Chapter 150 Marital Morality
Dou Wenyi put down her chopsticks and looked up at him. "Your Highness, if it weren't for the marriage to ward off bad luck, according to ancestral rules, you could have two to four concubines, including Liangdi and Liangyuan, as well as other concubines and wives. Now you only have one secondary consort, which is already very few!"
"If you keep obstructing him, you will only anger the Emperor. Wouldn't all your plans be wasted?"
Pei Siyan was stunned by her words, his tender gaze lingering on her fair face.
She was indeed exceptionally intelligent; she had already guessed that his elaborate scheme was not merely a ploy to marry her.
Incidentally, this would also dispel Emperor Muzong's suspicions about him; a crown prince who is about to die is the least threatening to the emperor. This would easily alleviate his fear of General Zong Rui, and also make Prince Rui and others lower their guard and become complacent.
It's a win-win situation, but it's not exactly honorable to try and marry her in this way!
Pei Siyan stared intently at her eyes and brows, not missing a single emotion on her face. "So, are you resenting me?"
Dou Wenyi avoided his burning gaze and looked at Ta Xue, who was enjoying her meal to the side. Suddenly, she felt that they were all somewhat pathetic, because everyone, regardless of their status, had their own unfulfilled desires.
While Emperor Muzong favored different beauties, he also sought the true affection of Empress Wen, indulging in false 'deep affection,' which was futile and absurd.
Pei Siyan's fear is surely because he's afraid of following in his footsteps.
As for herself, in her past life she longed for someone's true love, and in this life she only desires freedom, but neither of these desires can be fulfilled. Therefore, impermanence is the norm in life.
To be fair, Pei Siyan didn't treat her badly. Given her past life experiences, how could she possibly fall in love with him without any reservations?
"Your Highness is overthinking it. I have never resented you. If Your Highness's love for me is unwavering, why would you care about a concubine?"
Under his shocked and angry gaze, she continued, "Is Your Highness insecure, or do you think I'm too calm? Would you rather I argue with you or beg for your affection? Just because of Sheng Xiyue's existence, you can cause such a huge uproar. How many more conflicts and misunderstandings will we have because of her when she moves into the East Palace?"
"Your Highness, please tell me the truth, is this what you wanted to see? Shouldn't I treat this matter with the most normal attitude?"
Pei Siyan gripped the teacup tightly, suppressing the surging anger and resentment in his heart.
Every word she said made sense, yet it left him feeling powerless, unable to refute her, and utterly miserable. He wanted to win her heart, to have her completely devoted to him, and to want her to cherish him more!
Ignoring his anger, Dou Wenyi remained calm and said, "Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but we are not truly in love. Many people experience several unforgettable relationships in their lives. Perhaps, in the future, you will find someone who truly moves your heart."
The day he and Sheng Xiyue finally understand each other and become a couple will be the day she fades into obscurity.
How would he view his relationship with her?
Should he waver between the two women, or simply get rid of her as soon as possible?
The deeper the love, the stronger the hate.
Why bother?
How could she accept his love with a clear conscience when she thought about what he had done in his previous life?
Thinking of this, Dou Wenyi didn't want him to fall deeper into her trap, so she lowered her eyes and softly comforted him.
“Your Highness, I am grateful for your kindness. Wenyi will continue to do her best to repay Your Highness and play the role of Crown Princess well. I hope Your Highness will give you more time and spend more time with Miss Sheng, and not make any rash decisions.”
"It's not too late for Your Highness to make a decision after you've seen your own true feelings... After all, that would be fair to the three of us."
The atmosphere inside was frigid and deathly silent.
"Playing a role?" That word really stung him.
Pei Siyan suddenly grabbed her chin, a casual chuckle escaping his throat.
"Very well, then tonight we shall put on a good show and act out a marital relationship? Crown Princess, you'd better put in some effort in bed!"
