The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

May 25th, the flower hall of the Prime Minister's residence.

On the stage, the opera "The Peony Pavilion" is being sung, with Du Liniang's water sleeves fluttering as she sings the line "What a beautiful day, but what a pity!" in a melodious and lingering way.

The audience below the stage were filled with the clinking of glasses, laughter, and cheerful conversation, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Today, Xue Lingyi, dressed in a bright red jacket with lotus patterns, sat regally in the main seat.

Holding a gilded bone fan in her hand, she occasionally chimed in with a few words, her smile dignified and appropriate, without a single flaw to be found.

Jiang Guo'er stood to her side and behind, wearing a dark blue wide-sleeved jacket with pine and bamboo patterns.

A dark silk ribbon loosely cinched her waist, and below was a moon-white horse-face skirt, wide enough to completely conceal her slightly protruding belly.

She decided on this outfit after trying it on in front of the mirror several times last night.

The loose-fitting jacket and the draping of the sash meant that even if someone looked at her from the side, they would only think she was wearing thick clothes.

After all, the ladies who came today were all discerning and sophisticated.

Those seated below were all female relatives of officials of the fourth rank or above in the capital.

The two women in the front row were particularly eye-catching—the wife of Hu, the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and the wife of the Earl of Zhongyong.

These two are well-known "know-it-alls" in Beijing.

Jiang Guo'er lowered her eyes and observed carefully, but couldn't help muttering to herself.

These ladies had looked at her with undisguised disdain when they entered.

Seeing the pearl hairpin bestowed by the Empress Dowager in her hair, she turned around and called her "Little Sister Jiang" repeatedly.

The old lady was considerate, knowing that as a concubine, she was likely to be looked down upon in such situations, so she had Granny Qin send over the hairpin early this morning.

Jiang Guo'er subtly glanced at the expressions of the ladies present.

"Sister Xue's pregnancy is going well. Look at her rosy complexion; she's sure to have a healthy baby boy," Madam Hu said, cracking melon seeds with a broad smile.

"Thank you for your kind words, Sister Hu." Xue Lingyi gently stroked her lower abdomen and sighed softly. "These past few days I've felt heavy and haven't dared to go out much."

"That's right, the first pregnancy should be taken good care of," Lady Zhongyong continued. "When I was pregnant with my first child, I didn't leave the house for three months."

Seeing this, Jiang Guo'er seized the opportunity to interject.

"Indeed, it's because Madam is so meticulous that the eldest son has grown up to be so outstanding. Our Madam also stays at home every day and doesn't know anything about the interesting things happening outside."

She paused, then said casually:

"I heard recently that the Empress Dowager has been going to the Cold Palace more often. We, the women of the inner quarters, didn't hear the details. We were wondering if the Xiao family had some happy event coming up."

Upon hearing this, the previously lively surroundings fell silent for a moment.

Lady Zhongyong lowered her voice and leaned forward.

"Miss Jiang has been confined to the inner quarters for too long; she's unaware of the winds blowing outside."

"Although the Xiao family's daughter was released by the Empress Dowager, it's only because she needs to be ordered around. She's kneeling in the ancestral hall every day chanting scriptures and praying for blessings; her knees are practically raw. What kind of joyous occasion is that?"

"Exactly." Madam Hu glanced around and covered her mouth, chuckling to herself.

"The Tan family has very high standards. Now that Grand Secretary Xiao has retired, why would they even look at the Xiao family's business?"

As she said this, she suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice even further.

"I heard from my niece that the second master of the Tan family has been frequently sending messages to the Duke of Lu's mansion lately."

"That second master of the Tan family actually wants to marry his short, stout, dark-skinned eldest daughter, who is already over 20, to General Sima!"

Jiang Guo'er and Xue Lingyi exchanged a quick glance.

The Duke of Lu's mansion—isn't that General Sima Di's house?

A chill ran down Jiang Guo'er's spine.

General Sima Di had just won a great victory in the northern frontier and was now in command of a large army when the Tan family rushed to join him.

The Empress Dowager's plan is truly shrewd.

If the Tan family manages to gain control of the military...

However, there's no need to worry too much. The Duke of Lu is not someone easy to get along with, and he may not agree.

At this moment, Salera came forward with a plate of washed fresh loquats. The golden, plump fruit was piled in a celadon dish, which looked very appealing.

Her deep, large eyes revealed the frankness unique to women from other lands, and when she smiled, she showed off a set of white teeth.

"Please, ladies, have a taste. These are loquats that our Prime Minister specially ordered people to find. They are the first batch of fresh fruit and are very sweet."

She put the plate down, then seemed to remember something.

