Rebirth of the High Family's Beloved

Because of her wariness towards Shen Zhaoyan, Yan Ci walked forward without looking away, but she was always observing Shen Zhaoyan's actions out of the corner of her eyes.

So when Shen Zhaoyan just deviated from his straight route, Yan Ci noticed it, but the palace road was only so wide, so even if she wanted to avoid her, where could she go?

Although she knew that Shen Zhaoyan would not kill her in broad daylight, there were many eyes and ears in the palace. If some rumors were spread, it would have little impact on Prince Xiang, but it would always be disadvantageous to her.

What's more, her purpose of entering the palace was the Eastern Palace. If Shen Zhaoyan knew that she was involved with the Eastern Palace, it would only arouse his suspicion and vigilance.

So she had to find a way to get rid of Shen Zhaoyan and go to the East Palace.

Thinking of this, Yan Ci suddenly stopped and said, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I remember that I seem to have forgotten something in the carriage. I need to go back and will not go with Your Highness."

Shen Zhaoyan looked at Yan Ci with a half-smile, and stopped in his tracks as he tried to get closer to him. "Did you forget something? I'll ask Dao Ji to get it for you."

"No need for that. It's better for me to get my own things myself. Your Highness, please go first."

After saying that, Yan Ci turned around and walked back.

Dao Ji was originally following from a distance, but when he saw Yan Ci suddenly turn back, he immediately looked at his master.

Shen Zhaoyan sneered and waved at Dao Ji, who then followed Yan Ci silently, while Shen Zhaoyan continued to move forward.

Don't think that he can't see through Yan Ci's little trick. Isn't it just to avoid him?

But he was very curious about what Yan Ci was doing in the palace.

Yan Ci walked quickly, and she was indeed walking towards the palace gate. When she realized that someone was following her, she turned around and took another path.

She had lived in the palace for two years. She remembered every detail of the palace clearly, but at least she was much more familiar with it than Daoji.

In order to avoid being discovered by Yan Ci, Dao Ji did not dare to follow too closely. However, Yan Ci, who was walking in front of him a moment ago, disappeared from his sight in the blink of an eye.

He quickly took two steps to catch up, but saw only an empty path and dense bushes.

He knew that he had been discovered and there was no point in following any further, so he went back to report to Shen Zhaoyan.

After successfully shaking off Dao Ji's pursuit, Yan Ci went straight to the East Palace along the path.

Unlike the strict guards at the palace gate, the guards at the East Palace were much more relaxed.

There have been very few visitors to the Eastern Palace in recent years, so the guards of the Eastern Palace all have an impression of Yan Ci, who had visited once a few months ago.

After Yan Ci introduced herself, the guard went in to report readily. Soon Rong Jing came out. He saluted Yan Ci, said "Miss Yan", and led Yan Ci into the East Palace.

However, the atmosphere in the East Palace was gloomy at this time, and the few palace maids and eunuchs all had worried expressions on their faces.

Yan Ci knew that his cousin the Crown Prince had always been extremely tolerant towards his subordinates, especially those in his own palace. He would reward them when he could and punish them when he could not. So even though he had been imprisoned for so many years, there were always people who followed him loyally.

But now even these people have bitter looks on their faces, which shows that the situation in the East Palace is indeed not optimistic.

Yan Ci was thinking in her heart. She had already arrived at the main hall under the guidance of Rong Jing. She only heard Rong Jing say, "Miss Yan, please wait a moment. I will go and invite His Highness."

Yan Ci nodded and sat down in the hall. After a while, Shen Zhaoyong walked out from the inner hall.

Unlike the energetic look that Yan Ci had seen him last time, Shen Zhaoyong looked a little dazed today, and his steps were somewhat unsteady, with fine stubble growing on his handsome face.

Yan Ci quickly stood up and saluted to Shen Zhaoyong, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Shen Zhaoyong glanced at Yan Ci, then sat down on the seat next to him and asked calmly, "Why did Miss Yan enter the palace?"

Yan Ci had nothing to hide from Shen Zhaoyong, so he directly stated his purpose: "I heard some rumors outside the palace about the Crown Princess. I don't know if they are true, so I came here to see her. I wonder how she is doing now?"

When Shen Zhaoyong heard Yan Ci mention Jiang Yun, a trace of pain flashed across his eyes. He raised his hand to dismiss the maidservants in the palace, "Ayun, Ayun is not well."

Yan Ci stood up suddenly, "What's going on!"

"You'll know when you go in and take a look."

Inside the inner hall, Jiang Yun was lying on the bed, covered with a gorgeous quilt, her tightly closed eyes trembling slightly, her face was pale and almost bloodless, even though she was asleep, her brows did not relax at all.

Seeing Jiang Yun like this, Yan Ci was extremely shocked and turned to look at Shen Zhaoyong, "What is she doing..."

"She had a miscarriage and was injured."

"How come there is a miscarriage?"

"Our plan before was indeed a fake pregnancy, but later, Ayun was really pregnant, so the abortion was not carried out. We were very cautious and vigilant, but we didn't expect that someone would still do something to us."

Shen Zhaoyong's face was filled with sorrow. What he originally intended to be an act of self-protection turned out to be a heart-wrenching pain.

Yan Ci had not expected this result. If she had known that Jiang Yun would get pregnant so quickly, she would never have let them use this fake pregnancy trick.

But it was too late to say anything now. Looking at Shen Zhaoyong's dejected expression, Yan Ci said, "Your Highness, Ayun still needs your care now. You must cheer up. Excessive sadness will not help. What you need to do now is to protect yourself and Ayun."

Shen Zhaoyong stared at Jiang Yun, who looked like a doll and had no vitality at all, and tightly grasped the collar of his shirt on his chest, "I am really useless. I can't even protect the person I love. It's better not to be the crown prince!"

"Your Highness, you are wrong. If you were not the crown prince, I am afraid that you and Ayun would not lose this child."

Those who were behind the scenes naturally wanted more than just the life of an unborn child, they wanted the life of the crown prince. However, the crown prince had important connections behind him, and if he died suddenly, it would inevitably lead to an in-depth investigation by Emperor Tianqing.

Perhaps they did not have enough power to compete with Emperor Tianqing, so they only dared to attack Jiang Yun and the child in her belly.

This not only struck a blow to the Eastern Palace, but also eliminated the threat posed by the Eastern Palace to them in advance.

Shen Zhaoyong understood this principle. Because he understood it, he thought that the man would at least consider some brotherhood. But in the end, the saying still held true: there are no brothers in the royal family.

He has not been in charge for ten years. Maybe he will give up this position in a few years. But now, that person can't wait to take the position under him.

Shen Zhaoyong suddenly started coughing violently, and as he coughed, blood slowly seeped out from the corners of his lips.

"Your Highness!"

Rong Jing hurried over and handed a handkerchief to Shen Zhaoyong. Shen Zhaoyong wiped the blood calmly, as if he was used to it.

Yan Ci was extremely surprised. When did her cousin, the prince, become so seriously ill? He was clearly well again the last time she saw him.