My Beloved Concubine Only Wants to Eat Melons

This news naturally came as a great surprise to everyone.

What???

Lady Pu, the wife of the Mu Prince of Nanzhao, actually brought in a child from outside and pretended it was the heir she had given birth to for the Mu Prince?

What kind of situation was this?!

After the initial shock, everyone naturally turned to look at Princess Shou'an, who was most closely related to this matter.

The Princess Consort of Ruyang, her eyes still wet with tears, quickly asked her sister-in-law, "What? Your younger brother-in-law's son isn't actually his? Why would your sister-in-law do such a thing?"

However, as soon as she finished speaking, Princess Shou'an also had a bewildered expression and said, "I... I don't know either."

She then asked the palace maid who had brought the message, "Are you sure this news is true? You didn't mishear it?"

The maid who had reported the news nodded repeatedly and said, "This matter is absolutely true. I heard it with my own ears from outside the Hall of Diligent Government."

Princess Shou'an still looked utterly shocked.

— What? That woman Lady Pu actually did such a thing?!

The Empress Dowager thought for a moment and said, "Since the news has already reached the court, it must be true. Otherwise, for such a major matter concerning bloodlines, how could the Mu Prince treat it lightly?"

She then smiled meaningfully at Princess Shou'an and said, "Today I must truly congratulate you. Who would have thought that after all this drama, the throne would return to your son?"

At these words, everyone in the hall hurried to congratulate Princess Shou'an, saying, "Congratulations, Princess."

As the voices faded, the Princess Consort of Ruyang also had to quickly thank her sister-in-law, feeling somewhat guilty.

— Tsk, she used to think this sister-in-law had no future and was just in the way, but unexpectedly, in an instant, she suddenly had prospects...

After all, in many years' time, this Nanzhao would be her son's realm.

Well, it seemed she couldn't easily argue with her anymore in the future.

For a moment, congratulatory voices came from all around, and Princess Shou'an could only respond, "You're all too kind."

In her heart, she still found it unbelievable — she had only been away for a short while, and such a major event had occurred?

As she was still in a daze, she heard her sister-in-law, the Princess Consort of Ruyang, cough and ask her, "By the way, is there something wrong with your younger brother-in-law or his wife? How come after so many years they only have this one child, and it's even a fake one? Is it that your brother-in-law can't have children, or is it his wife who can't?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall pricked up their ears.

That's right, that's right, they were all dying to know too!!!

Yanshu: "..."

Who would have thought the Princess Consort of Ruyang was so gossipy.

However, how could Princess Shou'an answer this question?

She probably didn't know either.

Sure enough, Princess Shou'an opened her mouth, looking like she wanted to say something but really didn't know what to say.

Seeing this situation, Yanshu felt incredibly stifled.

She knew!

But she couldn't say it!!!

Ahhh, she had been holding this in for so many days, unable to tell anyone or write it in a story. She was about to go crazy!

Unfortunately, even now, she still couldn't say anything.

After a while, the Empress Dowager finally said to the Princess Consort of Ruyang, "She's been away from home for years, so she probably doesn't know about these things."

Just as she finished speaking, a palace servant reported from outside the door, "Your Highness, an attendant from Nanzhao is requesting to see the Princess, asking her to return to the residence immediately."

Hearing this, Princess Shou'an stood up and said, "In that case, I shall take my leave."

The Empress Dowager nodded, watching her leave the hall.

Then she said to the Princess Consort of Ruyang, "Alright, now that the dust has settled, you need not worry anymore. Go back quickly and tell Axiu that she doesn't need to be afraid anymore."

The Princess Consort of Ruyang complied, then stood up and said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager. This matter is truly thanks to His Majesty's wisdom. I shall take my leave..."

After saying this, she also left.

All of a sudden, the hall became much quieter. Yanshu was considering whether she should leave too when she saw the Empress Dowager wave away the idle personnel and urgently ask her, "Do you have any news about this matter?"

