Chapter 90 "The Eldest Princess vs. the Prince Consort: A Sinking Boat at the Banquet..."
Chapter 90: The Eldest Princess ==
In the third month of the early years of the Dingyuan era, amidst the fireworks and willows, the capital city once again descended into a long-awaited bustle as the list of successful candidates for the imperial examination was posted on the city walls.
On the rosewood table in the Princess's room sat a plate of large, round lychees. Princess Huiyang listlessly played with the lychees. Ling'er smiled and said to Princess Huiyang, "Princess, I heard that many young ladies in the capital are going to Chang'an Street to see the top scholar. Do you want to go?"
"Why should I go?" Princess Huiyang glanced at her and yawned lazily. She was only interested in beautiful women. She would rather stay in the mansion than waste her time on such things. In the whole capital, only the Xie family had outstanding talents and looks. Princess Huiyang really only found the Xie family pleasing to the eye.
"Princess, I've heard that this year's top scholar, Young Master Yan, is famous for his handsome appearance and talent, and his learning has been highly praised by His Majesty. Perhaps the princess will like him."
Princess Huiyang was not interested in his handsome appearance or his highly praised talent. She only cared about one thing, and she leaned forward slightly, asking, "Is this Young Master Yan handsome?"
Princess Huiyang changed the subject too quickly, leaving Ling'er momentarily confused. Princess Huiyang glanced at her and said, "Ling'er, you don't understand me. Talent and demeanor are things I don't possess. If you want to catch my eye, you can't be too unattractive."
However, their princess's appearance was extremely beautiful. Ling'er felt that their princess was too modest. Ling'er smiled and said, "Princess, this young master Yan is only twenty years old. His appearance must be quite good."
Princess Huiyang yawned lazily, "That's true. If he weren't handsome enough, so many girls wouldn't have come to see him."
Ling'er glanced tentatively at Princess Huiyang, "Then this servant will assist the princess with her hair and makeup."
Princess Huiyang nodded lazily in agreement.
Princess Huiyang was the younger sister of the current emperor, and she grew up in luxury. She was beautiful and wore extremely luxurious and colorful clothes. She wore a red silk dress, and small bells hung on her belt and brocade shoes. When she walked, the small bells jingled and made a pleasant sound.
Princess Huiyang's canopy carriage was ready, with maids and guards waiting on both sides. Princess Huiyang yawned, suddenly feeling extremely bored. He was just a newly appointed top scholar; why should she bother to come all this way to see him? If she wanted to see him, she could simply summon him to the Princess's residence. Princess Huiyang was filled with regret and felt incredibly stupid. Just as she was about to tell the servants to head back, the coachman smiled and said, "Princess, we've arrived."
How did we arrive so quickly...?
Princess Huiyang forgot that the princess was located in the most bustling part of the capital, so she naturally arrived so quickly.
Then she could witness the brilliance of the newly appointed top scholar. Princess Huiyang placed her jade-like hand on the arm of her maid Ling'er, "Let's go."
Princess Huiyang's temperament was undoubtedly unique. The waiter was stunned when he saw her. He hurriedly asked someone to lead Princess Huiyang to the top floor, where there was a viewing platform with the best view. Princess Huiyang, supported by her maid, walked step by step to the viewing platform. The streets below were crowded with people, who were talking and chatting, creating a rare atmosphere of noise.
Princess Huiyang smiled. She was quite lucky. In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the top three candidates in the imperial examination rode slowly in on tall horses. The one in the lead had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and a handsome appearance. His smile was very faint, but it added to his otherworldly air.
Princess Huiyang raised an eyebrow. This didn't seem like a weak scholar. Princess Huiyang stayed in the teahouse for almost an incense stick's time before getting up and leaving.
Everyone knows that the Emperor attaches great importance to the newly appointed top scholar, Yan Chenzhou. Just after Yan Chenzhou finished being summoned by the Emperor and was leaving the palace, an unfamiliar maid came over and said, "Young Master Yan, our princess wishes to see you."
