Yet Lady Xiang never expected that this time, she had met her match.
Zhu Changsheng’s arrival would no longer allow her to have her way.
As soon as Zhu Changsheng returned to the inner courtyard, the sound of an argument between her father, Zhu Hongzhang, and her legitimate younger sister, Zhu Yuanshu, echoed from Azure Cloud Hall.
“This is what you call an unchaperoned union.”
“His Highness Prince Jing has taken a liking to your daughter. This is a great favor, a blessing from heaven. How can it be called an unchaperoned union?”
“I’ve told you, there are many fine young men in Shengjing. Whomever you choose, as long as it suits your heart, I have no objections. But you must not harbor delusions of climbing the social ladder. I do not agree to this marriage.”
“Father’s opinion doesn’t count. His Highness Prince Jing has already sent betrothal gifts, and the imperial decree for the marriage will surely arrive at the Zhu residence soon. I am determined to marry into Prince Jing’s Mansion as a concubine.”
Slap!
A sharp slap suddenly rang out.
Zhu Changsheng stood beneath the eaves of Azure Cloud Hall, her gaze calm as she looked toward the main hall opposite. The corners of her red lips lifted slightly as she shook her head imperceptibly.
At that moment, Zhu Yuanshu ran out of the main hall and happened to see Zhu Changsheng standing opposite her, the faint curve of her lips mocking her from beneath the eaves.
Furious and humiliated, she rushed up to Zhu Changsheng, pointed a finger at her nose, and turned to Zhu Hongzhang, who had chased after her, saying, “If it were Zhu Changsheng marrying into Prince Jing’s Mansion, would Father still stop her like this?”
“How dare you!”
“Hmph! Father is just biased. You’ve always wanted me to marry a dead man. Now that Prince Jing has taken a liking to me, you feel uncomfortable. If it were Zhu Changsheng marrying Prince Jing, Father probably wouldn’t be as angry with her as you are with me. Before Elder Sister returned, you doted on me. Now that Elder Sister is back, you’ve given all of Mother’s dowry to her without any consideration for me. Since Father cares so much for Elder Sister, why didn’t you risk being cursed to death and raise her by your side back then? Instead, you sent her to Yuanzhang Village to live under someone else’s roof. Such hypocrisy!”
“You…”
Zhu Hongzhang was immediately enraged by Zhu Yuanshu’s words, triggering his old ailment.
He pressed a hand tightly against his left chest, his face instantly turning pale. Raising his other hand to lean against the doorframe, his body swayed unsteadily.
Seeing this, Zhu Changsheng strode forward, grabbed the finger pointing at her, and raised her left foot to kick Zhu Yuanshu hard behind the knee.
Thud! Thud!
Zhu Yuanshu let out a sharp cry and fell heavily to her knees.
She looked back to see Zhu Changsheng gripping her wrist and twisting it behind her back, her entire arm nearly wrenched out of its socket. The pain was unbearable: “Zhu Changsheng, let go! My hand…”
“For the sake of a man, you’ve let your conscience be eaten by dogs.” Zhu Changsheng lifted her gaze slightly, looking at Zhu Hongzhang, who was being supported by the steward, and thought of her past life…
Yes, for the sake of a man, her own conscience had also been eaten by dogs.
Her father’s well-intentioned words were hard to hear, and in her previous life, she had been just like Zhu Yuanshu now—obsessed with Prince Jing, all to spite her father, to prove to him that she was no ill omen, that after entering the prince’s mansion, she would even help Prince Jing ascend to the position of crown prince.
But in the end, she lost, and lost miserably.
Although her father had sent her to live and grow up in Yuanzhang Village, she had never lacked for food or clothing. The people in the estate were all trusted confidants left by her birth mother, as well as villagers her father had arranged to look after her.
Though she had not grown up in the Zhu residence, in Yuanzhang Village, she had lived the life of a young lady of noble birth.Yet in her past life, she still resented her father for sending her to the estate, blaming him for not allowing her to return to the Zhu Mansion as the true eldest daughter of the Zhu family.
As the saying goes, one wrong step leads to many more. In the end, Zhu Changsheng’s father died because of her.
This time, she still wanted to change her Fate Pattern, but she also wanted to protect those she cared about.
Thus, upon hearing Zhu Yuanshu’s words just now, Zhu Changsheng felt an uncontrollable fire burning in her chest.
How did Yuan Shu know that their father had not tried to stop her from marrying Prince Jing?
