Chapter 88. I'm delighted that the young lady favors me...
Jiang Yinyue returned to the mansion, recalling her conversation with the Ninth Miss.
No wonder Lady Dong delayed the selection of concubines; it was largely due to the Ninth Miss's rejection and refusal.
Lady Dong needed to form a marriage alliance with Lady Zhou to solidify the Crown Prince's position, while Lady Zhou also intended to form a marriage alliance with the Eastern Palace to strengthen her power. Originally, it was a perfect match, but unexpectedly, it was not a one-sided affair, but rather a situation where neither party was interested.
In wealthy and powerful families, marriages of children are often seen as tools for political alliances. Many lovers are separated by their families. Fate is unpredictable, and gambling with marriage can sometimes lead to unforeseen consequences.
The case of the Ninth Princess and the Crown Prince is not an isolated incident.
Jiang Yinyue was relieved that her love life had taken a turn for the better and had not continued to be full of setbacks.
**
After the Awakening of Insects, the weather warms up, and it's not just a slight feeling; people can shed their heavy winter clothes and go for a spring outing.
Led by the Empress, the Dong clan, together with the Imperial Clan Court, decided to change this year's Spring Banquet into a banquet for selecting imperial concubines for the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince delayed the selection of a concubine as much as possible, causing Empress Dong great anxiety.
Fortunately, Madam Dong was a resolute woman, unlike her daughter who lost her mind when she lacked a pillar of support.
"Chen'er's hesitant nature is partly your fault."
He constantly taught his son to be decisive and ruthless, yet he himself couldn't set a good example.
Empress Dong, whose face was pale, couldn't help but retort, "Cui Yinghan is gentle by nature, but I haven't seen the First Prince be weak!"
"Empress Yide is soft-hearted? If she were soft-hearted, would she have dared to protect the historian Gong Fei? Would she have dared to propose a divorce to His Majesty? Would she have dared to secretly convey the imperial edict to build up connections for her son?" The old lady pinched the bridge of her nose. "You, jealousy breeds hatred."
Empress Dong was even angrier, and even her mother spoke up for the woman.
The past is the past, why bring it up again and cause yourself trouble! The old lady reminded him, "The most urgent thing is to persuade Chen'er to focus on choosing a consort and not dwell on the people he missed in the past."
"Jiang Yinyue?"
"Tell Chen'er that if you are not destined to be with the Jiang family girl in your prime, then you are destined to be apart for life. A self-disciplined person will actively stay away from people and things that disturb their peace of mind."
When Empress Dong relayed her mother's words to her son, Wei Xichen's fingers, which were rubbing the little tabby's head, stiffened for a moment. After a while, he continued to rub the little tabby's head, making the little tabby squint its eyes and make gurgling sounds.
"It was all under the control of my maternal grandmother and mother."
"Shouldn't you take this seriously?" Empress Dong was furious. "The marriage with Ninth Miss is the most important thing. In a couple of days, I will arrange for you to meet and have a heart-to-heart talk."
Wei Xichen neither refused nor showed any enthusiasm.
That night, the Zhou residence was in an uproar.
"You're not getting married?"
Upon returning to his residence, Chief Minister Zhou was taken aback when he faced his youngest daughter. He murmured and repeated her words before angrily shouting, "Who gave you the courage to refuse the marriage proposal from the Crown Prince?"
The usually dignified and gentle Ninth Sister remained unusually calm. "Myself."
Premier Zhou was incredibly shrewd. He pointed at his daughter's nose and demanded, "Who seduced you? Tell me!"
"It has nothing to do with anyone else; it's my decision. Marrying the Crown Prince, who already has someone he loves, is not as good as taking a gamble to stay with the one I love. I'm willing to accept the consequences! I can afford to gamble, and I won't hesitate. If I lose, I won't die for a man. There are many beautiful things in the world besides love, but right now, I'm going to take this gamble."
"absurd!!"
The Zhou family was as anxious as ants on a hot pan, trying to calm the head of the family down while advising the Ninth Miss not to be willful and reckless.
The Prime Minister's wife pulled her daughter aside and said, "You're over twenty, an old maid! Other noble ladies would fight tooth and nail to get into the Eastern Palace, but you can be the Empress. It's your good fortune, and one should cherish it!"
"Competing for favor is a blessing? My daughter doesn't want that kind of blessing."
