novelraw Chapter 686 - 675: The Cuckolded Prince
Chapter 686 - 675: The Cuckolded Prince
Consort Hui decided to grant Lin Jingxian an audience with some fantasies in mind; although she was in favor, to see her son ascend to that supreme throne, her power base was still lacking.
Don’t think she didn’t know about the Crown Prince’s recent secret maneuvers. She could bribe those officials too, and it naturally required money, which is where Fifth Prince became the moneybag she had in mind.
But looking at Lin Jingxian like this, while she was indeed beautiful, she also appeared wretchedly poor. It was said she had not returned to Fifth Prince Mansion for three years, which seemed to prove she had truly lost the favor of Fifth Prince Ye Qiu. Would not pursuing this same path prove impossible for herself?
With this thought, Consort Hui looked at Lin Jingxian with a hint of contempt and impatience in her eyes.
"Rise," Consort Hui said languidly, without offering a seat, taking arrogance to its extreme.
A flash of embarrassment and awkwardness passed across Lin Jingxian’s face, and she held even greater disdain for Consort Hui in her heart. If it weren’t for wanting to probe the depths of Consort Hui, she would never have wished to come to Changle Palace to offer her greetings!
The two looked at each other without a word, and Consort Hui had no inclination to acknowledge her further, Lin Jingxian felt that if this continued, she would lose face, so she bid her farewell.
Consort Hui did not detain her and watched her leave with an air of superiority, giving a cold laugh before going to complain to Emperor Xingwu that night.
"Your Majesty, the Fifth Princess Consort came to offer greetings to me today," Consort Hui spoke nuzzled up to Emperor Xingwu.
"There are plenty of Imperial Mandates that offer you greetings daily, why is she worth you making a special mention?" Emperor Xingwu clearly understood her and thus inquired.
"I just feel that the Fifth Princess Consort is somewhat improper. As a wife, how can she not return home to attend to Fifth for three years?"
"Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen Fifth’s bride at the family banquets for the past two years either," Emperor Xingwu frowned then asked the eunuch beside him, "Lian Xi, do you know the reason?"
"Answering Your Majesty, it is because the twins of the Fifth Prince and Princess Consort have not been in good health, so the Fifth Prince built a hot spring manor specifically for their recuperation, which was named by Your Majesty."
"Oh, now that you mention it, I remember," Emperor Xingwu suddenly realized, "Fifth really is too devoted. It’s been three years, and he hasn’t taken any concubine. As for the Fifth Princess Consort, even if she is recuperating, she shouldn’t be away for three years. What seemed a good omen with the twins turns out their health is poor. I truly feel sorry for Fifth."
"Isn’t that so? I’ve also heard that in consideration for the twins’ health, Fifth particularly deferred submitting the petitions to entitle them as Heir and Commandery Princess, to avoid overburdening them with fortune," Consort Hui added.
"Fifth really has it hard," sighed Emperor Xingwu and then asked Consort Hui, "Why did you bring this up today?"
"I just thought that since the Fifth Princess Consort is not serving Fifth well, we can’t let Your Majesty’s son be wronged. Why not bestow upon Fifth two more concubines?"
Emperor Xingwu burst into hearty laughter, "You really are virtuous, thinking of the welfare of my sons. Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Last time the Imperial Mandates came to offer greetings, I noticed that the legitimate daughters of the Assistant Minister of Rites and the Capital Commander were quite good. But as for who to choose, it still depends on Your Majesty," Consort Hui smiled coyly.
Emperor Xingwu, a ruler blinded by desire responded, "If the Noble Consort says they are good, then they certainly are. I will issue an imperial decree tomorrow."
Hearing him say this, Consort Hui smiled smugly.
Emperor Xingwu was efficient; the imperial decree for marriage indeed came the following day. Not only were Ye Qiu and the Empress taken aback, but it was an even bigger blow to Lin Jingxian, who never expected such a day to come.
How could Your Majesty issue an imperial decree for marriage without any reason? And to bestow two concubines at once?
The Assistant Minister of Rites and the Capital Commander, these positions were not insignificant compared to her father’s!
And once these women entered the mansion, wouldn’t they discover she was not favored by Ye Qiu at all? And that she had no authority over household affairs? Would they not bully her then?
Lin Jingxian was anxious, and the Crown Prince was not much better off. Not only did he fail to receive any Silver Coin, but now he faced the risk of it being discovered that the children were not Ye Qiu’s own. What to do?
"Prince, those who aim for greatness cannot be bound by trifles. Even if the Fifth Princess Consort maintains your honor for you, after it’s all done, under what identity do you intend to arrange for her? Right now, our biggest threat is Consort Hui," the Green-clothed Strategist advised him.
Seeing him hesitate and struggle to decide, another strategist dressed in grey exchanged a glance with the Green-clothed Strategist and added, "Prince, first the Fifth Princess Consort paid her respects to Consort Hui yesterday, and then in the evening, His Majesty visited Consort Hui. The following day, the imperial decree of marriage was announced. Certainly, this is a trick played by Consort Hui. The Assistant Minister of Rites and the Capital Commander are now Consort Hui’s people. If she gets her hands on the Fifth Prince’s wealth first, we will be in danger."
Upon hearing this, Ye Zheng’s expression became solemn, and he clenched his fists tightly: "Give me more time to think."
"Your servant shall take his leave, but please, Crown Prince, do not be indecisive."
After the strategists left, Ye Zheng kicked over a table furiously, shattering the porcelain on the floor.
"Order them to clean this up and do not disturb me," he commanded.
"Yes!" the little eunuch responded, trembling in fear.
Jingxian, the throne, Jingxian, the throne... These words repeatedly echoed in Ye Zheng’s mind, and when he finally opened his eyes, his gaze had turned incredibly resolute.
"Take this letter to the Fifth Princess Consort at the Fifth Prince Mansion."
With his hands clasped behind his back, Ye Zheng gazed at the half-moon in the night sky and silently prayed: Jingxian, you will understand me, right? I shall not let you down.
On the other side, Lin Jingxian dismissed her servants and nervously opened the letter, the first one from the Crown Prince since she returned to the capital two days ago.
But, as her initial joy dissipated upon reading its contents, her face instantly turned pale.
For those riches, he’s truly willing to let her commit to Ye Qiu?
How could he bear it? How could he make such a decision? Does he not love her anymore?
Lin Jingxian felt unsettled, desperately wanting to see the Crown Prince, wanting to ask him why?
"You say someone passed an object to the Princess Consort and then she dismissed all of you?" Ye Qiu questioned, tapping on the table while staring at Mu Jin.
"Yes."
"I see. You may leave. Report back to me if the Princess Consort exhibits any abnormalities."
"Your servant obeys."
Mu Jin felt glad that she had chosen wisely. What is a Princess Consort without the Prince’s favor anyway?
"Little Lu, assign two people to watch the Princess Consort at all times. Report back with any developments," he ordered.
"Yes!"
"Prince, His Majesty has decreed a marriage; which two courtyards should we prepare?" Yanzhi inquired.
"Didn’t the Princess Consort dislike the manor I built for her in Jiangnan? Just prepare the Luohu Pavilion and the Tingyu Garden adjacent to that manor for the future concubines," he replied.
"Understood."