Ouyang Yue exclaimed, "What a strange thing! It's quite an interesting story. It seems I'll have to find an opportunity to see it after I enter the palace tomorrow."
Eunuch Li's eyes flashed, and he smiled, "The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Consort Sun are naturally not in a good mood looking at those withered flowers and grass. When I left the palace, I sent people to collect them and plant them soon. They should be ready by tomorrow."
"It's best to deal with things that affect Grandmother and Mother's mood as soon as possible," Ouyang Yue said, nodding slightly without any change in expression.
"I have delivered your message and must return to report. I will not disturb Prince Chen and Princess Consort any longer," said Eunuch Li with a smile, having lost all desire to linger any longer.
"Please, Eunuch Li." Baili Chen nodded with a smile, and Leng Sha and his men had already escorted Eunuch Li out.
As soon as he sat down in the sedan chair, Eunuch Li eagerly opened his purse. Inside, as expected, there was no gold or silver, only paper. He opened it again and found three hundred-tael silver notes, totaling three hundred taels. Eunuch Li was quite surprised by the Chen Prince's mansion's generosity. Although he was a palace eunuch and considered a figure of some importance, his earnings couldn't compare to those of the head eunuchs of Empress Dowager Fushun's palace. He usually received a few dozen taels when delivering imperial decrees. He never expected the Chen Prince's mansion to offer three hundred taels at once. And all he did was say something that would soon be common knowledge, not a secret. Either way, he profited. The Chen Prince's mansion was truly wealthy and powerful.
After putting the silver notes away, Eunuch Li couldn't help but touch his purse again. The Princess Consort of Chen owned several profitable shops, which he heard were lucrative businesses. Wouldn't it be good to be on good terms with the Prince of Chen's mansion?
Inside the Prince Chen's residence, Baili Chen sneered, "Some people really can't stand to see us doing well." If the matter of the rosy clouds was just a coincidence, then no one would be so foolish as to think that if something else happened in the palace, neither of these two events was clearly aimed at the Prince Chen's residence.
Just moments ago, the sky was ablaze with rosy light, while over there, all three palaces were covered in withered grass. Even if the people of the Chen Prince's Mansion were blessed by this rosy light, if it harmed their elders in the palace, it would be a curse rather than a blessing. After all, since ancient times, people have revered filial piety. Whether it was genuine or not, if you did something that violated filial piety, you would be the subject of gossip. Not only would you be looked down upon, but it would also greatly affect your reputation among the people, which is definitely not a good thing. Therefore, if someone who is considered fortunate brings misfortune upon their elders, they will surely become a jinx in people's eyes. What happened today seems like a warning.
Of course, today's situation is somewhat special. Bai Ying fainted in the Prince Chen's mansion and was later found to be pregnant. So, whether the two children will bring good fortune or misfortune is a matter of debate. Perhaps this is the variable in this matter? Or is Bai Ying somehow related to this?
Ouyang Yue squinted and thought for a moment, but couldn't come up with anything. So she put it aside for the time being and said to Baili Chen, "Husband, I saw Hua Ling'er before the first birthday celebration. I learned some news from her."
"What news?" Baili Chen asked hurriedly.
“I suspect that my grandfather’s death was a deliberate setup. The village chief of Red Maple Village accidentally discovered Ghost Killer, the leader of the Blood Fiend Alliance who was chasing you and me. Based on his suspicions, it’s very likely that he was Ghost Killer’s ancestor. And Ghost Killer’s ancestor was a bandit who did robbery and plunder. At that time, his area of activity was near Red Maple Mountain. He was also one of the bandit leaders that my grandmother wanted to eliminate.” Ouyang Yue said briefly, and Baili Chen listened in silence.
"The death of my great-uncle was indeed very suspicious. Not only did the plague come at the right time, but the fire seemed to have swept over in an instant. Afterwards, in order to control the disease, all the disaster victims were trapped and burned to death, leaving no survivors. However, it is somewhat abnormal that even if these disaster victims were strong, they could still cause my great-uncle's death. Therefore, it is very likely that he was framed by someone."
