Chapter 267: Becoming the Emperor’s Concubine

Chapter 267 A Concubine for the Emperor

Lu Minghui studied Marquise of Yongning’s expression, her mind swirling with doubt and unease.

Had she lost her mind in anger?

Since hypocritical repentance was useless, the only option left was to stand together against their foes.

"Mother, Lu Mingchao is truly detestable!"

"County Princess Lerong is outrageously overbearing and insolent!"

Marquise of Yongning relaxed her clenched hands a fraction. "And what else?"

"Father... Father seems to treat Mother somewhat..." Lu Minghui dared not voice it aloud.

Marquise of Yongning finished for her, "Heartless?"

"You’re right to feel that way."

"After this incident, you should understand which matters more—power or love."

"You’ve been determined to marry none but Gu Huai, yet he has repeatedly refused."

"Gu Huai’s arrogance isn’t just because he dislikes you—it’s also because Yongning Marquis Manor’s influence cannot compare to Duke Manor’s."

"That’s why Gu Huai has the audacity to behave so shamelessly."

"But with an imperial edict, Gu Huai would have no choice but to marry you."

"Similarly, Lu Mingchao made such a show of returning openly because Second Miss Ming secured County Princess Lerong as her backer."

"County Princess Lerong dared to speak so disrespectfully and resort to violence in front of your father, not because she herself is exceptionally talented, but because she has Yongming Grand Princess behind her."

"Yongming Grand Princess has lived through four reigns, imbued with the essence of imperial authority."

"Imperial authority is the supreme power in all the land."

"All under heaven is the emperor's domain; all within the borders are his subjects."

"Even the lofty Gu Huai is insignificant before imperial authority."

Lu Minghui listened, bewildered.

Imperial authority?

What did that have to do with her?

In her opinion, her mother had truly been unhinged by fury.

Marquise of Yongning saw the ignorance and stupidity in Lu Minghui’s eyes and felt her chest tighten with fury.

She had delivered such a stirring speech, yet Lu Minghui remained utterly unmoved.

"Minghui, do you want the power to crush Lu Mingchao and Gu Huai beneath your heel, or do you want to debase yourself and suffer constant scorn just to marry Gu Huai?"

"After marriage, you’d have neither your husband’s affection nor the respect of the servants."

Lu Minghui stammered a reminder, protesting weakly, "Mother, reaching for Gu Huai’s hand is already so difficult a prospect..."

"In other words, mother, snap out of it."

If she can't even land Gu Huai, how could she dare dream of crushing both Gu Huai and Lu Mingchao?

If she had such capability, she wouldn’t be stuck taking her anger out on maids.

"Minghui."

Yongning Marquis Madam reached out to tuck Lu Minghui’s stray hair behind her ear, pressing her fingertips against the girl’s swollen cheek. "Let me level with you—chances are nine out of ten you won’t be marrying Gu Huai as his wife."

"If you truly can’t let go of him, I’ll humble myself to maybe secure you the status of a noble concubine."

"No bridal red, just a plain sedan, sneaking you into the Duke’s residence."

Lu Minghui blurted out, "Mother, I won’t be a concubine."

She refused to be a concubine!

In her past life, Lu Mingchao had Gu Huai all to herself.

Why was it that when it came to her, she couldn’t even hold onto the position of a lawful wife?

Did heaven spare her, only for her to be reborn just to become someone’s concubine?

Yongning Marquis Madam said more gently. "I don’t wish for you to be a concubine either."

"But your father is wavering in his support. Meanwhile, Gu Huai treats you coldly and will surely twist the knife."

"In court, Censor Ming won't bend—he’ll undoubtedly use this incident to impeach your father for lax household discipline and poor upbringing of his daughter."

"If this reaches His Majesty, the imperial decree might very well be altered."

"Minghui, you must think carefully. Are you fixated on marrying Gu Huai because of the man himself, or the riches and rank he can bring you?"

"What... what’s the difference?" Lu Minghui whispered.

