Glory

"You're still saying that, you're still saying that!" Prince Zhennan angrily pointed at Chu Yuehua. "Ask your sister what she did at Prince Kang's residence today!"

"What did I do? So I didn't return the greeting to that lowborn Ye woman?" Chu Yuehua retorted loudly. "I'm a second-rank county princess, while she's just a fourth-rank Imperial Mandate holder from a merchant background. What's wrong with me accepting her greeting? Why does everyone have to criticize me for this? A tiger fallen to the plains is bullied by dogs—now I've become a rat crossing the street that everyone shouts at."

As she spoke, she began sobbing.

Throughout the day, those old women from the imperial clan had constantly lectured her, both openly and subtly, about this matter. She had truly had enough and grew to resent Ye Yaming even more.

Just a lowborn merchant's daughter—what right did she have to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her as sisters-in-law? And even become the Madam Heir Apparent, becoming her elder sister-in-law to lord over her. Her aunt was right—that white-eyed wolf Lu Guanyi should have been disposed of directly. Had he been killed earlier, she wouldn't have had to suffer today's humiliation.

Princess Consort Zhennan secretly rolled her eyes again.

These three siblings had some cunning, yet they were constantly incited by Shi Shi to do foolish things, developing this universally disliked personality. Yet when you thought them witless, they excelled at playing the victim before Prince Zhennan.

"She was introduced by your imperial aunt. If not for the monk's sake, then for the Buddha's—you should treat her with courtesy out of respect for your imperial aunt!" Prince Zhennan roared. "Moreover, a wife's status depends on her husband's. Since she has become the Madam Heir Apparent of the Xuanwu Marquis, you must show her respect!"

"Father, why are you shouting at younger sister? She's still young—if you have something to say, speak properly. Besides, it's just failing to return a greeting to a Madam Heir Apparent—what's the big deal?" Chu Zonghua shouted back at Prince Zhennan.

Their mother had passed away early, and their eldest and fourth maternal aunts had repeatedly instructed him to protect his younger siblings and not let them be bullied.

Since childhood, Chu Zonghua had taken it as his mission to protect his younger brother and sister, unable to bear seeing them suffer the slightest grievance from their father and stepmother. Previously, his maternal grandfather had been Duke Wei, and his eldest aunt was the empress. Not to mention a powerless prince like Zhennan—even the Emperor had to show some deference to the Duke Wei household.

Therefore, the three siblings had never feared Prince Zhennan. Prince Zhennan also dared not speak harshly to them, afraid they would complain to Duke Wei and the Empress, who might make things difficult for him. Outside, others tolerated their behavior due to the Duke Wei household's influence and pity for the motherless children.

This had fostered the three siblings' arrogant and willful temperaments.

"What's the big deal?" Prince Zhennan laughed in anger. "Do you think it's still like before? When your grandfather was Duke Wei, being somewhat rude to others naturally didn't matter. But what status do you hold now? How many people hold grudges against you? Instead of keeping your heads down, you dare to disrespect Princess Yu Ning! If you're tired of living, just say so—don't drag our entire household down with you!"

If Prince Zhennan hadn't said those last words, it might have been fine. But that final sentence thoroughly enraged the three siblings.

"You're just afraid we'll implicate you, aren't you? When my grandfather was in power, you benefited plenty. Now you're turning your back on us? If you're afraid we'll implicate you, we'll leave right now!"

After saying this, Chu Zonghua grabbed Chu Yuehua and left, with Chu Yuanhua closely following.

Pointing at their retreating figures, Prince Zhennan trembled with rage: "Look at these unfilial children—they'll be the death of me!"Princess Consort Zhennan gazed at the three receding figures, her eyes flickering with an inscrutable, shadowed expression.

……

Inside the carriage on their way back to the Marquis Household, Ye Yaming recounted the events that had transpired at the Kang Prince Manor to Lu Guanyi.

Lu Guanyi’s face darkened instantly.

County Mistress Qingrong, Chu Yuehua, and her two elder brothers had bullied him relentlessly in the past.

He had originally lived with his grandparents and seldom visited the Xuanwu Marquis Household. After his grandfather passed away, he continued to reside in a separate estate, maintaining a clear boundary with Shi Shi and Lu Guanyu. Although Shi Shi regarded him as a thorn in her side, she still cared about appearances and dared not go too far, partly out of fear of his father, Lu Zhongyong.

Of course, it was also possible that since both he and Lu Guanyu were still minors, eliminating him would not have served much purpose, so Shi Shi had chosen to bide her time.

But Chu Yuehua and her brothers were different. Relying on their status as members of the imperial family and the influence of the Duke Wei Household, they often sought to cause trouble for him under the pretext of avenging their aunt and cousin. After learning of his father’s forbearance and sacrifices, Lu Guanyi did not want to add to his father’s burdens and endured these grievances silently.

As he and Lu Guanyu grew older, the matter of the heirship could no longer be delayed. Under Shi Shi’s subtle encouragement, Chu Zongyao attempted to have him killed. Recognizing the danger, Lu Guanyi fled to Lin’an.

Seeing Lu Guanyi’s grim expression, Ye Yaming quickly comforted him, “It’s nothing. She merely failed to return a courtesy, and strictly speaking, she wasn’t entirely in the wrong. Princess Yu Ning sought out Prince Zhennan today, and County Mistress Qingrong is bound to face reprimand. Many elders in the hall also spoke up in my defense.”

Lu Guanyi shook his head. “You don’t understand.”

He recounted the years of bullying he had endured from Chu Zongyao and his siblings, adding, “Given their nature, if the victim endures the humiliation silently, they might let it pass. But if the victim speaks out and their elders intervene, causing them to be punished, they will surely harbor resentment and seek revenge.”

“Today, Chu Yuehua was publicly humiliated by Princess Yu Ning in front of so many people and will likely be scolded by Prince Zhennan when she returns. She already despises me to the core and looks down on you. She will undoubtedly stir up trouble.”

Lu Guanyi sighed. “If I could stay by your side at all times, I wouldn’t worry. But after the New Year, I must leave for the border.”

After a moment’s thought, he said, “I will assign two more guards to protect you discreetly. Also, if you encounter any trouble, you must seek out Princess Yu Ning and ask her to intervene on your behalf.”

At this point, Lu Guanyi felt immensely grateful that Ye Yaming had caught the favor of Princess Yu Ning.

“Princess Yu’an’s one-year mourning period will end in February. Do you think we should try to expedite this matter?” he asked Ye Yaming in a low voice.

If Princess Yu’an were to become the Lady of Xuanwu Marquis, she would be Ye Yaming’s mother-in-law. In the event that Chu Yuehua and her brothers caused trouble, Princess Yu’an would then be in a position to rightfully stand up for Ye Yaming.

Ye Yaming shook her head. “We must not interfere in this matter at all.”

She suspected that neither Lu Zhongyong nor Princess Yu’an had any particular desire to remarry, especially given their six-year age difference, with the woman being older—a pairing that society would deem unsuitable.

If the Emperor insisted on arranging the marriage to consolidate imperial power, there would be no alternative. But if she and Lu Guanyi were to selfishly push for it, disregarding the feelings of Lu Zhongyong and Princess Yu’an, it would be an act of profound selfishness. If word got out, they would earn the lasting enmity of Lu Zhongyong, Princess Yu’an, and Princess Yu Ning."Don't worry, I'll be careful," she said.

Then she lowered her voice: "I heard that Princess Consort Zhennan's son was almost killed after being drugged by Chu Yuehua's brother?"

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