Chapter 301 The Top Scholar 8
Pei Chengyuan closed his eyes briefly, trying his best to remain calm as he replied, "Please, Your Highness, allow me to give my cousin a place."
"So you mean you want to bring Cousin Luo into your household as well?"
Pei Chengyuan replied with humiliation, "Yes!"
"Very well, I grant your request. Since she is your concubine, she can no longer live in Chunying Courtyard. Guards, move Miss Biao to the east wing of Yilan Courtyard. She and her cousin Jiahe are both concubines of Young Master Pei, so living together will keep them company."
"Well, from now on, Young Master Pei's concubines will all be arranged there. We'll deal with any more if there's not enough room."
Pei Chengyuan: ...He still wants to take a concubine?
He glanced at Jiahe furtively; that terrifying gaze seemed to want to devour him, and he dared not move.
Ning Yan was going to the palace today and didn't have time to torment these two, so she sent them away. "Young Master Pei is full of energy. Since you're free anyway, why don't you help me plant some plum blossoms in the courtyard? Plum blossoms are most beautiful to admire in winter."
"By the way, Jiahe, your love is stronger than gold. You'll definitely be there to accompany Young Master Pei when he works. Consider it a little fun for you two to get stuck together."
Pei Chengyuan: ...
Ning Xinrui: ...My romantic stuff?!
But they couldn't defy Ning Yan at all. In the princess's residence, the princess was the emperor!
Even if their legs are broken, someone will carry them and get them to do what the princess asked them to do.
Soon, the two were taken down to work.
...
Ning Yan brought pastries made by the chefs from the princess's residence into the palace.
This was the original owner's habit: she always brought food with her when she entered the palace. Moreover, whenever she entered the palace, the emperor and the crown prince would gather in the empress's palace, no matter how busy they were, and the four of them would dine together.
Ning Yan followed suit, bringing a food box with her every time she entered the palace.
However, this time she went directly to see the Emperor, who was reviewing memorials. Hmm, judging from the amount of memorials on the Crown Prince's desk, he probably took on half of the task.
"Father, haven't all of Prince Fu's henchmen been found yet?"
The Emperor frowned and said, "The secret guards obtained a list from Prince Fu, which has been confirmed to be true. Many civil officials in the court have pledged allegiance to him. These people are easy to deal with, but the military generals he has won over are not only An Junda, but also General Chang, who is stationed in the northern border. He has 300,000 troops under his command, which will be more troublesome to deal with."
I don't know what these people are thinking. Why do they have to rebel instead of living a good life? General Chang is practically a local tyrant in the northern frontier. What more could a first-rank general like him want?
Ning Yan: "Who else is left in the Chang family?"
The crown prince handed a secret memorial directly to his younger sister.
Ning Yan glanced at him and exclaimed, "Good heavens! This man has seven sons, eleven daughters, and thirteen concubines. He has three legitimate sons, two from his first wife and one from his second wife."
But his second wife was not his favorite; Wu Liang, whom he brought to the northern frontier, was his true love, and she also bore him a son.
"That's easy, Father. Just send someone to the northern frontier to hint that you intend to grant General Chang a marquisate."
However, the northern frontier is strategically important, and the general bears heavy responsibilities; only a future heir can assume this role.
Crown Prince: "Do you want their family to descend into chaos from within?"
Generals are not hereditary; there is no possibility that Chang Dajun's son could succeed him after he retires.
"No. It says here that General Chang's eldest son is brave and resourceful and has made meritorious contributions in several battles, but because of General Chang's suppression, he is now only a fifth-rank military officer in the army. It is likely that the father and son have a bad relationship."
The real purpose of the people we sent was to win him over and protect him.
He should know which choice to make: to become a marquis himself or to watch his father become a marquis and continue to suffer mistreatment.
The second young master of the Chang family was crippled because of a scheme orchestrated by his stepmother and stepson, yet General Chang has not punished the mother and son in any way. Presumably, given the opportunity, they will not miss it.
The Emperor said, "I didn't expect Yan'er to be so quick-witted! Although this method will take a little longer, it's the safest approach!"
They were all members of the Chang family. Even if General Chang died, the military camp would still be taken over by members of the Chang family, so the soldiers couldn't say anything.
Having gathered enough information, Ning Yan went to the Empress's palace. "Mother, please deal with Granny Le."
The Empress was initially pleased to see her daughter enter the palace, but when she heard her daughter immediately mention dealing with someone—the very old nanny who taught her daughter about human affairs—her face darkened. "What's wrong? Did that old woman offend you?"
“She was the Prince of Fu’s woman. She told her daughter that a married couple could have a child simply by lying in bed together. So I thought it was right that my husband didn’t touch me after we got married. It wasn’t until he got together with Jiahe that I realized she was lying to me!”
Empress: ...
"So you're still...still a virgin!"
Ning Yan nodded!
The Empress was furious!
She said that her daughter, who was pampered since childhood, is very healthy, so why hasn't she been able to conceive a child after being married for so long?
It turns out the two of them never slept together!
Prince Fu! Prince Fu!!! He has such audacity!
"Someone, call Granny Yue here... no, no need to call her."
The Empress looked at her daughter: "This matter cannot be discussed openly."
Ning Yan nodded knowingly: "That's easy. Just find an excuse and say that she stole the master's things. Take her to the Censorate and torture her for a confession. Anyone who displeases me, I want to make them wish they were dead!"
The Empress was immediately delighted, and she held Ning Yan's hand, laughing incessantly, "Oh my, my daughter has really grown up!"
Ning Yan said with distress, "Ever since I learned that Pei Chengyuan is such a person, I have been unable to control myself and always want to torture all those who plot against me to death. Mother, don't you think I am vicious?"
The Empress quickly comforted her in a low voice, "How could that be? Your mother's daughter is the kindest person in the world. You are the eldest princess, what's wrong with punishing someone who harmed you?"
Ning Yan: "Really? Mother isn't lying to her daughter?"
The Empress assured her, "No, absolutely not. If you don't believe me, wait until your father and the Crown Prince arrive and ask them. They'll definitely say the same thing!"
Ning Yan: ...Fine, whatever you say.
This time, Ning Yan stayed until after dinner before leaving the palace. During her stay, she went to the Censorate and witnessed Granny Le being beaten until her skin was torn and her eyes were gouged out before she left.
The Empress wanted her to stay in the palace for a few more days, but Ning Yan refused. After all, she still had to torment those two worthless things in the Princess's residence.
She happened to be "coincidentally" there; she saw Princess Fu just as she was leaving the palace.
Since she was an elder, Ning Yan couldn't just leave. She had her carriage stop and greeted the Princess Consort of Fu.
"Aunt, it's been a long time. Your niece pays her respects."
Princess Fu forced a smile, "Rouyuan, your aunt came here today especially to wait for you..."
Ning Yan smiled knowingly and said, "Rou Yuan understands what you mean, Aunt. You're worried about Jiahe, aren't you?"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. No matter what, Jiahe is my cousin, and I will take good care of her and ensure she doesn't suffer the slightest grievance."
(End of this chapter)
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