Chapter 265 - Conspiracy at the Wedding Banquet

Seeing the smile on Shen Ninghua’s lips, Bai Ruo stepped forward and said, “Miss, you seem to be in a very good mood. Is there anything to be happy about?”

“It’s nothing. I just had a good dream last night.”

Seeing Shen Ninghua reached out to caress her belly, Bai Ruo knew that her dream must have something to do with the baby. “Did you dream of Little Master? Doctor Chen just happened to be here and is waiting outside to check your pulse.”

“Quickly invite Doctor Chen in.”

After Chen Yun saluted, he carefully checked her pulse. After a while, a smile appeared on his face. “Congratulations. If I’m not wrong, this is a boy.”

At the side, Bai Ruo was filled with joy. No matter it was a boy or a girl, they were all happy. But things were different now. In the past, Shen Ninghua was a princess, and Chu Junyi as the imperial son-in-law could not have concubines. But now that he became a prince, he could have two side concubines and many other junior concubines. If Shen Ninghua gave birth to a boy, her position could be truly solidified.

Out of the corners of her eyes, Shen Ninghua saw their expressions and she smiled helplessly. A few days ago, Baili Junyi was complaining to her that the way these girls stared at him every day was strange. It was as if they were guarding against thieves. She thought about it for a long time but could not figure out the reason. Now, she finally found some clues.

“Thank you, Doctor Chen.”

“You are welcome. Your body is recovering well. You can move more in the next few months so that you can deliver safely and smoothly.”

Shen Ninghua nodded. “A few days ago, when I entered the Palace to see mother, she also mentioned you and asked me to thank you on her behalf.” She really did not think that the person who had helped Consort Yun give birth to Chu Junyi was actually Chen Yun, who was an imperial doctor at that time.

Doctor Chen stopped packing his medicine box. There was no expression on his usually serious face, but his eyes were extremely restless. “Your Highness, I have never interacted with Noble Consort Xian and I do not understand what you are saying. Forgive me for accepting the gratitude I didn’t deserve. Please allow me to take my leave.”

Seeing him like this, Shen Ninghua did not force him to stay. “Bi Zhu, help me send Doctor Chen off.”

When Chen Yun left, Bai Ruo went forward to help Shen Ninghua walk around. “Miss, Doctor Chen did a great favor to Noble Consort Xian back then. Why is he denying it now?”

Shen Ninghua smiled and shook her head. “He didn’t deny it. Didn’t Doctor Chen just say that he accepted this gratitude?”

“Ah? But didn’t Doctor Chen deny his interaction with Noble Consort Xian?”

“The one related to Doctor Chen was Consort Yun, who died in the Palace. He indeed has nothing to do with Noble Consort Xian.”

Bai Ruo was suddenly enlightened. “I misunderstood. Miss, tomorrow is Miss Yang’s wedding day. Miss Yang personally sent an invitation before.”

“Yang Yingxue…Speaking of which, she is my cousin, and I should go and attend her wedding ceremony. However, I am in a delicate situation now, so I can’t go there personally. You go and pick two sets of high-quality gem accessories and the fabric Father Emperor granted me. Send them as my gift to cousin Yingxue.”

“Yes.”

Hong Ling walked in quickly. As soon as she entered, she said, “Miss, there is a move from the Zhao Family.”

“Zhao Family?”

“Yes, after returning from Master’s promotion banquet, Patriarch Zhao received a letter from the Palace. I failed to obtain the specific content, but Patriarch Zhao was extremely happy. He sounded glad, saying that he was about to get revenge and kill three birds with one stone.”

Shen Ninghua touched the jade bracelet on her wrist and a cold light flashed in his eyes. “Killing three birds with one stone? Mother, Junyi, and me…It seems that the Empress has thought of a way to deal with us. She chose to make a move at the Second Prince’s wedding banquet. I’m afraid that she also wants to make Royal Prince De a victim.”

“Miss, what should we do? Should we arrange it in advance?”

Shen Ninghua frowned. “I remember that Master Liaochen was also invited to this wedding ceremony, right?”

“Yes, His Majesty trusts Master Liaochen very much. On the day of Master’s promotion ceremony, His Majesty even specially ordered Master Liaochen to come and chant scriptures.”

Shen Ninghua sneered. “Liaochen is a monk, but what he is best at is not chanting scriptures. What does the Empress plan to do with Liaochen? Hong Ling, let Qing Que follow me tomorrow. Send someone to keep an eye on the Princess Mansion and the Prefectural Prince Mansion. If someone breaks in forcibly, kill them on the spot. Baili Junyi and I will take responsibility. I am afraid that someone will take advantage of the chaos tomorrow.”

“Yes, Miss. Don’t worry. I will definitely guard the two courtyards and not even a mosquito can fly in.”

The next day, when Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua arrived at Royal Prince De’s mansion, most of the guests had already been there. Shen Ninghua was led to the courtyard where the women guests were.

Baili Anning greeted her with a smile. She winked at Shen Ninghua and said, “Ninghua, you’re here. We were talking about the new pink rouge in Treasure Tower. It’s especially nice. I wanted to buy some for you, but I remembered that you cannot use makeup during pregnancy. However, even if you don’t wear makeup, you are still like a hibiscus with clear water. None of us can compare with you.”

As she spoke, she glanced at the smiling Bu Tinghe beside her. This Princess Wenhe had been belittling Shen Ninghua. Did she really think she could compare with Ninghua just because she was beautiful?

