Chapter 146 I Don’t Agree (Two Chapters Combined into One)
Suddenly, Zhu Yu stretched out his hand to her: "Grandma, save me! I don't want to die. I still want to be filial to you. Grandma, you love me the most, don't you?"
There was still Ma's blood on Zhu Yu's mouth, but his voice was as gentle as a woman's, even with a little bit of coquettishness, just like a cute little granddaughter acting coquettishly to her grandmother.
Madam Wei's confused mind suddenly became clear. Yes, this was her Yu'er. Although he had no offspring, he was still her grandson, a grandson connected to her by blood!
She walked up to Zhu Yu involuntarily and held the hand that Zhu Yu extended.
Zhu Yu suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Grandmother, please ask Concubine Li to marry me to Zhao Yunnuan, the eldest princess of the Liang Palace. As long as she marries me, I will be saved, haha."
Zhu Yu's laughter was sharp, like a knife piercing Madam Wei's eardrums. She was startled and took a step back. "You want to marry her? Prince Liang won't agree."
If it were a month ago, whoever Zhu Yu wanted to marry, even if it was a princess, Madam Wei would have done everything she could to get her for him.
What's more, Zhao Yunnuan was of noble birth, and apart from being a little older, he was barely worthy of her Yu'er.
But now, Yu'er has no offspring, and even if Concubine Li agrees to this marriage, Prince Liang's Mansion will not agree to it.
"Good boy, let's change someone. Zhao Yunnuan is an old maid and is still in mourning. Besides, Grandmother has heard that she is rude and stupid. How can she be worthy of you? If you like a girl from the royal family, Grandmother will pick one for you from the royal family camp. I guarantee that she will be younger, prettier, and more obedient than Zhao Yunnuan. Okay?"
Zhu Yu narrowed his eyes and recalled the dream again. No, that was not a dream, that was something that really happened.
In his previous life, he must have been killed by Yan Xia. The reason why Yan Xia killed him was because of Zhao Yunnuan.
In this life, why did he become infertile so early, while Zhao Yunnuan was still a pure virgin? Why?
His marriage with Zhao Yunnuan was granted by the emperor, and they had been married in the chapel. Even in this life, Zhao Yunnuan should be a wife of the Zhu family. She would be a member of the Zhu family in life and a ghost of the Zhu family in death. She would die in the Zhu family. Even if he was about to fall into the abyss in the next moment, he would pull Zhao Yunnuan with him to jump in!
This is Zhao Yunnuan's fate. In her previous life, she failed to escape from the Baoqing Marquis Mansion. In this life, she has to come in and die here.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yu was extremely happy. Suddenly, Yan Xia's voice came to his ears: "Have you said enough? Let's go!"
The sound was like a loud thunder, shaking Zhu Yu's body violently.
Yan Xia, damn Yan Xia!
In her previous life, if there was no Yan Xia, Zhao Yunnuan would have died, and all the people in Prince Liang’s Mansion would have died. Who would have redressed her grievances?
But Yan Xia was willing to become the enemy of Baoqing Marquis Mansion for her. With nowhere to turn, he even killed people with his own hands.
It's a pity that I didn't get to see Yan Xia's end. The emperor would punish him, and my grandmother wouldn't let him go. Yan Xia would pay with his life. Haha, Yan Xia must have been tortured to death by slicing in his previous life. Yes, tortured to death by slicing!
The more Zhu Yu thought about it, the happier he became. He turned around and looked at Yan Xia. The weather was hot and Yan Xia was sweating profusely. His bronze skin was shiny and every pore was glowing with hot vitality. Even the bloodstains on his face that had not yet healed exuded masculinity.
Zhu Yu had known Yan Xia since childhood, but he had never looked at Yan Xia so closely and carefully as he did now.
If he didn't have gorgeous clothes and the status of the prince of Weiguo, this Yan Xia would be just a rough man, no different from those country folk.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yu felt happy again. No matter his background or appearance, he was no worse than Yan Xia, at least that was the case in his previous life.
And in this life...
It's just a matter of one root of offspring!
Zhu Yu's face was sometimes happy, and sometimes gritted teeth. Yan Xia's brows were locked into a 川 shape. His father had not lied to him. The eunuchs were indeed all confused.
"What are you dawdling for? Let's go!"
Yan Xia shouted loudly, shook the iron chain in his hand, and put it around Zhu Yu's neck accurately.
Old Madam Wei screamed, and Zhu Yu was dragged out by Yan Xia without any control.
Zhu Yu was once again arrested by Yan Xia and taken to the Ministry of Justice's prison. The next morning, the news shocked the entire capital.
"So being a eunuch also means going to jail."
"I don't know whether Prince Zhu is imprisoned in the men's prison or the women's prison."
"Master Yan is in a difficult situation. After arresting the person, he still has to worry about where to detain him."
......
The people were talking about it and were all worried about where Prince Zhu was imprisoned.
But unlike last time, this time, all the censors pretended not to know about this matter.
