kvmb Chapter 537 Wedding Gift
Chapter 537 Wedding Gift
Prince Yu picked up an ebony chair inlaid with marble and sat down, glancing at Consort Ling, who was sitting on a wide couch.
On the head of Consort Ling was a gold-inlaid jeweled hairpin, with two golden threads extending from the sides of a lotus bud. At the tip of one thread was a white egret, and at the tip of the other a dragonfly with fluttering wings. The hairpin was named "A White Egret of Integrity".
Ever since Emperor Jing'an bestowed this headdress upon Consort Ling, it has been a favorite of hers. She wears it almost every day, and when paired with a silk brocade skirt, it makes her look even more elegant, noble, and radiant.
Where is there even a trace of integrity?
As Prince Yu watched, a twitch appeared on his lips, whether from a sense of irony or from finding it amusing was unclear.
"What else can Father Emperor say?" Prince Yu said ambiguously, "Father Emperor has instructed me to choose an auspicious day to welcome Princess Guangning into the palace."
Consort Ling clenched the handkerchief in her hand, ultimately unwilling to accept defeat.
Since Prince Yu was fourteen, she had been selecting a princess and concubines for him. It is no exaggeration to say that over the years, she had worn out the roster, and only after carefully selecting several young ladies who were outstanding in terms of family background, age, character, and appearance did she end up marrying a princess from another country who was not favored.
But what can you do if you're unwilling to accept it?
Why did Prince Yu commit a crime and need to marry Princess Guangning to save his life?
“If the Third Prince inherits the throne, neither my daughter nor I will survive.” Consort Ling slowly lowered her eyes, a dark glint flashing in them, and gritted her teeth: “Among the Emperor’s sons, the Third Prince is the least likely to become the Crown Prince, but he is the one who has caught the Emperor’s eye and will become the final winner.”
As she spoke, Consort Ling looked toward the lattice window and saw two birds perched on the branches outside, chirping away, just like she and Empress Yuanrong when they were still in their boudoir.
The two of them lay on the wide couch placed by the window, their heads close together, chatting away about their private matters.
Bright sunlight streamed through the window, bathing them in its gentle glow, illuminating only their small space. They spoke briefly, their eyes meeting unexpectedly, and they both laughed, their smiles brighter and more radiant than the spring blossoms outside.
For a moment, she thought they would be best friends for life, with endless things to talk about.
Now, times have changed, and we are separated by life and death.
Consort Ling pulled herself out of her thoughts and, unusually, brought up the past: "The Emperor and Empress Yuanrong were a loving couple. Because Empress Yuanrong and I were close friends, she would push the Emperor to me when she was on her period."
"Later, the Emperor remembered my life-saving grace to Empress Yuanrong, and treated me with some sincerity. In this harem, apart from Empress Yuanrong, I received the greatest favor."
“After Empress Yuanrong died in childbirth, the Emperor distanced himself from me and began to favor other women in the harem. Although the Emperor did not say it, I knew in my heart that he resented me, resented that I was clearly by Empress Yuanrong’s side but did not save her.”
"But I... I didn't know either. I didn't know that the imperial physician would make a mistake and give Empress Yuanrong the blood-activating medicine meant for another concubine, instead of the medicine meant to induce labor."
Consort Ling once suspected that Emperor Jing'an suspected her of murdering Empress Yuanrong.
Although she was jealous of Empress Yuanrong many times, and even had some dark thoughts that she couldn't help but have, when she saw Empress Yuanrong standing in the light and shadow, smiling and waving at her, calling her by her nickname: "Oh, look what good things I've prepared for you."
She had no thoughts at all.
Because Empress Yuanrong was the only person in the world who called her by her childhood name, and the only one who treated her well. Her brothers were useless and only dragged her down; they would never treat her as selflessly as Empress Yuanrong.
Empress Yuanrong treated her with unparalleled kindness, which completely enveloped her inherently base heart.
But Empress Yuanrong still died.
With the death of Empress Yuanrong, the wall that had warmly enveloped her heart collapsed.
Her already base and greedy heart was completely corrupted by power.
