Chapter 87

Chapter 87

With numerous court affairs demanding attention, Fu Lingtan lay down beside You Nan fully clothed and slept for barely two hours before rising.

At this moment, not a single star had appeared in the sky, and the moon still hung overhead. The Eastern Palace, which had been quiet for a short while, once again bustled with activity.

Fu Lingtan disliked having servants attend to him. He handled tasks like dressing himself, with no eunuchs or palace maids in his immediate presence.

His most trusted palace maid stood by You Nan's bedside, hesitating over whether to wake the Consort to bid farewell to the Crown Prince.

She could tell that the Crown Prince had developed genuine affection for the Consort. However, the Consort seemed rather fearful of the Crown Prince.

This did not bode well for the relationship between the two masters.

Noticing her hesitation from the corner of his eye, Fu Lingtan spoke up, "Let him sleep."

The man lowered his head to straighten his robes. "Over these two months while I've been away, he's been rather timid and fearful. Thanks to your care and attention, he's been looked after. You've done well."

Fu Lingtan added, "Later, go to my treasury and select a treasure for yourself. Consider it my reward to you."

Upon hearing this, the chief palace maid was deeply moved. She immediately knelt to express her loyalty: "You flatter me, Your Highness. These are all part of my duties."

Fu Lingtan instructed the chief palace maid to rise. "Speak quietly. Don't disturb him."

The man's voice was very soft. "Let him sleep peacefully."

Fu Lingtan looked at the dark circles under You Nan's eyes and remained silent for a long moment.

Losing that child must have caused You Nan deep pain. These days, he must have been unable to eat or sleep well.

For a moment, Fu Lingtan questioned whether he'd made a mistake.

But he quickly shook off these thoughts.

He was not wrong.

Since You Nan had become his Consort, their children would henceforth be members of the royal family. He could not allow another person's child to taint his bloodline.

Besides, You Nan belonged to him now.

Fu Lingtan instructed the chief palace maid, "Send someone outside the palace to find out who took away the Consort's child."

Upon hearing his words, her heart leaped.

"The Consort's child"?

Shouldn't it be referred to as the young lord?

The chief palace maid didn't dare ask. She promptly acknowledged, "Yes, Your Highness."

Fu Lingtan did not move.

He stood by the bed, deep in thought.

Only he and You Nan knew the true identity of that child.

Whoever was hiding in the shadows and took You Nan's child did so to gain leverage against him, attempting to use the child as a threat.

However, those people did not know that this child was not Fu Lingtan's biological son.

Even if they killed the child right before his eyes, Fu Lingtan would show no reaction.

The chief palace maid knelt and watched as Fu Lingtan departed.

After the Crown Prince had left the palace and was out of sight, she rose, adjusted You Nan's blankets, and then exited. She then summoned several hidden guards and gave them their orders.

You Nan's nerves had been on edge for a long time. His mind was filled with thoughts about what Fu Lingtan had said to him, leaving him terrified and anxious.

After finally falling asleep late at night, he did not wake until noon the next day.

When he opened his eyes to the bright daylight, he was momentarily surprised and somewhat stunned.

Since arriving in this world, he had almost never slept this late.

It was only after he got up, pushed open the window beside him, and saw the daylight outside along with the fully bustling Eastern Palace that he realized he had slept deeply the previous night.

As soon as You Nan woke, the chief palace maid received the news and entered shortly after with a basin of warm water.

"Allow me to assist the Consort with washing up."

You Nan declined, "No need. I've said before that this isn't necessary."

The chief palace maid stood to the side and watched as You Nan attended to himself. The more she observed, the more she felt that the Consort and the Crown Prince were particularly well-suited. Even their habits were quite similar.

After some thought, she suddenly said, "Consort, His Highness the Crown Prince returned last night."

The towel in You Nan's hand immediately fell into the water basin. "What?"

He turned his head in disbelief. "He returned?"

He hadn't heard any noise at all.

In that case, Fu Lingtan must have slept in the main chamber.

You Nan's heart rate slowed somewhat.

