After leaving Chengqian Palace, Chu Shaoruan went to Linzhi Palace. Madam Xu and Madam Luo had already left. In the inner hall, Consort Li was alone, leaning on the couch lost in thought. Hearing the palace servant's announcement, Consort Li was startled for a moment. She looked up and saw Chu Shaoruan enter, her face showing a hint of anger.
Chu Shaoruan knew his mother was impatient by nature. Not wanting to tell Consort Li about what happened in Chengqian Palace today, he casually asked, "How are grandmother and aunt doing?"
Chu Shaoruan didn't say anything more, but this made Consort Li even more upset. This matter had to be discussed with Chu Shaoruan. Consort Li slowly told Chu Shaoruan what Madam Xu had just said. Upon hearing it, Chu Shaoruan also became angry. How could Zhen Si be given to Chu Shaoling!
Chu Shaoruan was about the same age as Zhen Si. Although he had never openly expressed it, the Zhen family and Consort Li had previously considered it. Consort Li, firstly, wanted her maternal family to assist Chu Shaoruan more wholeheartedly. Secondly, she wanted to promote her own family. If Chu Shaoruan became the crown prince one day, wouldn't Zhen Si be the crown princess? Everyone would be satisfied with such a mutually beneficial arrangement.
There was already a tacit understanding, but the marriage of a prince had to be approved by the Emperor and Empress. Consort Li couldn't speak up herself and never brought it up. Now, in order to disrupt the marriage between Chu Shaoling and the daughter of the Ling family, she definitely couldn't mention it.
Chu Shaoruan was aware of all this. Originally, he didn't have much interest in Zhen Si, but not liking her was one thing, letting Chu Shaoling have her was another. Chu Shaoruan couldn't help but feel resentment over a stolen wife. Coupled with what happened in the morning, he hatefully said, "Chu Shaoling! Don't let him fall into my hands again! I failed last time, but when I find a good opportunity, I will make sure he is destroyed!"
Mentioning the last incident, Consort Li's head ached even more. She said, "Forget it, let's not talk about that for now. Si is a good girl, but now that your maternal family has lost power, marrying her is useless. Your mother has plans for your marriage and definitely won't let you down. Let's not discuss this now. Your grandmother has entrusted this matter to me, and I'm worried about how to tell your father, the Emperor!"
Chu Shaoruan also understood that marrying Zhen Si would not benefit him, but he couldn't swallow this anger. He said, "So what if they lost power? At worst, I'll take her as a concubine!"
"Ruan'er!" Consort Li was already in a bad mood and Chu Shaoruan's outburst made her heart even more chaotic. "What time is it now? Isn't all this for you?! If one day you accomplish great things, what will you lack?"
Chu Shaoruan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart. After a while, he said, "Your son knows his mistake. How did grandmother tell you, mother? Tell me in detail."
Seeing her son's face return to normal, Consort Li felt a little relieved. Chu Shaoruan was still capable of handling important matters. Consort Li pulled Chu Shaoruan to sit down and sighed softly, "Your grandmother's intention is that with the Empress gone, the eldest prince's marriage must follow the Emperor's wishes. Your father, the Emperor, is not happy to see the eldest prince getting closer to Marquis Zijun. Compared to the Ling family, marrying a daughter from your maternal family would make your father feel more at ease."
Consort Li gently touched the golden phoenix hairpin with treasured pearls on her temples and sneered, "The Ling family is just being clever. Let alone this marriage not working out, even if it did, how many men would like a daughter raised in such a way? Empress Ling is an example. Not learning from it, they still raise their daughter like a bodhisattva!" Every time Empress Ling was mentioned, Consort Li couldn't help but mock her. She continued, "I will talk to the Emperor, but the most difficult one to deal with is..."
Chu Shaoruan closed his eyes, "The Empress Dowager."
Consort Li nodded, "Exactly. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager's maternal family doesn't have any daughters of suitable age. They are either already married or not even ten years old. Otherwise, the Old Empress Dowager would definitely have ideas. But the Empress Dowager is close to Marquis Zijun, and she will definitely oppose us. This is the hardest part to handle now."
Mentioning the Empress Dowager, Consort Li was still fearful. Since entering the palace, she had been reprimanded by the Empress Dowager many times and couldn't gain any benefits. Thinking of having to fight the Empress Dowager over this matter, Consort Li was very worried.
Chu Shaoruan thought for a moment and smiled, "Mother, you don't need to worry. I have a way to handle this."
In the evening, Consort Li indeed brought this matter up to the Emperor. Consort Li wasn't foolish enough to mention it directly. She just pretended to casually say to the Emperor with a smile, "This morning, my mother and sister-in-law came. They talked for quite a while. My mother has no other worries now, only being anxious about the children's affairs. She urged me to ask Your Majesty to find a wife for Ruan'er soon, saying that even taking a concubine would be fine. The old lady is eager for Your Majesty to hold a grandson."
The Emperor smiled, not paying much attention, "The old madam is quite impatient."
