Chapter 394 What do you want?

Pu Mingyue stared intently at Yan Fengxi's retreating figure, her chest feeling suffocated and burning as if filled with oil-soaked cotton. She was the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Personnel; her father had spent countless sleepless nights working for the Crown Prince, removing countless obstacles for him. The position of Crown Princess was already a foregone conclusion!

Now it's going to be taken by someone else? And by Yan Fengju, that illegitimate daughter? By what right?

She couldn't swallow this insult. Whether Yan Fengxi's words were true or false, Yan Fengju needed to be taught a lesson. If it was true, it would be a good way to curb her arrogance, preventing her from daring to act like the principal wife in front of her after she actually entered the Eastern Palace. If it wasn't true, it would serve as a warning to Grand Tutor Yan's family, telling them not to think that just because they were associated with the Crown Prince, they could look down on the Pu family.

The wind swept petals past her feet, and she snapped her eyes shut. When she opened them again, all that remained in her eyes was a cold, resolute determination.

.........

At the flower-viewing banquet at the Princess's residence, the sounds of flutes and pipes filled the air, laughter and chatter creating a harmonious and joyous scene. However, just as it was about to end, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Personnel accidentally fell into the lake but was rescued by the Crown Prince. The news left the powerful and influential in the capital bewildered about the current situation, and they could only wait and see.

Inside the Imperial Study, the Emperor listened to Zhao Fuquan's report: "...It is said that Lord Pu's eldest daughter accidentally fell into the lake while boating on it. His Highness the Crown Prince was on the lakeside and jumped in to save her."

After saying this, Zhao Fuquan bent down and carefully looked at the emperor. He saw the emperor's expression change from serious to angry and then slowly return to calm. He said, "Keep an eye on him and watch carefully."

"yes."

Zhao Fuquan carefully withdrew. Just then, a commotion arose outside. He hurried out to see what was happening and found Consort Su standing at the entrance of the Imperial Study. Zhao Fuquan quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Consort Su."

Upon seeing Zhao Fuquan, Consort Su set aside her usual airs of a noble consort, lowered her head slightly, and said with a smile, "I wish to see the Emperor. I hope Eunuch Zhao will inform him."

"Please wait a moment, Consort Su." Zhao Fuquan turned and entered the imperial study, telling the emperor that Consort Su was outside. The emperor frowned upon hearing this, paused for a moment, and then said, "Let her in."

Zhao Fuquan withdrew, and the Emperor picked up his cup and took a sip of tea. He somewhat regretted having indulged Consort Su and the Qingshan Earl's family too much. At the time, he thought he could use Consort Su and the Qingshan Earl to keep the Empress and the Chengen Marquis in check, but he didn't expect that the Empress and the Chengen Marquis would remain as steady as ever, while Consort Su and the Qingshan Earl would become increasingly arrogant and reckless in their actions.

Pu Tonghe was one of the few ministers he trusted, yet they dared to plot against him.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Consort Su's voice pulled the emperor back to his senses. He looked over and saw Consort Su dressed in a plain white gauze palace gown, wearing only a jade hairpin. Her face was pale and somewhat haggard. Yet, her delicate appearance made her features appear even more beautiful, and for someone in her thirties, she possessed a touch of pitifulness.

The emperor gave a faint "hmm," and said, "Rise."

However, Consort Su remained kneeling on the ground without moving. Instead, she raised her somewhat pale face and said, "I just heard that the Crown Prince saved Minister Pu's eldest daughter. I was truly terrified and dared not delay for even a moment. I have rushed here to apologize to Your Majesty."

The emperor sat behind a large table, looking down at Consort Su kneeling on the ground. After a moment of silence, he said, "It was just an accident. You don't need to come and beg for forgiveness."

"Your Majesty, please forgive me," Consort Su said, her voice trembling slightly as she gripped her skirt tightly. "Although it was an accident, the Crown Prince is still a man. Miss Pu is a young lady who has not yet married. If word gets out that he came to her rescue so personally, wouldn't it ruin her reputation? It's all my fault for not disciplining him properly. He acted so rashly."

"What do you want?" The emperor looked at her and asked in a emotionless voice, "To make Pu Tonghe's eldest daughter the crown prince's principal wife?"

Consort Su lowered her head and remained silent. At this moment, Zhao Fuquan carefully entered and reported, "Your Majesty, Lord Pu requests an audience."

The emperor frowned slightly, glanced at Consort Su, and said, "You should go back now."

Consort Su rose, bowed to the Emperor again, and withdrew. Watching her departing figure, the Emperor said to Zhao Fuquan, "Let him in."

Zhao Fuquan withdrew, and the emperor, his eyelids drooping, tapped his fingers on the table. A moment later, Pu Tonghe rushed in, looking flustered, and knelt on the ground with a thud, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

The emperor looked at him with deep eyes. Even his trusted ministers began to suspect that Pu Tonghe was colluding with the crown prince.

"Speak, what is it?" the emperor said.

Pu Tonghe kowtowed, "Your Majesty, I am guilty! My daughter, Mingyue, was reckless and improper at the Princess's residence today and accidentally fell into the water. It was only thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince's rescue that she was able to save her life. However... however, the fact that a man and a woman were alone together and touched each other has already tarnished the reputation of our lady-in-waiting."

I originally intended to send her to a manor on the outskirts of the city, so she could spend the rest of her days in seclusion, thus preserving the reputation of the Pu family. But she… she actually tried to kill herself. I have cherished her for over a decade, and I simply cannot bear to see her degrade herself like this!

The emperor looked at him in silence; the imperial study was eerily quiet, a silence that was almost oppressive. After a while, the emperor finally spoke: "What do you want?"

Pu Tonghe kowtowed again, "I was born into a humble family, and it is only through Your Majesty's grace that I have been able to rise to this position and hold the post of Minister of Personnel. My only thought in this life is to repay Your Majesty's grace with my life and my blood, and I have no other intentions."

But now… now that my daughter has suffered this misfortune, and although she has been rescued by His Highness the Crown Prince, her reputation has been damaged. I dare not ask for anything else, I only beg Your Majesty to allow me to resign and return to my hometown, and to grant my daughter permission to marry into the Eastern Palace and serve His Highness the Crown Prince.

Thus, the life of this young woman is spared, and the dignity of the royal family is not tarnished. Your Majesty, I...I resign from this official robe, hoping for Your Majesty's grace."

He spoke with such sincerity that the emperor leaned back in his chair, his expression softening considerably. "There's no need to talk about resigning anymore. You may rise."

Pu Tonghe stood up, bowed, and stood to one side. At this moment, Zhao Fuquan entered again and reported, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience."

The emperor's expression darkened again. "Let him in."

A moment later, the Crown Prince entered and knelt down, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

The Crown Prince kowtowed on the ground, his voice tinged with shame, “Today at the banquet at the Princess’s residence, I saw someone fall into the lake. There was no one else around, so in a moment of panic I jumped into the water to save them.”

Only afterwards did I learn that the person who fell into the water was the daughter of Minister Pu. Afterwards, I realized that my actions were inappropriate and too rash, and I had offended Miss Pu. I know I was wrong, and I have come to apologize to Your Majesty.”

"What do you desire?" the emperor asked, looking at him. "Do you wish to marry Minister Pu's daughter as your principal wife?"