It's no wonder Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue thought this way. The Xuanyuan army consisted of elite soldiers and powerful generals. At the time, Xuanyuan Hu held half of the Great Zhou's military power. It could be said that if Xuanyuan Hu wanted to declare himself king, even the late emperor couldn't stop him. Compared to the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Xuanyuan family had been military generals for generations, all loyal protectors of the Great Zhou, enjoying immense prestige among the people. Coupled with their control of a large army, if Xuanyuan Hu truly had such ambitions, the late emperor wouldn't have been very confident in suppressing him, and it was even uncertain whether he could retain his throne. Was the late emperor not wary? That was certainly one reason, but they still didn't know the true reason for Xuanyuan Hu's death. It wasn't just one person who wanted Xuanyuan Hu dead; even the five major families had the ambition and ability. After all, seizing even a tenth of Xuanyuan Hu's military power would greatly increase their clan's strength. There were also members of the royal family. There were too many suspects involved, and they were at a loss. However, one thing was certain: Xuanyuan Hu's death was most likely suspicious.
If Princess Shuangxia hadn't adopted Xuanyuan Zheng, the power of the Xuanyuan Army would have fallen into the wrong hands. Even though some troops were lost, Xuanyuan Chaohua is still a highly sought-after figure in the court.
In the Lin Prince's mansion, Baili Chang led Bai Ying back home with great joy. Baili Chang smiled and directed the servants to prepare for Bai Ying's arrival. Bai Ying, who had initially looked somewhat unwell, was now all smiles, her cheeks flushed. Baili Chang helped Bai Ying into the room. Several servants busied themselves placing cushions and other soft items on the hard surfaces before leaving, leaving Baili Chang to speak with Bai Ying: "Thank you for your hard work, Your Highness." A servant offered a hand, and Baili Chang grasped Bai Ying's hand, his eyes still brimming with excitement.
Bai Ying smiled and shook her head: "It is my responsibility and duty to bear children for Your Highness. I will not feel tired."
Bai Lichang sat down and couldn't help but sigh, "You've had a hard time marrying me, knowing there's no future." Back then, Bai Ying married Bai Lichang; it was clearly Emperor Mingxian's decree. Even if Bai Ying couldn't accept it, she had no right to refuse. She turned and grasped Bai Lichang's hand, "Your Highness, what are you saying? I've never thought that way. Your Highness is a gentleman. Marrying you is the greatest happiness of my life."
Baili Chang's face showed some emotion, and he reached out to gently stroke Bai Ying's cheek: "But I don't know if this child's arrival at this time is a blessing or a curse."
Bai Ying suddenly remembered what happened at the Prince Chen's mansion. The sight of that radiant light still made her feel uneasy. Bai Ying hadn't fainted on purpose. She didn't know if she was being too sensitive, but she felt a strange smell there, and then her head slumped and she fainted. Bai Ying was newly pregnant and hadn't paid much attention to it. She had been taking medicine to regulate her body in the hope of getting pregnant soon. Her menstrual cycle had just ended recently, but Bai Ying hadn't thought about it. She never expected that she would actually get pregnant.
"Well..." Bai Ying didn't know what to say. The situation at the time, Bai Ying's fainting was so coincidental, it was as if it was deliberately planned. In fact, she was very innocent, but if she said it now, I'm afraid no one would believe her. They would say that she got the benefit and was pretending to be innocent.
Baili Chang's expression darkened slightly: "I have been hiding for so many years because I didn't want to get involved in this struggle, but if someone deliberately tries to harm me, you, and the child, I will no longer sit idly by and wait for my death."
Bai Ying was taken aback: "Your Highness..."
From the moment Baili Chang entered the room, although his face was still somewhat pale, he did not cough once, which showed that he was not as weak as he appeared on the outside, so weak that he could die at any moment. Just as Baili Chen had pretended to be sick because he was persecuted, Baili Chang did the same.
