Chapter 46 "The matter of my private time with the Duke of Yan..."
The hall fell silent instantly; even the music stopped.
Xue Wenmian's eyes widened in surprise, Ling Zhenli's hand holding the teacup stopped, and Xiao Chongheng suddenly raised his head to look at Pei Shen'ai.
Xue Haoting's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes suddenly turned cold. He put down his cup, stood up, and bowed to Pei Shen'ai: "I am deeply honored by the Princess's kindness; I am humbled."
Pei Shen'ai's smile deepened: "Lord Xue, there's no need to be modest. My daughter Yuzhen is waiting outside. She's a shy young lady, so I'll have a maid bring her over."
Before Xue Haoting could even utter a word of refusal, Pei Shen'ai immediately ordered her men to bring Xiao Yuzhen over.
A short while later, a young girl dressed in a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) came over.
Xiao Yuzhen bowed gracefully: "Yuzhen greets Lord Xue."
Pei Shen'ai looked at her daughter, whose manners and appearance were impeccable, and smiled with satisfaction.
Ling Zhenli stared at Xue Haoting, who looked at Xiao Yuzhen for a moment before turning to Pei Shen'ai, his voice clear and firm: "Your humble servant thanks the Princess for her kindness, but I am afraid I cannot comply."
"What?" Pei Shenai's smile froze.
“Your Majesty, I already have someone I love and dare not delay you.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzhen felt a chill run through her and nearly collapsed.
Rejecting Pei Shen'ai's marriage proposal in public is tantamount to slapping Pei Shen'ai in the face!
Ling Zhenli's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a pang of worry for Xue Haoting.
Xiao Yuzhen was humiliated in public and heartbroken. Tears welled up in her eyes. Pei Shenai's face darkened at the sight.
"Oh? I wonder which young lady is so talented that Lord Xue looks down on my daughter?"
Xue Haoting remained silent for a moment, then looked up, his gaze passing over everyone else and directly at Ling Zhenli.
The emotions conveyed in those eyes were so raw that Ling Zhenli instantly felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
It is admiration, it is longing, it is the pain of unrequited love.
"My beloved..." Xue Haoting's voice was low, "is someone I can never be with."
Ling Zhenli's breath hitched, and she gripped the handkerchief in her hand tightly.
Pei Shen'ai followed Xue Haoting's gaze and when she saw Ling Zhenli, she was first stunned, then suddenly realized what was going on and a malicious smile appeared on her face.
This woman is still detestable. She seduced her own son, causing unrest in her household, and now she's seduced her chosen son-in-law. Is she determined to oppose her?
"That Lord Xue is truly a man of deep affection and loyalty."
The atmosphere suddenly became strange.
Everyone realized who Xue Haoting was referring to, including the maids and servants present. Ling Zhenli felt countless probing gazes sweeping back and forth between her and Xue Haoting, and her cheeks burned.
Xue Wenmian was speechless. Although he didn't want to become in-laws with Wu Yang, Xue Haoting's wording was too far-fetched. Was he afraid that others wouldn't know that the relationship between his two children was complicated?
Just then, a clear, cold voice broke the deadlock: "Mother, forced love is never sweet."
Xiao Chongheng had somehow moved to the center, facing Ling Zhenli directly, and then calmly looked at the Princess: "Since Lord Xue has already chosen someone, why force him?"
Ling Zhenli looked at Xiao Chongheng in surprise, not expecting him to offer his help.
He glanced at Xue Haoting with a complicated look in his eyes, a hint of...envy in his gaze.
Pei Shen'ai snorted coldly: "Chongheng, what do you know? Marriage is a major event, it's a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words, how can you just do whatever you want?"
After saying that, she gave Xiao Chongheng a meaningful look, "Don't forget that I also chose your marriage."
Xiao Chongheng's face turned pale, and he clenched his fists in his sleeves.
It was Pei Shen'ai who, under the pretext of family interests and to cover up the scandal of Pei Chanlian's affair with Yang Chongzheng, forced him to marry Pei Chanlian, which led to his separation from Ling Zhenli.
This is intolerable!
Xiao Chongheng immediately retorted: "Yes, Mother, that's why two people who shouldn't be together are now bound together. If Princess Roujia and I hadn't had this marriage, we could still be friends. Now, we can only sever ties."
"you!"
Pei Shen'ai was furious. She had really gone mad. Wasn't it Xiao Chongheng himself who suggested betrothing Xiao Yuzhen to Xue Haoting? Why was he going back on his word again?
Ling Zhenli finally stood up, her voice gentle yet undeniable: "How about we reschedule the marriage? His Highness the Crown Prince will be having lunch at the Prime Minister's residence. It would be inappropriate for him to witness such a tense scene."
Using Pei Xuanlin to intimidate others proved effective, and Pei Shen'ai's expression changed slightly.
