Chapter 22: Actually, I Am Quite Shameless

The Empress first summoned the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess to her palace to give them a few instructions. Although they did not resist, they felt quite bewildered. After all, ever since Lin Yue had married into the royal family, she had never been keen on socializing with them, preferring to stay holed up in the Prince Ding’s mansion, tending to Xiao Huaiqing like a servant. If not for Xiao Huaiqing’s marriage effectively silencing the rumors, the public would have been gossiping incessantly.

The Crown Prince said, "Mother, rest assured. Since Imperial Uncle is still away at the border fighting, I know how to handle things. I will not show any signs of dislike toward Imperial Aunt."

The Crown Princess added, "Imperial Aunt is about the same age as I am. If she feels out of place in the palace, I shall keep her company and try to cheer her up."

The Empress, cradling her young grandson, scoffed lightly. "You are mistaken if you think that. Your Imperial Aunt is no ordinary person. Since she is staying in the palace and has the favor of your Imperial Grandmother, how could she possibly feel out of place? My point is, she shares a profound connection with Master Zhang and possesses a noble destiny. If you draw closer to her, it may well prove beneficial."

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess exchanged glances. When it came to a "noble destiny," who could possess a more noble destiny than the Emperor and Empress themselves? Nevertheless, since the Empress had insisted repeatedly, they had no choice but to agree.

"Come, I will take you to her." The Empress walked ahead, carrying the young grandson, muttering, "My darling, it won't hurt anymore. Once your body is healthy, you’ll have the strength for anything. You are a blessed child, with your Great-Aunt’s affection to protect you."

The Crown Prince: "..."
The Crown Princess: "..."

The group arrived at the Shoukang Palace. Inside the reception room, the Emperor was sitting in the seat of honor, looking strangely isolated, as if he were being pushed aside. On the couch by the window, the Empress Dowager was affectionately holding the hand of a striking, bright, and graceful woman, and the two were deep in conversation.

There was no need to guess; this was their Imperial Aunt. They had not expected her to be so beautiful, glowing like a radiant pearl. The Crown Prince was the first to react; he quickly pulled the Crown Princess forward to pay their respects. When they reached Lin Yue, she tactfully stood up to help them, saying, "You are both good children, please, sit. I am quite embarrassed to have troubled you to come all this way."

*(Actually, I’m not embarrassed at all, seeing as I’m about to use a spiritual medicine to save you both.)*
*(Neutralizing the lethal threat to the Crown Prince’s life—this can be considered serving the country, so the merit points should be astronomical.)*
*(And the little Crown Grandson; although he won’t be Emperor for long, he will sit on the throne for a period, so the merit should be significant too. Just thinking about it makes me excited!)*

As Lin Yue thought this, her eyes sparkled with excitement. However, the Crown Prince and Princess, who were standing right in front of her, nearly lost their composure. Both trembled slightly, staring at her in utter disbelief.

The Empress finally intervened. "Sit down first. We can talk once we are seated."

She then thrust the little grandson into Lin Yue’s arms. "Hold this little one. He’s already two years old, yet he weighs no more than a one-year-old. I am truly worried sick."

The grandson, Xiao Jinghui, was two years old. He had a round face and fair skin, looking just like a little rice ball. Lin Yue held him and weighed him in her arms; he was indeed quite light. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Our Jinghui will grow up strong and full of energy, won't you?"

The little boy, unafraid, grabbed Lin Yue’s finger. She laughed and teased him, thinking: *(Don't be afraid, little one. Once Great-Aunt saves your father, you won’t fall into the hands of that old eunuch Huo Renli, and you won’t be used and killed by him. This world will still be yours, how about that?)*
*(Is this gift from Great-Aunt good, my sweet baby?)*

"Hehe, good, fun," Jinghui replied happily, though his speech was slurred. Everyone present was shocked, wondering if Jinghui could actually hear Lin Yue’s inner voice.

Just as the Crown Prince was about to take Jinghui back, Lin Yue, unaware of the tension, laughed. "You say 'good' to everything I say. Do you know you’re a sweet little baby?"

*(Sweetie, sweetie, let me think: how can I get the medicine into your mouth? You are so frail, you’ll only get better once you’ve taken the medicine.)*

Jinghui opened his mouth anxiously: "Wuwu, weiwa..."
Lin Yue smiled and tapped his little lips, imitating him: "Wuwu, wuwu..."

Everyone: "..."

The Empress, unable to wait any longer, stood up and said, "Sister-in-law, the child must be hungry. Shall I have someone heat up a bowl of goat's milk? Perhaps you could help feed him."

The opportunity was right in front of her. How could Lin Yue pass it up? Yet, she still looked toward the Crown Prince and Princess. "Do you agree?"

The Crown Prince quickly replied, "A-agree... *cough, cough*... I agree."
The Crown Princess added urgently, "Of course, please do."

Lin Yue noticed the Crown Prince’s flushed face and his shortness of breath, and saw how embarrassed and nervous the Crown Princess was. Assuming it was because of the Empress, she said, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. I will take good care of Jinghui."

*(You mustn't frighten the Crown Prince and Princess. They are the child's biological parents; who could love him more than they do?)*
*(Especially the Crown Princess—having finally given birth to this child only for him to be born frail, no one knew of the Crown Prince’s illness, so everyone blamed her. Who knows how many nights she held her child and wept in silence? Her motherly heart has been shattered, yet you still scold her for not taking good care of him.)*

The Empress fell silent, knowing she had wronged the Crown Princess, and dared not look toward her. The Emperor, too, felt a surge of self-reproach; although he knew the truth, for the sake of the big picture, he had to let the Crown Princess bear the blame.

The Crown Prince looked up and saw his parents remaining indifferent, assuming they could not hear Lin Yue’s inner voice. He reached out and gripped the Crown Princess’s hand, offering silent comfort. The Crown Princess’s eyes reddened with emotion, her hidden grievances surfacing, and she looked at Lin Yue with increasing gratitude and reverence.

Sensing the change in his wife, the Crown Prince understood that she, like him, could hear Lin Yue’s thoughts. At that moment, he felt that the Heavens were pitying them, and thus had granted them this miracle.

Soon, the goat's milk arrived. Lin Yue summoned the system in her mind: *(System, exchange one Body-Strengthening Pill.)*
System: *(Ten thousand merit points deducted. Body-Strengthening Pill exchange successful.)*

In an instant, a Body-Strengthening Pill appeared in Lin Yue’s hand. She handed the child to the Empress, and as she picked up the bowl of milk, she dropped the pill in. The white pill vanished instantly, and a strange, heavenly fragrance began to emanate from the milk.

This scent, mingled with the creamy aroma of the goat's milk, was exceptionally pleasant. It instantly refreshed the spirit, and all traces of fatigue vanished. The Crown Prince, in particular—who had been feeling sickly and drowsy—suddenly felt his mind clearer than it had ever been.

He looked at Lin Yue in shock. Thinking of the Empress’s words about Lin Yue’s connection to Master Zhang, he wondered: could Lin Yue be a disciple of Master Zhang, having received his true teachings? But the Emperor had personally asked Master Zhang to examine him, and Master Zhang had said his fate was unchangeable. So, what was happening now?

Could it be that Lin Yue was even more powerful than Master Zhang?