Chapter 284: Weeping in the Car, Shock in the Mansion
The carriage rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a clattering sound that seemed to knock at everyone's heart. Xiaoyanzi sat on the inside of the carriage, her back to Yongqi, her shoulders slightly hunched. The curtains rustled in the wind, and the occasional sunlight that filtered in shone on her face, revealing tiny tears dancing on her eyelashes.
"Xiaoyanzi..." Yongqi's voice was low and tired. He stretched out his hand and wanted to touch her shoulder, but she shook him away.
"Don't touch me!" Xiaoyanzi's voice was filled with tears, yet it was also filled with stubbornness. "The old lady is right. I'm just a chicken that can't lay eggs! I'm not worthy of you, Prince Rong!"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Yongqi frowned, his tone becoming anxious. "In my heart, you have always been the best! It has nothing to do with whether you can have children or not!"
"It's okay?" Xiaoyanzi turned around abruptly, her eyes red and tears falling like beads from a broken string. "Then why did she find you a concubine? Why did she say I wasn't pregnant? Yongqi, in the eyes of you royal family, are women just tools for bearing children?"
She became increasingly agitated as she spoke, her chest heaving violently. She grabbed the brocade cushion beside her and threw it at Yongqi, "I don't want any concubine! I only want you! You said you'd only be with me for the rest of your life! Do you also think I'm not good enough? Do you also want that Chen Zhihua to give birth to a son for you?"
Yongqi let her hit him, feeling a pang of pain in his heart. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her tightly into his arms, "I didn't! I never thought of that! Xiaoyanzi, listen to me. I, Yongqi, swear to heaven that you are the only one in my heart for this life, and that will never change for anyone!"
His voice trembled slightly, his chin resting on the top of her head. He could smell the familiar scent of crabapple blossoms in her hair, but now it was mixed with the saltiness of tears. "I'm useless. I failed to protect you and made you suffer."
Xiaoyanzi struggled a few times in his arms, but eventually collapsed helplessly, bursting into tears: "What should I do... The old Buddha has already made up his mind... I don't want her to come into the mansion... The thought of her living with us makes me feel uncomfortable all over..."
Yongqi patted her back gently, peering outside through the curtains. The streets were bustling with traffic and people, a scene of peace and prosperity. But beneath this prosperity lay a hidden layer of helplessness.
"Believe me," he whispered, his voice firm, "I will find a way. Even if she really enters the mansion, you are the only one in my heart."
The carriage jolted back to Prince Rong's mansion. The vermilion lacquer gate slowly closed behind him, shutting out the clamor outside but unable to block out the impending storm within.
Xiaoyanzi walked in with heavy steps. Xiaodengzi, Xiaozhuozi, Xiaochongzi and Xiaowenzi hurried to meet her. Seeing that her eyes were red and she looked panicked, they didn't dare to ask more questions.
"Princess, you're back? Would you like to order dinner?" Little Dengzi asked cautiously.
Xiaoyanzi shook her head and said in a hoarse voice: "I don't want to eat anymore."
She walked straight into the inner room, Yongqi followed her and winked at the four young eunuchs, signaling them to leave.
The atmosphere in the inner room was oppressive and suffocating. Little Swallow walked to the window and looked at the crabapple blossoms in full bloom in the yard. Suddenly, she felt a glare. She reached out and plucked one, squeezing it hard in her hand. The petals shattered, and the juice soaked her hands.
"Tell me," she said with her back to Yongqi, her voice muffled, "Am I really that bad? Apart from a little kung fu and being able to climb trees and rob bird nests, I don't know anything else. Unlike Chen Zhihua, who is proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and is also well-educated and well-mannered. No wonder the Empress Dowager likes her."
Yong Qi walked over to her, gently held her hand, and brushed away the broken petals in her hand: "In my eyes, you are not bad at all. Your liveliness, your kindness, and your bravery are all unmatched by others. Those music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are just empty formalities."
"Empty ceremony?" Xiaoyanzi laughed self-deprecatingly. "But the royal family values these empty ceremonies. They want a docile and obedient princess who can carry on their family line, not a wild girl like me."
She turned around and looked at Yongqi, her eyes filled with confusion and uneasiness. "Yongqi, don't you think we should be together? Maybe... maybe you and a woman like Chen Zhihua are more suitable."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Yong Qi interrupted her, his tone carrying a hint of anger, but more of heartache. "I'll say it again, I only like you, I only want you. No matter what difficulties we encounter, I will never give up on you."
He paused and took a deep breath: "I will go to the palace to find the emperor. I believe the emperor will understand us."
Xiaoyanzi held him back and said, "Don't go. You know the old lady's temper. No one can change what she has decided. Even if the emperor helps us, it will only make things worse."
She looked at Yongqi, her eyes gradually becoming firm. "Forget it, if she wants to come in, let her come in. I want to see what kind of trouble she can stir up. My little swallow is not someone to be bullied!"
Yongqi looked at the stubbornness in her eyes, feeling both relieved and worried. He knew that a tough battle was inevitable.
The crabapple blossoms outside the window were swaying in the wind, as if foreshadowing the coming storm. The tranquility of Prince Rong's mansion was finally completely broken.
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