One is greedy and the other is ruthless; let's see who comes out on top.
...
Shen Ci went to the palace to plead guilty. He had caused Yun An's injury, and he should bear some responsibility. Rather than waiting for His Majesty to ask him, he decided to go to the palace to plead guilty himself.
Emperor Chongde already knew what had happened before he arrived, so he did not reprimand him, but frowned and said in a deep voice:
"I have already understood the whole story. It was Yun'an who acted rashly and impulsively. You are not to blame!"
He also had someone check the horse, and there was nothing wrong with it; it had just inhaled the fragrance of red-tailed flowers, which are quite common and grow in that grove.
Although he had suspicions about Shen Ci, the guard said that Yun An insisted on going, and Shen Ci had even tried to stop him, so he couldn't be blamed for it.
As for what happened at that family's house, Yun An didn't mention it at all, and Shen Ci naturally just briefly mentioned it as well.
Shen Ci bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty."
Seeing his appearance, Emperor Chongde felt somewhat guilty and coughed softly: "Yun'an has been spoiled by me. She acts arrogantly and unreasonably. You don't have to obey her in everything."
“The princess is of noble birth, so it’s normal for His Majesty to dote on her.” Shen Ci did not agree with him. He showed enough humility and respect to make the emperor relax and dispel his doubts.
...
After Shen Ci left, Emperor Chongde's face darkened: "That girl, I warned her not long ago, and she's causing me trouble again!"
Eunuch Fu laughed and said, "Isn't the princess's behavior a result of His Majesty's indulgence?"
Yun'an is his only daughter. Her maternal family has no power and poses no threat to his throne. She is also sweet-talking and good at coaxing people, so it is normal for His Majesty to spoil her a little.
Moreover, her birth mother was Consort Li. Others might not know this, but Eunuch Fu did. His Majesty did have some genuine feelings for Consort Li.
Consort Li came from a humble background; she was originally just a singer. When Emperor Chongde was on an incognito visit, he was assassinated, and Consort Li took a sword for him, almost losing her life!
The royal family is full of scheming and suspicion, so you can imagine how precious this friendship is!
So even after the incident involving the Third Prince, His Majesty only banished her to the Cold Palace and did not have the heart to order her death.
A complex and subtle emotion flickered in Emperor Chongde's eyes. Suddenly, there was a noise at the door, and a young eunuch came in to report:
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince requests an audience."
Emperor Chongde composed himself and said, "Why is the fourth prince in the palace? Let him in!"
Yan Jue was pushed into the hall in a wheelchair. He was frail, and his shoulder blades were clearly visible under his thin clothes.
Upon seeing his frail appearance, the emperor couldn't help but frown: "Why have you lost weight again?"
After paying his respects, Yan Jue smiled faintly and said, "Father is mistaken. I think you've gained some weight."
Emperor Chongde was well aware of his health condition, and with a sigh, he changed the subject: "You've come to the palace now because you have something to discuss with me?"
He was in poor health, so Emperor Chongde exempted him from paying his respects, and he rarely entered the palace unless there was something else going on.
Yan Jue straightened his expression, looked at him sincerely, and said with pursed lips, "Your subject would like to ask Father Emperor to withdraw the decree that bestowed marriage upon me."
After the selection banquet, rumors began to circulate in the palace that the daughter of the Gu family would become the Crown Prince's wife, and the third young lady of the Luo family would become the Fourth Prince's wife.
It was a joyous occasion, but the entire Luo family was shrouded in gloom. Everyone had witnessed the Fourth Prince coughing up blood and fainting that day. Marrying a sickly man who was destined to die young was something no one could be happy about!
Emperor Chongde's face darkened, and his tone became displeased: "Do you know what you're saying? Marriage is a major event, a matter of parental consent and matchmaker's words. How can you act recklessly?"
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