Chapter 84 Wei Qin will always be the young lady's son-in-law...
This black and gold brocade python-patterned cloak was made by the old Shanggong of the Imperial Wardrobe.
For the past seventeen years, the old palace lady would weave cloth and tailor clothes for the young prince every two years, producing countless cloaks and brocade robes of various sizes.
The old palace lady didn't know when the eldest prince would return to the palace to vie for the throne, but she always made ample preparations to ensure he was dressed smartly. Now it seems she had worried too much. A person's character is not determined by their clothes, but by their aura. Even the simplest ramie shirt looked elegant and refined on this young man.
To understand what favors the old palace maid had received from Empress Yide, we must go back thirty years, when a middle-aged woman who was almost frozen to death on the street was given a bowl of hot soup by a little girl.
"Warm yourself up."
The homeless woman was taken back to the Cui family mansion by the little girl. Because of her skillful hands, she stayed in the mansion to learn the craft from the embroiderers. However, she surpassed her teachers, and her exquisite embroidery skills amazed the noble ladies who were used to seeing fine clothes. It was too much of a waste for her to stay in the Cui family mansion, so the little girl personally led her to the Empress Dowager, who was then the Empress.
From then on, Lady Feng of the Imperial Wardrobe rose to fame.
The young girl who introduced her was none other than Empress Yide.
Empress Yide has helped too many people, and the few elderly people who have appeared at this moment are only a small part of them.
Zhou Yujin glared at Wei Qin, who was covered in python tattoos, and said through gritted teeth, "You have committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, and you still stand here righteously!"
The old censor tapped his cane again, "Chief Minister Zhou is right, we will go to the Emperor to apologize."
"His Majesty is unwell; how can you simply see him whenever you want!"
Whether or not it constitutes the crime of deceiving the emperor is a matter for His Majesty to decide.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is acting as regent and can directly convict you!"
Wei Qin was quicker than Wei Xichen and preemptively struck, "The Empress Dowager's decree before her death was the Phoenix's command. What crime have the seniors committed by acting on the Phoenix's command? How can the Crown Prince reject the Phoenix's command? Or is it that in Chief Minister Zhou's eyes, only the current Empress is the Empress?"
Zhou Yujin choked on his words. Empress Yide was the emperor's first wife, and in terms of prestige, she was far superior to Empress Dong. It was not something he could dismiss with a single word.
Furthermore, the emperor felt guilty towards his first wife, at least on the surface.
Shame will be compensated, especially since the emperor harbors resentment towards the crown prince at this critical juncture...
At a critical juncture?
As if struck by a sudden thought, Chief Minister Zhou gritted his teeth, realizing that the Cui family had been waiting for this very opportunity!
The emperor and the crown prince are growing apart!
We've been tricked! We've been tricked!
Not only Chief Minister Zhou, but Wei Xichen also realized the truth.
His maternal grandfather and he made the wrong bet; they were monitoring the Cui family, who were located near the capital, while the Cui family's trump card was in Yangzhou.
Wei Yihe is the only trump card.
The quiet, patient, and weak Cui family, who had been secretly slandered by some people for seventeen years, finally revealed her sharp thorns.
The four-year-old eldest brother, with his unconventional and arduous path, blossomed into a captivating flower, while he, raised in a greenhouse, lacked the resilience and ruthlessness of a wildflower.
Looking at Jiang Song standing behind Wei Qin, Wei Xichen clenched his fist under his sleeve. He thought he was monitoring Cui Shi's every move, but Cui Shi was actually monitoring him from the shadows.
Not long after her unpleasant parting with Jiang Yinyue, Cui set her sights on the Jiang family father and daughter.
Using Jiang Yinyue, they forced Jiang Song to compromise.
in this way......
Wei Xichen recalled his questioning of Jiang Yinyue that day. Besides deceiving her, Wei Qin had also taken advantage of Jiang Yinyue. How could she have so easily forgiven Wei Qin?
Trust—these are Jiang Yinyue's original words.
Between her and Wei Qin, whose trust moved whom?
The uncontrollable situation and the uncontrollable emotions left Wei Xichen feeling extremely exhausted.
**
On the other side, Emperor Shunren, who had been deprived of medicine for two days, brandished his imperial sword at Wei Qin, who had brought his old friends to pay homage to him, the moment the palace doors opened.
His cloudy eyes blazed with barely concealed rage.
"Bastard child".
Cao Angui stepped forward, "Oh dear, Your Majesty, why are you doing this! The eldest prince's return to his ancestral home is a joyous occasion!"
"Get out of my way!"
Emperor Shunren was furious at being betrayed twice, but his weak body could not withstand the sudden outburst of anger. He used the tip of his knife to keep his balance.
