When Hua Liuli went to the Eastern Palace, she noticed that there was an expressionless and silent eunuch by the Crown Prince's side. Standing among the other articulate palace attendants, this eunuch seemed out of place.
What's more, this eunuch was tall and muscular, not resembling a typical eunuch but more like a member of the Imperial Guards wearing eunuch robes.
"He had been running errands for me recently and only returned yesterday," the Crown Prince noticed Hua Liuli's gaze and explained, "His entire family was harmed by the demon concubine. He is a loyal subject."
"I see," Hua Liuli's gaze softened toward the eunuch, "To stand out among the flatterers and secure a position before the Crown Prince, he must possess some skills."
The tall and robust eunuch bowed to Hua Liuli.
"He seems reluctant to speak?" Hua Liuli whispered, "Is it because his family suffered from demon concubine's persecution, and he has not recovered from the grief in these years?"
"He wasn't even born when his family suffered," the Crown Prince shook his head, "Perhaps he has spoken too much lately and now prefers to remain silent."
Hua Liuli contemplated for a moment and replied, "I see."
Although she didn't truly understand, she pretended to.
"Junzhu," Yuan Yi entered with a stack of papers, bowing to the Crown Prince and continuing towards Hua Liuli, "The writings of the palace masters and the female officials who can write are all here."
"Thank you, Yuan Yi," Hua Liuli took the stack of papers and quickly flipped through them.
Yesterday, she had conspired with the Empress Dowager, claiming that she and the Empress Dowager had dreamed of immortals, and requested the female members of the palace who could write to copy a few words of blessings. These copies would be burned as an offering to the immortals, accumulating blessings for herself and the Great Jin Dynasty.
Regardless of whether these palace women believed in it or not, as long as the Empress Dowager displayed unwavering faith in the dream, they would actively participate.
Since His Majesty was not lustful, there were only a few consorts in the palace, and they didn't have much scope to engage in palace intrigue. So they always had to find some lively things to do.
The Crown Prince knew what Hua Liuli intended to do. The two of them leaned close together, their heads almost touching, comparing the writings on the papers with the writings on the letter they found in the Xie family's possession.
"It turns out there are so many skilled calligraphers in the palace," halfway through, the Crown Prince reached out and gently squeezed Hua Liuli's shoulder, "Why don't you take a break and continue later?"
"Just a moment," Hua Liuli pulled out a piece of paper and placed it solemnly in front of the Crown Prince, "Your Royal Highness, take a look at this."
The Crown Prince picked it up and saw that the blessings written on this paper were almost identical to the handwriting on the letter. The two of them glanced at each other, then went through the remaining blessings one by one. They found two more with slightly similar handwriting, but none matched the initial one they discovered.
Hua Liuli put the letter and blessings together, "Almost identical."
"Who wrote this blessing?" the Crown Prince asked.
Hua Liuli glanced at the signature, her expression somewhat subtle, "It was written by a female official from the Lincui Palace."
"Why does it involve Consort Xian again?" the Crown Prince lightly tapped the table with his index finger, "That eunuch who resents Consort Xian has already been sent to prison. Who else in the palace wants to frame Consort Xian for colluding with the Xie family?"
"Your Royal Highness, have you ever considered the possibility that the mastermind behind all this might have anticipated your disbelief regarding Consort Xian's involvement?" Hua Liuli carefully preserved the evidence, planning to hand it over to the Ministry of Justice later.
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow in curiosity, prompting Hua Liuli to continue.
"It's possible that in the mastermind's plan, this evidence is like a dagger being presented to you. She might assume that even if you suspect foul play, your intense hatred for Consort Xian and her son would drive you to seize the opportunity to eliminate them," Hua Liuli tilted her head thoughtfully, "But why would the mastermind believe that this matter would be the breaking point for you? After all these years, you have endured countless challenges. What makes She think you would finally reach your limit with this particular issue?"
She wasn't intentionally humiliating Consort Xian and her son but speaking based on facts. Considering the fact that Ying Wang's intelligence cannot compare to the Crown Prince's, if ever the Crown Prince wanted to eliminate Ying Wang, he would have done it long ago. He wouldn't wait until now.
"Your Royal Highness, I wonder, what would Ying Wang have to do for you to consider it unforgivable?" Hua Liuli posed the question, seeking to understand the boundaries of the Crown Prince's tolerance.
"He's foolish to the point that I never even thought to take his life. What else is there that is unforgivable?" the Crown Prince's expression subtly glanced at Hua Liuli, "You don't need to worry about this matter anymore. I will discuss it with the officials from the Ministry of Justice."
"Very well," Hua Liuli nodded without thinking. She really didn't want to face the peculiar gaze of Zhang Daren anymore.