The Zhou family kept the refusal of the marriage a secret. Zhou Yujin lied to his daughter, saying she had caught a cold and was bedridden, unable to see anyone. However, the position of Crown Princess was already in the Zhou family's grasp.
"Even if we have to tie them up, we'll tie them onto the bridal sedan chair!"
Having not yet received any news, Wei Xichen was in a daze. He went to the emperor's bedchamber to pay his respects as usual in the early morning. When Emperor Shunren mentioned the immortal peach in his dream, he was not moved at all.
"Where would there be peaches at this time of year? Father, you're confusing your dreams."
"The immortal peach can cure me, you unfilial son, find it for me!"
Wei Qin, who arrived a step later to pay his respects, entered the bedchamber. Upon hearing this, he blinked indifferently, not directly denying Emperor Shunren's dream. He stepped forward, glanced at the drawing spread out on the emperor's lap, and asked with a half-smile, "Father, is this the location of the immortal peach?"
Emperor Shunren was impatient. "Find him! If you won't go, I'll go myself!!"
"Your Majesty is unwell, and it is your son's duty to serve you."
Wei Qin's gentle and understanding tone not only stunned Emperor Shunren, but also made Wei Xichen more vigilant.
Do you want to win his heart with feigned affection?
Wei Xichen unconsciously glanced at the blueprint.
Near a mountain road in a suburb outside the city.
The royal brothers walked out of the palace together. Wei Xichen smiled faintly, "Although Father Emperor suffers from hysteria, he cannot be easily fooled. Royal brother, you must act cautiously, lest you fail to flatter him and anger Father Emperor."
"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I heard that Her Majesty the Empress and the Imperial Clan Court have discussed changing this year's Spring Banquet into a selection banquet for imperial concubines. I wish Your Highness success in finding a beautiful woman and being surrounded by kindred spirits."
The ill-intentioned blessing sounded jarring, and Wei Xichen's smile stiffened slightly, but his tone remained gentle, "Even my royal brother will have such a day."
"No, my heart belongs to only one person, and I will stay with only one person."
Leaving behind an unpleasant remark, Wei Qin strode past the Crown Prince beside him, planting a seed of regret in the Crown Prince's barren heart.
If time could turn back, Wei Xichen would not doubt his childhood sweetheart.
If time could be reversed, Jiang Yinyue would definitely turn around resolutely the moment she met him.
That evening, upon learning that Wei Qin was going to lead a group of people to search for immortal peaches outside the city, Jiang Yinyue said suspiciously, "At this time of year, the peach trees are just sprouting buds. Let alone immortal peaches, not even hairy peaches or yellow peaches can bear fruit."
Wei Qin leaned against the door of the Jiang family's boudoir and said truthfully, "The more difficult it is to find, the more we should make a big fuss about it."
Jiang Yinyue became interested and leaned closer, "Are you going to put on an act?"
"Let's go inside and talk."
"Say it or don't, it's up to you."
Wei Qin, who was blocked outside the door, pinched her cheek. "Miss is intelligent."
"Then I want to go too."
Consider it a trip to enjoy the spring scenery and relieve boredom.
Wei Qin then said, "Let's go inside and discuss it."
Jiang Yinyue snorted and stepped aside to let him cross the threshold. "Where are you going to find a real peach?"
"Pears, apricots, and oranges are all acceptable."
Jiang Yinyue paused for a moment, then understood.
The next day, before dawn, Wei Qin led a group of eunuchs from the inner palace out of the city to search, following the topographical map drawn by the emperor.
Jiang Yinyue followed behind on horseback, completely oblivious to the search for the immortal peaches, immersing herself in the vibrant atmosphere of the soon-to-be-lush vegetation, until the group found a peach grove.
Flower buds perch on the branches, ready to bloom, but there is no sign of fruit yet!
The young eunuch before the emperor asked Wei Qin, "This servant remembers that there are many peach trees growing in the mountain stream not far away. Would Your Highness like to go and try your luck?"
"Can."
Wei Qin gestured for the young eunuch to lead the way, then glanced back at Jiang Yinyue, who was tiptoeing and smelling the peach blossoms. "Come here."
Jiang Yinyue mounted her flying mount and caught up with Wei Qin, thinking that if Ninth Sister were free, she would definitely pick up her paintbrush and paint this early spring scene.
