Chapter 18, "Husband and Wife as One".
==Chapter 18: Beauty==
Princess Zhaoning's stay at Prince Cheng's residence was something Su Wanyue couldn't refuse out of courtesy. However, Princess Zhaoning was the Crown Princess's younger sister and had close ties with the Eastern Palace. Prince Cheng's residence and the Eastern Palace were on opposing sides, so if she agreed to let Princess Zhaoning stay at Prince Cheng's residence, it would likely cause a lot of trouble.
The Empress frowned when she saw that the princess remained silent for a long time. According to what she had heard, Princess Weiyang was spoiled and willful in Nanqiong, and had no guile. Apart from her good looks, she was not capable of anything else. But what she saw was not like that. She looked delicate and gentle on the outside, but in reality, she was just like that vixen Consort, with a very deep mind.
The Emperor really knows how to choose a princess for Xiao Yu. It would have been better if he had just chosen Qin Sisi as the princess in the first place. The Empress felt a tightness in her chest and gave Princess Zhaoning a wink. Princess Zhaoning smiled brightly at Su Wanyue and said, "About what happened at the Eastern Palace last time, it was just that I spoke without thinking. I actually like Sister Weiyang very much and hope that Sister Weiyang will not hold it against me."
She exuded innocence and romance, petite and charming, as if her initial confrontation was unintentional. She smiled brightly, while Su Wanyue smiled reservedly. "I know that the princess was just speaking without thinking back then. It is precisely because of the princess's innocent and romantic nature that I had to consider the princess's reputation."
What does this have to do with reputation...?
Princess Zhaoning was stunned by what she said, while the Empress understood and her face darkened even more. She was opportunistic, just like the glib-tongued Consort Qin. Anyone who didn't know better would think that she had learned Consort Qin's secret techniques.
Su Wanyue's voice was clear and melodious, like the sound of a zither. "Your Majesty, when I was having tea with the Seventh Princess at the Water Pavilion, I overheard some rumors that Princess Zhaoning had long admired Prince Cheng. Although they were just rumors, if Princess Zhaoning really went to Prince Cheng's residence for a short stay, I'm afraid some things that were false could become true. This would damage the princess's reputation, and I really cannot agree to it."
“You…” Princess Zhaoning frowned, immediately becoming unhappy. It was clear that she didn’t want her to get close to her brother Yu. Princess Zhaoning pouted and turned to look at the Empress, hoping that Her Majesty could stand up for her.
The woman before her had already spoken so frankly; how could the Empress possibly stand up for Princess Zhaoning? The Empress patted Princess Zhaoning's hand and said, "A young lady's reputation is of utmost importance. Zhaoning, please stay in the palace and keep me company."
Seeing that there was no hope of going to Prince Cheng's mansion, Princess Zhaoning's eyes turned red. The Empress's eyes flashed with impatience, but she comforted her for a while. Just as Su Wanyue was sitting on pins and needles, Zhang Mama, who was by Consort Qin's side, came to see the Empress. The Empress glanced at Su Wanyue and nodded to let Zhang Mama in.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine heard that the Princess Consort has entered the palace, and she specially sent this old servant to tell the Princess Consort to remember to spend some time with Her Majesty before leaving the palace."
Kunning Palace and Chengqian Palace are at odds the most. The Empress knows what that vile Consort Qin is up to. "I have finished speaking with Princess Cheng. Let her go and pay her respects to the Consort."
Su Wanyue followed Zhang Mama to Chengqian Palace. As soon as they arrived, the Seventh Princess emerged from a side hall and rushed into Su Wanyue's arms like a gust of wind. Su Wanyue was knocked back two steps by the bump. "Sister-in-law, see how clever I am? I knew the Empress was looking for you for no good reason. I immediately had Zhang Mama rescue you."
Su Wanyue thought it was the Imperial Concubine's decree, but she didn't expect it to be the Seventh Princess. She smiled and said, "Thank you for coming to my rescue, Seventh Princess."
