Huayang Palace was filled with gloom and desolation.
After hearing the decree of marriage, Fu Qianyin was stunned. She remained silent for a long time, and just looked into the distance with empty eyes.
Madam Fu sat on the couch and sighed. This was a happy occasion and she couldn't cry, but she couldn't help sobbing, "The first time I went to the palace to see the Queen Mother was because of Yu'er, and now it's Yin'er. How can I bear it?"
Fu Qianyu's face flushed crimson as she ordered Lingyun in. "Prepare the sedan chair and go to Zichen Palace."
Seeing that her elder sister was about to go crazy, Fu Qianyin quickly stepped forward to stop her: "Eldest sister, what are you going to do?"
"I understand the heartache of being a concubine better than anyone else. Now that there's no turning back, how can I just watch you fall into the abyss?"
"But now that the imperial decree has been issued, how can we still turn things around? If my sister really goes, won't others think that our Fu family has become rich and powerful and has become spoiled?"
Fu Qianyin held her sister's hand and said quietly, "Sister, you have come this far after a long journey through many thorns. How could I not know how much blood and tears you have shed? Besides, marrying Prince Gong may not be a bad thing. He is the emperor's younger brother, and now he holds military power. For our Fu family, it is also an additional layer of support."
Seeing her sister like this, Fu Qianyu felt indescribable sadness in her heart: "This is your lifelong happiness!"
Fu Qianyin raised her hand to wipe away the tears on her sister's face and smiled lightly, "Sister, there's no need to be sad for me. Perhaps Prince Gong is the one for me."
"What a bastard!"
Fu Qianyu was furious. "She was given the position of legal wife only after the eldest daughter of the Shang family threatened to commit suicide. She and Prince Gong grew up together. With such a mistress around, how can you expect to have a good life?"
Fu Qianyin smiled heartlessly, "I don't have a sweetheart, so I don't care who I marry. Now I'm the concubine of Prince Gong. With this relationship, I wonder if those people in the harem dare to plot against you. Besides, Prince Gong is a handsome man, so I won't suffer any loss."
——
When the Queen heard that Fu Qianyin was going to marry Prince Gong as a concubine, she immediately panicked. For the honor of the Su family, she went to the Zichen Palace immediately.
At that time, Zhao Yuancheng was still reviewing memorials. When he heard the announcement that the queen had arrived, he put down the pen in his hand and looked at her with a smile.
"It's freezing cold, and the Queen isn't feeling well, so why are you still thinking of coming here?"
The Queen motioned Xia He forward and said with a smile, "New Year's food is rich in meat and fish, so I asked the kitchen to stew a bowl of lotus seed soup. I collected it last summer and it's perfect for removing the greasiness."
Zhao Yuancheng smiled lightly, "The Queen is thoughtful. Please sit down."
"yes."
The Queen was helped to sit down and spoke softly, "I came here today to ask for a favor. I hope the Emperor will grant my request."
Zhao Yuancheng drank the lotus seed soup slowly and said calmly, "Tell me about it."
"My cousin Jingfei is of marriageable age. Looking around the entire court, the only one of her age is Prince Gong. I intend to marry Jingfei to him. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Zhao Yuancheng put down his bowl and took a handkerchief to wipe the stains from the corners of his mouth. He said slowly, "Yuan Yu's legitimate wife was married off by the Empress Dowager. The Su family is a prominent family, and they are willing to take their daughter as a concubine?"
The Queen smiled faintly, "Since ancient times, it has been normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines, based on the wishes of his parents and the words of his matchmaker. Moreover, he is a prince. Moreover, Prince Gong is a handsome man. If Fei'er can marry him, it will be a blessing for her."
"Since the Queen is willing, I will naturally not refuse." Zhao Yuancheng said with a smile: "Just like my sister Consort Yi, I will be canonized as a concubine and enter the palace together on the second day of the second month."
The Queen stood up, overjoyed: "Yes, thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
"Well, I have something else to do. Please kneel down first."