"Speaking of which, the Crown Prince's Palace used to like to import these seasonal fresh fruits every year, but we haven't seen them doing so this year."

Madam Hu had just reached out to take the loquats when she heard this, so she withdrew her hand, looked around, and then whispered:

"The Crown Prince is currently preoccupied with his own problems, so how could he have the mind to eat fruit?"

"It's more than just a lack of interest." The Lady of the Marquis of Zhongyong slapped the armrest, suddenly becoming energetic, just like a storyteller in a teahouse.

"I heard that after His Highness the Crown Prince was placed under house arrest, even the monthly allowances for everyone in the Eastern Palace couldn't be paid in full. The palace servants either ran away or scattered—"

She stopped mid-sentence, then smiled at Xue Lingyi:

"Look at my mouth, why am I saying these things on such a joyous occasion?"

Xue Lingyi waved her fan and smiled gently, "It's alright, I'll listen to whatever my aunts are talking about."

As they were talking, Tan Yu timidly walked over from the other end of the side hall, holding a booklet framed with blue silk.

"Madam, all the congratulatory gifts from the various households have been recorded. However... the Crown Princess's family also sent a gift, and I'm unsure whether to include it in a separate list."

Xue Lingyi feigned a troubled expression and sighed softly.

"Go ahead and go. I'm afraid the Crown Princess's family is also in dire straits right now. Our Prime Minister's residence can't just kick them while they're down. Just fulfill the proper etiquette, and that will be considered a good deed."

"Oh dear, Sister Xue, you're just too kind-hearted," said Lady Zhongyong.

"Although the Crown Prince is only under house arrest, he and the Crown Princess have already fallen out."

"The Crown Princess's family is now practically deserted; who would dare to approach them?"

She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and lowered her voice even further.

"His Majesty didn't say it explicitly, but his intention to depose the Crown Prince is as clear as day!"

Madam Hu quickly tugged at her sleeve: "Please keep your voice down!"

Lady Zhongyong chuckled awkwardly before shutting her mouth.

Xue Lingyi smiled calmly and invited everyone to play leaf cards.

After two rounds, the wins and losses weren't significant, but the atmosphere was a bit more lively than before.

Green Ripple served tea and snacks nearby, bending down to add a plate of candied fruit at the right time, and muttering something casually.

"This morning when I went out to buy some things, I overheard some old tea drinkers chatting at a teahouse on the street corner. They were talking about the case of Marquis Dingyuan back then, and there might be some injustice involved."

Mrs. Hu was startled: "You can't gossip about this! It's an ironclad case!"

Jiang Guo'er lowered her voice mysteriously:

"I don't know where the rumor came from, but I heard that someone saw some old items from the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion in a pawnshop in the West Market."

"Back then, the Marquis of Dingyuan's family was raided. If even old items can be found... who knows what kind of relics might be left behind to overturn the verdict?"

"Nowadays, many people are saying that the Marquis of Dingyuan and his son were wronged back then."

After those words were spoken, the card table fell silent for a full three breaths.

The Lady of Zhongyong held the card in mid-air, then leaned forward slightly, her lips twitching slightly. In the end, she couldn't hold back any longer.

"Really? Which pawnshop?"

Mrs. Hu quickly tugged at her sleeve.

"Shh, you can't say that outside this yard."

Despite saying that, she leaned closer to Jiang Guo'er.

Jiang Guo'er smiled, her lips pursed, a look of regret on her face.

"I don't know which pawnshop it was exactly. I heard it from someone else, so it's not reliable."

These ladies' mouths leak faster than a sieve.

Within three days, news that the Crown Prince's deposition was a foregone conclusion and that the old belongings of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion had been sold off would spread throughout the capital.

Those who are meant to be restless will naturally become restless.

In the late afternoon, around 3 PM, the birthday banquet was about to end, and the guests got up and left in twos and threes.

In the study, Pei Yan was looking through the folded paper documents sent from various places.

A dark shadow hung upside down from the eaves. Xiao San landed like a ghost. "Master, something has happened."

"speak."

"General Sima has returned to the capital." Xiao San paused for a moment. "He climbed over the back wall, and Xiao Shi almost shot him, mistaking him for an assassin."

"The person is currently hiding in a grotto in the rockery in the back garden. He says he has urgent business to discuss with you in person."

Has Sima Di returned to the capital?

The great victory at Hulu Valley was only a little over a month ago. Now is the crucial moment to press on the victory and consolidate the defense line. How could he leave the camp without orders?

This is a capital offense!

Pei Yan immediately stood up, his brows furrowed.

"Seal off the back garden immediately! Not a single fly should be allowed in!"

He immediately put down his brush and strode towards the back garden.