Chapter 255 A Scheme from a Close Relative
Sheng Xiyue covered her lips. When she saw her, she was stunned for a moment. Then, a complex resentment welled up in her reddened eyes, and she fled in panic.
Her gorgeous skirt was stained with conspicuous dirt, and her white jade feet swiftly trod across the white jade steps, broken and disheveled...
In Dou Wenyi's memory, she had always been the famous Consort Sheng in the capital, unfazed by honor or disgrace, and the woman who silently supported Pei Siyan. How could she have fallen to such a state?
The courtyard is surrounded by lush trees, and the light spring rain has painted the entire courtyard with a fresh green hue.
Cuizhi stood nervously to the side, stammering, "Your Highness, His Highness has never liked her. She must have offered herself up and been kicked out. Don't overthink it..."
Dou Wenyi understood and emphasized, "Cuizhi, he is the Crown Prince, I'm really alright."
In other words, even if he and Sheng Xiyue were truly entangled in an ambiguous relationship, it would be perfectly natural. Moreover, in his previous life, Sheng Xiyue was his only favored concubine.
Given Sheng Xiyue's indomitable nature, she might actually be able to secure a place in Pei Siyan's heart.
Cuizhi's face was full of sympathy, as if she were advising her: You don't have to force a smile.
Dou Wenyi remained silent for a moment, not wanting to offer any further explanation.
From the day Sheng Xiyue was bestowed the title of concubine, she had long anticipated this day. Unfortunately, Sheng Xiyue acted too hastily, which angered the Crown Prince.
The spring rain was fine as dust, and the chilly spring breeze seeped in through my sleeves, bringing a touch of cold.
Dou Wenyi stood in the wind for a long time, seemingly oblivious to the cold. She didn't know if she had gotten used to it or if she had long since become numb to it.
Dou Wenyi remained calm, her voice light and airy, "Go and invite His Highness the Crown Prince. Never mind... there's no need to invite him."
With that, she plunged straight into the rain.
**
Inside the hall, the light and shadows were dim, the fragrance of incense wafted from the incense burner, memorials were scattered all over the floor, and the palace servants were kneeling on the ground. Everyone held their breath, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, waiting for the Crown Prince's thunderous rage.
Pei Siyan's robes were slightly open, and his face was flushed with an eerie red. His lower abdomen felt unusually hot, as if it were being gnawed by thousands of ants. A ruthless killing intent flashed in his eyes.
Fortunately, a sliver of clarity remained in his mind, and he did not do anything to betray her.
His sharp brows were lowered as he tried his best to suppress the agitation within him. "Where is the Crown Princess?"
"Should I go and fetch him?"
A hint of hatred welled up in Anxi's eyes; the Wen family was truly ungrateful.
Pei Siyan suppressed his agitation, "No, hurry up and bring the medicine, the Nine Immortals Jade Dew Pills, which the Crown Princess made for me!"
Today, thanks to the powerful maneuvering of Duke Wen, Sheng Xiyue successfully moved into the East Palace.
They used the guise of family ties to interfere in his private affairs and meddle in his business!
He treated the Wen family as his own blood relatives, but their reach was too far, so far that they dared to conspire with Sheng Xiyue to plot against His Highness.
Do they really think that just because they have the surname Wen, they can do whatever they want and have a get-out-of-jail-free card?
In his panic, Eunuch Anxi finally managed to take out a sky-blue jade bottle from the box, pry open the cap, pour out two crimson pills, and hand them over.
After swallowing the two Nine Immortal Jade Dew Pills, Pei Siyan's body finally felt a little relieved from the intense heat.
With a crisp crack, the teacup fell to the ground.
The palace servants kneeling on the ground all shivered, feeling as if the bloodthirsty and tyrannical crown prince had returned.
At this moment, Chi Yan led the imperial physician in, who walked in shakily. He immediately noticed that the crown prince was acting strangely. After carefully taking the prince's pulse, he was filled with astonishment. "Your Highness, you must have been drugged with aphrodisiacs. Fortunately, the antidote was taken in time, and the symptoms have been suppressed."
Pei Siyan narrowed his phoenix eyes, and the knuckles of his clenched fist made a terrifying sound.
He didn't eat anything just now, he only drank a few cups of tea. At what point did he take the medicine?
His voice was icy cold. "Hurry up and investigate."
——
The story dates back to half an hour ago.
Duke Wen sat on a rosewood chair, holding a shallow, celadon-colored Ru kiln teacup in his hand. He took a small sip, and suddenly the usually composed Wen Zhisui almost spat out his tea.
