Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 318 Hedging

In the ten days since autumn turned to winter, no earth-shattering events have occurred in the capital.

The Crown Prince had no interest in figuring out whether Yuan Cuo was his cousin; he was instead eagerly trying to probe Huai Prefecture. However, Emperor Qi Xiao kept Huai Prefecture a closely guarded secret, so he had no choice but to take a detour and begin to recruit capable officials under Qin Muyan. Those who disobeyed were simply eliminated.

The Left Chancellor's Mansion failed to resist, but it did not give up. On the surface, the family head was resisting the Crown Prince, but in reality, he secretly sent many of his direct descendants to Huai Prefecture with Qin Muyan, preparing to completely seize Huai Prefecture.

As long as they get their hands on Huaizhou, regardless of whether Qin Muyan can obtain the throne, this place will be the foundation for them to protect their families and interests.

Liu Yuechu had been waiting for news from Yuan Cuo.

Ten days passed without any news from Yuan Cuo, but she received an invitation from Consort Yu. Four days later, Jiang Yunjiao and Pei Chun got married.

Liu Yuechu looked at Granny Fang with some surprise and asked, puzzled, "How can it be a marriage alliance between two noble families? Why is it so rushed? Shouldn't it have taken a year or two of formal betrothal and courtship?" How many days has it been since the wedding?

“Young Master Pei is not the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and Miss Yun Jiao’s reputation is already tarnished, so it’s natural for her to marry in a low-key manner. In this situation, why make a big fuss? Just get the wedding over with as soon as possible,” said Granny Fang, pursing her lips.

"But why did she send me an invitation? I'm not that close to the Jiang family. In terms of relationships, the Pei family is also our partner, so I should be the one going there to give a gift." Liu Yuechu tossed the invitation aside. It was clearly a shove from Consort Yu, just to annoy her.

“The princess has received invitations from both families,” Granny Fang said with a smile. “They even said they would discuss how to give the proper gifts after you wake up.”

Liu Yuechu shifted her body; after being busy for many days, her belly had grown quite large.

Now in September, she is five months pregnant, but she is already a size larger than other pregnant women. When she gets out of bed, she needs Huajiao's help, as Liu Yuechu no longer has the strength.

Huajiao helped her up. "We know you're pregnant, so we shouldn't have invited you. Anyone with a modicum of sense would know that pregnant women shouldn't sit on the wedding bed. But here, all the rules are ignored, and you're just being deliberately made to belittle people."

“Even if she’s been stripped of her title of Imperial Concubine, she’s still His Majesty’s darling. Now that the Third Prince has been sent to Huai Prefecture, it would be strange if she didn’t take the opportunity to cause trouble.” Liu Yuechu pinched Huajiao’s nose, knowing that she was worried about her.

Huajiao pouted, and Xiazhi and Guyu also came to help Liuyuechu get dressed.

After getting ready, they strolled over to the princess's courtyard.

Princess Chen was discussing with Chen Zhongyao how to send congratulatory gifts, and the two were clearly having a disagreement. Chen Zhongyao made it obvious that he didn't want to visit either household.

“At this time, you might as well stay home and rest peacefully. Just give me the invitation, and I’ll go.” Chen Zhongyao’s expression turned even colder when he saw Liu Yuechu arrive. “You have even less reason to attend. You still have grudges and entanglements with the Jiang family. Why bother to give face to the Left and Right Chancellor’s families?”

Liu Yuechu smiled and looked at Princess Chen.

Although Princess Chen was a mother, Chen Zhongyao was more like an elder, like a father. "It's fine if you don't go at the beginning of the month, after all, you're not feeling well. I still have some friendship with the Right Chancellor's wife, so I should send a gift no matter what."

"The Third Prince went to Huaizhou, and you sent gifts to the Right Chancellor's residence. Is this a clear indication that Father and Qin Muyan are at odds?" Chen Zhongyao said.

"Then I'll just send a copy to the Left Chancellor's residence as well, won't that work?"

"To be able to please everyone is something His Majesty detests most."

"Then I won't go, and you shouldn't go either. Our Princess's Mansion will just pretend to be dead!" Princess Chen said angrily.

"Playing dumb will only invite criticism."

"So nothing I do is right? You just insist on going there to freeload, without giving me a single tael of silver?" Princess Chen felt a surge of anger rising within her.

How could she have given birth to such a dull-witted son? The princess's mansion isn't short of a few taels of silver!

Chen Zhongyao sighed, "Not sending an impeachment petition at this time is already showing respect to both families."

"Listen to him! Is he even speaking human language? My reputation is ruined by his mouth!"

Princess Chen had a wide circle of friends and was very sociable. However, Chen Zhongyao had impeached many households, and Princess Chen no longer had many connections with them.

“I think Brother Zhongyao’s method is good. Otherwise, I can’t think of any reason not to go. You shouldn’t go either. Let Brother Zhongyao do the things that offend people.” Liu Yuechu sat down next to Princess Chen with a smile.

Princess Chen rolled her eyes at him. "It's a happy occasion, not a funeral. How can you say we're offending anyone? It's precisely because there are people watching that we should make a show of respect. Otherwise, they might think our household is being scheming and that His Majesty might take offense."

“What Mother said makes sense,” Liu Yuechu said with a smile.

"You silly girl, all you do is talk the talk, you think everyone's right?" Princess Chen laughed and pinched her cheek. Now that she was pregnant, her cheeks were round and smooth to the touch.

Liu Yuechu said lazily, "Anyway, I don't want to move. It's fine if either you or my brother goes."

“His Majesty’s mind changes eight times a day, so there’s no need to worry about it. You just need to listen to me.” Chen Zhongyao was particularly stubborn and resolute today.

Princess Chen had no choice but to go along with his wishes.

We had lunch together afterwards.

Princess Chen went to take a nap.

Seeing that Chen Zhongyao hadn't left the residence, Liu Yue asked, "Has something happened?"

Chen Zhongyao has always been a workaholic, spending most of his days at the Inspectorate and rarely staying at the Presidential Palace for long unless there is something to do.

Chen Zhongyao nodded slightly, "The Third Prince should have already arrived in Huaizhou and will soon send a message to His Majesty."

Liu Yuechu blinked. "So what?"

"Seize power." Chen Zhongyao only said these two words.

Liu Yuechu pondered for a moment, then asked calmly, "You mean, godfather?"

Chen Zhongyao nodded.

That's a vein of fine iron ore, who would give it up?

Governor-General Chen would not allow Qin Muyan to take over until the Northwest Army was well-fed.

"These past two days, Consort Yu has been running around the palace quite wildly, secretly bringing Fuyao back to the palace. His Majesty saw it but didn't do anything about it, but he also didn't restore her princess title." Chen Zhongyao also mentioned the harem.

Liu Yuechu understood that Emperor Qi Xiao wanted to use the Third Prince, so he was just taking things easy.

But this action was very hurtful.

“Many people from the Left Chancellor’s office have also gone to Huai Prefecture,” Chen Zhongyao said. “Something is bound to happen there.”

Liu Yuechu pursed her lips. "I'm afraid Yuan Cuo won't be coming back either." She mentioned the news Hou had given her.

The brother and sister exchanged a glance; it seemed this was no small matter.

Two more days passed in silence when the palace received Qin Muyan's first urgent order. He had been ambushed on his way to Huaizhou!