The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 125 Birthday Celebration
On the day of the birthday banquet at the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, the sky was clear and bright, with a gentle breeze which indeed, was a fine day for a celebration.
The banquet was held in the front courtyard of the Duke Zhenguo Mansion. On one end of the long table, a performance of “Mu Guiying Takes Command” was underway on the stage, with lively music and clear singing that reflected the martial spirit typical of the Duke Zhenguo Mansion.
Today, the atmosphere in the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion was festive, and even the usually stern Duke Shen Changshan wore a look of delight.
Starting from the early hours, guests began to arrive and take their seats.
Among the attendees were not only the prominent families and dignitaries of the capital but also subordinates from the Pingxi Army stationed in the city.
However, despite the arrival of the Left Prime Minister Wang Xian, the Right Prime Minister Qin Wenzheng was still absent.
Naturally, there were no representatives from the Marquis of Yongding Mansion either.
Whispers circulated among the guests, “Prime Minister Qin and the Duke’s daughter Shen Shiying are divorced, and the Marquis of Yongding Mansion’s Shizi has also broken off his engagement with the Taizifei. Both families have developed a rift with the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, perhaps they didn’t even receive an invitation.”
“That’s why marriages should be approached with caution. One must curb their desires, otherwise, if a union fails, it could easily lead to enmity.”
“Exactly…”
……
———-
Today, everyone at the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion was in good spirits, smiling, and particularly easy to talk to. Many noble ladies tried to inquire about the marriage prospects of their son, Shen Ci, through Shizi’s wife Fang Su.
Shen Ci, the third-generation only son of the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, also known as General Zhaowu, had been rumored to be the most sought-after candidate for an imperial marriage. However, to this day, there has been no word from the imperial family, prompting the noble ladies in the capital to take an interest in Shen Ci once again.
Just as the banquet was about to start, an announcement was made from outside, “The Taizi and Taizifei have arrived.”
Everyone stood and bowed, “We welcome the Taizi and Taizifei.”
The Taizi, Feng Zhan, and the Taizifei, Qin Yan, entered together and took their seats at the main table.
“Be seated,” Song Zhi commanded loudly.
As everyone returned to their seats, they noticed that another woman had entered the residence behind the Taizi and Taizifei.
She was a mature and enchanting woman, radiating both allure and a hint of heroic charm.
Who was she?
Shen Shiying had visited Princess Zhaoren Mansion in Xishan yesterday, so today she came to the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion alongside Qin Yan.
Several members of the Shen family approached Shen Shiying, and Shen Changshan introduced her to everyone present, “This is my daughter, the legitimate Miss Shen Shiying of the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion. She has been away for many years, and her return is a great joy for our family.”
“Congratulations…”
“Congratulations, congratulations…”
Everyone was surprised and offered their best wishes to the host.
They secretly admired her; although Shen Shiying was now in her thirties, she appeared to be only in her mid-twenties, still as stunning and charming as ever, truly deserving of the title of the capital’s former beauty.
Shen Changshan continued, “I must clarify one thing, my daughter Shen Shiying has officially divorced the Right Prime Minister, Qin Wenzheng. I ask that you refrain from using any inappropriate titles when addressing her.”
“Thank you all for gracing our humble home today. I hope everyone enjoys themselves.”
With that, the Shen family returned to their seats.
The guests excitedly whispered among themselves. This was the first confirmation from those involved that Shen Shiying and Prime Minister Qin had indeed divorced and that she was not only alive but had returned in good health.
Now a single woman, the former beauty of the capital, Shen Shiying, would undoubtedly catch the attention of many.
———–
As the guests mingled and clinked their cups, a sharp voice suddenly rang out from outside, “The Emperor has arrived.”
Everyone stood to pay their respects.
“Respectfully welcome Your Majesty.”
The kneeling crowd was taken aback. Today was the Duke of Zhenguo’s birthday celebration, and it wasn’t even a grand occasion. To have the Taizi come personally was already an honor, but now the emperor himself had come to the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion.
While some admired the imperial recognition bestowed upon the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, a few who were somewhat in the know began to speculate, wondering if the emperor’s visit had something to do with Shen Shiying.
Emperor Hui was invited to the main seat, and after the chief eunuch, Li Fuquan, presented the emperor’s gifts to the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion’s steward, he stepped back to stand behind the Emperor, testing the food and drinks for poison with a silver needle.
No one from the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion introduced the returning Shen Shiying to Emperor Hui, nor did he inquire about her. Their conversation was light and trivial, and soon after, the Emperor left to return to the palace, as if he had really only come to enjoy a cup of birthday wine.
