Jiао Меng whisperеd, "Маnу sеrvants in the mansiоn hаve seеn it—Madаm Zhоu аnd thе mаstеr are invоlved in an improper rеlаtionshiр..."
With a shаrр "сrаck," thе tеасuр in Cоncubine Mеi's hаnd was smаshed to the grоund, shattering intо pieсеs. "It must bе bесаusе of that sеduсtress thаt thе mаster hаs beеn dеlaying thе mаtter оf elevating а propеr wifе. Мadаm Zhou truly has сunning mеthоds—her еntirе fаmilу оnlу knows hоw tо seduсe mеn! Shamelеss!"
Jiaо Меng hesitаtеd bеfоre saying, "Nоw that Second Miss is аbout to entеr the Wei rеsidenсе, I feаr the one in Dove Tree Courtyard will become even more brazen."
Concubine Mei sneered, "What is there to be brazen about? Isn't there still the Crown Princess Consort above her? I don’t think Fourth Miss is someone to be trifled with either. If she truly enters the residence, Zhuangshan won’t be her match. Madam Zhou thinks she’s secured a good marriage alliance, but she might not even know how she’ll meet her end."
Jiao Meng nodded. "This servant thinks so too. That’s why Concubine Zhou must be very troubled lately. She doesn’t want Fourth Miss to marry into the Wei residence, but if Fourth Miss’s marriage isn’t settled, Second Miss cannot enter Prince Wei’s mansion."
"You mean..." Concubine Mei looked at Jiao Meng. "Madam Zhou is currently in a state of chaos and is bound to make mistakes. I should keep an eye on her actions. If I catch her in a mistake..." She smiled, leaving the rest unsaid.
Concubine Mei’s eyes lit up as she praised, "You’re right. Even if there’s no mistake, she’ll make one."
Meanwhile, Zhuang Shiyang was busy preparing for Zhuangshan’s wedding. In his view, Han Yan’s marriage was already a done deal and unlikely to encounter any issues, so he paid little attention to it. Unbeknownst to him, someone had already quietly disrupted all the pieces on the board.
"You want me to bestow a marriage between Prince Wei’s heir and the Right Chancellor’s daughter? Why?" The Emperor, seated high on his throne, rarely showed such astonishment. To sit in this position, one must not reveal any emotions. Yet, why was his usually detached and indifferent younger brother suddenly concerning himself with the marital affairs of his subjects?
He added, "Don’t tell me you want to play matchmaker."
Fu Yunxi replied softly, "The Right Chancellor has grown increasingly arrogant this year, and Prince Wei is no different. Yet, these two factions have no connections, which is perhaps too unusual. I’ve heard that Prince Wei’s heir is to marry the Fourth Miss of the Zhuang residence as his Crown Princess Consort." He glanced at the Emperor and reminded him, "Zhuang Shiyang was demoted just a few days ago."
The Emperor looked at him thoughtfully, waiting for him to continue.
"Unusual occurrences often hide ulterior motives. Zhuang Shiyang is only a fifth-rank official. For Prince Wei to abandon an alliance with the Right Chancellor and instead form a marriage alliance with Zhuang Shiyang must involve some scheme. Regardless, Prince Wei is already a thorn in Your Majesty’s side. Anything that benefits him must not be allowed to succeed."
The Emperor let out a long "hmm." "You make a valid point. However, if Prince Wei forms an alliance with the Right Chancellor, it would still increase his influence. Perhaps the Zhuang family’s young lady and Prince Wei’s heir had a childhood betrothal, or maybe they are deeply in love?"
Fu Yunxi raised an eyebrow. "The Right Chancellor’s daughter is infatuated with Prince Wei’s heir."
"So what?" The Emperor observed his expression with interest. "Speak. What is the real reason you don’t want the Wei and Zhuang families to form a marriage alliance?" He knew his younger brother all too well. Whenever he spoke in such lofty terms, it meant he had a personal motive.
