Chapter 64

Chapter 64

The Princess's unhappiness stemmed from meeting Consort Rou.

Consort Rou had been favored in her youth and was able to bear three sons.

But now, aged and faded, she no longer held favor, living off the fading memories of her past favor from the Emperor.

Yet the Emperor now had eyes only for Consort Chen and her Eighth Prince, and he rarely went to other parts of the palace, leaving Consort Rou with too much free time on her hands.

When Consort Rou had nothing to do, she liked to meddle in the household affairs of her two sons.

Princess Su came from a powerful military family that commanded troops, and her elder sister was Consort De in the palace. Even Prince Su had to appease her, so she naturally wasn't the type to put up with her mother-in-law's mistreatment.

Consort Rou knew to pick on someone weaker, so she liked tormenting Princess Jing.

First, the Princess was a princess from the Xia Dynasty, with her family far off in another country and no backing.

Plus, being sent as a peace bride showed she was not favored at home.

Second, the Princess had been unable to bear children for years.

With those two points, Consort Rou could easily push her around.

It was only thanks to the Princess's wits and Prince Jing's backing that she managed to survive under Consort Rou's thumb for years.

Consort Rou had just started talking to Prince Su and his wife when Princess Su said she wanted to go see her sister.

Consort Rou couldn't get angry; she had to smile and let her go.

After being dissed by Princess Su, she needed to vent.

Right then, Prince Jing and Princess Jing happened to be nearby.

Consort Rou's smile slowly vanished and she asked Princess Jing, “How are the pregnant women in your household?”

Princess Jing replied respectfully, “Everyone's fine. By next year, you'll be able to hold a few grandchildren.”

Consort Rou sneered, “Prince Su's household already has plenty of my grandsons, both born of wives and concubines. I want to hold a legitimate grandson from Prince Jing's household.”

Hearing such blunt talk, Princess Jing could only apologize, “It is my failing.”

“Incompetence is one thing, but being both incompetent and jealous is a serious offense.”

The Princess's face paled. “What do you mean by that, Mother? I may be incompetent, but I would never dare to be a jealous wife.”

“I heard you deliberately taught the eldest son foul language, and he even laid hands on a pregnant concubine?”

Before Princess Jing could speak, Prince Jing frowned and said, “Who put these ideas in your head, Mother?”

Prince Jing's voice was low and authoritative, immediately taking the wind out of Consort Rou's sails.

Seeing her son defend Princess Jing again, Consort Rou grew even more annoyed. “I'm not blind or deaf yet! Are you saying this is a lie?”

“Of course it's a lie!” Prince Jing replied without changing his expression. “Jue'er's birth mother is Lady Ning, and he's been raised by her. If there's any fault, it's mine for leaving my son with a concubine!”

“You…” Consort Rou was speechless, choked with anger.

But Prince Jing wasn't done; he continued, “I heard that a few concubines in Big Brother's household died recently. Mother should concern yourself with Big Brother instead.”

“As for my household, the Princess runs it well, and I'm very pleased.”

Consort Rou clenched her teeth. “Do you have to be against me?”

She wanted to say that if the Princess managed so well, how could two secondary consorts have been poisoned while pregnant?

But Consort Rou knew that once Prince Jing started defending the Princess, he wouldn't hold back.

In the end, she'd be the one humiliated.

Prince Jing's eyes hardened, his phoenix-like eyes showing a threatening glare, his words sharp with hidden barbs.

“Do you have to brand your own son and his princess as unfilial before you're satisfied, Mother?!”

Consort Rou choked, “I…”

Prince Jing sneered, his gaze as sharp as a knife. “Even if Mother favors Big Brother, at least leave your son a way out. If Father hears that his son is unfilial, how could that do you or Big Brother any good?!”

Consort Rou pressed her hand over her chest. “Fine, you've all grown your wings. Now I can't even say a word without being attacked.”

Prince Jing's smile turned colder. “If Mother had asked my elder brother's wife before questioning my princess, I naturally wouldn't have said a word.

“But you pay no attention to my elder brother's household, yet you constantly pick on my princess.

