vrcanaries Chapter 287: They're even now
Chapter 287: They're even now
Everyone fell silent for a moment, then looked at Princess Qiaochu and Ning Wushuang.
Princess Qiaochu's expression darkened slightly.
Ning Wushuang kept her head down, making it impossible to see the cold smile on her lips.
Emperor Zhou Shun nodded slightly: "I had almost forgotten about it if my beloved consort hadn't mentioned it. Wushuang has already come of age and is quite a young lady. She's a fine young lady. Shall we arrange a marriage for her?"
Princess Qiaochu rose and bowed: "Royal brother, Wushuang has encountered such a big incident, I haven't thought about it yet."
Consort Chen glanced at her son, then smiled and poured Emperor Zhou Shun a cup of wine: "The third prince is of age now. He and Wushuang grew up together, and it's time for him to establish a principal wife. Your Majesty, look at them..."
Ning Wushuang couldn't help but look up at Consort Chen. Didn't she take a liking to Gong Xuer before? She even gave Han Lian'er the position of a concubine. What? Now she's taken a liking to her?
Consort Chen smiled at her.
Emperor Zhou Shun did not follow Consort Chen's words, but instead looked at Princess Qiaochu and asked, "Wushuang and the Third Prince, what do you think?"
“Your Majesty, I’m afraid Wushuang is not fit to be the Third Prince’s consort.” Princess Qiaochu sighed. “The royal family will not allow a disfigured prince’s consort to exist.”
Emperor Zhou Shun nodded: "Then we'll discuss it again."
"Your Majesty," Consort Chen said, not wanting to let this opportunity slip by, "If the principal wife is not suitable, then a concubine..."
"Your Highness, Imperial Concubine," Princess Qiaochu suddenly shouted sharply, "be careful what you say."
Consort Chen was taken aback.
"Even if the Third Prince is outstanding, Wushuang is a princess now. Have you ever seen a princess become a prince's concubine?" Princess Qiaochu sneered. "Are you insulting Wushuang, me, or even the Emperor?"
Consort Chen was immediately jolted awake. She had been so focused on betrothing Ning Wushuang that she had forgotten about her status. She was about to say something when Emperor Zhou Shun interrupted her.
"Alright, today is a happy day, let's not talk about these things."
Consort Chen could only take a deep breath and then shut her mouth.
Zhou Jingxuan remained calm throughout, as if what Consort Chen said had little to do with him.
Ning Wushuang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had indeed liked her third cousin before, but after being disfigured, she realized that a person like the Third Prince was destined to be unable to have pure feelings. His feelings were mixed with too many calculations of interests, and she did not want to put herself in the position of being the target of calculations.
Everyone then collectively forgot about the incident, and the palace's singers and dancers took turns performing. Everyone began to toast and drink, and the hall quickly became a joyful place.
"Third Brother," the Fifth Prince leaned slightly towards the Third Prince, lowering his voice a little, "Don't you like Cousin Wushuang quite a bit? Why don't you give it a try?"
The Third Prince looked up at the Fifth Prince: "Would you like to try?"
The Fifth Prince immediately raised his hand to touch his nose and chuckled awkwardly, "How can I compare to my Third Brother? My mother is still under house arrest."
Originally, this year's farewell banquet was supposed to be hosted by his mother, Consort Yan, but because of Du Renyi's affair, his mother was implicated, and he himself was also implicated.
How could Du Renyi's affairs be kept from the Emperor? The Emperor probably already knew about his absurdity, but he was just trying to save face. After all, the prefect was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, and the Emperor had to approve his appointment and dismissal.
If the truth were to leak out, Emperor Zhou Shundi would be contradicting himself.
So, outwardly it's an acute illness, but privately, the punishment still needs to be imposed.
The Third Prince smiled and said, "It's only temporary."
"No matter what, Father doesn't like me much these days." The Fifth Prince sighed. "I have no desire to compete for anything. As for the marriage, whatever Father says goes."
The Third Prince raised an eyebrow slightly, then smiled: "Alright, whatever makes you happy."
At this point, after the singers and dancers had left, noble ladies and gentlemen began to perform on stage.
These performances were all pre-registered upon entering the palace. After the eunuchs had prepared everything, the order of performances was determined by drawing lots unless a noble person specifically requested it.
The person who drew the lots was naturally the emperor.
"Let me see who will be the first to go up." Emperor Zhou Shun seemed to be in high spirits and reached out to draw a slip of paper from the tray held by the eunuch.
I didn't expect to draw Han Lian'er on the first draw.
But no one went on stage.
"What's going on?" Emperor Zhou Shun frowned.
"Your Majesty, please do justice for Lian'er!" At this moment, a woman ran to the center of the field, knelt down on the ground crying. This woman was none other than Han Lian'er's mother, Chen Xueyan.
She was also Consort Chen's half-sister.
"What's going on?" Emperor Zhou Shun frowned.
“It was Princess Wushuang. She was just outside and injured Lian’er for no reason.” Although Chen Xueyan was crying very hard, she spoke very clearly. “Lian’er is still in the Imperial Hospital. The imperial physician examined her and said… said that she is completely disfigured. Waaah, Your Majesty, please do justice for Lian’er.”
"Peerless?" Emperor Zhou Shun pinched the bridge of his nose.
Consort Chen immediately raised her hand and gently massaged his temples.
Emperor Zhou Shun pulled his hand down and said, "I'm fine."
Consort Chen didn't say anything more.
"Uncle Emperor," Ning Wushuang cried as she rose and knelt on the ground. "Wushuang's face was injured by Han Lian'er, but Wushuang never thought of revenge. Wushuang even thought of becoming a Buddhist nun. But today, Wushuang mustered up the courage to go out because Wushuang missed Uncle Emperor. But Han Lian'er brought several people to humiliate Wushuang, and Wushuang couldn't hold back, so..." She kowtowed to the ground. "Wushuang knows she was wrong. After all, Miss Han is the daughter of the Earl's family and the niece of the Imperial Concubine. Wushuang should have just swallowed her anger as before. Wushuang was wrong. Please, Uncle Emperor, have mercy."
“You’re talking nonsense, it’s obvious…” Chen Xueyan raised her voice.
Ahem. Consort Chen coughed twice.
Chen Xueyan realized she had lost her composure and quickly kowtowed to the ground.
"Does Madam Han mean to say that my daughter is lying?" Princess Qiaochu stood up. "If I wanted to take revenge on you, would I have waited until now?"
Everyone nodded slightly. That made sense. Ning Wushuang had been hiding in her room for two months. If the Princess wanted to deal with a concubine's daughter from a noble family, why would she need to make a scene in the palace?
"Alright." Emperor Zhou Shun waved his hand. "Since they both injured each other, let's call it even."
Although the Han family members were unwilling, they dared not refute it.
That's how the matter was settled.
Soon, after a few rounds of drinks, the formalities lessened, and some young people began to leave the hall to explore the various parts of the Imperial Garden.