After having lunch in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince went to the Chenyang Palace, while Hua Liuli prepared to leave the palace to meet her sisters to play. But as she reached the palace gate, someone called out to her.
"Fushou Junzhu," Princess Yan walked timidly and hesitantly to Hua Liuli, bowing before her, "May I have the honor of your attention?"
"Greetings Princess," Hua Liuli returned the bow and smiled. She asked, "Why did Princess call upon this humble maiden?"
Princess Yan bit her lower lip, looking somewhat nervous and anxious. She looked up to see Fushou Junzhu smiling kindly at her, and with courage, she said, "I... I came to seek your assistance, Junzhu."
"Please, go ahead and speak," Hua Liuli maintained her smile.
"I heard that the envoys from the Kingdom of Jinpo has already set off on the journey back to their country a few days ago. I daringly wish to ask Junzhu to inquire whether His Majesty, Emperor Changlong, would grant permission for our envoys to return to our country. Our Crown Prince had passed away, and the Third Prince has a deep brotherly bond with the Crown Prince. If he couldn't attend the Crown Prince's funeral in time, it would be a lifelong regret for him," Princess Yan saw Hua Liuli silent and not speaking, so she bit her lip and lifted her skirt as if about to kneel, but she was lifted up by Yuan Yi.
"Princess, you mustn't. You are an esteemed member of Daimao's imperial family. Junzhu cannot accept such a grand gesture from you," Yuan Yi gently and skillfully helped her stand straight, "You can speak slowly. If Junzhu can help, she naturally will. If she cannot, please understand her situation."
"It was my impoliteness," Princess Yan found it hard to raise her head. However, she couldn't help but think of her gentle Third Brother and his eyes filled with tears. She could only put aside her conscience and say, "Junzhu, you are the future Crown Princess. You are highly esteemed by the Crown Prince and Emperor Changlong. I beg you to help me this time."
"Princess, it's not that I'm unwilling to help you, but I am someone who has not served in the court. If I were to intervene in important court affairs, it would be presumptuous," Hua Liuli refused Princess Yan's request, her face filled with melancholy and helplessness, and she forced a bitter smile, "Princess, as someone who is not from the Great Jin Dynasty, you don't know how difficult it is for me as the Crown Prince's betrothed."
Yuan Yi's eyebrows twitched.
The Empress Dowager frequently sent clothes and jewelry, while His Majesty often bestowed rewards. The Eastern Palace treated Fushou Junzhu as the lady of the house. Moreover, with two generals backing her, Fushou Junzhu's reputation as a weak and sickly beauty was known to all. No one dared to provoke her. Indeed, challenging times for Junzhu.
"Junzhu, you..." Princess Yan had countless thoughts running through her mind, such as the possibility of fake affection between the Crown Prince and Fushou Junzhu, Emperor Changlong's suspicion of the Hua family, or even being undermined by the other unmarried girls in the capital.
"You are also a young lady, surely you understand my situation, don't you?" Hua Liuli gently held Princess Yan's hand, her expression even more worried, "To marry the person I love, I tread on thin ice in the palace. I dare not say a word more, eat a mouthful out of place, and especially not displease His Majesty. The Great Jin Dynasty has a precedent for dissolving imperial betrothal. The previous betrothal of Ying Wang was broken because of a slip of the tongue from a young maiden."
As she spoke, Hua Liuli lightly wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, "Regarding your country's matter, I have the intention to help, but I only have the intention without the ability. To me, the Crown Prince is flesh and blood, the solace of my heart, and my hope for the future. I truly don't want to end up like the other young maiden. Princess, you will forgive my incompetence and weakness, won't you?"
Princess Yan didn't expect Fushou Junzhu to have such difficulties. In the past, she had only seen the Crown Prince's affection for Fushou Junzhu and forgotten that the imperial rules were strict, and being by the monarch's side was like being with a tiger. Fushou Junzhu, as the daughter of a military family, had to marry the Crown Prince, which would definitely attract criticism and jealousy.
Understanding all this, she felt deep guilt. How could she trouble this kind and gentle girl with such matters? Fushou Junzhu had already sacrificed so much to marry the man she loved. If because of their country's matters, Fushou Junzhu's betrothal was broken or she was despised, wouldn't it ruin her life?
"I merely mentioned it casually. Junzhu, please don't take it to heart," the more Princess Yan thought about it, the more guilty she felt. Seeing that Fushou Junzhu seemed even more remorseful than herself, she coaxed her for a while before allowing Fushou Junzhu to leave without any burden.
"Princess, why didn't you persuade Fushou Junzhu anymore?" the maid behind Princess Yan asked anxiously. "Without Fushou Junzhu's help, how will Third Prince handle the situation?"
