Chapter 1600: Idle Conversation and Game Theory

Song Ci had no particularly strong feelings towards Wen Zishan; she neither felt a great dislike nor affection for her. Even if she didn’t think much of Song Lingsu, everyone had their own aspirations, and she wouldn’t assume the other was blind.

Upon hearing this news now, it seemed like fate was playing tricks.

"It was long rumored that Consort Fan had complaints over her long inability to conceive, and now that she finally has, it coincides with the official heir falling ill. It’s truly a situation where luck cannot easily account for everything," Nanny, who sat with Song Ci after Song Zhiyuan had taken his morning meal, remarked. "Before this, her days only bore the pressure of bearing a child; now that she has one, I’m afraid her days will only become harder."

Even if she had been diagnosed a few days later, it wouldn’t have been so bleak. As soon as she was diagnosed, the official heir had already passed, and if she were Consort Zhou, she would go mad. She would certainly target the Concubine Wen in revenge for the deceased child.

"Do you know why the diagnosis happened on this day? On the way back, she had an argument with Prince Zhou, got overwhelmed with anger, and fainted, which led to the diagnosis," Song Ci shook her head. "So yesterday, she truly shouldn’t have attended the banquet. Otherwise, how could all these troubles culminate and cause her to faint from anger?"

Nanny replied, "It’s all cause and effect."

"Yes, it’s all cause and effect, so this bitter fruit, no matter how unwilling, she must swallow it," Song Ci said. "As for whether the days ahead will be difficult, it depends on how ruthless she can be and whether the Wen Family will fully support her."

"Oh?"

Song Ci blinked and said, "Haven’t you seen enough disgrace while in the palace? Don’t you understand what it means to strike when the iron is hot?"

Nanny raised her eyebrow.

Having lost her heir, Consort Zhou is bound to be heartbroken and ill. If Wen Zishan is ruthless enough, she could ally with her family and, with a strong push, might just bring the other down, then rise to the position herself.

Once in power, what days wouldn’t be good? Reputation? Reputation compared to power is simply secondary.

"In your opinion, what will she choose?" Nanny asked with a smile.

Song Ci was silent for a moment and said, "If she wasn’t inherently proud, would she have taken a liking to Prince Zhou in the first place? Which woman is willing to be a concubine, especially after being provoked? I think she will probably do her best to pull Consort Zhou down and push herself up, whether for herself or for the child in her womb."

"And the chances of winning?"

"Concubine Wen would have a significant probability of being the winner, Consort Fan would protect her, at least the child," Song Ci said.

Losing the legitimate grandson is certainly painful, but the dead cannot be resurrected, and they must protect the living one, especially given Prince Zhou’s lack of offspring.

Therefore, no matter how difficult it is for Wen Zishan, as long as she withstands, she will be the winner.

It’s all about interests; without a son to inherit the family business, what good is amassing more power?

"To protect the child does not necessarily mean she will ascend to power," Nanny shook her head. "If Consort Zhou is brought down, it would either be due to unfitness or demise. For a stronger alliance, Consort Fan might choose another official wife for Prince Zhou. Especially with the Minister of Rites still in position, if the Princess is gone, there would be various reasons to oppose Prince Zhou making anyone official, so by then, it’s possible that even for Concubine Wen it would all come to nothing."

"Then it depends on how much effort the Wen Family can exert," Song Ci said, "Regardless, there will surely be a bloodbath in Prince Zhou Mansion hereafter. In a contest between the two sides, we’ll see who prevails."