Since their marriage, the two had always slept in separate rooms.

The chief palace maid seemed able to read You Nan's thoughts.

She directly spoke with a smile, intending to make the Crown Prince's feelings for the Consort visible to him.

"Yes, the Crown Prince came to the side chamber to see you as soon as he returned." The chief palace maid's eyes and brows were filled with joy. "He even personally carried you to bed. His Highness slept beside you."

"Cough cough…"

You Nan had picked up a teacup intending to drink some tea to settle his nerves, but he had not expected to hear such words. Startled, he accidentally choked and began coughing.

Fu Lingtan slept alongside him?

Did he do anything to him?

You Nan immediately quickly checked himself over, focusing on sensing any changes in his physical state.

Finding nothing unusual, You Nan let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, the other had not touched him inappropriately while he was asleep.

However, this made You Nan even more afraid to stay in the Eastern Palace.

His life and virtue could be lost at any moment.

You Nan gritted his teeth without showing any expression, not letting the head maid notice his distress.

By now, he had learned to control his facial expressions.

"I understand," You Nan said, waving her off. "You can go now."

The head maid said "Yes," adding, "I'll have the small kitchen prepare your lunch."

You Nan nodded, as he was indeed hungry.

Meanwhile, outside the palace:

Hang Minyu was helping Chen Mingzhou care for the baby in the cradle.

Though still tiny, the child was now six months old, with features that had begun to take shape, bearing a four or five out of ten similarity to Chen Mingzhou.

When Chen Mingzhou first brought the child back, he made no effort to hide the fact from his loyal subordinates.

He practically wore the words "This is my own son" on his forehead.

Those like Hang Minyu knew this child would be their future master.

However, when they tried to ask Chen Mingzhou about the child’s birth mother, he remained silent and skillfully diverted their attention.

His secretive behavior only fueled everyone’s curiosity.

Still, two people present knew.

One was Hang Minyu, the other was madam.

The moment Hang Minyu laid eyes on the child, he thought of a name: "You Nan."

The child also looked like You Nan.

Madam, too, spotted something wrong right away.

Hang Minyu was so shocked his mind went blank.

How could they look so alike?

Was the child’s birth mother a sister of You Nan’s?

No, that couldn’t be.

Hang Minyu quickly rejected that thought.

Judging by the child’s age, the mother would have been pregnant while You Nan was still at his Opera Troupe.

At that time, You Nan had no family.

Could it be that this was You Nan and Chen Mingzhou’s child?

Hang Minyu's breathing started faster.

He thought it was impossible—how could a man give birth?

Yet his intuition urged him to believe this impossible idea.

Hang Minyu suddenly recalled what madam had hinted at before.

If Chen Mingzhou and You Nan had indeed been together that night, then this child…

Hang Minyu’s eye twitched.

If the child’s birth mother was You Nan, the timing would match up perfectly.

Hang Minyu’s face turned pale, but he quickly understood Chen Mingzhou’s reason for bringing the child now.

Chen Mingzhou was using the child as protection while seeking refuge from danger.

Their plan to attack and break down the royal family had begun.

They intended to start by starting conflicts among the princes and consorts.

This would inevitably involve You Nan and the child.

If the child truly was You Nan’s, then it should be the child of You Nan and Fu Lingtan, and should be raised within the Song State royal family.

Yet, no matter how one looked, the child showed no resemblance at all to Fu Lingtan.

Though few might notice now, as the child grew older, everyone would see it.

By then, both the child and You Nan would become targets of criticism.

Hang Minyu’s felt mixed emotions, as if all sorts of feelings had been overturned.

He couldn’t help but wonder—what if he had been the one that night…

Suddenly, Hang Minyu slapped himself, halting his crazy thoughts.

The man had become quieter, but whenever Chen Mingzhou asked him to help care for the baby, he was always the most careful and detail-oriented among all the subordinates.

He had a soft touch.

Whether the child was hungry or needed changing, Hang Minyu could tell just by the sound of his cries.

He could even discern whether the child was very hungry or just a little hungry, or whether he needed a wet or dirty diaper.