Yongning Marquis Madam said flatly, "There is."

"Gu Huai isn’t the only one who can bring you riches and rank."

Lu Minghui was stunned.

Suddenly, it was like lightning had struck, burning away the fog that had clouded her vision and illuminating everything with clarity.

Her obsession with Gu Huai stemmed mostly from the fact that, in her past life, he had been the most exalted figure she’d ever encountered—and partly from her envy of Lu Mingchao stealing what she saw as her rightful place.

"Mother... is there someone who can offer me even greater riches and rank?"

Lu Minghui’s voice trembled with barely contained hunger.

Yongning Marquis Madam nodded, rising to stand beneath the eaves. After scanning her surroundings and making sure everything was sealed tight, she lowered her voice. "Minghui, rather than groveling to become Gu Huai’s concubine, why not become the concubine of the highest man in the land?"

Lu Minghui's eyes went wide, thrill turned to terror.

The highest man in the land—that's the Emperor, isn't it? she thought.

But he's ancient!

She refused to marry a dried-up old man.

The Marquise of Yongning said solemnly, "His Majesty is in the prime of his life, dignified and majestic, ruling over all his subjects."

"Minghui, His Majesty has few heirs—this is your opportunity."

"If you can bear a prince for His Majesty, with your status as a marquis's daughter, you will surely secure a place in the imperial harem, at least as one of the Four High Consorts, with a position so firm that none can shake it."

"Those past slanders and smears, or the idle gossip of others, will turn to dust on the day you receive His Majesty's favor, and no one will dare mention them again."

"By then, whether it's Gu Huai, Lu Mingchao, or even your father, they will all have to kowtow to you in respect."

"Consort Chu, who is currently the most favored in the palace, is just sixteen years old. Because of her favor, the once-humble Chu family of Ningcheng has gained influence."

"Minghui, think carefully—does what I say make sense?"

Lu Minghui’s heart raced.

She was naive—how could she resist the tempting promise the marquise painted for her?

"Mother, won’t His Majesty mind my reputation?"

The Marquise of Yongning curled her lips into a profound, inscrutable smile.

"His Majesty is preoccupied with state affairs—great minds overlook small matters."

"Besides, reputation is only temporary."

"As the saying goes, the pitiable often have their detestable sides, and likewise, the detestable may still have pitiable aspects."

"You only need to handle it just right—tonight’s disaster could be turned into opportunity."

Lu Minghui’s face scrunched up in confusion.

She heard the words, but she didn’t understand them.

"Can you explain it more plainly, Mother?"

The Marquise of Yongning’s breath hitched.

No stunning beauty to rival peach blossoms, yet blessed with a mind lost in foolishness.

Ah well—what if the shrewd Emperor had a soft spot for fools?

"No excuses, no evasions."

"Confess that, having grown up in the countryside and only recently returned to the marquis’s household, you were timid, insecure, and ignorant, manipulated by wicked servants into committing a grave mistake."

"From now on, atone for everything in your power."

"Beyond compensating with silver and supporting their elders, voluntarily break off your engagement with Gu Huai and enter Chengchan Temple to live as a lay nun."

"Chanting sutras day and night by the dim light of ancient Buddha lamps, repenting and atoning for your sins."

"Only leave the temple when the grieving families forgive you."

"Who hasn’t made mistakes in the folly of youth? To recognize and correct one’s errors is the noblest path."

"People pity the weak and love even more to preach redemption to the wicked."

Lu Minghui instinctively protested, "Mother, what if those people’s elders don’t forgive me for ten or eight years? Would I really have to stay in Chengchan Temple that long?"

"By then I'll be a hopeless old maid."

Hmm, His Majesty might've kicked the bucket by then.

"Minghui, the imperial selection will be held on the eleventh of August this year."

"All unwed girls thirteen and older must participate in the selection."

"What chance do commoners' wishes stand against His Majesty's decree?"

"What you must do is make everyone believe you've truly reformed within these hundred days."

"A daughter is heaven's favorite."