Chapter 74
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Crown Prince Consort?
Why reward him with being the Crown Prince Consort?
Jiang Juan asked blankly, “What about the Crown Prince?”
Emperor Hongxing replied kindly, “You are the Crown Prince Consort. Wouldn’t Old Five become the Crown Prince because of you?”
Jiang Juan: ”???”
He had never heard of such a thing. His astonishment was written all over his face, leaving no doubt. Emperor Hongxing laughed, “Didn’t I promise a great reward? Isn’t this a great one?”
Jiang Juan murmured, “It’s too heavy a reward.”
The plot had changed drastically. Originally, the Eldest Prince was supposed to assist in governance, but now he was entirely sidelined. Emperor Hongxing’s intention was to make His Highness the Crown Prince.
After some hesitation, Jiang Juan asked, “Your Majesty, does His Highness know he is going to be the Crown Prince?”
Emperor Hongxing smiled, “You should ask if he knows you’re going to be the Crown Prince Consort.”
Jiang Juan blinked, “So, does His Highness know?”
Emperor Hongxing said, “He should find out soon.”
Then, Emperor Hongxing gazed at Jiang Juan, sighing as if recalling something.
As he mentioned, regardless of what it was, even if he handed over the empire to Xue Fangli, the latter wouldn’t accept it because it was Emperor Hongxing’s empire.
Earlier, Emperor Hongxing had summoned Xue Fangli and asked him one question.
——”Do you still hate me?”
Xue Fangli didn’t reply. He simply stared at Emperor Hongxing with indifference, showing no emotion at all.
He didn’t even bother to put on a mask of civility, and the answer was obvious. Emperor Hongxing felt a deep bitterness, knowing it was his just deserts.
Fortunately, despite his son’s hatred, there was still something Xue Fangli valued.
For the sake of that cherished thing, Old Five would probably accept this grand gift.
Emperor Hongxing closed his eyes slightly, then suddenly asked Jiang Juan, “How much do you know about these matters?”
Jiang Juan was startled, realizing that Emperor Hongxing was likely referring to the situation between the Beauty Yu, His Highness, and himself. Jiang Juan carefully replied, “Beauty Yu hates His Highness, and His Highness hates her, but… Your Majesty, it seems you want him to appease Beauty Yu, so His Highness has suffered a lot.”
“I was just thinking…” he said slowly, “What mother doesn’t love her child? She refused to stay by my side. I thought that if she had a child, she would have something to care for and would change her mind.”
“Every time she tried to kill Fangli, I knew. I was even present, but I held onto a sliver of hope,” Emperor Hongxing said. “I treated it like a high-stakes gamble. I bet she wouldn’t actually do it, that she would eventually compromise…”
“But she didn’t. In the end, she never did. If she didn’t love, she didn’t love. She hated me, and she hated Fangli, and that never changed.”
Emperor Hongxing’s voice gradually faded. Sitting on the dragon bed, he no longer had the majestic presence Jiang Juan had seen during their first meeting. His hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, looking more like a disheartened man than the supreme ruler.
“Qingmei… she won.”
Bitterness filled his throat.
Outside Yangxin Hall.
Xue Fangli repeated, “Imperial Consort Mei, what happened to my Royal Consort?”
His tone was hostile, making Imperial Consort Mei shiver. She forced a smile and said, “Your Highness, how can you say that? Your Royal Consort cried, and now you come to question me?”
Imperial Consort Mei felt genuinely wronged.
She had intended to stir up trouble, relying on the Empress Dowager’s presence to have her teach this Prince Li’s Royal Consort a lesson. But with Prince Consort Su, General Jiang, and Prime Minister Gu all stepping in to help, her plan had backfired.
The Empress Dowager hadn’t even touched Jiang Juan, and he ended up crying. This was just playing the victim, wasn’t it?
Emperor Hongxing didn’t have many consorts, but there were always dramas of vying for favor. Imperial Consort Mei had seen many who, like Jiang Juan, would cry when the emperor appeared, without anyone even provoking them.
If it were another consort, Imperial Consort Mei would have dealt with her severely for such tactics. But she couldn’t deal with Jiang Juan. Instead, she had to apologize, “Your Highness, I think… there must be some misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding?”
Among those present, Imperial Consort Mei was the only one who had clashed with Jiang Juan. As for the others, no matter how reckless they were, they wouldn’t dare provoke Jiang Juan. Xue Fangli sneered, “Since you think it’s a misunderstanding, I’ll have to ask someone else.”
“My father is inside. If it’s a misunderstanding, so be it. If not, I’ll have to let my father judge it today.”
Imperial Consort Mei’s face changed; Emperor Hongxing was her weakness. She was afraid of losing favor and after some thought, she gritted her teeth and said, “…… Maybe it was the Empress Dowager.”
Xue Fangli frowned, “Hmm?”
Seeing Jiang Juan in tears, he had considered the possibility of the Empress Dowager being involved. However, Jiang Juan was timid and wouldn’t proactively provoke her. The Empress Dowager had also been warned previously by him, so she shouldn’t have bothered Jiang Juan again. Thus, Xue Fangli had ruled her out.
