AWB Chapter 403 Imperial Edict Bestows a Concubine
Chapter 403 Imperial Edict Bestows a Concubine
My younger sister doesn't concern herself with matters of the harem. Although she is the Crown Prince's nominal stepmother, she is so much younger than him that she has no say in the affairs of the Eastern Palace.
Therefore, what Gui Shan seemed to be chatting casually was actually a veiled message.
The younger sister understood: "Really? Which families have you taken a fancy to?"
Gui Shan named each of the nine young ladies in turn.
My younger sister knew about these families when she was still a young girl. She knew their family backgrounds, especially Du Shangge, with whom she had a very good relationship and was already engaged.
She asked in confusion, "Shangge is engaged, Shanshan, didn't you know?"
Gui Shan turned her head and smiled, revealing the marks on her neck that her younger sister could see clearly.
"Being a concubine of His Highness the Crown Prince is naturally much better than marrying into an ordinary family. I think they should be able to tell the difference."
The younger sister understood; this was the Crown Prince's idea.
She asked, "Who are the three concubines?"
Gui Shan smiled and said, "Of course, it depends on their individual abilities."
I'm speechless. What does the Crown Prince mean by this? Is he sending all the young ladies to the Eastern Palace as concubines, and whoever performs the best will become a secondary consort?
Just like how the eldest sister used to manage the shop, she would select a few people to work together, and whoever did the best would be promoted to manager!
After a moment's hesitation, the younger sister said, "His Majesty is about to wake up, and I need to stay with him. Shanshan, you should go back first."
Gui Shan bowed and took her leave.
The younger sister returned to the Emperor's side. The Emperor had already woken up and, upon seeing her enter, embraced her.
"You used to be so happy to see the Crown Princess, why do you seem to have something on your mind today?"
The younger sister asked, "Your Majesty, if Wan'er were to use Your Majesty's power to do something, it might displease His Highness the Crown Prince. Would Your Majesty blame Wan'er?"
"Of course not," the Emperor said without hesitation, ruffling his little sister's hair. "But what do you want to do?"
"I would like to bestow marriages upon His Highness the Crown Prince and grant him three concubines."
The Emperor looked at her: "Oh? What brings you to this sudden idea? Has something happened?"
The younger sister placed her hand on his lips and shook her head: "Your Majesty, Wan'er doesn't want Your Majesty to worry about these things. Please grant Wan'er's request this time, okay?"
Soon, the crown prince received an imperial edict, in which the emperor bestowed three young ladies upon him as concubines.
One is Hu Manman, the daughter of Lord Hu; the other is Zuo He, a woman from a collateral branch of the Zuo family; and the third is Yan Wenyuan, the daughter of the Wenchang Earl Yan family.
The crown prince was absolutely furious.
Lord Hu was cunning enough to realize something was wrong early on and had already surrendered to him. He was unwilling to marry Hu Manman, and Lord Hu didn't react much.
Lord Hu is just a fence-sitter; even if he doesn't give Lord Hu any benefits, Lord Hu can't do anything about it.
As for Zuo He, she was the most suitable young lady chosen by the Duke of Zuo from among his clan after Zuo Xiangwan left. He had originally wanted Zuo He to enter the Eastern Palace as the Crown Prince's consort, but he refused.
Now this woman has become his concubine.
With the Duke of Zuo backing him up, he would have to think twice before taking action!
As for Yan Wenyuan, the Yan family has always been his people, and he has no reason to waste the position of a concubine on a Yan family woman.
Compared to the Crown Prince's anger, the Zuo, Hu, Yan and three other families were naturally overjoyed.
They all wanted to send their daughters to the palace. The position of Crown Princess was gone, but there were three concubines. When the Crown Prince ascended the throne, they would surely be made concubines, even if not the Empress. But who could guarantee what the future held?
Originally, the Crown Prince's attitude was firm, and they all thought there was no hope. Unexpectedly, the Emperor issued an imperial decree.
All three families were eager to send their daughters to the palace immediately.
The Crown Prince smashed an entire pen holder in his study and shouted, "Someone, bring Gui Shan here to see me!"
When the eunuch was caught in a dilemma, Song Yin gestured for him to leave first.
She walked over and said calmly, "Your Highness, it's no use looking for the Crown Princess now. It's His Majesty's decree, and the Crown Princess doesn't have the power to disobey it."
The Crown Prince sneered, "I thought she was thinking of me, afraid that I wouldn't attend to her illness and that the court officials would gossip. I never expected that she was actually asking for help! She's so soft-hearted and reluctant to part with those young ladies, then she should get out of the Eastern Palace with them!"
Song Yin gently massaged his head and whispered, "But Your Highness, the Crown Princess has only been married for a short time and cannot die yet. If she were to die now, it would be bad for your reputation. It would be better to punish her."
The Crown Prince opened his eyes: "A-Yin, are you also soft-hearted?"
“Ayin is an orphan and His Highness’s woman. How could she be soft-hearted? Ayin only wants to share His Highness’s burdens. But one must be patient in all things. Now is not the time. Dealing with matters outside is more important.”
The Crown Prince closed his eyes and let her massage him. After a long while, he said, "Go and take back the Crown Princess's golden seal and golden book. You will keep them safe. From now on, without my and your permission, the Crown Princess can stay in her palace and can't go anywhere else."
"Yes."
Song Yin left, and Gui Shan was placed under house arrest.
As soon as they left, Gui Shan's maid immediately burst into tears: "Your Highness, Your Highness is so pitiful! How could Miss Song Yin treat Your Highness like this? She is just a servant girl, but you are Your Highness!"
Gui Shan said expressionlessly, "Get up. This has nothing to do with her."
The maidservant said indignantly, "Your Highness, how can it be unrelated to her? It must be because she was vying for His Highness's favor that he punished you, which is why you've ended up like this."
Gui Shan glanced at her, calmly called over the governess, and said, "Granny, please replace my personal maid."
The maidservant stared in disbelief: "Your Highness, what...what did you say? I've been with you since I was a child, how could you..."
The old woman slapped the maid, grabbed her, and ordered people to drag her out.
Only then did the maid realize that her mistress was serious. She wailed, "Your Majesty, even if I've done something wrong, you can punish me. Why do you have to deal with me? I've served you since I was a child. Don't you care about that kindness?"
The old woman dragged her out, gagged her with a rag, and coldly said, "Her Majesty is merciful, but that doesn't mean you can take advantage of her kindness. Favor? We are servants, serving Her Majesty is a great favor, and you dare to mention favor to Her Majesty."
……
The maid was dragged away and taken to the laundry department.
Gui Shan lowered her eyes, wondering if the maidservants around her younger sister were also like that, which was why her sister was manipulated and did so many things. But why did her parents place such servants around them?
Are you satisfied with our falling out as sisters?
Gui Shan sat in front of the dressing table, propping her chin up with her hand. She remembered what Si Muwan had told her before: never forget your original intention.
She never forgot, because she knew that desire could plunge a person into an abyss of no return.
Given her current situation, she absolutely cannot be swayed by any more temptations.
She had to save herself.