Chapter 241 To insult her is to insult me
Anxi's scalp tingled.
Today, the court officials are arguing endlessly about Sheng Xiyue's plot to harm the Crown Prince, without reaching a conclusion, which has already greatly displeased the Crown Prince. The Crown Princess is the Crown Prince's Achilles' heel, and even if Du Hao wants to offer advice, he must be mindful of his manners. How can he just incite such trouble without considering the consequences?
As expected, Pei Siyan's face turned frosty. "Sir, watch your words! If you insult her, you are insulting me."
Du Hao solemnly questioned, "The Crown Princess bewitched Your Highness, causing you to fall into danger; that is her crime. I am not making excuses."
Pei Siyan's eyes were icy cold, and his words were like knives, "Sir, you bear the weight of national affairs. If one day your wife and daughters are kidnapped, should you just sit idly by? If you are injured because you lend a helping hand, would that be disloyalty to the Great Zhou?"
"I am the Crown Prince, and more importantly, I am her husband. If I cannot even save my own wife from danger, how am I any different from a beast?"
"From a young age, my teacher taught me to distinguish right from wrong and to be a wise ruler who loves his people like his own children. Those who love others will always be loved; those who respect others will always be respected. How can someone who would only stand by and watch his wife suffer a tragedy bear the responsibility for the well-being of all people?"
"Does the master wish for me to become a cold-blooded and heartless person?"
Du Hao's face was ashen, but his eyes remained deep and sharp. "Your Highness is, after all, the Crown Prince, unlike this old man. Losing Du Hao is not a loss for the Great Zhou, but if she causes the Crown Prince to suffer, she will be a sinner of the Great Zhou!"
Seeing that he was stubborn and unyielding, Pei Siyan suppressed his anger and prepared to leave, saying, "Sir, it's time for your meal."
A hint of dejection flashed in Du Hao's eyes as he spoke earnestly, "Your Highness, we, as your subjects, should not interfere in your family affairs. However, you are the Crown Prince, and you will inherit the throne. Your words and actions will be watched by the court officials. Spoiling the Crown Princess too much will only bring her all sorts of jealousy and trouble. Just think of Empress Wen back then!"
"The Sheng family has many disciples... I hope Your Highness will reconsider."
Pei Siyan's face was cold, and he had completely lost interest. "Sir, you can rest assured that I have a plan for this matter."
And he even said he doted on her?
He insisted on doting on her exclusively, just to show them!
"Your Highness, what are the Princess's thoughts on this?"
Pei Siyan's expression was displeased. "She has acted perversely and deserves to die."
Du Hao's weathered voice rang out again, "Your Highness has not yet ascended the throne, and many things cannot be rushed. Previously, when we were besieging the rebel king, we had to confiscate the Duke of Mu's mansion. Now, with the case of the Eldest Princess's rebellion, we should not implicate too many innocent people. Tianning City is in dire need of reconstruction, and the plague has only just been brought under control. It is precisely the time when we need manpower. Appeasement is the best policy."
"Once Your Highness ascends the throne, there will be time to clean up the court."
Pei Siyan felt irritated thinking about the mess left by Emperor Muzong. He ordered the court officials to continue the discussion the next day and then went straight back to the Eastern Palace.
Unlike the bloody battles at Wende Hall, the atmosphere in Wutong Garden was much more pleasant.
Just as dinner was set on the table, a palace maid's voice could be heard outside the door, "Your Highness!"
Dou Wenyi looked up in surprise, and before she could get up, she saw Pei Siyan lift the curtain and rush in.
"Yi'er!"
"Your Highness, didn't you say you wouldn't be back for dinner?"
Pei Siyan raised an eyebrow, his voice noticeably colder, "What, is the Crown Princess not welcoming me?"
Dou Wenyi frowned, feigning anger, "It was clearly His Highness who went back on his word, yet you're blaming me. I was just saying, if I had known you were coming back for dinner, I would have had someone prepare a few more dishes."
The palace maids serving on either side immediately added a bowl and chopsticks.
Pei Siyan's expression softened as he glanced at the dishes on the table. There was a matsutake mushroom and fish maw chicken soup, fried tripe, Dongpo tofu, and a plate of stir-fried bracken, all of which looked exquisite and delicious.
After washing his hands, he sat down, lifted his robe, picked up his chopsticks, and began to taste. "No need to be fancy, this is fine as it is. It looks appetizing."
Dou Wenyi served him another bowl of soup, which Pei Siyan found delicious. He drank two bowls in a row. "Yi'er, the food here is really good. Especially this bracken, it's so fresh, and this Dongpo tofu is also very good."
There were only three or four dishes in total, but he praised them to the skies.
When did he become so easy to talk to?
Dou Wenyi smiled and said, "Your Highness, I'll have them prepare whatever dishes you like."
After saying this, she suddenly realized something was wrong. To prevent poisoning, the Crown Prince's hobbies and taboos could not be inquired about casually.
Pei Siyan gave a slight smile. "You know what I don't eat... I'm not a picky eater."
Appetite isn't important; the key is who you eat with.
Dou Wenyi rolled her eyes inwardly. It would be strange if he wasn't a picky eater. Even Ta Xue was raised just like him, extremely picky about food.
After dinner, the palace maids served several desserts and light tea.
Dou Wenyi assumed he didn't like these, so she ate them on her own.
Pei Siyan gazed at her tenderly, his eyes finally settling on her lips. He couldn't get enough of her every move.
"Is it tasty?"
"Mmm, delicious."
"Let me try some too!"
Dou Wenyi pointed to another serving on the table and smiled teasingly, "Isn't there another one here? Do you expect me to feed you?"
"Why not?"
The man wrapped his arms around her waist and forcefully sealed her lips with his, pressing them deeply...
"Yes, it is indeed very sweet."
By the time she realized what was happening, the lecherous man had already succeeded.
Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she glanced guiltily at the palace maids around her. Fortunately, they were all bowing their heads respectfully...
I don't know if they saw it or not.
How could he be so reckless!
Pei Siyan coughed lightly. Even though he was reluctant to talk about those unpleasant things, he still opened up, "Yi'er, this time, I'm sorry you had to suffer."
"What?"
Dou Wenyi pretended not to understand what he was saying.
Pei Siyan held her hand and stroked it, a hint of guilt welling up in his eyes. He had spoken too confidently.
"Sheng Xiyue, we can't touch her for now."
Dou Wenyi was not surprised by this, and said calmly, "It's alright."
Pei Siyan was slightly taken aback. "You already know?"
Dou Wenyi took a deep breath and said understandingly, "Your Highness, there is no need to blame yourself. Although you are the Crown Prince, there are many things that are not to your liking, and you have your own difficulties."
If she complained to him a few times, Pei Siyan would actually feel better.
But she acted too magnanimously. Did she not care at all even if he broke his promise?
Or is it that she simply doesn't care about him as a person?
Pei Siyan suddenly understood. No wonder those lovesick men and women were so sentimental, anxious, and willing to die for love.
He seems to have lost his heroic spirit and become preoccupied with love...
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