"I wish to marry the Fourth Miss of the Zhuang family as my consort," Fu Yunxi said expressionlessly.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor nearly jumped up. "You want to compete with Prince Wei’s residence for this marriage?""If Your Majesty insists on putting it that way, this humble subject can only agree." Fu Yunxi frowned, clearly displeased with the term "snatching a bride."
The Emperor pondered carefully. He did have some impression of Fourth Miss Zhuang—the painting she presented at the last palace banquet had made him look at this young girl in a new light. However... she was Zhuang Shiyang's daughter.
As he thought this, he glanced at Fu Yunxi. "The Empress Dowager believes that the Zhuang family's young lady and the Wei heir are a well-matched pair..."
Fu Yunxi fixed him with a sharp gaze. "How would she know..."
The Emperor found himself almost afraid to meet his eyes. "I heard her mention it long ago... At the time, I was also puzzled why the Empress Dowager would take such an interest in an unknown Fourth Miss Zhuang." Seeing Fu Yunxi remain silent, he added, "With the Empress Dowager supporting this marriage, your request... I'm afraid it cannot be granted, Yunxi..."
Fu Yunxi remained silent for a long while, then suddenly curled the corner of his mouth, his eyes inscrutable. Seeing him like this, the Emperor felt a pang of unease. This expression meant someone nearby was about to face misfortune.
Sure enough, Fu Yunxi spoke casually, "This humble subject merely came to inform Your Majesty, not to request anything." He stared at the emperor on the high throne with a half-smile, his tone unnervingly strange. "After all, everything will go as I wish."
He no longer even bothered with "this humble subject." The Emperor felt a chill run down his spine. His younger brother appeared elegant and transcendent, like an immortal descended to earth, yet when it came to action, he showed no mercy. The Emperor sensed something amiss, fearing Fu Yunxi might do something extreme. Truth be told, over the years, he had exhausted himself worrying about Fu Yunxi's marriage prospects, each attempt ending in failure. Now that Fu Yunxi had suddenly declared his intention to take a wife, the Emperor had been overjoyed, nearly issuing an imperial decree on the spot. But why did it have to be Zhuang Hanyan? Even as the emperor, who prided himself on understanding the ways of the world, he could not comprehend how a mere slip of a girl could attract such attention.
Just as Fu Yunxi reached the door, he turned back as if remembering something and said lazily, "I forgot to tell Your Majesty... This humble subject is set to campaign against the Western Rong next spring. I had thought to leave behind an heir, but now it seems unnecessary." Ignoring the emperor's stunned expression, Fu Yunxi delivered the final blow: "In this lifetime, I will marry no one but her."
"Stop right there!" the Emperor said through gritted teeth.
"Is there anything else, Your Majesty?" Fu Yunxi stood sideways, toying with the dark hair falling over his chest. His posture was picturesque, aloof and detached from worldly concerns, yet who could fathom the malicious intent beneath that facade? Threatening the emperor in broad daylight—only Fu Yunxi would dare!
"Attendants! Draft the decree!" The Emperor glared at Fu Yunxi in exasperation. "I shall issue the marriage decree now. You will stay in the capital and go nowhere!"
How many years had it been since he had seen such an expression on the Emperor's face? Fu Yunxi's gaze deepened. Since ascending the throne, the Emperor had worn a mask—a good ruler who cast aside all selfish emotions, devoted only to the greater good and the welfare of the people. The last time Fu Yunxi had seen him wear this expression was at fourteen, when he had defied the Emperor's opposition and donned armor for battle.
Fu Yunxi smiled. "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's concern, Imperial Brother."He used "imperial brother" instead of "Your Majesty," which naturally felt much more intimate. Hearing this, The Emperor's expression softened slightly as he sighed, "I will have to offend the Empress Dowager on your behalf again."
"She isn't our real mother anyway," Fu Yunxi sneered.
"Nonsense!" The Emperor lowered his voice to scold him, then turned around only after confirming there was no one nearby. "I've never understood..."
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