good season

Chapter 146 I Will Not Agree (Two Chapters Combined)

Suddenly, Zhu Yu reached out his hand to her: "Grandmother, save me! I don't want to die. I still want to be filial to you. Grandmother, you love me the most, don't you?"

Zhu Yu's lips were still stained with Ma's blood, but his voice was as gentle as a woman's, even with a touch of coquettishness, like a cute little granddaughter being affectionate with her grandmother.

Madam Wei's confused mind suddenly cleared up. Yes, this was her Yu'er. Although he had no offspring, he was still her grandson, her grandson who was connected to her by blood!

She walked up to Zhu Yu without thinking and took his outstretched hand.

Zhu Yu suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Grandmother, go and beg Consort Li to help me marry Zhao Yunnuan, the eldest princess of the Liang Prince's Mansion. As long as she marries into the family, I will be saved, hehehe."

Zhu Yu's laughter was shrill, like a sharp blade piercing Madam Wei's eardrums. She was startled and took a step back: "You want to marry her? Prince Liang will not agree."

If it were a month ago, if Zhu Yu wanted to marry anyone, even a princess, Old Madam Wei would have gone to great lengths to help him.

Moreover, Zhao Yunnuan comes from a noble family, and apart from being a little older, she is barely a good match for her Yu'er.

But now that Yu'er has lost her fertility, even if Consort Li agrees to the marriage, the Liang Prince's Mansion will not agree.

“Good child, let’s find someone else. Zhao Yunnuan is an old maid and is still in mourning. Besides, I’ve heard that she’s rude and stupid. She’s not good enough for you. If you like a girl from the imperial clan, I’ll pick one for you from the imperial clan camp. I guarantee she’ll be younger, prettier, and more obedient than Zhao Yunnuan. How about that?”

Zhu Yu squinted, and the dream came to mind again. No, it wasn't a dream; it was something that had actually happened.

In his past life, he must have been killed by Yan Xia. The reason Yan Xia killed him was because of Zhao Yun Nuan.

Why is it that he lost his reproductive ability so early in this life, while Zhao Yunnuan is still a pure and innocent virgin? Why?
His marriage to Zhao Yunnuan was bestowed by the emperor, and they had already gone through the wedding ceremony. Even in this life, Zhao Yunnuan should still be a member of the Zhu family. She was born a member of the Zhu family and will die a member of the Zhu family. She would rather die in the Zhu family than be in the Zhu family. Even if he were to fall into an abyss the next moment, he would pull Zhao Yunnuan down with him!

This is Zhao Yunnuan's destiny. In her previous life, she couldn't escape from the Baoqing Marquis's mansion. In this life, she will come back in and die here.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yu was overjoyed. Suddenly, Yan Xia's voice came from beside her: "Have you said enough? Let's go!"

The sound was like a thunderclap, causing Zhu Yu's body to tremble violently.

Yan Xia, that damned Yan Xia!

In her past life, if it weren't for Yan Xia, Zhao Yunnuan would have simply died. Everyone in the Liang Prince's mansion would have perished, and who would have sought justice for her?
However, Yan Xia was willing to become an enemy of the Marquis of Baoqing's mansion for her sake. When he had nowhere to turn for help, he even killed someone with his own hands.

It's a pity I didn't get to see Yan Xia's fate. The emperor will punish him, and my grandmother won't let him off the hook either. Yan Xia will pay with his life. Haha, in his past life, Yan Xia must have been executed by slow slicing. Yes, slow slicing!

Zhu Yu became happier and happier as he thought about it. He turned around and looked at Yan Xia. The weather was hot, and Yan Xia was covered in sweat. His bronze skin was shiny, and every pore was full of vitality. Even the bloodstains on his face that had not yet healed exuded masculinity.

Zhu Yu had known Yan Xia since childhood, but he had never been so close to him or looked at him so closely before.

Without fine clothes and the status of the heir of the Duke of Wei, this Yan Xia would be nothing more than a rough man, no different from those country bumpkins.

Thinking this way, Zhu Yu became happy again. In terms of background and appearance, he was no worse than Yan Xia, at least in his previous life.

And in this life.
It's just a matter of lacking a fertilized organ!

Zhu Yu's face showed alternating expressions of joy and gritted teeth. Yan Xia's brows furrowed into a deep frown. His father had been right; the eunuchs were indeed completely baffled.

"Stop dawdling! Let's go!"

With a loud shout, Yan Xia flicked the iron chain in his hand and accurately looped it around Zhu Yu's neck.

Madam Wei exclaimed in surprise, and Zhu Yu was dragged outside by Yan Xia against her will.

Zhu Yu was once again arrested by Yan Xia and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. The news shocked the entire capital city the next morning.

"So becoming a eunuch also means going to jail."

"I wonder if Prince Zhu is locked up in the men's or women's prison."

"Master Yan is in a difficult position. After capturing the person, you still have to worry about where to lock him up."

The people were talking about it, all wondering where Zhu Shizi was being held.

Unlike last time, this time, the censors all pretended not to know anything about it.