"It's not right for us to harm her for our own sake, given the difficulties faced by women in the palace," Princess Yan shook her head, "There's no need for us to persuade her anymore. We can only ask the Third Prince... to think of another solution."
She knew better than anyone how difficult life was in the palace. Fushou Junzhu, with her pitiable and sympathetic situation, shouldn't have to suffer like she did—ignored and unappreciated, living a murky and aimless life.
"That Princess Yan is a good girl," Hua Liuli said as she boarded the carriage, sighing, "It's a shame she's too thin-skinned and softhearted. People with such personalities are easily taken advantage of."
"Why did Junzhu deceive her, then?" Yuan Yi couldn't help but ask.
"I deceived her for her own good," Hua Liuli explained, raising an eyebrow, "In the presence of the Emperor, a conversation between a foreign princess and me will surely be scrutinized. A kind-hearted and gentle person is much more likable than someone who stops at nothing to achieve their goals."
"That's true," Yuan Yi suddenly understood, "The Daimao Kingdom's Emperor intended to marry her to our Great Jin Dynasty, but His Majesty didn't agree to Emperor Daimao's plan and instead allowed her to stay in the capital to study. Her position was already awkward. If any unfavorable rumors spread, her days will become even more difficult."
"In my opinion, the Third Prince of Daimao and their envoys aren't good people. They know how difficult the situation is for that princess, yet they still sent her to plead with you," Yurong fanned Hua Liuli with her fan, "They've always looked down on women, so why are they suddenly seeking help from women? It just shows that the Daimao's Third Prince is nothing more than a hypocrite, pretending to be honest and kind."
"True villains are bad in an obvious way, but hypocrites are the most disgusting," Yurong scolded the Daimao envoy and the Third Prince for a while, "They don't look like good people."
Hua Liuli smiled and said, "With the way you speak, Yurong, if you were to argue with the enemy on the battlefield, you would win against thousands of troops and horses."
She lowered her eyelids, but Yurong was right. That Third Prince's actions were truly questionable. Even toward his own sister, he calculated without mercy. His usual gentleness and sophistication were probably just a facade.
If she compared to her beloved Crown Prince, when it came to Ying Wang, the Crown Prince wasn't so scheming. At most, he would make a few sarcastic remarks, causing him to suffer financial losses or misfortunes. But he had never done anything that would make Ying Wang endure a lifetime of suffering.
To obtain Emperor Changlong's permission for a month's leave in preparation for his wedding, the Crown Prince had been toiling like a slave in the Chenyang Palace for the past few days. He would often be engrossed in his duties until nightfall before finally departing from the palace.
Today was no exception. He sat in the sedan chair, passing by the lotus pond when he suddenly heard palace maids mentioning Fushou Junzhu behind the artificial rockery. The eunuchs by his side wanted to go forward and reprimand them, but he raised his hand to stop them.
He stepped down from the sedan chair and quietly approached behind the rockery, listening to what the two palace maids were saying in hushed voices.
"Consort Xian always felt that Fushou Junzhu was a cunning fox, which is why she rejected her marriage to Ying Wang. But who would have thought that even after her betrothal to the Crown Prince, she still can't settle down."
"Are you talking about what happened a few days ago when Ying Wang and Fushou Junzhu had a private meeting in the imperial garden?"
"That actually happened? I'm talking about Fushou Junzhu attending the Second Princess's cherry banquet, with a hairpin given to her by Ying Wang."
"Oh my, how could she do such a thing?!"
The Crown Prince looked at the two palace maids expressionlessly, "You're both dismissed. Do you have any objections?"
The two palace maids suddenly realized that the Crown Prince was standing behind them and trembled with fear. They stammered and couldn't form coherent sentences, almost fainting.
"Which palace are you from?" The Crown Prince looked at them expressionlessly, his face not showing any anger.
The two palace maids were trembling and unable to utter a word.
If they refused to speak, the attendants of the Eastern Palace could find out, and it didn't take long before they discovered that these two were palace maids from the Lincui Palace. These two palace maids had heard these rumors somewhere and, while hiding behind the rockery to cool off, let it slip what they had heard.
"These two are palace maids of the Lincui Palace, recently dispatched to work in the palace," said the provincial seal supervisor of the palace, who had rushed over after hearing about the incident.
Except for those palace attendants who were new and brainless, who would dare to say such words that were worthy of getting their heads chopped off?
"Go, bring Ying Wang into the palace," the Crown Prince sat in the sedan chair, not even looking at the palace maids kneeling in front of him, "Let him hear this too."
The eunuch attendants of the Eastern Palace felt a pang of worry. Could it be that the Crown Prince and Ying Wang were going to fight?
