Chapter 391 Who is coveting the position of Crown Princess?

Although Yan Fengxi was somewhat impulsive, she wasn't stupid. She clearly sensed the sourness and sarcasm in Pu Mingyue's words.

Both were noble ladies from prominent families in the capital, and of similar age, so they naturally knew each other. In her memory, Pu Mingyue was gentle and always treated people kindly. There had never been any discord between them, so their confrontation today was quite unusual.

Her mind raced, and she suddenly remembered the recent rumors about her becoming the Crown Princess. A thought immediately dawned on her—could it be that Pu Mingyue also coveted the position of Crown Princess?

It's not impossible. The Pu family is currently very powerful, and Minister Pu wields considerable influence in the court. With Pu Mingyue's status, she's perfectly qualified to be the Crown Princess. Perhaps Minister Pu has already secretly colluded with the Crown Prince? But that's not something she should be considering.

If Pu Mingyue truly wants to become the Crown Princess, then she could be used to deal with Yan Fengju. However, it's still necessary to ascertain whether Pu Mingyue genuinely desires to become the Crown Princess.

She raised her chin and said, "What you say is interesting, sister. It's just a set of jewelry; I can give it to you without any problem. But I wonder if you're so insistent on it because you really like it, or if you're thinking of using it to gain attention at Princess Wenxin's flower-viewing banquet so that His Highness the Crown Prince will look at you differently? After all, who wouldn't want to be the Crown Princess? Don't you think so, sister?"

Pu Mingyue's face flushed red after her secret was exposed. She gripped her handkerchief tightly and said, "What good will it do you to become the Crown Princess? Who knows what the future holds?"

Yan Fengxi smiled; she was certain that Pu Mingyue wanted to become the Crown Princess. Whether she truly loved the Crown Prince or was simply after the position of Crown Princess was irrelevant. All that mattered was using Pu Mingyue to get rid of Yan Fengju.

She smiled and raised the corners of her lips. "My sister may have misunderstood. Shall we go inside and talk?"

Pu Mingyue was puzzled by Yan Fengxi's sudden change in attitude, but wanted to know what she wanted to say. She gave Yan Fengxi a deep look and stepped into the private room. Yan Fengxi also entered with a smile.

...

In the private room next door, a young maid was reporting to Jiang Yu's second aunt about the confrontation between Yan Fengxi and Pu Mingyue. The maid was articulate and recounted everything she had overheard at the door, word for word.

After hearing this, the second aunt lowered her eyes and turned to her daughter sitting to the side, saying, "I heard that you have a good relationship with Minister Pu's eldest daughter?"

Cheng Yilin gave a small snort, "Doesn't Mother know her temperament? Before, when Grandpa was unwell and Cousin Yu didn't come back to the manor, she would always ignore me when we met, not even bothering to lift her eyelids."

Later, my cousin Yu became an official and inherited the title, and the Duke of Chu's mansion regained its former glory. The last time I saw her, she even took my hand and talked to me, they were so affectionate.

My second aunt laughed, "Isn't that how people are? They fawn over the powerful and step on the weak. So, you should learn from your cousin Yu. If you have the ability, not only will you have confidence, but your family will also have confidence."

Cheng Yilin smiled and nodded emphatically. Her second aunt told the maid to pack up the things she had bought, then got up and walked out. When she arrived at the private room where Yan Fengxi and Pu Mingyue were, she glanced at the tightly closed door and went downstairs.

In the private room, Yan Fengxi dismissed her maids and servants, making it seem as if she had something important to discuss. Pu Mingyue, seeing this, also dismissed her attendants, leaving only the two of them in the room.

Yan Fengxi picked up her cup and drank her tea. Pu Mingyue frowned and looked at her, asking, "Sister said that I misunderstood. I'd like to ask, what did you misunderstand?"

Yan Fengxi smiled at her, put down her cup, and said, "The Crown Prince has come to visit my Yan family. Is there a rumor that I am going to be the Crown Princess?"

