"What is the difference between being a consort and being the Crown Princess?"
The maidservant was clearly somewhat confused. Aren't they both just becoming the Crown Prince's wife?
But she saw Xu Yayu shake her head with a smile, then, as if thinking of something, the smile on her face faded slightly.
Now that the calls for her to become Crown Princess were so loud... could she smoothly weather this storm?
Would those court officials be willing to let her off?
On the sixth day after the great victory, Xu Jinruo led the triumphant army back to the capital. Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu, along with all the officials, went to the city gates to welcome them.
At this moment, Xu Jinruo had visibly lost a great deal of weight, his entire bearing having gained a certain steadiness. He dismounted and immediately kowtowed in obeisance to Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu.
You have defeated the Japanese pirates. I must reward you handsomely. I hereby confer upon you the title of Marquis of Anding.
The merit of vanquishing a foe, coupled with the Xu family having produced a former Empress, was enough for Emperor Yuanyou to be generous this once.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xu Jinruo's voice trembled slightly as he gave his thanks. Before his mother passed, her greatest worry had been the decline of the Xu family. Now that he was being enfeoffed as a Marquis, his mother could rest in peace in the netherworld.
"Come, accompany me into the palace."
Emperor Yuanyou led the large crowd into the palace in a bustling procession. Song Yu intentionally slowed his steps to walk beside Gu Zheng. "For the Da Yue campaign, Father did not confer a marquis title upon you. You..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Zheng even looked at Song Yu with a guarded expression. "No, this subject does not need it."
If the price of becoming a Marquis was to relinquish command of troops...
Then he would rather remain a simple, unadorned general who held military power.
Seeing that Gu Zheng understood the situation more clearly than anyone, Song Yu nodded with satisfaction. "General Gu, this prince has high hopes for you."
As the Crown Prince's right-hand man, how could he not hold military power?
That evening, at the palace banquet.
From the moment Xu Yayu appeared, she became the focus of the entire gathering.
Upon seeing his daughter, Xu Jinruo forgot about everything else, circling around Xu Yayu for a long while, inquiring about every detail of her food, clothing, shelter, and travel.
It was only belatedly that he noticed the unusual looks everyone was giving his daughter.
"What has happened?"
"They believe your daughter is suited to be the Crown Princess."
With this one sentence from Xu Yayu, Xu Jinruo's face flushed with suppressed anger. These shameless people wanted to harm his Xu family!
Back then, when Grandmother tried to arrange a match, one was unwilling to marry and the other unwilling to wed, nearly causing a rift between the Xu family and the Crown Prince.
Now who has dug all this up again?
Just as Xu Jinruo's mind was racing, Cheng Guang approached. "Does the Marquis intend to select a husband for Miss Xu?"
Such blunt words caused the surroundings to fall quiet.
Everyone wanted to hear Xu Jinruo's reply.
"Everything will be according to Yayu's wishes. I have only this one daughter."
After speaking, Xu Jinruo frowned slightly. "And you are?"
"The former Prime Minister of Da Yue, Cheng Guang."
The corner of Xu Jinruo's mouth twitched. What a fine rebel and traitor.
"Marquis, you may not know, but currently all the court officials believe Miss Xu could be the Crown Princess, especially those few ministers over there, clamoring louder than dogs. The Crown Prince also wishes to know your thoughts."
Xu Jinruo's gaze swept over the men Cheng Guang pointed out, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.
"If the Marquis says so, then this humble official understands."
Unwilling to marry, then.
......
"Miss Xu, the Crown Prince invites you for a word."
After several rounds of wine, Xu Yayu looked at Liu Xi standing before her and tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand.
The last time she saw the Crown Prince was during the top scholar's parade, which was also when she learned that the Crown Prince was Guo Feng.
The palace at night held a slight chill. A breeze blew past, carrying away some of the stifling feeling from inside the hall.
"Your subject's daughter pays her respects to the Crown Prince."
"No need for such formality." Song Yu also looked at Xu Yayu. "Given the current situation at court, if I directly refuse to marry Miss Xu, it would be tantamount to trampling the Xu family's face underfoot."
Xu Jinruo is a Marquis with military achievements. I cannot do that.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for considering the Xu family."
Misunderstanding Song Yu's meaning, Xu Yayu gave a graceful bow, her eyes clear. "Does Your Highness need a Crown Princess?"
"A Crown Princess who merely holds the position in name, one who will not disturb Your Highness's normal life, nor mistreat the Princess?"
Song Yu looked at Xu Yayu with some surprise.
"If this act can ensure the Xu family's prosperity for a hundred years, Yayu is willing to become such a Crown Princess."
A Crown Princess living in widowhood while her husband lives.
As a daughter of a noble family, protecting the family and preventing it from being dishonored when necessary was her duty.
"Although this situation is difficult to resolve, I do not need you to sacrifice yourself to solve it. You are now the legitimate daughter of a Marquis's household; you can live a better life."
Song Yu straightened his expression. In the night, Xu Yayu actually felt she was seeing Guo Feng's face again.
"I called Miss Xu here today to ask Miss Xu to be the one to refuse me."
Song Yu was deeply aware of the harshness of the world towards women. If he were to refuse the Xu family, not only would it slight the Xu family, but it was likely that Xu Yayu's future marriage prospects... would not be smooth.
"If Miss Xu is willing, you can refuse using the reason of observing mourning for your grandmother."
"When Miss Xu meets someone you truly care for, I will personally request His Majesty to issue an edict bestowing the marriage upon you."
After finishing his words, Song Yu made to rise and leave. Watching his retreating figure, Xu Yayu suddenly spoke:
"Your Highness need not be bound by the past. Cause in a previous life, effect in the next. Grandmother once told me that Your Highness's handling of that fetus back then was the most correct choice."
"Today, Your Highness schemes for my Xu family. The matters of Your Highness teasing and deceiving me several times in the past are now written off."
Song Yu's footsteps paused for a moment, then he strode away.
Only after Song Yu's figure had completely disappeared did Xu Yayu lower her head. His Highness said she could live a better life.
"Miss..."
"Let's go, back."
......
The next day, news spread from the Xu family that Xu Yayu would observe a three-year mourning period for the late Madame Xu.
The Great Qi Dynasty placed the highest importance on filial piety. Naturally, someone in mourning could not hold a grand wedding.
The entire court of civil and military officials also ceased mentioning the matter of Xu Yayu being suitable as Crown Princess. The clamorous issue of selecting a consort ultimately failed to bring one or two new women into the Eastern Palace's rear courtyard.
Prince Heng's Mansion.
"Father, Marquis Anding has gone to the Eastern Palace again."
Song Yu had given the Xu family ample face, so Xu Jinruo naturally was willing to stick to the Eastern Palace like a plaster.
Prince Heng only felt a sharp pain at his temples and pressed the spot with his fingers.
Ever since the Crown Prince returned to the capital, none of his schemes had succeeded, giving him a deep sense of powerlessness.
But he had a pair of dragon and phoenix twins hailed as an auspicious sign, and the Eastern Palace had no legitimate heir. These two facts seemed to push him forward.
"Hui'er, it is time to move the piece that is Song Xiyan."
Prince Heng sighed. Consider it a final gamble. If it failed, he would accept his fate.
Upon hearing this, Song Hui slowly rose. "Your daughter understands. Song Xiyan is now quite dependent on me and also believes our Prince Heng's Mansion is constantly being bullied by the Eastern Palace."
"With just a little guidance from me, Song Xiyan will certainly speak up for us."
After all, that person's mind is not very sharp.
She was born to be used as a tool.
