"What important matters in the court could possibly escape the Emperor's notice?" Chu Feiyang withdrew his gaze from Han Che's eyes and spoke calmly. But inwardly, he sneered. He hadn't even made a move yet, but the Emperor had already struck first. He must have been incredibly angry this time, otherwise why would he have targeted Jiang Muchen?
"Then do we need it?" Qu Changqing stopped mid-sentence, realizing he was about to say something utterly treasonous. Inwardly, he sighed. If the Empress Dowager and the Emperor hadn't been so aggressive, he wouldn't have entertained such thoughts. Thinking of this, Qu Changqing's brows gradually furrowed, his eyes revealing a clear struggle and hesitation.
Chu Feiyang turned to look at him, seeing through Qu Changqing's thoughts at a glance, but did not force him to do anything. He just said lightly, "No need. If you only think about ignoring others all day, we won't be able to live like this! And this matter has nothing to do with you and me, there is no need to blame yourself! Let's go!"
After taking another look at the study behind the Golden Palace, Chu Feiyang retracted his slightly cold gaze and walked out of the hall with Qu Changqing.
"Seventh brother, you are not still thinking about Princess Chu, are you?" In the upper study, Emperor Yugan put away the coldness on his body, and the expression in his eyes relaxed a little, but his tone was still so tough. He pointed out Prince Chen's worries as soon as he opened his mouth, leaving the other party no way out or face.
Upon hearing this, Prince Chen's half-closed eyes instantly emitted a cold light, and a trace of anger rose in his calm heart. However, he knew that this was just Emperor Yugan's provocation, so he suppressed his anger and said calmly: "Your Majesty, I don't understand what you said!"
"Don't you understand what I said? Or did I not explain it clearly enough, and I need to explain it to you in detail!" When Emperor Yugan saw the cold look on Prince Chen's face, he knew that he had heard the meaning of his words and was pretending to be stupid. However, Emperor Yugan had already let all the civil and military officials in the court hear the content of the imperial edict today, so how could he let Prince Chen escape?
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I cannot accept your order!" But Prince Chen did not give Emperor Yugan a chance to make trouble and directly refused to accept the imperial edict.
At this moment, his face was indifferent, his eyes were firm, and his brows showed a toughness that showed he would not give in at all. In the eyes of Emperor Yugan, this became a threat and provocation.
"Pah!" He slammed his hand down on the table. With a sullen expression, Emperor Yugan stood up and pointed at Prince Chen, angrily saying, "Prince Chen, you're so bold! You even dared to disobey the imperial decree! You wanted to use Prime Minister Yun's imprisonment to replace Yun Qianmeng. Did you think your plan was so flawless that no one would know about it? If this were to get out, not only would your reputation be ruined, but Princess Chu would also be cursed by the people!"
As soon as these words came out, Prince Chen's expression instantly turned gloomy. His eyes shot coldly at Emperor Yugan. Seeing the viciousness in his eyes, he said coldly, "Your Majesty, I have no improper thoughts about the daughter of Jiangcheng's richest man. Your Majesty, you forced me to take a concubine. Aren't you afraid that everyone in the court will laugh at you for abusing your power?"
Prince Chen was not someone to be trifled with, and he had already been filled with rage. Since Emperor Yugan had revealed everything and dragged Yun Qianmeng into this, he naturally wouldn't be in a good mood, and he started threatening Emperor Yugan the moment he opened his mouth.
If the entire court knew that Emperor Yugan had forced Prince Chen to marry someone he didn't love, even if it was a well-intentioned move, he would be criticized. If he treated his own younger brother this way, he would probably be even more cruel to other ministers who had no blood relationship with him.
"You can't deny that your actions have ruined that woman's reputation. As a man, how could you just sit back and do nothing? Is this what the Concubine taught you?" But since Emperor Yugan had already issued the imperial decree, it was naturally impossible for him to be easily dismissed by Jiang Muchen's words. He had been prepared and was full of reasoning. Now he even brought up the woman's reputation. "If you hadn't insisted on canceling the marriage with Prime Minister Yun, I'm afraid today's Princess Chu would have already been Princess Chen! How do you know that the daughter of Jiangcheng's richest man isn't a woman of extraordinary talent? Perhaps she is even more outstanding than Princess Chu? Do you still want to make the daughter of Jiangcheng's richest man a laughing stock?"