The methods used to harm them were quite similar: both involved drugging Baili Chen and Baili Chang to weaken them. However, the drugs differed. Baili Chen's drug was intended to make him mentally impaired, while Baili Chang's was a poison that would gradually weaken him. Baili Chang was merely the son of a palace maid; unlike Baili Chen, he didn't have the Bai family mansion. Even if Emperor Mingxian was an imposter, he wouldn't openly allow anyone to kill Baili Chen. Therefore, Baili Chang had no choice but to endure it, even consuming known poisonous substances until the poisoner lowered their guard. Only then did Baili Chang slowly seek an antidote. However, the poisoning had indeed damaged his body, and after several years of treatment by imperial physicians with little effect, they gave up. Only when his body had recovered sufficiently was he truly cured.
In fact, Baili Chang's suffering was no less than Baili Chen's. In fact, with enemies surrounding the palace, he suffered even more than Baili Chen, who had an elder brother and a father. Baili Chang had paid a heavy price to survive until now. He never had any support or help behind him. Even the various forces in the palace did not try to win him over because of his humble origins and sickly nature. Although Baili Chang was like a transparent person, he still managed to get through it all safely.
"Does Your Highness think there's something wrong with that glow? This... wasn't it done by someone from Prince Chen's residence?" Bai Ying was somewhat puzzled, but Prince Chen's residence was heavily guarded, making it difficult for others to send people in. Even if it were the Bai residence, although it was Empress Bai's maternal home, the Bai residence had fallen into decline and hadn't had much contact with the two princes in recent years. Baili Chen was even somewhat wary of the Bai residence, let alone anyone else going in. So Bai Ying had previously thought that Prince Chen's residence was probably deliberately creating these things to establish Baili Su's authority.
Baili Chang shook his head and said, "Seventh Brother's temperament is not that bad, and Xuanyuan Yue is not stupid either. Besides, they are already famous, and their glory has already exceeded expectations. A smart person would not cause any trouble at this time. I'm afraid someone is doing this on purpose."
"That……"
“Your pregnancy and fainting there isn’t really a big deal, but someone deliberately created these unorthodox methods, and rumors are likely to spread. We might inevitably get dragged into it.” Baili Chang was somewhat helpless about this. Over the years, Baili Chang had been patient and restrained. He knew very well that he didn’t have the ability to fight for the throne, so he just wanted to live a quiet life and didn’t want to attract unnecessary conflict. But some things are just unavoidable.
"How can this be..." Bai Ying was startled.
“What’s coming can’t be avoided. People in the capital will inevitably compare these two children, and there’s been all sorts of unusual activity in the palace. I wouldn’t have gotten involved if I didn’t want to, but now that I have this child, I’m afraid I can’t avoid it. So, for this first child, I actually hope it’s a girl.” Baili Chang’s eyes darkened slightly, and Bai Ying felt a little complicated. Baili Chang gently stroked her head and said, “Don’t overthink it. Just take good care of yourself. I’ll take care of things outside.”
Bai Ying's eyes crinkled as she looked at Baili Chang with admiration: "Yes, Your Highness, I will obey your every command."
"You should rest first. I still have some things to take care of outside." Baili Chang smiled gently, got up and left. As he walked out of the room, he said to the two guards beside him, "Select some loyal ones to guard the princess recently, and send some others to protect her secretly. Make sure the princess is safe."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Baili Chang coughed, clenching his fist and placing it near his mouth. He rose and walked towards his study, but as soon as he entered, he let out a heavy sigh. His brows furrowed tightly, adding a sharp edge to his already pale and sickly face: "Such a coincidence. This child's arrival is so sudden. Could it be a sign from heaven?" Baili Chang sat down, his eyes slightly closed, as if in deep meditation, remaining motionless for a long time.