The Seventh Princess frowned. "By the way, why did Her Majesty the Empress summon my sister-in-law at this time?"
Su Wanyue quietly told her the whole story. Not only did the Seventh Princess frown as she listened, but Zhang Mama, who was standing to the side, also frowned.
The Seventh Princess said, "My brother doesn't like Princess Zhaoning, yet the Empress is still trying so hard to match them up. Could she be up to something? Luckily, my sister-in-law refused."
"The lotus flowers in the Imperial Garden are so beautiful, sister-in-law, come with me to see them."
Su Wanyue looked at Zhang Mama, who smiled and said, "Her Highness the Consort has been feeling unwell lately and has not been able to rest well. She is currently sleeping in her bedchamber. It will be the same if the Princess comes to pay her respects to Her Highness before leaving the palace. I will inform Her Highness."
"Then I will come to pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine later."
Chengqian Palace and the Imperial Garden were peaceful, but Kunning Palace was tense. The Empress calmed Princess Zhaoning down and smashed several white glazed cups in the inner hall. "Look at this Princess Cheng, isn't she just like Consort Qin? His Majesty really knows how to choose a princess for Xiao Yu."
Lady Li's expression was serious, her teeth clenched, fearing that Her Majesty the Empress might say something she shouldn't. "Your Majesty, please be careful with your words. Since Princess Consort Cheng is married to Prince Cheng, they are husband and wife, so she naturally sides with His Highness Prince Cheng. Besides, Princess Consort Cheng and Prince Cheng have only been married for a few months, and their relationship is still very strong. Princess Consort Cheng must be worried that other women will share her favor, which is why she refused to allow Princess Zhaoning to stay at Prince Cheng's residence for a while. Furthermore, the Crown Princess comes from a wealthy and powerful family; she is the daughter of a meritorious official and will bring many benefits to His Highness the Crown Prince."
"The Crown Princess is good, but the fact that she was betrothed to Xie Cheng since childhood has always been a thorn in my side. If it weren't for the fact that the General of the State has made great contributions to the country, I would not have agreed to let her become the Crown Prince's principal wife."
If the Empress had known earlier that Nanqiong would marry Princess Weiyang to the Crown Prince, she would definitely have hoped that Princess Weiyang could marry the Crown Prince. With Nanqiong's help, the other princes would have no chance at all. Just thinking about this made the Empress feel like her heart was bleeding.
"Go and invite the Emperor over."
Worried that the Empress might do something again, Lady Li wore a distressed expression and tried to be as tactful as possible, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has been going to the Consort's palace every day recently because of the assassination case at Guimin Temple. It might not be appropriate to invite His Majesty over for some trivial matters concerning young ladies at this time."
Upon hearing this, the Empress flew into a rage and slammed her hand heavily on the golden nanmu square table. "That Prefect of the Capital is really something. He's left alive, yet he still can't find the real culprit behind it all."
It's all for nothing that Consort Qin has received so much favor. Among the high-ranking concubines, Consort Qin entered the palace the latest, and she already has a son and a daughter. I hope she doesn't get pregnant again.
***
People in the capital, whether they were royalty or ordinary citizens, liked to come to Qushuilou to drink tea when they had nothing to do.
The water-fetching pavilion was packed with people, but the tea room on the second floor was surprisingly elegant, with only the sounds of string and wind instruments to be heard.
Luo Qi, with a nonchalant air, waved for the guards to leave, then turned to the person at the head of the table, saying, "That's what the Seventh Princess's people said."
Mu Ziyi, always eager for gossip, deliberately sighed slowly, "It seems His Highness is still very popular. Besides ministers and local officials who are eager to send women to His Highness, even the Empress has her eye on His Highness's concubine position."
