The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

When Song Zhiyuan saw Emperor Chu appear before him, his eyebrows furrowed.

”Why does the Emperor look so pale?” Song Zhiyuan was somewhat concerned and looked at Eunuch Zhou: ”Quickly, go summon the Imperial Physician.”

Eunuch Zhou looked at Emperor Chu, as he had already suggested it earlier.

Emperor Chu waved his hand: ”I’m fine, it was just a nightmare during my afternoon nap, it’ll pass.”

Song Zhiyuan’s brow furrowed even more tightly and said, ”How can such a thing happen out of nowhere? The Emperor must not be careless; your health is paramount. Eunuch Zhou, hurry.”

Eunuch Zhou glanced again at Emperor Chu and, seeing no further objections, responded and sent someone to call the Imperial Physician.

Emperor Chu chuckled lightly: ”You are just like a housekeeper.”

Song Zhiyuan disagreed: ”The Emperor’s well-being is no trifle. Even if it’s just a nightmare, the Imperial Physician must be consulted for a pulse diagnosis and prescribe some sleeping pills. Besides, you were ill before autumn, so you mustn’t let your guard down.”

Emperor Chu gave a light snort, yet warmth spread in his heart.

”Why did you request an audience at this time?”

Song Zhiyuan said: ”I have carefully reviewed the records of the Ning family when they came to Shangjing and found something interesting that you might need to hear.”

”Speak.”

”When the Ning family arrived in the capital, they had a chance encounter with Dowager Princess Consort Ji on the street. Among them was a child who gestured to the Dowager and claimed to be her grandson, while at that time, Xia Houzhe had not been exposed.” Song Zhiyuan continued: ”Before this, the second grandson of the Ning Clan Leader, Ning Xiaohong, had fallen ill with a high fever on the journey which left him foolish. This was the child who claimed to the Princess Consort that he was her grandson.”

Emperor Chu narrowed his eyes: ”There’s something wrong with this child.”

”Too many coincidences are no coincidence.”

Emperor Chu fingered the prayer beads in his hand, remaining silent for a while, and said: ”It seems that Ning Xiaohong was swapped with Xia Houzhe’s child when they came to Shangjing.”

Song Zhiyuan said nothing but agreed with him.

Emperor Chu laughed: ”Once swapped, twice swapped, look at that, Cabinet Minister Ning is quite adept at this little trickery, foolproof every time.”

Though he laughed, the smile didn’t reach his eyes, and his tone was filled with a deadly seriousness.

Song Zhiyuan said: ”The fire may have buried it all, leaving no way to verify if they were truly swapped.”

”But this also proves that the real Ning Xiaohong has disappeared into the vast sea of people, hasn’t he? Perhaps he’s already reached the East Sea you spoke of and taken root there.” Coldness shimmered in Emperor Chu’s eyes.

Eunuch Zhou stepped forward and said: ”Your Majesty, Commander Wang has arrived.”

”Send him in.”

Commander Wang walked in, here to report news from Quanzhou, and presented a slip of paper.

Emperor Chu skimmed through it, then handed it to Song Zhiyuan.

It reported that on September 17th, a sea vessel set sail, subsequently meeting with a shipwreck. All on board perished, including a child, investigated to have had only one servant beside him, whom the servant called Young Master...

”Do you think it was them?”

Song Zhiyuan repeatedly examined it and said: ”I am more inclined to believe it is a ploy to confuse.”

”So, you don’t believe the young rascal truly perished in the sea? Coincidentally, neither do I.” Emperor Chu laughed coldly: ”That little rascal sure has some skill to escape right under my nose, likely mocking my blindness behind my back.”

Song Zhiyuan remained silent for a moment: ”If he did reach the East Sea, he must be headed for the island where Cabinet Minister Ning had been, though he is still young, Your Majesty need not worry.”

Emperor Chu replied blandly: ”At present, it’s no great threat, but you also mentioned, a small fish in the sea, nurtured enough, can become a killer shark.”

Just like in his dream, could it be destined to unfold here?