Chapter 198 The Queen's Suspicion

On the second day after returning to Beijing, Jun Zechen first went to report the war situation to his father, and then prepared to go to Kunning Palace to pay his respects to his mother.

At this moment, the Queen was sitting on the couch, slightly leaning to one side, one hand on the edge of the couch, her eyes occasionally looking towards the door.

After Jun Zechen came in, he bowed respectfully, clasped his hands together, and bent his waist slightly. His movements were smooth and dignified.

After the greeting, he calmly sat on the couch on the other side.

"The prince has become more mature and resolute after his trip."

The queen smiled and was very pleased.

Jun Zechen nodded slightly, his tone sincere.

"It would be unfilial of me to make you worry about me. I will not let you down and return victoriously."

"I have also heard from your father. This time the performance of the expedition was excellent. It completely eliminated the barbarians for the country. It is in the style of your father."

"However, since you have already returned to the capital yesterday, why don't you return to the palace to meet your father? You stayed in the Crown Prince's Mansion outside the palace yesterday, and you are not going to rest in the East Palace when you return to the palace today?"

The queen frowned slightly.

She originally didn't care where her son lived. As the crown prince sometimes had to deal with matters and meet with court officials, it was normal for him to stay in the crown prince's mansion outside the palace.

But he should have gone to the palace to meet His Majesty yesterday, and even come to pay his respects to his mother, the Queen Mother. However, he waited until today and did not return to the East Palace.

"It is more convenient for me to work outside the palace. I came back yesterday exhausted, so I thought of paying my respects to the Queen Mother today to avoid worrying her."

Jun Zechen spoke in a calm tone and his answer was flawless.

Since Yaoyao doesn't plan to get engaged to him before she reaches the age of 15, then don't let the queen mother know for the time being, because she has always wanted him to take a concubine.

The Queen Mother didn't know that Jun Zechen refused all the proposals on the grounds that he was not interested in women and was busy with government affairs, and the Queen Mother could do nothing about it.

If the Queen Mother knew that he didn't want to take a concubine because of Yaoyao, she would probably have some opinions about Yaoyao.

After listening to Jun Zechen's explanation, the queen's expression softened slightly and she nodded slightly.

"Well, if that's the case, I won't pursue it any further."

It's not a big deal. If you like to stay outside the palace, then stay outside the palace. When you become emperor, you won't spend much time outside the palace.

"I am here to pay my respects to you, and I have something to discuss with you, mother."

"What is it?"

The queen raised her eyebrows and looked at him with interest.

What could the prince have to discuss with her?

"Minghui and Qi Wanyin are both sixteen years old. Why don't you arrange marriages for them? Hold a banquet and invite the young masters of the noble families in the capital to let them choose."

Jun Zechen calmly stated the purpose of his visit today.

The queen stared at her son for a long time, her eyes full of suspicion, and remained silent.

Is this her son?

When did her son start to care about other people's marriage?

The queen narrowed her eyes, with a look of scrutiny in them, and something was wrong.

"Minghui is indeed old enough, so it would be nice to hold a wedding banquet for her, but..."

The queen nodded slightly, as if thinking about something.

"Wan Yin... Prince, do you really not know that Wan Yin has always been fond of you?"

Qi Wanyin had been raised by the Empress for several years. Although she didn't take her seriously at first, she developed some feelings for her after spending some time with her, especially since she was her brother's daughter after all.

This time when his brother returns to the capital, Qi Wanyin can also marry into the Qi family. It is better to be a concubine's daughter than a daughter of a concubine. Although her status is a little lower, it is okay for her to marry into the Eastern Palace as a concubine. After all, Wanyin herself admires the prince.

If you want to marry the prince, you can only be a concubine.

A look of annoyance instantly appeared on Jun Zechen's face.

"I have no intention of marrying a wife or taking a concubine now."

When talking about the prince's marriage, the queen became unhappy and her face darkened.

"You are already eighteen years old. Other young masters already have children. You are the crown prince, so the crown princess can observe you more and pay more attention to you. But the East Palace must accept a few concubines."

The queen raised her voice, her tone filled with dissatisfaction.

"Even if you don't like Wanyin, your mother can find another woman for you."

"Mother, I only want to make achievements in the court now, and I have no intention of having a love affair with my son. When I want to get married, I will get married. Mother, please don't worry about it."

Jun Zechen picked up the teacup, took a sip, and lowered his head, obviously not wanting to say anything more.

The queen frowned and looked at him, her face full of confusion.

"You, as a brother, have not married yet, so why are you here today to find a husband for your two sisters?"

"I don't like Qi Wanyin, but the marriage arranged by your mother has dispelled her thoughts. As for Minghui, her character has become more and more domineering, and she will be more restrained after getting married."

The queen's brows furrowed even deeper.

Wanyin is not liked by him, and he wants to marry her off. She believes this reason for the time being. Will Minghui become more domineering?

"Minghui caused trouble outside the palace?"

There was a stern look in the queen's eyes.

"Some minor things, but her temper has indeed become worse. She is getting old, and the Queen Mother should be looking for a husband for Minghui. I think it can be done as soon as possible."

The Queen was indeed looking for a husband for Minghui, but it was because Minghui was almost old enough.

She looked carefully at the prince's face again, and seeing that he looked determined, she did not ask any more questions. Since he did not want to talk, she could not get anything out of him.

