The Crown Prince also wanted to know whether he or Yongchang was more important to the Empress. He loved his sister, but he valued his own position even more.
If his mother favored Yongchang, he would have to take action to stop her; he would not allow his position as crown prince to be affected by this matter.
"No need. You are the Crown Prince, the heir apparent. Your future is bright. We must not let the Yongchang affair affect your future path." The Empress spoke in a daze, but her eyes were clear and serious.
The Empress's words implied that she had chosen her son and abandoned her daughter, which surprised the Crown Prince.
"But, Mother, what about Yongchang? There's nothing we can do now. Do we really have to send Yongchang to marry a foreign ruler?" The Crown Prince was overjoyed to see that the Empress had chosen him, but his face still showed deep worry and guilt.
"This matter is already settled, and no matter how we try, it will be of no use. Moreover, if your father finds out something, it will not only affect your position as crown prince, but may also affect Yongchang's dowry."
"While your father still feels some guilt towards Yongchang, I'll plead with him again. Perhaps he'll grant Yongchang a larger dowry, giving her more financial security after she marries into the family."
The Crown Prince nodded reluctantly, "This is the only way for now, but it will be unfair to Yongchang."
"Your Highness, your mother has given up Yongchang for your position as Crown Prince. If you ever have the ability in the future, please remember to help Yongchang." The Empress held the Crown Prince's hand tightly.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. No matter what, Yongchang will always be my sister, and I will never abandon her." The Crown Prince quickly assured her, fearing that the Empress might change her mind.
"Also, the Empress Dowager wants you to select several highly skilled guards to accompany Yongchang in her dowry and protect her well."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will make the selection immediately after I go down."
"Alright, that's good." The Empress nodded blankly. "However, Yongchang should not know about this for now, lest she think that her mother is heartless."
"Yes, Mother, I understand. In that case, I will take my leave. Mother, now that this matter is settled, you should spend some time with Yongchang."
"Yes, Your Majesty understands. You may leave." The Empress nodded and then gestured for the Crown Prince to leave.
Outside Fengyi Palace, Yongchang was standing at the entrance, about to go in, but was stopped by Caiqiu, "Princess, Her Majesty is discussing matters with His Highness the Crown Prince, you really can't go in."
"What they're discussing is none of my business, Princess Yongchang is not allowed to know?" Yongchang was already extremely upset about the marriage alliance, and now that Caiqiu was blocking her way, preventing her from entering, Yongchang became even more agitated.
"Please, Princess, don't make things difficult for me. Her Majesty and the Crown Prince really have something to discuss." Caiqiu lowered her head, her tone very respectful, but her attitude was also very firm, preventing Yongchang from entering.
"Fine, fine, I won't go in then. I'll just wait here, okay?" Yongchang stood there angrily, arms crossed, her eyes looking elsewhere.
"Thank you for your understanding, Princess." Caiqiu breathed a sigh of relief. Although Princess Yongchang was sometimes a bit spoiled, she was not malicious and would not do anything against the rules, nor would she make things too difficult for the servants in the palace.
Caiqiu secretly hoped that the Empress and the Crown Prince could come up with a way to prevent Princess Yongchang from going to the marriage alliance and instead keep her in the capital. However, it was the Emperor who had this plan, and no one knew whether they could really resist the Emperor's pressure.
However, the door to the inner palace was soon opened, and the crown prince walked out with a relaxed expression.
Upon seeing Yongchang standing there, the Crown Prince paused slightly, wondering if his conversation with the Empress had been overheard. He then glanced at a palace servant beside him and saw the servant shake his head almost imperceptibly. Only then did the Crown Prince breathe a sigh of relief.
"Yongchang, what brings you here?" The Crown Prince looked at Yongchang with a smile.
"Brother Crown Prince, what are you saying to Mother? Why won't you let me in?" Upon seeing the Crown Prince come out, Yongchang first gave him a haughty look, and then walked up to him.
"What else can I say? What could be more important than your affairs right now?" The Crown Prince looked at the person in front of him with affection.
"Crown Prince, are you going to help me too? Really? Crown Prince, have you thought of a way?" Upon hearing this, Yongchang's eyes lit up and he asked excitedly.
"Don't worry, Yongchang, the Crown Prince and Mother will definitely find a way," the Crown Prince reassured her. However, he didn't say whether he could come up with a solution or not, because after leaving the Imperial Study, Yongchang's fate of being sent to marry a foreign ruler was already sealed.
"That's good. Crown Prince, you and Mother must find a way. Yongchang really doesn't want to spend the rest of her life in a foreign land." Yongchang looked at the Crown Prince with anticipation. She had no idea that the Crown Prince and Mother, on whom she relied, had already made their choice—one of abandoning her.
"Hmm." The Crown Prince responded casually, looking at Yongchang's expectant eyes. He avoided eye contact with Yongchang and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I will leave first. Your mother is inside. Go and have a good talk with her."
"Then Yongchang will go in." Yongchang nodded and walked inside. Her tense heart relaxed a lot. Her brother, the Crown Prince, and her mother would definitely find a way to save her.
Upon catching a glimpse of Yongchang's joyful retreating figure, the Crown Prince felt somewhat guilty and quickly turned and left.
When Yongchang entered, the Empress had just wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Of course, the Empress already knew about the commotion outside.
"Yongchang greets the Empress Dowager." Although Yongchang had been in a bad mood these past few days, she had not forgotten her manners.
"No need for formalities, come here quickly." The Empress smiled as she looked at Yongchang's pretty face. "What brings you here today?"
"Mother, Yongchang is feeling a bit irritable, so I wanted to talk to you." Yongchang pouted slightly.
"It's alright, Your Majesty will find a way." The Empress naturally knew why Yongchang was so agitated, and she smiled to comfort him, without showing any guilt on her face.
Perhaps because she had been in the harem for so long, the Empress could tell lies without batting an eye, even if the person in front of her was her own daughter, her own flesh and blood.
"Mother, you are so kind." Seeing his mother say the same thing, Yongchang felt completely relaxed and nestled into the Empress's arms, just like when he was a child.
The Empress was slightly taken aback, then lovingly patted Yongchang's head, thinking to herself, "Yongchang, don't blame your mother. You are my daughter. I also wanted you not to go on the marriage alliance, but if that happened, your brother would lose his position as Crown Prince."
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