Imperial Consort Mei roughly recounted what had happened, “The Empress Dowager had a lot of pent-up resentment and said some unpleasant things, and the Royal Consort…”
Unpleasant things, nothing more than calling him a bastard, a jinx, and that he shouldn’t be alive.
Xue Fangli heard it but couldn’t care less.
His imperial grandmother, besides her sharp tongue, what else could she do now?
“I don’t care, but he… is too meddlesome.”
Xue Fangli sneered, seemingly displeased, yet his crimson lips curled slightly.
Imperial Consort Mei: “………”
Did he really think it was too meddlesome?
Then why was he smiling?
She stared at him in astonishment, forgetting to continue. Xue Fangli glanced at her, the smile fading, his expression cold, “And then?”
Imperial Consort Mei quickly continued, “The Royal Consort retorted a few times, and the Empress Dowager got angry, almost… giving him a slap.”
Xue Fangli’s eyes flashed coldly as he stared at Imperial Consort Mei. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a chill down her spine. She hurriedly added, “She didn’t hit him. The Prince Consort, General Jiang, and Prime Minister Gu stopped her, and then the Empress Dowager left.”
Didn’t hit him?
His imperial grandmother never learned her lesson.
Xue Fangli’s face darkened.
Imperial Consort Mei didn’t mention her own part in stirring up trouble, but she was still anxious. She said to Xue Fangli, “I should go now…”
“Stay.”
Xue Fangli smiled faintly, “The Empress Dowager wanted to slap him, but what about you, Imperial Consort Mei?”
“I…”
Imperial Consort Mei’s lips moved, her hand instinctively reaching for her chest, only to find it empty. She hesitated, recalling the previous lesson, and finally said, “I just mentioned the four-eared cat to the Empress Dowager.”
How she mentioned it, and her malicious intentions, she didn’t mention a word. But even without her saying it, Xue Fangli understood. He nodded slightly, “I see.”
As Xue Fangli’s words fell silent, he turned around and walked into Yangxin Hall.
He neither said nor did anything, yet Imperial Consort Mei felt an intense unease. She bit her lip, her brow furrowed tightly, and could only continually reassure herself in her heart.
It’s okay, it’s okay.
“Your Majesty, it wasn’t she who won, it was you who made a mistake.”
As Jiang Juan said this, Xue Fangli stepped into the hall. He glanced at Jiang Juan.
“Your Highness.”
Seeing Xue Fangli, Jiang Juan’s eyes curved in a happy expression, his gaze sparkling. Xue Fangli gave a slight “hmm,” his tone indifferent, but his expression unconsciously softened.
*Cough, cough, cough.*
Emperor Hongxing had been smiling but began to cough uncontrollably. Chief Steward Wang hurriedly handed him a handkerchief. After wiping his mouth hastily, the emperor straightened up and smiled. “Old Five, just now I gave your Royal Consort a generous gift. Do you know what it is?”
Xue Fangli asked disinterestedly, “What is it?”
“I granted him the title of Crown Prince Consort. What do you think?”
From a long time ago, Emperor Hongxing had intended to make him Crown Prince, but Xue Fangli had never been interested.
Even though many people coveted this position, and it was his for the taking, it held little significance to Xue Fangli. After all, his very existence felt meaningless, driven only by the hatred in his heart.
——Too many people wanted him dead, so he had to live out of spite.
Until Jiang Juan appeared.
The young man had a kind heart, and Xue Fangli’s past grudges and sufferings were given new meaning—to make the young man feel sympathy and pain for him, to make the young man care more about him, and be more attached to him.
From the moment he first used this to deceive the young man’s sympathy and won his tender affection, Xue Fangli had reconciled with his past.
He no longer held onto his grievances; he no longer dwelled in the endless suffering and loathing. He thought only of the young man, his heart and mind filled only with him.
He even felt fortunate that his sufferings had been ample.
The only dissatisfaction was that the young man was too timid, too fearful.
He was always afraid.
Xue Fangli had grown fond of him and had concerns, but the young man shouldn’t have any worries.
He should be carefree, fearless.
Xue Fangli remained silent, and in the long silence, Emperor Hongxing kept his eyes fixed on him.
Would he accept?
For his Royal Consort.
Maybe.
Emperor Hongxing closed his eyes.
“That’s good.”
In the next second, Xue Fangli calmly uttered two words.
At this moment, Emperor Hongxing had envisioned many scenarios, but when he wasn’t met with rejection or hatred, he still lost his composure, tears streaming down his face.
“Good, good, good.”
Emperor Hongxing said “good” three times in a row, his lips trembling. With a heart full of mixed emotions, he could only say one thing, “It is I who have wronged you…”
Xue Fangli’s expression remained unchanged. “Father, you have gotten your wish for the Crown Prince position. However, your son has one request.”
Emperor Hongxing quickly responded, “Speak.”