However, Emperor Yugan's earnest words of advice were only met with a cold sneer from Prince Chen. He narrowed his eyes slightly, emitting a resolute and cold light. He said firmly, "Since Your Majesty is so eager to see the daughter of Jiangcheng's richest man, why not just take her in as a concubine and let her discover her merits? I have no plans or intentions to marry at this time, so please don't force it on me!"
Prince Chen spoke with great resolve, and he stood before Emperor Yugan with a body as strong as a pine tree, showing no intention of backing down.
However, the more he acted like this, the angrier Emperor Yugan grew. He pointed his finger at Prince Chen and tapped him three times, then said three "good"s in a smirk. Then he said in a cold voice, "You've made up your mind to go against me! Come, take that woman directly to Prince Chen's palace!"
After saying this, Emperor Yugan no longer looked at Prince Chen, but just threw away his sleeves and left the hall.
When Prince Chen saw Emperor Yugan leave, the calmness on his face instantly disappeared and was replaced by boundless effort. He then stepped out of the hall and headed straight towards Prince Chen's Mansion.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor ordered eight people to bring the daughter of the richest man in Jiangcheng to our Prince Chen's Mansion in a sedan chair. The sedan chair is now parked outside the palace gate!" After hearing the news from the housekeeper, Nanny Jiang's face suddenly became extremely ugly. Without saying a word, she hurried back to the Dowager Concubine's Courtyard and reported the matter to Dowager Concubine Yuande.
"What?" Concubine Yuande was in the process of selecting a princess for Prince Chen. Upon hearing Nanny Jiang's words, she threw the scroll in her hand onto the table. She stared at Nanny Jiang with an unpleasant expression, demanding, "What happened? Why would the Emperor interfere in Chen'er's marriage?"
However, at this point, Concubine Yuande had a vague premonition in her heart. The emperor's departure from the palace and the city last night had already been reported by all officials, and Concubine Yuande naturally knew about it. She was afraid that the emperor's actions were revenge for Chen'er's public refusal to open the city gates.
What a jerk Emperor Yu Gan is! Not only did he bully them, an orphan and a widow, but now he is insulting them like this. Does he really think that Prince Chen is still the child he used to be and can be slaughtered by him at will?
"Let's go out and take a look!" Concubine Yuande did not get furious. Instead, she stood up slowly, adjusted her palace dress, straightened the gold hairpin in her hair, then took Nanny Jiang's hand and slowly walked out of the gate of the palace under the protection of the guards.
"Your servant greets the Dowager Concubine!" Seeing that the gate of Prince Chen's Mansion was finally opened, but the person who walked out was the cold and aloof Dowager Concubine Yuande, the leading eunuch was slightly stunned, then he walked forward quickly with a shy smile and saluted respectfully to Dowager Concubine Yuande.
Concubine Yuande looked at the joyous sedan chair carried by eight men, and a murderous look flashed in her eyes. Seeing that many onlookers had gathered at the gate of Prince Chen's Mansion, her face turned even colder. However, she did not lose her temper on the spot. Instead, she stood at the gate of Prince Chen's Mansion, glanced coldly at the eunuch who was smiling extremely brightly in front of her, and said in a cold voice: "What kind of auspicious day is today? You actually let the eunuch come to Prince Chen's Mansion in person? Could it be that the Queen Mother missed me and sent a sedan chair carried by eight men to pick me up!"
The eunuch's smile faltered after hearing what Dowager Yuande said. He knew she had something else in mind. He had already sent someone to inform the steward of Prince Chen's mansion. How could Dowager Yuande not know that the person in the sedan chair was the Emperor's concubine, personally appointed by the Emperor? Yet, Dowager Yuande lied to the people, not only refusing to mention the concubine in front of them but also trying to get away with it. This deception would cost her life. If the Emperor blamed her, everyone who left the palace today would be dead.
Thinking of this, the eunuch's palms broke out in cold sweat, feeling that Concubine Yuande was really going to drive them to death. He could only try hard to calm his mind and said in a flattering tone, "Your Highness, today is the Prince Chen's Mansion..."
"What? Doesn't the Empress Dowager miss me? Or is it that Old Lady Chen of Rong Mansion is well again? This is also a happy event! However, if you want to announce the good news, you shouldn't come to Prince Chen's Mansion, but go to Rong Mansion!" Little did he know that Concubine Yuande had already predicted what he wanted to say, and interrupted the eunuch with a few words, and continued speaking calmly.