Consort Li poured a cup of tea for the Emperor and offered it with both hands. Her well-maintained hands were like green onions, with peony flowers delicately painted in gold powder on the nails, exquisite and extraordinary. The Emperor took the tea and gently caressed Consort Li's hand.
Consort Li blushed and said softly, "Don't blame my mother for being impatient. When people get old, they all love to worry about this. Ruan'er is still young, but the eldest prince is the eldest. Naturally, there will be more people thinking about him. Recently, this concubine often hears the titled ladies mentioning how good the daughter of Marquis Zijun is. This concubine thinks that the thoughts of the elderly are all similar. Marquis Zijun must also be worrying about wanting to hold a great-granddaughter!"
Hearing this, the Emperor's expression indeed became more indifferent. He said, "Is that so? The gossip among you women in the inner palace, I have never heard of it."
"Your Majesty has so many important state affairs to worry about every day. How could you know about these things?" Consort Li chuckled. "Speaking of which, this concubine must also praise Marquis Zijun. He is very attentive in raising his daughters. He specially invited the old nurses who had served the Empress to be the tutors for his family's daughters. The ladies told me about it and praised them for a while, joking that Marquis Zijun couldn't be trying to raise another Empress, could he?"
The Emperor let go of Consort Li's hand, his face sinking. He said lightly, "Marquis Zijun is quite thoughtful, ah..."
Consort Li saw that the Emperor was already feeling uneasy in his heart. She was secretly delighted but appeared frightened, "Your Majesty, this concubine... this concubine just spoke nonsense for a bit. I don't know where I said something wrong to make Your Majesty unhappy..."
The Emperor smiled, "It's nothing. I was just thinking that it is indeed time to find a good wife for Ling'er."
Consort Li chuckled, "Isn't there a ready-made one right now? As for Marquis Zijun's family, I'm afraid the eldest prince already has an idea in his heart. The eldest prince must like it."
The Emperor smiled faintly: "In matters of marriage, one must obey the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers, even for the imperial family. There's no consideration for whether the prince himself likes it or not."
The Consort Li understood the Emperor's implied meaning and knew that her goal had been achieved. She didn't deliberately remind him further, as the Emperor was suspicious and saying one more word would make him overthink. The Consort Li stopped at the right point and changed the subject.
At the same moment in the Bitao Palace, Chu Shaoling was holding a lamp, carefully examining Wei Ji's mouth. Wei Ji sat on the couch, opening his mouth wide, and mumbled, "Your Highness, is my mouth still swollen?"
Chu Shaoling put down the lamp and gently rubbed Wei Ji's slightly sore cheeks, chuckling: "Not swollen anymore. It's much better than yesterday. It should be fine by tomorrow."
Wei Ji's tooth didn't hurt much today, and he had more energy. He smiled and, remembering that Chu Shaoling said he would take him to the Thousand Longevity Villa, probed: "Your Highness, when can we go to the villa? I asked Eunuch Wang today, and he said that the Thousand Longevity Villa is Your Highness's favorite temporary palace." Wei Ji didn't really want to go to the palace to enjoy himself, but instinctively wanted to get closer to the places Chu Shaoling liked.
After all, he was still young at heart. Wei Ji was no longer as restrained in front of Chu Shaoling as before, and occasionally acted coquettishly like this unintentionally. Chu Shaoling rewarded him with a kiss on the forehead and chuckled: "We'll go the day after tomorrow, when you're all better."
Wei Ji hurriedly said, "I'm already well!"
Chu Shaoling laughed lightly: "I'm the one who decides if you're well or not. You know, if you dare to talk back again, see what I'll do."
"Your Highness!" Wang Muhan walked into the inner chamber of the bedroom and said softly behind the screen, "Tingyu has something to report to Your Highness."
Chu Shaoling ruffled Wei Ji's hair: "If you're sleepy, go to bed first. I'll be back in a bit."
Chu Shaoling put on his robe and came out. Wang Muhan quickly approached and said in a low voice, "Tingyu heard it for real and told me to hurry and tell Your Highness so that you can plan ahead."
"They've made quite the scheme." Chu Shaoling sneered, "I know. No need to plan. Let them make a fuss. I'll just watch the show."
After receiving the message, Wang Muhan was anxious and angry. He didn't expect his master to not take it to heart. Chu Shaoling had always been opinionated. Wang Muhan didn't dare to say more and had to retreat.
Chu Shaoling already had a plan in mind and laughed to himself. The Zhen family had really gone all out this time, daring to send such a precious daughter into his hands. Weren't they afraid that he would devour her alive?
Chu Shaoling turned and entered the inner room. Wei Ji was lying on the couch in a daze, touching the place on his forehead where he had been kissed. Every time Chu Shaoling saw his puppy-like appearance, his heart would soften. What did all the schemes matter? In his own palace, there was always someone waiting for him like this. Just looking at Wei Ji like this, all the troubles disappeared.
Heya! I'm Leafy. My passion for stories is matched only by my love for the outdoors. As I translate, I draw inspiration from the tranquility of nature. Whether I'm translating or tending to my garden, I'm always finding new stories to share with you.
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