Chapter 368: Chapter 367: The Far-Sighted Love of Parents
Dusk fell heavily, plunging Shengjing City into the silence of the night.
All forces were watching from across the shore, not getting involved.
Prince Gong stood before his bedroom, looking in the direction of the Imperial Palace. He could already guess the panic that must be unfolding there at this moment.
But... this was only the beginning.
A weight on his back, Princess Consort Gong stepped forward slowly, draping a cloak over him.
"Brother Emperor values his face the most, I’m afraid by tomorrow, the imperial decree for the arranged marriage will enter Wei Mansion."
The marriage between the Wei and Yan families would naturally be called off then.
With a gentle voice, Princess Consort Gong said, "I’m afraid the Fifth Princess is unwilling."
"Unwilling? Does she have the luxury to call the shots now? At most she might threaten to end her life to force Brother Emperor to retract his order, but she values her own life, how could she truly be willing to die?"
Prince Gong uttered these words without a hint of pity.
Even if Ji Shimin is his junior.
In earlier years, Emperor He, in order to consolidate his power, used arranged marriages to harm so many people. The bitter fruit must now be tasted by himself.
The husband and wife stood outside the house.
"After today’s events, Huo Ge’er probably has some suspicions," she mentioned.
Hearing this, Prince Gong suddenly withdrew his gaze. It was a long while before he spoke.
"The situation is still uncertain, hiding it for one more day is one more day. Later on, have the accounting office allocate some Silver to him. He’s grown so big but still borrows Silver from the little princess of Duke Chaoyangling Mansion and has yet to return it, he really has the nerve!"
The Princess Consort remained silent.
Prince Gong also noticed her disappointment and immediately asked, "Over these years, have you ever resented me?"
"I know, you care about that scoundrel. But I cannot tell him that as a father, I’m a coward who fears death and intentionally raised him to be useless."
Princess Consort Gong was aware of her concern, "My Prince, such words are inappropriate. This matter was decided upon after you and I, as a couple, discussed it."
A half-grown child can’t keep secrets. Moreover, Ji Huo is an impetuous character. He doesn’t have the slightest bit of the Cui family children’s forbearance, how dare they take such a risk with him?
"In the few years before the official ascended the throne, when he needed us, we were valuable. When he no longer needed us, the lives of everyone in Prince Gong Mansion were worth no more than grass. Only after the affair involving Prince Huai’an did you start being cautious. If we had not been aware of the times, we might’ve followed in the footsteps of Prince Huai’an Mansion."
"Back then, you covertly supported the Third Prince. It cost us much effort; one reason was to repay Prince Huai’an, whom you have known for many years, the other was the feeling of shared fate among the implicated," she said.
And within all of this, was the recognition of Emperor He’s cold-blooded nature.
Parents who love their children plan for their distant future.
Once they lose their power, what should they do for the pair of children under their knees? It’s better to take a daring move and support Ji Teng’s rise to power. They would bear the brunt of thorns on the road, paving the way for a safe and bright future for their children.
In this way, at least Ji Huo could grow up safe and sound.
Many people were sleepless that night.
For instance,
Inside the palace, Ji Shimin held scissors to her neck, not daring to pierce even a little, yet howling like a demon from the underworld.
"What is Wei Xiheng? What makes him worthy of marrying me? I won’t marry him, I’d rather die than marry!"
"Father previously promised me that he would betroth me to Xie Xun! Wei Xiheng isn’t even worth a finger of Xie Xun! Just thinking of Wei Xiheng disgusts me. Clearly, I was conspired against. I am wronged! He offended me, he deserves to be killed! But why would Father issue a marriage decree? Does he not love me anymore? Am I not the most beloved Princess of Da Qi?"
Naturally, she received a reprimand from Empress Zou.
"Xie Xun? Forget about him!"
"How can your father stand up for you in this matter? Only an arranged marriage can preserve the last bit of dignity. He must be tired of you. Since the incident, he hasn’t come to see you once, not even a servant was sent to inquire about your well-being."