Pei Shen'ai glanced coldly at Xue Haoting: "Lord Xue, you'd better watch yourself... Crown Princess, I have other important matters to attend to, so I'll return to my residence first."
After saying that, he led Xiao Yuzhen outside.
In the eerie atmosphere, the remaining people were also somewhat uneasy.
There was no point in staying any longer, so Ling Zhenli excused herself and went to the lakeside in the back garden once again.
*
The cool autumn breeze brushed her cheeks, but it couldn't dispel the restlessness in her heart.
Xue Haoting refused the marriage proposal, and Xiao Chongheng spoke up for him. Does that mean Xiao Chongheng knew that she and Xue Haoting had a past?
Ling Zhenli felt inexplicably irritable. It wasn't that she was worried about Xiao Chongheng finding out she had other men, since she was no longer Xiao Chongheng's alone. It was just that... she didn't want to deal with men, and she hoped Xiao Chongheng wouldn't ask her what had happened.
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.
"Ah Li".
Ling Zhenli, as if finally being judged, let out a long sigh without turning around: "They've all left, why haven't you left yet?"
Xiao Chongheng walked to her side. The midday sun in late autumn was just right, neither too bright nor too gloomy. The soft light shone precisely on his face, making his appearance seem like a masterpiece sculpted by heaven.
Looking at his face alone, one cannot recall his past actions. Besides... the sweet moments outweigh the painful ones.
"I want to come find you."
Ling Zhenli couldn't help but turn to look at him: "Yes, you've come to find me now that you want to."
Xiao Chongheng gave a wry smile, "Do you like Xue Haoting?"
Ling Zhenli replied, "What's the point of you asking me who I like? You've already married the princess, and I've married the crown prince."
“Yes, we are both married men.” Xiao Chongheng said with a self-deprecating tone, “Xue Haoting would rather offend my mother than compromise, and so am I, so I’m breaking off all ties with Pei Zhuoyi.”
After listening, Ling Zhenli remained silent for a long time before softly saying, "If you hadn't given up on me back then, things wouldn't have turned out this way."
Xiao Chongheng gave her a deep look: "The word 'love' is the hardest to control. I was too naive in the past, thinking that love was nothing but fleeting clouds that would eventually turn into scattered sand and be blown away by the wind. I'm already trying to set things right, Ali, give me a chance."
Ling Zhenli did not answer.
The two remained silent, with only the gentle breeze whispering in their ears.
Upon hearing the announcement, Ling Zhenli hurriedly checked her clothes and said, "I should go back now."
"etc."
Xiao Chongheng grabbed her wrist, "If you can give me a chance..."
Ling Zhenli's gaze was firm as she gently pulled her hand away: "There are no ifs, Xiao Chongheng."
"Ah Li".
Xiao Chongheng grabbed her hand again, looking aggrieved and reluctant. "Don't want Pei Xuanlin, want me instead. What he can give you, I can give you too."
"Hmph." Ling Zhenli forcefully shook off his hand. "Why didn't you do this earlier? I don't care. Besides, he can give me the Empress's position, can you?"
"I'll do it sooner or later..."
Xiao Chongheng tried to take Ling Zhenli's hand, but Ling Zhenli dodged it in advance.
Before he could finish speaking, Ling Zhenli interrupted him: "Sooner or later? Sooner or later is a matter for the future. Who can say for sure what the future holds? If it can't be given to me immediately, then don't ask for it."
Love that can't be salvaged, people who can't be kept.
Fearing there wouldn't be enough time, Ling Zhenli didn't linger with Xiao Chongheng. After telling him to leave the Prime Minister's residence quickly, she hurriedly left the lakeside.
Xiao Chongheng realized that he had been too eager for quick results, and that it might be better to give Ling Zhenli some peace and quiet for the time being.
*
Ling Zhenli asked the maid waiting by the lake where Pei Xuanlin was. The maid replied that the Crown Prince had heard that she was here and was originally going to come and find her, but he met Xue Haoting on his way and went to talk to him.
"He's with his brother? Where?" Ling Zhenli frowned slightly, as if interrogating a criminal.
The maid looked slightly nervous: "It's in the main hall, and the master is there too."
"No one is allowed to tell the Crown Prince about my private time with the Duke of Yan," Ling Zhenli warned sharply.
"Yes," the maids replied, bowing their heads in unison.
Since they were all from the Duke's mansion and their mouths were sealed, they wouldn't betray her, so Ling Zhenli felt relieved and headed back towards the main hall she had just left.
Pei Xuanlin was intercepted by Xue Haoting halfway? Why would Xue Haoting intercept Pei Xuanlin? Could it be... that Xue Haoting saw her meeting with Xiao Chongheng in secret?