Moreover, the Queen would satisfy any request from the Prince as long as it was not a big deal.

"I will ask the Shangyi Bureau to prepare it."

"Thank you, mother. I will not disturb you any more. I will take my leave."

Jun Zechen stood up, bowed respectfully, then turned around and strode away.

After Jun Zechen left, the queen fell into deep thought, her fingers tapping the table unconsciously.

Something must have happened outside the palace yesterday.

"Jinhua, call Minghui." The queen came back to her senses and spoke in a serious tone.

"Yes, Master."

After receiving the instructions, Aunt Jinhua bowed slightly and went out to ask someone to call Princess Minghui.

When Princess Minghui was summoned by her mother, she was copying the palace rules with a bitter look on her face. She moved the brush in her hand on the paper and muttered to herself.

She did not dare to complain to her mother about her brother's punishment, so her mother did not know that she had copied the palace rules.

When Princess Minghui arrived at Kunning Palace, she first paid her respects politely, and then walked to the couch on the other side and sat down in a very intimate manner.

"Mother, what is it that has called me here?"

Princess Minghui blinked her eyes, her face full of curiosity.

"The prince just came over and asked me to hold a wedding banquet for you and Wanyin. What do you think?"

The Queen tilted her head slightly, her face showing no emotion, she just stared calmly at Princess Minghui.

Princess Minghui's eyes suddenly widened, her mouth slightly opened, and her whole body froze.

It wasn't enough that the emperor punished her, he even forced her to get married!

When the Queen saw Minghui's shocked expression, she understood a little bit in her heart. Something must have happened yesterday.

"When you left the palace yesterday, did you run into the prince?"

Princess Minghui nodded first, then lowered her head and remained silent. She kept twirling the corners of her clothes with her fingers. She was a little nervous, not knowing what her brother had said to their mother.

"Your brother said that you were arrogant outside the palace. Is that true?"

Princess Minghui raised her head suddenly, her eyes full of grievance.

How is she domineering?

As a princess, everyone outside the palace flatters her, and she has no chance to act domineeringly. Only Su Jingyao and Chu Yinxue never give her face whenever they meet.

She was a princess, but the two of them lived a more extravagant life than she did. Of course she couldn't stand them.

How can my brother say that she is domineering just because of this!

"Mother, I didn't...I ran into Miss Su and Miss Chu at Mofeng Tower yesterday. Although they had an argument, it was Miss Su who was disrespectful to me first!"

Princess Minghui explained eagerly, not wanting her mother to misunderstand her.

"Ms. Su? Is she the daughter of Minister Su?"

The queen raised her eyebrows slightly, looking somewhat puzzled.

"Yes." Princess Minghui nodded quickly.

The daughter of Minister Su has always been on the Empress's list of candidates for the Crown Princess. She is said to be well-educated, talented in writing, and well-mannered.

The queen looked at Minghui suspiciously, with a look of scrutiny in her eyes.

"Are you saying that your brother framed you?" The Queen's tone became increasingly severe.

Minghui was frightened by her mother's questioning. She shuddered, stood up immediately, and then squatted down quickly.

"I dare not. It is because I failed to observe the princess' etiquette when I was outside."

Princess Minghui naturally did not dare to act rashly in front of the Empress, let alone speak ill of her brother in front of the Empress.

But she was not domineering outside the palace. At most, she just showed off her power in front of Su Jingyao and Chu Yinxue. And didn't she always return empty-handed?

She felt aggrieved and her eyes were slightly red.

"Get up. I will not pursue what happened to you outside the palace. You are now a legitimate princess, and you must not lose your princess's demeanor. Do you understand?"

The queen's tone softened a little.

"Yes, I will remember your mother's teachings."

Princess Minghui stood up, looking very obedient.

Seeing that the Queen looked relieved, Princess Minghui walked to the couch, sat down next to the Queen, put her arms around the Queen's, swayed her body gently, and began to act coquettishly.

"Mother, I don't want to hold a wedding banquet because I already have someone I like."

Princess Minghui had a shy blush on her face and pouted her lips slightly.

She was quite straightforward.

"Who is the person you like? Wouldn't it be nice to let him join us?"

"I like Yan Shuhan, the eldest son of the Yan family, but he is out on a tour of duty and I'm afraid he won't be back for a few months."

She didn't know why her brother wanted to send Master Yan away. At that time, she thought her brother was punishing him for helping her, but later her brother was not polite to her at all.

Princess Minghui had no idea why her brother had such an attitude towards Master Yan.

"Mother, how about we hold this banquet later, until Master Yan returns to the capital?"

Princess Minghui's eyes were filled with pity, and her voice became softer.

Naturally, she wanted to marry someone she loved, and the Yan family was a prominent family, so marrying into the Yan family would not be unfair to her.

"I don't know how long it will take for him to come back, so I plan to hold a wedding banquet for you and Wanyin."

The Queen gently patted Princess Minghui's hand, the smile on her face faded a little, and her expression seemed a little embarrassed.

The prince had just come to talk to her about this matter, and it was obvious that his purpose was towards Wanyin. He just didn't want Wanyin to like him and cling to him.

The Queen usually does what she promised the Prince.

"Bang!"

With a crisp sound, the teacup fell heavily to the ground and shattered into pieces.