NOVPUBConsort Shu, her eyes weary, looked at Xu Zening with a hint of desperation. “Crown Prince, you cannot endanger the entire palace for the sake of the Crown Princess alone.”
Just as she finished speaking, the Emperor furrowed his brow deeply. “What nonsense are you spouting? The Crown Princess just saved the entire palace! She’s done a commendable job controlling the Eastern Palace, and I’m planning to reward her.”
Consort Shu shook her head repeatedly. “Your Majesty, you must not! Please, listen to my advice—under the current circumstances, it’s truly not safe to open the gates of the Eastern Palace.”
She then turned to Shen Roujia with feigned concern. “Crown Princess, I know these days have been hard on you, but you must not report false information. People have already died, yet you still insist on opening the palace gates.”
Consort Shu’s words caused a stir among those present, and a sense of unease spread. Even the Imperial Guards hesitated and took a step back.
Shen Roujia couldn’t help but scoff. “Consort Shu, if you’re going to speak, make sure you have evidence. What proof do you have that these deaths were caused by smallpox?”
Not giving Consort Shu a chance to respond, Shen Roujia stared directly at her, her gaze sharp and cunning like a fox’s, causing a sense of discomfort to ripple through the consort. 𝒏𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
Consort Shu frowned slightly, though she tried not to show it, her eyes nervously darting to the side. But Shen Roujia didn’t pursue the matter further.
Instead, she calmly spoke to the Emperor from behind. “Your Majesty, I have already discovered the cause of death. I’m willing to stake my life on it—smallpox has been completely contained, and there will be no further incidents.”
The Emperor, hearing this, hesitated and looked over at Xu Zening. Xu Zening, meeting Shen Roujia’s gaze, seemed confident. “The Crown Princess is thorough in her work, Father. This is my Eastern Palace.”
The Emperor may be the ruler of the realm, but Shen Roujia was one of a kind. Only Xu Zening understood the gravity of the situation. Many things aren’t right simply because someone says so, nor are they right just because the loudest voice insists.
Xu Zening chuckled softly. “Crown Princess, go ahead and explain.”
Shen Roujia, understanding Xu Zening’s intent, nodded. “Xiao Fu, bring them in.”
