Chapter 203 The Princess of Shangdi? ...
"Your Highness?" Xiao Dezi asked softly. He saw that after he finished speaking, the young prince, lying on the bed, smiled happily.
This is genuine joy.
Xiao Dezi seemed to be deep in thought.
Could it be that Your Highness also...
Come to think of it, Your Highness has reached this age.
I heard that although the Third Prince is imprisoned and has become a commoner, it doesn't prevent him from having illegitimate children. And those children are the same age as His Highness! His Highness has always insisted on cultivating his relationship with his wife and hasn't shown any interest in others. This…
Xiao Dezi was extremely worried when he thought about how the Emperor had listened to his ministers' advice and his first reaction was to bestow a palace maid upon his own prince, but he didn't intend to arrange a marriage for him.
"What are you spacing out for? Call someone in to wash up." Qi Chengming treated Xiao Dezi like family, so he didn't mind him standing there like a wooden post. He even reached out and nudged him, letting him sit on the edge of his bed to wake up. He then gave the rest of his instructions to the person outside.
The new faces filed in at the Second Prince's residence, rinsing their mouths, washing their faces, applying face masks, wiping their hands, helping them put on their outer garments, and tying their hair up—all done meticulously.
“Oh, Granny Liu said… she’s going back today.” Xiao Dezi came to his senses and shyly leaned close to Qi Chengming’s ear, whispering in a low voice that no one else could hear, “The two boys at the gatehouse went back with her quietly. They’re both veterans. Steward Song also said that Xiao Fangzi, who works for him, will personally keep an eye on this matter.”
Qi Chengming nodded without changing his expression.
Even Xiao Dezi, the messenger, didn't understand Song Gu's meaning, but as soon as "Xiao Fangzi" was mentioned, Qi Chengming understood: Liu's nanny's house was also within the radar's monitoring range—
So, on the surface, Granny Liu led people back, but secretly two boys were investigating something unusual, and even deeper, Xiao Fangzi was using radar to monitor some extreme situations, just in case.
For example, if someone wants to use Liu's husband's family to cause trouble, as long as the person is sneaking around in the vicinity or hiding in their house, they will be detected by radar. In this case, it is not easy to find them by searching by people alone.
A three-pronged approach.
That day, Qi Chengming pretended nothing was wrong and went to his maternal grandfather's house, waiting for news.
"Good boy, I didn't know you'd come all this way. My son's in-laws...?" The grandmother greeted Qi Chengming warmly, hugging him tightly and comforting him for a long time before finally regaining her composure and asking the question.
Strictly speaking, this was the first time Qi Chengming had met with his maternal grandparents' family since returning to the capital several months ago. He had been living a life of excessive activity lately, and the Marquis of Weiyong's residence had been keeping its doors closed to visitors, proceeding with extreme caution.
Qi Chengming was stunned for a moment before realizing that the question was directed at Yang's maternal grandmother—Shou's mother-in-law.
Since Wang Shou rejoined the army under the alias Yang Shou, he took his entire family to the capital to return home. He first met his grandparents, his wife, and children, kowtowed in the family genealogy, and then passed away. At that time, he entrusted Yang's maternal grandmother to Qi Chengming in Liuzhou for care. However, the old woman felt that it was improper for her to remain in the Wang family mansion alone, so she insisted on moving out and living on a nearby street.
Upon hearing this question, Qi Chengming understood. He turned around and saw his sister-in-law, Yang Tianniang, standing at the door with tears in her eyes, looking at him earnestly, as well as his much taller nephew, Yang Zhong.
His eyes lit up: "Zhong'er!"
At first glance, Zhong'er, with his chubby face, has grown taller and is already a five or six-year-old boy.
"Do you remember me?" Qi Chengming squatted down, gesturing for the little boy to come and hug him. He answered the question as he spoke.
“Grandma was worried about us, so she came to Beijing with us. My wet nurse has bought a small house in Beijing, where her goddaughter and Grandma Yang live. I’ll send someone to pick them up right now.”
"No, no, I'm going to see Mother," Yang Tianniang quickly said.
