Chapter 727 Instigation
"Will this... will this work?"
When Grandma Fu heard this, she was startled, but also a little tempted.
"If even the sixth prince himself is unwilling, how could the princess be willing?"
Old Man Fu hesitated, "Isn't this a bad idea?"
"We've already displeased the sixth prince with the matter of taking a concubine; if we anger the princess as well..."
It seems their entire family is really going to be sent back to their hometown.
Just then, the beautiful woman who had been silent all along said in a cool and aloof tone, "How do you know it won't work if you don't try?"
"Whether the deal goes through or not, your family will never return the betrothal gifts you gave to my family."
Hearing this, both Grandma Fu and Grandpa Fu felt a pang of heartache.
This girl's name is Qin Shuang. Her father was a scholar, her elder brother was also a scholar, and she had several brothers and nephews who were also studying. The whole family were scholars.
But ironically, this entire family of scholars all stopped at the level of Xiucai (a degree in the imperial examination system).
How can I accept this?
As a result, the Qin family failed the imperial examinations every year!
People participate in the examinations every year, whether it's the county examination, the prefectural examination, or the township examination.
No matter how much wealth they had, it was all squandered on the education and exams of their family members.
Thus, the Qin family's daughters became bargaining chips for exchanging money.
Fortunately, the Qin family knew what kind of girls were favored and could bring in more betrothal gifts.
Therefore, the Qin family never criticized their daughters. Instead, they taught them to read and write from a young age, cultivating their refined and elegant character.
There was only one rule: from a young age, they were told that when they grew up, they should marry into a good family or a wealthy family, whether as a wife, a second wife, or a concubine, they should always bring back a high dowry for their family.
In this respect, the Qin family still possessed a gentlemanly demeanor. At the very least, they explained everything clearly.
Therefore, after Qin Shuang was chosen by the Fu family, the Fu family spent a full two hundred taels of silver to bring her back from the Qin family.
Two hundred taels!
Their whole family toiled in the fields their entire lives and never saved up this much money!
In other words, once they arrived in the capital, their son became the emperor's son-in-law, and the princess was very generous; even a little bit of money that slipped through her fingers was enough for them to live on for a lifetime.
Regardless, two hundred taels was still a painful sum for them.
If the woman they bought could give them a grandson, they wouldn't say anything more.
If you buy the person but fail to achieve your goal, and you can't get your money back, then you've really lost out big time.
When the Fu family elders thought about it, they were truly heartbroken.
Seeing this, Cui'er quickly chimed in, "Miss Qin is right. How will we know it won't work if we don't try?"
"The prince consort's refusal to take a concubine must be due to his concern for the princess."
"But what if we could get the princess to agree?"
"Will the prince consort still object?"
Grandma Fu was still hesitant, "Will this really work?"
Cui'er thought for a moment and then advised, "Grandma, you must have witnessed how devoted the princess is to her husband, right?"
"For the sake of your future husbands, the princess sent people from afar to bring you to the capital, arranged large mansions for you, and hired servants to provide for your entire family's food, drink, and entertainment."
"Even the trouble caused by the masters and young masters in the manor, the princess cleaned up their messes."
"If the princess hadn't valued the prince consort, would she have gone to such lengths for the Fu family?"
"Not to mention, the entire princess's residence has now been handed over to the prince consort."
"It's clear how deeply the princess loves her husband!"
The elderly couple nodded repeatedly, agreeing with what Cui'er had said.
Qin Shuang gave Cui'er a meaningful look, but said nothing.
From the moment she was bought back to the Fu family, she discovered that no matter what the elderly couple in the Fu family did, there was always this Cui'er instigating them behind the scenes.
No matter what it was, and no matter how timid, cautious, hesitant, or indecisive the elderly couple were at first, they were always persuaded by Cui'er in the end, and always did as Cui'er said.
For example, arranging for the prince consort to take a concubine.
She only found out several days after she was bought back that it was Cui'er who had instigated the prince consort to take a concubine, and the prince consort himself was unaware of it.
She investigated the reason because she had been bought back for several days, but hadn't even seen the real person, let alone served tea to the legal wife or consummated her marriage with the prince consort.
As a result of this investigation, she discovered Cui'er's unusual nature.
For example, it was Cui'er who suggested coming to the princess's residence to find the consort today.
She has been bought back for a while now.
However, the elderly couple couldn't make up their minds and were hesitant to tell Fu Wenqing about it. So they remained indecisive.
Cui'er, who advocated for taking a concubine and encouraged the old couple to buy her back, said nothing, as if she had forgotten about her.
But early this morning, Cui'er suddenly persuaded the old couple to bring her to the princess's residence.
She believed anything that was said to be harmless.
And now, this Cui'er has suddenly started urging the old couple to take her directly to beg the princess.
Tsk tsk, no matter how you look at it, this Cui'er has a lot of problems!
However, none of this concerns her.
Anyway, she's already enjoyed the life of a young lady in the first half of her life, so whatever happens in the second half is fate.
If it's fate, she'll accept it.
Then Cui'er continued, "The princess loves her husband so much, she certainly doesn't want to see him without an heir."
"When the time comes, we can appeal to her emotions and reason with her, and the princess might just agree."
"Besides, Grandma and Grandpa, you are the princess's parents-in-law, proper elders. As long as you lower your stance, say a few soft words, and even cry a little, you won't have to worry about the princess not agreeing."
"The royal family governs the country with filial piety, and as a member of the royal family, the princess must also be a person who understands filial piety very well. I think she would not refuse to give you two face."
Old Lady Fu was persuaded and looked at Old Man Fu.
Old Man Fu was also deeply tempted.
His eyes lit up especially when Cui'er mentioned that even members of the royal family valued filial piety.
"Grandpa?" Cui'er looked at Old Man Fu, "Don't you want the Prince Consort to bow respectfully to you and call you 'Father' affectionately?"
If they could meet the princess and obtain her consent, it would show that the princess respected the two elders.
With the princess's respect, would the son still dare to boss them around?
Old Man Fu was increasingly tempted, and after gritting his teeth, he nodded and said, "Alright! We'll do it your way!"
"Cui'er, lead the way, we'll follow you."
"Okay! I'll go right away!" Cui'er barely managed to suppress her excitement and quickly went out to make the arrangements.
Before long, Cui'er ran back with a beaming smile, "It's done! The gatekeeper has been lured away."
"I also found a little maid to lead us to the princess's residence. She's right outside the door, let's hurry out."
Old Man Fu quickly got up and walked out, "Alright, alright, I'm leaving now!"
Old Lady Fu also got up and started walking out, calling out to Qin Shuang as she went, "Come on, come on! Qin girl, you hurry up and follow me!"
Just as Cui'er was urging the Fu family elders to beg Princess Huaiyang, Fu Wenqing was at the door dealing with a group of distinguished guests who had suddenly arrived.
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