The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 329 - 298: Princess Consort Duan Returns to the Palace, the Child’s Origins Questioned? (3rd Update)

Jinbao was unwilling to call out, and Princess Consort Duan didn’t force him, smiling as she told Wen Wan not to push him, then personally slipped the small silver bracelet onto his wrist and hung the golden lock around his neck.

Suddenly having things on his wrist and neck, not heavy though, Jinbao found it novel. He looked again and again, then deliberately stretched his pudgy little wrist out before Wen Wan, intending to show off the good things he had received.

Wen Wan praised him accordingly, "Really nice-looking. Later, go show off to Grandpa and Grandma; they don’t have them, only you, Jinbao, do."

The little one became all the more excited upon hearing this.

Princess Consort Duan watched Jinbao, pleased with his cheerful demeanor, and couldn’t help but smile as well, "What a little treasure you are."

Wen Wan humbly said, "You haven’t seen him when he’s being mischievous, Your Highness; he can be quite a handful."

"Aren’t all children like that?" Princess Consort Duan replied, "If I could have a son, no matter how naughty he is, I’d be happy."

Wen Wan’s gaze lingered on Princess Consort Duan’s abdomen briefly, then moved away without a trace, "There’s a fifty percent chance that Your Highness could give birth to a Prince."

"But there’s also a fifty percent chance it could be a Princess! The Zhao Family and the Imperial Family already have no shortage of princesses."

When Princess Consort Duan said this, the melancholy in her voice was very apparent.

Emperor Guangxi, at his age, with countless concubines in the harem, doesn’t even have three thousand beauties, but surely a few hundred, yet he has only one son, which makes anyone wonder if there’s something amiss.

Princess Consort Duan’s melancholy might stem from a fear that she wouldn’t be able to give birth to a son, or that the child might be harmed before reaching term.

In royal matters, Wen Wan, as a mere minister’s wife, didn’t dare to inquire casually, only suggesting, "If Your Highness likes being at our home, you could stay a few more days."

Staying an additional day means one more day of safety,

Princess Consort Duan smiled coyly, the smile carrying more helplessness.

Even if she stays with the Song family until her due date, so what? The imperial heir must be born in the palace; once she returns, there will inevitably be traps awaiting her.

As a pregnant woman who spent several months of peaceful days abroad, she seems to have forgotten how to contend with others, and her vigilance can naturally not compare to before.

Thinking of this, Princess Consort Duan rubbed her temples wearily.

——

Su Xiang was granted the title of Duke, and political power was divided among the Cabinet, making the position of Prime Minister empty.

After Empress Su learned of this, she took advantage when Emperor Guangxi stayed overnight at Kunning Palace to ask him, "I heard that the Prime Minister personally led troops to Ningzhou to suppress bandits and has returned. Has he reported his duties to the Emperor?"

As the master of the six palaces, she is not unwise and wouldn’t simply ask why the Emperor has indirectly demoted the Imperial Uncle right off the bat.

"Imperial Uncle performed brilliantly," Emperor Guangxi sincerely praised. "I have already ordered the drafting of an edict, granting him the title of Duke Jing, and also bestowing him a Summer Palace." After speaking, he looked at the woman by the dressing table removing her makeup, "Why, does the Empress have an opinion on my rewards?"

"I dare not," Empress Su paused, "it’s just that I heard my brother hasn’t attended court for the past two days, which worries me."

Emperor Guangxi showed a generous expression, "Imperial Uncle, at his age, still personally took command to suppress bandits, naturally, he must have exerted much effort and hardship along the way. Letting him rest for a couple of days is fine."

Without waiting for Empress Su to speak, he added, "Over the years, I might have relied too heavily on the Imperial Uncle, putting all burdens on him alone, but regardless of how capable he is, he is ultimately just flesh and blood, capable of fatigue, illness, and aging. On the other hand, the old guys in the Cabinet are all so idle, they’re practically picking lice.

They are all under me, yet there’s no reason for the Prime Minister to worry about state affairs tirelessly while the Cabinet remains idle, receiving their hefty salaries each year, is it merely for keeping loafers?

From now on, they should taste the hardships and exhaustion that the Prime Minister experienced so we can assign them some tasks, letting the Cabinet share the load with the Prime Minister."

"..." Such a flawless speaking style left Empress Su with nothing to say.

It was true that the Emperor bestowed a title upon the Su family, while it was also true that the Prime Minister’s power was secretly hollowed out.

If the previous court could not rely on the Prime Minister, then the empress’s position without any heirs in the harem would undoubtedly be shaken.

Contemplating the days to come, fear gripped Empress Su again and again, feeling chilly from head to toe even though lying next to Emperor Guangxi.