The Empress Dowager, being advanced in age, felt weary and her head ached severely as she sat in the sedan chair. The head maid gently approached and began to massage her temples.
As the sedan chair swayed along the path, the Empress Dowager leaned her face on her hand, her eyelids drooping, almost falling asleep when a sudden shout came from behind.
“Empress Dowager!”
“Empress Dowager——!”
Chief Steward Wang’s voice was sharp and high-pitched. He held a lantern and ran over quickly. The Empress Dowager, startled awake, recognized his voice and hurriedly ordered the sedan chair to stop.
“Empress Dowager, His Majesty wishes to see you.”
The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned, then delighted, “The Emperor wants to see me?”
The chief palace maid, hearing this, beamed with joy, “Empress Dowager, this is wonderful news!”
All her previous weariness vanished, and the Empress Dowager’s face was full of smiles. “Hurry back, back to Yangxin Hall. The Emperor wants to see me.”
The sedan chair bearers quickly turned around and hastily returned. Chief Steward Wang, holding the lantern, didn’t rush to follow but instead sighed, showing no hint of joy on his face.
Before long, the Empress Dowager arrived. She almost flew with excitement, the head maid struggling to keep up. Laughing, the maid said, “Empress Dowager, slow down, slow down.”
It had been ten years since Emperor Hongxing last saw the Empress Dowager. The rift between mother and son was wide, and this was the first time Emperor Hongxing was willing to see her. How could the Empress Dowager slow down?
“I’m fine.”
The Empress Dowager laughed and replied, then reached out and pushed open the door to Yangxin Hall.
“Your Majesty…”
Inside Yangxin Hall, Imperial Consort Mei was kneeling on the ground, full of anxiety as she asked, “What have I done wrong?”
Emperor Hongxing replied, “What have you done wrong? I should be asking you that. What have you done to make someone come and complain to me?”
Imperial Consort Mei was stunned and instinctively asked, “Was it that wretched Imperial Consort Ning—did Imperial Consort Ning say something to you?”
“If it’s about the morning tea, Your Majesty, please don’t listen to her nonsense!” Imperial Consort Mei hurriedly defended herself. “She was pouring tea for me but ended up spilling it all over me. I was just momentarily angered…”
Emperor Hongxing frowned, “Imperial Consort Ning?”
Seeing this, Imperial Consort Mei panicked and asked, “Could it be Beauty Shu?”
“Your Majesty, I tore up the silk you gave her, but there was a reason for it!”
Imperial Consort Mei anxiously explained, “The ancestral rites are approaching, and she was impatient to cut the fabric and make a dress. I thought it was inappropriate, so I…”
As she spoke, Imperial Consort Mei found it increasingly difficult to continue, knowing these were all poor excuses. She tried to steady herself and put on her usual coquettish demeanor, “Your Majesty, what exactly is going on?”
This tactic usually worked, but this time, when she looked up, she saw Emperor Hongxing pressing his lips tightly together, seemingly furious. He wanted to say something but started coughing as soon as he opened his mouth, startling Imperial Consort Mei.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
She grabbed a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, but Emperor Hongxing pushed her away angrily, “I never knew you managed the harem like this!”
“Imperial Consort Ning is one of the Four Imperial Consorts, and yet you had her pour tea for you?” Emperor Hongxing said. “And you say it’s for the ancestral rites, claiming one shouldn’t wear red, yet what color are you wearing?”
“I thought you were just a bit petty but still understood the big picture; otherwise, I wouldn’t have entrusted you with the Phoenix Seal. But it turns out you are…”
“So arrogant and domineering in private!”
Imperial Consort Mei froze. If it wasn’t these matters, then what was it?
Emperor Hongxing, seeing her reaction, said coldly, “Have you been constantly picking on Prince Li’s Royal Consort?”
So that’s what it was.
It was about Prince Li.
Imperial Consort Mei staggered. Summoned in haste, she had panicked and forgotten this, blurting out many other things instead!
Pale-faced, Imperial Consort Mei heard Emperor Hongxing say in disappointment, “You hold the Phoenix Seal and should lead the harem, yet you are utterly unworthy of the position!”
“Hand over the Phoenix Seal and receive your punishment—fifty lashes!”
Handing over the Phoenix Seal meant losing everything she had built over the years. Imperial Consort Mei pleaded, “Your Majesty, I won’t dare again. Please forgive me this once…”
As she begged, she crawled towards Emperor Hongxing, trying to grab his sleeve. He lifted his hand, and she grasped at empty air. “My decision is final.”
Imperial Consort Mei collapsed to the ground, silent tears streaming down her face.
The Empress Dowager watched the entire scene unfold in silence, her heart sinking with every moment, though she still harbored a glimmer of hope. She smiled and asked, “Did you call me here because you’ve finally come to your senses?”
Emperor Hongxing simply replied, “Mother, in a few days, I will have someone escort you to Zhaoan Temple. From now on… you will remain there, accompanied by the green lanterns and ancient Buddha, never to return to the palace.”
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