"Abandoning your parents and son, is that what you call a good person?" Lin Muheng casually remarked.
Princess Consort of Xiang: ...
"No wonder you've never asked about your mother all these years? Do you hate her?"
"I wouldn't call it hatred, but there's definitely some resentment," Lin Muheng said truthfully.
"My mother could have been there to raise me, but she chose to give it up. She was perfectly capable of standing on her own two feet, and my father didn't abandon her back then."
Princess Xiang was not surprised, but she wanted to say a few more words today: "Don't blame your mother. She was also a pitiful person. You were very attached to your mother when you were little."
"She's just a pitiful person," Lin Muheng said calmly. "She can become a capable person."
"In the harem, gaining some of the emperor's favor, having a son to rely on, and being resourceful enough to scheme are all better than death. Only if she establishes herself can my maternal grandfather's family be saved, and I wouldn't have almost been killed by my father."
"But your mother is just a woman. How much can she accomplish?" Princess Xiang said, trying to speak up for her friend.
She felt a little guilty saying it out loud.
When Consort Chen was so distraught, Princess Xiang also disagreed.
Consort Chen was heartbroken because she felt that the Emperor had betrayed her, had not given her enough trust, and had tainted their sacred love.
When Princess Xiang heard what she said, she immediately felt that Consort Chen had lost her mind.
How could she possibly expect the deep affection of an emperor?
Isn't this digging a hole to bury yourself?
Consort Chen didn't think about taking advantage of the Emperor's remaining affection for her to find a way to regain his favor.
Perhaps her family will return soon.
She relentlessly courted death, showing disrespect to the emperor, and even threatening him with suicide several times.
Consort Chen overestimated her importance in Emperor Rongsheng's heart.
She has completely fallen out of favor.
The emperor has a new favorite concubine.
Consort Chen ultimately died of heartbreak, for her lost love and for her parents and brothers who were far away in a harsh, cold land.
"When does the Princess Consort plan to enter the palace? I will go with you." Prince Xiang changed the subject.
The important thing now is the marriage of Prince Yu; it's not a time to judge the right or wrong of the old guard.
"The sooner the better. Let's go tomorrow morning. I'll go and inform my sister-in-law." After saying this, Princess Xiang looked at Lin Muheng. Seeing that he did not object, she felt relieved.
When Consort Chen asked for this favor, both Princess Xiang and her sister-in-law felt it was useless.
If it concerns matters of the court, the emperor can simply void the promise by saying that women must not interfere in politics.
Over the years, my sister-in-law has always prioritized the Yongning Marquis's residence in everything she does.
My sister-in-law would never do anything that would displease the Emperor and cause the Yongning Marquis's residence to suffer.
After Yan Shizi became paralyzed, his sister-in-law could no longer withstand any more hardship.
Now that the Crown Prince is well, Princess Xiang believes that her sister-in-law will not stand idly by.
Even if my sister-in-law doesn't care about Prince Yu, she still has to consider Miss Jiang's feelings, since she saved my life!
The promise is only valid if both Princess Xiang and Lady Hou are present.
Lin Muheng thought for a moment, but still refused: "This will only make Father Emperor resent Mother more. Let Mother rest in peace in the afterlife!"
Princess Xiang immediately beamed with joy: "You child, you still care about your mother, don't you?"
Just consider it a rare favor your mother did for you, and it will save Miss Jiang from having to wait in vain.
This is the best solution for now. Your mother would be happy to die knowing it could help.
Princess Xiang was genuinely afraid of his stubborn temper flaring up.
"What do you think, Aunt Wang? How about we use this method? There's no other way right now, is there?"
Seeing that Prince Yu was still hesitating, Prince Xiang said, "It's settled then, to avoid any unforeseen complications. Tomorrow, your aunt and I will go to the palace first, and then you can go and request a marriage decree."
The Prince of Xiang made the final decision.
The Prince of Yu did not object further, and the three talked for a while longer before the Prince of Yu took his leave.
*
Imperial Study
Prince Jin has been kneeling for nearly an hour.
Emperor Rongsheng was so angry that he smashed his teacup on the ground: "Don't think I don't know about the mess in your house. Now you even dare to plot against Jiang Zhongyong's daughter."
"Father! Your son knows his mistake!" Lin Mushen kowtowed heavily.
His face and hands were covered in cuts from the porcelain.
"You know you're wrong! Tell me where you went wrong. You can't even swim as fast as a woman in the water. You've completely disgraced me."
Emperor Rongsheng was absolutely furious.
To commit such a disgraceful act in full view of everyone is as if princes were starving and indiscriminate in their choice of food.
Thinking of this, the emperor became even angrier, and consequently disliked Jiang Zhongyong even more.
What's so noble about the Jiang family's daughter? It's her good fortune that Prince Jin has taken a liking to her. What does it mean to run away?
Despite her anger, she still had to discipline her son: "Tell me, what are you trying to do by currying favor with the General's Mansion? Are you plotting to usurp the throne?"
"Father! Your son dares not!"
Prince Jin was terrified. He was accused of plotting to usurp the throne. Even if he didn't die, he would be severely injured.
Emperor Rongsheng was furious: "I wouldn't dare! I think you'd be more than willing to do that!"
None of his sons were easy to deal with.
What angered people the most was that it was bad enough that Prince Jin coveted the General's Mansion, but Prince Yu also went to join in the fun.
To make the royal family a laughing stock in the capital.
Emperor Rongsheng was furious at the sight of his good-for-nothing son.
At this moment, the chief eunuch came to report: "Your Majesty, the Prince of Xiang requests an audience."
Emperor Rongsheng's head throbbed.
His younger brother never visits unless he has a reason.
Nothing good is coming here today.
"Get out!" the emperor roared.
The trouble started by this rebellious son, Jin Wang, will be a whole host of problems to come.
Prince Jin got up in a disheveled state, just as Prince Xiang entered.
The two exchanged an awkward glance.
It was rare to see Prince Jin in such a disheveled state; his face was covered in cuts from porcelain.
It seems the emperor was indeed very angry.
Eunuch Wang quickly summoned a young eunuch and had him tidy up the imperial study.
"Speak, what brings you here?" Emperor Rongsheng's voice was cold.
If the Prince of Xiang were wise, he wouldn't have spoken at this time.
But the Prince of Xiang was oblivious to the situation and insisted on provoking the emperor.
He won't come here empty-handed.
"Your Majesty, it has been a long time since I last spoke with you. Today, I have come with the Princess Consort to disturb Your Majesty."
Emperor Rongsheng was surprised: "The Princess Consort of Xiang has also come?"
"Yes, let's all come together to pay our respects to the Emperor," Prince Xiang said with a smile.
Emperor Rongsheng scrutinized Prince Xiang, realizing he was like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—he had no good intentions.
"What is she doing here?" Emperor Rongsheng asked.
"Of course they have something to ask of her. She and Lady Yongning are waiting outside for the Emperor to summon them."
"What happened at the Yongning Marquis's residence?" The Emperor's headache returned.
The only legitimate son of the Marquis of Yongning became a cripple. It was Emperor Rongsheng who sent him to suppress bandits, which made the only legitimate son of the Marquis of Yongning a cripple. The emperor always felt sorry for the Marquis's family.
Could it be that they've come to ask for favors on behalf of Prince Yan?
Emperor Rongsheng was suspicious.
"Tell them to wait in the side hall."
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