Hearing her tone, Shen Ninghua guessed something and smiled. “If you praise me like this, I’ll feel ashamed. One can be born with a good appearance, but a good bearing can only be acquired through education and cultivation.” Since Baili Anning was protecting her, she was naturally willing to help.

Baili Anning laughed in her heart. She did not expect Ninghua to be so good at sarcasm. People’s appearance came from their parents and could not be changed. Those who were born beautiful but did not know how to cultivate their temperament had nothing to show off.

The smile on Bu Tinghe’s face froze. She repeatedly warned herself to endure before she eased the stiffness on her face. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Greetings, Princess Wenhe.”

They sat on the table at the side, and the people around them did not dare to go forward to join in the fun. They all chose seats further away and sat down.

Baili Anning was Baili Jinchuan’s younger sister. At this time, she needed to help look after the wedding room to wait for Yang Yingxue’s arrival. Therefore, she left after greeting Shen Ninghua.

Bu Tinghe sat next to Shen Ninghua. Her eyes swept over Shen Ninghua’s belly and flashed with intense malice. She pretended to drink tea and blocked her lips with the teacup, and she whispered to Shen Ninghua, “Shen Ninghua, are you feeling satisfied now?”

Shen Ninghua turned her head slightly and looked up coldly. “Baili Junyi and his mother have been reunited, and his identity has been restored. I am surely satisfied.”

“Haha, that’s right. You should be satisfied, but you can’t be satisfied for much longer. Even I can’t get what I want, I definitely won’t let others have it.”

“Many people have said this to me. Now, I have become a princess, and those people have all disappeared.”

Bu Tinghe sneered. “Let’s wait and see.” I came for my cousin. Not only did I fail, but I also even lost my virginity because of you. Shen Ninghua, you deserved to die!

The protocol officer announced loudly, “The side concubine has arrived!”

Because Baili Jinchuan didn’t have a wife, the wedding ceremony for Yang Yingxue this time was especially grand.

After the guests took their seats, Baili Jinchuan led Yang Yingxue in, each of them holding one end of a red silk ribbon.

Baili Jinchuan stood in the middle of the wedding hall, and his cold gaze swept across the guests. When he saw Shen Ninghua, he paused for a moment. A scene appeared before his eyes. He recalled that night when she leaned against the railing alone, looking into the distance.

The protocol officer’s voice rang in his ears. Baili Jinchuan retracted his gaze and led Yang Yingxue to perform the formal wedding ceremony.

Although the ceremony was grand, Yang Yingxue was just a side concubine, so the etiquette was not so complicated. After bowing to heaven and earth, the ceremony was finished.

“His Majesty has arrived.”

“Long live Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty.”

Everyone quickly stood up and knelt to pay their respects. They were not too surprised at the appearance of Baili Qingcang. After all, the Second Prince had just made a great contribution on the battlefield and was titled Royal Prince De. Since he was favored by the Emperor to such an extent, it was natural for the Emperor to attend his wedding banquet.

“As you were.”

“Royal Prince De, today is your wedding day. I especially came here to ask for a cup of wine. You don’t mind, right?” A hoarse voice sounded, and everyone realized that the person accompanying the Emperor was Noble Consort Xian.

When a prince got married, the one accompanying the Emperor was not the Empress, but a Noble Consort. This had a deep meaning.

Baili Jinchuan bowed. “Your Highness, it is my honor that you can come and drink a cup of wedding wine. How could I dare to let you ask for it.”

After experiencing so many ups and downs, Baili Jinchuan was like a sharp blade that had been tempered by ice and fire. Now, he stood upright. The faint scar on his face did not damage his bearing. Instead, it made him seem more noble and cold for people to get close to him. When such a cold person had a smile on his lips as he uttered those kind words, people immediately felt satisfied from the bottom of their heart.

The smile on Bu Yunqing’s lips deepened as she turned to look at Baili Qingcang. “Your Majesty, Sister Empress is not feeling well and can’t come, so I take the advantage.” Before coming here, she had sent someone to invite the Empress, but the Empress was sick and could not even get up from the bed, let alone coming here.

As for whether the Empress was really sick or not, that would be for people to guess.

At the mention of the Empress, Baili Qingcang looked a little annoyed. “Alright, let’s start the banquet.”

Baili Qingcang had yet to finish speaking when he suddenly heard a loud bang outside. The entire hall shook, the wine cups on the table were knocked down, and wine spilled all over the table.

“What’s going on?”

“Protect His Majesty!” Someone subconsciously protected Baili Qingcang and cried out in alarm.

Baili Jinchuan quickly walked to the door. Just as he stood firm, he heard a loud explosion. Along with the sound, there was also a flash of purple lightning.

The bolt of lightning descended from the sky and struck the ground, almost connecting the sky to the ground.

“Heavens, this is the wrath of the heavens!”

“Could it be that the heavens are furious?”

The hall was in a state of panic. Suddenly, a clear Buddhist chant sounded. “Amitabha.”

“Master Liaochen is here!”

Liaochen, dressed in a cassock, walked in from outside the door. His bearing was particularly calm, and there was no panic on his dignified face. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Baili Qingcang was extremely calm, but his brows were tightly furrowed. “Master, do you know why there was such a strange phenomenon?”

“Your Majesty, I am here specifically for this matter.”