Upon returning to the Prince Zhi's residence, Sun Meng'er threw a tantrum, smashing things in sight and hurling insults at anything she disliked. Baili Zhi calmly sat to one side, watching Sun Meng'er's outburst. Sun Meng'er was so angry she could hardly breathe. She had gone along precisely because she couldn't bear to see Ouyang Yue doing well, intending to take the opportunity to ridicule and humiliate Baili Su during his first birthday celebration. Who would have thought that she would be the one to suffer the most humiliation? That wasn't all; she had dreamed of having a child for years, trying every possible method without success, while Bai Ying had conceived. Compared to Baili Chang's sickly body, Baili Zhi was far superior. Why was Bai Ying able to conceive first? Sun Meng'er felt she was about to go mad with anger. She felt that since marrying into the Prince Zhi's residence, very little had ever gone her way, and she was filled with utter resentment.
She hated Ouyang Yue, hated Bai Ying, and hated both of their families. There was no one she didn't hate who opposed the Prince Zhi's family.
However, after smashing things for a while, Sun Meng'er realized that Baili Zhi was completely ignoring her. Instead, he was leisurely sitting to the side drinking tea, which made her even more depressed. "Your Highness, why are you still so calm? The Chen Prince's Mansion has really made a splash today. What a coincidence that the rosy clouds are like. Maybe they're just playing tricks." Moreover, Sun Meng'er suddenly remembered the way she saw Baili Su at the Chen Prince's Mansion before, and her heart tightened even more. "Your Highness, could the Chen Prince's heir be some kind of reincarnated demon? I don't think there's anything wrong with him."
Baili Zhi frowned slightly and said, "What do you mean by monster? How could Su'er be a monster? You suffered some grievances in the Prince Chen's mansion, but you can't talk nonsense like this."
Sun Meng'er pouted and said, "Your Highness, I'm not talking nonsense. I think that child is very strange. Besides, if the Chen Prince's Mansion continues to be so glorious, it won't be good for Your Highness either. In that case... does Your Highness not want to compete anymore?"
Baili Zhi paused for a moment, then looked up at Sun Meng'er: "You should worry more about yourself. You've made such a fool of yourself today; you should be thinking about how to cover it up." Of course, compared to what happened later, Sun Meng'er's situation was somewhat less significant, since she was just incredibly unlucky. But after Baili Zhi's words, Sun Meng'er immediately felt a strange taste in her mouth, and a urge to vomit washed over her. She cried out urgently, "Quick, quick, help me inside to rinse my mouth, ugh..."
The servants immediately helped Sun Meng'er downstairs. Baili Zhi sat silently in a chair, and after a long while, he suddenly said, "Go to the city gate and find Doctor Wang."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Although the Prince's mansion usually consults the imperial physicians, Baili Zhi trusts this doctor whom he personally promoted. This doctor is not very well-known in the capital. Doctor Wang is only thirty years old, but his medical skills are quite good. In the past, Baili Zhi was strong and healthy and rarely consulted a doctor, but today he had a sudden thought.
"Your Highness."
"Doctor Wang, come and take my pulse."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Doctor Wang immediately brought a pillowcase and carefully examined the pulse. However, he took a rather slow time, and it took almost half an hour before he put away the pulse-taking pillowcase. Baili Zhi was also worried when he saw this: "Doctor Wang, is there something wrong with my health? Otherwise, why would you take so long to examine me?"
Doctor Wang hesitated for a moment before saying softly, "I wonder what Your Highness would like me to see?"
Baili Zhi paused and said, "I originally wanted you to go and have sex with the concubines and the other concubines. I've been married for over two years, but there's been no news from the household." The Crown Prince, at least, managed to get several women pregnant, so there must have been some news. But Baili Zhi hadn't heard a thing. No one is so calm about having children, and Baili Zhi was no exception.
Doctor Wang hesitated, which made Baili Zhi feel even more depressed. Finally, he said, "Just tell me, I won't interfere."
Doctor Wang pondered for a while, carefully prepared his explanation, and then cautiously said, "Your Highness's health is fine, and your pulse is very good. However, this humble physician has noticed that Your Highness's vital energy seems to be somewhat insufficient."
"Insufficient vital energy?" Baili Zhi frowned. "What does that mean?"
