

His precious little pet, now smashed beyond recognition, covered in blood.

(End of Chapter)