Chapter 63: Unable to Convince
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The Great Empress Dowager gave Mingzhu a deep look, “Yes.”
There naturally existed a kind of hostile and defensive relationship between the legitimate mother and the illegitimate son. In the imperial family, especially under her rule as the Great Empress Dowager who controlled the government, she was even more guarded.
Yuwen Chu and his mother were both intelligent people, not easy to manipulate. If they were still as obedient as before, then naturally there would be good days for them as long as she was around. But if they had other plans and dared to covet her treasure and use her treasure to scheme for that position, then she wouldn’t be polite.
Mingzhu said, “He doesn’t seem like someone who’s devoted to his brothers.”
The Great Empress Dowager chuckled, “How much do you know about him to say such a thing? His good temperament and kindness are well-known.”
Yuwen Chu with a good temperament and kindness? Mingzhu almost burst out laughing but held it in. She said, “Anyway, I feel that this person is not as he seems, very cunning.”
The Great Empress Dowager looked at her strangely, “Do you dislike him very much?”
Mingzhu replied, “I just don’t like him anyway. Imperial Consort Min is a nice person, but unfortunately, she gave birth to a strange and mysterious Ying Wang, and Funing is a troublemaker. I dislike very much.”
She was always straightforward, and the Great Empress Dowager was used to it. She sighed softly and said, “Ying Wang does indeed have a deep mind. I only realized it recently, but I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse…” She glanced at Mingzhu again, sighed, and said, “Yuwen Long is not good, and the others are no good either. What should we do?”
Seeing the Great Empress Dowager worried about her marriage again, Mingzhu felt touched and coquettishly said, “I’m still young, Auntie doesn’t need to worry. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll just stay by your side and accompany you, which isn’t bad either.”
“Silly child,” the Great Empress Dowager gently caressed Mingzhu’s cheek and whispered, “There are plenty of good men in this world. As a young woman, you should marry. How can you not marry? And not just marry, but marry the best.”
Mingzhu nestled in the Great Empress Dowager’s embrace and murmured softly, “To tell you the truth, Aunt, all I really wish for is to have a harmonious and peaceful family to live together with.”
The Great Empress Dowager chuckled, “That’s easy, as long as you don’t cause trouble, it will be fine.”
With courage, Mingzhu added, “If only cousin were still here, then you and Father wouldn’t have to worry like this. It’s exhausting and unnecessary trouble, inviting gossip for nothing.”
When Mingzhu mentioned her son who had just ascended the throne but passed away young, the Great Empress Dowager suddenly lost herself in thought, her eyes showing a hint of sadness. Mingzhu quickly said, “It’s my fault, Auntie, punish me if you must.”
The Great Empress Dowager shook her head, “It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.” After a moment of silence, she spoke again in a low voice, “Our family is like an arrow on the bowstring… If we don’t fight, we’ll die. Do you understand? That’s why your marriage cannot be arranged casually. That’s why I never allowed you to be with Linan Wang before. Fortunately, you came to your senses in time.”
It’s always the most difficult for the later generations to end well, especially for a powerful family like theirs, trying to maintain long-lasting glory and favor is even harder than reaching the sky. When a new emperor ascends the throne or gains real power, there will inevitably be purges.
The Great Empress Dowager said in a deep voice, “If you marry an ordinary person, after a hundred years, if your father and brothers…” She shook her head with pain, not elaborating further, just saying, “If that day really comes, an ordinary person won’t be able to protect you. Marrying a prince or a county prince will give you a bit more hope. As long as you have a legitimate eldest son, the crime will not be as serious as a married woman. Your life will be temporarily preserved. But not just any prince is suitable for marriage. Someone like Yuwen You, who harbors resentment, is not suitable, and someone as scheming as Yuwen Chu is also not good.”
Why bring up Yuwen Chu out of nowhere? Mingzhu quickly reminded, “He’s already engaged. How can you connect him with me?” Not only was he engaged, but in the future, Jiang Shanshan and Yuwen Chu would live together in harmony, showing that they were a perfect match.
The Great Empress Dowager smiled knowingly, “Exactly. That’s why I discussed with your father and decided to betroth you to Anyang Wang. He’s about your age, his maternal family is decent, he’s not a bad person, and the Xiao family has always been on good terms with us, with mutual benefits. In case of any trouble in the future, to suppress the rumors, and to maintain his own reputation, he won’t make things too difficult for you… As for someone like Wan Ru, it’s not even worth mentioning. Who will remember a dead person? And, can’t you compete with Wan Ru?
Mingzhu seemed to want to persuade herself to agree to this marriage proposal. She hurriedly said, “Aunt also mentioned mutual benefits. But what if in the future we no longer benefit them? Would they discard us like worn-out shoes? Perhaps, fearing to burden him, they might poison me with a cup of wine, then claim I died of excessive grief. Yuwen Long is lecherous and shallow, a pseudo-gentleman capable of such deeds. Even if he wouldn’t, his flirtation with the female around you is at least suspicious and ill-intentioned!”
“Don’t worry about the future. I will handle it with your father and brothers,” the Great Empress Dowager said confidently, oblivious to the impending misfortune. After a moment’s thought, she suddenly stared at Mingzhu and sternly asked, “Tell me honestly, have you really taken a liking to the person you brought back from the Jade Emperor Temple?”
“I’ve seen men before, why would I fall for a kid like him?” Mingzhu was startled. What was she even talking about? In her eyes, “a kid like him” meant someone who hadn’t fully grown up.
The Great Empress Dowager said coldly, “You better not. Otherwise, you’ll ruin him.”
Mingzhu wanted to say more, but the Empress Dowager interrupted, “I’m tired. You may leave.”
“Auntie…” As Mingzhu took a step forward, Mu Gugu’s hand came to her aid. “Listen to Her Majesty and go rest for now,” she advised.
Seeing the Great Empress Dowager ignoring her with a cold expression, Mingzhu realized she couldn’t influence her anymore and reluctantly left. Instead of returning to her room to rest, she stood beneath the rose trellis in the corner, plucking petals in frustration.
Speaking from the heart, Father and Aunt’s judgment isn’t that bad. Yuwen Long isn’t a fool, and in the subsequent years, he thrived and gained a good reputation. Many people sought to attach themselves to him, earning him the title of “Yi Wang.”
If Yuwen Chu led a quiet and peaceful life, then Yuwen Long was dazzling and proud. After Aunt fell from power, Empress Dowager Min disposed of the sons left behind by Emperor Zhengqian, leaving only her son to sit firmly on the throne. However, the young emperor was particularly cruel, provoking resentment and dissatisfaction from many. There were secret movements within the imperial family to depose him, and seemingly, Yuwen Long was the candidate they intended to support.
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