Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 188 Regret

Qin Muyan didn't expect that his own sister would take a liking to Yuan Cuo. The matter sounded good, but he didn't agree immediately. He only said that he would go back and think about it.

Princess Fuyao didn't dare to urge them, since she had already said all the nice things.

Qin Muyan returned to the Prince's Mansion and summoned Qin Yongshang to discuss matters. Wei Gongming was also present. He specifically reminded Qin Muyan not to forget his wedding day on the second day of the second lunar month, and even sent over the guest list.

Given his actual status, he would have received many guests to offer their congratulations, but none of them would be high-ranking officials who would cause a stir in the capital. He could only use the Third Prince's name to send invitations to various residences…

Seeing that Qin Muyan was absent-minded, Wei Gongming offered a timely word of concern, "Your Highness has been working too hard these days. Now that spring has arrived, if you would like to go out for a walk, I can arrange it for you."

This so-called "arrangement" naturally involved drinking, hunting, and having women in one's arms.

When the Empress Dowager passed away, the royal family members were required to observe a year of mourning and abstain from meat. This was the official requirement, but in reality, they all secretly indulged in food and entertainment, as long as no one reported it to Emperor Qi Xiao.

Qin Muyan shook his head. "I have no such intentions. It's Fuyao who has taken a liking to Yuan Cuo and wants Liu Yuechu to become her concubine... Do you think this is plausible?"

"My mother has always hoped that she would choose a husband from a noble family, but which clan is willing to marry a princess? Nobody even bothers with it. In addition, she has been spoiled since childhood and has a bad temper, so no one is willing to discuss marriage with her."

Although she doted on her younger sister, Qin Muyan remained quite clear-headed.

Wei Gongming was puzzled; he had actually taken a liking to Yuan Cuo?

What's so good about that thin bamboo pole? It can't even beat a dog!

But Wei Gongming only dared to mutter these thoughts to himself and did not show them on his face.

Qin Yongshang was the first to object, telling Qin Muyan not to rashly cause trouble, "Even the Imperial Concubine doesn't agree, Your Highness shouldn't take the risk. Besides, that Lady Liu is not someone to be trifled with. If Your Highness wants to compete with her for a husband, I'm afraid you won't gain any advantage."

"So I hesitated and didn't dare to agree directly, but if this matter really comes to fruition, it won't be a bad thing for me. I have never had any civil officials to assist me. Although Yuan Cuo is only a sixth-rank official, his influence among civil officials should not be underestimated." Qin Muyan hadn't noticed this before, but it was only when she saw Qin Mushuo's eagerness that she had to take it seriously.

Qin Yong still felt uneasy. "Your Highness's intentions are good, but from my observation of Yuan Cuo, he doesn't seem like someone who compromises easily. If things aren't handled well, wouldn't that embarrass Her Highness the Princess? The Imperial Concubine will also be blamed."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about..." Qin Muyan saw Wei Gongming still staring blankly to the side, "I will definitely attend your wedding, but since it has been less than half a year since the Empress Dowager passed away, most of the mansions will probably send gifts, and we'll just have a celebratory meal and drinks."

"Besides, at this crucial juncture, you shouldn't make a big fuss. Everyone in the palace is watching. Regardless of whether Father Emperor and Grandmother Emperor have a good relationship, the royal family values ​​dignity above all else. You understand what I mean, right?" Qin Muyan's reminder was already quite clear.

Wei Gongming repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "I understand. If it weren't for the Li family's request, and the fear of upsetting my daughter, I wouldn't have wanted to trouble Your Highness to make this risky trip."

He shifted the blame to Vice Minister Li and Li Shu, seemingly unable to express his grievances.

Qin Muyan had already seen through his trick. "Alright, it's good that you understand. If there's nothing else, you can go back now."

These words were clearly a signal to leave, but Wei Gongming did not leave.

"I think Your Highness doesn't need to worry about this. You can try to gauge Yuan Cuo's thoughts first. If he firmly refuses, then we can talk. You are wholeheartedly concerned for your sister's happiness. Who would suspect that a brother who cares about his sister's happiness has impure motives?"

"Besides, Princess Fuyao genuinely wants to marry Yuan Cuo; it's not that His Highness is forcing her to marry him."

"Yuan Cuo refused, simply because he was afraid of being criticized for being ungrateful, after all, he had once been called the son-in-law of the Liu family."

Wei Gongming really hoped this matter would succeed.

Honestly, he just couldn't stand Liu Yuechu and Yuan Cuo living too comfortably.

Moreover, he knew Liu Yuechu's temperament; she would definitely not be willing to be reduced to a concubine and would surely want a divorce.

If the two of them divorce, wouldn't he still have a chance? He regretted setting the date for his marriage with Li Shu too early; it would have been better to wait another six months.

Qin Muyan thought that what he said made some sense.

Qin Yongshang strongly objected, saying, "It is no small matter for Your Highness to discuss marriage, let alone have your principal wife reduced to a concubine? It sounds absurd. I still think it is inappropriate, and Yuan Cuo is not someone who can be bought with benefits."

Wei Gongming sneered, "If you can't buy them with benefits, it means the benefits aren't big enough."

"So Magistrate Wei feels that His Highness has let you down?" Qin Yongshang found Wei Gongming extremely displeasing.

Wei Gongming's heart tightened. "I was talking about Yuan Cuo and Her Highness the Princess's marriage proposal. Why did Qin's advisor have to drag me into this? Besides, no matter how bad I am, I still come from a marquis's family and have some dignity. Yuan Cuo, on the other hand, is just a down-on-his-luck man who keeps calling himself a son-in-law. I don't know how filthy his heart is."

"If it weren't for the benefits, what respectable man would become a live-in son-in-law?!"

"Alright, allow me to think about it some more, but Wei Gongming's words also make sense. Don't think too highly of Yuan Cuo." Qin Muyan unusually sided with Wei Gongming.

Wei Gongming was naturally very pleased with himself.

Qin Yongshang could only shut his mouth. He could also see that Qin Muyan's momentum was waning, and he was starting to get anxious...

After leaving the Third Prince's residence, Wei Gongming returned to the county government office.

He hadn't been back to the Zhenning Marquis's residence for a long time, even though he was getting married in just a few days.

At this moment, Wang Quan'an quietly approached and said, "Sir, your child is almost six months old. Aren't you going back to see him?"

"Didn't we hire a wet nurse? What's the point of me going back?" Wei Gongming was furious when he heard about this son; he disliked him completely.

He was a spendthrift in his past life, so he's bound to be no better in this one.

Wang Quan'an looked embarrassed, then leaned closer with a fawning smile, "I heard something today. Lord Yuan's men offended Lady Liu, and Lady Liu gave them a day to move out of the Liu family mansion, otherwise she'll start collecting rent."

Wei Gongming's eyes lit up, then dimmed again at the opportune moment. "What does this have to do with our county?"

Wang Quan'an: What are you pretending for?

"It's nothing, but I heard a lot of talk about it in the city, so I thought I'd share it with you, sir, as a bit of fun."

Wei Gongming had no interest in listening to what he was rambling on about. He felt even more that it was perfect that Yuan Cuo and Liu Yuechu were able to get a divorce.

"Let's go back to the manor." He suddenly changed his mind.

He had to get Guan to deliver the news of Liu Yuechu and Yuan Cuo's falling out to Princess Fuyao...

He couldn't persuade Qin Muyan, but this little princess was not one to be patient!