Chapter 180

Chapter 180: Secrets of Her Birth

“Qing Ning, how did you upset your Grandmother?” Emperor Chong Sheng strode into the hall.

Earlier, Empress Dowager had faced the entrance, and the moment he entered, he caught sight of the tears upon her face.

Sheng Zhi Wan felt his gaze settle on her back and quietly tucked away the golden bell she was holding. Turning slowly, her eyes wet with tears, she curtsied gracefully. “It is my fault for causing Grandmother to worry due to my separation.”

“So that’s it,” Emperor Chong Sheng nodded, looking gently at Empress Dowager. “If you are worried, we can always find Qing Ning another suitable match.”

“Suitable matches aren’t so easily found.” Empress Dowager wiped her eyes and sighed softly. “Previously, although I wasn’t fond of Duke Qi’s family, Qi Shu Xian seemed decent enough. Who knew… Forget it.”

“If Qing Ning cannot find someone, she can simply stay in the Princess Estate,” Empress Dowager added firmly.

Emperor Chong Sheng laughed gently. “How can a lady remain unmarried? If every woman in the kingdom stays single, who will bear children? Our Sheng Kingdom would cease to exist.”

“As a Princess, she must set an example. Rest assured, Empress Dowager, I will keep an eye out.”

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her gaze quietly.

Then Emperor Chong Sheng turned back to her. “I’ve read the medical book you sent me last time. It indeed described symptoms identical to Imperial Prince Lu Chuo’s condition.”

“Recently, Prince Lu Chuo requested several times to thank you personally, but I declined. With his weak health, any incident could cause trouble.”

Sheng Zhi Wan listened quietly, occasionally murmuring in response.

Abruptly, Emperor Chong Sheng changed the topic. “I heard you sent people to Northern Desert selling cotton at low prices, stabilizing the market when prices were soaring due to the severe cold?”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyelashes trembled slightly, but she merely replied softly, “Yes, Imperial Father.”

He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “If your imperial brothers cared as much as you, I wouldn’t have to worry about the Northern Desert at all.”

[Is he accusing me of interfering?] Sheng Zhi Wan pressed her lips together. “My brothers have many responsibilities; they cannot be like Qing Ning.”

“True, but how did you foresee the Northern Desert’s disaster and stockpile cotton in advance?” Emperor Chong Sheng questioned suddenly.

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled, appearing relieved. “It was purely coincidental. I initially meant to donate that cotton for the Imperial Army’s uniforms. Who knew it would come in handy so soon?”

“Perhaps Heaven is protecting Sheng Kingdom, helping me share Imperial Father’s burdens. Wherever the cotton goes, it serves the same purpose.”

She gazed warmly at Emperor Chong Sheng.

He smiled back, nodding. “Well said. You’ve reminded me—didn’t you also donate most of your dowry to the frontier?”

“Not all, but a large part,” she replied modestly.

“That’s considerable,” Emperor Chong Sheng laughed heartily. “With such a thoughtful princess, Empress Dowager indeed taught you better than I taught the Crown Prince and his brothers. Perhaps I should have sent them all to you earlier.”

Empress Dowager playfully scolded, “This old woman is already tired; don’t send your monkeys here to torment me.”

He stood, still chuckling. “Since you’re here, stay a while longer to accompany your Grandmother. I have other matters to attend to, so I will leave you both now.”

“Yes,” Sheng Zhi Wan curtsied again.

Only after Emperor Chong Sheng had left completely did Empress Dowager guide Sheng Zhi Wan into her private chamber. Once inside, her trembling hand stretched out urgently.

“Where is the Protective Bell? Quickly, let me see it!” Tears sparkled in her eyes.

Sheng Zhi Wan retrieved the hidden golden bell, placing it gently into Empress Dowager’s shaking palm.

The old woman stared at the small bell, as though glimpsing someone dear through it.

Her beloved Yin’er.

He had excelled in every aspect, always comforting her with a gentle smile.

“Where…where did you get this?” Empress Dowager grasped Sheng Zhi Wan’s hand urgently, eyes filled with desperate hope.

“Only if you first tell me what this bell truly is!” Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice was firm.

Empress Dowager paused, gazing deeply at the bell before releasing a bitter sigh. “Are you sure you wish to know?”

“Yes, Grandmother. I’m sure.” Sheng Zhi Wan had already died once—nothing frightened her now.

“Before your Imperial Father, I had another son—you must have heard…” Empress Dowager’s eyes drifted into memories.

Everyone in Sheng Kingdom knew the illustrious Late Crown Prince—Sheng Yan Yin.

He was famed for his brilliance, excelling in both civil and martial arts. He was beloved for his benevolence, boldly publicizing the cure for the deadly Qian Ji Powder. Many beneficial policies of the kingdom had been his proposals.

Yet, a man as perfect as he was said to have died from illness.

[Could there be a hidden truth?]

“Actually,” Empress Dowager trembled as she spoke, “Yin’er did not die from illness, nor within the palace. When I saw him, his body was torn apart. My son—my Yin’er was ripped apart by a tiger!”

“This Protective Bell…I personally obtained it from a temple after his birth!”

Her voice choked with tears, gripping the bell tightly against her heart. Sheng Zhi Wan saw intense hatred in her grandmother’s eyes, fury strong enough to scorch the heavens. Yet when those eyes met hers, the hatred dissolved, replaced by sorrow.

“Then whose child am I?” Sheng Zhi Wan finally asked, voice shaking.

Empress Dowager closed her eyes briefly and nodded. “Indeed, you are Yin’er’s daughter, his only blood remaining in this world.”

“Then why—”

“Because your mother was a brothel woman!”

“Your Imperial Father claimed, to preserve Yin’er’s pure reputation, this truth must never surface. Hence, you were raised as his own.”

“So you urged me to hide my talents due to my true father? You feared Imperial Father would grow wary of me?”

Empress Dowager gently nodded.

“What about my birth mother?” Sheng Zhi Wan pressed further.

Empress Dowager shook her head sorrowfully. “When Yin’er died, I wished only to follow him. If not for your Imperial Father revealing Yin’er’s child still lived, I would have left this world.”

“You were brought to me as an infant…”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s heart felt crushed beneath heavy stones, aching yet full of doubts.

So many things didn’t add up.

If her father truly died attacked by a wild beast, why would the Crown Prince be without guards? He was skilled in martial arts himself.

And her mother—how could a prostitute’s daughter bear the distinctive Tang family birthmark the old woman spoke of?

Then there was the Cold Poison she had carried since birth, the endless assassination attempts, and careful tests.

If Imperial Father truly was honorable, protecting her father’s legacy, why would he distrust her so?

[Unless…]