Chapter 117: The Child's Biological Father Is Already Dead

Tan Yung-ge stood at the entrance, hearing every word of the gossip clearly. She gritted her teeth, wondering how things had suddenly turned out this way. She had clearly intended to expose the fact that her son had been snatched away to the Prince Duan Estate, yet she never expected that Prince Duan would intervene and even turn the tables on her!

Those ignorant commoners! She was the one whose child had been stolen, yet they were sympathizing with Shen Ying-jue? If it were them whose children had been taken, would they still be saying such things?

Tan Yung-ge did not pause, rushing into her carriage. "Back to the estate, go back!" She would swallow this bitter pill for today, but she would certainly make Tan Qing-jiu pay for it tenfold, even a hundredfold! She could not afford to cause any more scenes in public; the people at the Prince Ding Estate were already dissatisfied with her. If she caused any further trouble, she would truly risk being cast aside. Her father was already under Tan Qing-jiu’s spell, and the Prince Ding Estate and the Heir’s Estate were her last remaining pillars of support; she absolutely could not lose them.

Tan Yung-ge closed her eyes, suppressing the hatred in her heart. When she opened them again, she realized that since Tan Qing-jiu was currently at the height of her influence, confronting her head-on would yield no benefits. It would be better to avoid her sharp edge for now. With this thought, Tan Yung-ge felt a sense of resolve.

Back at the Prince Duan Estate, the attendants carried Shen Ying-jue into the master bedroom and laid him on the bed. Tan Qing-jiu took his pulse, glanced at his still-fluttering eyelashes, and cleared her throat. "It is nothing serious. Prince Duan’s condition is not a relapse of the poison. It is simply because his body is already frail from the toxins, and the recent events caused such a surge of anger that he had a severe reaction." She narrowed her eyes. "Everything is fine. You may all step out and let the Prince rest; he should wake up very soon."

"Understood." The steward breathed a sigh of relief. "Since the Divine Physician Tan has said so, I am at ease."

Tan Qing-jiu sat up straight and turned her head. "There is one more thing that requires your help, Steward. I would like you to send someone to the Prince Ding Estate."

"The Prince Ding Estate?"

Tan Qing-jiu nodded. "Didn’t the Prince say when he fainted earlier that the matter of the young master of the Heir’s Estate must be discussed with Prince Ding, the Princess, and the Heir? If they are unwilling, tell them they may come to collect him tomorrow."

The steward blinked. "But, this was an imperial decree. If they come to take him, that would be defying the Emperor’s order."

"I know, which is why I want you to go and ask them."

The steward looked at Tan Qing-jiu with a slightly dull expression, and suddenly, he understood. It was precisely because it was an imperial decree that the Prince Ding Estate would never dare to object. However, she simply wanted to put on a show for the Prince Ding Estate—or perhaps, for the commoners of the capital. She wanted the people to know that this matter was done with the Prince Ding Estate’s consent, that they had done so voluntarily. The commoners would not look so deeply into it; they wouldn't think about defying imperial decrees. They would only see that the Prince Duan Estate had given the Prince Ding Estate plenty of face, offering them a choice. If the Heir’s consort tried to stir up trouble again, she would be in the wrong.

The steward looked at Tan Qing-jiu cautiously; this Princess Duan was truly calculating. After a moment of thought, he asked in a low voice, "Princess, when I go, should I make a grand display of it?"

Seeing the steward’s reaction, Tan Qing-jiu knew he understood her intent. "Just a little grand, no need to be too deliberate."

"Understood." The steward was somewhat excited. After serving as the steward of the Prince Duan Estate for so many years, he had never done anything like this before. It was a bit devious, but quite interesting.

The steward hurried off with his men, leaving only Tan Qing-jiu and Shen Ying-jue in the room. Tan Qing-jiu poked Shen Ying-jue’s arm with a finger. "Hey, get up."

Shen Ying-jue stopped pretending in front of her. He opened his eyes and winked at her. "How was my performance?"

Tan Qing-jiu clapped her hands without any real enthusiasm. "Good, very good. It’s just a pity you weren't born in an opera troupe; they missed out on a star performer."

Shen Ying-jue rolled over and sat up. "Right? I think so too."

Tan Qing-jiu looked at him, genuinely curious about how he had become this way. He was... far more interesting than she had imagined. At the very least, no other prince would repeatedly fake fainting. As she was thinking this, she heard Shen Ying-jue speak: "Sigh, I’ve never done anything like faking a faint in my life. I did all of this for you, Princess. You must take responsibility for me. Why not offer yourself to me?"

Tan Qing-jiu narrowed her eyes and sneered. "You have the nerve to say that? Every time I could have handled a matter myself, you always jump in a step ahead. Then you use that 'favor' to blackmail me into marrying you?"

"Naturally. I call this 'leveraging a favor for a reward'."

Tan Qing-jiu couldn't be bothered to deal with him and stood up to leave.

"Hey!" Shen Ying-jue called out, stopping her. "Um... is Shen Zijiao your child? Have you ever thought about investigating the past to find out who the father is? Or do you already know?"

Tan Qing-jiu turned back, narrowing her eyes at him. She knew, of course, that Xingqi and Xingyou looked so much like the Heir of Prince Ding that they were almost certainly his children. However, she had no intention of letting them recognize the Heir as their father. The events of that year were the result of Tan Yung-ge’s schemes; she had been a total stranger to the Heir, and who the father was didn't matter. She only wanted Shen Zijiao back by her side, openly and rightfully—that was enough. But she had no intention of telling Shen Ying-jue her thoughts.

Tan Qing-jiu curled her lips. "I know. No need to look. Their father is already dead. And he has been for many years. Don't worry, I will keep this a secret forever; I won't cause you any trouble, Prince."

After she left the room, Shen Ying-jue narrowed his eyes. That wasn't what he had meant at all.

A dark shadow appeared behind the screen. "Your Highness, we have investigated. More than six years ago, the Heir did not have the opportunity to come into contact with the Princess. It is likely not him."