The Emperor took the blood replenishing dicine given by Bai Ruozhu and quickly regained so energy. He looked at Princess Ya’an, who was standing nearby, and said, "Ya’an, Father will help you annul the betrothal. If you wish to marry outside, choose soone you admire."
Being ntioned about marriage in front of everyone, Ya’an’s cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head and said, "Father, I don’t want to annul the betrothal."
"Ya’an!" The Second Prince urgently called from the side.
Ya’an shook her head and said, "Marrying outside makes it very hard to return to the Palace. I want to stay by Father and Mother Empress’s side, to fulfill my filial duty. Besides, Cousin Wen De needs soone to care for him. He is also my family. Being able to care for him for a lifeti is my duty."
Bai Ruozhu sighed silently. This Miss is kindhearted, yet her life is too hard.
"No, this is too unfair to you. Nevermind, let’s not decide on this matter now. Go back and think it over. Father doesn’t want to force you, but neither does he want you to be confused," the Emperor said.
Princess Ya’an slightly bowed, "Daughter understands."
The Second Prince was anxious, thinking he should persuade Ya’an properly. Not to ntion Wen De is now foolish, but his past behavior wasn’t clean. There were many won around him, and it’s heard that one of his concubines is pregnant. Wouldn’t Ya’an be aggrieved marrying him?
Very likely, Ya’an might spend her life childless, yet have to raise soone else’s children. Looking at the Empress Shangzi’s situation, we can understand, even soone as magnanimous as the Empress Shangzi wasn’t expecting her own child to the point of going nearly insane.
The detoxification proceeded smoothly. Bai Ruozhu and the others stayed a while to observe before leaving the Imperial Palace to return to the Posthouse.
"Do you think Princess Ya’an’s refusal to annul the betrothal is because she might realize the Second Prince’s feelings for her?" Bai Ruozhu murmured to Jiang Yichun.
"I don’t think so. If she wanted to avoid, wouldn’t marrying outside be more convenient?" Jiang Yichun replied.
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "Indeed, let’s hope the Second Prince cos to terms soon. There’s no sense in pining for one’s own sister, the Fusang Royal Family’s bloodlines are just too tangled."
...
Inside the Imperial Palace, Yuki gently caressed her belly, her face full of loving expressions.
At this mont, a palace maid hurriedly approached and whispered a few words in her ear.
"What? Did she really say that?" Yuki asked frantically.
The palace maid nodded, "She said it publicly. I wouldn’t dare utter a false word."
Yuki worriedly said, "Then what about and the child? Given the Prince’s situation, how can he protect us now?"
The palace maid sighed, "Madam should be more cautious."
After the palace maid withdrew, Yuki began to fret and paced around the room. After nearly half an hour, she suddenly gritted her teeth and muttered to herself, "I’ll go see her, I’ll beg her."
Before long, Princess Ya’an was inford by a maid that Yuki sought an audience.
She was a bit startled, rembering Yuki as the favored concubine by Prince Wen De. But she had no feelings for Wen De, so such matters were of little concern to her.
"Let her in," Princess Ya’an said.
Yuki was led inside, wearing slightly tight clothes, making her protruding belly all the more prominent. And she was deliberately emphasizing her belly, making it impossible for anyone to miss.
"Yuki pays respects to the Princess." She greeted respectfully, not showing a bit of disrespect.
"Your condition is inconvenient, no need for formalities," Princess Ya’an stopped her.
But she did not get up, keeping her forehead pressed to the ground, "Yuki has co uninvited, actually with a request to make."
"Oh? Sit up and speak," Princess Ya’an said.
Yuki remained still, keeping the position of greeting, "Yuki knows her status is humble and not qualified to say anything, but I have deep feelings for Prince Wen De. Regardless of what he becos, I want to remain by his side, serving him my entire life."
Princess Ya’an smiled, "I wondered what matter this was. Don’t worry, you’ll remain his concubine, serving him as usual."
"But..." Yuki bit her lip, mustering courage to say, "He’s already like this. I really want to guard him and live well as a family of three. Princess, you’re still young, able to choose a more beautiful life. Why not fulfill yourself and fulfill us?"
"How dare you! The Princess’s marriage is not sothing you can interfere with!" Ya’an’s maid angrily exclaid.
Ya’an raised a hand to stop the maid and stood up, helping Yuki up, sowhat disoriented as she said, "Is it true that loving soone deeply makes one want to possess him, not wanting him to have other won? Just like you with Cousin Wen De?"
Yuki blushed, "Forgive , Princess. I know this is jealousy, but I really can’t let him go."
"Go back. I will consider your words," Princess Ya’an said gently.
Yuki dared not speak further, bowed, and left.
The maid beside seed indignant, "Princess, you’re too accommodating, allowing a concubine to act proudly?"
"She is sowhat loyal and righteous. If it were soone else, they’d have already sought another way out, unwilling to bear children for Cousin Wen De?" Princess Ya’an chuckled, "I’ve never experienced love, so I don’t understand the feeling. Perhaps one day, I’ll also want to possess soone like her."
The maid understood, realizing Ya’an had no romantic feelings for Prince Wen De, thus indifferent to Yuki’s words, even feeling comforted for Prince Wen De.
"Then Princess ought to listen to His Majesty and choose another marriage," the maid hurriedly advised.
Princess Ya’an said nothing, but she didn’t oppose as directly as before, insisting on fulfilling the betrothal.
Three days later, the Emperor partially recovered his health and finally held a Court Assembly again, much to the pleasure of Fusang’s high officials, all eagerly gathering for discussions.
So had long inquired for news from the Palace, and upon seeing the Emperor, instinctively glanced at his belly.
The Emperor’s mindset had changed considerably, he calmly said, "You ministers must be curious what illness I’ve suffered these days. I don’t desire to conceal this from everyone further, so I’ll clarify here."
Once he disclosed the matter of being afflicted by demon poison and pregnancy, many exclaid, this was exceedingly perilous.
"Thanks to Danliang Country’s envoy venturing to sea for dicine, otherwise I’d still be bearing my belly, continuing to suffer demon poison tornt. Fortunately, my poison has been purified, but through this event, I’ve realized how negligent I was. Henceforth, I’ll exert all my energy governing Fusang, and hope everyone can diligently assist ," the Emperor said, bowing.
The ministers were moved, falling to their knees in reply, pledging their utmost until death.
"Additionally, I intend to establish diplomatic and trade relations with Zhongyuan’s Danliang Country, therefore arranging the Crown Prince to lead a delegation to Danliang Country, to learn its culture and advanced technology, strengthening my Fusang," the Emperor further stated.
Imdiately, opposition arose, "Majesty, it’s inadvisable, the Crown Prince’s rank is eminent, overseas conditions are perilous, too dangerous."
"Indeed, Majesty, deploying officials would suffice, no need to trouble the Crown Prince," many echoed in agreent.
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