It's clear that Yan Xia trespassed into the Baoqing Marquis's residence without permission and offended a group of women. Normally, this would have been enough for ten censors to berate him for an hour. But today, the censors still spoke eloquently, yet not a single word was mentioned about Yan Xia or Zhu Yu.

Not only the censors, but even those old fogies in the court who liked to meddle, didn't say a word about what happened last night.

Just kidding, didn't you see Wei Guogong watching you like a hawk? Anyone who dares to say Yan Xia is wrong, the whole Yan family will be at your house this afternoon and tear it down.

Emperor Yongjia knew in his heart that the winds had shifted and the fate of the Marquis of Baoqing's mansion was nearing its end.

After the court session, Emperor Yongjia wanted to visit the Empress. After the flower viewing party, the Empress had proposed several candidates for imperial consorts, which he had already reviewed, so he wanted to discuss it with her today.

But they were stopped halfway there. The Dowager Consort Li invited them to come.

Emperor Yongjia had no choice but to change his route and go see Consort Li instead.

Zhang Gonggong, who was standing nearby, gave a wink, and the young eunuch went to inquire about the news. Soon, he found out the information.

Madam Wei went to see Consort Li!
Emperor Yongjia snorted coldly. It's always the same. Whenever something happens at the Marquis of Baoqing's residence, Old Madam Wei goes to the palace to see Consort Li, and then Consort Li throws the problem at me.

Emperor Yongjia even suspected that Madam Wei might have saved Consort Li's life, otherwise why would Consort Li have helped Madam Wei unconditionally?

However, even if there really was a life-saving grace, it had long been repaid. Consort Li was not an honest and weak person. If it were someone else who was so greedy, she would have been annoyed long ago. But with Old Madam Wei, she seemed to have no temper at all, letting Old Madam Wei take whatever she wanted.

While he was pondering, the carriage stopped. Emperor Yongjia pulled himself out of his thoughts. Although he didn't want to, he still had to face Consort Li.

As expected, as always, the mother and son exchanged a few pleasantries before Consort Li got down to business.

This time, however, the words spoken by Consort Li startled Emperor Yongjia.

Did I hear that right? The Empress Dowager Li actually asked me to arrange a marriage between Zhu Yu and Zhao Yunnuan?
I did have this thought, but back then Zhu Yu was still whole. Now Zhu Yu is no different from a eunuch. Even I dare not think about it, but Consort Li, no, Old Madam Wei, dares to!
Who gave her the courage to believe that I would agree to marry Princess Liang to a eunuch?
If I were to actually do that, I would become a foolish ruler in the annals of history!
Even if I send Zhao Yunnuan to marry a foreign ruler, it would be better than marrying her off to a eunuch!
Even without later historical records, the entire court of officials alone could keep me from having peace.

Not only Zhao Yunnuan, but no other woman from the imperial clan could do it.

This is the bottom line for the royal family!
Emperor Yongjia was usually unsmiling, but Consort Li still saw a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes. The emperor was angry.

Consort Li felt a little guilty. She wasn't really stupid; did she not know that this was a controversial matter?
Of course she knew, but Old Madam Wei's seemingly gentle but actually threatening tone forced her to take the blame.

“Yu’er’s health is not seriously affected. At most, she will not be able to have children. However, there are other male members in the Baoqing Marquis’s mansion. If we adopt a child from his cousin and raise him under his care, he will be no different from his own child. They are all of the Zhu family’s bloodline.”

If Zhao Yunnuan were virtuous, she certainly wouldn't object. She wouldn't have to endure ten months of pregnancy or the pain of childbirth, and would gain a son for free—such a good thing is hard to find even with a lantern.

Emperor Yongjia's lips twitched. How shameless must one be to have such delusional fantasies?

"Mother, do you know Zhao Yunnuan's identity?"

Consort Li knew this all too well. She forced a stiff smile and said, "No matter how high her status is, it can't be higher than the Emperor's. The Emperor has issued an edict to arrange the marriage, and the Liang Prince's Mansion dares not disobey."

Emperor Yongjia sneered: "If I don't want to issue an imperial decree to arrange a marriage, would Marquis Baoqing dare to disobey?"

Consort Li was taken aback, not expecting the emperor to refuse so decisively.

A surge of irritation welled up within her, and she said, "That Yu'er is also deeply in love with Zhao Yunnuan. If Zhao Yunnuan knew that someone had long admired her, she might be moved. If the emperor were to grant them marriage, the lovers would finally be united, which would be a beautiful thing. Besides, Zhao Yunnuan is already twenty, isn't she? After the mourning period, she'll be twenty-two. A twenty-two-year-old spinster, where would she find a husband? She has no good match. It's only because Yu'er doesn't mind her age that she's married into the family as the heir apparent. Isn't she satisfied?"

"Hehe," Emperor Yongjia laughed, "I only learned today that there are daughters of the Zhao family who can't get married?"

Consort Li was taken aback; she knew all too well what the Emperor's cold laugh meant.

Her son was never a good person.

Consort Li suddenly felt a little scared. After all, she wasn't her own flesh and blood, so it always felt like there was a layer between them.

She regretted it a little; she shouldn't have gotten herself into trouble over this.