As a granddaughter-in-law whose "status was not to be seen in public," she was somewhat reserved living in the Marquis of Weiyong's mansion, so there was no reason for her to bring her own mother over as well.
The old Lady Weiyong seemed to get along very well with Yang Tianniang, and immediately had someone prepare the carriage.
Little Zhong'er, still full of youthful vigor, rushed into Qi Chengming's arms without any hesitation, bumping into his chest until it ached. His chubby little hands clung tightly to Qi Chengming's neck, almost choking him, as he shouted loudly, "I remember! Uncle Ming!"
This overwhelming emotion—
Good, good, good. As expected of someone of the Wang family bloodline, I know you are a descendant of the Weiyong Earl's branch.
Qi Chengming picked up Xiao Zhong'er, but saw Yang Tianniang immediately turn back and go out. A short while later, she returned with a very small child, intending to show it to Qi Chengming.
"This...this is..." Qi Chengming stammered, and couldn't help but quickly turn his head to glare at Wang Shuo, who was secretly laughing in the background.
Cousin!! Are you really that tight-lipped?!
"It was after Shouge joined the army... that I found out I was pregnant." Yang Tianniang looked lovingly at the sleeping baby in her arms, feeling a little scared.
At that time, she was staying in the capital, her mother was not by her side, and she didn't realize what was happening. If it weren't for her grandmother's sharp eyes and quick reaction, she would have miscarried due to the stress of the long journey.
"Grandpa named his little niece Xinyi," Wang Shuo chimed in, repeating, "Wang Xinyi, we usually call her by her nickname Xin'er."
He looked at Qi Chengming with a mischievous glint in his eyes, as if he were talking about something rare and precious. Wang Shuo could tell he'd been holding back for a long time and was about to blurt it out.
The Wang family has had very few girls across three generations! Apart from the aunt who went to the palace, there is only this little girl born to my cousin's wife.
"It's our first meeting, and I didn't bring anything nice with me today. I'll make up for it next time," Qi Chengming said, taking off the jade pendant from his waist and placing it in the little girl's hand.
He glared at Wang Shuo, his meaning clear: I'll deal with you later!
Wang Shuo's true nature was revealed. He winked at Qi Chengming mischievously but calmly, and quietly slipped out the door first. It was obvious that he was a skilled worker.
As Wang Shuo strolled along, a smug smile played on his lips, and he couldn't shake the grin.
These days, the house has become more lively: the sounds of children crying, the creaking of Grandpa as he teaches Zhong'er martial arts, and Mom's tired yet fulfilled face when she occasionally comes to visit. In my previous life, with only a handful of family members left, I never imagined this would happen!
Wang Shuo couldn't get enough of looking at his brother, so he went to prepare to write another letter to him.
In the main hall.
After Yang Tianniang hurriedly left with the child, only the old Weiyongbo couple and Qi Chengming remained.
Grandmother seemed to have something to say today. After dismissing the servants, she hesitated for a long time before speaking, and only after preparing herself mentally did she say: "Shuo'er has reached the age to inherit the title. My old friends have all left their words... I guess they will be sending out invitations after the New Year."
Qi Chengming was taken aback, realizing he had been reminded of something.
My cousin is of marriageable age now. Does my grandmother want him to know so he can prepare in advance? Or is she trying to gauge his opinion?
"I don't intend to use my cousin's marriage as an aid. As long as it's a family we know well and who is upright and honest, my maternal grandparents and cousin can decide for themselves. Once it's settled, I can also ask my father for an imperial decree to grant the marriage." Qi Chengming stated his position frankly.
Unless it's a marriage arranged arbitrarily by Emperor Hongren, his cousin's marriage, being from his maternal family, is unlikely to be involved with other forces. Of course, he still needs to be wary of malicious attempts to undermine his support.
The old man and his wife exchanged a glance but did not speak immediately.
Qi Chengming sensed something was wrong upon seeing this reaction, and his heart sank: "Is there some reason I don't know?"
"Do you know... His Majesty has only one beloved daughter?" the old Lady of the Marquis of Weiyong asked slowly. "She was born to the Empress and has been loved by His Majesty since childhood. Although she was betrothed a few years ago and was just waiting to get married, the man in that family unfortunately contracted the plague and died this month."
