Double Rebirth: The Scumbag Heroine is Terrified of the Yandere Prince! - Chapter 26

“You are so clever; would you truly not know?”

Grand Empress Dowager Shen glanced at her and poked her forehead. She truly doted on this girl.

“Imperial Grandmother, please just tell me!”

Shen Ruoli clung to the Grand Empress Dowager’s arm coaxingly, leaning her face close. Although she suspected Xie Xuanjin was behind it, she couldn’t be entirely certain.

“The Queen is the one most opposed to your marriage with the Crown Prince,” Grand Empress Dowager Shen said, her smile fading as she leaned back leisurely against the couch. “In fact, back then, she even went on a hunger strike in protest. For three whole days, she refused to eat or drink, stayed behind closed doors, and saw no one—using it as a threat against both the Emperor and myself.”

Hearing this, Shen Ruoli wasn’t surprised at all.

She had heard that Queen Sun had struggled to conceive for years, only giving birth to Xie Xuanjin after a long marriage to Xie Yuanhe. Even though she later gave birth to the Seventh Princess, Xie Jiaojiao, she still valued Xie Xuanjin above all else. Because of this, the relationship between Xie Jiaojiao and her elder brother was never particularly close.

“Even though you have never been in charge of a palace banquet, with me watching over you, nothing would have gone wrong! It was specifically because the vassal kings are visiting the capital that I personally named you to oversee the banquet. What a pity…”

Grand Empress Dowager Shen sighed and shook her head slightly, swallowing the words she was about to say.

If Shen Ruoli, as the Crown Princess, could have handled this banquet well, her future position as Queen would have been secure and beyond reproach. But… time was running out.

The Grand Empress Dowager only wanted to pave the way for Shen Ruoli before her time came. It was for the glory of the Shen family, but mostly, it was for Shen Ruoli herself. She was the one the elderly woman worried about most.

She gently stroked the top of Ruoli’s head, her voice softening. “Lier, the Crown Prince just has a cold temperament, but he is not a bad person at heart.”

“I can rest easy knowing you are married to him.”

Her own relationship with Queen Sun was strained, and as a result, she wasn’t very close to Xie Xuanjin, her grandson. Precisely because she knew how painful a conflict between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could be, she was now doing everything in her power to resolve those future troubles for Ruoli—by trying to help her build a good relationship with Queen Sun.

“He is a hundred times better than the Prince of Chu! That is why, when you came to beg me back then, I agreed immediately.”

The Grand Empress Dowager no longer kept it a secret. “In truth, even before you begged me, I already intended to betroth you to the Crown Prince.”

“It’s just that you were so obsessed with the Prince of Chu that I could only sigh in frustration!”

As she spoke, she sighed once more. Meeting her troubled gaze, Shen Ruoli felt like crying, yet found it somewhat humorous.

In the past, she had been unlikable. Even her father and mother often blamed her for not being as reliable and steady as her brother, as thoughtful as her eldest sister, or as well-behaved as her third sister. Only the Grand Empress Dowager, in both her past life and this one, had loved her unconditionally.

She sniffled, her voice choking up. “Imperial Grandmother has the best judgment of character! In the future, whomever you take a liking to, just decree the marriage for me directly!”

“What? You still want to leave the Crown Prince and marry someone else?”

The Grand Empress Dowager was stuck between laughter and tears. “If the Crown Prince hears this, you’ll certainly have a hard time!”

“Imperial Grandmother, I was joking!” Shen Ruoli said hurriedly.

What a joke! If Xie Xuanjin heard such a thing, that man would surely tear her into pieces! With the “prior offense” involving Xie Xuansong, she was already desperately trying to atone. If another “Wang Xuansong” or “Li Xuansong” appeared, would Xie Xuanjin ever let her off easily?

“I’m just teasing you,” the Grand Empress Dowager said cheerfully. “Seeing how anxious you are, it seems you care for the Crown Prince quite a bit.”

Yes, this is a good thing.

“Even for the Crown Prince’s sake, I want your relationship with the Queen to soften. That is why I had such confidence in you for this palace banquet! However, the Queen has many reservations.” She set down her teacup. “Never mind. We shall take it one step at a time. As long as you treat others with sincerity, I believe they will come to like you.”

The child she had watched grow up could never be a truly bad person.

“However, regarding the Prince of Chu, you must keep your distance. You cannot be foolish again!” her tone turned serious.

“Don’t worry, Imperial Grandmother! I have already hit the wall and learned my lesson.” (Lit: I have already crashed into the southern wall.)

“It is good that you know.”

The Grand Empress Dowager held her hand and gave a few more detailed instructions before fatigue washed over her. She then ordered Nanny Liu to escort Shen Ruoli back.

The moment she stepped out of Longevity and Peace Palace, the smile on Shen Ruoli’s face vanished. Recalling the Grand Empress Dowager’s tone—which sounded almost as if she were “settling her final affairs”—her heart gradually sank.

“Nanny Liu, how has Imperial Grandmother’s health been lately?”

Previously, her heart had been entirely focused on Xie Xuansong, and she had never cared for those around her. Today, she finally noticed that something was wrong.

Surprised by the sudden question, Nanny Liu stiffened slightly, a flash of panic crossing her eyes. But she quickly composed herself and replied with a smile, “Crown Princess, didn’t you ask me that just a moment ago? Her Majesty’s health has always been robust; she is doing very well!”

“Is that so?” Shen Ruoli stopped in her tracks.

Nanny Liu had served the Grand Empress Dowager for years and knew her affairs best. Similarly, Ruoli understood Nanny Liu’s character. Seeing the nanny’s eyes darting around, avoiding her gaze, Ruoli became even more certain—Grandmother was definitely hiding something from her! It was highly likely she was ill. Perhaps even seriously so.

“Since Imperial Grandmother is in good health, why are your eyes red, Nanny Liu?” Shen Ruoli placed her hands behind her back and leaned in slightly, staring into Nanny Liu’s eyes.

Nanny Liu quickly turned away, rubbing her eyes with her hand. “Just now… just now a small bug flew into my eye! I’m fine, it’ll be better once I rub it!”

“Rubbing your eyes too much makes them turn red easily!”

“Is that so?” Shen Ruoli raised an eyebrow.

In the middle of winter, what kind of bug would be flying into someone’s eye? However, she did not expose the clumsy lie.

As soon as she returned to the Crown Prince’s Estate, she immediately ordered Yun Yue to summon the Imperial Physician on duty to the manor. Upon learning that Physician Zhang had taken the Grand Empress Dowager’s pulse that morning, Shen Ruoli began to probe for information.

“Physician Zhang, I noticed today that Imperial Grandmother’s complexion looked a bit pale. What did you find when you took her pulse?”

Physician Zhang kept his head bowed, his expression unreadable. “Replying to the Crown Princess: Her Majesty had a bout of chronic headaches last night and likely did not sleep well, which is why her complexion is poor today.”

“Just a headache?”

“Yes, Her Majesty’s headaches are an old ailment. They are difficult to cure; we can only do our best to manage them.”

Shen Ruoli knew this; the Grand Empress Dowager had suffered a miscarriage when she was young and had been plagued by chronic headaches ever since. Though she remained suspicious, she couldn’t get anything else out of Physician Zhang and was forced to let him leave.

Unexpectedly, as Physician Zhang reached the doorway, he suddenly looked up. “Crown Princess…”

Compared to the seasoned, slick physicians of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, Physician Zhang was much younger. Consequently, his inner turmoil was easier to spot.

He hesitated. “Although the Crown Prince and the Queen ordered me to keep my lips sealed… I feel there is one thing you should know.”