Chapter 194: The Emperor's Concerns
Yin Pin was quite satisfied with the Fang family's young lady.
Both her family background and character were beyond reproach.
Lord Fang held the position of Second Rank Right Censor-in-Chief in the Censorate—a position of real authority, yet with the Left Censor-in-Chief above him, it wouldn't appear too conspicuous.
The young lady was the youngest daughter of the Fang family, a pearl cherished in the palms of Lord Fang and Madam Fang. Though doted on since childhood, she remained well-educated and refined, with impeccable manners and conduct.
Originally, such an excellent young lady would never have been willing to marry into a prince's residence to become a stepmother.
However, Yin Pin had unexpectedly learned that this young lady actually admired Yi'er... Thus, the marriage negotiations proceeded exceptionally smoothly.
"Yi'er, this Fang young lady is more suitable to be your Princess Consort than the previous Miss Tan," Yin Pin lowered her voice. "If the day truly comes when we reach that stage, the Fang family will be a great asset to you..."
Chu Yi frowned, a cold light shimmering in his dark eyes: "Have I not told you, Mother, that you need not interfere in my marriage matters anymore?"
"Just because you said so, I must obey?" Yin Pin's expression shifted as well, her voice filled with anger. "Look at your age—which prince remains unmarried at your stage? You already have two children out of wedlock, which has made you the subject of ridicule. If you continue without taking a Princess Consort, do you know how people will talk about you?"
Chu Yi had heard these words too many times.
His father would say it, his mother would say it even more—the Empress Dowager, the Grand Princess, court officials... almost everyone who could speak before him had said it.
Having heard it so often, he no longer cared.
He had once considered taking a Princess Consort for the sake of the children.
But the children were fundamentally opposed to the idea, and he himself was unwilling as well.
Since that was the case, why force it?
If Yun Chu were living happily, then he wouldn't mind remaining alone for a lifetime.
But over these years, she had been in the Xie family...
Even if the entire imperial family opposed it, even if he became the target of public criticism, as long as she agreed, he was willing to defy the world.
"If you insist on this, Mother, then I can only refuse to obey the decree."
Ignoring Yin Pin's furious expression, Chu Yi turned and left the Everlasting Autumn Palace.
Just as he reached the corridor in the palace, he encountered Gong Xi Prince.
At the sight of Chu Yi, Gong Xi Prince's face darkened slightly, but it was quickly replaced by a gentle expression.
He strode forward, patted Chu Yi on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "I heard from Gao Gonggong beside Father Emperor that Third Brother is about to marry the Fang family's daughter as your Princess Consort?"
Chu Yi's expression remained indifferent: "Has Second Imperial Brother placed spies in the Imperial Study?"
Gong Xi Prince's smile stiffened: "Madam Fang and the young lady have visited the Everlasting Autumn Palace to pay respects multiple times—this is known to everyone in the palace. There's no need to specially arrange spies."
"Madam Yu and the Yu young lady often visit Consort Hui's palace. By that logic, does Second Imperial Brother intend to take Miss Yu as your Side Princess Consort?" Chu Yi's gaze showed no fluctuation, yet his words left Gong Xi Prince thoroughly choked.
The Yu family was his maternal relatives—visiting his mother in the palace was completely normal. What did it have to do with taking a Side Princess Consort?
Suppressing his anger, he said as gently as possible, "Regardless, as your elder brother, I only await the celebration of your wedding. I have matters to attend to and will not keep you company further."
He left with his hands clasped behind his back.
After a few steps, he glanced back at Chu Yi.
A few days ago, Chu Yi had invited over a dozen important ministers for late-night discussions. According to reports from informants, the talks lasted until nearly midnight.My third brother has never associated too closely with court officials, and with the Yin family being low-key and honest, I never considered him a rival.
But now...
Prince Gongxi smiled faintly. If his third brother insisted on entering the game, then he would temporarily step out.
Let's see how his third brother and the Crown Prince fight like dogs—whoever emerges victorious will have the qualification to become Chu Mo's opponent.
Chu Yi's hawk-like eyes gleamed sharply.
He was still investigating the previous incident of Prince Anjing's rebellion and assassination, but the clues had been cut off at a certain point. All the severed clues were placed on his desk. He had suspected the Gongxi Royal Mansion, but the interrupted clues couldn't serve as evidence.
He reassigned people to continue the investigation, but they couldn't find a lead.
If the person in the shadows was truly his second elder brother, Chu Mo, then the palace was likely soon to be engulfed in a storm of bloodshed.