Doctor Wang paused, coughed lightly, and said, "This essence is one of the body's vital energy and spirit. There is also a saying that it is related to a man's blood essence. To put it bluntly, it is related to that aspect. I have diagnosed Your Highness's essence as being slightly weaker than that of an ordinary person."
"What!" Baili Zhi rarely got angry, but this time he glared at Doctor Wang with furious eyes. Doctor Wang was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, trembling. Baili Zhi almost couldn't help but punch Doctor Wang in the face, but in the end he gritted his teeth and held back.
Although Doctor Wang spoke cryptically, he clearly meant that Baili Zhi's body was healthy, but he had some problems in that area. This was the reason why the Chen Prince's mansion hadn't had any good news for many years. As a man, he hated being told he was impotent, and since it concerned his offspring, Baili Zhi was tempted to kill Doctor Wang. However, he wasn't an impulsive person after all. He squinted at Doctor Wang and said, "Doctor Wang said that my condition is treatable. What caused this?"
Doctor Wang knelt on the ground, not daring to get up. In fact, Doctor Wang had hesitated a bit just now, but he didn't dare to lie to Baili Zhi. Now that he had already said it, he couldn't take it back, so he naturally didn't dare to refuse: "This kind of problem has happened before. Generally, there are two situations: one is insufficient innate essence and the other is acquired."
"Oh, is my nature innate or acquired?"
Doctor Wang hesitated and said, "This humble subject is not sure at the moment. May I ask if Your Highness ever had a problem eating poorly, had a small appetite, got tired easily when walking, or was always sleepy when you were young?"
Baili Chen frowned and thought about it. He had spent most of his childhood in the palace and school. He had only occasionally seen elders paying their respects to each other. He seemed busier than some ministers. He had never heard of him being sickly when he was young. Besides, if he were really sick, how could he manage to be so busy? So he shook his head and said, "No, I have always been in good health since I was a child."
Doctor Wang's expression changed drastically, but he dared not speak. Baili Zhi narrowed his eyes: "Since I asked, you should tell me the truth, otherwise... you should know the result."
Doctor Wang lowered his head and said, "Your Highness... I deduce that Your Highness was very likely drugged when you were a child."
"What? I've been poisoned?" Baili Zhi was shocked. Over the years, Baili Zhi had been surrounded by a strong guard. Who could poison him under these circumstances? He couldn't help but feel a tightness in his heart: "Have you found out what kind of poison it is?"
Doctor Wang said, "In my humble opinion, it doesn't seem like poison. Actually, if it were medicine, it wouldn't be just poison that could do it. Some incompatible herbs could also do it. If it were really poisoning, Your Highness wouldn't have been so healthy since childhood."
Baili Zhi was somewhat confused: "You mean, the person who drugged me didn't mean me any harm, but wanted to make me unable to have children?"
"This... I don't know what the person who administered the medicine was thinking, but I think it's possible given Your Highness's condition. I still need to examine the pulses of the concubine and several other women before I can make a final diagnosis." Doctor Wang was also somewhat terrified. After all, this was a prince. If he said something that didn't suit his taste, he could lose his head. Moreover, this concerned a man's dignity. Even if it were true, he wouldn't dare to say it so bluntly.
"Go and take their pulses first." Baili Zhi was a little irritated. How could he imagine that the reason why the Zhiwang Mansion had been quiet for so many years was probably because of his impotence? How could he, a grown man, accept this?
Doctor Wang left quickly, fearing he would be implicated. After a while, Doctor Wang finally finished taking the pulse, but when he returned, he dared not speak for a long time. Baili Zhi said in a deep voice, "It's still my problem."
Doctor Wang dared not answer, but seemed to tacitly agree. Baili Zhi felt a tightness in his chest: "Is my illness still curable?"
Doctor Wang nodded vigorously: "Yes, it can be treated, it is curable. The prince's illness is very mild, it's just that it has been going on for a long time, so... so it might take two or three years... I'm afraid..."
Baili Zhi suddenly sneered: "I know. Go and prepare for the treatment. This matter must be kept secret, you understand?"
