#41The Emperor's brother-in-law is dead!
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Chapter 41 The Emperor's Brother-in-Law is Dead!
Qin Guiru snorted, "It's not that I'm scared; I just don't want to see anyone die."
Caesarean sections were still somewhat difficult for people of that era to accept.
Even if Shen Yulou had made thorough preparations, he didn't have absolute certainty.
Now that he was the imperial envoy for child protection/maternity, the entire Imperial Household Department was at his disposal, which made things much more convenient for him.
If this were among common folk, such a thing would be unthinkable.
Moreover, it was due to Princess Na Xing's special condition; if she didn't have a caesarean section, she would surely die.
It was precisely because of this that Shen Yulou dared to perform a caesarean section.
This technique was currently still impossible to popularize; it was a one-time gamble.
Princess Na Xing said, "I trust you, I'm willing to try!"
Princess Na Xing had traveled to too many places and seen too many doctors in the past few months.
Only Shen Yulou had given her a glimmer of hope; even if it meant being cut open, she was willing to try.
Shen Yulou gently massaged her abdomen, and Princess Na Xing immediately felt much better.
"Don't worry, Princess, there are still two days left. I guarantee I can ensure your safe delivery."
Princess Na Xing nodded, then suddenly grabbed Shen Yulou's hand.
"Lord Shen, I'm counting on you."
...Leaving Princess Na Xing's room, Qin Guiru stood in the Imperial Garden, staring blankly at the moon in the sky.
She had been in a bad mood these past few days.
Not only had her official position been snatched by Shen Yulou, but that incident with Zheng Feifan had also occurred.
She had originally thought Zheng Feifan was quite good, but now, why did he seem to be full of flaws?
Shen Yulou saw her looking somewhat downcast and asked.
"Lord Qin, in a bad mood?"
Qin Guiru glared at him, "None of your business."
Shen Yulou said, "Lord Qin, you should also know a lot about medicinal herbs. How about I give you a riddle?"
Qin Guiru paused, "What riddle?"
"You suddenly stood up from a chair. Guess a medicinal herb."
Qin Guiru thought for a long time, then shook her head, "I don't know."
"Hehe, wolfberry."
Qin Guiru gritted her teeth in anger, "Shen Yulou, if you can't speak properly, then don't speak to me!"
"Cough, cough, don't be so anxious, Lord Qin. I have another question. If you can answer this one, I'll be impressed."
Qin Guiru looked at him with cold eyes. Could anything serious come out of this guy's mouth?
Shen Yulou said, "Three years ago, I spent five taels of gold to buy an antique. Now it can be sold for fifteen taels of silver. Do you think I made a profit or a loss?"
"Loss."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Loss!"
"Lord Qin, why is your voice so soft?"
"Loss loss loss! I said loss..."
Qin Guiru suddenly realized, and became furious.
"Shen Yulou, I'll kill you!"
Qin Guiru chased after Shen Yulou, hitting him.
The two chased and played around in the Imperial Garden.
Qin Guiru's face actually transformed from anger into a hint of a smile.
Although Shen Yulou was a bit mischievous, it had to be said that he was quite good at cheering people up.
After a while of playing, Qin Guiru's mood was already much better than before.
Some of the worries about Zheng Feifan were also temporarily put aside; anything else could wait until she returned home for a visit...
At this moment, Consort Qing was serving the Emperor in her bedchamber.
Tonight, Emperor Ren was in the mood and had chosen Consort Qing.
Consort Qing was extremely surprised. Emperor Ren was older now, and his health was not what it used to be.
When he was young, it was almost a night of revelry every night, but now that he was older, he was not as capable, and coupled with being tied up with state affairs, he couldn't choose a consort more than a few times a month.
And even when he did choose, it was always some new faces, young and tender concubines.
After all, newcomers could bring a sense of freshness and relieve Emperor Ren's pressure from state affairs.
So, a consort like Consort Qing was already considered past her prime.
She was overjoyed that Emperor Ren could come today.
After helping Emperor Ren undress, just as the two were about to get into bed, Swallow suddenly arrived at the door, her expression very strange.
Consort Qing frowned, somewhat displeased, thinking, why was Swallow so tactless today?
"Swallow, what are you doing?"
Swallow said, "Your Ladyship, Your Majesty, this servant has something to report... The Emperor's Maternal Uncle, he... he's dead!"
"What!"
Consort Qing's face changed dramatically.
She immediately jumped out of bed, her eyes wide, her emotions extremely agitated.
Hu Chen was her most beloved elder brother, who had doted on Consort Qing since childhood.
After Consort Qing entered the palace, she had often whispered in the Emperor's ear, which allowed Hu Chen to become the owner of the largest Winery in the capital.
Don't let it seem like Hu Chen was just a Winery owner; his Winery had monopolized the entire capital's liquor industry.
All the small Winerys had to pay him, and Hu Chen's annual profits were enormous.
Even the imperial wine in the palace was supplied by Hu Chen, providing a very substantial income.
It was precisely because of their deep sibling affection that they had let Hu Chen deal with Shen Yulou.
But she never expected that Hu Chen would actually die. How could Consort Qing not be agitated?
Consort Qing grabbed Swallow, her voice trembling as she asked.
"Say it again!"
Swallow knelt on the ground and said.
"Consort Qing, The Emperor's Maternal Uncle is dead! He died at Yu Cui Tower!"
Consort Qing's pupils constricted, her mind buzzed, and she immediately collapsed onto the ground, her face filled with boundless grief.
A few seconds later, Consort Qing suddenly reacted, and she knelt on the ground, excitedly saying.
"Your Majesty, my brother was killed by Shen Yulou. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for your concubine!"
Hu Chen wouldn't have died for no reason. Today, Shen Yulou went to the Winery, and Consort Qing had told Hu Chen to handle it as he saw fit.
As a result, Hu Chen died. Who else could have done it if not Shen Yulou?
Consort Qing knew that Shen Yulou was not simple, but she hadn't expected that Shen Yulou could even kill Hu Chen.
How could such a thing happen on her brother's territory?
Emperor Ren sat on the bed, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Consort Qing, how can you say such a thing? You haven't asked anything, yet you immediately assert that Minister Shen is responsible?"
Consort Qing said, "Today, Shen Yulou came to me, saying he was going to the Winery for business. After he went, my brother died.
Shen Yulou is full of schemes; this matter must be his doing. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for your concubine!"
Emperor Ren frowned, "Consort Qing, do you have any evidence? Minister Shen is currently the imperial envoy for child protection/maternity; his status is crucial. If there is no conclusive evidence, it's best not to speak carelessly."
Princess Na Xing's life was currently in Shen Yulou's hands. Even if Shen Yulou made some mistake, Emperor Ren would not punish him.
Moreover, how could Shen Yulou be so bold as to conspire against The Emperor's Maternal Uncle?
Consort Qing began to cry, sobbing uncontrollably, "Your Majesty, my brother and I have a deep bond. He is my only brother. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for me...Waaaaah..."
Consort Qing cried disconsolately, her appearance truly pitiful.
Emperor Ren felt a little heartbroken and also annoyed by her crying.
"Go, call Shen Yulou over!"
...Shen Yulou was flirting with Qin Guiru when a eunuch suddenly arrived with an order.
"Lord Shen, His Majesty wants you to go to Consort Qing's bedchamber immediately. There must be no delay