"May I ask, young lady, is it Princess Huiyang who wishes to see me?"
"Yes, please, Young Master Yan."
Yan Chenzhou followed the maid to Princess Huiyang. After passing through several corridors, they arrived at a cool and secluded pavilion. The pavilion was large, with a round table and several stools. Princess Huiyang lazily rested her chin on her hand and looked at him. Her makeup was extremely gorgeous, and her eyes were slightly upturned, making her look like a little fox. Yan Chenzhou was neither humble nor arrogant and bowed to Princess Huiyang, saying, "I greet Princess Huiyang."
"Young Master Yan, please don't stand on ceremony. I wonder if you can get used to this Biluochun tea?" Princess Huiyang raised her hand and instructed the servants to serve tea to Yan Chenzhou.
After taking a sip, Yan Chenzhou praised, "The tea from the Princess's residence is naturally the best."
He spoke words of praise, but his tone was indifferent, clearly just polite talk. Princess Huiyang, as the Emperor's younger sister, had everything she could want. Yan Chenzhou's attitude, however, piqued her interest. Regardless of whether he was playing hard to get, Princess Huiyang felt an urge—an urge to make him hers. Thinking this, she spoke up, straightening her posture and smiling sweetly: "Young Master Yan, if I were to tell you that you would become my consort, I could guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and glory. Would you be willing to become my consort?"
Princess Huiyang, being the Emperor's younger sister, had countless suitors who wanted to marry her. However, half of them were after her status as a princess, while the other half were people Princess Huiyang didn't like. But Princess Huiyang took a liking to Yan Chenzhou at first sight.
Yan Chenzhou was clearly taken aback by these words. After a moment, he stood up. Princess Huiyang raised her eyebrows, as if waiting for Yan Chenzhou to say something next, but she thought that she probably didn't like to hear these words.
Yan Chenzhou bowed slightly and greeted Princess Huiyang, saying, "I am grateful for Your Highness's kindness, but I already have someone I love, and I am afraid I will have to disappoint Your Highness. I wish Your Highness to find a good man soon."
In the warm spring breeze of March, Princess Huiyang's black hair fluttered in the wind, making her incredibly beautiful. Upon hearing these words, Princess Huiyang's expression froze for a moment. She looked at Ling'er, who shook her head at her. This person was deliberately "forcing" her to back down.
Princess Huiyang is proud and arrogant. She must get what she wants. If Yan Chenzhou really had someone he liked, Princess Huiyang would have let it go. But the so-called "someone he liked" was just a pretext, a pretext to make her back down. How could Princess Huiyang let him go so easily?
Princess Huiyang slowly approached Yan Chenzhou and personally helped him up. She deliberately softened her tone and said with a light laugh, "Young Master Yan is so devoted; I am truly moved. Why don't you bring your beloved to the Princess's residence tomorrow? If your love is truly as strong as gold, then I will ask my father to bestow a marriage upon you both."
Yan Chenzhou was tense all over. Princess Huiyang in front of him seemed to be deliberately telling him that she knew he was saying this on purpose, so she wanted to see what other skills he had up his sleeve.
Yan Chenzhou naturally dared not underestimate Princess Huiyang. He straightened up and spoke the truth to her, "Princess, I am not one to be troubled by matters of the heart. I'm afraid that if this continues, it will not suit your wishes."
"Young Master Yan, you jest. I am a princess of the current dynasty, the Emperor's own sister. I do not need Young Master Yan to serve me every day, nor do I need Young Master Yan to go out and do hard labor to support me. How could Young Master Yan say that he is 'troubled by love'?"
Princess Huiyang looked directly into Yan Chenzhou's eyes, slowly stroking her soft hair with her right hand. She smiled radiantly and asked Yan Chenzhou a question.
For the first twenty years of his life, Yan Chenzhou only enjoyed writing, ink, paper, candlesticks, and books, and had no time for such romantic matters. This was the first time he had spoken for so long with a woman, especially since this woman was the current princess.
