Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 386: Overnight in the Imperial Palace

Qin Shuang rose in surprise, her heart instantly filled with joy as she walked forward to greet her.

Zhan Lan beamed at Qin Shuang, took her hand, and was pulled into her embrace, feeling Qin Shuang patting her back.

Qin Shuang sensed the chill emanating from her and worriedly said, "You silly girl, why are you wearing such thin clothes? Why didn’t you wear the jacket your mother made for you?"

Zhan Lan leaned on Qin Shuang’s shoulder and softly replied, "Lan’er isn’t cold."

She then turned to see Zhan Xuerou standing awkwardly in the room and gave her a smile, saying, "You’re here too?"

Zhan Xuerou bowed to Zhan Lan with a nod, "It’s good to see you, sister."

They were born on the same day, and in the past, she would address Zhan Lan as "younger sister," but now that her rank was lower, she had to change to calling her "sister."

Zhan Lan stepped away from Qin Shuang’s embrace, looking at the tense jawline of Zhan Xuerou. Clearly, Zhan Xuerou was now seething with fury, yet had to feign a look of resigned acceptance.

Raising her brows, Zhan Lan said, "According to family hierarchy, calling me ’sister’ is inappropriate. Call me ’Imperial Aunt,’ Princess."

Zhan Lan deliberately provoked Zhan Xuerou.

Zhan Xuerou trembled with rage, took a deep breath to calm herself, and then addressed her, "Imperial Aunt."

Seeing the growing tension between the two, Qin Shuang immediately grabbed Zhan Lan’s hand and said, "Let’s go, the banquet will begin shortly."

Zhan Lan and Qin Shuang walked closely together at the front, while Zhan Xuerou followed behind them, clenching her back teeth so hard they hurt.

In the past, every year Qin Shuang would make autumn jackets for her, but from now on, there would be no more.

In the past, Qin Shuang would hold her close, but now all that remained was a distant back and estrangement.

Zhan Xuerou gritted her teeth along the way, following them as they entered the main hall.

She looked up and saw Zhan Xinzhang, Wang Shi, Zhan Beicang, Zhan Hui, Chu Yin, Zhan Heng, Zhan Rui all present, and even Mu Yan was there.

But the expressions on their faces as they looked at her were completely different from before.

Each face held a look of formality and detachment, except for Mu Yan, who didn’t even bother to glance at her.

Mu Yan pulled out a chair for Zhan Lan and seated her beside him.

During the banquet, Wang Shi treated Zhan Lan and Mu Yan exceptionally well.

After all, her son Zhan Xincheng’s career was firmly in Mu Yan’s hands.

Wang Shi looked at Zhan Lan with loving affection, "Lan’er, eat more. The lake fish you sent over, your grandmother made it into fried fish fillets and also made your favorite osmanthus cakes. Take some home with you when you leave."

"Thank you, Grandmother." Zhan Lan smiled softly. Wang Shi personally cooking—a rare occurrence!

For now, Zhan Lan maintained a cordial surface relationship with Wang Shi. She wouldn’t openly conflict with Wang Shi before dealing with Zhan Xincheng.

Since marrying their grandfather as his second wife, Wang Shi hadn’t stepped into the kitchen to cook again.

Zhan Xinzhang saw through Wang Shi’s cautious intentions and said nonchalantly, "What doesn’t the mansion already have? Yet you personally went into the kitchen."

Wang Shi’s expression turned slightly awkward as she replied, "Lan’er rarely returns. As her grandmother, it’s just a small effort."

Zhan Xuerou sneered internally. How shameless Wang Shi was, currying favor with Mu Yan and Zhan Lan.

Zhan Rui cheerfully said, "Sister, Brother-in-law, you must come back often!"

Zhan Heng solemnly added, "This is also your home, Sister and Brother-in-law. Why can’t we all live together here?"

Zhan Lan noticed that Zhan Rui and Zhan Heng had grown up, and their words now sounded more mature than before.

Mu Yan smiled lightly and said, "The mansion is your home too. If you wish to visit, I’ll have someone pick you up."