This ability left others who also cared for the child jealous.

The child was clever too. Though still too young to speak, he could vaguely sense the emotions of those around him.

Among all who had cared for him, he felt closest to Hang Minyu, who gave him everything he wanted.

Chen Mingzhou had a lot to do and couldn’t spend every moment with his son.

Whenever he found time to return and see the child, he felt annoyed seeing how fond his son was of Hang Minyu.

Chen Mingzhou stared at the little one, his heart both loving and jealous.

This smart little guy—how had he not yet realized who his actual father was?

Hang Minyu, understanding his thoughts, noticed Chen Mingzhou’s discomfort right away.

Standing up, Hang Minyu tactfully stepped back.

He first said that since the child was Chen Mingzhou’s child, it was only natural for the child to like Chen Mingzhou more.

Then he added, "Master, you’ve been swamped lately. If the little one doesn't have someone attentive to care for him, who knows if he’ll start crying?"

Chen Mingzhou narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Hang Minyu's words: "What do you mean?"

Hang Minyu stepped up proactively: "How about letting me take care of the young master, Master? I am willing to lighten your load."

Chen Mingzhou studied him for a moment. Hang Minyu's heart raced, and finally, Chen Mingzhou agreed, "Alright."

Chen Mingzhou wasn’t trying to hide his relationship with You Nan in front of Hang Minyu.

Hang Minyu stared at someone he’d once adored, his lips quivered slightly as if wanting to ask for the truth, but no words came out.

And so, the two of them worked together to care for Maomao in a silent understanding.

They also ended up caring for the fat cat 007, who was always hogging Maomao’s spot by the window.

007 recognized Chen Mingzhou at first glance.

Wasn't this the male lead he saw every day at Qichun Pavilion?

Wait—no, how did he become the villain boss?!

007 was totally floored, especially when he learned that Chen Liangren was also called "Chen Mingzhou."

Who was Chen Mingzhou? Oh, he knew that name all too well!

This was the descendant of the former royal family, the one toppled by his own general!

The general and the Song State dynasty had scoured the land to exterminate every last member of the Chen imperial clan, wiping out everyone.

Unexpectedly, there was still a survivor. Chen Mingzhou had grown up quietly to this age and now possessed serious influence.

007 couldn't help but click his tongue.

His mind was filled with "Holy crap."

But then he thought again and couldn't help but admire Chen Mingzhou's guts.

Not only had he survived such a hopeless situation, but he also built a powerful underground network. And from what 007 had observed these past few days, Chen Mingzhou had connections with several rebel groups.

Most of these rebel groups supported the Chen imperial clan.

For now, Chen Mingzhou was only cooperating with them, and they didn't know his true identity.

But all it would take was for Chen Mingzhou to reveal his real identity, and these rebels would immediately pledge loyalty to him—swiftly!

Just thinking about it made 007 feel thrilled.

Having figured out that he had a long-term meal ticket, 007 cheered up considerably. He often found himself staring at Chen Mingzhou's face.

Chen Mingzhou noticed his gaze and looked back with a cold glare, but upon realizing it was the little cat You Nan adored, his eyes instantly softened.

The man bent down, waved him over, and said in a gentle voice, "Come here."

007 couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Now that he knew he was You Nan's beloved, he wanted to butter him up.

This jerk hadn't treated him like this before!

007's whiskers twitched, and he lifted his butt, pushed off with his hind legs, and darted off.

He wasn't about to show him any respect!

Chen Mingzhou, with his sharp eyes, naturally noticed the highly human-like expression on the cat's face.

But he didn't find it eerie; instead, he was amused by the lively and spirited little cat.

Chen Mingzhou scratched his nose.

He hadn't expected the cat to still remember how he had kept it locked in a cage and refused to let it out.

But was this cat holding a bit too much of a grudge?

What if, when he reunited with You Nan, the cat's behavior made You Nan understand and get angry with him?

Chen Mingzhou drifted into happy daydreams. He sat upright in his chair, closed his eyes, fingers stroking his forehead, a smile playing on his lips.