Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1224: Daughter's Full Moon (136 million reward points plus more)

Xiao Mingzi entered silently, bowed, and stood a few steps away. He lowered his voice to a very low level, with the unique caution of a palace dweller: "Your Majesty, today Princess Wenshu met the third place winner in the imperial examination at the Plum Garden outside the capital..."

Shen Zhinian had heard about Princess Wenshu’s frightened horse before, and remembered the ending of her and Bai Mufeng in her previous life, so she asked Xiao Mingzi to pay attention to them.

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhinian paused slightly in his move, without looking up. He just said "hmm" very lightly, signaling Xiao Mingzi to continue.

Xiao Mingzi understood: "On the way back, when Miss Bihen helped Princess Wenshu get off the carriage, my servants saw from afar that her cheeks seemed a little red..."

Shen Zhinian's gaze was still on the chessboard, as if Xiao Mingzi was reporting on nothing more than ordinary palace affairs.

However, the jade chess piece hanging on the fingertips did not fall for a long time.

The blurred fragments of the previous life, like ink stains sinking into a deep pool, quietly spread out.

The timid but pitiful Princess Wenshu eventually hanged herself in an unhappy marriage.

And Bai Mufeng, the third place winner in the imperial examination who had saved her from a frightened horse... in Shen Zhinian's memory, there seemed to be only a vague figure in a blue shirt, who also died a tragic death.

Two equally tragic endings were connected by this small accident.

"……understood."

Shen Zhinian finally placed the warm jade chess piece on the chessboard with his fingertips and gently said, "You go down first."

"Slave, please resign!"

Xiao Mingzi bowed and retreated quietly.

Silence returned to the warm room.

Shen Zhinian slowly raised his eyes, his gaze passed over the chessboard, and looked out the window at a small patch of sky above the palace wall, which was stained by twilight.

All the things in the past life are like a painting shrouded in thick fog.

She is not an omniscient and omnipotent god. The fate of many people has shifted slightly at the moment of her rebirth, and the final outcome is unpredictable.

Princess Wenshu and Bai Mufeng, one is from a wealthy family and the other is a rising star from a humble background.

The feeling between them, which was caused by the frightened horse and perhaps not even fully understood by themselves, was as fragile as morning dew in the vortex of the deep palace and the court.

Shen Zhinian is not a matchmaker, and has no interest in tying the red thread.

Every step in the palace must be taken by oneself. Whether it is blessing or disaster, calamity or fate, it all depends on oneself.

The halo of the palace lantern cast a soft shadow on Shen Zhinian's quiet profile.

The best thing to do is to let nature take its course.

……

On the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, the weather turns cold at the end of the year.

The biting north wind blew up the broken snow, whistling through the corridors between the palace walls, and gray-white icicles condensed on the dead branches.

The palace servants' breath turned into frost as they hurried along, doing the final cleaning and preparations for the upcoming New Year's Eve.

The Zhongcui Palace was filled with warmth, and the silver charcoal basin was burning brightly, dispelling the biting cold that seeped in through the gaps in the window frames.

Shen Zhinian stood in front of the rosewood desk, his fingertips brushing across a piece of letter with ink that had long since dried.

That was the good news sent by the Zhou Mansion after Zhao Yungui gave birth last month.

When Zhou Yuxi went on the expedition, Zhao Yungui was already four months pregnant.

In the end, both she and her daughter were safe and she gave birth to a daughter.

Today is the full moon day for Zhao Yungui's daughter.

There was genuine warmth in Shen Zhinian's charming fox eyes.

Her outspoken and lively friend, whose laughter could shake off the tiles on the roof, is now a mother.

But… this war had been going on for half a year, and the flames of war in the north were still raging. Sister Zhao's General Zhou was still fighting on the battlefield thousands of miles away.

Fuqiu stood quietly aside, holding a rosewood and gold-painted box that had been prepared long ago.

The box is not big, but it is heavy.

Shen Zhinian turned around and tapped the lid of the box with her fingertips: "Go, go to the Zhou Mansion on my behalf and congratulate Sister Zhao on her birth of a tile."

Her voice was clear and melodious, carrying the majesty of a palace maid, yet also a tenderness for an old friend: "Tell Sister Zhao that I am doing well in the palace. Tell her to rest assured and recuperate, and not to worry."

Shen Zhinian paused, his gaze piercing the palace walls as he gazed towards the snow-swept northern border. He added, "Also tell her... General Zhou is a brave warrior, and a man of good fortune will be blessed by heaven. He will surely return triumphantly soon and see the apple of his eye with his own eyes."

Fuqiu bowed deeply and said, "I understand. I will convey your Majesty's wishes to you."

The heavy brocade curtain rose and fell, bringing in a fleeting chill.

Shen Zhinian walked back to the desk, but did not sit down. He just looked at the gray sky outside the window.

In the palace gardens, several old plum trees, their branches twisted and twisted, tiny buds already quietly bulging on their tips, shivering in the cold wind. Yet, they stubbornly nurtured vitality, waiting for the moment to break through the snow and bloom.

……

Zhou House.

Although a new daughter had been born and New Year's Eve was approaching, the mansion was not noisy or extravagant.

A colorful silk symbolizing tiles is hung on the door lintel, exuding a restrained joy.

Zhao Yungui had just come out of confinement after giving birth and was wearing a brand new pomegranate red brocade jacket with a lotus pattern. Her cheeks were a little fuller than before her pregnancy, but there was still that refreshing energy between her brows.

But deep in his eyes, there is a lingering concern.

Upon hearing that the Imperial Concubine Chen in the palace had sent her personal maid to come and congratulate him, Zhao Yungui hurriedly stood up to greet her.

Seeing Fuqiu coming in with the box, her eyes lit up and she smiled before she spoke: "Thank you for making this trip, Miss Fuqiu!"

"How is Concubine Chen? There are many things going on in the palace, and she is still thinking about me."

Fuqiu bowed with a smile, her manner respectful yet approachable: "Young Madam, how are you?"

"Your Majesty is well in the palace, but she is worried about the young mistress and the young lady. Today is the young lady's full moon, and Your Majesty has specially sent this servant to offer congratulations."

As she spoke, she handed over the rosewood box steadily.

The lid of the box was opened, and the inside was covered with soft bright yellow brocade.

On the top is a pair of hollow longevity locks made of red gold and inlaid with rubies. They are small and exquisite, with flowing precious light and extraordinary craftsmanship.

Under the lock was a set of baby underwear made of fine cotton cloth. The stitches were as fine as hair and the clothes were incredibly soft, showing that great care had been taken to make them.

Next to it was a pair of anklets made of the same pure gold, decorated with tiny bells, which made a crisp and pleasant sound when moved slightly.

Zhao Yungui picked up the pair of longevity locks, which were heavy and warm to the touch.

She recognized the quality of the ruby and knew it was not an ordinary thing.

Look at that set of clothes again. The fabric is soft and skin-friendly, which is not easy to find outside the palace.

This thought is both precious and thoughtful.

Fuqiu said at the right moment, "The Queen said that rubies can ward off evil and protect the body. I hope that the young lady will be safe and prosperous."

"This undergarment is made of fine cotton, specially supplied by the Imperial Household Department. It has been washed and dried several times, making it extremely soft and won't hurt the young lady's delicate skin."

Zhao Yungui stroked the soft fabric, and his eyes felt slightly hot.

She was open-minded by nature, but at this moment she couldn't help but choke up in her throat.

Concubine Chen lives in the deep palace, and her every move is watched by people. I wonder how much thought she put into preparing this gift.