Chapter 98 Xie Guidu's Choice

When the carriage stopped at the palace gate, Cuizhi lifted the curtain and saw an exquisite golden nanmu carriage parked not far from the palace gate, with Moyu and another guard standing guard near the carriage.

At this moment, Xie Guidu, with an extraordinary bearing, hurried out of the palace gate.

Cuizhi whispered a reminder, "Miss, it's Prince Xie!"

Dou Wenyi was about to get off the carriage, but upon hearing this, she sat back down. Xie Guidu had saved her last time, after all, but she didn't want to run into him, so as not to make things awkward for both of them.

In their past life, he owed them a life. One life for another, so they owed each other nothing. From now on, they should be strangers and keep to themselves.

Xie Guidu lifted the curtain and boarded the carriage. Dou Wenyi vaguely caught a glimpse of a vermilion python-patterned hem inside the carriage, and immediately began to guess who was inside.

......

Xie Guidu lifted his robe and sat down, then respectfully greeted, "Your Highness, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Inside the carriage, the man sat casually, his well-defined hands holding a chess manual. His luxurious robe draped over a brocade cushion, and a faint sandalwood scent filled the air.

Pei Shaoqin, with his cold and handsome face, casually put down his book, and his lips curled up almost imperceptibly. "It's alright, Guidu. Didn't I say we don't need to be so formal in private?"

"I dare not forget the proper etiquette between ruler and subject," Xie Guidu replied calmly, his dark gaze lingering on the graceful figure that disappeared through the palace gates.

“The fourth young lady of the Dou family arrived at the palace gate long ago; she was deliberately avoiding you.” Prince Rui followed his gaze, his tone tinged with regret.

Xie Guidu came to his senses and said, "I don't blame her. She was just deceived by a villain. She will return to my side one day."

Pei Shaoqin, filled with doubt, chuckled deeply, "The Zhang family is nothing to fear, and disrupting their marriage is by no means difficult. But why did you break off the engagement in the first place?"

Xie Guidu felt a surge of resentment when he recalled Pei Siyan's interference in forcing him to break off the engagement. "It was my momentary lapse of judgment that led to this terrible mistake..."

He paused, then changed the subject, "Has Your Highness reached a conclusion regarding the Zhang family's matter?"

Pei Shaoqin understood immediately, nodded and smiled, "Thank you, brother. Don't worry, it will be done soon."

Xie Guidu remained silent; he had merely hinted at it to Prince Rui.

Following the trajectory of his previous life, the entire Zhang family was raided and their property confiscated. He merely accelerated the process, so it can't be considered harming the innocent.

A short while later, the carriage stopped at Qingfeng Study in the West Market. Xie Guidu made an excuse that he needed to go and find some ancient books, and then left.

Only after he had walked away did the attendant beside Prince Rui speak in a low voice, "Your Highness, it seems that Prince Xie is holding back."

Pei Shaoqin remained silent for a moment before saying quietly, "A loyal minister does not serve two masters. He is testing my strength. It's alright."

At the beginning of the year, Pei Shaoqin had also extended an olive branch to Marquis Dingyuan, but Marquis Dingyuan brushed it off; his silence was a polite way of refusing.

Unexpectedly, a few days ago Xie Guidu, contrary to his usual behavior, took the initiative to come and surrender. The Xie family of Chenjun was a powerful and influential family, and Xie Shizi was a leading young talent, highly regarded by the literati. Gaining his support was equivalent to gaining the support of the Xie clan.

Prince Rui was overjoyed. His advisor immediately presented the Xie family's official report, and he learned that the Xie and Dou families had not only broken off their engagement, but had also had a very awkward falling out.

Xie Guidu's only condition for surrendering was that he would be granted Dou Wenyi after ascending the throne. Since ancient times, even heroes have found it hard to resist the charms of a beautiful woman. Whether it was unrequited love or acting on impulse, he was no exception.

Where there is something to desire, there is a weakness, which makes it easier for him to exploit and control it.