"Great!" Zhan Rui and Zhan Heng were thrilled, but Zhan Beicang lowered his voice and said, "Your sister and brother-in-law are very busy. Don’t disturb them needlessly."

Feeling dissatisfied but too scared to defy, Zhan Heng and Zhan Rui glanced at Qin Shuang.

With a small smile, Qin Shuang said, "Children love to play. I’ll take you another day!"

Looking at Mu Yan, Qin Shuang grew increasingly satisfied with her son-in-law. Throughout the family banquet, he meticulously placed food into Zhan Lan’s bowl and tended to her every need.

Zhan Beicang observed his wife. On the surface, she claimed to dote on the children, but she herself likely had the intent to visit too!

Zhan Xinzhang, now older and eating less, sat quietly after finishing his meal.

Zhan Hui discreetly served food to Chu Yin, unlike Mu Yan’s obvious favoritism toward Zhan Lan.

Chu Yin exchanged a glance with Zhan Hui and gave him a faint smile before lowering her head to eat. She understood that Zhan Hui’s restraint was merely due to his shyness; he cared for her deeply.

Seated opposite Zhan Lan, Chu Yin exchanged looks with her, both raising their eyebrows and sharing subtle smiles.

Zhan Xuerou observed it all. Despite the harmonious atmosphere of the banquet, it seemed she no longer belonged to this family at all.

Halfway through the meal, Zhan Xuerou rose, citing unwellness, and left the General Mansion.

Sitting in the carriage, her tears fell uncontrollably, crying in heartbreaking despair.

Qiuyue, seated beside her, felt elated inside but outwardly joined in shedding a couple of tears to accompany her.

Returning to the mansion, Zhan Xuerou discovered Si Jun wasn’t there, and her heart drowned in anguish. On this festive day for family reunions, where had Si Jun gone?

...

The following morning at court, the Crown Prince had yet to arrive.

The gathered officials waited impatiently while Si Jun’s gaze turned forbidding.

One of Si Jun’s key allies, the Minister of War Zhu Zhilang, glanced at Mu Yan and sought guidance, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince holds the crucial responsibility of overseeing national affairs, yet he hasn’t shown up. For today’s court session, should we...?"

Mu Yan raised his gaze and interrupted, turning to the chief eunuch, saying, "Go to the Crown Prince Mansion and investigate."

"Yes!"

Within the time it took for an incense to burn, the eunuch returned, his sharp voice reporting, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince isn’t at the Crown Prince Mansion. After pressing further, it was learned he entered the palace last night."

The ministers were stunned by this revelation—the Crown Prince had spent the night at the royal palace!

In Nanjin, once princes and princesses came of age, they were required to move out of the palace. Previously, Princess Si Yao was a unique exception due to Emperor Xuanwu’s favor, which allowed her to reside in the palace.

However, the Crown Prince was a man, and the palace housed many of Emperor Xuanwu’s concubines. Even though Emperor Xuanwu had abstained from intimacy with his concubines for years due to his devotion to cultivation, it was still an unparalleled impropriety for the Crown Prince to stay overnight in the palace. If he happened to commit any missteps, it would be deemed high treason!

Mu Yan furrowed his brows and said, "Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Investigate whether the Crown Prince got carried away with joy and drunkenness and thus decided to sleep at the palace."

Mu Yan’s words remained tactful, and Vermilion Bird immediately led people to investigate.

The Minister of War Zhu Zhilang’s eyes darkened as he said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince spent the night at the palace. If this news spreads, it will damage his reputation. It’s better for King Wei and Prince Xian to go and see for themselves what happened. This would also be an act to clear the Crown Prince’s name."

Si Jun’s lips curled into an imperceptible smile. If he went with Prince Xian to investigate, the Crown Prince’s fate would be sealed.

Mu Yan remained expressionless as he said, "What Minister Zhu said is reasonable. In addition to King Wei and Prince Xian, I will also go and have a look!"

Saying so, Mu Yan rose and left the main hall.

Si Jun’s eyes grew cold—could it be that Mu Yan was genuinely aligning himself with the Crown Prince?

Even if Mu Yan truly supported the Crown Prince, today the Crown Prince was doomed!