The Imperial Concubine Shu was taking a nap on the couch when her personal maid, Xiu'er, rushed in with quick, small steps.
"Your Highness! Something big has happened!"
The Imperial Concubine Shu lazily opened her eyes and said casually, "Stop making such a racket. What's going on?"
Xiu'er took a deep breath and still said excitedly, "The Imperial Noble Consort... She's gone mad."
"What!" The Imperial Concubine Shu instantly perked up. Then she realized her reaction was inappropriate, straightened her expression and sat up.
"You mean... the Imperial Noble Consort... that woman, Nangong Yin... has gone mad?"
"Yes. The news has almost spread throughout the palace!"
"Is this news reliable?" The Imperial Concubine Shu frowned.
You know, the Imperial Noble Consort and she had always been at odds. If she was really mad, then she would have no rivals in the harem.
Xiu'er nodded vigorously and continued, "She even shaved off her hair, which she always cherished the most. Moreover... she said... her son has come back..."
"Her son?" The Imperial Concubine Shu sneered coldly. "Wasn't her son stillborn? How could he come back? If he really did... it would be quite terrifying."
Xiu'er lowered her voice and continued, "I heard that there's a circle of imperial bodyguards around the imperial study. No one is allowed to get close. It's just... the Prince of Ning and the Princess of Ning from the Great Yan are also there. I heard... the study door is tightly closed. It seems that something big is about to happen."
The Imperial Concubine Shu's face darkened and her tone became serious. "You mean the Prince of Ning and the Princess of Ning are with the Emperor?"
"Yes..."
"The Emperor didn't even let them leave? There must be something fishy about it. Come on, follow me and let's go and have a look." After saying that, the Imperial Concubine Shu began to tidy up her appearance by herself and prepared to set off for the imperial study.
Seeing this, Xiu'er immediately helped her touch up her makeup. After everything was in order, she supported the Imperial Concubine Shu and walked towards the imperial study.
But they had just walked halfway when they met Wen Yi.
Wen Yi saw the direction the Imperial Concubine Shu was going and frowned, saying, "Is Mother Concubine also going to the imperial study?"
The Imperial Concubine Shu saw that her son's face also showed a bit of solemnity and said in a deep voice, "You've heard about it too?"
"Yes." Wen Yi nodded.
The Imperial Noble Consort had gone mad, and the Emperor had ordered the area around the imperial study to be surrounded.
And the Prince of Ning and the Princess of Ning from a foreign country were also there... This couldn't help but make people think a lot.
For example, was the Imperial Noble Consort really mad or just pretending?
And why did the Emperor keep two outsiders there?
What if they heard some of the palace secrets of their Dongyi Kingdom?
Thinking of this, the mother - son pair quickened their pace.
Sure enough, as soon as they arrived outside the imperial study, they saw the well - prepared bodyguards standing guard at the door.
When the bodyguards saw Wen Yi and the others, the head of the bodyguards reached out his hand to block them.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine Shu, and the Prince, please stop. His Majesty has ordered that no one is allowed to enter without permission."
Wen Yi frowned, and a cloud also appeared on the Imperial Concubine Shu's brow. "I heard that the Prince of Ning and the Princess of Ning from the Great Yan are also inside. How come? Outsiders can go in, but why can't the Prince and I?"
The head of the bodyguards still remained expressionless. "Your subordinate is just following the Holy Will. Please don't make things difficult for your subordinate, Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine Shu, and the Prince."
Seeing that the other party was unmoved, the Imperial Concubine Shu was just thinking about whether to bribe him when two people walked out of the door.
These two people were exactly the Prince of Ning and the Princess of Ning.
The Imperial Concubine Shu frowned and looked at them.
But they seemed not to notice her and continued walking forward as if nothing had happened.
"Your Highness, the Prince of Ning, please stop." Wen Yi couldn't help but speak.
Wei Ying stopped calmly, then slowly turned his head and said indifferently, "What does the Prince want?"
Wen Yi was a bit unhappy with the other party's attitude, but he concealed his feelings, with a smile on his face, and continued, "I wonder if Your Highness, the Prince of Ning, could tell this Prince what happened inside?"
It was quite embarrassing to ask others about what happened in one's own family.
But there was no other way. Wen Yi had to be patient.
Wei Ying still showed little expression and slowly said, "It's your Dongyi's business, but you come to ask this King. If the Prince wants to know, why not just go in and have a look for himself?"
After saying that, Wei Ying and Chu Qing were about to continue walking forward.
Wen Yi secretly clenched his fists, and a flash of resentment passed through his eyes.
"Your Highness, the Prince of Ning, please stop!" Someone else called out to stop Wei Ying.
This time, when Wei Ying turned his head, his face showed obvious unhappiness.
And this time, it was the great eunuch beside Wen Lang who called out to him. He rushed to Wei Ying's side and forced a flattering smile. "His Majesty said that he has something to discuss with you. Please, Your Highness, the Prince of Ning, go back again."
Seeing that Wei Ying's face was gloomy, Chu Qing grabbed his hand and said, "Let's go. Go back and see what he has to say."
Seeing that Chu Qing agreed, Wei Ying had no choice but to nod.
Watching the Prince of Ning and the Princess of Ning about to go back again in a blink of an eye, Wen Yi and the Imperial Concubine Shu's faces changed at the same time.
What was this?
Others could go in casually?
But they, their own family members, were blocked outside?
What kind of thing was this!
Just as the mother - son pair was extremely angry, the great eunuch beside Wen Lang let out a sound and said, "Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine Shu, and the Prince, please come in together too～"
Wen Yi and the Imperial Concubine Shu glanced at each other. Although they were extremely annoyed, they still obediently followed and walked in.
...
When Wen Lang saw Wei Ying and the others come back, he waved his hand, indicating the others to leave.
Finally, only Wen Lang, Wei Ying, Chu Qing, and Wen Yi's mother and son were left.
And Wen Huan had fainted after hearing his father's punishment for his mother.
Wen Lang showed no mercy to Nangong Yin.
He didn't kill her easily but directly sent her to the Cold Palace, leaving her to fate.
Wen Lang looked at Wei Ying, then at Wen Yi, and then said slowly, "Now, you two are the only sons I have."
"What!?" Wen Yi immediately asked in shock.
And the Imperial Concubine Shu was also standing there, stunned, covering her mouth with an extremely shocked expression.
Wen Lang's sudden words were like a blow to the head.
Two sons...
What did the Emperor mean?
Among the people present, except for the Prince of Ning and the Princess of Ning, it was just their mother and son...
So...
The Prince of Ning from the Great Yan?
Was he a member of their Dongyi royal family?
The Prince of Ning from the Great Yan... was... a prince of Dongyi?
Chu Qing was also a bit surprised and raised her eyebrows, looking at Wen Lang.
Was this kid going to reveal Wei Ying's identity publicly?
What... did he... want to do?
Wei Ying just frowned slightly and said nothing.
After realizing that he had been a bit out of control, Wen Yi glanced at Wei Ying, then tentatively said to Wen Lang,
"Father, your son is stupid and doesn't know what you mean..."
Everyone's reactions were within Wen Lang's expectation. He straightened his expression and said seriously, "Nangong Yin privately discarded my heir for some ridiculous reasons. Now, I've found him back. This person... is the Prince of Ning from the Great Yan, Wei Ying."
Although he had already guessed it, after hearing Wen Lang say it himself, Wen Yi still felt a bit dazed.
Before Wen Yi could react, Wen Lang continued,
"Wei Ying, would you like to come back? I... can directly make you the crown prince."