Pu Mingyue didn't know what she was going to say, so she looked at her without speaking. Yan Fengxi glanced at her, leaned to the left to close the distance between them, and whispered, "Actually, His Highness the Crown Prince's favorite person is my younger sister, Yan Fengju."

Pu Mingyue thought she was hallucinating. She said, "If I remember correctly, Yan Fengju is your half-sister, right?"

She pronounced the character "庶" (shu) very heavily.

"Don't you know, sister, that Yan Fengju has joined the Heavenly Crafts Bureau?" Yan Fengxi said, "She's not the same as before. She has a proper official position in the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, and in terms of rank, she's even more respectable than the average young master from a prominent family."

Furthermore, Father has already said that she will be registered under my mother's name in a few days, and then she will be the legitimate daughter of the heir. Such a status is more than enough for the position of Crown Princess.

"Are you telling the truth?" Pu Mingyue asked, half believing and half doubting.

Yan Fengxi: "Of course."

Pu Mingyue frowned and thought for a moment, then asked, "Why are you telling me this?"

Yan Fengxi looked at her and smiled, "Of course I don't want Yan Fengju to have an easy time. She, a concubine's daughter, has obtained an official position and will become a legitimate daughter in the future, while I, the legitimate eldest daughter, am left in an awkward position."

Lately, my grandfather has only had eyes for her. Whenever there's something good in the house, he eagerly sends it to her courtyard. Even the position of Crown Princess is clearly meant for her.

Why should I? She's gotten all the benefits, why should I take the blame for all the gossip and attacks? I might as well be upfront and let those eyeing the Crown Princess position go and cause trouble for her, instead of bothering me. That way I can have some peace and quiet.”

Her nonchalant yet resentful demeanor completely convinced Pu Mingyue, though she stubbornly insisted, "Who's coveting the position of Crown Princess?"

Yan Fengxi glanced at her again, then stood up with a smile. "It's best if you don't covet it, but if you ever find Yan Fengju disagreeable and teach her a lesson, just let me know so I can be happy."

After saying that, she got up and walked out, while Pu Mingyue sat there lost in thought.

Meanwhile, the second aunt returned to the mansion. After some deliberation, she went to her husband Cheng Jinchuan's study and recounted her encounter with Yan Fengxi and Pu Mingyue's confrontation at Qiongjiu Pavilion. Then she said:

"I felt something was strange at the time. Although there were rumors that Yan Fengxi, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Yan, would be the Crown Princess, it was just a rumor. Everyone was watching and waiting. No one would jump out and say anything until things were settled."

However, when Pu Mingyue spoke to Yan Fengxi, there was a hint of bitterness in her voice, clearly indicating her dissatisfaction with Yan Fengxi becoming the Crown Princess. Why? Was this Pu Mingyue's own idea, or the Pu family's?

Cheng Jinchuan's expression grew increasingly grave as he listened. Everyone in the court knew that Pu Tonghe, the Minister of Personnel, was personally promoted by the Emperor and enjoyed his utmost trust. However, it was now clear that the Emperor had no intention of having the Crown Prince succeed to the throne. Why would Pu Tonghe want to collude with the Crown Prince?

Could it be Pu Mingyue's own idea? Cheng Jinchuan immediately denied it. The upbringing of noble ladies from prominent families is never as simple as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting; it also requires studying the ways of managing a household, understanding human relationships, and discerning the trends in the court.

After marrying into prominent families and becoming matriarchs, they not only had to manage the household affairs well, but also played an important role in family alliances and maintaining power, making them a key link in consolidating the family's position.

As the Minister of Personnel, Pu Tonghe held a pivotal position in the court, and his children could not possibly be ignorant. Pu Mingyue should have been well aware of the ever-changing political landscape and the ebb and flow of various factions, and would not be so lacking in discretion as to confront Yan Fengxi solely based on personal preference for the position of Crown Princess.

So, is it Pu Tonghe who wants the position of Crown Princess? Or did the Crown Prince promise Pu Tonghe the position of Crown Princess for his daughter?

Thinking of this, Cheng Jinchuan broke out in a cold sweat.

If his guess is true, then who exactly is Pu Tonghe working for?