Chapter 19: Intrigue

Chapter 19: Intrigue

"It's said that Prince Jingbei, Yi Yang, has a fierce gaze and brutal nature, fond of violence. Father Emperor has always favored your sister; I never expected..." Yuan Yixue's face showed a hint of regret, but her eyes gleamed with schadenfreude.

Second Prince Yuan Zhen added, "I've heard that Prince Jingbei keeps many ferocious beasts in his estate. He's extremely cruel. Anyone who disobeys him is thrown into the beast park for amusement as they're mauled. When Father Emperor sent an imperial envoy last time, he returned with tales of being so frightened that he wet himself. It seems it was a deliberate humiliation, and when Father found out, he dismissed the eunuch."

Empress Luo reclined on a couch with her eyes closed, massaging her temples with a frown. She didn't appear at ease.

Seeing this, Yuan Yixue couldn't help but feel sympathy. She leaned in and said, "Mother, we finally got rid of that troublemaker. Without Yi Yang's support, the Crown Prince is weakened, which benefits us. Why do you still look so troubled?"

Empress Lifting her gaze to see both her children, one handsome and refined, the other delicate and lovely, both concerned for her, she decided it was time they learned more. She whispered, "How could you know? By marrying Yi Yang off to Prince Jingbei, the Emperor was issuing a warning to me."

Yuan Yixue's eyes widened. "What?"

As an imperial prince, Yuan Zhen had access to more information and quickly pieced together the puzzle. "A few days ago, the Imperial City Military Department searched Princess Yi Yang's residence while hunting a fugitive. They were reprimanded and a captain was removed from his post... Could it have been Mother's doing? Was there something dangerous hidden in the princess's residence?" Treason or witchcraft—such incidents were plentiful in previous reigns. But now, with Princess Yi Yang married away and the Military Department severely punished, it seemed Empress Luo's plan had failed.

Empress Luo gave Yuan Zhen a glance, pleased by his astuteness. "Yes, I'd planned this for years, aiming for a fatal blow. Yet she managed to escape... Unfortunately, the princess's residence kept its secrets well. We don't know where the leak occurred." She vaguely knew that the useless servant woman had taken her own life. It was unclear if she had been discovered and forced to take poison or if she had confessed.

Yuan Yixue was still confused. "Father's decree couldn't have been spontaneous... People say the court wouldn't have issued the order if Prince Jingbei refused. Clearly, Father had been planning this for a long time. How does it involve Mother?"

Empress Luo showed a slight hint of fatigue. "The Jingbei King is a threat to the state, and the court has been preparing for this for years. He is a skilled warrior, so rashly stripping him of his fief would surely lead to war, causing chaos across the land. It's better to marry a legitimate princess to him, bearing an heir with royal bloodline. After three generations, we can gradually bring him back under control. This is the best strategy for the state."

Yuan Yixue replied, "Indeed, Father's wisdom is unparalleled. He thinks long-term. However, my elder sister has always been strong-willed, while the Jingbei King is notoriously brutal. She will likely suffer, but for the greater good of the nation, she must endure the humiliation. Mother, as the empress, should summon her to the palace to teach her about endurance and prioritizing the national interest." Despite her words of patriotism, her face couldn't hide her smugness.

Yuan Zhen glanced at Yuan Yixue with concern and whispered, "But if Elder Sister goes, she might not necessarily work to gain the Jingbei King's support for us."

Yuan Yixue was startled, realizing her own shortsightedness. Empress Luo nodded. "You're right, Yuan Zhen. Because the crown prince is Yuan Jun, Yi Yang didn't hesitate to accept the imperial edict. She's intelligent and understands that this benefits Yuan Jun. As the Jingbei King's wife, she could persuade him to support the crown prince, making it less likely for the emperor to change his mind about the succession."

Yuan Yixue blushed in embarrassment. Both her mother and brother saw the gravity of the situation, while she was only focused on personal revenge. Her eyes clouded with worry. "So, is Father still protecting them?"