"What? Your Highness, you want to annul the engagement?"
He slammed the teacup down on the table, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Nonsense! Not to mention that this marriage was arranged by His Majesty, and your mother had already decided that Sheng Xiyue would be her daughter-in-law. Even if you have the Crown Princess, there is no question of breaking off the engagement!”
"The patriarch of the Sheng family has many disciples in the court. Even if you really don't like her, she's just a concubine. You can treat her well and that's all you need to do. What's it to you?"
The crown prince held supreme power. Even if the officials dared not object to his presence, it was not out of their own volition that they supported his ascension to the throne; they were merely intimidated by his powerful suppression.
In these turbulent times, having an ally is far better than having an enemy.
But what he did was to break off the engagement at this crucial moment!
Offending the Sheng family would bring him absolutely no benefit; how could he not understand this?
Since Wen Wan's death, the Crown Prince has gone through countless hardships. Even the Wen family endured humiliation for more than ten years. Now, they have finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel and are reaping the rewards of their hard work.
They will not allow Pei Siyan to act recklessly and destroy his own defenses.
Duke Wen pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, is it because you are worried about the Crown Princess? It's not that my uncle spoke ill of her, but how can such a tolerant woman bear the heavy responsibility of being Empress in the future?"
Pei Siyan has always been a man of integrity. How much genuine affection could he possibly have for a Crown Princess he obtained through a marriage to ward off bad luck? It must be that she bewitched the Crown Prince. She moved into the Eastern Palace when Pei Siyan was seriously ill, and with this care for him, she certainly had a slight advantage over Sheng Xiyue.
But if she wants to monopolize the crown prince, that's just wishful thinking.
Pei Siyan took a sip of tea, his tone displeased. "Uncle, my empress will only be her. I don't want to hear anyone speak ill of her anymore."
Duke Wen was stunned, his brows furrowed, and asked, "No matter what you say, the engagement cannot be called off. It's a huge deal, and we absolutely cannot afford to break ties with the Sheng family. After all, our Wen family owes Sheng Xiyue!"
"My uncle also said it's the Wen family!"
Duke Wen was greatly shocked. Did Pei Siyan want to sever ties with the Wen family?
Then I heard his cold voice again, “Sheng Xiyue can repay her grandmother’s life-saving grace in other ways. I will not mistreat her. She should not take advantage of me.”
Duke Wen exclaimed in disbelief, "But she's already your concubine. With that status, who else do you expect her to marry? Aren't you trying to force her to her death? Wouldn't that be repaying kindness with enmity?"
Pei Siyan said calmly, "Uncle, you are overthinking it. I will find her a suitable marriage."
Madam Fan, the eldest aunt, chimed in at the opportune moment, "Last time, my second sister-in-law mentioned this matter to me, and we all thought she was exaggerating. We didn't expect His Highness to be serious. But even without Sheng Xiyue, wouldn't you take other concubines or concubines?"
"No, she alone is enough."
Pei Siyan's tone was decisive and brooked no argument, "Today, I will say it again: she is my Achilles' heel, the apple of my eye. Uncle and Aunt, do you understand?"
Duke Wen and his wife, Lady Fan, exchanged a surprised glance.
The emperors of the Pei family have all been amorous; could it be that a romantic has truly emerged from among them?
No, Pei Siyan's attitude towards relationships is nothing like Emperor Muzong's; he's more like his younger sister Wen Wan—obsessive, pure, and passionate. But once betrayed, who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause!
Duke Wen was exhausted, but the Wen and Sheng families had long since reached an agreement that Pei Siyan should not be allowed to act recklessly in this matter.
Lady Fan's eyes flickered slightly, and she said earnestly, "Your Highness, even if you want to break off the engagement, you can't do it now. You should at least wait until after you ascend the throne."
Pei Siyan let out a cold snort, "My mind is made up on this matter, there's no need for further discussion."
"Sheng Xiyue already knew I wanted to break off the engagement, yet she repeatedly troubled you all to speak on her behalf, which shows her wicked intentions. Aren't you worried that after she enters the palace, things will be unsettled and trouble will frequently arise?"
Upon hearing this, Duke Wen was furious. "How can your private discussion be considered valid? Are you trying to anger your maternal grandmother to death by so rashly breaking off the engagement?"
Pei Siyan put down his teacup, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. He raised his voice, "Uncle, knowing that Grandmother is unwell, why do you still want to bring these troublesome matters to her face?"
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