The governor of Xiling Prefecture died in his residence. After autopsy and on-site investigation, the culprit was identified as a group of strangers who had frequently appeared at the governor's mansion recently, and a warrant was issued for their leader.
The case files stated that the governor died from a sword wound, a perforating injury that pierced his heart, killing him with a single blow.
Nan Shiying had previously only heard about the death of the Xiling Prefecture governor and the warrant issued for the arrests of Luan Wencheng and his group. Today, she learned the cause of the other party's death. Of course, how the other party died was not important; what mattered was why.
The memorial did not record this information, indicating that the people from the Dark Web had not discovered the reason for the governor's murder.
Nan Shiying already had an idea, but she needed corroboration. It was not the time to mention it.
She read through the memorial at lightning speed and rested her head on Ji Jinmo's shoulder, "I want to go to Yaowang Valley!"
Ji Jinmo lifted his head from her neck, his arm around her waist tightening slightly, "When?"
"After the New Year!"
Nan Shiying wanted to have a peaceful New Year, her first New Year as Nan Shiying.
"I'll accompany you!"
"Good!"
Before the martial arts大会 (Martial Arts Gathering) after the New Year, she wanted to see her own corpse.
The corpse of Nan Fengluan, the Empress of Great Yuan.
Actually, she was not fixated on who she was, or which one was the true her. Whether her soul was that of the Empress of Great Yuan or a new soul merged from the souls of Nan Shiying and the Empress of Great Yuan, there was not much difference between the two. Essentially, she was still herself.
It was just that rather than letting her corpse be used as nourishment for some people, she would prefer to personally scatter her ashes to the wind.
In the Imperial Palace, Ji Hong, after paying his respects to the Empress Dowager, detoured to Lilan Palace.
Zou Yun'er's pregnancy was showing quite a bit; not yet three months, and her belly had already swollen. After Shen Yue examined Zou Yun'er, she suspected that she was carrying twins. However, the gestation period was still too early, and the pulse was not clearly discernible, so she dared not be too certain.
She could only say it was possible!
Upon hearing this, Ji Hong summoned Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan, obeying the imperial decree, came and paid his respects, then examined Zou Yun'er's pulse, confirming Shen Yue's suspicion: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations!"
The Emperor had no heirs for many years, and now he was blessed with twins – it was truly a joyous occasion. However, given the current situation, it was not time to relax. Ji Hong instructed Wei Yuan and Shen Yue to keep it quiet, and they could celebrate when the dust settled.
"Your subordinate understands!"
After Wei Yuan took his leave, Ji Hong had dinner with Zou Yun'er and then returned to the Imperial Study.
A gear-grinding sound came from the bookshelf in the Prince's study. Ji Hong appeared behind the secret door. He looked at the empty study and fell into silence.
Where was he??
Where was his Imperial Uncle, such a large man? m..oΓg
...
Outside the Xinyuan Pavilion, Ji Hong tugged at the hem of his robe, which felt slightly ill-fitting, constantly pulling upwards.
Thirteen suppressed a giggle, almost bursting into laughter.
"Your Highness, Madam, Xuan Wu Bai seeks an audience!"
Nan Shiying wriggled out of Ji Jinmo's embrace and turned to look at him. Had the number of Xuan Guards exceeded five hundred?
Ji Jinmo lowered his eyebrows, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
"It's Ji Hong!"
Nan Shiying: "Then why is he called Xuan Wu Bai?"
"It's Wu Bai!"
Ji Jinmo replied, "He was born in May and likes white."
Nan Shiying: "..." Crazy!
Ji Jinmo said "Enter," and Ji Hong pushed the door open. Halfway in, his steps halted, and he wryly twitched the corner of his mouth.
Are you two glued together? Still hugging? Have you no shame?
"What, is your leg lame?"
Seeing Ji Hong standing still, Ji Jinmo sneered, his words laced with barbs that pierced Ji Hong's heart.
Ji Hong walked into the room, pulled over a chair, and sat down, picking up a teacup and pouring himself some tea.
Considering that his Imperial Aunt had been gone for a month and this old man, Ji Jinmo, had been left alone, he would be magnanimous and not bicker with him. After all, who the hell would care about this old man with unfulfilled desires!
Ji Hong had something to discuss with his Imperial Aunt, not with him.
"Imperial Aunt!"
After downing a cup of tea, Ji Hong looked at Nan Shiying with a smile.
Ji Jinmo's eyebrows rose, his gaze towards Ji Hong chilling. Ji Hong ignored him and smilingly said, "Yun'er is carrying twins."
"Hoo~"
Nan Shiying straightened up, separating from Ji Jinmo's embrace. She sat on the edge of the chaise lounge, then, feeling uncomfortable, wriggled further back, squeezing Ji Jinmo to the side. She understood Ji Hong's intention, but tonic could not be consumed carelessly. "I'll go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow."
"Twins are a joyous occasion, but for the pregnant woman, it is also a dangerous one. If the supplements are too strong and the fetus becomes too large, it may be impossible to give birth, resulting in the death of three lives." Nan Shiying was not exaggerating; childbirth itself was a perilous event. In a sense, infants could be called parasites of the mother, residing within the mother and absorbing her nutrients to grow. Aside from the emotional significance of continuation, pregnancy and childbirth were significantly damaging to women. For twins, the fetuses not only competed with the mother for nutrients but also with each other. Therefore, throughout history, the incidence of difficult labor in twin pregnancies had been as high as eighty percent.
Considering the peril of Zou Yun'er's pregnancy, Nan Shiying asked, "Is Shen Yue currently serving the Noble Consort?"
"Yes!" Ji Hong nodded, the joy on his face fading, replaced by deep worry.
Nan Shiying nodded, "We'll discuss the rest after the pulse diagnosis tomorrow."
"Is there anything else?"
Seeing that their conversation had concluded, Ji Jinmo asked Ji Hong with a cold expression.
Ji Hong tutted.
He neither nodded nor shook his head, simply remaining seated and refusing to get up.
Ji Jinmo's gaze grew more dangerous, but Ji Hong slowly poured himself another cup of tea. Before the chill could permeate the room, he spoke, "A high monk from Longtan Temple in Dali has passed away."
"Died by suicide in the Yangju Hall!"
Nan Shiying was initially indifferent, but upon hearing that the person had died in the Dali Emperor's Yangju Hall, she became interested.
"Suicide?"
Ji Hong nodded.
"Master Chengji of Longtan Temple."
Ji Jinmo had not seen this news yet. He glanced at the memorial piled on his desk; it should contain information about the death of Chengji of Longtan Temple. Ji Hong certainly wouldn't just mention this, and indeed, he continued, "Imperial Uncle, how about we pull a '狸猫换太子' (a fox changing into a crown prince)?"
"You mean..."
"Yes!"
"You two, wait a moment!" Nan Shiying interrupted their nearly coded conversation, blinking and turning to Ji Jinmo, "Do you have anything you want to tell me?"
Ji Jinmo then remembered that he had not yet told Nan Shiying about the matter of the real and fake Yu Chengxuan, nor had he mentioned his speculation about the massacre at the Liao Jiang market. Now, with her clear eyes fixed on him, Ji Jinmo subconsciously raised his hand to touch his nose.
Ji Hong: Where did your confidence go just now?
Pah!