The two of them nodded blankly, unsure what their imperial brother meant by his question. Could forming a marriage alliance really lead to enmity? They had chosen favored legitimate daughters from prestigious families, showing full sincerity in forging ties with the Yu Family, the newly risen nobles.
Could it be that the Emperor didn’t want them to marry into the families of influential court officials? Or had he taken a personal interest in Yu Qingyu and wanted to make him a royal son-in-law? After some thought, there were no princesses of suitable age in the palace!
Princess Taikang remained calm, but Prince Qi couldn’t help overthinking. His heart sank, though his face still wore an expression of puzzled confusion.
"Then let this Dowager ask you—who exactly did you choose to marry the Eldest Son of the Yu Family? Was it Xu Jiao and that girl Xie Zhiyao?"
The two nodded, but Lady Feng, Prince Qi’s consort, frowned slightly.
"And do you understand the temperaments of these two girls?" The Empress Dowager’s voice grew colder.
At this question, Princess Taikang couldn’t help but tremble. As a mother, she naturally viewed her daughter through rose-tinted glasses, but she was also well aware of the girl’s true nature.
She had spent much effort arranging marriages for her daughter, yet no suitable match had ever been found.
That was why she had set her sights on the Yu Family’s eldest grandson.
"Taikang, you speak first. Tell this Dowager honestly—what kind of temperament does Xu Jiao truly have?"
Princess Taikang hesitated. How could the Empress Dowager not know? She had been scolded countless times over this very matter.
After stammering for a moment, she finally spoke. "Mother, A-Man is still young… her temper is a bit spoiled, but she—"
The Empress Dowager impatiently cut her off. "Don’t tell me that nonsense about her being innocent and kind-hearted with no ill intentions. You don’t even believe that yourself, so don’t try to deceive us.
"You know exactly what Xu Jiao is like, and so do I. She’s been doted on by you since childhood—there’s not a shred of kindness in her.
"Taikang, tell this Dowager—what were you scheming by arranging a marriage between Xu Jiao and the Eldest Son of the Yu Family?"
Princess Taikang’s lips trembled under the Empress Dowager’s questioning, her heart in turmoil. If the full extent of her daughter’s misdeeds were scrutinized, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Emperor would spare them.
"Mother, I… I…" She couldn’t form a coherent sentence.
How could she admit the truth—that she wanted to use the Yu Family’s rising favor (thanks to their beloved younger sister) to secure advantages for her own sons?
Not only would that sound shameless, but it would also risk arousing the Emperor’s suspicion.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Mingxi spoke. "Taikang, this Dowager and I already know what you were plotting. But you chose the wrong target—the Yu Family is not one you can manipulate with petty schemes!
"You must understand—a marriage between Yu Qingyu and Xu Jiao is meant to unite two families, not create enmity!
"That girl Xu Jiao is proud by nature. Do you really think she would willingly marry the Eldest Son of the Yu Family?
"Don’t assume that forcing a bitter melon will make it sweet. Even if they were to wed, if their marriage turns sour, this Emperor will personally intervene to grant them a divorce.
"Your plan to exploit the Yu Family’s silence by flaunting your royal status was flawed from the very beginning."
Having her schemes laid bare, Princess Taikang paled, her pride wounded.
The Empress Dowager waved her off. "Enough. Step aside for now. Your punishment will be delivered to your estate later."
[Master, this Princess Taikang is just a bit foolish—she hasn’t actually done much evil. Among her family, she’s the one with the least blood on her hands. If anything, she and her daughter have mostly taken the blame for the Xu father and son’s crimes.]
"What exactly have the Xu father and son done?"
[Seizing farmland, driving people to their deaths, forcing decent women into prostitution, trafficking—and that’s not even the worst of it. Can you guess their greatest sin?]
"What could be worse than murder?"
[They cultivate royal rice—oh, you might know it by another name: opium poppies!]
Yue Fuguang fell silent for half a minute before speaking. "Why would they grow that? Or do they even know its dangers?"
"They don’t yet, but they’ll find out soon enough!"
[Alright, I understand. Let’s think of a way to trick Emperor Mingxi into locking these two up and breaking their legs—ideally confining them for life!]
Princess Taikang, as instructed, stepped aside unsteadily, revealing Lady Feng behind her.
Emperor Mingxi was also curious—why did Yue Fuguang immediately want to break the Xu father and son’s legs upon learning they grew royal rice?
This royal rice, reportedly introduced from Nanzhao in recent years, was popular among noble households for its beautiful flowers. But now, it seemed this plant wasn’t just harmful—it was dangerously so. Yet the two didn’t elaborate further!
Emperor Mingxi decided he’d simply wait for Yue Fuguang to "trick" him into understanding.
Setting that aside, he turned to Prince Qi. "Prince Qi, explain Xie Zhiyao’s situation. This Emperor has heard she keeps male consorts in private—is this true?"
Though he posed the question, he had already dispatched men to investigate Peach Blossom Lane the moment Yue Fuguang mentioned it. He wasn’t worried about Prince Qi lying.
Prince Qi bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, this humble brother knows nothing of this! Zhiyao has always been a filial and obedient child in my household. I’ve never heard of her keeping a man outside! Even if she wished to do so, it would only be after marriage. She hasn’t even been betrothed yet—how could my wife and I allow her to ruin her reputation as a maiden?"
He then turned to his wife for confirmation. "Lady Feng, isn’t that right? Our Zhiyao couldn’t possibly have taken a lover before marriage. This must be slander!"
Lady Feng’s face was pale, her head lowered in silence.
[Little Zhu, do Prince Qi and his wife truly not know about their daughter keeping a man? Honestly, it’s her own business if she wants a lover—as long as it’s consensual. Aren’t men and women the same? If men can keep women, why can’t women keep men?
But let’s be clear—she can have all the lovers she wants, just don’t expect to marry into my family. Or have me marry into hers!]
[Master, you’re being hypocritical again!]
[Who am I? So what if I’m hypocritical? Besides, it goes without saying—my elder brother would never agree to share a wife with another man.]
Share a wife? The young immortal lord truly dares to imagine such a thing! What man could endure that?
[In Prince Qi’s household, Lady Feng only had a vague idea about the princess’s affairs. But Prince Qi knew everything. Those men Xie Zhiyao trained were meant for his future rebellion—do you think he was unaware?]
When these voices echoed in Lady Feng’s ears once more, she jerked her head up in terror, her eyes wide as she looked around.
The first time she heard them, she thought she was hearing ghosts. But now, with the mention of her elder brother’s marriage, could this be the voice of the Grand Tutor?
Her gaze met the imperial family’s eyes. The Empress immediately gave Lady Feng a subtle shake of her head and a silencing gesture.
Trembling, Lady Feng nodded hastily and lowered her head again, pretending to be a meek little quail.