Upon hearing the Crown Prince summoning him into the palace, Ying Wang cursed him in his mind while hurriedly riding his horse into the palace. When he arrived and saw the two palace maids kneeling in front of the Crown Prince, he said with a stern face, "The Crown Prince summoned me here just to witness you punishing people?"
The Crown Prince glanced at him with icy eyes. Seeing this, Ying Wang felt somewhat apprehensive and took a step back. Had something happened in the palace related to him?
Learning from the tone of the two palace maids, the eunuch attendant of the Eastern Palace repeated what they had said.
"What imperial garden?" Ying Wang was puzzled, "A few days ago, Benwang heard that Fushou Junzhu was on the west side of the Imperial Garden, so to avoid suspicion, Benwang deliberately took a big detour. What kind of private meeting is this?"
"Also, forget about Fushou Junzhu wearing any jewelry on the day of the cherry banquet. Benwang can't even remember what style of clothes she was wearing, except that she looked quite beautiful," After saying the words "quite beautiful", Ying Wang noticed the Crown Prince looking at him again. Thinking about his own ambiguous thoughts about Fushou Junzhu, he dared not look the Crown Prince in the eyes, "You can't falsely accuse Benwang."
"The jewelry that Fushou Junzhu wore that day was indeed sent by you," the Crown Prince lightly tapped the armrest of the sedan chair.
Ying Wang couldn't believe his eyes. He had never seen a man willingly weave a green hat for himself. When did he give jewelry to Fushou Junzhu? If this matter reached the ears of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, wouldn't his legs be broken?
Just as he was thinking about this, someone forcefully kicked his butt. When he turned around, he saw his own mother, Consort Xian, with one hand on her waist and the other holding her skirt, glaring at him.
"Mother, I'm innocent!" Feeling wronged after being kicked in the butt by his own mother without a word, Ying Wang felt aggrieved. His dignity and reputation, were they worth nothing in front of so many people?
"Don't talk nonsense. I'll beat you, this unfilial child, first," Consort Xian was also concerned about her son, but if she didn't punish him now, once the Crown Prince calmed down, he would be the one to deal with her son instead.
Thinking of this, Consort Xian gave him a few more kicks, causing a ruckus with chickens and dogs scattering in all directions.
After Consort Xian kicked him enough, the Crown Prince spoke, "Consort Xian, you misunderstood. This matter has nothing to do with the Eldest Brother."
"Huh?" Consort Xian stopped her raised foot and looked at the Crown Prince cautiously, "This matter truly has nothing to do with him?"
The Crown Prince nodded slightly, "It's just that these two palace maids spreading rumors came from your palace."
"Why is it my palace again?" Consort Xian couldn't help but say, "I don't have any problems with my brain. How could I let the palace maids from my palace run outside and have them gossiping about the jewelry my son gave to Fushou..."
The Crown Prince smiled as he looked at Consort Xian, causing her to swallow the words she was about to say.
"Before the cherry banquet, Eldest Brother gave a box of jewelry to Gu. Gu saw the well-crafted coral beads and thought they were nice, so Gu had the craftsmen from the Eastern Palace make a few pieces of jewelry overnight and gave them to Gu's betrothed," the Crown Prince's smile became even colder, "This was a private matter between Gu and Eldest Brother. Gu wonders how you all came to know that the coral jewelry was related to Ying Wang?"
Consort Xian looked at Ying Wang in disbelief. He received jewelry and precious stones but didn't give them to her, his own mother. Instead, he sent them to the Crown Prince to please the Hua family's girl?
What use was having a son?!
The two palace maids were so scared under the Crown Prince's cold gaze that they actually fainted.
The Crown Prince turned to Ying Wang, "Eldest Brother, where did the box of jewelry you gave Gu come from?"
Ying Wang dusted off the footprints on his clothes and casually said, "It was sent by the Second Princess."
"Oh?" The Crown Prince raised his hand, gesturing to the provincial seal supervisor of the palace to take away the two unconscious palace maids. He then had the attendants of the Eastern Palace bring a few chairs, "Consort Xian, Eldest Brother, the moon is beautiful tonight. Let's sit here and enjoy the moon."
Ying Wang swatted away the buzzing mosquitoes with his hand and reluctantly sat down. He glanced at Consort Xian sitting beside him and took out a folding fan and opened it to fan away the mosquitoes for Consort Xian.
The Crown Prince glanced at the mother and son before lowering his eyelids again.
"Crown Prince, Eldest Brother, Mother Consort?" The Second Princess hurriedly rushed over and looked at the three of them sitting in a row, and couldn't believe her eyes.
Weren't they always at odds, throwing daggers at each other when they were together? But now, they weren't arguing or mocking each other, but sitting peacefully... admiring the moon?
She looked up at the sky. Was there anything special about the moon tonight?
Krish728
Author's Note:
Look at this green hat, it's big and round, who wants it?