It was obvious that Yan Xia had trespassed into the Baoqing Marquis's residence without permission and offended a group of female relatives. In the past, this would have been enough for ten censors to scold him for an hour. However, today, the censors were still talking non-stop, but not a single word was mentioned about Yan Xia and Zhu Yu.
Not only the censors, but even those old guys in the court who liked to meddle in other people's affairs did not mention a word about what happened last night.
Are you kidding? Didn't you see that Wei Guogong was watching you closely? If anyone dares to say that Yan Xia did something wrong, the Yan family will come to your house and demolish it this afternoon.
Emperor Yongjia knew that the wind had changed and the Baoqing Marquisate was about to end.
After court dismissal, Emperor Yongjia wanted to go to the Empress. After the flower viewing party, the Empress had proposed several candidates for the title of Prince Consort. He had already seen them, so he wanted to talk to the Empress about it today.
But just when he was halfway there, he was stopped by someone, saying that Concubine Li wanted to see him.
Emperor Yongjia had no choice but to change his route and go see Concubine Li.
Eunuch Zhang on the side glanced at him, and the young eunuch went to inquire about the news. Soon, he got the news.
Old Madam Wei went to see Concubine Li!
Emperor Yongjia snorted coldly. It was always like this. Whenever there was something going on in the Baoqing Marquis' Mansion, Old Madam Wei would go to the palace to see Concubine Li, and then Concubine Li would throw the problem to me.
Emperor Yongjia even suspected that Madam Wei had saved Concubine Li's life, otherwise why would Concubine Li help Madam Wei unconditionally?
However, even if she really saved her life, she would have repaid it long ago. Concubine Li was not a docile and cowardly person. If someone else was so greedy, she would have been annoyed long ago. But towards Madam Wei, she seemed to have no temper at all and let Madam Wei have whatever she wanted.
While he was thinking, the carriage had stopped. Emperor Yongjia withdrew his thoughts. Although he didn't want to, he still had to face Concubine Li.
Sure enough, as always, after a few pleasantries between mother and son, Concubine Li got down to business.
But this time, what Concubine Li said made Emperor Yongjia stunned.
Did I hear it right? Concubine Li actually asked me to arrange a marriage between Zhu Yu and Zhao Yunnuan?
I did have this intention, but Zhu Yu was still intact at that time, and now Zhu Yu is no different from a eunuch. Even I dare not think about it, but Concubine Li, no, it is Madam Wei who dares to think about it!
Who gave her the courage to think that I would agree to marry Princess Liangdi to a eunuch?
If I really do this, I will become a tyrant in history books!
Even if I let Zhao Yunnuan go as a foreign marriage partner, it would be better than marrying her to a eunuch!
Even if there were no historical books in later generations, the civil and military officials in the court would make me restless.
Not only Zhao Yunnuan, but any other woman from the royal family cannot do that.
This is the bottom line of the royal family!
Emperor Yongjia never showed his emotions on his face, but Concubine Li still saw a hint of cruelty in his eyes.
The emperor was angry.
Concubine Li felt a little guilty. She was not really stupid. Didn’t she know that this was something that people criticized?
Of course she knew it, but Madam Wei's seemingly gentle but actually threatening tone forced her to take the responsibility for the matter.
"Yu'er is not seriously ill, at most he cannot have children. However, there are other males in the Baoqing Marquisate. If we adopt a child from his cousin and raise him under our knees, he will be no different from our own children, and all of them are descendants of the Zhu family.
If Zhao Yunnuan is virtuous, she would definitely not object. She wouldn't have to go through the pain of childbirth and get a son for free. This is something you wouldn't find even with a lantern."
The corner of Emperor Yongjia's mouth twitched. How shameless must one be to have such foolish dreams.
"Mother, do you know Zhao Yunnuan's identity?"
How could Concubine Li not know this? She forced a stiff smile and said, "No matter how high her status is, it is not higher than the emperor. The emperor has ordered a marriage, and the Liang Palace dare not disobey."
Emperor Yongjia sneered, "If I didn't want to order a marriage, would Marquis Baoqing dare to disobey?"
Concubine Li was stunned. She didn't expect the emperor to refuse so bluntly.
A wave of irritation welled up in her heart, and she said, "That Yu'er is also infatuated, and has deep feelings for Zhao Yunnuan. If Zhao Yunnuan knew that someone had been fond of her for a long time, she might be moved. When the emperor grants her marriage, it will be a beautiful thing for the lovers to finally get married. Besides, Zhao Yunnuan is already twenty years old. After the mourning period is over, she will be twenty-two. A twenty-two-year-old girl, how can she still get married? Not to mention that there is no good marriage opportunity. It's only Yu'er who doesn't mind her age. She will become the Crown Prince's wife when she enters the house. Isn't she satisfied?"
"Haha," Emperor Yongjia laughed out loud, "I only found out today that the daughter of my Zhao family is actually unable to get married."
Concubine Li was stunned. She knew very well what the emperor's sneer meant.
Her son has never been a good person.
Concubine Li suddenly felt a little scared. After all, it was not the flesh that fell from her body, and it always felt like there was a layer of separation.