Yan Chenzhou asked with a smile, "Then, would the princess be willing to give me a few days to consider?"
“Of course.” Since he was willing to back down, Princess Huiyang was naturally willing to back down as well. Princess Huiyang gave her personal maid a wink, “Ling’er, see Young Master Yan out of the mansion.”
"Young Master Yan, this way please."
Ling'er personally escorted Yan Chenzhou to the outside of the mansion and then returned. Seeing that Princess Huiyang was already resting with her eyes closed on the chaise longue, Ling'er became anxious and whispered, "Princess, have you fallen in love with Young Master Yan?"
"Ling'er, didn't you encourage me to meet this Young Master Yan yesterday? Are you unhappy that I chose him as my consort?" Princess Huiyang laughed upon hearing this, teasing her as she fiddled with the red jade glass cup in front of her with her slender fingers.
Ling'er was about to cry, "But I just thought that since the princess hasn't left the manor for several days, she could go out for a stroll. I didn't have any intention of matchmaking the princess with Young Master Yan."
"Alright, I didn't mean to blame you. I just think this Young Master Yan is very interesting and has a lot of integrity, so I want him to be my consort, that's all." Princess Huiyang chuckled, her features becoming lively with laughter, as she comforted Ling'er.
Ling'er was relieved.
***
Yan Chenzhou said he needed a few days to consider, and Princess Huiyang truly gave him those days—a full ten days. After ten days, Princess Huiyang had Yan Chenzhou invited from outside the palace to her residence. Yan Chenzhou, dressed in a crimson robe, still couldn't hide his noble bearing. Princess Huiyang prepared the most precious tea to entertain him. "Young Master Yan, how have you decided?"
==中==
Princess Huiyang guessed that this man probably wouldn't agree. If he wanted to agree, he wouldn't be acting this way. But regardless of whether he wanted to agree or not, Princess Huiyang had already decided that he would be her son-in-law.
Yan Chenzhou remained neither humble nor arrogant. He merely smiled and glanced at Princess Huiyang. In a gentle tone, he asked, "I've heard that Your Highness is fond of beauty. I'd like to ask Your Highness, is it because you're so determined to make me your consort that you've taken a liking to my face?"
Princess Huiyang hadn't expected him to speak her mind so directly, but part of the reason she wanted him to be her consort was indeed because of his handsome face. Princess Huiyang coughed lightly and said, "If I answer your question, will you be willing to be my consort?"
Princess Huiyang was a clever woman who always wanted to be in the right place at all times. Her purpose in coming today was to make Yan Chenzhou her husband, something Princess Huiyang could never forget.
Yan Chenzhou suddenly smiled. He found this princess to be quite interesting. If Yan Chenzhou's life for the first twenty years was dull and boring, then with the appearance of Princess Huiyang, his dull and boring life had gained a bright spot. He thought that if Princess Huiyang really wanted to choose him as her consort just because of his face, then it would be a good use of his looks. He would be a good consort.
Princess Huiyang looked somewhat uneasy. Didn't he know that he was very handsome, yet he was smiling so heartily?
Just as Princess Huiyang was about to ask Yan Chenzhou what his answer would be, Yan Chenzhou slowly spoke, his voice deep and calm, "In that case, let it be as the princess wishes."
Princess Huiyang's face instantly lit up with a smile. At this moment, she was like a little girl who had received the gift she wanted. She raised her chin slightly and asked Yan Chenzhou with a touch of arrogance, "Is Young Master Yan's statement true?"
"Of course it is true," Yan Chenzhou replied.
"Then come with me to the palace quickly." Princess Huiyang disregarded the rules between men and women and suddenly grabbed Yan Chenzhou's sleeve. Yan Chenzhou was really stunned. Was she in such a hurry? But he relaxed and cooperated, letting Princess Huiyang pull him away.