Cao Angui and Wei Qin stopped his medication for the past two days, hoping to bring him to his senses at this moment.
All concern is calculated.
As expected, there is no genuine affection between the government and the people.
Wei Qin smiled, and the lifelike python pattern seemed to transform in the wind, becoming the black shark in Emperor Shunren's dream, which then transformed into a dragon.
"Your son is a descendant of the Wei family, and Father Emperor would even praise him for being a noble son from a humble background. How did he become an illegitimate child after being transformed back into a royal heir?"
Emperor Shunren was enraged by this retort, his chest burning with fury. "You bastard, what are you doing back here? To usurp the throne?"
"Father, you are overthinking it. Your son is here to protect you."
Emperor Shunren gritted his teeth in hatred, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"
But after he finished speaking, he became even angrier. When he had hysteria, he was no different from a three-year-old child!
Wei Qin could see his shame, but he was so lacking in self-awareness; he had no innocence or naivety whatsoever that of a three-year-old child!
"Father may be angry, but he must also consider the current situation. If I hadn't intervened, Father would have been under house arrest by the Crown Prince until his death. If Father acknowledges my status, then I would at least be on equal footing with the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince would not be allowed to control the government."
Wei Qin chuckled, "Father isn't the best at balancing power."
Emperor Shunren's jaw creaked. A venomous snake and a hungry wolf—they could fight it out, but no matter who won, he would be dragged into it.
But there is no better option at the moment.
Wei Qin was certain that Emperor Shunren would not refuse, so he raised his hand to signal the officials of the Imperial Clan Court to present the imperial genealogy. In front of Emperor Shunren, he took up his pen and crossed out the record of "Wei Yihe's death".
Emperor Shunren did not obstruct him and tacitly accepted his status as a prince.
Upon seeing this, the Imperial Clan Court issued a public notice that same day, which was posted all over the streets and alleys.
The eldest prince, Wei Yihe, was recognized as a member of the imperial family.
**
Jiang Yinyue met Wei Xichen the following evening. Originally, she refused to see this distinguished guest who had not visited for a long time, but she couldn't resist being intercepted by Wei Xichen.
Jiang Yinyue, who had just returned from the Cui residence, sneered, "His Highness the Crown Prince is quite idle."
Hong Mei and the others were on high alert, even though the Crown Prince had brought with him experts from the Eastern Palace.
Wei Xichen dismissed the servants and asked Jiang Yinyue a question.
"Last time I asked you, since it was also dishonest, why could you so easily forgive Wei Qin? Today, I want to ask again, since Wei Qin not only deceived you but also used you, why can you still forgive him?"
"Doesn't Your Highness find this annoying?"
I don't think so.
Wei Xichen guessed that her divorce from Wei Qin was a temporary measure, and that she would later agree to Wei Yihe's marriage proposal.
It is perfectly legitimate.
Jiang Yinyue's impatience was written all over her face. "I told you, I trust him."
"So deception and exploitation can be forgiven? I also trust you, can I be forgiven for that?"
Jiang Yinyue remained unmoved. "Trust me? Does Your Highness even trust yourself? If I were to lure you out tomorrow for Wei Qin's sake, would you dare?"
"dare."
"Your Highness's youthful spirit is out of step with the times."
He is impulsive when he should be, yet he claims to be cold-hearted; he is cold-hearted when he should be, yet he claims to be deeply affectionate. Jiang Yinyue doesn't even know if he truly understands himself.
"What Your Highness should do now is to consolidate your power and be wary of the First Prince, rather than get bogged down in an answer about love."
Wei Xichen, who had been in a daze all day, lowered his eyes. The sunset reflected on his snow-white robes, adding a touch of gentleness. But this inappropriate gentleness was no different from a joke.
He knew he had become a joke in Jiang Yinyue's eyes.
The high and mighty crown prince was intimidated by his elder brother, who had been put in a life-or-death situation and survived.
"I'm ridiculous, aren't I?"
"Your Highness, please adjust your attitude. Losing is not something to be laughed at."
"You want me to lose to him."
"My thoughts are not important to Your Highness. What Your Highness should care about are those who trust, depend on, and help you."
At this moment, Wei Xichen truly realized why he couldn't forget Jiang Yinyue; her resilience, courage, and rationality gave her charm beyond her beauty.
It's as if you can draw strength from being near her.
Wei Xichen wiped his face, letting himself be dejected for only a moment; it wasn't shameful to be dejected in front of her.
Even though her heart belonged to Wei Qin.
She is who she is, and she is no one’s appendage.
"I've returned to the palace."
"Um."
Jiang Yinyue crossed her arms, seemingly intending to see him off. She disliked unfaithful men, but she respected her rivals.
Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions and an indescribable emptiness, Wei Xichen walked out of one end of the alley, only to run into Wei Qin, who had just left the palace.
When they met on a narrow path, the two groups were on the verge of drawing their swords.
The attendants of the Eastern Palace successively grasped the hilts of their swords, and Yan Yi, Mo Hao, and the others solemnly changed their expressions.
Wei Xichen raised his hand and waved it away, while Wei Qin also gave him a look, which calmed down the conflict that was about to break out.
“Now that your identity has been revealed, Vice Minister Wei should admit to one thing.” Wei Xichen regained his gentle demeanor, showing no trace of his previous dishevelment. “The assassination attempt against Tao Qian, which was a scheme devised by you, Vice Minister Wei.”
"Now that your identity has been revealed, Your Highness should change how you address me."
Wei Xichen laughed in exasperation, "Answer my question first."
"Yes." Wei Qin tilted his head slightly, his sword-like eyebrows raised, waiting for something.
For the first time in his life, Wei Xichen was being choked, yet he couldn't find a reason to accuse anyone. "Royal brother."
"Um?"
Wei Qin, who hadn't heard clearly, asked a question, unsure of what he had just said.
Even Jiang Yinyue, who was watching from the sidelines, could tell that someone was acting innocent after getting a good deal.
Wei Xichen did not linger any longer; his jade-like face was somewhat pale.
Two rows of attendants passed by Wei Qin and his group.
Yan Yi and Mo Hao wisely led their people away, while Hong Mei also led her female guards back to the mansion first.
With no need to protect the young master, Yan Yi dismissed the rest of the people and walked with Mo Hao back to the small residence. As they passed a roast chicken shop in the market, he patted Mo Hao on the shoulder, "Wait a moment."
Mo Hao knew that Yan Yi's favorite thing was a bite of roast chicken and a sip of wine. He shook his head and waited silently in place.
A sedan chair was stopped by someone.
The woman's voice was soft.
Through the throng of people, the woman in the sedan chair lifted the curtain and gazed at the most imposing man in the crowd.
"Xiao Fanzi..."
The woman was unsure and unconsciously tightened her grip on the sedan curtain. It was only when a mounted attendant from the Zhou family approached and inquired about the reason that she shook her head, lowered the curtain, and ordered the sedan chair to be lifted.
**
At the gate of the Jiang residence, Wei Qin walked up to Jiang Yinyue, bent down slightly, and looked directly into her clear almond-shaped eyes, his gaze filling her clear pupils. "Could you persuade the Crown Prince to focus his efforts on dealing with me? Miss, you have a great mind."
Jiang Yinyue didn't explain anything. She just stood from the perspective of an observer and believed that Wei Xichen's most urgent task was not to be immersed in shock and confusion, nor to regret the missed marriage, but to engage in political maneuvering and re-examine the situation.
"I didn't offer any advice or suggestions."
"Miss, do you have any other plans to deal with me? Tell me about them."
Jiang Yinyue leaned closer to Wei Qin and sniffed, "Where's that vinegar smell coming from?"
Wei Qin pinched her cheek until it hurt before gently rubbing it. He was somewhat bothered by it, unable to imagine how he would feel if Jiang Yinyue stood on Wei Xichen's side and became his enemy one day.
Perhaps their state of mind is similar to Wei Xichen's at this moment, or perhaps they will go crazy.
Jiang Yinyue scanned him from bottom to top; his dark black robe with gold thread accentuated his cold and imposing presence, making him even more alluring.
Her allure was striking and awe-inspiring.
"How impressive, Your Highness."
Jiang Yinyue's words were heartfelt, but to Wei Qin, they took on a different meaning. He disliked her aloofness, not even the slightest bit.
Jiang Yinyue was still dazed when Wei Qin carried her onto his shoulder and into the inner chamber of the boudoir.
What's wrong with him? He looks so dashing and imposing in that outfit.
Wei Qin put her down, and in front of her, he took off his jade belt and python robe, leaving her only in his undergarments, and bound her to his arms and the table. "Wei Qin will always be Miss's son-in-law."
"......"
Just then, a servant from the Jiang family came to deliver water.
"Miss, the bath water has arrived."
Jiang Yinyue felt a little embarrassed. It was on her way back to the manor that she had mentioned to Hong Mei that she wanted to take a bath early so she could go to bed early. She had been worried about Wei Qin these past two days and deserved a good night's sleep.
Wei Qin had water poured into the bathtub, then picked up Jiang Yinyue, who had nowhere to escape, and carried her into the bath.
Jiang Yinyue panicked, "What are you doing?"
"Serve the young lady during her bath."
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