Chapter 187
The sarcasm in the last four words was almost overflowing.
His old face turned pale with anger. He had lived a smooth life for most of his life, and before coming to the capital, he never imagined that he would be so angry at a young girl.
He suddenly regretted it; if he had just stayed in Yingzhou, none of this would have happened.
Although his son obtained the position of Lieutenant General, he also wanted the lucrative prize of Yingzhou. Judging from her current appearance, she was determined to obtain Yingzhou.
Unfortunately, he couldn't do anything about her, since behind her was Duan Gan, the Grand Councilor and a favorite of the Emperor.
"Don't be angry. I'm on the royal register, which means I am indeed a member of the Murong family. So handing over the fiefdom to me is no different from handing it over to you."
"The position of county magistrate is not enough for me. I will continue to strive for higher positions, and if I profit in the future, you will also share in the profits."
"You put my name on the royal register, wasn't it all for the sake of shared glory? I bet you thought that way back then because you were certain I would bring you even more benefits, weren't you?"
With her curved eyebrows and innocent, charming appearance, no one could tell that this woman had such a deep mind.
Those amber eyes were bright and beautiful, yet ambitious, brimming with a thirst for power.
Murong Huaishi took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his irritable mood. He had to admit that she was right, and he had no way to refute her.
He schemed against her, but ended up being controlled by her instead.
“The business dealings and local taxes in Yingzhou are extremely complicated and cannot be handed over so easily.”
"Xiao Tao, how about this, I will take charge for now, and then hand it over to you when the time is right."
Tao Tao heard this and found it to make some sense, but she also understood that it was just an excuse to delay.
"How about this, I won't look at Yingzhou's income and expenditure over the years. I'm sure you'll falsify the accounts to fool me. I just want money, not much. Give me a thousand taels of silver every month, deposited in a money shop in my name."
"One thousand taels?! And every month?" Murong Huai Shi stared at her wide-eyed, so shocked that his heart trembled as if he had seen a ghost.
"You're asking for way too much!" He hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands, his expression full of resistance.
She looked directly at him, took out a black and gold token from her sleeve, and fiddled with it intentionally or unintentionally, saying with a faint smile, "This is nothing to Yingzhou, isn't it?"
Murong Huai Shi stared at the token in her hand, his eyes narrowing slightly.
If he remembered correctly, this should be the Crown Prince's token. How did the Crown Prince's token end up in her hands?
Could it be that the Crown Prince gave it to her?!
Suddenly, he was shocked by this conjecture, but it was the only possibility. So, her relationship with the Crown Prince was really extraordinary? A woman who could receive a token from the Crown Prince would surely have the opportunity to become the Crown Princess in the future.
Even without it, the position wouldn't be lower than it is now.
In other words, the fact that he could refrain from befriending the Crown Prince does not mean that the Crown Prince could not be attracted to his adopted daughter. How can one be certain about matters between men and women?
After thinking for a moment, he nodded: "Alright, I agree."
Upon hearing this, Tao Tao's lips curled up, revealing a genuine smile. "I knew my godfather was someone who could assess the situation and act accordingly."
………
Qi Heng did not return to the East Palace, but went directly to the Kunning Palace.
When the messenger announced the arrival, the Empress was particularly surprised. Not to mention that he didn't come often, even if he did come, there was no reason for him to come in the middle of the night.
After dressing properly, the Empress walked into the hall and saw her son waiting there. A gentle smile appeared on her face, which resembled Qi Heng's. She affectionately reached out and took his hand, and slowly sat down.
"Heng'er, what's wrong? Why are you visiting your mother so late?"
He withdrew his hand, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his calm face, and said with clasped hands, "Your subject has disturbed you late at night, and hopes that Your Majesty will forgive him."
She glanced at her palm, her smile fading slightly: "It's nothing. I imagine you must have something important to say to come at this time. Please feel free to speak."
Upon hearing this, Qi Heng hesitated for only a moment before saying, "Hasn't Mother always wanted me to marry and have children? Your son..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Empress excitedly interrupted him: "Could it be that Heng'er has someone she admires? Tell your mother and let her hear which noble lady she is. Your mother will also personally ask the Emperor for a decree to grant her a marriage."
"I am in love with Murong Tao, the adopted daughter of the Prince of Yingzhou and the Princess of Huaimin. I would like to ask Mother to make arrangements for me to marry the Princess of Huaimin as my Crown Princess."
After he finished speaking, he unconsciously held his breath, feeling somewhat uneasy.
After many years, this was the first time he had revealed his feelings for his mother.
He still remembers when he was young, his mother said that as the future crown prince, he should not show his preferences and likes in front of others, otherwise it would become an opportunity for others to take advantage of him.
After she finished speaking, she personally destroyed the beautiful kite in his hand, smashing it to pieces, just like his confused and broken heart at that time.
At this point, he understood that the crown prince could not have any preferences. Over the years, he had always followed his mother's words and never showed any preferences in front of others.
Looking at his mother's expression now, he was glad that he hadn't agreed to her arrangements before.
Upon hearing this name, the Empress's expression froze for a moment. If she were Murong Huai Shi's legitimate daughter, she might be a suitable candidate for Crown Princess, but she was merely an adopted daughter. How could she be worthy of her?
Thinking about it at the time is one thing, but actually doing it is another.
She frowned, her expression unreadable, but this was the first time he had asked her for a favor. If she didn't agree, wouldn't that make things worse for the already strained relationship between mother and son?
She pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Heng'er, I am so glad that you have someone you admire. I wonder if Princess Huaimin feels the same way about you? And I wonder what Prince Murong thinks?"
"If you haven't figured out the young lady's thoughts, it would be inappropriate for the Empress Dowager to rashly request an imperial decree."
Qi Heng looked up at her, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes, and said excitedly, "So, Mother Empress agrees?"
Before she could answer, he continued, "I believe Xiao Tao is also interested in me. As for Prince Murong, I will visit him again tomorrow, and I hope Mother can come along."
The smile on the Empress's face vanished completely. She picked up the teacup beside her, took a sip, and said nothing.
After a moment of silence, she said, "How about this? Autumn is almost over, so we can hold another autumn appreciation banquet at Shouyue and invite the ladies and noblewomen of the capital to enjoy the flowers together."
"Therefore, Mother will later observe this county princess herself to see what she really means."
He was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you, Mother. I am grateful for your concern."
"but……"
Qi Heng's expression froze, and a hint of doubt appeared in her eyes.
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