sjar Chapter 734 Such a woman, such a powerful relative...
Chapter 734 Such a woman, such a powerful relative...
The following day, a carriage from the palace quietly stopped in front of the Yongding Prince's Mansion.
Under the repeated instructions of the Princess Consort, Princess Jiahe mustered her spirits, changed into a proper palace dress, and stepped into Kunning Palace.
The palace was filled with the calming scent of sandalwood. The Empress sat regally on her throne, holding a cup of ginseng tea in her hand, her expression serene and unreadable.
"Jiahe greets Her Majesty the Empress." Princess Jiahe suppressed all her emotions and respectfully performed the grand salute.
"Rise, please take a seat." The Empress spoke calmly, her gaze falling on her as if examining an object. "I heard you were frightened at Qixia Mountain a few days ago. Are you feeling better?"
Princess Jiahe's heart tightened, and she quickly lowered her head, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine."
The Empress gently set down the teacup, making a soft sound that was remarkably clear in the quiet palace.
"It's good that you're alright." She changed the subject, her tone still gentle. "I heard that the scholar who offended you is named Chen Jing'an? It's a name that suggests some talent, but unfortunately, he's gone astray and has harbored inappropriate thoughts."
Princess Jiahe's back instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
She knew this was a warning.
"Your Majesty, please be aware that I have absolutely no romantic relationship with that madman."
"Of course I believe you." The Empress smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "It's just that gossip can be a terrible thing. Some old stories are better left unsaid for everyone's benefit, don't you think?"
Princess Jiahe's face turned deathly pale, her fingertips clenched tightly into her palms, and she couldn't utter a single word.
The Queen was pleased with her reaction and then got down to business.
"The marriage between the Crown Prince and Miss Gu was personally arranged by the Emperor, and it concerns the stability of the court. General Gu commands a large army, and the Crown Prince needs the support of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
The Empress looked at her with a hint of reassurance, but also a warning.
"I know you are ambitious and I know your feelings for the Crown Prince. Both the Emperor and I favor you to be the Crown Prince's concubine, second only to the Crown Princess in rank. The daughter of the Prince of Yongding should not be wronged."
Concubine?
These two words were like two poisonous needles, piercing deeply into Princess Jiahe's heart.
She suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with humiliation and resentment.
Why!
Why should she, the noble and privileged eldest daughter of the Yongding Prince's Mansion, become a concubine to Gu Qingchen, that arrogant and ignorant woman!
The Empress took in her expression, her voice turning colder: "What, you're unwilling?"
An overwhelming pressure swept over her, causing Princess Jiahe to tremble. All her resentment and anger were suppressed, transforming into a deep-seated fear.
She lowered her head, her voice trembling: "This humble woman...this humble woman will leave everything to Your Majesty's decision."
"That's right." The Empress's tone softened again. "Jiahe, you are a smart child. The road to the inner palace is long, and whoever has the last laugh is not determined by who enters first."
These words, like a seed, carrying both deadly poison and endless allure, fell into Princess Jiahe's heart.
Once Princess Jiahe returned to her courtyard after leaving the palace, she could no longer contain herself.
"Crack!"
She swept the Ru kiln tea set off the table to the ground, smashing it to pieces.
"A concubine! She actually wants me to be a concubine!" Princess Jiahe trembled with rage, her eyes red-rimmed. "She wants me to be that bitch Gu Qingchen's concubine! What right does she have!"
Princess Yongding strode in and frowned deeply upon seeing the mess on the ground.
"What's wrong with you! What did the Empress say to you?"
"Mother concubine!"
When Princess Jiahe saw her mother, tears welled up instantly, her voice filled with grievance and hatred.
"The Empress said that the Crown Princess can only be Gu Qingchen! She needs the military power of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion! She said... she wants to make me her concubine..."
Princess Yongding remained silent for a moment upon hearing this.
She walked over to her daughter, pulled her to sit down, and waved for all the servants to leave.
"Why are you crying? Her Majesty the Empress is right." Princess Yongding's voice was calm to the point of being cruel. "Given the current situation, the Crown Prince does need Gu Junze. Our Yongding Prince's Mansion cannot give him military power."
"And what about me? What about my reputation? What about the reputation of the Yongding Prince's Mansion?"
Princess Jiahe shrieked, "Are we just going to stand by and watch that good-for-nothing Gu Qingchen ride roughshod over me?"
"Shortsighted!" Princess Yongding rebuked sharply. "So what if you're the Crown Princess? Do you think you can rest easy just because you've taken that position?"
She looked at her daughter, who was blinded by anger, and analyzed the pros and cons for her, word by word.
“You know Gu Qingchen better than I do. She’s arrogant, domineering, and unyielding, and she also has a powerful father who is a threat to the emperor.”
"How long do you think the future emperor can tolerate a woman like this, with such powerful relatives?"
Princess Jiahe was stunned.
“The Empress’s decision to make you a concubine is not an insult, but a reminder.” Princess Yongding’s eyes gleamed with shrewdness. “She is telling you to temporarily avoid the limelight. Let Gu Qingchen and the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion become the targets to shield the Crown Prince.”
"When the Crown Prince ascends the throne and the imperial position is secure, it will be time for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to sheath its blade." The princess gently patted her daughter's hand, her voice carrying a hint of cold laughter.
"By then, it will still be unknown who will hold the Phoenix Seal and become the Empress."
The tears in Princess Jiahe's eyes gradually stopped.
The overwhelming rage of humiliation in his heart slowly cooled down, transforming into a cold, poisonous scheme.
Yes.
Mother is right.
The one who laughs last laughs best.
She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, and the resentment and humiliation on her face finally transformed into a twisted yet resolute ruthlessness.
Gu Qingchen, we'll see!
Inside the Imperial Study Room
Zhao Chen'an stood with his hands at his sides in front of the huge rosewood desk, his usually gentle face now covered with a lingering gloom.
The anger and murderous aura he brought back from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had completely subsided before he stepped into the heart of imperial power, leaving only the resentment and unwillingness buried deep in his eyes.
The emperor, seated behind his desk, bore a striking resemblance to Zhao Chen'an, but possessed an added air of authority and depth honed by the passage of time.
He put down the vermilion brush in his hand and looked up at his son.
"Judging from your expression, you must have run into a snag with that girl from the Gu family?" Zhao Yunci's voice was unreadable.
Zhao Chen'an's lips pressed into a stiff line. He took a deep breath and bowed.
"Father, I humbly request that you issue an imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon me, betrothing Gu Qingchen to me as my concubine." He did not answer the emperor's question, but directly stated his purpose.
He was fed up with this feeling of being out of control. He wanted to use the most direct and unquestionable imperial power to keep that woman who dared to challenge him firmly by his side.