The steward of the Princess's residence had already prepared a carriage for Princess Huiyang. Princess Huiyang and Yan Chenzhou rode together in the carriage to the palace. Because Princess Huiyang was not a prince, the Emperor treated his younger sister with great favor. However, even so, when he heard that Princess Huiyang wanted Yan Chenzhou to be her husband, the Emperor was still somewhat puzzled. After all, there were so many outstanding young men in the capital. Why did Huiyang have to choose Yan Chenzhou as her husband? He remembered that a few months ago, when the Empress Dowager was choosing a husband for Princess Huiyang, Princess Huiyang said that she disliked scholars the most. She thought they were dull and boring, and most of them were also cold-hearted. Yan Chenzhou was a scholar who had become the top scholar in this imperial examination.
The key issue is that Yan Chenzhou, aside from his talent, doesn't have a good family background. Why would Princess Huiyang insist on making him her consort? The Emperor is truly puzzled. Because of this, the Emperor's expression looks somewhat gloomy. "Huiyang, what did you say? You want Minister Yan to be your consort?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I only wish to spend my life with Young Master Yan." Princess Huiyang's expression was resolute, and her words were firm and unwavering.
Even though she knew that Princess Huiyang's words were only meant to show the Emperor her determination so that he would grant the marriage, Yan Chenzhou's heart still skipped a beat.
"Why? Didn't you say three months ago that you didn't like those scholars, and that most of them were dull, boring, and heartless? Didn't Minister Yan use his talent to win Huiyang's heart?" the Emperor asked.
"Your Majesty, I like Young Master Yan, so I like him regardless of whether he is a scholar or not. Similarly, I don't like those people, so I don't like them regardless of whether they are scholars or not." Princess Huiyang spoke to the Emperor with an air of spoiled arrogance and high spirits.
Eunuch Zhou smiled and looked down. Princess Huiyang always spoke with reason and evidence, and he guessed that the marriage was going to happen. This young master Yan was truly blessed.
Princess Huiyang had already put it this way, and the Emperor became interested. "Has Princess Huiyang inquired about Minister Yan's opinion?"
Princess Huiyang pursed her lips, "Of course I asked."
The Emperor then looked at Yan Chenzhou, whose figure was relaxed and whose brows were also relaxed. "Your Majesty, I have long admired Princess Huiyang. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."
"Since Princess Huiyang and Minister Yan are in love, I naturally have no reason to refuse." Perhaps because Princess Huiyang's marriage to Yan Chenzhou would have no impact on the court, the Emperor was quite pleased and readily agreed.
***
In the early autumn of the Dingyuan era, a refreshing autumn breeze carried the rich fragrance of osmanthus blossoms in the courtyard.
On the night of Princess Huiyang's wedding to Yan Chenzhou, Yan Chenzhou drank too much. His handsome face was flushed with alcohol. Princess Huiyang asked someone to prepare a hangover soup, but Yan Chenzhou pressed his temples and said he wasn't drunk. Ling'er asked Princess Huiyang for her opinion, and Princess Huiyang still asked her to prepare the hangover soup.
After finally managing to remove the hairpins and ornaments from her head, Princess Huiyang twisted her neck. Seeing this, the servants quickly helped her to bathe. When she returned, the man was already by the window reading a book. Dressed in a red wedding gown, he was exceptionally handsome and elegant. Seeing Princess Huiyang emerge from the inner room, Yan Chenzhou put down his book and came to help her. Tonight was Princess Huiyang and Yan Chenzhou's wedding night, and everyone present knew their place and withdrew. Only Princess Huiyang and Yan Chenzhou remained in the large hall. Princess Huiyang had just finished bathing, and her body still carried a faint fragrance. Even though Yan Chenzhou was completely ignorant of matters between men and women, he felt a little parched. He looked away, avoiding looking at Princess Huiyang's porcelain-like skin, coughed, and said he would go bathe first.