She felt a little regretful that she shouldn't have gotten into trouble with this matter.
"Forget it, forget it. If the Emperor thinks this marriage is not good, then forget it. I will choose someone from the royal family."
As soon as he finished speaking, a ferocious look flashed across Emperor Yongjia's face: "Mother, do you intend to bring shame to the Zhao royal family through this marriage?"
Concubine Li was shocked: "Even if I just pick someone from the royal family camp, it will bring shame to the royal family."
"That won't do!" Emperor Yongjia slammed the table and stood up. "I hereby issue an edict to deprive Zhu Yu of his title as Crown Prince. I will have the Ministry of Justice handle the case impartially. Princes will be punished justly like commoners, let alone little Zhu Yu!"
Emperor Yongjia did not give Concubine Li a chance to speak, and left in a huff, leaving Concubine Li standing there in a daze. After a long time, she suddenly realized that this was not right. If she took away Zhu Yu's position as the crown prince, would Madam Wei let it go?
No, if the Ministry of Justice really handled the case impartially, Zhu Yu would have no way out.
Zhu Yu is Madam Wei’s only grandson. What will Madam Wei do if anything happens to him?
After thinking about it, Concubine Li decided to let her confidant leave the palace and tell Madam Wei that the emperor did not agree with this marriage, and hinted that Zhu Yu's case this time might be very difficult.
An hour later, the confidant came back and brought back a brocade box.
"Madam Wei asked me to bring this back for you to review."
Concubine Li frowned slightly and said to her confidant, "Open it."
The confidant carefully opened the box and was stunned when he saw what was inside.
It was a torn fishing net.
It's a fight to the death!
A chill surged up from the soles of her feet and spread throughout her body in an instant. Although it was a hot summer day, Concubine Li felt cold all over, as if she was in a cold winter.
She knew her cousin too well. She knew what she said and did what she did. Besides, her cousin was cold and ruthless to everyone except her own son and grandson.
Concubine Li could guess without much thought what Madam Wei meant by "all or nothing".
No, that matter must not be mentioned, never. Both Madam Wei and herself must take this secret to the grave!
In that case, let's bury Madam Wei along with this secret.
Concubine Li's eyes flashed with murderous intent. She said to her confidant, "The flowers in the imperial garden are all in bloom, right? Come with me to take a look."
......
Emperor Yongjia was in a bad mood, but he still went to the Queen's Palace. He still had a calm expression, and there was no sign that he was furious just now.
The empress presented the list of candidates for the prince consort. Emperor Yongjia also had a copy of the same list, and the one in the empress's hand was a backup.
In fact, Emperor Yongjia was very satisfied with this list. The empress was not only considerate, but also took the overall situation into consideration. Strictly speaking, all the candidates on this list were suitable.
Either they are the sons of noble families who have nothing but a title, or they are newly-minted scholars from humble backgrounds.
Moreover, none of these new scholars were among the top 20, nor did they pass the imperial examination to become Shujishi. Their future was in sight. In the capital city, where there were many talented people, they could only be considered mediocre. They were afraid that they would only be able to reach the fifth rank throughout their lives.
Emperor Yongjia knew what happened at the flower viewing party that day early in the morning.
Yang Shengqiu was so outstanding that many noble ladies flirted with him. Emperor Yongjia was originally worried that the empress would put him on the candidate list, but he didn't expect that the empress didn't write him on the list at all.
I am planning to use Yang Shengqiu.
Emperor Yongjia used his red brush to write a line on the name of Dai Fan and said to the empress, "This Dai Fan has no father or mother and grew up in a charity hall. He is suitable for Jiale."
Princess Jiale is timid and cowardly, and the royal family can't give her much, just enough to support a prince consort. If the prince consort's relatives are dragged into it, it is likely that they will not be able to support him. Dai Fan is the only one who is just right.
Emperor Yongjia also noted the name of Gao Lande: "Although he only ranked 58th in the imperial examination and came from a small family, he is a family of scholars and his ancestors produced great scholars. He is qualified enough to be Huixin's consort."
At this point, Emperor Yongjia thought of another scholarly family, the Nie family, the maiden family of the old Princess Liang, Nie. The one who was stabbed to death by Zhu Yu in a brothel was the second master of the Nie family.
That's a scholarly family, what a joke.
But Emperor Yongjia quickly thought of Zhao Yunnuan. He put down his red brush and said to the empress, "Zi Tong, among the sons of noble families in the capital, is there anyone of Zhao Yunnuan's age who is unmarried?"
The sons of noble families get married early. Even if they don't have a wife, they will have concubines, and they may even have several illegitimate sons and daughters.
The queen pondered for a moment, and then thought of one person: "The prince of Weiguo has never been married."
She had a clear memory. A while ago, when Yan Xia was injured, the wife of the Duke came to the palace. Every word she said was filled with blood and tears. She said that her son was pitiful. He was over 20 years old and still hadn't married. He didn't even have a concubine. If he was beaten to death by Madam Wei, he would not be buried in the ancestral tomb.
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