Chapter 57 He who defies me, slap him!
"How old are you?" The Empress Dowager asked with displeasure. "You and your husband have a harmonious relationship, and your three children are respectful and filial. Isn't your life good enough? Why have another child and add to your troubles? Besides, you're older, and having children is inherently risky. What if something unexpected happens to you..."
Princess Ning'an frowned: "Mother, this is my only biological child."
The Empress Dowager was displeased: "So what? Let me ask you, if the child in your belly is a boy, who will inherit the title of heir of the Princess's residence?"
Princess Ning'an fell silent.
If she is indeed pregnant, the position of heir apparent will naturally go to her own son.
"If it were a daughter, who would get the title of Princess?" the Empress Dowager asked earnestly. "Don't forget, the Emperor made an exception to bestow the titles of Heir Apparent upon Shiyu and Princess upon Jingyi, precisely because they were both adopted. They were in an awkward position every time they were with the princesses and duchesses. That's why I fought for the titles of Heir Apparent and Princess for them, so that they would feel a sense of belonging in the Princess's residence and that they would treat you as their own mother. What will they think once you have a biological son?"
Princess Ning'an remained silent.
She probably didn't know what to say, because she hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to react this way.
She thought the Empress Dowager would be happy to hear the news of her pregnancy, after all, who wouldn't want their own child?
It is said that the kindness of raising someone is greater than the kindness of giving birth to them.
She used to think that as long as she treated those three children sincerely, they would naturally treat her, their mother, sincerely in return.
But what if all of this is a scheme? What if Prince Consort Wen has another wife outside the marriage? What if he has even recorded that woman's name in the family genealogy? What if in his heart, Zhao Ying'er and those three children are his family?
So what was his purpose in trying to win her favor at the Princess's residence for the past ten years or so? Wasn't it all for the sake of the Wen family and his children?
What is she, the eldest princess? A pawn being used?
Not content with just profiting from the scheme, they also plotted to murder for money.
Can she just sit and wait to die?
"Ning'er." The Empress Dowager held Princess Ning'an's hand. "I know you can't bear to part with this child. Not having a child of your own has always been your regret, but you are getting old after all..."
Princess Ning'an suddenly spoke up: "Mother, having a biological child is not only my wish, but also the wish of my husband. He is a man, doesn't he want to have an heir—"
"Impossible," the Empress Dowager categorically denied. "He only cares about you; he doesn't care at all about whether you have a biological child."
Chu Yunjin and Yan Jinyue stood to the side, exchanging a silent glance.
Something's not right.
Something's not right.
The Empress Dowager always doted on the eldest princess, and extended her affection to the princess's three adopted sons and daughters, a level of favor that made the princes and princesses envious.
But at this moment, it seems that's not the case.
If the Empress Dowager truly favored the eldest princess, why wouldn't she want her to have a child of her own?
Chu Yunjin was utterly puzzled.
It's understandable that the Empress Dowager was worried about her daughter's pain during childbirth, but her firm opposition didn't seem like concern at all; rather, it seemed like she didn't want her to give birth to the child.
Princess Ning'an said calmly, "Mother, let me think about it carefully."
The Empress Dowager did not pressure her too much, but still gave her a word of advice: "Make a decision as soon as possible."
Princess Ning'an nodded.
The Empress Dowager was somewhat satisfied, and then turned to look at Yan Jinyue and Chu Yunjin.
"Jin Yue, why did you break off your engagement with Pei Yi'an?"
Yan Jinyue knew she couldn't avoid this question, so she lowered her eyes and answered, "Pei Yi'an is not a good match."
"You insolent fool!" The Empress Dowager's gaze turned hostile. "Men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. Your marriage to Pei Yi'an was bestowed by the Emperor. You can't just cancel it like that. Do you think the imperial edict is such a trivial matter?"
Yan Jinyue frowned slightly, her expression clearly showing her dissatisfaction: "Pei Yi'an is shameless. He got a woman pregnant before marriage. Am I, a princess, supposed to suffer this humiliation from him?"
"What kind of talk is that?" The Empress Dowager's face turned cold, her tone deep and angry. "He's fighting abroad to protect the country. What's wrong with having someone to serve him? You don't even have this much tolerance. Do you think you'll be happy marrying another man? Which powerful man doesn't have three wives and four concubines?"
Chu Yunjin found it unbelievable that these words came from the Empress Dowager's mouth.
It is a fact that men have multiple wives and concubines.
But Yan Jinyue is a princess, the emperor's daughter, a golden branch and jade leaf, and her future husband will be her consort.
It is true that this dynasty was a patriarchal society, but were women really so lowly that even princesses had no status and had to compromise and please men?
Yan Jinyue's face was pale.
She had always known that the Empress Dowager disliked her because of her mother, and by extension, disliked her and her siblings, but it was rare for her to be so harshly reprimanded and scolded.
What does her canceling her engagement with Pei Yi'an have to do with the Empress Dowager?
The Empress Dowager is no one from the Pei family.
If this old woman in front of her wasn't her grandmother, Yan Jinyue would have liked to tell her to go wherever she wanted. Her marriage was her father and mother's business, and if all else failed, she had her brother and sister-in-law. How could a biased old woman like her interfere?
"If Pei Yi'an apologizes to you and wants to reconcile, you should know when to stop and not ruin a perfectly good marriage." The Empress Dowager said coldly, "It's only because your father spoils you all the time that you don't know what you should and shouldn't do even now that you're all grown up."
Chu Yunjin frowned slightly, unable to resist speaking up for Yan Jinyue: "Your Majesty, Pei Yi'an is of improper conduct and morally corrupt; he is not a suitable match—"
"Shut up!" the Empress Dowager shouted, her gaze turning icy as she looked at Chu Yunjin. "I haven't even started dealing with you yet, and you're already looking for a scolding."
Chu Yunjin stared at her in astonishment, and couldn't help but want to ask her if she had eaten gunpowder.
Why are you so angry all of a sudden?
"Pei Yi'an's conduct is improper, but yours is impeccable?" the Empress Dowager questioned angrily. "According to you, shouldn't the Prince of Yan have divorced you long ago?"
Chu Yunjin argued, "Although my reputation isn't great, I've never actually been overly intimate with anyone. Besides, I only did it to spite Yan Cang; I didn't really do anything to wrong him. But Pei Yi'an really got that woman pregnant—"
"How dare you talk back to me!" The Empress Dowager's voice was icy cold, even tinged with disgust. "Guards!"
Princess Ning'an was startled: "Mother."
Two senior palace maids stepped forward: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager's tone was icy: "Slap yourself!"
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!" Yan Jinyue's expression changed, and she subconsciously stepped forward to block Chu Yunjin. "Fourth Imperial Sister-in-law is a princess consort and a member of the royal family. You cannot humiliate her like this."
The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Does this Empress Dowager not even have the right to reprimand her granddaughter-in-law?"
Yan Jinyue wanted to argue her point: "Even if we need to teach someone a lesson, this isn't the way to do it—"
"Your Majesty, please calm down." Princess Ning'an smiled and spoke slowly, "Princess Yan was indeed a bit immature before, but as she said, she did not do anything outrageous. Your Majesty, please don't hold it against her. It is important to take care of your health."
The Empress Dowager clearly wasn't having it, and coldly turned her head: "What are you all standing there for? Slap yourselves!"
The princess paused, her expression freezing.
Chu Yunjin was surprised by the Empress Dowager's unreasonable behavior. She clenched her fists and was about to back away when a melodious voice suddenly rang out from outside: "His Highness Prince Yan has arrived!"
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