"Forget it, if the Emperor doesn't think this marriage is good, then forget it. I'll choose from among the imperial clan."

As soon as he finished speaking, a ferocious look flashed across Emperor Yongjia's face: "Mother, do you want to use this marriage to bring shame to the Zhao royal family?"

Consort Li was startled: "It would not bring shame to the royal family if we just randomly picked someone from the royal family camp."

"That won't do!" Emperor Yongjia exclaimed sternly, slamming his fist on the table. "I hereby issue an edict stripping Zhu Yu of his title as heir apparent and ordering the Ministry of Justice to handle the case impartially. Princes and commoners are subject to the same punishment, let alone the lowly Zhu Yu!"

Emperor Yongjia did not give Consort Li a chance to speak, and left in a huff, leaving Consort Li standing there in a daze. After a long while, she suddenly realized that this was not right. If she were to take away Zhu Yu's position as heir apparent, would Old Madam Wei be willing to let it go?
No, if the Ministry of Justice truly handled the case impartially, Zhu Yu would only face death.

Zhu Yu is Madam Wei's only grandson. What would Madam Wei do if something happened to him?
After thinking for a moment, Consort Li sent her trusted confidante out of the palace to tell Old Madam Wei that the Emperor did not agree to the marriage and hinted that Zhu Yu's case might be very troublesome.

An hour later, the trusted aide returned, bringing back a brocade box.

"Madam Wei asked me to bring this back for your perusal."

Consort Li frowned slightly and said to her confidante, "Open it."

The trusted aide carefully opened the box, and was stunned by what he saw inside.

It was a tattered fishing net.

The fish is dead and the net is broken!

A chill ran up from the soles of her feet and spread throughout her body in an instant. Despite it being the sweltering summer day, Consort Li felt icy cold all over, as if she were in the dead of winter.

She knew this cousin too well; she was a woman of her word, and apart from her own son and grandson, she was cold and ruthless to everyone else.

Consort Li didn't need to think too much to guess what Old Madam Wei meant by "fight to the death."

No, that matter cannot be mentioned, it must never be mentioned. Neither Madam Wei nor she herself should take this secret to their graves!

Since that's the case, let Old Madam Wei bury this secret along with her.

A murderous glint flashed in Consort Li's eyes. She said to her confidante, "All the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in bloom, aren't they? Come with me to take a look."

Emperor Yongjia was in a bad mood, but he still went to the Empress's palace. He still had that calm and composed expression, showing no sign of his recent fury.

The Empress presented the list of candidates for the position of Imperial Son-in-Law. Emperor Yongjia also had a copy of the same list, but the Empress had a backup copy.

In fact, Emperor Yongjia was quite satisfied with this list. The Empress was not only understanding but also considerate of the overall situation. Strictly speaking, all the people on this list were suitable.

They were either sons of noble families who had nothing but a title, or newly appointed scholars from humble backgrounds.

Moreover, none of these newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were among the top twenty, nor were any of them promoted to Shujishi (probationary officials). Their future was predictable. In the capital, a city teeming with talented individuals, they could only be considered mediocre. They would likely remain at the fifth rank for the rest of their lives.

Emperor Yongjia knew about what happened at the flower viewing party that day long ago.

Yang Shengqiu was exceptionally talented, attracting the attention of many noble ladies who secretly admired him. Emperor Yongjia was initially worried that the Empress would include him on the shortlist, but to his surprise, the Empress did not include him at all.

I intend to use Yang Shengqiu.

Emperor Yongjia used his vermilion brush to draw a line on the name Dai Fan and said to the Empress, "This Dai Fan has no father or mother and grew up in a charity hall. He is suitable for Jiale."

Princess Jiale is timid and weak, and the royal family can only give her so much, just enough to support a consort. If the consort's relatives are included, they might not be able to support them. Dai Fan is only one person, which is just right.

Emperor Yongjia then added a note to the name Gao Lande: "Although this person only ranked fifty-eighth in the imperial examination and comes from a minor aristocratic family, he is from a scholarly family with a great Confucian scholar in his ancestor. He is good enough to be Huixin's husband."

At this point, Emperor Yongjia recalled another scholarly family, the Nie family, the maternal family of the late Princess Nie of Liang. The man who was stabbed to death by Zhu Yu in the brothel was the second master of the Nie family.

They were from a scholarly family, what a joke.

However, Emperor Yongjia quickly thought of Zhao Yunnuan. He put down his vermilion brush and said to the Empress, "Zitong, among the sons of noble families in the capital, are there any who are the same age as Zhao Yunnuan and are not married?"

Sons of noble families usually marry young. Even if they don't marry a principal wife, they will have concubines, and they may even have several illegitimate sons and daughters.

After a moment's thought, the Empress thought of someone: "The heir of the Duke of Wei is not married."

She vividly remembered that when Yanxia was injured a while ago, the Duchess of the State came to the palace, her words filled with blood and tears, saying that her son was pitiful, over twenty years old and still unmarried, without even a concubine. She said that if Old Madam Wei beat him to death, he would not be able to be buried in the ancestral grave.