Emperor Guangxi seemed to have really just come to Kunning Palace to sleep; he lay down without getting intimate with Empress Su and directly closed his eyes, breathing evenly.

Empress Su couldn’t fall asleep; in the inner hall, the lights were bright. She first stared at the ornate canopy for a while, then slightly turned her head to gaze at Emperor Guangxi’s face, her look complex.

Even though she considered herself careful, she was still perceived by the Emperor, whose dignified voice suddenly came, "Can’t sleep?"

Having been in the palace for years, rising through the ranks among many women, Empress Su had long been used to handling all sorts of "unexpected" situations from Emperor Guangxi. Now exposed, she didn’t show any panic and nodded naturally, "I was just considering whether to arrange another selection show to bring in some new faces to the palace. Perhaps someone might produce offspring for His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Guangxi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze lingering on Empress Su before he half-closed them again, "Is the Empress concerned about the lack of imperial heirs?"

"There’s only one Prince, after all," Empress Su stated, "Naturally, the more offspring, the better for the Royal Family."

Emperor Guangxi’s expression was somewhat laughing, "The Prime Minister was painstakingly taking care of state affairs before, and now the Empress is losing sleep over the shortage of imperial offspring; indeed, the Su family is loyal through and through."

Empress Su lowered her long eyelashes, "Whether it’s me or my brother, it is our duty to share the Emperor’s burdens."

"Since that’s the case, in my opinion, having a selection show is unnecessary. If the Empress is truly concerned, why not go to Fahua Temple to pray for the country for a hundred days?"

Empress Su hadn’t anticipated such a request from Emperor Guangxi, but though unexpected, it was also quite logical, making her unable to refuse outright, nor did she dare to.

"If it can lead to peace and prosperity for the country and ensure plenty of offspring for His Majesty, I am willing to leave the palace for Fahua Temple."

Emperor Guangxi chuckled, "No wonder they’re praising you as a virtuous empress in the community; among so many women in the harem, indeed only the Empress understands me best and knows how to relieve my concerns."

Since entering the palace, it was the first time she heard the Emperor compliment her.

Empress Su’s face warmed slightly, "As the head of the six palaces, I should prioritize everything for His Majesty and the imperial heirs."

"Then for this trip to Fahua Temple to pray for the country, I shall trouble the Empress."

——

Emperor Guangxi, known for his straightforwardness, didn’t dawdle about sending the Empress out of the palace to pray for a hundred days; within three days, she was sent away.

Afterward, he summoned Song Wei to ask about Princess Consort Duan.

Song Wei answered truthfully, "Princess Consort Duan is now over seven months pregnant, close to eight; aside from being unable to move about freely, everything is well."

Emperor Guangxi said, "Since you were the one who personally escorted Princess Consort Duan away, naturally it will also be up to you to make the trip to the Rehe Palace again to bring her back."

Song Wei had long guessed that sending the Empress away was to ensure Princess Consort Duan could safely deliver her baby at the last moment. He raised no other queries and simply confirmed Princess Consort Duan’s return date, promptly consulting with his authentic self.

According to the plan, with her pregnancy, Princess Consort Duan couldn’t particularly go to the Rehe Palace; Song Wei would first fetch the substitute back, then swap with the real Princess Consort Duan en route.

Of course, all of this hinged on avoiding the spies placed by Empress Su and other interested parties around them.

If it were the former Song Wei, he couldn’t have handled such a task, given how many people were eyeing them outside, especially considering they were in the open while others lurked in the shadows; it was simply impossible to slip through unnoticed.

But now, he had a unit of Hidden Guards at his disposal.

As long as Wei Qian led his men to act, they could completely clear a path for the substitute to safely return to the Capital and allow Princess Consort Duan and the substitute to make the switch undetected.

...

Wei Qian indeed acted swiftly, successfully swapping with the substitute outside the city the day Song Wei brought her back.

Afterward, Princess Consort Duan, who had been living incognito with the Song family for several months, finally entered the Imperial City under her real identity.

Several months ago, she had gone to the Rehe Palace under the guise of severe illness; everyone back then thought she was suffering from a contagious illness and wouldn’t survive long despite going to the Rehe Palace.

Who would have thought, after a few months, she not only returned alive but with a huge belly?

At that moment, upon seeing Princess Consort Duan, the concubines who came to greet her were all stunned, faces filled with complex emotions.

Princess Consort Duan, supported by palace maids, exchanged pleasantries with her sisters briefly, then claimed she was tired due to her pregnancy and headed back to Yonghe Palace.

Within moments, this news reached Qianqing Palace.

According to Mr. Cui, some concubines were suspicious of the origins of Princess Consort Duan’s child and had already gone to Shou’an Palace to see the Empress Dowager.