"Not of my bloodline?"
Seeing the new Emperor's expression finally soften, Shangguan Yuyan spoke with more vigor.
"Your Majesty, you are unaware that Shangguan Wan'er has always held affection for the Fourth Prince and has already shared intimacy with him.
Therefore, the child in Shangguan Wan'er's womb is not of the imperial lineage, but an illegitimate spawn from Shangguan Wan'er's illicit affair!
Since it is an illegitimate spawn, why should it be allowed to live?"
Before the new Emperor could speak, a teasing male voice rang out from behind him.
"Tsk tsk, if I didn't know the truth, I might actually believe that mouth of yours.
You even assert with conviction that Shangguan Wan'er had an affair with the Fourth Prince; how could you utter such nonsense?
If you had said she was secretly colluding with Lord Lin, then there would be some credibility.
As for that Fourth Prince, who puts on a different face when one is not looking, a hypocrite who is not a human?
He's probably not enough to contend with the Empress, who is as black-hearted as she is two-faced, in even a single round."
After speaking while fanning himself, the newcomer received a pair of cold stares from the new Emperor.
"I say, Your Highness, they are calling you dog excrement, yet you cannot even tolerate a harsh word. Isn't that beneath your dignity?"
The new Emperor remained silent, but the temperature around him plummeted.
After a long while, he finally spoke coldly.
"Did I not tell you to get lost?"
Shivering from the chill, the man stubbornly fanned himself and said with a grinning face,
"Your Highness, I did get lost, but after circling around, I still find your side the most comfortable."
"Enough, Feng Si will come to settle accounts with you later. I will block him for you. For now, I want you to get as far away from me as possible!"
"Your Highness saying that puts my mind at ease.
By the way, Your Highness, how do you intend to deal with this woman?
Shall I take her with me and chop her up to feed the dogs?"
"No need. For people like her, death is a release. Living in ugliness is the true torment."
Upon hearing the new Emperor's words, the man stopped fanning himself and exclaimed in disbelief,
"Oh my, Your Highness, why do my teeth suddenly ache?
'For people like her, death is a release. Living in ugliness is the true torment.'
I say, Your Highness, even if you're learning on the spot, it shouldn't be like this!"
"Xia… Cheng… Ye!"
As if pushed to his limit, the new Emperor squeezed out these three words through gritted teeth.
Shangguan Yuyan, who had been prostrate on the ground, couldn't help but lift her head upon hearing this.
"Xia Cheng Ye?
Father once said that the late Emperor bestowed the character 'Ye' upon his children scattered across the land, so you are..."
Shangguan Yuyan's words were cut short as a fan was thrust into her mouth.
"Really, I always liked that fan so much."
Glancing at the man who was lamenting with regret while calmly taking out an identical folding fan from his sleeve, the new Emperor's upper eyelid twitched twice. He said speechlessly,
"Your identity is no longer a secret, why make such a fuss?
Also, Feng Si is indeed a bit overwhelmed by himself. So, you shouldn't be idle anymore either."
"Your Highness, am I no longer your favorite?
That's right.
Your Highness already has a new love, how could you remember this old flame?"
"Rong San, don't talk nonsense to me. I will find a suitable opportunity later to introduce you to everyone and officially reinstate your identity."
"Your Highness, don't do this~~~"
Meanwhile.
Within the imperial mausoleum.
The King of Wu Cheng, forgotten by everyone, listened silently as his subordinate reported on the events of the new Emperor's enthronement ceremony.
"No wonder Shangguan Hong, despite being the new Emperor's father-in-law, always appeared as if he were walking on thin ice. So, the father-in-law title is indeed not as it seems.
However, Shangguan Hong has suffered such a great loss, completely humiliated in public. He will absolutely not let this go.
Go.
Send a message to our mole in the palace. Whatever Shangguan Hong intends to do, go along with the flow and assist him."
"Yes!"
"By the way, do we know the identity of the太子妃 who impersonated another?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, after my subordinate's investigation, this woman is named Shangguan Yanran, born to Shangguan Hong and his outer chamber consort, Madam Xiahou."
"Shangguan Wan'er is renowned throughout the capital. Even though Shangguan Yanran was born to an outer chamber consort, she couldn't possibly look exactly like Shangguan Wan'er, could she?"
"Your Highness, this is the brilliance of Prime Minister Shangguan.
Although there is no evidence, based on my extensive inquiries, it is inferred that a master once disguised Shangguan Yanran, forcing her to resemble Shangguan Wan'er."
"Oh, such a strange occurrence?
In any case, the fiercer they fight, the greater my chances of turning the tables."
"Your Highness is wise!"
"Our plan remains the same.
Also, send a message to Chengyi, asking him to visit me here when he has time."
"Yes!"
After his subordinate respectfully retreated, the King of Wu Cheng looked at the full moon above and murmured to himself,
"My good nephew, don't think you can rest easy just because you've ascended the throne. The real competition has just begun..."
On the other side.
Forced into a new outfit, Lin Qingge felt like Sun Wukong, suppressed under the Five Elements Mountain by the Great Buddha, unable to lift her head.
"Ning Yue sister, must we do this?"
"Bear with it for now. After tonight's banquet, you can change."
"I say, Ning Yue sister, what exactly are you plotting?
You're being so mysterious.
And making such a formal arrangement, could it be that Ning Yue sister has invited a noble title for me?
But that's not right either.
If a noble title were to be bestowed, I should be the one to invite it for Ning Yue sister."
Lin Qingge said, squirming uncomfortably.
Seemingly satisfied with her creation, Leng Ningyue's lips curved into a smile, and she teased, "You'll know when the time comes."
As the two exited the room and entered the main hall of Yongshou Palace, they happened upon Yan Tinghao and Ling Han supervising Lin Zimo's horse stance.
Upon seeing them, Lin Zimo, whose legs were trembling from the horse stance, rushed over.
"Mother, where did you go! Mo'er missed you so much!
Eh?
Father... Ah, who is this fairy who has fallen from the clouds?"
"You rascal, you're still sensible!"
Lin Qingge playfully flicked the little boy's nose as he made an abrupt turn mid-run.
At this moment, Yan Tinghao and the other approached. He stared at the lovely woman before him, who was smiling beautifully with bright, expressive eyes, like a figure from a painting, and scratched his head in confusion.
"Sir, why are you wearing women's clothing?
Although, though, you look quite beautiful."