Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 569

Chapter 569: Chapter 456: Once a Section is Through, All Follow - Part 1

Bai Qingyan realized that Mr. Fang was setting a trap for her. If she did not disguise her true knowledge and answered directly, her knowledge of Dadu City’s affairs while being in Dengzhou would certainly raise the Crown Prince’s suspicions.

Bai Qingyan frowned slightly and replied unhurriedly, "The Empress is pregnant again? And why has King Xin returned? Your Highness, forgive me, but I still do not know what has happened..."

The Crown Prince remembered that Bai Qingyan had always been far away in Shuoyang and later came to Dengzhou, so naturally, she was unaware of the events in Dadu City. The Crown Prince rubbed his forehead and said, "Mr. Qin, please explain to Princess of Zhen what has transpired recently."

Bai Qingyan looked towards Qin Shangzhi.

Qin Shangzhi slowly explained that the Empress was pregnant. Due to missing King Xin, her pregnancy was not progressing well. Therefore, some court officials petitioned the Emperor to summon King Xin back for the sake of the Empress’s legitimate child. King Liang, favored by the Emperor for his alchemy skills, was entrusted with investigating the sacred beast’s poisoning. King Liang had also sent the Heavenly Master, who had been performing alchemy at his residence for the Emperor, into the palace.

"Earlier this morning, news from Dadu City reported that His Majesty... had already conferred the title of State Preceptor upon the Heavenly Master, who is now openly practicing alchemy in the palace! Moreover, the State Preceptor has divined that the dragon fetus in the Empress’s womb is an auspicious sign for the nation, the reincarnation of the sacred deer, causing the Emperor great joy!" Qin Shangzhi said.

Holding her teacup, Bai Qingyan’s eyebrows twitched as she struggled to understand; gradually, everything fell into place...

No wonder King Liang had investigated the sacred deer’s poisoning for so long without results. It turned out the Empress and King Liang had conspired together.

But when did the Empress and King Liang join forces?

Bai Qingyan recalled Lu Ninghuan’s letter. The Empress had failed to gain Fu Ruoxi’s support in coercing the Emperor with King Xin, so she turned to ally with King Liang... bringing King Xin back from Yongzhou.

King Liang indeed had a clever strategy. The Empress’s pregnancy, calculated by the Heavenly Master as the reincarnation of the sacred deer, made the Crown Prince restless. This was intended to provoke a confrontation between the Crown Prince and the Empress, allowing King Liang to benefit from the chaos.

Seeing the Crown Prince’s current state, it seemed he was already very unsettled.

Bai Qingyan put down her teacup and looked at the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, are you distressed because the Heavenly Master divined that the Empress is carrying the reincarnation of the sacred deer?"

The Crown Prince nodded wearily. "If the Empress gives birth to a son, the reincarnation of the sacred deer... a heavenly auspice, and he is a legitimate heir! I, as the Crown Prince, would be in a precarious position."

"Your Highness, pregnancy and childbirth... last for ten months. Who can guarantee that the Empress would deliver the child safely? And even if she does deliver safely, who can guarantee it will be a male child? Who can guarantee the male child would not die prematurely?" Mr. Fang’s voice grew lower and lower, with a faint hint of malice at the end.

Qin Shangzhi’s forehead tightened. He wanted to speak but forcibly restrained himself.

It was Bai Qingyan who spoke up, "Perhaps, someone raised the importance of this pregnancy to such heights to incite the Crown Prince to take action against the Empress."