Pei Shaoqin was willing to help make this a happy occasion, but this fourth young lady of the Dou family seemed to be quite extraordinary.

Back then, Consort Jiang was sent to Pei Siyan's bedside. He not only turned the situation around but also turned the tables on them. Miss Dou happened to be in the detached palace at the time.

When Prince Duan fell from his horse, the poison on the arrowhead went undetected even by the imperial physician, but she easily discerned it.

I heard that she was also present when Meng Jingshu was pranked and turned into a "lucky woman" at Chaotian Temple.

And then there was the Dou family kiln incident. If it weren't for Miss Dou's intervention, the explosion of that pile of gunpowder would not only have covered up the illegal fireworks workshop, but it would have also made Pei Siyan take the blame, solidifying his guilt in condoning the Yue family's violent act. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned...

Look, this fourth young lady of the Dou family seems to be blessed with good fortune, always managing to appear at just the right moment.

——

Jingren Palace.

Inside the hall, a faint fragrance of incense filled the air, rich and pleasant, refreshing and delightful.

On the imperial chaise lounge, Consort Zhang wore a magnificent brocade robe, her hair piled high with jewels and jade, her face was exquisitely beautiful, and her phoenix eyes were both charming and dignified. She exuded an air of elegance and nobility.

After Dou Wenyi greeted her and took her seat, Consort Zhang didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point, "I've heard that you have no feelings for Chengxian?"

Consort Zhang treated her much colder than usual, her phoenix eyes filled with oppressive power.

Therefore, it is even less likely that she would bestow many rewards upon her after learning that she had refused the marriage proposal; the rare treasures that day must have come from the Eastern Palace.

Dou Wenyi sat up straight, her brows furrowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, I regard Zhang Chengxian as my lifelong confidant, and there is indeed no romantic feeling between us."

Consort Zhang was slightly taken aback, not expecting her to be so frank.

Regardless of family background or character, Zhang Chengxian is outstanding. There are not many young talents who can surpass him, and she is really unwilling to accept it.

"Aren't you afraid of having difficulty finding a husband in the future, since you've broken off your engagement? Or do you have someone you love?"

"Your Majesty, I have no one I love. I was deeply hurt by Prince Xie, and my heart is filled with both joy and sorrow. I feel as if life has been but a dream. Therefore, I am being cautious about marriage. I hope Your Majesty will understand." Dou Wenyi took a deep breath, her words extremely sincere.

At this moment, a young palace maid entered from outside and knelt on the ground in fear and trepidation. "Your Highness, Consort Jiang's knees are in great pain. Please, Your Highness, grant me permission to fetch a doctor."

Consort Zhang's expression turned slightly cold. That vile woman, Jiang Wan, almost framed the Crown Prince last time at the Imperial Palace. So, they moved her to a side hall of Jingkun Palace, intending to keep a close eye on her.

Unexpectedly, Consort Jiang was cunning and ambitious.

Not only her makeup and clothing, but also her speech and behavior, all imitated the late empress, seizing every opportunity to seduce Emperor Muzong.

Consort Zhang had warned her openly and subtly several times, and had also punished her several times.

She's really something else, never learning her lesson and always choosing to provoke. Today, she caught her red-handed, and Consort Zhang, in a fit of anger, naturally punished her by making her kneel for two more hours.

Consort Zhang frowned slightly, her face full of displeasure. "Can't you see I'm busy? Guards, drag her away!"

The young palace maid cried and was immediately dragged out.

A series of old memories suddenly flashed through Dou Wenyi's mind: Jiang Wan was pregnant, and she was the fuse that led to the downfall of the Zhang family.

She absolutely cannot have anything happen to her during this pregnancy at Jingren Palace.

Dou Wenyi hurriedly knelt on the ground, lowering her eyes, "Your Majesty, please summon the imperial physician immediately to examine Consort Jiang! She is already pregnant with the Emperor's child, and there is a risk of miscarriage..."

Consort Zhang's face showed a hint of anger, and her phoenix eyes revealed a sharp edge. "Dou Wenyi, how dare you interfere in my affairs!"