In order to pave the way for her son, she forgot her past sisterly bond and repeatedly used Empress Yuanrong to seek benefits for herself in front of Emperor Jing'an.
As her thoughts drifted, Consort Ling's voice gradually became hoarse: "It was only after I had you that the Emperor's attitude towards me softened. However, not long after, Consort Xian also announced her pregnancy. Presumably, she now has a prince by her side and has been openly and secretly competing with me ever since."
"Only the Third Prince's mother, Consort Dong, was a mere Zhaoyi. While I was fighting to the death with Consort Xian, she secretly gave birth to a prince. Consort Xian and I both turned our anger towards Consort Dong, cutting back on her food, clothing, and other necessities in the palace, which led to her death."
"The Third Prince must have held a grudge against me, and he's just waiting to settle scores with me once he gains power."
At this point, Consort Ling grabbed Prince Yu's arm, somewhat losing her composure: "Jing'er, my son and I have made too many enemies. If you don't climb to that position, even without the Third Prince's intervention, each of us will crush us to death."
Once they embarked on the path of vying for the throne, there was no turning back.
This was the first time Prince Yu had heard Consort Ling seriously mention Empress Yuanrong.
Before this, Consort Ling would only mention Empress Yuanrong to Emperor Jing'an.
At other times, Consort Ling even avoided mentioning Empress Yuanrong.
Prince Yu was impatient to listen to these things; the inner palace was a place where people fought each other for power.
If you don't harm others, someone else will harm you.
“According to the ancestral rules of the Great Zhou Dynasty, one must be at least twenty years old to assume personal rule, and my third brother is only thirteen.” Prince Yu took Consort Ling’s words to heart, knowing there was no turning back once the arrow was released. His gaze turned cold: “Father is in good health and can rule for at least another ten years. Even if Father wants to pass the throne to my third brother, it will have to wait until he is old enough to assume personal rule. No one can predict what will happen during that time.”
“Jing’er, what you say makes sense. There are still six or seven years in between… Mother Consort has been too hasty.” Consort Ling saw hope again, the gloom in her heart dissipated, and she regained her rationality: “Take Zhao Yi for example. His bloodline is not pure. In principle, he should not be able to become emperor in Northern Qi. But the other two sons of the Northern Qi emperor died.”
Prince Yu removed Consort Ling's hand from his arm, saying, "Mother, you have lost your composure."
Consort Ling composed herself and said coldly, "Among the princes, you are the most intelligent and decisive, and the most suitable to be the crown prince. However, because of what you did to the people of Qingzhou and his nephew, your father has concluded that you are a cruel person who will stop at nothing to achieve your goals."
"I think I understand now. The reason why the Emperor didn't appoint you as the Crown Prince is not only because he wants to find a benevolent emperor to protect the Great Zhou Dynasty, but also because he fears that you are ambitious and might launch an attack on the Northern Qi in the future."
“It is true that Yizhen saved him, but as a royal woman, all the sacrifices she made for the Great Zhou were her duty. However, your father remembers Yizhen's kindness and his heart is completely devoted to his nephew.”
“You are his own son, but he doesn’t see the things you’ve done for him.”
Prince Yu tightened his grip on the teacup, his face expressionless and unusually calm: "There's no need to mention this matter again. I have my own plans."
Consort Ling stopped short of asking about Princess Guangning, but then noticed Prince Yu glancing in a certain direction.
She quickly realized that someone was monitoring Yanxiang Palace.
Consort Ling stopped herself from speaking and instead asked about Princess Guangning's preferences. She then shared some personal thoughts with Prince Yu before having dinner with him and sending a palace maid to escort him out of the palace.
-
After leaving Yanxiang Palace, Prince Yu forbade Huichun to see him off again and headed towards the palace gate alone. However, he stopped when he passed a small path paved with bluestone.
Ahead, a young boy was holding a brocade box and kept glancing in his direction.
This person was none other than the Third Prince.
"Your Majesty." The young boy saw Prince Yu and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes. But thinking of the brocade box he was holding, he mustered his courage and walked up to Prince Yu. He presented the box to him with both hands and said, "I heard that Your Majesty is going to marry Your Majesty's wife. This is a gift I prepared for Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will like it."