"I'll take my leave."
After the Queen left, Zhao Yuancheng immediately called Zhu Yu and said, "Go to Huayang Palace and convey the order. I will have dinner later."
Zhu Yu smiled and said, "Your Majesty and your Majesty are truly in tune with each other. Someone just came from Caiyang Palace and said that the kitchen has made a mutton hotpot today and would like to invite Your Majesty to taste it together."
Zhao Yuancheng raised his eyebrows and smiled faintly, "It's not that we have a tacit understanding, I'm just afraid that Concubine Yi will set up a Hongmen Banquet, who knows what will happen."
Having said that, there was a hint of doting in Zhao Yuancheng's voice.
In the evening, as soon as it got dark, Zhao Yuancheng got up and headed towards Huayang Palace.
Since the marriage between Fu Qianyin and Prince Gong has been decided, according to the rules, Mrs. Fu and Fu Qianyin must kneel down to express their gratitude.
Zhao Yuancheng waived his formalities and said with a smile, "I think Yin'er and Concubine Yi have a deep sisterly bond. No matter where she marries, it would be more convenient to stay in the capital. After the wedding, Yin'er can come to the palace and reunite with Concubine Yi at any time."
"Yes, it's the Emperor's grace, and the Fu family is naturally grateful."
Mrs. Fu and Fu Qianyin sat for a while, then got up and went back to their room. The room suddenly became quiet.
Zhao Yuancheng looked at Fu Qianyu's angry expression and said with a smile, "Why are you still angry?"
"Being able to marry into the palace is my little sister's blessing. I dare not be angry."
Zhao Yuancheng coaxed her gently, "I don't want your sister to be a concubine, but I have to consider the Queen Mother and Duke Rui's reputation."
Fu Qianyu turned around, her face expressionless. "Even if the emperor wanted to arrange a marriage for my younger sister, he should have told me first. How can I accept such a sudden arrangement?"
Zhao Yuancheng explained in a gentle voice, "It wasn't that I suddenly granted the marriage, but Yuan Yu fell in love with your sister at first sight. If it weren't for the incident with Duke Rui, your sister would have been the Princess of Gong by now."
"What?"
Zhao Yuancheng smiled and said, "That day, your sister was painting in the Imperial Garden, and Yuan Yu happened to enter the palace. To be honest, if it weren't for fate, how could it be such a coincidence?"
As he spoke, Zhao Yuancheng held Fu Qianyu's hand and said seriously: "Although Yuanyu is young, she is also very considerate. Your sister will not be wronged if she marries him."
After all, the person in front of him is the emperor, and he has his own considerations and tactics.
Although Fu Qianyu was angry, she had no choice but to soften her tone to get the best benefit for her sister.
"The Fu family is not comparable to the Duke's Mansion. I only have this one sister, but I hope the emperor can have pity on her."
Zhao Yuancheng nodded and said gently, "Don't worry. Since Yin'er is your younger sister, I will not treat her unfairly. Your father has made great contributions in the court, so I will make an exception and confer the title of Ying'an Xiangjun on your sister. In this way, the Duke's Mansion will naturally not dare to neglect her."
Fu Xiyu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled happily, "Your Majesty is so considerate of my sister. I don't know what to say."
Zhao Yuancheng reached out and cupped Fu Qianyu's cheek, kissing her gently. He said with an ambiguous look, "I'll remember this for you first. When you have the baby, think carefully about how to thank me."
Fu Qianyu spat and said coquettishly, "How dare the emperor be so indecent."
The two of them chatted and laughed for a while, and Zhao Yuancheng thought of the Queen's visit to the Purple Palace just now, and he said slowly, "The Queen just came to see me and mentioned her cousin's marriage. She is willing to marry into the palace as a concubine, and I have already accepted it."
A hint of coldness flashed across Fu Qianyu's eyes, but she spoke gently, "The Su family is a prominent family. Miss Su is a noble person. Your Highness is truly blessed."
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