Fool!
“Apologize!” Zhu Changsheng not only did not release her grip but tightened it further. “If you do not properly apologize to Father, then you can marry into the Wei Mansion yourself. I will personally go to Prince Jing’s Mansion to cancel your engagement for you.”
Zhu Yuanshu trembled violently, her face turning deathly pale.
If Prince Jing were to see Zhu Changsheng, the marriage she had painstakingly built over the past six months would be ruined in an instant.
No!
She would not allow anyone to destroy her marriage to Prince Jing.
“No, sister, please don’t!” she said in a panic, then kowtowed to Zhu Hongzhang and admitted her mistake. “Father, your daughter was wrong. I spoke impulsively and without thinking. Those were not my true feelings. Please forgive me this once.”
Zhu Hongzhang took a deep breath and waved his hand, his expression filled with disappointment. “Since you have your own plans, there is no need for my approval. You may marry into Prince Jing’s Mansion whenever you wish, and from now on, there is no need for you to return to the Zhu Mansion.”
Upon hearing these words, Madam Zhu immediately panicked. “Master, the Zhu Mansion is Shu’er’s maternal home. You and I are her parents. If you forbid her from returning to the Zhu Mansion, how will others view her? How will her husband’s family treat her? And how will the Emperor view you…”
Zhu Hongzhang slowly turned his head, his gaze cold and piercing as he stared at Madam Zhu.
The words in Madam Zhu’s mouth were swallowed back.
At present, several princes were fiercely competing for the throne.
The Zhu Mansion had always remained neutral, never taking sides.
Now, Zhu Yuanshu had secretly and without his knowledge formed a relationship with Prince Jing. This was tantamount to telling the Emperor that the Zhu family supported Prince Jing, that he, Zhu Hongzhang, supported Prince Jing!
No matter who ascended the throne in the future, the Zhu family would face dire consequences.
Unfortunately, a woman like Xiao Cui was short-sighted and could not comprehend the intricacies of court politics.
But Zhu Changsheng understood the severity of the situation!
She cast a cold glance at Madam Zhu and analyzed the pros and cons: “Several princes in the court are already married and are secretly competing for the throne. Father has always remained neutral, which is why the Emperor trusts him deeply. However, if Yuan Shu marries into Prince Jing’s Mansion, the Emperor’s view of Father will no longer be so pure. If Prince Jing succeeds in ascending the throne, the Zhu Mansion may still be able to protect itself. But if he fails, Father could face consequences ranging from dismissal from office or exile to a harsh land, to the complete loss of the family fortune, or even the execution of the entire clan. Fortune and misfortune are intertwined—who can say whether this is a blessing or a curse? I have explained this so clearly. Do you now understand Father’s well-intentioned efforts?”
Madam Zhu’s expression changed.
She truly had not thought that far. All she wanted was for her daughter not to marry a dead man and become a widow. She had not considered the struggle for the throne.
Zhu Yuanshu staggered to her feet, speaking with certainty. “His Highness Prince Jing is a dragon among men, a phoenix among people. Father, believe in your daughter this once. I will surely elevate the Zhu Mansion’s status and prestige to new heights.”
Hah…
Zhu Changsheng let out a cold laugh.
In broad daylight, she was truly indulging in a daydream.
Seeing Zhu Changsheng’s expression, Zhu Yuanshu was not angered.She actually felt sorry for Zhu Changsheng.
She was about to become the Concubine of Prince Jing, and soon she would be the Noble Consort. Prince Jing would undoubtedly inherit the throne and become the ruler of all.
Yet Zhu Changsheng understood nothing at all.
Seeing her father’s indifferent expression, unmoved by her words, Zhu Yuanshu’s heart sank. She said, “Since Father does not believe me, there is no need for you to interfere in my marriage. I will have Mother arrange everything. Just watch as I rise to prominence in the future!”
“Hopeless.” Zhu Hongzhang had thought Zhu Changsheng’s words might make Zhu Yuanshu repent, but she showed not a hint of remorse.
He said disappointedly, “Since your mind is made up, I will no longer interfere in your marriage. But remember this: from now on, you are not to call me your father.”
“Thank you, Father, for your understanding.” She kowtowed heavily to the ground.
As long as she could marry Prince Jing, she would make her father regret this one day.
As for Zhu Changsheng…
She glanced sideways, her eyes filled with murderous intent.
Zhu Changsheng had dared to threaten her just now—then Zhu Changsheng need not live much longer…