Instead of leaving the palace directly, Chu Yi went to the Imperial Study.
Fortunately, this time there were no imperial concubines in the study. After Gao Gonggong announced him, he was allowed to enter directly.
"You came at the right time," the Emperor said in a good mood, smiling. "I was just about to have someone draft the edict for your marriage. The wedding is set for three months from now. How does that sound?"
"Father, I have no intention of marrying at the moment," Chu Yi got straight to the point. "I beg Your Majesty to rescind the order!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Emperor sneered, "After this winter, you'll be twenty-six. The longer you wait, the less willing prominent families will be to marry their legitimate daughters to you. This Miss Fang is your best choice now!"
Chu Yi looked up, enunciating each word clearly: "Marriage is meant to unite two families. If one party is unwilling, it will only breed resentment. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider."
"Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents and matchmakers. When is it your place to refuse?" The Emperor picked up the imperial seal and stamped it directly on the edict. "This marriage will happen whether you agree or not!"
Chu Yi's hawk-like gaze fell upon the imperial seal.
For the first time in his life, he felt the overwhelming power of imperial authority.
Suppressing his emotions, he said, "Lord Fang's doting on his youngest daughter is famous throughout the capital. If Miss Fang feels wronged in the prince's mansion, Lord Fang causing trouble for me would be insignificant. What I fear is that he might use unfounded matters to impeach Your Majesty."
"Audacious!"
The Emperor was enraged, throwing a brush that hit Chu Yi in the face.
This son of his was skilled at suppressing bandits but equally skilled at provoking anger—showing no regard for paternal or imperial authority.
Lord Fang was the Right Censor-in-Chief, responsible for supervising all officials in the Censorate and even impeaching the Emperor himself.
The Emperor did have some concerns in this regard.
He sneered, "If Lord Fang is dissatisfied with this marriage, he has plenty of opportunities to approach me himself. It's not your place to speak of it."
Chu Yi lowered his gaze.
So, His Majesty would care about Lord Fang's attitude. That made things easier to handle.
Riding back to his mansion, he had just arrived at the entrance when Cheng Xu came forward, cupping his hands respectfully: "Your Highness, regarding the matter of the He family you previously ordered me to investigate, I've finally uncovered some information."
Chu Yi dismounted: "Speak."
Cheng Xu glanced at the guards and manor soldiers standing at the mansion entrance and lowered his voice: "It concerns Madam Xie."
Chu Yi immediately strode into the mansion. Only when they reached the study did he signal Cheng Xu to continue.
"He Xu, the last remaining legitimate son of the He family, recently exposed Xie Shi'an's identity at the palace gates and went missing in the ensuing chaos. After Your Highness's orders, I dispatched a team to search for him. It took nearly half a month before we found He Xu's corpse." Cheng Xu looked up. "It took considerable effort to discover that before his death, He Xu had been with Steward Chen, who serves Madam Xie."Chu Yi's brows darkened with severity.
Yun Chu was connected to Xie Jingyu's death.
The exposure of Xie Shi'an's identity was also linked to Yun Chu.
He Xu's death was likely also executed by Yun Chu's hand.
What had the Xie family done to drive Yun Chu—once a person of utmost purity and kindness—to act against her conscience in such ways?
The only thing he could ascertain was that Yun Chu harbored deep hatred for the Xie family.
Chu Yi spoke: "Go personally and erase all evidence thoroughly."
Cheng Xu shook his head. "Even if the Court of Judicial Review investigates, they can only trace it back to Chen Defu at most. Even if they suspect Lady Xie, they won't find any evidence."
Chu Yi's thin lips pressed into a tight line.
Their first meeting was at the Yun family's banquet.
In the flourishing capital, amid the vibrant spring scenery at the Yun family's spring banquet, he saw the Yun family's eldest daughter. She was only six years old then, while he was eleven.
In his memory, the six-year-old her had a round face, chubby cheeks, large round eyes, and wore a goose-yellow dress, hiding among the blooming winter jasmine flowers.
While he was lost in melancholy, she abruptly crashed into his view.
He would always remember her clear eyes, the grass fragments in her hair, the mud stains on her face, and the puppy she held in her arms... The dog was dirty, and she was dirty too...
That innocent little girl from back then had grown up over time, becoming so cautious.
Even his own men couldn't uncover anything when they investigated.
He set his mind at ease.
Chu Yi picked up a brush and wrote a letter: "Deliver this to the Fang family immediately."
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