For a moment, the onlookers dispersed, somewhat bored. This was the imperial family's business, what did it have to do with them? Furthermore, if it was true, as the Empress Dowager claimed, that the eunuch had taken the wrong path and disgraced the imperial family, and if the Emperor were furious, everyone watching would be silenced. There was really no need for them to get involved. Especially since Empress Dowager Yuande's expression was so cold, her eyes so sharp, that even if they had the courage to pray for heaven, they wouldn't dare to watch the foolishness of Prince Chen's mansion again.
In just a moment, the originally noisy gate of Prince Chen's Mansion became extremely quiet, leaving only the eunuch's slightly awkward laughter ringing in everyone's ears.
"Your Highness, why do you have to make things difficult for me? This person has been sent to the gate of the palace for you. It is also a token of the emperor's goodwill. Please accept it, so as to avoid estrangement between the emperor and the prince!" Seeing that the face of the Concubine Yuande was always dull, the eunuch felt a little embarrassed, so he whispered in front of the Concubine Yuande, with a hint of threat in his words.
Little did she know that Concubine Yuande really didn't buy it. The rift between Prince Chen and Emperor Yugan was not caused today. The hostility between the two was destined from the day she and Concubine Ruan Shu entered the palace. They had been fighting for so many years. If it weren't for that bitch Queen Mother who got involved, what place would Emperor Yugan have in the world of Western Chu?
The more she thought about this, the angrier Concubine Yuande grew, and the more impatient her expression became. Especially since there were no strangers at the palace gate at this time, she pointed directly at the eight-man sedan chair and said coldly, "I appreciate your kindness, Your Majesty, but I will choose my own wife! Your Majesty is busy with all sorts of affairs, and there is no need for him to worry about such trivial matters! Someone, show them away!"
Having said that, Concubine Yuande turned around and prepared to leave.
But the eunuch would not give in. If he carried the man back, this day next year would probably be his death anniversary. He suddenly took a step forward, followed closely by Concubine Yuande's side, and advised, "Your Majesty, the imperial decree has been issued. If you do this, you will be disobeying the order and will be..."
He did not say the rest of the words. He was still a little worried about saying "the whole family will be executed" in front of Concubine Yuande.
"The emperor and the prince are both heirs of the late emperor. Although they are not born of the same mother, they are brothers with the same blood! Now that you say such things, do you include the emperor in it?" Being threatened repeatedly by a eunuch, Concubine Yuande was already furious in her heart, but she also knew that if she made a mistake and others found out about her fault, the only one who would be implicated would be Prince Chen. Therefore, Concubine Yuande responded more cautiously.
The eunuch had never expected that Concubine Yuande would be so eloquent. Normally a man of few words, she had become eloquent and even managed to entangle the Emperor. Anger gradually grew in his heart. He slowly stood up and pulled out the imperial edict from the morning court. Just as he was about to read it aloud, he heard the sound of horse hooves approaching from afar...
Everyone turned to look in the direction of the long street, only to see Prince Chen leading Ning Feng as they galloped back towards Prince Chen's mansion. His already icy eyes froze into ice when he saw the sedan chair parked at the door of Prince Chen's mansion. Turning around, he saw that he had arrived in front of Concubine Yuande. He stared at the eunuch holding the imperial edict with a cold look on his face and immediately ordered Ning Feng, "Kick him out!"
"Wait a minute!" Unexpectedly, it was Concubine Yuande who spoke up to stop Prince Chen.
She glanced at the eunuch with an unpleasant expression, raised one hand slightly to stop Ning Feng from taking the next step, and said to the eunuch in a cold voice, "This imperial decree is rejected on behalf of Prince Chen! Although my Prince Chen's mansion is not a big one, not just anyone can enter!"
"Mother!" But Concubine Yuande's words caused Prince Chen to immediately refute. How could he have expected that Concubine Yuande would disobey the order for him?
For a moment, Prince Chen's brow furrowed, his eyes glaring at the eunuch, and he angrily declared, "I will not accept your order! No woman in this world, save for one, is worthy of entering Prince Chen's Palace!"
When Concubine Yuande heard the words that Prince Chen had deliberately added, a flash of displeasure appeared in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared and she regained her composure in an instant.
The eunuch also had his own dilemma. He looked at the imperial edict in his hand with a grim expression and whispered, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this imperial edict has already been issued. How can the Emperor retract it? Wouldn't that make the people of the world laugh at the Emperor? Moreover, the Imperial Concubine Rong in the palace is also the daughter of a merchant, yet she is now honored as an Imperial Concubine, and no one dares to speak up for her!"
