The news that Prince Qi was the Empress Dowager's illegitimate son spread like wildfire, and the Empress Dowager was the last to know.
The Empress Dowager's face turned ashen, "Who, who exactly is slandering me like this?"
"Your Majesty, please do not worry," said the attending wet nurse, offering a calming tea. "The truth will be revealed soon. His Majesty has arranged for a blood paternity test, which will quickly prove that Prince Qi is indeed a royal prince!"
The Empress Dowager's expression was unnatural, but she could not let it show. All the old servants who knew the truth had been dealt with. Now, only she and Jin Xiao knew about this. How did this matter leak out?
"When has His Majesty arranged for the blood paternity test?" The Empress Dowager, as someone who had weathered many storms, quickly calmed down and asked calmly. She had to find a way to pass this blood test, otherwise, both of them would be in mortal danger.
"This servant has inquired. It will be in three days. Because this matter has caused quite a stir, His Majesty will personally preside over the blood paternity test," the wet nurse hesitated. "As this matter involves royal secrets, it will not be made public. To prevent malicious framing, it will be held in the Tai Miao."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, indicating she understood. Whether Prince Qi was the Emperor's son or not, she knew clearly. The blood paternity test would not pass without tampering. The Emperor's trusted eunuch, Hu Wan, was a cunning old fox and difficult to bribe. The people of Tai Miao were all collateral of the Nangong family, and any distortion of royal bloodlines would never be allowed. Where else could she find a breakthrough?
"Is Prince Qi the only one participating in this blood paternity test?"
"No, all three princes will participate."
A thought flashed through the Empress Dowager's mind. All three participating meant that His Majesty was only suspicious. The private blood paternity test was also for the sake of royal dignity. Prince Qin had always been cruel and ruthless, so he was naturally difficult to bribe. As for Prince Chu... a cryptic gleam appeared in the Empress Dowager's eyes.
In the midnight tavern, under the dim candlelight, it seemed even more desolate. Only one person was drinking in the tavern. Zhou Kang, looking at Nangong Yi, who was already drunk and dazed, felt extremely worried.
"Your Highness, stop drinking."
"Stop calling me Your Highness. I am no prince. I am just an illegitimate son!" Nangong Yi sneered. "I am an illegitimate son. Do you understand how I feel?"
"Your Highness, do not speak nonsense! It is those people spreading rumors!" Zhou Kang comforted him, believing rumors were just rumors. Whether His Highness was a prince or not, he was still his master.
"Rumors?" Nangong Yi gave a wry smile. "Whether it's a rumor or not, I know in my heart. All the old servants attending the Empress Dowager are dead, and the old servants attending Jin Xiao have also disappeared for various reasons. Why? One only needs to use their brain to understand. It is to cover up certain unspeakable secrets."
"This only proves there is a secret, not that the secret has anything to do with you!"
Nangong Yi stopped speaking. He knew Zhou Kang would not accept the truth, but that did not mean he did not understand it. Madam Jin's sudden cold attitude, Jin Xiao's inexplicable illness, and Jin Rong's control of the Jin family. If it weren't for Madam Jin helping Jin Rong, Jin Rong would never have been able to control the Jin family in such a short period!
Jin Yu died, and Madam Jin did not grieve at all. Instead, she became attentive to Jin Rong. Unless she discovered that Jin Yu was not her son and Jin Rong was, then Jin Rong was her son!
As for the deceased Jin Yu, he was very likely the true Thirteenth Prince, the biological son of Consort De!
Thinking of Consort De, who had doted on him immensely, would no longer gently ask him if he had eaten well, nor would she be anxious and angry when he made mistakes. She might even curse him with the most venomous words. He felt immense pain!
Nangong Yi took another gulp of wine and shook the empty wine pot. After his identity as an illegitimate son was exposed, he could ignore how others looked at him. But he did not want Xiao Man to look at him with the same strange gaze!
Xiao Man leaned against the wall of a small alley, looking towards the small tavern diagonally opposite. Nangong Yi drinking himself to oblivion on the street late at night suggested he had already understood that the rumors outside were true. She wondered what Du Yulan would choose at this moment.
"Aren't you going to persuade him?" Dongfang Wei suddenly appeared and asked. Having been by Xiao Man's side for a long time, he had noticed that Xiao Man valued relationships deeply.
"From the moment I decided to do this, I knew the consequences," Xiao Man said calmly. "I know how much pain this will cause him, but I will not let go of anyone who harmed my father! And the two people closest to him are both related to my father's death."
"But he didn't take action."
"If I were to act against these two, he would not be able to stand aside." Xiao Man turned and left. "You don't have to mock me here. Don't you know my character?"
Dongfang Wei, holding his sword, walked alongside Xiao Man. "If you were truly so heartless, why would you come here late at night, unable to rest easy?"
"I just wanted to see what he would be like after learning the truth," Xiao Man sighed. "It's a little different from what I imagined. I am even somewhat relieved."
"Relieved?" Dongfang Wei looked puzzled. "You hoped he would be like this?"
Xiao Man was silent for a moment. "As a prince, having been educated in schemes since childhood, how could he be so fragile? Dongfang Wei, if you were in this situation, what would you do?"
"Kill all the informants and plot to usurp the throne!"
"If it were me, I wouldn't do that!" Xiao Man said slowly. "Killing people doesn't solve the problem. Even if he is an illegitimate son, the Emperor and Consort De's love for him for more than ten years is not false. If I were him, I would cry before the Emperor."
Dongfang Wei looked astonished. "Does crying help?"
"Never underestimate the power of tears," Xiao Man said faintly. "Someone who has feelings for you cries bitterly before you, and he has committed no fault. The fault lies with others, yet he cries as if he deserves to die. Would you let him die?"
Dongfang Wei looked conflicted. "How should I answer this?"
"Think of it this way: you and A Luo. Suppose you are to marry A Luo, and my parents decide to deceive me, telling me you are marrying me, and asking me to replace A Luo and marry you. I was unaware of this matter. After our marriage, we lived happily and had a very good relationship. Then, years later, you discover the truth and resent me. I cry and ask you to kill me, or divorce me. Would you be willing?"
"Of course not!"
"If I were afraid of the matter being exposed and wanted to kill you, would you still let me go?"
"Definitely not. You deceived my feelings and then wanted to kill me. That's too malicious!"
Xiao Man smiled. "Yes, years of affection are not false. If he were to truly kill and rebel, that would be truly pushing himself to a dead end!"
"You came to see him today, wanting to guide him?"
"He doesn't need anyone to guide him. He's very smart!" Xiao Man said faintly. "Believe it or not, just wait and see."