As the announcement was made, Ling Zhenli stepped into the hall, smoothed the hair at her temples, and forced a smile: "You were all here without telling me, making me search everywhere."
When Pei Xuanlin saw Ling Zhenli arrive, he quickly got up to greet her. As soon as he stood up, Xue Wenmian and Xue Haoting had no choice but to stand up as well.
"Ah Li, my father-in-law and I are discussing important matters. I heard that my brother-in-law just rejected the princess's marriage proposal."
Ling Zhenli held Pei Xuanlin's hand, her heart filled with hesitation, but she still managed a smile: "Brother doesn't want to get involved with the Princess, so he did it on purpose."
After she finished speaking, she looked at Xue Haoting. Xue Haoting did not refute her, so it seemed that she had guessed correctly. Xue Wenmian and Xue Haoting had also said the same thing to Pei Xuanlin.
Pei Xuan was busy with affairs and wanted to take Ling Zhenli back to the East Palace to facilitate his business dealings, but Ling Zhenli was unwilling to go back.
"Her Majesty the Empress has been busy comforting Princess Jin'an lately. If I go back to the East Palace, all the daily chores in the palace will definitely fall on my shoulders. There are plenty of female officials in the palace, and I don't want to go back and suffer."
Ling Zhenli spoke with annoyance and impatience, which surprised Xue Wenmian. He only knew that Ling Zhenli was favored in the Eastern Palace, but he did not expect her to be so favored that she could even shirk her duties in the palace.
Pei Xuanlin chimed in from the side, "Alright, alright, but I wonder if it would be possible to trouble my father-in-law to vacate a room near Ya Yun Xuan for me. It's not a good idea for husband and wife to live apart. Since Ah Li wants to stay, I should follow suit."
Xue Wenmian bowed and said, "Your Highness is too kind. I will immediately instruct my servants to prepare the room next to Ya Yun Xuan."
"Where were you two talking about? Did I interrupt you?"
Ling Zhenli smiled and winked at Pei Xuanlin. Pei Xuanlin knew that if he said he was disturbing her, he would be dead.
"How could that be? You've come at the perfect time. We were just talking about what His Majesty and I discussed this morning. His Majesty wanted to grant Jin An the title of Ten Thousand Households, but I temporarily put it off."
"Ten thousand households? We only have eight thousand households to feed, and besides, the Yang family, the son-in-law of the emperor, just committed a crime and was executed along with their entire family. His Majesty..."
Ling Zhenli's words were still unfinished, and she dared not speak too definitively, as she was unaware of Xue Wenmian's thoughts.
“Your Majesty dotes on Princess Jin’an too much. If this continues, it will surely lead to a great mistake. I previously advised Your Majesty to deal with the Yang family, and Your Majesty was able to listen. Tomorrow, I will go to the palace again to explain the dangers of excessive pampering of the princess. Your Majesty is a reasonable person and will not ignore my advice.”
Xue Wenmian had already put his mind at ease, and Pei Xuanlin was also relieved. He then returned to Ya Yun Xuan with Ling Zhenli.
*
The copper bells under the eaves of Ya Yun Xuan swayed gently, their sound like falling pearls.
"Princess Jin'an was also here today... She went to the palace and made a huge scene with His Majesty, but all she talked about was Yang Chengxiu forbidding a grand funeral."
Ling Zhenli still had her promise to Yang Chengxiu in her heart. Although she dared not face Pei Shang'er, she spoke kindly to Pei Shang'er: "Sanlang, we have devised a plan to eliminate the Yang family, but Yang Chengxiu has no intention of rebelling. Princess Jin'an has lost her lover, so it is inevitable that she will be a little crazy. Don't be too harsh on her. Put yourself in her shoes."
“How could I not know?” Pei Xuanlin listened to Ling Zhenli’s words. “But in order to appease Jin’an, His Majesty tolerated her imitation of handwriting and drafted an edict to establish herself as the Crown Princess. Do you think we can still put ourselves in each other’s shoes? If His Majesty affixed the imperial seal, neither of us would be safe.”
"What?!" Ling Zhenli's eyes widened instantly, her mind racing. "She actually dared to!"
“Jin’an has nothing to be afraid of anymore. After Yang Chengxiu died, all his former subordinates belonged to Pei Chang’er. If they find out about this edict, I will face a series of impeachments.”
Pei Xuanlin made his point clear, hoping that Xue Yingyue would stop speaking well of Pei Shang'er in the future.
He knew very well that his wife, Xue Yingyue, was a person who put her own interests first. She would only be indifferent as long as her interests were not harmed, but she would want to get rid of anything that was harmful to her.
After hearing Pei Xuanlin's words, Ling Zhenli's heart pounded wildly. She secretly resolved to persuade Xue Wenmian to convince the emperor to expel Pei Chang'er from the capital and keep her away from the center of power.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com