Princess Huiyang was initially nervous, but seeing that the other person was even more nervous than her, she found it somewhat amusing. Would she eat someone? Moreover, this person always appeared so composed and dignified in front of her, yet now she seemed shy. However, it was rare to see the other person so unnatural, as if she were shy, which made Princess Huiyang find it amusing again. She stared blankly at the candlelight in the hall.
Princess Huiyang was already strikingly beautiful, and under the candlelight, that beauty was even more intense. To Yan Chenzhou, Princess Huiyang at this moment resembled a little fox about to take his life. He inexplicably stiffened, and only after his breathing had completely calmed down did Yan Chenzhou walk towards Princess Huiyang. "Princess, tonight?"
His expression and tone of voice made it hard for Princess Huiyang not to overthink things. As soon as she spoke, her eyes reddened, "What's wrong tonight? Does Young Master Yan not want to consummate our marriage tonight?"
Although she forced him into this marriage, and she might not even like him that much, the marriage was already done. If he didn't consummate the marriage with her on their wedding night, her younger sisters would laugh at her.
Yan Chenzhou hadn't expected that his simple words would make the other party cry. He carefully squatted down in front of Princess Huiyang and wiped her peach blossom eyes with his hand. "Princess, what are you thinking? Now that I have married you, I will naturally fulfill your request."
What did she mean by "her request"? Princess Huiyang's face flushed red instantly. She glared at Yan Chenzhou fiercely, "Doesn't the consort want it?"
Yan Chenzhou was tense all over, clearly having reached his limit. Although he was a civil official, his strength was not to be underestimated. He easily pushed Princess Huiyang down onto the bed. The red curtains were drawn, and Yan Chenzhou's red lips were already pressed against Princess Huiyang's red lips. He whispered in Princess Huiyang's ear, "Whether I want it or not, the princess will know in a moment."
Soon, a soft, delicate voice, sounding like she was about to cry, came from behind the red curtain.
In the latter half of the night, Princess Huiyang's voice became hoarse from shouting. She didn't even know when the person fed her water. She only regained consciousness for a moment when the person put her in the pool, and then fell asleep again under the person's gentle coaxing.
Princess Huiyang sometimes felt that she had married Yan Chenzhou because she was too impulsive. However, after the marriage, Princess Huiyang liked this feeling very much. Although Yan Chenzhou had a cold face and was seen as a ruthless smiling tiger by the court officials, secretly helping the emperor deal with countless matters and people, he was the most considerate and gentle husband in front of Princess Huiyang. Everyone in the princess's mansion knew that the consort treated their princess extremely well.
In the past three years, Yan Chenzhou has risen from the top scholar in the imperial examination to the position of Minister of Personnel. No matter how late it is, Yan Chenzhou will always return to accompany Princess Huiyang. However, neither Princess Huiyang nor Yan Chenzhou cares too much about other people's opinions. So no matter how affectionate they are at the princess's residence, in the eyes of outsiders, Princess Huiyang and Yan Chenzhou are just a respectful couple. Because they behave very politely in front of outsiders, after Yan Chenzhou became the Right Chancellor, some people in the court disliked him and even set up a scheme to spread rumors in the streets, saying that Yan Chenzhou had already fallen in love with someone before marrying Princess Huiyang. No matter how good Princess Huiyang was to Yan Chenzhou, she could not soften his heart. Princess Huiyang was really a pitiful person.
The rumors quickly reached Princess Huiyang's ears. She was furious when she heard them and ordered Ling'er to find out who was spreading the rumors. She wanted her brother, the Emperor, to seek justice for her.
But Yan Chen stopped her.
==Next==
Seeing that he was still trying to stop her, Princess Huiyang thought he was afraid, so she became even angrier. "Yan Chenzhou, you are not only my husband, Princess Huiyang's consort, but also the Right Chancellor of the court. These rumors are obviously false. With me here, do you think you are afraid of the person behind the scenes?"
He was so powerful when he first became the top scholar. Does he think he's afraid of others after just a few days as a court official? Thinking of the person behind the scenes, Princess Huiyang was so angry that her voice became unsteady. As a princess of the dynasty and the emperor's own sister, how could she be afraid of those people in the court?
