Chapter 118: That Very Time

Shen Yingjue narrowed his eyes. He was well aware of his men's capabilities, and since they claimed it was likely not Shen Xiao, then in all probability, it wasn’t.

If it wasn't Shen Xiao, then who was it?

Although Tan Qingjiu acted as if she couldn't care less about identifying the man from that incident years ago, the chaos she had stirred up at the Prince Ding’s residence suggested otherwise. Moreover, if her child carried imperial blood, the matter became far more complicated. If it were truly imperial blood, some things would be beyond Tan Qingjiu’s power to decide.

"My subordinates investigated the timeline of Tan Qingjiu’s incident, and at that time—"

Before the person behind the screen could finish, a bell in the room chimed softly. The person stepped behind the bookshelf, retrieved a book, and revealed a tiny hole from which a note was slipped out.

"It is the Heir Apparent."

Shen Yingjue turned his head; talk of the devil. "Let him in."

The hidden guard acknowledged the order and twisted an ornament on the bookshelf. The shelf slid aside to reveal a secret door, through which Shen Xiao emerged. "Uncle."

Shen Yingjue acknowledged him. "Why have you come so suddenly?"

Shen Xiao looked at him, then smiled. "I heard you were investigating my affairs from six years ago. Is this because of Tan Qingjiu?"

"Yes." Shen Yingjue sat on the daybed, his expression indifferent. "The Emperor granted a marriage between Tan Qingjiu and me. While my intention was merely to use her to distract certain people in the palace, it is a formal decree nonetheless. If the person involved with her six years ago had been anyone else, it might have been fine, but it cannot be you. Especially since this involves imperial blood."

Shen Xiao chuckled. "Since you were suspicious, why didn't you just ask me directly?"

"I was investigating Tan Qingjiu and simply happened to come across your path. Since you are here, tell me: six years ago, what happened between you and Tan Qingjiu?"

Shen Xiao coughed lightly. "That question, Uncle, should be directed at yourself."

"At me?" A rare look of bewilderment crossed Shen Yingjue’s face.

Shen Xiao nodded. "During those two days when Tan Qingjiu’s incident occurred, you and I had swapped identities."

Shen Yingjue looked up sharply. "We swapped identities?"

He glanced toward the screen, and the hidden guard behind it nodded. "That is precisely what I was about to report, Your Highness."

Shen Xiao sat down opposite Shen Yingjue. "I remember it clearly. After we swapped, you had to attend to a matter outside the capital. You encountered formidable opponents; many of your guards were killed or injured, and you were separated from them while being pursued by assassins. It took an entire night to find you the next morning. You had suffered a relapse of your condition and were in a poor state. When the guards found you, you even fought them before losing consciousness from exhaustion. Afterward, we swapped back, and you were quietly brought back to the residence to recover."

Shen Yingjue frowned as he listened. Vague memories began to surface; it was true that such an event had occurred. But shortly after he was separated from his guards that day, he had suffered an episode—triggered, it seemed, by some sort of drug. After that, he lost all consciousness. He had no idea what had transpired during that time.

Shen Xiao looked at him. "I remember it so well because, after we swapped back and I returned to the Heir Apparent’s residence, I was told that the Heir Apparent Consort’s sister had been involved in a scandal and that the Consort had returned to the Tan residence. Later, when Tan Yungue returned, she told me her sister had been caught in an affair. That must have been the time."

Shen Xiao tilted his head. "So, when Tan Qingjiu’s incident happened, I was at the Prince Ding’s residence, posing as you. I never left, so it is impossible for me to have had anything to do with her."

Shen Yingjue narrowed his eyes. "So, it was not you."

"Certainly not."

"So, although Tan Qingjiu caused such a scene at the Prince Ding’s residence that everyone believes Shen Zijiao is my child, only I know the truth: he is not. I previously assumed Shen Zijiao was born to Tan Yungue, believing it happened the time she got me drunk. But if he is Tan Qingjiu’s son, he has no connection to me whatsoever."

Shen Yingjue mused, "Is Tan Yungue so bold? To find a child of unknown origin and pass him off as imperial blood?"

"Women," Shen Xiao remarked. "What wouldn't they do for the sake of their status?"

Shen Yingjue tapped his fingers on the table. "I see." He looked at Shen Xiao again. "Since you have no feelings for Tan Yungue, and nothing ever happened between you, and given the kind of person she is, why do you still keep her in your residence?"

Shen Xiao laughed. "Is Uncle trying to settle a score for Tan Qingjiu because Tan Yungue bullied her?"

"Bullied?" Shen Yingjue scoffed. "If Tan Yungue wants to bully Tan Qingjiu, she can try in her next life."

"Then why—"

"I simply find her annoying. I didn't notice it when Tan Qingjiu was at the Tan residence, but now that she has moved to my residence, Tan Yungue keeps showing up in my sight. I will not tolerate it."

Shen Xiao looked amused. "Understood. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

As he stood to go, Shen Yingjue stopped him. "Make arrangements. Ten days from now, we shall swap identities again. Come to my residence and feign unconsciousness. I have matters to attend to."

Shen Xiao flicked his folding fan. "Understood."

Tan Qingjiu, unaware of what had transpired, was in her room organizing medicinal herbs. By evening, the steward returned and came straight to her door to report.

"I did as you commanded, Princess. Just as you predicted, Prince Ding’s face turned grim upon hearing my words. He told me he would handle the Heir Apparent Consort and asked that you not worry. I made sure to spread the news on my way back; by the time I reached the gate, everyone who needed to know already knew."

"Very good. Thank you for your hard work, Steward."

The steward beamed. "It was no trouble at all." He paused. "However, I heard from the Princess of Ding that after Tan Yungue returned from our residence, she apologized to them, claiming that her longing for her child had led her to act foolishly. She said she realized her mistake and has requested to go to the Qingyun Nunnery outside the city to chant scriptures and pray for the Prince and Shen Zijiao for a month."