"Prince, I have something to say," requested Song Yanqing.

"Speak," Xiao Jinsen trusted not only in Song Yanqing’s loyalty but also admired his capability.

"I believe, the Prince should think thrice before acting," Song Yanqing expressed his opinion, "Prince Chen has just won a victory and certainly has the support of the Bai Family’s army. If the Prince makes any rash moves now, Prince Chen could lead the Bai Family’s army back here and the Prince could face difficulties in achieving his desires."

"I have received secret reports that Xiao Jinxing will not return to the court for now. He will take the opportunity to attack Beimu Country, and I have already sent people to inform the Prince of Beimu Country," Xiao Jinsen paused, probably feeling it unnecessary to explain too much to Song Yanqing, and said, "In any case, Xiao Jinxing will not return, and the Bai Family’s army will not pose a threat to me."

"From what I know of Prince Chen, I believe he will not give the Prince much time, allowing the Prince to make sufficient moves. Although I don’t know how Prince Chen could grasp the overall situation, I still think..."

"Then what do you think, between me and Prince Chen, who has a better chance of becoming the Crown Prince in the future?" Xiao Jinsen interrupted Song Yanqing.

Song Yanqing was silent for a long time, not responding.

"Is it because you also think that there is not much difference now between me and Prince Chen?" Xiao Jinsen spoke bluntly.

Song Yanqing naturally dared not say.

"This is my concern. Even if it might be a risk, I can only put everything on the line. Otherwise, I can only leave it to fate. But my fate has never been determined by the heavens, it is decided by myself alone!" Xiao Jinsen declared decisively.

"Since the Prince has made up his mind, I shall not say more," Song Yanqing chose to remain silent.

It was clear that Xiao Jinsen’s determination could not be swayed.

He could only comply.

"Song Yanqing, I know you are loyal to me, and I promise you, as long as I succeed, I will place you second only to none," Xiao Jinsen promised.

"I do not seek titles or crowns, I only wish for the Prince’s smooth sailing," Song Yanqing respectfully added, "But I hope..."

"Speak frankly."

"I hope the Prince can grant me one request."

"Of course," Xiao Jinsen agreed immediately.

If he could succeed greatly, what harm would a small favor be?!

His eyes turned cold.

This time, if not successful, then let it be for honor!

...

Half a month later.

News of the Empress Qin’s miscarriage came from Zhusheng Palace.

The Emperor had just finished praising Xiao Jinxing at the morning court.

He said Xiao Jinxing was his most outstanding son.

He added that he had great ambitions and carried great familial honor.

The court officials naturally observed the Emperor’s mood and promptly flattered that with Prince Chen, it truly was Daxuan Kingdom’s fortune!

Xiao Jinsen’s tolerance for Xiao Jinxing had indeed reached its limits.

Xiao Zhanping, with a smile, finished the morning court, and saw a eunuch from Zhusheng Palace hurriedly running towards him, kneeling before the Emperor, frantically saying, "Your Majesty, it’s terrible, Empress Qin has miscarried..."

Xiao Zhanping’s complexion changed drastically.

"What did you say?!"

"This morning, when Empress Qin woke up, she felt pain in her abdomen and soon after, there was spotting. I immediately called for the Imperial Physician, and the physician said, the dragon child in Empress Qin’s womb, I fear, cannot be saved..."

Xiao Zhanping’s expression turned extremely grim.

He kicked the young eunuch before him.

And strode towards Zhusheng Palace.

Qin Junsheng, due to a miscarriage, clutched her belly in agonizing pain on the bed.

The bed was covered in blood.

Xiao Zhanping turned his head and looked at the room full of Imperial Physicians.

"What has happened? When I visited Empress Qin yesterday, she was still fine. How could she have suddenly miscarried today?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I do not know why. Just yesterday, I took Empress Qin’s pulse and everything was stable. Today, I heard from the eunuch that Empress Qin had spotting. I rushed over and saw Empress Qin bleeding profusely. Upon checking her pulse, it was, it was..." The Imperial Physician dared not say it.

"Is it still possible to save her?" Xiao Zhanping asked coldly.

"I am incompetent, please punish me, Your Majesty."

"Useless!" Xiao Zhanping kicked the Imperial Physician fiercely.

"I deserve to die a thousand deaths, I deserve to die a thousand deaths." The kicked Imperial Physician kept kowtowing and begging for mercy on the ground.

Xiao Zhanping glanced at Qin Junsheng on the bed.

Hearing her excruciating screams.

Wanting to go over.

"Your Majesty must absolutely not." Eunuch Mu beside the Emperor hurriedly stopped him, "Your Majesty, as the revered sovereign, must not be exposed to blood."

Xiao Zhanping endured.

Still, he left Qin Junsheng’s room.

He returned to the hall, his face grim, and questioned Qin Junsheng’s maid, "After the Imperial Physician took Empress Qin’s pulse yesterday, what did she eat, use, or do?!"

"Replying, replying to Your Majesty." The maid trembled with fear, "After the Imperial Physician left yesterday, Her Majesty proceeded to eat as usual, went to sleep at the usual hour, and did nothing else. Her Majesty had a peaceful night until this morning when she suddenly suffered unbearable abdominal pain."

"Are you certain she did nothing else?" The Emperor asked coldly.

"Absolutely not."

"Bring all the Palace Attendants who prepared the food for Empress Qin yesterday to my presence. I want to question each of them."

"Yes, I will summon them immediately."

After a while.

Everyone in the room kneeled before the Emperor.

Xiao Zhanping personally inquired about the ingredients of Qin Junsheng’s meal from the previous day.

...

In the Consort Shu’s Palace.

Zhao Mengyu coldly said, "I heard that your father is now personally investigating the cause of Qin Junsheng’s miscarriage."

"It was within my expectations. Father, after so many years, finally had another Prince and is very fond of Qin Junsheng; naturally, he wouldn’t let it go so easily and will ensure a thorough investigation."

"Do you think he can find out?" Zhao Mengyu’s eyes were cold.

In her heart, naturally, there was some fear.

"If he really investigates, he might find out," Xiao Jinsen replied, his eyes chilling, "but even if he does, we don’t need to be afraid."

Zhao Mengyu nodded.

Still worried, she asked, "Has everything been arranged on Wu Xufan’s end?"

"Today, Wu’s mother will find an opportunity to secretly take Xiao Hezhen away from Marquis Wu’s Mansion. Wu Xufan will definitely pursue Xiao Hezhen’s whereabouts at all costs. I have also arranged all the clues to make Wu Xufan believe he can find them, but he will be within our trap," Xiao Jinsen said with a sinister smile.

"Will Wu Xufan give up on Xiao Hezhen and return to rescue?" asked Zhao Mengyu, knowing the sincerity of Wu Xufan, it was highly possible he would do so.

"Don’t worry, I guarantee Wu Xufan won’t make it back in time, and by the time he realizes something is wrong and rushes back, everything will have already been set in stone!" Xiao Jinsen was confidently assertive!

Seeing her son so confident, Zhao Mengyu no longer worried. She sneered malevolently, "If your father truly becomes heartless towards me, I will just go and help the Empress achieve what she failed to do previously!"