"Yes, yes, this humble subject would absolutely not dare, and would never allow even a single rumor to spread."
"Hmm." Doctor Wang, trembling, was escorted out by the guards. He rushed back to his residence and sat in his room for a long time, unable to recover. He had been sweating profusely at the Prince Zhi's residence and almost thought he wouldn't make it back.
Baili Zhi sat in the hall, but gave a bitter laugh with difficulty: "Hehe... I never thought... that I would actually..." Baili Zhi felt extremely sad. From childhood to adulthood, he had never felt that there was a shadow over the future. In fact, he had once envied his younger brother Baili Chen. Emperor Mingxian truly favored him, but Baili Chen could do whatever he wanted without any worries, acting without considering the consequences. It was because of the disguise and protection that Baili Chen was put in front of others, while Baili Zhi was safe. But at the same time, he lost too much freedom.
But he felt that God was fair. The seventh prince lived a carefree and unrestrained life, but he also had to face the scheming of many people. He didn't have such unrestrained freedom, but he was safe. Everyone has their own destiny. This was something his father and mother had said. Although he felt somewhat guilty towards Baili Chen in the past, he didn't feel that he owed Baili Chen everything, because everyone has their own obligations and responsibilities. What he wanted to do in the future was to make the world more prosperous and strong, and to let all the people live a life without worries about food and clothing. He was always full of confidence in sacrificing his own family for the greater good.
However, he gradually felt that something was wrong. Baili Chen's repeated encounters with danger made him hesitate. But Baili Chen survived time and time again, and they had their own power and the strength to protect the people they wanted to protect. He felt that everything he had done before was worthwhile. Was it because of this that he was destined to have this hardship?
No! Someone poisoned him! Someone had been plotting to harm him for a long time. Who could it be?!
The impotence dealt a blow to Baili Zhi, causing a moment of confusion. However, he quickly recovered. Of the Emperor's surviving children, only Crown Prince Baili Cheng, himself, the Fourth Prince Baili Chang, the Fifth Prince Baili Jian, the Seventh Prince, and the Ninth Prince Baili Mao remained. The Fourth and Seventh Princes had always been frail, which he had initially dismissed as unpredictable. But what about him? Why had he been drugged as well? The Crown Prince and Baili Jian had always been the most prominent figures in the palace, while the Seventh Prince hadn't even received the Emperor's favor. Why were the Seventh Prince and Baili Cheng perfectly healthy, while the others suffered? Perhaps the one who drugged him was someone from Empress Lin or Consort Sun. And Baili Mao grew up strong and healthy; could it be that the person who drugged him was someone from Empress Lin's faction?
Is this person's actions really that obvious? Baili Zhi couldn't figure out who this person was. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He felt as if a huge hand was pressing down on everyone from behind, scheming against everyone. But now that the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince have died, did this person foresee it? There are so many changes in the court now, and with this strange phenomenon at the Prince Chen's residence today, someone is probably going to make a move.
The next day, as expected, a rosy glow appeared in the well of Prince Chen's residence, and the news that Princess Lin had been found to be pregnant spread. Everyone was talking about it, but they couldn't figure out what the rosy glow was for. Some people even tried to find a way to see what the rosy glow was by their own wells.
The light of the rosy clouds has always been an auspicious omen. Many people secretly believe that Baili Su or the child in Bai Ying's womb will be the future emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. After all, in the past, historical records and unofficial histories have used the phenomenon of rosy clouds appearing in the sky to praise certain wise rulers and suddenly highlight their extraordinary nature. This anomaly is enough to show that the heir of the Chen Prince's Mansion is different. Bai Ying's situation at the time was also quite coincidental. She and the child in her womb were naturally discussed. But obviously, everyone was more optimistic about Baili Su, the heir of the Chen Prince's Mansion.
After having an early breakfast, Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue, along with Baili Su, went to the palace to pay their respects to the Emperor. When they arrived at the Imperial Study, Baili Chang and Bai Ying had just arrived as well: "Greetings, Fourth Imperial Brother and Fourth Imperial Sister-in-law."
