Even though the Crown Prince knew that he might be impotent in the future, he was still unwilling to give up the last bit of hope.
After all, it was one thing to know, but if he really gave up the last bit of hope, he would be doomed eternally.
What did impotence mean?
It meant that he would have no children in the future. It meant that even if he ascended the throne, he might not be able to maintain it. After all, everyone was eyeing his children. If he did not have any, it meant that he would be forced to abdicate.
The Crown Prince had tasted the benefits of power in his previous life. It was impossible for him to give up everything. Therefore, he could only grasp this little bit of sweetness and try his best to hold everything in his hands.
If there was an opportunity, he would take it. If there was no opportunity, he would create one.
If necessary, he would need to cultivate a substitute. After all, the impotence of the Emperor was a matter that would shake the foundation of the country.
The Crown Prince made up his mind.
At this moment.
The doctor fearfully prescribed the medicine. Before he could leave, he was directly invited to the backyard by the Crown Prince's confidant, who said that he would be released when the Crown Prince recovered.
It sounded nice, but in fact, he would not be able to walk out of the backyard for the rest of his life.
After all, there was no cure for Drunk Spring Breeze.
On the one hand, he was thrown into the backyard to watch over the Crown Prince. On the other hand, it was for the sake of the Crown Prince's reputation.
After all, when the Crown Prince was impotent, the fewer people who knew, the safer it would be.
If the Crown Prince was impotent, then the child in Xue Bitao's belly would be his only child. Although the Crown Prince disliked Xue Bitao, he could only accept his fate. Moreover, he had to pray that the child in Xue Bitao's belly must be a boy.
The Crown Prince already had a substitute. Now, it came in handy.
As long as he was a man, he would not be willing to be cuckolded. However, the Crown Prince had no choice now.
He could not let others know that he was impotent. Therefore, that night, he sent his substitute to sleep with his beautiful concubine.
As for Xue Bitao.
Because Xue Bitao was his only child, the Crown Prince had to provide her with good food and drinks no matter how much he disliked her.
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year.
Naturally, there would be a palace banquet on New Year's Eve.
Over the past year, the Emperor's health had been deteriorating day by day, perhaps due to too many natural disasters. The basic affairs had been handed over to the Crown Prince. As for the Crown Prince, the sinister look in his eyes had become more and more intense. His eyes were as cold as a sharp sword, making people feel oppressed.
Thinking back to last year's palace banquet, Jiujiu was sitting with Zhenyuan Hou and Xue Bitao. But this year, she was sitting with Zhou Haiqing, and Zhou Haiqing was especially considerate as he served her food. Jiujiu blinked, feeling as if a lifetime had passed.
Not long after, Xue Bitao and the Empress, who had always been elusive, walked out hand in hand.
Jiujiu didn't know if it was an illusion, but she always felt that Xue Bitao's belly was ridiculously big, especially when she walked. Her belly was so big that she couldn't even see her toes. Because of this, the Empress was especially careful around Xue Bitao.
The two of them wobbled back to their seats.
The Empress directly let Xue Bitao sit beside her, taking care of Xue Bitao without any help. This doting made those who thought that Xue Bitao didn't have the Emperor's heart instantly fall silent.
Even if Xue Bitao didn't have the Crown Prince's favor, as long as the Empress liked her, her position as the Crown Princess would definitely be secure.
Because of Xue Bitao, the dishes at the palace banquet were all suitable for pregnant women.
Because of morning sickness, Xue Bitao hadn't been able to eat a good meal in the past few months. She had almost vomited after eating. For the sake of her child's health, the Nanny would often give her a bowl of nourishing soup that tasted hard to swallow. Seeing the exquisite and cute dishes in front of her, Xue Bitao instantly had an idea. She picked up her chopsticks and put it into her mouth.
The vegetables were crisp and delicious, sweet and tasty. Xue Bitao, who usually ate like wax, instantly had an appetite and couldn't help but eat two more mouthfuls.
Before she could pick up the teacup to drink, her lower abdomen suddenly spasmed violently. Then a warm current flowed down along the seam between her legs. Xue Bitao couldn't hold it in anymore. With a cry of pain, she weakly fell to the ground.
The people who had been happily chatting instantly fell silent. The Empress' expression changed and she no longer cared about etiquette. She yelled at the top of her voice: "Imperial physician, quickly call for an imperial physician."
The Crown Prince, who had been exchanging toasts with the officials, paled. He hurriedly stood and anxiously walked over to Xue Bitao. When he saw Xue Bitao's messy lower body, he immediately bent down to pick up Xue Bitao and quickly walked to the side of the palace.
The Emperor, who had forced a happy expression because of the new year, had an ugly expression on his face now that such a change had occurred at the palace banquet. He sternly said: "Investigate, investigate thoroughly."
When the Emperor finished speaking, he left with the help of the Empress Dowager. The other people were strictly controlled. After all, the Crown Princess' possible miscarriage was a serious matter.
Looking at the people coming and going, Zhou Haiqing imperceptibly grasped Jiujiu's hand and whispered into Jiujiu's ear: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Jiujiu turned her head and made a sound of acknowledgment after seeing Zhou Haiqing's calm face.
Because Zhou Haiqing's position was high, he was the first to be examined and quickly left.
The two walked to the palace entrance. Even though they were already in the carriage, they could still hear the clamor coming from the inner palace. This year's New Year's Eve was probably not going to be easy.
The next day, there was news.
There was nothing wrong with the food Xue Bitao ate, but the handkerchief she used to hold her chopsticks had been sprinkled with musk. Therefore, Xue Bitao's miscarriage was affected. Fortunately, the heavens helped the worthy. Even though it was dangerous, she was still safe. This could be considered a great fortune amidst the misfortune.
Because of Xue Bitao's near miscarriage, the palace was shrouded in a layer of worry.
The officials didn't dare to celebrate. This year's New Year's Eve wasn't good.
Three days later, news came that the person who had drugged her had been caught. It was the Third Imperial Prince.
Even though the Third Imperial Prince kept saying that he was innocent and that he didn't do it, there were witnesses and evidence. Under the insistence of the Fourth Imperial Prince and the Crown Prince, even if the Third Imperial Prince could make up a lie, the Emperor still took away all of his duties and directly exiled him to his fief. If there were no accidents, he probably wouldn't be able to come back in this lifetime.
As for Xue Bitao, because of her near miscarriage, even though she was able to hold the child, her body became sickly. She could only lie in bed every day without any wind. If there was a slight change in the weather, her body would be in great pain.
After learning of the Third Imperial Prince's tragic state, Jiujiu muttered to Zhou Haiqing as she ate grapes: "Did the Third Imperial Prince really do this?"
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