The weight of the first son and the first daughter in the Emperor’s heart is also different.
Moreover, there is an order of seniority; younger siblings look up to their older brothers and sisters as examples. When it cos to marriage, the betrothal gifts and ceremonies for the Eldest Princess are also the grandest.
Such honor is enough for the concubines to spare no effort in eliminating the children of their competitors.
Thinking about the betrothal gifts and ceremonies, Princess Shouning furrowed her brow.
Why should she compete with the Princess Consort Zhenbei?
When the Princess Consort Zhenbei got married, the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion was so poor that they couldn’t afford the betrothal gifts and had to buy on credit, with only one maid accompanying her as a dowry.
Even if her father acknowledged her, could she marry again?
She couldn’t affect her at all.
Moreover, if the Princess Consort Zhenbei is recognized as a princess, it’s actually a good thing for her.
As a younger sister, it’s reasonable for her to emulate her older sister.
Co tomorrow, she’ll just go out and snatch Prince NanAn from the streets!
Let’s see if her father would bla her for it!
Thinking this, Princess Shouning’s mood lifted, and the previously gloomy expression on her face beca as bright as a clear sky, leaving the palace maids and eunuchs puzzled, exchanging glances.
The Princess’s mood is just like the weather in June, changing at a mont’s notice.
With a cheerful spirit, Princess Shouning sat down to ponder how to snatch Prince NanAn.
Prince NanAn isn’t Xie Jingchen; he was frail and sickly at that ti, unable to fight, and would cough up blood if he exerted himself.
Neither is she a bandit, fierce and savage.
The plan was good, but implentation would be extrely difficult.
Frustrated, Princess Shouning blad Prince NanAn for being too formidable.
At the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
Prince NanAn suddenly sneezed, almost bringing tears to his eyes.
He often sneezed without any warning.
Chu Shun and the others were used to it.
Standing by the window rubbing his nose, Prince NanAn saw Xie Jingchen riding by in the street.
"It’s Brother Jingchen," Prince NanAn said.
After saying that, he waved to Xie Jingchen, "Prince Consort Xie!"
He shouted loudly.
Xie Jingchen ignored him.
Prince NanAn leaped from the window.
Chu Shun and the others followed closely.
Looking at Xie Jingchen, Prince NanAn greeted, "Prince Consort Xie, where are you headed?"
Xie Jingchen, "...."
Did he really need to change the title so quickly?
By now, he still hadn’t co to terms with the news of having another father-in-law.
One father-in-law was already troubleso enough.
Now he had gained another, even more troubleso one.
Although the sun shone brightly, Xie Jingchen felt his life was a shade of gloom.
Chu Shun helped Xie Jingchen with the reins, saying, "Now certainly no one will say you were taken in by Sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law is a princess; the prince consorts have always been chosen."
The Heir of Marquis Beining and others were envious and resentful of Xie Jingchen.
After being poisoned for six years, always on the brink of death, being ’snatched’ in the street, he not only gained a beautiful wife but also a new lease on life.
The more everyone had pitied Xie Jingchen before, the more they envied him now.
A princess.
And the most cherished daughter of Consort Yun by the Emperor.
Recall the ti when Marquis Dongxiang hosted a housewarming banquet, hoping to choose a son-in-law, but no minister deed them worthy, and avoided them.
In the end, they transford into the granddaughter of Marquis Jibei, the sister of a Flying Tiger Army lieutenant general.
Now, transford once more into a princess.
Brother Jingchen, upon eting Sister-in-law, turned from a frail man into the Heir of Prince Zhenbei, and now he’s a Prince Consort.
People looked at Xie Jingchen with just two words in their eyes: envy.
This stroke of luck wasn’t from burning bundles of incense; he must have burned down a whole incense shop in his previous life.
The envy from Chu Shun and others aside, even Prince NanAn was envious as Xie Jingchen looked at him, "Do you want to be a Prince Consort?"
Prince NanAn, "...."
Forgot that Princess Shouning was still eyeing him.
A man shouldn’t be too good-looking; it’s way too insecure.
"Marquis Dongxiang won’t easily let the Emperor acknowledge their daughter," Xie Jingchen said.
"The Emperor will recognize her sooner or later, and you can’t escape being a Prince Consort," said the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo.
"I might not have ti to visit the prison these days," Xie Jingchen said.
"...."
What?
Visit the prison?
Whose prison visit?
Prince NanAn and the others hadn’t realized.
Xie Jingchen squeezed the horse’s belly and rode off.
Prince NanAn turned around and saw the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice watching them.
Although everyone was aware that the Princess Consort Zhenbei was likely the Emperor’s daughter.
The court had not yet officially decreed it to the world.
Prince NanAn and the others publicly calling Xie Jingchen a Prince Consort on the street, at best, was just a joke, but at worst, it tarnished the Princess’s reputation.
As the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice happened to pass by and hear it, he couldn’t turn a blind eye, as it would an failing his duty.
Especially when a few Heir of Wu’an Bo, who were in conflict with Prince NanAn and the others, were watching from upstairs.
Then—
Prince NanAn and his three brothers ended up on a three-day tour of the Ministry of Justice Prison.
Chu Shun, "...."
Prince NanAn, "...."
Heir of Marquis Beining, "...."
Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo, "...."
The calamity of imprisonnt ca so quickly and swiftly, they had absolutely no ti to react before they were locked up.
Xie Jingchen went to the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
Upon learning that the guards surrounding the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion had withdrawn, Xie Jingchen had co to take her back to the mansion.
However, when Xie Jingchen reached the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, the soft sedan chair of Duke Chong had just stopped at the entrance of the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
Duke Chong had co to take back Old Duke Chong.
His father staying at the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion was inappropriate in principle, but he had previously sent the Duchess of Chong to the palace to see the Emperor, claiming that it was for Old Duke Chong’s benefit not to move him.
The aim, naturally, was to pressure the Emperor into returning the grand residence of Duke Chong’s Mansion to him.
However, Duke Chong hadn’t anticipated that his actions would play right into the hands of the Duchess of Chong and Marquis Dongxiang, who detained Old Duke Chong and didn’t allow him to be taken away.
This ti, Old Duke Chong was poisoned at the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, nearly losing his life, which conveniently gave Duke Chong a reason.
His own father almost died at the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion. Duke Chong ca to demand him back; could Marquis Dongxiang have any reason to keep his father and not let him be taken away?
Marquis Dongxiang could only refuse Duke Chong on the grounds that Old Duke Chong volunteered to stay.
But such a reason, Duke Chong would not accept.
The two sides were at an impasse.
Duke Chong was determined to take back Old Duke Chong this ti and had brought many people with him, evidently ready to forcibly take him if necessary.
However, Marquis Dongxiang was equally resolute, simply refusing to comply.
Since Old Duke Chong had just recovered from poisoning and was still unable to speak, Duke Chong was insisting on taking Old Duke Chong back; he must be afraid of sothing happening.
The more anxious he was, the less likely it was to let him succeed.
Su Jin looked at Duke Chong, "You ntioned Old Duke was poisoned, and it was from complicity within."
Duke Chong tried to use Old Duke as leverage by involving the Emperor, and Marquis Dongxiang didn’t have the upper hand.
So Su Jin used family loyalty in return.
If Duke Chong really cared for Old Duke Chong’s well-being, then he should let Old Duke stay.
"Treat Old Duke?" Duke Chong sneered.
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