By the fifteenth year of Zhaoning, the name of Prince Cheng had become famous throughout the capital, and no one in the world knew of him. Although the position of the Crown Prince was secure, many people still valued Prince Cheng's ability and character. Before he even got married, many ministers wanted to send him beautiful women, but none of them entered Prince Cheng's residence.
Xiao Yu's eyes were as deep as obsidian, and his tone was steady, "If the young general is impatient, I can ask my father to grant you a marriage with Princess Zhaoning."
Mu Ziyi almost spat out his tea, his handsome face turning red. When had he ever been so impatient? Recently, the Mu and Xie families had been discussing marriage, and his mother and father had been praising the third young lady of the Xie family. If he were to get involved with other women at this time, ruining the good news for both families, his father would beat him to death.
Mu Ziyi hurriedly picked up the gilded cup and punished himself by drinking three cups.
"Speaking of the assassination attempt at Guimin Temple last time, it's strange that the Prefect of the Capital couldn't find anything out," Luo Qi asked.
Xie Cheng's cool gaze fell on Luo Qi. "Don't you understand yet?"
Luo Qi asked curiously, "What are you looking at?"
Xie Cheng ran his fingertips along the fan handle, his eyes slightly lowered. "The person behind this is Princess Zhaoning, who is only using the Crown Prince's influence."
Luo Qi and Mu Ziyi were shocked. They never expected that the matter of Guimin Temple was ordered by Princess Zhaoning. "There are some things that the Crown Prince cannot do, but he can guide others to do them. Then he can take the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, provide manpower and effort, and gain the trust of the person doing the work without being easily discovered."
Mu Ziyi glanced at Xie Cheng and said, “No wonder the current Crown Princess is one of the two beauties of the capital. She is known throughout the capital for her intelligence and elegance. Why is it that Princess Zhaoning is so willful and lacks the magnanimity of someone from a military family?”
Luo Qi wasn't stupid; he understood what was being said. He gasped, "So the reason why the Crown Prince and the Empress dote on Princess Zhaoning and protect her in everything is that they actually only see her as a pawn."
Mu Ziyi looked troubled. "So, this matter can only be left unresolved?"
"His Majesty clearly knows about this matter and is determined to protect Princess Zhaoning. What can anyone else do?"
This matter will be exposed sooner or later. When that day comes, His Majesty can simply erase the fact that Princess Zhaoning is the daughter of a meritorious official.
It must be said that His Majesty has been lenient with the Crown Prince time and time again. No matter how many wrong things the Crown Prince has done, as long as a scapegoat can be found, His Majesty will not blame him. This time, he has once again let him off lightly.
Luo Qi and Mu Ziyi leaned back in their chairs, listlessly lost in thought, when Xiao Yu at the head of the table stood up. Luo Qi, Mu Ziyi, and the others quickly followed suit, asking, "Your Highness, where are you going?"
"Return to the residence."
The Imperial Garden features intricately designed eaves and walls, and one can enjoy a panoramic view of its beautiful scenery from the Flying Bird Pavilion. A plate of peeled lotus seeds sits on a round table, where the Seventh Princess and Su Wanyue chat and laugh.
"What does my sister-in-law think of the lotus seeds?"
"If you make it into osmanthus and lotus seed soup and add some honey, it will definitely be delicious."
"Then another day, sister-in-law, please instruct the servants to prepare it, and I will go to Prince Cheng's residence for a drink."
This harmonious scene was quickly broken by an exclamation: "Oh, isn't this Third Sister-in-law and Seventh Sister?"
Su Wanyue frowned. The Seventh Princess raised her hand and looked at the newcomer with a playful smile, "Why has the Crown Prince entered the palace?"
"After paying my respects to Father Emperor, I also wished Mother Emperor a proper greeting." Xiao Ruofei's smile carried an indescribable effeminate quality, yet he approached Su Wanyue and the Seventh Princess with an air of gentle warmth. "Third Sister-in-law, may I have a word with you in private?"
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