Only the Emperor himself knew how his heart, long dormant for decades, was now racing as if he had returned to his youth.
A few times, Emperor Hui caught a glimpse of the woman beside Shen Shiyan, who was Shen Shiying. She looked just as she had a decade ago, still breathtakingly beautiful, causing his heart to race.
Such a presence made Emperor Hui uneasy. Even though he had prepared for days before leaving the palace for the banquet, he still felt unprepared. He worried whether his aging appearance would make Shen Shiying laugh at him and how she would perceive him now.
How could he see her in a proper manner?
In the past, he had approached her in the name of the Empress Dowager and Imperial Concubine Shu.
But now the Empress Dowager was under house arrest, and Shen Shiying had no ties to the Qin family, which meant she also had no connection to Imperial Concubine Shu.
So… it would have to be through the Taizifei, Qin Yan…
Unless he had the Taizi move back to the Eastern Palace.
——
In the Prime Minister Qin Mansion.
Qin Wenzheng thought long and hard, ultimately deciding to visit the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion.
A few days ago, the person he had sent to keep an eye on the Duke Zhenguo Mansion returned with news that Shen Shiying was back in the capital. Qin Wenzheng had been hesitating about how to meet her, but today, even though the Prime Minister Qin Mansion had not received an invitation from the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, he figured that in such a public setting, the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion would not openly refuse to admit the Right Prime Minister.
Qin Wenzheng changed outfits several times in his room before finally selecting a striking scarlet brocade robe.
Yes, Shen Shiying liked bright colors.
After adjusting his hairpin, he stepped outside, but the steward, Zhang Quan, hurried over, breathless.
“Prime Minister, Prime Minister, it’s not good!”
Qin Wenzheng frowned, a bit annoyed at the interruption, glancing at the time. If he delayed any longer, the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion’s banquet would be over.
Zhang Quan gasped for breath, urgently saying, “Prime Minister, Old Madam is threatening to commit suicide again!”
Qin Wenzheng felt a wave of impatience. This has happened several times over the past month.
Zhang Quan understood that the Old Madam was simply using her own body to threaten the Prime Minister, but if something truly happened, he couldn’t bear the responsibility. He had to muster the courage to stop his master.
After a moment of hesitation, Qin Wenzheng made his way to the Old Madam’s courtyard.
As soon as he entered, he was met with the sounds of maids and servants shouting in alarm and the elderly lady’s cries.
Once again, it was chaos and despair.
Qin Wenzheng let out a deep sigh and stepped inside.
Seeing their master arrive, everyone in the room relaxed a bit, quickly bowing and making way for him to approach the matriarch, who was curled up on a couch, weeping.
When the Old Madam caught sight of Qin Wenzheng, she began to lament, “My Ming’er! The only heir of the Qin family! How could he go to the army? Will I even live to see him return? My Ming’er…”
Qin Wenzheng rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on at the sight of her distress.
The Old Madam looked up at him, her voice filled with sorrow:
“The northern frontier is a savage place! The eldest son of the He family returned with a broken leg! My Ming’er is only fifteen…”
Feeling increasingly impatient, Qin Wenzheng interrupted her, “Mother, I can still have other children.”
The Old Madam fell silent in shock, about to respond, but Qin Wenzheng quickly added, “Please rest well, Mother.”
With that, he turned and walked out.
Watching Qin Wenzheng’s departing figure, the Old Madam’s expression was complex, yet her heart was filled with joy.
Could it be that Wenzheng had come to terms with things?
Had Song Mei deceived her into thinking Wenzheng didn’t plan to have more children, just to persuade him to bring Ming’er back?
Could it be that the two newly added concubines weren’t just meant to irritate Song Mei or serve as mere decoration?
But rather… were they genuinely intended to bear children?
Suddenly, a smile brightened the Old Madam’s face.
“Someone, bring in the food!”
Feeling her appetite returning, she thought about having another grandchild and decided she needed to live a few more years and there was no reason to fast anymore.
However, Qin Wenzheng ultimately didn’t leave the mansion again. With all the issues in the Prime Minister Qin Mansion unresolved, how could he face Shen Shiying?
He summoned the steward, Zhang Quan.
“Send those two women back.”
Zhang Quan was surprised, send them back?
Although the Priem Minister hadn’t yet touched the two women, they were still respectable ladies. Just sending them back like that didn’t seem appropriate…
“Prime Minister, should I send them back to their original homes, or find another place for them?”
Qin Wenzheng frowned, then sighed softly after a moment.
“Under your name, rent a place and arrange for them to stay there.”
“Also, send a maid to take care of them,” he added.
“Yes, Prime Minister.” Zhang Quan accepted the order, but couldn’t help feeling sorry for the two women.
