Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

187. The Concubines’ Entry into the Palace

Translator: Bryan

“Forget about the people in your palace who are already in your hands. Apart from those who are really loyal to you, there are many other eyes,” Du Chuxuan snorted, taking a cup of water from Yuxing Tianrui. “If I really wait until tomorrow to accept their tea, there’s no telling what the Fang and Zhao Families might do.”

While speaking, he handed the account book to Yuxing Tianrui. “I need you to put on an act with me tomorrow. Let… Zhao Ling’er handle this account book.” Naturally, it was a steward’s duty to keep an account book, but it, to some extent, proved that the Crown Prince and his wife were not really on good terms with each other by doing so.

Yuxing Tianrui frowned and didn’t even take the account book. “What do you want to do?”

“Why did those two women come here? If anybody says that they’re not here for you, it’d be an out-and-out lie. Currently, I’m the biggest obstacle in their way. If I temporarily quit this game, it would be a struggle between the two of them. All I need to do is sit by and watch the fight. Why should I deny myself the fun?”

“It won’t be much trouble. If you want to convince them further, have a big fight with me and then get word out that I’m an unfaithful wife, so you relieve me of my stewardship; if you want a simpler method, you may tell them I’m not feeling well. Either will do the trick.”

Having noticed the seemingly guileless smile, Yuxing Tianrui felt a dull pang of heartache. He took two steps forward and uncharacteristically put his arms around Du Chuxuan. “I promise I’ll give you the title you deserve the day I take the throne.”

Du Chuxuan was momentarily amazed and then the smile on his lips became a mirthless one. He didn’t say anything and just gave Yuxing Tianrui a tight hug in response. He had not been Du Chuxuan since the moment he’d confirmed his love for this man. Even if he had to stay disguised as a woman for the rest of his life, he would resign himself to his fate.

On this day, the capital city was quite tumultulous. Not only was the Crown Prince taking two women as his concubines today, but the third prince was doing the same thing. The plebs were all inquisitively standing on the streets, watching the pomp of the lords.

They had to admit that although the Crown Prince was getting himself two concubines, the trousseaus of the concubines were no less than those of the third prince’s wife. If it weren’t for the fact that the two concubines were lower in social status and were only allowed to parade their trousseaus through half of the streets, their pomp would probably outshadow that of the third prince’s wife.

These princesses basically arrived at the imperial palace in succession, but of all princesses, the third prince’s wife was the only one eligible to enter the palace through the front gate, and all concubines were covertly carried into the palace through a side gate without any celebratory activities.

Zhao Ling’er was very happy throughout the trip. She was sitting in a palanquin the Zhao Family customized for her. There were four people carrying the circular palanquin, and the pomp was moderate. The surrounding gauze lent her a mysterious air of charm, making it difficult for onlookers to see her face and securing her reputation.

As for Fang Rui, she naturally maintained her dignity as a member of a family of scholars. She had been sitting in that square palanquin all along, and nobody knew what the beauty inside looked like.

“Your Highness, I heard that Zhao Ling’er’s palanquin was the same one that the Zhao Family had prepared for Zhao Zheng.” Dongxiang, standing on the side with a tray of snack for Du Chuxuan in his hands, informed the latter of the information he’d collected.

Du Chuxuan chuckled disdainfully and derided Dongxiang as a green and inexperienced youngster. “It’s just a palanquin. What good could it possibly do her? I mean, her big sister went to Turk, didn’t she?”

Dongxiang was a little embarrassed, feeling that his master was so poised. It surprised him that his master, faced with such an intimidating opponent, was not afraid at all. But this struck him as a good thing, because at least it proved that they would be safe staying by the side of their master, and that there was still hope.

When Zhao Ling’er and Fang Rui were brought into the East Palace one after another, everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing. Even when the two reached the main hall, they still hadn’t got a glimpse of Yuxing Tianrui. They only saw Du Chuxuan sitting in the high seat, looking at the two of them with a beam.

“You’re late, sisters,” Du Chuxuan smiled, not even rising to his feet. “What are you standing there for, Dongxiang? Bring the tea.”

Arrogant as Zhao Ling’er was, her status was lower than Zhao Zheng’s, so she didn’t dare put on airs at all. She just had a little bit of smarts. Fang Rui, however, always appeared well-bred and dignified, whatever the circumstances, making it impossible for others to divine what she was thinking.

Zhao Ling’er snorted and turned to glance at Fang Rui. If she were the only concubine, she would have no problem proffering the legal wife a cup of tea, but the fact was that Fang Rui was also present. If she bowed first, she would become a laughing stock.

Fang Rui naturally heard Zhao Ling’er’s snort, but her face remained unchanged. When she saw Dongxiang coming in with the tea, she directly took a cup of tea from Dongxiang’s tray and said, “It’s a great honor to bow before you, Your Highness. Please give me some help when I’m in need.”

“What a double-faced viper.” Zhao Ling’er didn’t want to be the first to bow, but now, after seeing Fang Rui do it, she was still unhappy. However, she had to pay her respects now. After all, she had not been acknowledged as a concubine yet, and neither had she proffered the legal wife tea. They could chuck her out of the East Palace without a letter of annulment from the Crown Prince.

It was after Zhao Ling’er served tea as well that Du Chuxuan took the teacups from their hands in turn. He did deliberately have Fang Rui kneel on the floor for a while longer, but he didn’t do it as a personal favor to Zhao Ling’er. He just felt that Fang Rui, whose face was always inscrutable, could use an extra note of caution.

However, Fang Rui appeared quite meek from start to finish, as if nothing could make her countenance change. Her mien struck people as docile and gracious. Fortunately, everybody present worked for Du Chuxuan and Yuxing Tianrui, and nobody would show her any sympathy, however pitiable she looked.

“Arise,” Du Chuxuan said, putting the teacup onto the table with a moderate sound. “Since you two will be serving His Highness from now on, you must put His Highness first at all times and set an example to the common folk, or I’ll mete out severe punishment to you!”

“I understand.” Nobody knew how willing or reluctant the two of them were when uttering the two words.

“These two bracelets are top-notch in terms of their shape and color. You may each have one. I’m doing this to have you know I’m not a stern woman.” Du Chuxuan was now a master of the carrot and stick approach. He promptly had Dongxian produce the bracelets he’d prepared beforehand.