Zhao Cheyu listened quietly to the other person's words, which were exactly the answer he had been waiting for.
A slight smile played at the corners of his lips, revealing a meaningful expression. He then laid out his purpose: "I have heard that your father is now bedridden with a serious illness. We have sought out many renowned doctors, but none of them can cure him. It is truly heartbreaking."
Zheng Pianran frowned slightly, looking bewildered. He couldn't figure out the hidden meaning in Zhao Cheyu's words, and just stared straight at him.
Zhao Cheyu met his gaze without flinching, her smile deepening as she spoke in a low, slow voice: "I've also heard that Consort Chen once had a beloved in Xunyang, a love as deep as the sea. But now, she's about to marry someone else. That's incredibly fast."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Pianran's emotions fluctuated instantly. He clenched his fists beneath his robes and whispered, "Stop talking nonsense here. What exactly are you trying to say?"
Zhao Cheyu remained calm, shaking his head slightly as if he had anticipated Zheng Pianran's denial: "I am merely stating the facts. Your father's illness may have a chance of recovery, and that woman's marriage is not necessarily unchangeable."
Looking at his confident expression, Zheng Pianran understood everything. Zhao Cheyu was not the fool he thought he was, nor was he simply there to show off.
On the contrary, he must have secretly investigated his past in Xunyang and now wants to use this matter to blackmail him.
Zheng Pianran sneered, "I really misjudged you."
Zhao Cheyu took a step forward, his gaze filled with a mysterious pressure: "No matter what you think, I just want to help you. I have a way to cure your father and stop that woman's marriage, but you have to agree to my request."
A hint of hesitation flashed in Zheng Pianran's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination: "I will find a way to resolve the family matters myself, and she has her own marriage to arrange. I cannot stop her because of my own selfish reasons."
Zhao Cheyu chuckled and said, "Do you think your father's illness is simple? Do you think that woman's fiancé is a good person?"
Seeing Zheng Pianran's completely clueless yet slightly shocked expression, Zhao Cheyu continued, "I've already said, my request is very simple. If you agree, I can help you solve both of these problems. But without my help, you can't do anything and will just watch helplessly as everything develops in the direction you least want to see."
Zheng Pianran took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He carefully observed Zhao Cheyu's every move and smile, trying to find out his true intentions from his seemingly calm appearance.
After a long silence, as if he had caught something, he slowly and tentatively asked, "Your request... is it that I leave His Majesty?"
Zhao Cheyu's eyes were clear as water, and he smiled gently. "That's right, this should be a piece of cake for you. If I'm not mistaken, His Majesty must have already expressed his feelings to you when he came looking for you earlier. His Majesty dislikes forcing others, especially someone like you."
As he spoke, a complex emotion flashed across his eyes. His gaze swept lightly over Zheng Pianran before he continued, "Since you have someone you love, leaving the palace will benefit everyone. For you, wouldn't it also be a relief?"
Only then did Zheng Pianran realize that Zhao Cheyu's real purpose in coming here was to help him make up his mind.
Filled with doubt, he couldn't help but ask, "Why are you helping me?"
Zhao Cheyu's gaze was sharp, as if he could see through his heart. He said in a calm tone, "Think about it. If I had not come to tell you these things today, would you have told His Majesty the truth and then left the palace on your own?"
Zheng Pianran immediately fell silent.
Zhao Cheyu's words were indeed reasonable. Before his arrival, Zheng Pianran had been struggling with this issue.
His Majesty did give him a choice, but he found himself in a dilemma.
On one hand, there was the kindness of his family in raising him, how could he dare to betray them; on the other hand, there was a rare opportunity, which he did not want to give up easily.
His thoughts were like a candle flickering in the wind, wavering and uncertain.
If Zhao Cheyu hadn't come to tell him these two things—his father's serious illness and the fact that his beloved woman was about to be forced to marry a man of questionable character—he probably would have given up this rare opportunity and continued to waste his years in the deep palace.
After all, the bond of his family's upbringing was as heavy as Mount Tai, and he had long been prepared to sacrifice everything for his family.
Zheng Pianran remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "You're right, I am indeed hesitant. But even if I leave the palace, how can you guarantee that you can cure my father and stop her marriage?"
Zhao Cheyu stood with his hands behind his back, his expression confident: "If I dare to say it, I am absolutely certain. I have a close friend with superb medical skills who can definitely cure your father's illness. As for that woman, I also have my own arrangements. I will definitely not let her marry the wrong person. Moreover, perhaps she can even rekindle your past relationship."
A glimmer of hope flashed in Zheng Pianran's eyes, but doubts remained: "Why should I believe you? We're not related, why go to such lengths?"
Zhao Cheyu remained calm and slowly said, "It's obvious that I'm devoted to Your Majesty. The fewer people in the harem, the better for me, and the happier I am. This way, I'll have more opportunities, won't I?"
Zheng Pianran looked astonished, clearly not expecting that this was the reason.
Previously, he had gone through all sorts of conspiracies and schemes in his mind, but he never expected that Zhao Cheyu would go to such lengths just to satisfy his own selfish desires.
Zheng Pianran was stunned for a long time before she came to her senses and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "So that's how it is. I was overthinking it."
He looked at Zhao Cheyu with a complex expression in his eyes and said solemnly, "I will inform His Majesty that after I go to Xunyang, I will stay there and will not return to the palace with you. I hope you can keep your promise and help me resolve these two thorny issues."
After receiving Zheng Pianran's affirmative reply, Zhao Cheyu felt even more relieved. He smiled confidently and said, "You can rest assured that as long as you are no longer Consort Chen, I will help you in any way I can, no matter what you need in the future."
Looking at his appearance, Zheng Pianran chuckled inwardly and couldn't help but silently retract her words, thinking to herself: This person is really a bit silly.
In my twenty years of life, I have never met such a simple and straightforward person, who came to help me so eagerly just because of his own simple thoughts.
Has this seemingly foolish person ever considered that even without Consort Chen, there will be other concubines in the palace, such as Consort Li and Consort Lin?
It's just a matter of time.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