"Your father has ordered the Astronomical Observatory to set an auspicious date as soon as possible. You just wait to humble yourself, and don’t think about anything else."
Or, for example,
Throughout Wei Mansion it was as though they were mourning the death of parents.
Wei Xiheng lay on the couch, bereft of strength. If not for the movement in his eyes, one might have thought him a corpse drained of essence.
"Doctor, how is my son?"
The doctor let go of he pulse and hurriedly said, "I am powerless. The young master has damaged his body by eating something bad, and also by being overworked. Currently, he is extremely depleted, I’m afraid he will no longer be able to consummate a marriage. Not to mention having children is out of the question."
Wei Xiheng’s eyes were bloodshot, as if he were on the verge of murder. But he lacked the strength to move; every bone in his body ached as though shattered.
From the very first time, he was already struggling to hold on. Perversely, Ji Shimin clung to him, for reasons unknown, he couldn’t bear to push her away and got carried away like a lunatic, soaring in ecstasy.
The fine Yan Mi will likely never be his wife because of this. And as for Ji Shimin... he truly found her abhorrent!
It was all because of that poisonous woman’s entanglement that he had ruined everything.
Wei Xiheng’s hatred burgeoned.
Take, for instance,
Yan Mi, who returned late, sat upright at her desk, where the candle flames flickered.
Two hours earlier, she had seen Xuan Ai at the Yongchang Marquis Mansion.
Xuan Ai was packing up her valuables, a faint smile seemingly playing at the corners of her eyes and brows.
Yan Mi greeted her respectfully: "I heard that Sister Xuan is leaving Shengjing. Is it true?"
Having some rapport with her and often discussing poetry and essays in private, Yan Mi felt no offense in asking such a question.
"Indeed."
She told the servants to serve tea.
"You’re aware of my situation. Fortunately, my family is understanding. Since the divorce, there have been many matchmakers knocking on my door, but I’m really scared. Mama knows what’s in my heart; she didn’t mention remarriage, and I had all the matchmakers sent away."
"I am, at last, free."
Xuan Ai spoke gently: "Someone once said that a girl should not be confined to one place, so I thought of going out and seeing the world."
Yan Mi considered her words, not beating around the bush: "If you have no one to talk to on your journey, Sister Xuan, perhaps you could take me along."
Xuan Ai was very surprised.
This was not something Yan Mi would ordinarily say.
"You’ve also heard about the incidents in the Zou Family, don’t fret over them," said Xuan Ai, thinking Yan Mi couldn’t handle the stress and wanted to escape.
But Yan Mi knew how lucid she was.
A gust of wind swept through, almost snuffing out the candle flame. Yet Yan Mi remained still, maintaining her original posture.
Aside from the candlelight and tea set on the table, there was also a rosewood casket.
Yan Mi’s eyes showed neither joy nor sorrow, but her fingertips gently caressed the casket.
This was... a gift from Xie Xun a few days ago.
That day, upon receiving Xie Xun’s letter, she had kept their appointment.
By the time she arrived, Xie Xun had already been waiting for some time.
Yan Mi took her seat, not daring to look him in the eye: "Heir Xie has sought me out, what is it that you wish to discuss?"
Xie Xun brewed a cup of tea for her, his demeanor as refined as ever: "I am preparing to deal with the Yan Family."
This statement was abrupt and jarring.
"Does Lady Yan know of the grievances between the Xie and Yan families?"
Yan Mi’s hands tightened again and again. She couldn’t deny that upon agreeing to see him, even though she had made her resolution, she still harbored an embarrassing waver and anticipation.
But this statement plunged her directly into an ice cellar, filling her with cold and chill.
Her smile was strained: "I do."
"But there is one thing Lady Yan does not know."
Xie Xun hid his emotions: "I have been investigating my aunt’s drowning incident all this time and finally have some results. It was not an accident; she was harmed by someone."
He said, "It was Yan Kun."
Yan Mi’s complexion turned pale.
Xie Xun continued: "In some time, I will take action against the Yan Family."
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