When Hua Liuli went to the Eastern Palace, she noticed that there was an expressionless and silent eunuch by the Crown Prince's side. Standing among the other articulate palace attendants, this eunuch seemed out of place.
What's more, this eunuch was tall and muscular, not resembling a typical eunuch but more like a member of the Imperial Guards wearing eunuch robes.
"He had been running errands for me recently and only returned yesterday," the Crown Prince noticed Hua Liuli's gaze and explained, "His entire family was harmed by the demon concubine. He is a loyal subject."
"I see," Hua Liuli's gaze softened toward the eunuch, "To stand out among the flatterers and secure a position before the Crown Prince, he must possess some skills."
The tall and robust eunuch bowed to Hua Liuli.
"He seems reluctant to speak?" Hua Liuli whispered, "Is it because his family suffered from demon concubine's persecution, and he has not recovered from the grief in these years?"
"He wasn't even born when his family suffered," the Crown Prince shook his head, "Perhaps he has spoken too much lately and now prefers to remain silent."
Hua Liuli contemplated for a moment and replied, "I see."
Although she didn't truly understand, she pretended to.
"Junzhu," Yuan Yi entered with a stack of papers, bowing to the Crown Prince and continuing towards Hua Liuli, "The writings of the palace masters and the female officials who can write are all here."
"Thank you, Yuan Yi," Hua Liuli took the stack of papers and quickly flipped through them.
Yesterday, she had conspired with the Empress Dowager, claiming that she and the Empress Dowager had dreamed of immortals, and requested the female members of the palace who could write to copy a few words of blessings. These copies would be burned as an offering to the immortals, accumulating blessings for herself and the Great Jin Dynasty.
Regardless of whether these palace women believed in it or not, as long as the Empress Dowager displayed unwavering faith in the dream, they would actively participate.
Since His Majesty was not lustful, there were only a few consorts in the palace, and they didn't have much scope to engage in palace intrigue. So they always had to find some lively things to do.
The Crown Prince knew what Hua Liuli intended to do. The two of them leaned close together, their heads almost touching, comparing the writings on the papers with the writings on the letter they found in the Xie family's possession.
"It turns out there are so many skilled calligraphers in the palace," halfway through, the Crown Prince reached out and gently squeezed Hua Liuli's shoulder, "Why don't you take a break and continue later?"
"Just a moment," Hua Liuli pulled out a piece of paper and placed it solemnly in front of the Crown Prince, "Your Royal Highness, take a look at this."
The Crown Prince picked it up and saw that the blessings written on this paper were almost identical to the handwriting on the letter. The two of them glanced at each other, then went through the remaining blessings one by one. They found two more with slightly similar handwriting, but none matched the initial one they discovered.
Hua Liuli put the letter and blessings together, "Almost identical."
"Who wrote this blessing?" the Crown Prince asked.
Hua Liuli glanced at the signature, her expression somewhat subtle, "It was written by a female official from the Lincui Palace."
"Why does it involve Consort Xian again?" the Crown Prince lightly tapped the table with his index finger, "That eunuch who resents Consort Xian has already been sent to prison. Who else in the palace wants to frame Consort Xian for colluding with the Xie family?"
"Your Royal Highness, have you ever considered the possibility that the mastermind behind all this might have anticipated your disbelief regarding Consort Xian's involvement?" Hua Liuli carefully preserved the evidence, planning to hand it over to the Ministry of Justice later.
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow in curiosity, prompting Hua Liuli to continue.
"It's possible that in the mastermind's plan, this evidence is like a dagger being presented to you. She might assume that even if you suspect foul play, your intense hatred for Consort Xian and her son would drive you to seize the opportunity to eliminate them," Hua Liuli tilted her head thoughtfully, "But why would the mastermind believe that this matter would be the breaking point for you? After all these years, you have endured countless challenges. What makes She think you would finally reach your limit with this particular issue?"
She wasn't intentionally humiliating Consort Xian and her son but speaking based on facts. Considering the fact that Ying Wang's intelligence cannot compare to the Crown Prince's, if ever the Crown Prince wanted to eliminate Ying Wang, he would have done it long ago. He wouldn't wait until now.
"Your Royal Highness, I wonder, what would Ying Wang have to do for you to consider it unforgivable?" Hua Liuli posed the question, seeking to understand the boundaries of the Crown Prince's tolerance.
"He's foolish to the point that I never even thought to take his life. What else is there that is unforgivable?" the Crown Prince's expression subtly glanced at Hua Liuli, "You don't need to worry about this matter anymore. I will discuss it with the officials from the Ministry of Justice."
"Very well," Hua Liuli nodded without thinking. She really didn't want to face the peculiar gaze of Zhang Daren anymore.