"Seventh Prince, Seventh Sister-in-law." The people from both families greeted each other, but the atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Emperor Mingxian only wanted to see them because of the Chen Prince's Mansion. The rumors circulating outside were gradually creating some antagonism between the two families. After all, it was still unclear who the blessing was for. If someone had the ambition to compete for it, they would naturally try to elevate the blessing. It seemed absurd, but this era had an almost obsessive fascination with deities and ghosts. Whoever seized this opportunity and spread rumors that they were the reincarnation of a great power or talent would naturally rise in status among the people. With more people admiring them, they would have a great advantage when it came to seizing the throne.
Although the two families didn't seem to care too much about this, they couldn't show too much enthusiasm at the moment. They didn't say much and waited outside. Who knew that they would wait for an hour? Bai Ying's face was pale. She was newly pregnant, and if she was too tired, how could she keep the baby? Ouyang Yue couldn't help but feel a little dissatisfied and said to Bai Ying, "Fourth Imperial Sister-in-law, why don't you rest first? I see that you don't look well. You should avoid overexertion when you are newly pregnant."
Bai Lichang was also pale, but he was more concerned about Bai Ying: "Your Highness, please have someone help you rest first."
Bai Yinghuai had indeed miscarried, so how could she refuse? Even if it meant offending Emperor Mingxian, she had to leave. Her legs were trembling as she stood there: "Your Highness, I caught a cold earlier and my body is not strong enough. I will take my leave now."
As soon as Bai Ying left, the door to the Imperial Study opened, and Fu Shun came out to greet them. When he saw that Bai Ying was missing, a hint of displeasure flashed across his face. Baili Chang's expression tightened, while Ouyang Yue frowned. When the group knelt down to pay their respects, Emperor Mingxian remained silent for a long time. Baili Su, who was being held in Ouyang Yue's arms, rolled his eyes. This old man was just trying to cause trouble for his parents, wasn't he? How hateful!
Baili Su clenched his fists slightly, his little face tightened, and he couldn't help but look up. Then, with a 'waaaah', he burst into tears!
☆、256、Su'er X Emperor Mingxian, Emperor Mingxian regrets!
The somber atmosphere was suddenly broken by Baili Chen's crying. Everyone was stunned. Ouyang Yue reacted first, hugging Baili Su and gently comforting him. However, she saw Baili Su clenching his soft, chubby, white little fists, opening his mouth and crying loudly, but there were no tears in his eyes. Ouyang Yue sighed inwardly. Her good son seemed to be even more cunning, more mischievous, and more lovable after his rebirth.
Ouyang Yue smiled and reached out to poke Baili Su's soft cheek. She saw a hint of dissatisfaction in Baili Su's eyes, but he didn't forget to let out a loud howl, which was very jarring. Baili Chen grabbed Ouyang Yue from the side, not caring at all that this was the Imperial Study and whether his behavior was impolite. He quickly asked, "What's wrong, Su'er?"
"I don't know, he keeps crying. Maybe he's uncomfortable or scared." Ouyang Yue also looked worried, and her eyes even became a little watery. She held Baili Su and kept comforting him, saying things like, "Oh, baby, don't cry..."
Baili Chen looked distressed: "It's my fault that the child has suffered because of this."
"Your Highness, what are you saying..." Ouyang Yue seemed to be stunned for a moment, blinking at Baili Chen as if to say that this was the Imperial Study, and it would be unacceptable to say such things here, as Emperor Mingxian was in the room.
Baili Chen completely ignored him, his face grim, his brows furrowed, looking like he was filled with bitterness and resentment. Baili Chang and Bai Ying, who were standing beside him, felt something was off. This seventh brother used to be a troublemaker, when had they ever seen him so sad and distressed but dared not speak? Could it be that he had really changed his nature? Was he so afraid of trouble?
But in fact, didn't Baili Chen say everything he wanted to say? For example, "Look at how scared my precious son is by your deadbeat attitude! Stop pretending!"