Yanshu had been bursting to speak, so upon hearing this, she quickly said, "A few days ago, I did hear some news from His Majesty..."

The Empress Dowager hurriedly said, "Tell me, what's really going on with that child?"

Yanshu promptly continued, "It seems that the Mu Prince had always been somewhat cold towards his wife. The Princess, being jealous by nature, saw that Princess Shou'an was beautiful and developed harmful intentions towards her. After several failed attempts, she was discovered by the Mu Prince, which made him even colder towards her. The Princess and her family became anxious, so they came up with this plan."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager nodded and asked, "Then how did he discover it? Everything had been calm for so many years."

Yanshu could only say, "It seems the child doesn't resemble either the Mu Prince or his wife, and there have been some rumors in Nanzhao. The Mu Prince himself wasn't without suspicion, and it just so happened that His Majesty inadvertently received such information and sent someone to Nanzhao to tell the Mu Prince."

Ahem, anyway, it's best to attribute everything to the Emperor.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager frowned and said, "His Majesty can even investigate news from Nanzhao?"

Yanshu hurriedly praised the Emperor from afar, "His Majesty is indeed wise and mighty."

... Well, alright.

The Empress Dowager couldn't think of any other possibilities, so she just nodded and said, "Truly impressive."

After thinking for a moment, she suddenly raised an eyebrow and said, "Come to think of it, this Mu Zhengping must like Shou'an."

As soon as she said this, Yanshu almost spat out the hot tea she had just sipped, and asked with a shocked expression, "How does Your Highness know this?"

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly and said, "If not, why would Mu Zhengping be so willing to raise a child for her? And he's not even in a hurry to have his own children. Throughout history, what man would do such a thing without reason? He must be head over heels for her. Shou'an really has quite a skill."

Yanshu nodded, pretending to have a sudden realization, "I see."

Tsk, the Empress Dowager truly lived up to her title, she was indeed formidable!

Then she heard the Empress Dowager say, "This Lady Pu is also pitiful, but her heart was too vicious. No matter what, she shouldn't have harmed an innocent child. Now she's just reaping what she sowed."

Yanshu nodded.

Next, she heard the Empress Dowager say, "By the way, now that these two are both single, I wonder if they could get together?"

Yanshu: "..."

Ahem, actually, she had thought about this too.

After all, the Mu Prince treated his nephew as his own son, which made him quite a rare candidate for a stepfather.

Of course, the most important thing was that if the Mu Prince could tie down Princess Shou'an, she wouldn't have to worry about her coveting Scholar Qi anymore!

However, this matter was probably uncertain —

From the looks of the current situation, Mu Zhengping seemed to be quietly waiting for Princess Shou'an to finish playing around and come home, but who knew when this player princess would be done playing?

Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly remembered something else.

— Every year during the Emperor's Changning Festival, the whole country would have three days off, including Songhe Academy.

Tsk, in that case, wouldn't Princess Shou'an go to harass her male god again?

As evening approached, the setting sun cast a golden glow over the mountains.

Starting tomorrow, the academy would be closed for three days. After seeing off the last batch of students going home, Qi Shuguang prepared to close the main gate and return to the academy.

— Being alone in the world, he really had no need to set up a residence in the capital, so he simply made the academy his home, just as he had done for many years in the past.

However... before he could close the main gate, he heard a voice from the mountain path, "Headmaster Qi."

It was a woman's voice, one that seemed familiar from not long ago.

Qi Shuguang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked up to see a woman wearing a veil walking towards him from the mountain path.

Before he could speak, the woman had already walked up to him and voluntarily removed her veil.

Qi Shuguang paused. He quickly stepped forward and bowed, "This humble one pays respects to the Princess."

Princess Shou'an smiled and said, "Headmaster needn't be so formal. Just treat me as an old friend."

However, Qi Shuguang kept his eyes lowered, maintaining a polite distance, and said, "This humble one wouldn't dare. May I ask why the Princess has come?"