"What does this have to do with our family?" Qi Chengming's heart skipped a beat, and his brows furrowed. This was a rhetorical question. He was subtly inquiring why their family had suddenly come under the Empress's scrutiny.
“We were also completely baffled… but in the last couple of days I found out that the deputy supervisor who came to hold the succession ceremony that day was from the Empress’s palace. As soon as the news of Your Highness’s recovery spread, we understood why he came to curry favor and reveal the secret.” The old Lady of the Marquis of Weiyong, who was usually kind and gentle, now had a drooping face and raised eyebrows, looking like she wanted to curse.
It's important to know that the Empress has a legitimate son. His Majesty hasn't yet confirmed an heir, yet he openly favors the Second Prince. Even if the Empress dotes on the Princess, and can't find a suitable husband for her right now… she sees their family as a new guarantee and wants the Princess to marry into their family.
No matter what happens in the future, you won't be a loser.
...But this was a huge headache for the Marquis of Weiyong's household!
Just the fact that Shuo'er will marry the princess in the future makes his stance ambiguous. Will he support his own cousin or his brother-in-law? Even if he firmly states his position, wouldn't the Second Prince have his doubts? This attempt to play both sides should never have existed in the first place!
Furthermore, if he marries the legitimate princess, will Shuo'er still be able to go to the battlefield in the future? Will he still be able to realize his ambitions?
After the old Earl and his wife grasped the implication, they racked their brains, anxiously trying to figure out how to refuse before things became clear. Their biggest fear was that His Majesty, who doted on the princess, would be swayed and issue an imperial decree directly, leaving no room for maneuver.
"Father wouldn't be so confused," Qi Chengming said, trying to reassure his grandparents, who seemed frantic with worry.
But in reality, he wasn't really sure either.
Emperor Hongren truly doted on his legitimate daughter since she was a child, and now that his daughter is all grown up but has no good husband, he is naturally anxious. Emperor Hongren is also genuinely wary of Qi Chengming's growing power; if he hadn't occasionally found a way to suppress him, who knows what might have happened.
After the smallpox outbreak, Qi Chengming noticed Emperor Hongren's favor towards him—the first among the princes to show it openly. But… what if that old tyrant was using this as an excuse to weaken his power? His maternal family was no longer a threat, and his wife's family was still out of reach. Wouldn't he then have to continue relying on Emperor Hongren?
For Emperor Hongren, this was probably a win-win situation!
"Right now, it's just that people from the Empress's side have contacted us, vaguely revealing their intentions. The end of the year is approaching, and even if things are urgent, they won't discuss matters at this critical juncture. There's still room for salvage." The old Earl of Weiyong's large, withered hands gripped the armrests of his chair tightly, trying his best to remain calm.
"Shuo'er doesn't know about this yet. We'll tell him when he gets back. We need to arrange Shuo'er's engagement as soon as possible in the next two months, before he enters the palace for the New Year's banquet. As for the situation with His Majesty... we can only ask Your Highness for help."
“That’s right, we can’t keep this from him.” Qi Chengming’s mind was in a mess. The original plot was no longer a reliable reference. Suddenly, an idea struck him. “Don’t panic. Continue looking for a suitable betrothal family while waiting for my news. I have a plan…”
"Perhaps Father will change his mind about the marriage after hearing this." Qi Chengming was also afraid that the Empress would make the first move.
He was determined to exploit Emperor Hongren's suspicions and apprehensions.
Wasn't the old emperor always afraid of his growing power?
Qi Chengming remained calm and waited for another half month until the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince recovered and returned to the palace. He immediately went to the palace to inquire after their well-being, acting as a devoted older brother—
She only showed kindness to the sixth prince.
This unusual attitude immediately triggered Emperor Hongren's sensitive nerves. He feared most that his chosen successor would be an arrogant, impetuous fool. He also worried that his princes, because of the smallpox incident, would harbor resentment towards their younger brother and abandon brotherly harmony. The old emperor couldn't sit still any longer and immediately ordered an investigation:
"—Go! Go and find out the truth!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com