“Do you really dislike the princess, or are you just unhappy with your son?”

Consort Rou was about to cry. “Must you pierce my heart?”

Prince Jing said expressionlessly, “This is your son's fault for bringing up your favorite—my elder brother.”

Consort Rou was left breathless.

Before she could speak, Prince Jing bowed to her. “Since Mother is feeling unwell, I'll take the princess to see the Emperor.”

“The grand rite is about to start. You'd better dry your tears, Mother, or you'll make Father suspect Big Brother.”

Consort Rou: “…”

After Prince Jing and Princess Jing left, Consort Rou pointed at their backs. “Look, this is the fine son I raised?!”

The eunuchs and maids around her all lowered their heads, none daring to speak.

She had already driven away anyone who dared to give honest advice, even her old wet nurse, Nanny Shen.

Now no one in the palace dared to tell Consort Rou to stop meddling in Prince Jing's household.

But no one dared to agree with Consort Rou's complaints against Prince Jing and his princess.

Leaving Zhongcui Palace, Prince Jing and Princess Jing went to the Altar of the Land and Harvests.

Prince Jing's already sour mood grew even worse when he saw the Eighth Prince standing behind the Emperor.

It wasn't just Prince Jing; the other princes and royal sons were equally unhappy.

The officials all had their own schemes.

But the sacrificial rite was about to begin, so no one dared to speak.

The ceremony proceeded according to procedure.

Originally, the ceremonial official was supposed to hand the lit incense to the Emperor, who would then recite the prayer and proceed to offer the blessing wine.

However, when it came time to light the incense and offer prayers, the ceremonial official did not step forward. Instead, the Eighth Prince stepped in to take over this role.

The thirteen-year-old Eighth Prince was going through a growth spurt, tall and thin as a bamboo pole, yet his face was still very youthful.

Standing beside the Emperor, he was quite conspicuous.

He respectfully lit the incense and handed it to the Emperor, and also served as the wine steward when offering the blessing wine.

Not one of the princes standing behind the Emperor had a pleasant expression.

After the sacrificial ceremony ended, the court and the populace were abuzz with discussion.

Everyone said the Emperor intended to appoint the Eighth Prince as Crown Prince, which was why the Eighth Prince was allowed to light the incense and pour the wine during the ceremony.

Since ancient times, any prince who undertook such a transmission role during an imperial sacrifice carried the implication that the Emperor intended to make him the Crown Prince.

The Eighth Prince was the youngest son, with six older brothers still alive, five of whom had already come of age.

Who could accept this?

Even the court officials were dissatisfied.

If you, Your Majesty, intended to appoint the Eighth Prince as Crown Prince, why did you hide it from everyone?

Springing this on everyone so abruptly, stirring up chaos and heated debate both in court and among the populace—was that supposed to look good?

The Emperor mishandled this matter, but Prince Jing, as his son, could not say a word.

All he could do was return to his residence with a grim face.

The Princess Consort, recalling how he had defended her earlier that day, could understand his displeasure. She gently suggested, "Your Highness must be troubled. Why not go visit the pregnant Shu Fei and concubines?"

"Seeing them and thinking of future additions to the household might bring Your Highness some comfort."

Prince Jing's deep gaze swept over the Princess Consort. "How virtuous you are, Princess Consort. It just shows how deeply my mother misjudged you."

Hearing this, the Princess Consort caught the sardonic tone in his voice.

But she was feeling rather forgiving toward Prince Jing at the moment, so she smiled sweetly and said, "Your consort knows she is not gentle or tender enough to dispel Your Highness's gloom, so naturally she dares not be anything but virtuous."

Prince Jing: "..."

Prince Jing really wanted to ask the Princess Consort why, if she could speak so well, she seemed so wronged and submissive in front of Noble Consort Rou, not daring to say a word.

But after a moment's thought, he held his tongue.

Normally, during such a major festival, Prince Jing would have stayed overnight in the Princess Consort's courtyard.

Now that the Princess Consort was being so magnanimous, if Prince Jing continued to stay there, it would seem a bit shameless.

He responded blandly, "I understand."