A Taoist priest?
Though the Crown Prince had not revealed so much as a hint from beginning to end.
This was, after all, half of Sun Shaozong's home ground, and the Taoist had not deliberately concealed himself when entering and leaving Wangjiang Restaurant. Thus, not long after the drinking ended and the banquet dispersed, Sun Shaozong uncovered the man's basic identity.
This truly was not good news.
For it foretold that the Crown Prince's trust in that Taoist had reached a considerable level—one had to know that the Crown Prince was already rather high-strung. Sun Shaozong had no wish for him to develop some sort of religious fanaticism as well.
Especially with Prince Zhongshun serving as a cautionary example...
It seemed he needed to have an open and honest talk with that Taoist as soon as possible, lest the matter grow beyond control later.
Full of worries, he returned home. By rights, he should have spent the night in You Erjie's room, but seeing that the main hall's sitting room was still brightly lit, Sun Shaozong decided to go over first and speak to Ruan Rong.
Yet upon entering, he found the room packed with people. Not only were Xiang Ling and You Erjie, mistress and servants alike, all present, but even his elder sister-in-law Jia Yingchun had come with her child.
It wasn't any festival, and it was already late at night...
"Congratulations, Second Master!"
"Congratulations, Second Master!"
"Congratulations to Second Master!"
Sun Shaozong was still bewildered when all the women in the room crowded around him, talking over one another as they offered their congratulations.
At first he was dumbfounded, but then his gaze settled on Ruan Rong. She had one hand braced against the table and the other protecting her belly as she slowly rose to