"Of course I know how powerful the princess is, but before the princess makes her move, I would like to ask the princess a question." Yan Chenzhou's expression was as calm as ever. Every time he opened his mouth, he could inexplicably calm Princess Huiyang down. Sometimes Princess Huiyang really felt that this man was her calamity, but sometimes Princess Huiyang felt that if there were no Yan Chenzhou in this world, she probably would never get married.
"Ask away." Princess Huiyang's emotions were clearly not as agitated as before, but she vented her anger on Yan Chenzhou. Who told Yan Chenzhou to ask? Princess Huiyang glared at Yan Chenzhou and spoke slowly.
Yan Chenzhou patted Princess Huiyang's head and asked her affectionately, "Princess, between the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng, who do you want to support?"
Princess Huiyang never expected Yan Chenzhou to ask her this question. She remained silent for a long time before saying, "Isn't it better to be loyal only to my imperial brother?"
Because the current emperor is in his prime, and the princes of the royal family are already irreconcilably at odds over the future throne, taking sides in advance would mean adding another layer of danger. The outcome is decided in the blink of an eye, and besides, Princess Huiyang is the princess's own aunt, so it is not a good thing for her to take sides.
"But what if His Highness the Crown Prince is behind these rumors? What will the Princess do then?" She fell silent, and Yan Chenzhou also fell silent. Yan Chenzhou forcibly pulled Princess Huiyang into his arms, stroking her waist-length hair with his fingers. In fact, he knew his princess best. She said that interfering in these matters would be bad for them, but in reality, it was because she couldn't bear it. Because she was the eldest princess of the dynasty, whether it was the Crown Prince or Prince Cheng, they were both her own nephews, and she couldn't show favoritism to either of them.
But the Crown Prince's move was clearly forcing him to take sides. Regardless of whether the Crown Prince's wishes were fulfilled, Yan Chenzhou had to discuss it with Princess Huiyang.
"Then what do you think?" Princess Huiyang's expression sharpened for a moment after hearing this. She made a decision in the shortest amount of time, but because Yan Chenzhou was Princess Huiyang's husband, she wanted to know what Yan Chenzhou thought.
Yan Chenzhou clearly shared the same thoughts as Princess Huiyang. He raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "As a court official, one should be loyal to a capable and resourceful ruler who cares about the people and acts with integrity. Although His Highness the Crown Prince is born of the legitimate wife, he will certainly not be a good ruler in the future."
Yan Chenzhou's meaning was already quite clear. Coincidentally, Princess Huiyang shared the same thought as him. Anyone with eyes could see that between the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng, who was more suitable to be the future new ruler of Beili? Princess Huiyang rested her chin on his broad shoulder and tugged at the purple belt around Yan Chenzhou's waist. "Then let's do it according to the consort's wishes."
"You understand me best, Princess Huiyang." Yan Chenzhou felt a surge of tenderness in his heart. He lowered his head and kissed Princess Huiyang's lips, his voice carrying an indescribable hoarseness that made Princess Huiyang's ears melt.
Originally, the rumors circulating in the city were just taken as jokes by the people of the capital. But a few days later, the Right Chancellor Yan Chenzhou moved out of the Princess's residence and into the Right Chancellor's residence. This move was exactly what the Crown Prince wanted. He didn't believe that he couldn't deal with Yan Chenzhou.
Ling'er, who served Princess Huiyang closely, knew all about the affair between Princess Huiyang and Yan Chenzhou. Seeing that Yan Chenzhou had truly moved out, Ling'er was furious. "Princess," she said, "those rumors are just a misunderstanding. Why did the Prince Consort really move out? Did he really do something to wrong you?"
Princess Huiyang raised an eyebrow, pretended to cover her eyes with a handkerchief, and then put on a cold expression. "Ling'er, those rumors are just a misunderstanding. It's just that this marriage was indeed something I asked for back then, wasn't it? Perhaps the Prince Consort has always been bothered by this matter. Now that he's free, I don't have to play the bad guy."