"The Rong family is an imperial merchant family. They have made great contributions to the country and people of Western Chu. How can others compare to them? What's more, whether the person in this sedan chair is normal or not, I believe that eunuch knows better than us! Please go back!" As she said that, Concubine Yuande took the lead to step into Prince Chen's Mansion.
Seeing this, Jiang Muchen's eyes were filled with worry. Without even glancing at the eunuch, she immediately followed Concubine Yuande into the palace. She walked all the way to the Concubine's courtyard, dismissing all the maids. Only then did Prince Chen coldly ask, "Mother, why are you doing this? The Emperor only wants to embarrass me this time. Why are you getting involved in this mess?"
Now that Concubine Yuande had clearly stated that she was disobeying the imperial order on his behalf, he was afraid that upon hearing this, Emperor Yugan would surely turn all his wrath against Concubine Yuande. Although Prince Chen had argued with Concubine Yuande over Yun Qianmeng's matter, she was still his mother, and he saw all her sacrifices for him over the years. Now that he had finally gained the strength to protect her, he had no idea that he had put her in danger over this matter.
When Concubine Yuande saw the worry hidden deep in Prince Chen's eyes, she would be lying if she said she was not touched at all.
She reached out and pulled Prince Chen to sit down with her, and said with a look of relief, "If mother had not spoken up and refused, the emperor would have taken the opportunity to strip you of your military power! You didn't tell me about what happened last night, so you thought mother didn't know? But you didn't do anything wrong. The emperor's actions will only chill the hearts of the court officials. Who will dare to give him honest advice in the future? He just wants to use this opportunity to take back the Sparrow Talisman from your hand so that he can completely control this capital! But if you accept the imperial edict, I'm afraid you will become a laughing stock in the entire capital! Look at all the dignitaries in this capital. Who would marry a lunatic? What's more, you are a prince, the legitimate son of the late emperor! Mother did this just to avoid a fight between you and him, and to ensure the safety of our Prince Chen's Mansion! Chen'er, mother has no other wishes. As long as you are well, mother is willing to do anything!"
Listening to Concubine Yuande's analysis, Prince Chen's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and his face was tense and frightening. It seemed that Concubine Yuande's words must have ignited the anger in his heart.
Watching her son grow up, Concubine Yuande sighed in her heart. Now that Chen'er had grown up, she believed he would be able to protect himself well even if she was not by his side. Coupled with what she had just said, he would definitely put the overall situation first and not act rashly again.
In the residence of the Prime Minister of Chu.
"Princess, something big happened in the capital!" Yun Qianmeng had just led Mu Chun back to Mengxin Cottage from Nanny Xia's room when she saw Yingxia jogging in. She was out of breath, but her face was full of gloating expressions.
"What makes you so happy? Did you pick up some silver?" Yun Qianmeng joked when he saw her running with her face flushed.
"Princess, I see, she is being chased by a dog! Look at you, now following Princess, but still acting like a child. Be careful not to make Princess a laughing stock!" Mu Chun walked over, tapped Yingxia's little head lightly, and followed Yun Qianmeng in mocking Yingxia.
"That's not true!" Yingxia wrinkled her nose, then came to Yun Qianmeng in a mysterious tone, wiped the sweat from her head with one hand, and then said, "Princess, I just heard that the emperor ordered the daughter of Jiangzhou's richest man to be given to Prince Chen as a concubine, and even ordered the palace servants to escort the young lady to the gate of Prince Chen's mansion!"
Hearing Yingxia say this, not to mention Mu Chun, even Yun Qianmeng couldn't help but feel a little curious. Thinking of how Prince Chen treated Yun Ruoxue, they wondered how he would treat the daughter of the richest man in Jiangzhou.
"And then?" Muchun was already impatient to know what was going to happen next.
"Who knew that Concubine Yuande would actually defy the Emperor's orders on behalf of Prince Chen? The Emperor has just issued an order for Concubine Yuande to be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum and to stand vigil for the late Emperor for three years!"
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
I also come to a small theater:
Emperor: Prince Chen, will you marry her?
King Chen: If you don’t want to marry, then don’t marry!
Emperor: I must marry you, I must marry you! (Shout out more, win!)
King Chen: I won’t marry, I won’t marry, I won’t marry, I won’t marry, and I won’t marry (Yeah, I win!)
Chu Chu: I won’t go to court today. If I buy a big one, it means I will marry you. If I buy a small one, it means I won’t marry you. If I buy one, it means I will divorce you!
All the officials rushed forward!
Emperor, Chenchen: ...