Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 916 - 752: It’s Either You Die, or I Perish

Qin Yingyuan showed a joyful expression upon hearing this, and hurriedly said, "Thank you, Grandmother! Grandmother is the best to Ying."The Eldest Princess and the Empress shook their heads and smiled upon hearing this. The Empress pointed at Qin Yingyuan’s forehead and said with a smile, "She’s still not grown up yet!"

"In eight days, she will reach the coming-of-age ceremony, how can we arrange her marriage with such a temperament?"

The Eldest Princess began to worry as she spoke, concerned about her daughter’s stubborn nature, unable to let go of that person.

"What nonsense are you talking? Can such words be said in front of a young girl?" The Empress cast a glance at her eldest daughter, then smiled and reprimanded her.

"Go play with your sister Gui Zhu!" The Empress nodded towards Qin Yingyuan and said.

Gui Zhu was the Chief Palace Maid beside the Empress and was not on duty today, so she was not in the hall.

Qin Yingyuan knew she was being asked to leave, as they were likely discussing her marriage, which was not suitable for her ears.

She was anxious because the court session had not ended yet, and she wondered if her maternal grandfather had any free time to come to Guangning Palace.

Her mind was in chaos; she was unwilling to give up but worried it would upset her grandfather, making things difficult for her parents and elder brother.

After Qin Yingyuan left, the Eldest Princess finally complained to her mother, "Mother, you still don’t know her? This girl is wild in nature. She’s not skilled in the four arts, just likes to play with whips. She’s been practicing since she was young, and just the other day, she was practicing in her courtyard! What family girl would want to learn that?"

The Eldest Princess was truly worried, fearing that with her daughter’s fierce nature, the pampered sons of the Capital couldn’t handle her.

The Empress laughed and said, "Ying isn’t as unbearable as you say. She’s not bad at the four arts at all, not inferior to those aristocratic girls. Even her needlework is commendable; I was delighted with that piece of embroidery!"

The Empress was speaking the truth. The Eldest Princess’s earlier words were merely self-deprecating as a mother!

Though she spoke that way, her face showed a hint of pride. No one knows a daughter better than her mother; the Empress fully understood her daughter’s character.

"What’s wrong with using a whip? With a fiercer nature, she won’t have to fear being bullied by her marital family. Moreover, what status does our Ying hold? Why compare her to those aristocratic girls? Are they of higher status than Ying?"

The Empress said this with a haughty look, being the Mother of the Country, and her granddaughter being a Standard Second Rank Commandery Princess with estates, was indeed a person of noble standing.

Once Dundun becomes Crown Prince, there will be no need to worry about Ying’s marriage.

"If you want to arrange a marriage for Ying, just wait a few more days. Those people will surely be eager to curry favor, why the rush?"

The Empress rose and sat in front of the dressing mirror, looking at the thin and pale woman in the bronze mirror. Raising her hand to touch the no longer smooth skin, she lamented about growing old.

Suddenly, she noticed a few silver strands mixed in her hair, which added much to her heavy heart.

Wait a few more days? The Eldest Princess was puzzled. But she soon lit up with realization, thinking of a possibility.

"Mother, could it be that Father intends to appoint Second Brother as..." The Eldest Princess stopped mid-sentence as walls have ears. The palace was full of eyes and mouths, so it’s better to be cautious.

No matter how happy she felt, the Eldest Princess dared not to be too arrogant.

The Empress subtly nodded, seeing her daughter’s ecstatic expression, and couldn’t help but be elated.

The Eldest Princess walked to the dressing table, picked up a rosewood comb, and tidied her mother’s hair.

"Are you sure? How did Father come to a decision so quickly, and..."

The Eldest Princess was a bit puzzled, as she had always thought her father favored her elder brother Zhao Xian more.

"Do you not know your father by now?" The Empress glanced around, making sure the palace maids and eunuchs were outside, then spoke assuredly.

"Without sufficient benefits, do you think he would relent so easily?"

The Empress let out a cold laugh, fully understanding the character and temperament of her husband of decades.

"What? Then, Mother, you..." The Eldest Princess asked in surprise, unable to understand what kind of benefits her mother offered her father.

"These matters are not for you to know yet. After dealing with the Crown Prince matter, I’ll discuss it with you."

Mentioning this, the Empress felt a profound sense of loss, uncertain whether her decision was right or wrong.

But remembering her status as the Empress, and her legitimate sons, if the position of Crown Prince fell to those other women, she and Dundun would become a laughingstock?

For this, she could not afford to regret. It was either success, or, as they say, martyred. Which Emperor didn’t ascend the throne by stepping over countless bones?

It’s either you die, or I perish.

Now that Dundun had become the Crown Prince, she could finally breathe a little easier. Although, in the not-too-distant future, when the new Emperor assumes the throne, the Capital will inevitably experience a storm of blood and tears.

But with Dundun as the Crown Prince, doesn’t he have more opportunities than those other Princes?

Gu Chengyu was suddenly called by Qian Yi to see Zhang Hai, feeling a bit odd. He had just taken back his duties, so Zhang Hai wouldn’t likely assign him another task so soon, would he?

Could it be that there were mistakes in the previously compiled Chapters? That can’t be it!

Gu Chengyu racked his brain but never imagined being summoned was related to today’s court session.

"Qian, do you know why Mr. Zhang is looking for me?" Gu Chengyu walked slowly at the front, with Qian a few steps behind.

"Oh, this matter I cannot say for now; it must be Mr. Zhang who tells you himself. Rest assured, it should be a good thing."

Qian Yi chuckled, knowing that although the court session was over, it wouldn’t be long before the news spread.

But as a mere Secondary Seventh Rank official, it was better not to stand out prematurely.

Moreover, he had only heard snippets from Mr. Zhang and didn’t know the full details, so it was inappropriate to say more.

Gu Chengyu was a bit puzzled, a happy event? He shook his head, somewhat bewildered.

Quickening his pace, Gu Chengyu walked briskly towards Zhang Hai’s room.

"You’re here!" Zhang Hai looked up at Gu Chengyu and gestured for him to sit.

"Greetings, Sir!"

After saluting, Gu Chengyu sat down unceremoniously.

"You probably don’t know that during the morning court, the Emperor expressed his intention to establish a Crown Prince. Once the Astronomical Bureau selects an auspicious day, the enfeoffment ceremony will be held. The Emperor has already assigned the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the ceremony, and our Hanlin Academy must draft the Holy Edict for the Emperor!"

Zhang Hai frowned as he looked at the piles of books on the table, feeling quite a headache.

Gu Chengyu was greatly astonished; the Emperor was establishing a Crown Prince? So the happy event Qian Yi referred to was this, indeed a joyous occasion for the court and the people.

"Which Prince does the Emperor intend to appoint as Crown Prince?" Recently, there were indeed rumors about the Emperor appointing a Crown Prince, but Gu Chengyu did not expect it to be so soon.

"Precisely the Second Prince!" Zhang Hai smiled as he glanced at Gu Chengyu.