After having lunch in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince went to the Chenyang Palace, while Hua Liuli prepared to leave the palace to meet her sisters to play. But as she reached the palace gate, someone called out to her.
"Fushou Junzhu," Princess Yan walked timidly and hesitantly to Hua Liuli, bowing before her, "May I have the honor of your attention?"
"Greetings Princess," Hua Liuli returned the bow and smiled. She asked, "Why did Princess call upon this humble maiden?"
Princess Yan bit her lower lip, looking somewhat nervous and anxious. She looked up to see Fushou Junzhu smiling kindly at her, and with courage, she said, "I... I came to seek your assistance, Junzhu."
"Please, go ahead and speak," Hua Liuli maintained her smile.
"I heard that the envoys from the Kingdom of Jinpo has already set off on the journey back to their country a few days ago. I daringly wish to ask Junzhu to inquire whether His Majesty, Emperor Changlong, would grant permission for our envoys to return to our country. Our Crown Prince had passed away, and the Third Prince has a deep brotherly bond with the Crown Prince. If he couldn't attend the Crown Prince's funeral in time, it would be a lifelong regret for him," Princess Yan saw Hua Liuli silent and not speaking, so she bit her lip and lifted her skirt as if about to kneel, but she was lifted up by Yuan Yi.
"Princess, you mustn't. You are an esteemed member of Daimao's imperial family. Junzhu cannot accept such a grand gesture from you," Yuan Yi gently and skillfully helped her stand straight, "You can speak slowly. If Junzhu can help, she naturally will. If she cannot, please understand her situation."
"It was my impoliteness," Princess Yan found it hard to raise her head. However, she couldn't help but think of her gentle Third Brother and his eyes filled with tears. She could only put aside her conscience and say, "Junzhu, you are the future Crown Princess. You are highly esteemed by the Crown Prince and Emperor Changlong. I beg you to help me this time."
"Princess, it's not that I'm unwilling to help you, but I am someone who has not served in the court. If I were to intervene in important court affairs, it would be presumptuous," Hua Liuli refused Princess Yan's request, her face filled with melancholy and helplessness, and she forced a bitter smile, "Princess, as someone who is not from the Great Jin Dynasty, you don't know how difficult it is for me as the Crown Prince's betrothed."
Yuan Yi's eyebrows twitched.
The Empress Dowager frequently sent clothes and jewelry, while His Majesty often bestowed rewards. The Eastern Palace treated Fushou Junzhu as the lady of the house. Moreover, with two generals backing her, Fushou Junzhu's reputation as a weak and sickly beauty was known to all. No one dared to provoke her. Indeed, challenging times for Junzhu.
"Junzhu, you..." Princess Yan had countless thoughts running through her mind, such as the possibility of fake affection between the Crown Prince and Fushou Junzhu, Emperor Changlong's suspicion of the Hua family, or even being undermined by the other unmarried girls in the capital.
"You are also a young lady, surely you understand my situation, don't you?" Hua Liuli gently held Princess Yan's hand, her expression even more worried, "To marry the person I love, I tread on thin ice in the palace. I dare not say a word more, eat a mouthful out of place, and especially not displease His Majesty. The Great Jin Dynasty has a precedent for dissolving imperial betrothal. The previous betrothal of Ying Wang was broken because of a slip of the tongue from a young maiden."
As she spoke, Hua Liuli lightly wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, "Regarding your country's matter, I have the intention to help, but I only have the intention without the ability. To me, the Crown Prince is flesh and blood, the solace of my heart, and my hope for the future. I truly don't want to end up like the other young maiden. Princess, you will forgive my incompetence and weakness, won't you?"
Princess Yan didn't expect Fushou Junzhu to have such difficulties. In the past, she had only seen the Crown Prince's affection for Fushou Junzhu and forgotten that the imperial rules were strict, and being by the monarch's side was like being with a tiger. Fushou Junzhu, as the daughter of a military family, had to marry the Crown Prince, which would definitely attract criticism and jealousy.
Understanding all this, she felt deep guilt. How could she trouble this kind and gentle girl with such matters? Fushou Junzhu had already sacrificed so much to marry the man she loved. If because of their country's matters, Fushou Junzhu's betrothal was broken or she was despised, wouldn't it ruin her life?
"I merely mentioned it casually. Junzhu, please don't take it to heart," the more Princess Yan thought about it, the more guilty she felt. Seeing that Fushou Junzhu seemed even more remorseful than herself, she coaxed her for a while before allowing Fushou Junzhu to leave without any burden.
"Princess, why didn't you persuade Fushou Junzhu anymore?" the maid behind Princess Yan asked anxiously. "Without Fushou Junzhu's help, how will Third Prince handle the situation?"