Princess Shou'an observed his demeanor, paused for a moment, then suddenly sighed, "You truly are the most difficult man in the world."

Qi Shuguang paused.

Before he could say anything, he heard her ask, "To be honest, is there a woman you fancy in your heart?"

Qi Shuguang paused again, but tried to maintain his composure as he asked, "Why does the Princess ask such a question?"

Princess Shou'an smiled and said, "You must have someone, otherwise why would you act like a mouse seeing a cat when you meet other women? You haven't married for so many years, could it be for her sake?"

Qi Shuguang remained silent.

Princess Shou'an asked him again, "If you like her, why not try hard to pursue her and keep her by your side?"

Qi Shuguang paused, then suddenly smiled and said, "Because I believe that being together constantly isn't necessary to maintain a bond. After all, not everyone can defy fate."

"Fate?" Princess Shou'an hesitated, "Is she no longer in this world?"

Qi Shuguang didn't speak, but his expression seemed to confirm it.

Princess Shou'an softened her tone, "I'm sorry for bringing up such a painful topic. You truly are a rare, devoted man. My trip to the capital this time was rather abrupt."

She put her veil back on and turned to leave.

However, after a few steps, she turned back and said to him, "I never believed there was true devotion in this world, but you've changed my mind, sir. I hope you fare well in the future. I won't trouble you again."

With that, she finally walked away, gradually disappearing at the end of the road.

That night, Yanshu heard about this incident from the system.

After confirming she hadn't misheard, she was greatly surprised. [Is Princess Shou'an giving up?]

The system replied, [More or less. Actually, Qi Shuguang was just an unattainable target for her, which sparked her curiosity and a bit of desire to conquer. But Princess Shou'an isn't the type to pester someone endlessly. After these two meetings, she clearly felt that she and Qi Shuguang weren't compatible. There's no point in pursuing it further.]

Yanshu nodded, [That's wise of her.]

Hmph, the Grand Scholar was her top-tier character. No one could steal him away.

To be honest, this Princess Shou'an was one of the more admirable women she had encountered.

First, she volunteered to marry into Nanzhao, then experienced her husband's early death...

Having gone through so many ups and downs in her life, she could still be so carefree now. Most importantly, the throne of Nanzhao eventually fell to her son.

Could this be due to her unique wisdom?

Perhaps only by being so elusive and distant could she keep Mu Zhengping constantly thinking of her and missing her? Thus transferring his affections to her child?

She was curious again, [Speaking of which, since Princess Shou'an thinks the Scholar Qi is devoted, hasn't she looked back at her brother-in-law? In a sense, her brother-in-law is also a kind of devoted, isn't he?]

The system replied, [She probably doesn't have time. She just returned from Songhe Academy not long ago, and on the way back, Princess Shou'an met an envoy from Rouran. Seeing that the Rouran envoy wasn't bad-looking, the two of them have already gone to a tavern for drinks.]

Yanshu: "..."

Truly a remarkable person.

Well, she didn't understand the world of players after all.

But wait, Rouran again?

...Princess Shou'an probably doesn't know about the incident of the Princess being poisoned last time, right? Hope she doesn't fall victim to that aphrodisiac too!

But the system said, [She's an old hand at romance, no need to worry. Now, want to hear some fresh news?]

Yanshu's eyes immediately lit up, and she hurriedly asked, [What is it?]

The system: [Mu Zhengping settled domestic affairs a few days ago and set out from Nanzhao. He's almost reached the capital now.]

Yanshu: "!!!"

At this moment, Yuwen Lan, who had just finished bathing, came out of the bathroom. He walked to the bed in a few steps and embraced her, who was still gossiping with the system, and said, "Why are you still so energetic?"

Look at her, eyes wide open, as if she had just heard some exciting news.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yanshu turned to him with an excited face and said, "Your Majesty, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Please grant my wish and let me witness this dramatic scene!"

Yuwen Lan: "???"