Empress Luo sighed deeply. "Marrying a legitimate princess to the Jingbei King was planned by our late emperor. But he had no daughters. Not long after our current emperor ascended the throne and Yi Yang was born, His Majesty raised her with great care, as if she were a prince. However, Empress Shen couldn't bear it. When Yi Yang was young and Empress Shen was gravely ill, she personally chose the Duke Ding's heir as the prince's husband-to-be, waiting for the princess to come of age. Our emperor and Empress Shen were young sweethearts, deeply in love, and it was her dying wish, so he agreed."

Yuan Yixue's expression turned disdainful. "Empress Shen...she was too oblivious to the bigger picture. In the end, after all the careful selection, she chose someone who died young. Now, she still has to marry the Jingbei King. I wonder how he'll perceive her second marriage, perhaps feeling slighted by the court."

Empress Luo's face remained cold. "Indeed, the Jingbei King is no ordinary man. Yi Yang is strong-willed, and she has already been married before. Bestowing marriage upon her might be seen as an insult. Originally, you were meant to be the one chosen for this marriage. Your father sought my opinion, and I agreed."

Yuan Yixue was taken aback, looking up. Empress Luo gazed at her. "For years, your father and I indulged you, even selecting a prosperous territory for your dowry because we felt sorry about your distant marriage. But now, at the last moment, your father changed his mind. He must be angry at me for involving Yi Yang, sending a warning."

Exhaustion was etched on her face. Yuan Yixue's heart was churning. The sudden revelation left her with mixed emotions, unsure whether to be relieved or upset. Being young, her facial expression betrayed her thoughts. Empress Luo, however, said coldly, "Regardless, I won't give in easily."

Yuan Zhen said, "The Emperor is already in this state. Mother Empress, it would be best not to provoke him further..."

Empress Luo sneered. "He's confined the Crown Prince and sealed off all news to prevent him from causing trouble when he finds out Yi Yang is marrying Jingbei King, right? I know his plan. Once Yi Yang is married and the deed is done, he'll release the Crown Prince. With the Crown Prince's temperament, how can he just accept it quietly when he learns of Yi Yang's sacrifice? He will surely make a scene."

Yuan Zhen's eyes flickered slightly. "Mother Empress wishes to send a message to the Crown Prince? But if Father has made up his mind, even if the Crown Prince protests, he might not change his decision easily, right?"

Empress Luo replied, "I only need an excuse. Once the Crown Prince makes a fuss, the Emperor's face will undoubtedly be tarnished. Then, Ah Xue will volunteer to marry Jingbei King. I'll fan the flames in court, and there will naturally be room for negotiation in this matter."

Yuan Yixue's face turned ashen. "Mother Empress wants me to volunteer for this?"

Empress Luo's cold gaze swept over her face, but her voice softened. "This is the duty of an imperial princess. You should take pride in it. You're beautiful, gentle, and intelligent. If you serve Jingbei King well, you'll become a queen with power under one person and above thousands. I've already chosen the finest dowry, fief, and servants for you. Don't worry. When you give birth to the crown prince, I'll find a way to bring you back. Don't worry, your brother and I will be here. You've always been obedient, and I know you won't refuse. This is too important for your brother. In the future, when he appoints you as the Senior Princess, you can enjoy wealth and honor."

Yuan Yixue's thin lips quivered, opening and closing without words. How could she be brought back? Would they expect her to kill Jingbei King? If Jingbei King found out about her plan, would he let her live to give birth? The talk of national duty that had sounded grandiose moments ago now felt bitterly ironic coming from her own mother.

Yuan Zhen vowed, "With such a great sacrifice, I promise to grant you the title of Senior Princess and a fief in the future, Sister."

Looking at her brother's suddenly unfamiliar eyes filled with eagerness for power, Yuan Yixue's heart turned cold. Her chest rose and fell as she trembled inwardly. Who would restore my life when you hold the world in your hands?

Empress Luo, however, instructed Yuan Zhen, "You must distance yourself from this. Tomorrow, use the excuse of seeking literary advice from your uncle to leave the palace. Don't stay here."

"Even if the Emperor knows it was me, without any leverage, there's nothing he can do."