Just like that, they went from concubines to outsiders…
Given the current situation in Prime Minister Qin Mansion, they couldn’t buy a house, only rent. Who would have thought that the once-glorious Prime Minister Qin Mansion now lived in such a modest way?
Meanwhile, Song Mei, who had just learned about the Prime Minister sending the two concubines away, was barely enjoying her brief moment of happiness before she received the latest news spreading like wildfire throughout the capital.
The legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, Shen Shiying, had returned to the capital in high spirits.
Song Mei smashed the teacup in her hand, her heart filled with resentment.
Qin Wenzheng’s actions in sending away the two concubines had nothing to do with her but it was all for Shen Shiying.
Shen Shiying!
———
Northern Liang.
The entire court was aware that the Emperor was about to go to the Great Xia to welcome his new Empress.
This woman, who was set to become the Empress of North Liang, was none other than General Shen Shiying, the Commander of the Red Serpent Army in the southern borders.
Everyone also knew that General Shen was the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo in Great Xia, had been married before, and had given birth to a child.
Yet, not a single official in the court opposed the Emperor’s decision.
The reason was simple.
The Emperor, now in his forties, had never had a woman by his side and showed no intention of having one. He was even cultivating a prince as a crown prince, resembling a secular monk in demeanor.
However, if the Emperor could have a legitimate heir, it would greatly benefit the stability of the royal family and Northern Liang itself.
Thus, no one opposed the Emperor’s decision to take General Shen as his Empress.
Even though Shen Shiying was from a foreign land, had been married, and had a child, even though she commanded an army of four hundred thousand and held significant power that might influence the harem, as long as the Emperor was willing to have her bear an heir, they would wholeheartedly support the decision.
This pleased Emperor Xiao Qian of Northern Liang greatly.
It showed that they had good eyesight, otherwise, he would simply have to replace them with a new batch of officials.
————
Even the royal family member, Prince Yubei, Xiao Jing’an, who the Emperor was grooming, showed no interest in the Emperor’s decision to marry General Shen, and he personally oversaw the preparations for her coronation ceremony.
In the Northern Liang palace.
Xiao Jing’an was carefully reviewing the ceremonial process for the Empress’s coronation submitted by the Ministry of Rites.
A trusted subordinate hesitated for a moment before tentatively speaking up, “Your Highness, this is an excellent opportunity with both the Emperor and General Shen leaving the borders to head south…”
“Are you looking for death?” Xiao Jing’an raised his gaze to glare at his subordinate, his voice cold.
The subordinate immediately fell silent, swallowing hard and looking down in silence.
Xiao Jing’an glanced at the tightly closed doors of the hall before returning his attention to his longtime confidant, Han Qi, standing by the desk.
“Han Qi, how many of my relatives has the Emperor selected from the royal family before me?”
Han Qi replied, “Three, Your Highness.”
“Do you remember how the first two died?” Xiao Jing’an continued.
Han Qi answered, “One was killed for leading a rebellion, and the other was executed for plotting a coup within the palace.”
Xiao Jing’an curled his lips in a sardonic smile and said, “Are you hoping your master has too long a life and is tired of living?”
Han Qi immediately knelt, bowing his head repeatedly.
“I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Xiao Jing’an closed the memorial in his hand and tossed it onto the table, his voice cold as he said, “Remember, the Emperor has many eyes and ears. Words can bring disaster. Don’t say what you shouldn’t say, and don’t think what you shouldn’t think. Focus on your own duties.”
“Yes, I understand,” Han Qi replied, feeling a pang of apprehension. He had always known that his master had no desire for the throne, but with the imperial crown within reach, would he really be content to hand it over?
Xiao Jing’an motioned for Han Qi to serve tea and picked up the memorial again, though his thoughts were elsewhere.
He recalled the day he sent the Emperor off, accompanied by a grand procession with gifts for the South. He remembered the conversation they had before the Emperor departed.
That day, he couldn’t hold back his emotions and, just before the Emperor boarded the royal carriage, he had inappropriately said, “Your Majesty, don’t let her suffer any injustice.”
Emperor Xiao Qian coldly replied, “Is this something you need to concern yourself with?”
Yet, Xiao Jing’an, still in his twenties and unable to contain his long-simmering anger, retorted, “Your Majesty, I was the one who knew Shen Shiying first.”
The Emperor then appraised him with a critical eye and said, “Competing for a woman with me? Your hair is not even fully grown.”
Xiao Jing’an…
Did Shen Shiying think the same way?
But if Shen Shiying were to bear the Emperor’s child, she would indeed be more suitable for the throne than he was…