One by one, the group entered the mountain stream mentioned by the young eunuch, splitting up to search, knowing it was impossible but doing it anyway, all for the sake of the emperor's absurd dream.
But just an hour later, Wei Qin and the others discovered a huge peach hanging on a branch on a grassy hillside.
"Peach, ah, fairy peach!"
Jiang Yinyue exclaimed in surprise, quite exaggeratedly.
Hanging a fruit on a peach tree beforehand is a deceptive trick that will be easily seen through; it's merely an attempt to please the emperor. The emperor's antics while confined to his bedchamber are nothing more than a subconscious yearning for care and attention.
When the body is weak, the mind is most vulnerable.
Would Wei Qin please his most hated biological father in order to gain favor and power?
Strange.
Despite her doubts, Jiang Yinyue still played along, saying, "His Majesty is blessed with great fortune to have found the immortal peach."
The eunuchs echoed in agreement.
Wei Qin estimated the distance and ordered someone to bring a bow and arrows.
Just as he was about to draw his bow and nock an arrow, the sound of horses' hooves came from the other end of the mountain stream.
Wei Xichen led the attendants of the Eastern Palace to the scene.
Jiang Yinyue subconsciously stood in front of Wei Qin, coldly staring at the person who came to steal the credit.
Wei Xichen dismounted, his white robes brushing across the uneven grass, and came to Jiang Yinyue. He spoke to Wei Qin, "I have found the immortal peach."
"Yeah?"
Wei Qin fired an arrow, which broke the peach branch.
The fruit, still attached to the branches and leaves, fell to the ground and was caught by Jiang Yinyue.
It is indeed a wild fruit that resembles a peach.
Seeing this, Wei Xichen's smile deepened, and he ordered someone to bring out the immortal peaches he had "found".
Jiang Yinyue was certain she had never seen a peach like this before; it must be an uncommon wild fruit, even more realistic than the one in her hand.
Using wild fruit to impersonate peaches, Emperor Shunren would probably be driven mad by his two "filial sons".
Jiang Yinyue looked around, told the young eunuch in front of the emperor to put the "peach" she had received into a box, and immediately waved her hand, "You go first."
Seeing Wei Qin nod, the young eunuch led his men away first.
Jiang Yinyue looked at Wei Xichen and said, "Let's speak privately. Please ask the people from the Eastern Palace to leave."
Wei Xichen was clearly taken aback and subconsciously looked at Wei Qin behind Jiang Yinyue.
"And him?"
Jiang Yinyue turned her head away. "You should also leave."
Wei Qin frowned, but then saw Wei Xichen raise his hand and dismiss everyone.
After Wei Qin left, Jiang Yinyue stared at the "peach" in Wei Xichen's hand without saying a word.
Wei Xichen lowered his head and asked gently, "Please speak your mind."
His tone was gentle and tender.
Jiang Yinyue remained silent, staring at the "peach" in his hand. Taking advantage of his momentary lapse in attention, she snatched it from his hand and took a bite.
"What...what are you doing?" Wei Xichen asked, puzzled, then angrily. "Jiang Yinyue!"
Jiang Yinyue took a few more bites, and finding there were no pits, she simply swallowed them. She pursed her lips and burped, like a little rascal caught red-handed but fearless.
Wei Xichen raised his hand several times as if to say something, then turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.
You brushed past the person who was favored.
Wei Qin strode towards Jiang Yinyue, ignoring the group from the Eastern Palace. He grabbed Jiang Yinyue's chin, his expression serious. "Did you swallow it?"
Jiang Yinyue smiled, "It's quite sweet."
Wei Qin's expression didn't soften. He pinched her cheek hard, saying, "What if it's poisonous?"
“You don’t understand him; he wouldn’t poison His Majesty.”
Wei Xichen values his reputation, and as a last resort, he would not commit regicide or usurpation, thus leaving a stain on his record.
"So, Miss knows the Crown Prince very well?"
Jiang Yinyue suddenly clutched her stomach, "It hurts so much, I think I've been poisoned."
Wei Qin wasn't fooled, but he still helped her up and gently pulled her into his arms. "I'm delighted that you're on my side, but you can't take any more risks for me."
Not even the slightest risk is acceptable.
Wei Qin was terrified.
Even the most fearless person has a weakness.
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