Those phoenix eyes were turbulent with undercurrents, sharp as blades and scorching like magma. He was filled with anger, like a volcano that could erupt at any moment.
Dou Wenyi felt a pang of pain, but her heart remained as still as water, utterly undisturbed. This day was inevitable; she was nothing more than a mere shell of a body—what did she have to fear?
Her gaze remained calm. "Okay!"
Pei Siyan's eyes were bloodshot, a hint of pain flashing across them. The two remained locked in a stalemate for a long time before he finally loosened his grip, released her, and turned away.
Ta Xue stared with her bright, bewildered cat eyes at Pei Si Yan who had left, then looked at her with a conflicted expression and meowed a few times.
Dou Wenyi gave a wry smile, "Why aren't you hurrying to catch up with your master? There won't be any dried fish if you follow me."
As if it understood, Ta Xue darted away in a flash.
The little thing is really smart!
Exhausted, she raised her hand to signal the palace maids to remove the evening meal.
Cuizhi's expression changed several times before she couldn't help but speak, "Miss, why must you anger His Highness..."
"The Eastern Palace is not where I belong." Dou Wenyi pinched the bridge of her nose.
"My lady, you are now the Crown Princess, how can you... leave?"
There will always be a way.
Cuizhi was stunned for a moment. In the past, the young lady was forced to have an affair with the crown prince, and she was always worried. Now that she finally has a legitimate relationship, does the young lady really not have the crown prince in her heart?
——
Inside the Chaohua Hall, Pei Siyan was not sleepy at all, so he simply opened the memorials and began to read them carefully.
Chi Yan glanced at him and reported, "Your Highness, His Majesty has secretly placed a woman in Qionglin Garden. She is heavily guarded, and our people have difficulty investigating her. We have not yet been able to find out who she is."
A sharp, cold glint flashed in Pei Siyan's narrow eyes. "No need to investigate."
Who else could be hiding there besides Dou Mingyan?
She did have some skill, managing to persuade Emperor Muzong to give her a lenient treatment.
Emperor Muzong's affair with his prospective daughter-in-law probably still lingers in his bones; his gluttonous heart, which delights in romance, can hardly be satisfied.
The heavy guard was intended to facilitate his secret rendezvous. Since there were no other women in Qionglin Garden, Dou Mingyan could seize the opportunity to gain the Emperor's favor.
Chi Yan paused for a moment, then said, "It seems that Prince Rui's men are also investigating the woman's whereabouts."
Pei Siyan's expression darkened.
Pei Shaoqin was inherently mad and arrogant; to humiliate him, he would stop at nothing. That night, Dou Mingyan went to the Prince Rui's residence first. Going so late—wasn't that practically offering herself up?
A thought flashed through his mind: his good younger brother had probably already made a move against Dou Mingyan?
Sending his leftover women to the dragon's bed?
Pei Siyan chuckled and shook his head speechlessly, "Keep a close eye on Prince Rui."
As expected of him, he really could do such a beastly thing, father and son sharing a female.
To destroy something, you must first drive it mad.
Once a move is made, there's no going back. In that case, we must give him a big gift!
Chi Yan asked, "My lord, should we hand over that steward?"
That night, the steward in charge of sending Dou Mingyan to the Cold Palace was secretly saved by their people when he was being silenced, which is why Chi Yan asked this question.
Pei Siyan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Tomorrow, we'll find an opportunity to hand her over to Shen Yanzhou, and the Imperial Advisor will try to keep an eye on her."
The Imperial Advisor played a crucial role in Sheng Xiyue's rise to become a concubine!
Is she asleep?
"The lights in Wutong Garden are already off," Chi Yan reported truthfully.
She's still sound asleep?
Her words struck a nerve with him. He had no intention of being a fake couple with her. They say that couples who quarrel in bed make up before they get out of bed, right?
She was right under his nose, so why should he put himself through that?
Pei Siyan grew angrier the more he thought about it, and headed straight for Wutong Garden...
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