Chapter 197 Breaking the Rules
Seeing the Consort's hysterical state, Zhou Huai'an said directly, "From childhood to adulthood, I have always listened to Mother. But this time, I have to choose someone to accompany me for life, so I cannot listen to Mother. Xie Hanyue is a wicked woman with all kinds of evil. It's not that I don't like her, it's that I despise her. I feel disgusted just looking at her."
"Insolence! You're talking nonsense!"
"Yue'er is such a well-behaved child, how could you slander her like that!"
The Imperial Concubine slapped Zhou Huai'an hard across the face, repeatedly speaking up for Xie Hanyue.
In fact, it had always been like this since he was a child. Zhou Huai'an could always feel the Consort's estrangement from him and her favoritism towards Xie Hanyue, but he just never understood why.
"Framed Xie Qingran, defied Madam Wang, had illicit relationships with several men, and plotted to smear the Third Miss's innocence—how could she be innocent?"
"Even my mother is speaking up for her. Doesn't that prove that this woman is vicious and a vile person?"
Zhou Huai'an gritted his teeth and told Xie Hanyue everything she had done during this time without any hesitation.
From childhood to adulthood, Zhou Huai'an had always known that Xie Hanyue was no ordinary person. However, because the Imperial Concubine really liked her, he had always kept his distance and even tried to cultivate a good relationship with her.
But now Zhou Huai'an has figured it out: Xie Hanyue's crazy personality will eventually drag down those around her, and the closer you are to her, the more likely you are to suffer along with her.
Thinking of this, Zhou Huai'an smiled and said calmly, "Wouldn't it be better to give such a woman, who is full of all kinds of vices, to the Fifth Prince? Once she becomes the Fifth Prince's consort, the Fifth Prince will never have a peaceful day again. Mother Consort, isn't this the scene you most want to see?"
Upon hearing this, even the Imperial Concubine was dumbfounded.
She had always thought that Zhou Huai'an liked Xie Hanyue very much. After all, the two had grown up together since childhood, and Zhou Huai'an would always think of Xie Hanyue and give her a share of anything good he had.
How come I feel such disgust when I talk about it now?
"I will absolutely not allow the Fifth Prince to marry Xie Hanyue."
"Whether you like her or hate her, you must marry her. Once you are married to Xie Hanyue, you can have whoever you want in the future. Don't you like the third young lady of the Gu family? I can arrange for her to be your concubine. How about that?"
The Imperial Concubine now understands that if she doesn't back down, this matter will likely never end.
Unfortunately, Zhou Huai'an didn't think that way at all.
He looked at the Imperial Concubine and suddenly sneered, "Mother, you really have a big mouth. She is the Prime Minister's legitimate daughter, and she could even be the Empress. Why would she want to be my concubine?"
"What are you saying? What's wrong with being a concubine? Doesn't she like you? Since she likes you, she should not care about titles and should be with you willingly. Otherwise, isn't she just being vain?" The Imperial Concubine didn't think there was anything wrong with her suggestion.
So what if it's the Prime Minister's residence? Her child is a prince!
As long as she begged the Emperor, even if the Prime Minister's family was unwilling, they would have no choice but to obediently send their daughter over.
"Mother, I will never let the woman I love suffer any injustice."
"I have already asked my father to betroth her to me, to make her the sixth prince's wife!"
"Mother, please take care of yourself."
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhou Huai'an turned and left.
In the past, he was young and could only rely on the Consort's upbringing to survive. But now, he has grown up and can get whatever he wants through his own efforts. Therefore, in his heart, the Consort's importance has long since diminished.
Watching Zhou Huai'an turn and leave, the Imperial Concubine was dumbfounded. She slumped into her chair in disbelief, gritting her teeth as she asked, "Why? Yinshuang, tell me what happened? The child was perfectly fine, what... what happened?"
Why are you being so disobedient? You used to do whatever I said, so why are you acting like a completely different person now? Why!
Yinshuang quickly came over to comfort the Consort: "Your Highness, please calm down. The Sixth Prince is still young, and it's normal for him to be unable to see things clearly when it comes to matters of the heart. He will understand when he grows up. You are doing this all for his own good."
Normally, the Imperial Concubine would have calmed down after hearing this, but the situation was clearly getting out of control. If they continued like this, Xie Hanyue and the Fifth Prince might really end up together.
The only person the Imperial Concubine could stop this matter was the Emperor. After thinking it over, she hurriedly got up and strode towards the Imperial Study.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
After the imperial concubine entered the room, she grabbed the emperor's arm and began to act coquettishly.
The two had parted on bad terms last time, so the emperor's expression was not very pleasant when he saw the imperial concubine, especially as he felt a little irritated by her delicate appearance.
"What's wrong now?"
The emperor silently withdrew his hand and looked at the imperial concubine with displeasure, asking her a question.
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Concubine immediately noticed the Emperor's impatience and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, it's still about the Sixth Prince's marriage. I beg you, please betroth Xie Hanyue to him, even if she's just a concubine."
Now that things have come to this, the Imperial Concubine really can't care about anything else. Even being a concubine would be better than marrying the Fifth Prince.
The emperor truly did not expect that the imperial concubine had become so absurd.
Looking at the Imperial Concubine's hysterical state, he was momentarily speechless, utterly furious.
The Emperor slammed his hand on the table: "I have made my decision. Xie Hanyue will be betrothed to the Fifth Prince, and Gu Xiangyuan to the Sixth Prince. This is an imperial decree, and it will be announced publicly at the next palace banquet!"
What?
The Imperial Concubine was utterly shocked that the matter had already been settled. She looked at the Emperor with disbelief and utter astonishment: "Why? Your Majesty, why? Aren't you the one who loves me the most? Why are you giving the Empress the daughter-in-law that I have my eye on? Does Your Majesty no longer like me?"
When he was young, the emperor really liked Consort Gui, especially enjoying watching her act coquettishly and playfully. But the problem is that now that the sixth prince is about to get married, Consort Gui, as his mother, still only knows how to act coquettishly and play the victim, which is not right.
The emperor glanced at her and said coldly, "That's the daughter-in-law the empress has chosen, and it was the empress who spoke first. Consort, you have broken your rules!"
The Imperial Concubine belatedly realized what was happening and looked at the Emperor in disbelief, never imagining that one day His Majesty would ask her to follow the rules.
"Your Majesty, didn't you say that I could break the rules?"
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