The more Ling'er listened, the more heartbroken she felt for her princess. She tentatively suggested, "Then why doesn't the princess go and tell the Emperor that she doesn't want the Right Chancellor as her husband?"
"Let me have some peace and quiet." Princess Huiyang almost spat out her tea. If she didn't want it, how could they cooperate? She reached up and rubbed her forehead, looking weak.
"Then this servant will wait for the princess at the door."
What they didn't know was that every night someone would sneak into Princess Huiyang's room. When the person left, Princess Huiyang would often be in pain, panting, with flushed cheeks, and unable to even lift her hands.
Because the princess and her husband had a quarrel, the husband had not returned to the princess's residence for a month. Ling'er was worried that the princess would be sad and always wanted to comfort her. However, the princess's appearance was more beautiful than ever and she did not seem sad. Even a fool would know what was going on. Princess Huiyang gestured with her fingers, meaning that she should not talk nonsense.
Ling'er clearly understood the relative importance of the matter.
So later, everyone knew that Princess Huiyang and her husband were not on good terms. Crown Prince Xiao Ruofei originally thought that he could force Princess Huiyang and Yan Chenzhou to choose sides by using such methods. However, something went wrong. After the two fell out, Princess Huiyang kept to herself and rarely left her residence. Even if Xiao Ruofei had a lot to say, he didn't know how to say it to Princess Huiyang. As for Yan Chenzhou, it was even more of a problem. Perhaps because he already knew that he was the one who spread those rumors, Yan Chenzhou's attitude towards the Crown Prince was even more indifferent than before.
Xiao Ruofei was also feeling guilty, so he didn't pay much attention to Yan Chenzhou. What Xiao Ruofei didn't know was that Yan Chenzhou and Princess Huiyang had already decided to support Prince Cheng.
In the spring of the fourth year of the Dingyuan era, Prince Cheng, Xiao Yu, married Princess Nanqiong Weiyang as his principal wife, and the capital city was once again bustling with unprecedented excitement.
After a blissful and relaxing encounter, Yan Chenzhou held the soft, warm body in his arms, casually massaging her white shoulders and neck. Princess Huiyang squinted her eyes with delight and asked Yan Chenzhou if he knew who Princess Nanqiong Weiyang was.
Yan Chenzhou knew this, of course, because the government office had been very lively lately, with everyone talking about the two countries forming a marriage alliance.
Princess Huiyang thought to herself that if Prince Cheng had the support of the forces behind Nanqiong, he might actually become a wise and benevolent ruler in the future.
But when Princess Huiyang finally met Princess Nanqiong in person, she felt a strong connection with her. Princess Nanqiong was a clever and kind girl, and Princess Huiyang thought that the Emperor of Nanqiong knew how to raise a daughter.
With Princess Nanqiong Weiyang marrying into Beili, the political situation in the court changed once again. Following the Eighth Prince, the Seventh Prince, and His Highness Prince Cheng, it was widely expected that he would become the new ruler of Beili.
What no one expected was that the woman who married into Nanqiong was not the real Princess Weiyang, but Princess Zilu of Nanqiong. This caused a great uproar, and Princess Huiyang stood on the side of Prince Cheng and his wife from beginning to end.
Later, when everything settled down, King Cheng ascended the throne and became emperor, and that girl became empress.
With the downfall of the Left Prime Minister's office, Yan Chenzhou naturally became the Prime Minister, and he had even more to do, often keeping him constantly on the go.
That night, when their emotions ran high, Princess Huiyang leaned close to Yan Chenzhou's ear and, like a little fox about to devour him, said, "Should we have a child?"
Yan Chenzhou choked up, feeling as if he had inexhaustible energy, and pulled Princess Huiyang into his arms, saying, "I dare not disobey the princess's command."
In the third year of Chengxi, Princess Huiyang and Prime Minister Yan Chenzhou had a son named Yan An.
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