"It's not right for us to harm her for our own sake, given the difficulties faced by women in the palace," Princess Yan shook her head, "There's no need for us to persuade her anymore. We can only ask the Third Prince... to think of another solution."
She knew better than anyone how difficult life was in the palace. Fushou Junzhu, with her pitiable and sympathetic situation, shouldn't have to suffer like she did—ignored and unappreciated, living a murky and aimless life.
"That Princess Yan is a good girl," Hua Liuli said as she boarded the carriage, sighing, "It's a shame she's too thin-skinned and softhearted. People with such personalities are easily taken advantage of."
"Why did Junzhu deceive her, then?" Yuan Yi couldn't help but ask.
"I deceived her for her own good," Hua Liuli explained, raising an eyebrow, "In the presence of the Emperor, a conversation between a foreign princess and me will surely be scrutinized. A kind-hearted and gentle person is much more likable than someone who stops at nothing to achieve their goals."
"That's true," Yuan Yi suddenly understood, "The Daimao Kingdom's Emperor intended to marry her to our Great Jin Dynasty, but His Majesty didn't agree to Emperor Daimao's plan and instead allowed her to stay in the capital to study. Her position was already awkward. If any unfavorable rumors spread, her days will become even more difficult."
"In my opinion, the Third Prince of Daimao and their envoys aren't good people. They know how difficult the situation is for that princess, yet they still sent her to plead with you," Yurong fanned Hua Liuli with her fan, "They've always looked down on women, so why are they suddenly seeking help from women? It just shows that the Daimao's Third Prince is nothing more than a hypocrite, pretending to be honest and kind."
"True villains are bad in an obvious way, but hypocrites are the most disgusting," Yurong scolded the Daimao envoy and the Third Prince for a while, "They don't look like good people."
Hua Liuli smiled and said, "With the way you speak, Yurong, if you were to argue with the enemy on the battlefield, you would win against thousands of troops and horses."
She lowered her eyelids, but Yurong was right. That Third Prince's actions were truly questionable. Even toward his own sister, he calculated without mercy. His usual gentleness and sophistication were probably just a facade.
If she compared to her beloved Crown Prince, when it came to Ying Wang, the Crown Prince wasn't so scheming. At most, he would make a few sarcastic remarks, causing him to suffer financial losses or misfortunes. But he had never done anything that would make Ying Wang endure a lifetime of suffering.
To obtain Emperor Changlong's permission for a month's leave in preparation for his wedding, the Crown Prince had been toiling like a slave in the Chenyang Palace for the past few days. He would often be engrossed in his duties until nightfall before finally departing from the palace.
Today was no exception. He sat in the sedan chair, passing by the lotus pond when he suddenly heard palace maids mentioning Fushou Junzhu behind the artificial rockery. The eunuchs by his side wanted to go forward and reprimand them, but he raised his hand to stop them.
He stepped down from the sedan chair and quietly approached behind the rockery, listening to what the two palace maids were saying in hushed voices.
"Consort Xian always felt that Fushou Junzhu was a cunning fox, which is why she rejected her marriage to Ying Wang. But who would have thought that even after her betrothal to the Crown Prince, she still can't settle down."
"Are you talking about what happened a few days ago when Ying Wang and Fushou Junzhu had a private meeting in the imperial garden?"
"That actually happened? I'm talking about Fushou Junzhu attending the Second Princess's cherry banquet, with a hairpin given to her by Ying Wang."
"Oh my, how could she do such a thing?!"
The Crown Prince looked at the two palace maids expressionlessly, "You're both dismissed. Do you have any objections?"
The two palace maids suddenly realized that the Crown Prince was standing behind them and trembled with fear. They stammered and couldn't form coherent sentences, almost fainting.
"Which palace are you from?" The Crown Prince looked at them expressionlessly, his face not showing any anger.
The two palace maids were trembling and unable to utter a word.
If they refused to speak, the attendants of the Eastern Palace could find out, and it didn't take long before they discovered that these two were palace maids from the Lincui Palace. These two palace maids had heard these rumors somewhere and, while hiding behind the rockery to cool off, let it slip what they had heard.
"These two are palace maids of the Lincui Palace, recently dispatched to work in the palace," said the provincial seal supervisor of the palace, who had rushed over after hearing about the incident.
Except for those palace attendants who were new and brainless, who would dare to say such words that were worthy of getting their heads chopped off?
"Go, bring Ying Wang into the palace," the Crown Prince sat in the sedan chair, not even looking at the palace maids kneeling in front of him, "Let him hear this too."
The eunuch attendants of the Eastern Palace felt a pang of worry. Could it be that the Crown Prince and Ying Wang were going to fight?
Upon hearing the Crown Prince summoning him into the palace, Ying Wang cursed him in his mind while hurriedly riding his horse into the palace. When he arrived and saw the two palace maids kneeling in front of the Crown Prince, he said with a stern face, "The Crown Prince summoned me here just to witness you punishing people?"
The Crown Prince glanced at him with icy eyes. Seeing this, Ying Wang felt somewhat apprehensive and took a step back. Had something happened in the palace related to him?
Learning from the tone of the two palace maids, the eunuch attendant of the Eastern Palace repeated what they had said.
"What imperial garden?" Ying Wang was puzzled, "A few days ago, Benwang heard that Fushou Junzhu was on the west side of the Imperial Garden, so to avoid suspicion, Benwang deliberately took a big detour. What kind of private meeting is this?"
"Also, forget about Fushou Junzhu wearing any jewelry on the day of the cherry banquet. Benwang can't even remember what style of clothes she was wearing, except that she looked quite beautiful," After saying the words "quite beautiful", Ying Wang noticed the Crown Prince looking at him again. Thinking about his own ambiguous thoughts about Fushou Junzhu, he dared not look the Crown Prince in the eyes, "You can't falsely accuse Benwang."
"The jewelry that Fushou Junzhu wore that day was indeed sent by you," the Crown Prince lightly tapped the armrest of the sedan chair.
Ying Wang couldn't believe his eyes. He had never seen a man willingly weave a green hat for himself. When did he give jewelry to Fushou Junzhu? If this matter reached the ears of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, wouldn't his legs be broken?
Just as he was thinking about this, someone forcefully kicked his butt. When he turned around, he saw his own mother, Consort Xian, with one hand on her waist and the other holding her skirt, glaring at him.
"Mother, I'm innocent!" Feeling wronged after being kicked in the butt by his own mother without a word, Ying Wang felt aggrieved. His dignity and reputation, were they worth nothing in front of so many people?
"Don't talk nonsense. I'll beat you, this unfilial child, first," Consort Xian was also concerned about her son, but if she didn't punish him now, once the Crown Prince calmed down, he would be the one to deal with her son instead.
Thinking of this, Consort Xian gave him a few more kicks, causing a ruckus with chickens and dogs scattering in all directions.
After Consort Xian kicked him enough, the Crown Prince spoke, "Consort Xian, you misunderstood. This matter has nothing to do with the Eldest Brother."
"Huh?" Consort Xian stopped her raised foot and looked at the Crown Prince cautiously, "This matter truly has nothing to do with him?"
The Crown Prince nodded slightly, "It's just that these two palace maids spreading rumors came from your palace."
"Why is it my palace again?" Consort Xian couldn't help but say, "I don't have any problems with my brain. How could I let the palace maids from my palace run outside and have them gossiping about the jewelry my son gave to Fushou..."
The Crown Prince smiled as he looked at Consort Xian, causing her to swallow the words she was about to say.
"Before the cherry banquet, Eldest Brother gave a box of jewelry to Gu. Gu saw the well-crafted coral beads and thought they were nice, so Gu had the craftsmen from the Eastern Palace make a few pieces of jewelry overnight and gave them to Gu's betrothed," the Crown Prince's smile became even colder, "This was a private matter between Gu and Eldest Brother. Gu wonders how you all came to know that the coral jewelry was related to Ying Wang?"
Consort Xian looked at Ying Wang in disbelief. He received jewelry and precious stones but didn't give them to her, his own mother. Instead, he sent them to the Crown Prince to please the Hua family's girl?
What use was having a son?!
The two palace maids were so scared under the Crown Prince's cold gaze that they actually fainted.
The Crown Prince turned to Ying Wang, "Eldest Brother, where did the box of jewelry you gave Gu come from?"
Ying Wang dusted off the footprints on his clothes and casually said, "It was sent by the Second Princess."
"Oh?" The Crown Prince raised his hand, gesturing to the provincial seal supervisor of the palace to take away the two unconscious palace maids. He then had the attendants of the Eastern Palace bring a few chairs, "Consort Xian, Eldest Brother, the moon is beautiful tonight. Let's sit here and enjoy the moon."
Ying Wang swatted away the buzzing mosquitoes with his hand and reluctantly sat down. He glanced at Consort Xian sitting beside him and took out a folding fan and opened it to fan away the mosquitoes for Consort Xian.
The Crown Prince glanced at the mother and son before lowering his eyelids again.
"Crown Prince, Eldest Brother, Mother Consort?" The Second Princess hurriedly rushed over and looked at the three of them sitting in a row, and couldn't believe her eyes.
Weren't they always at odds, throwing daggers at each other when they were together? But now, they weren't arguing or mocking each other, but sitting peacefully... admiring the moon?
She looked up at the sky. Was there anything special about the moon tonight?
Krish728
Author's Note:
Look at this green hat, it's big and round, who wants it?
