Chapter 1407: True Intentions
Chapter 1407: Chapter 1407: True Intentions
The Princess Consort of Prince Min could hardly believe her ears. What did she just hear, "legitimate son"?
Could it be that Princess Consort Ji’s plan was to have her and Chu Ze consummate their marriage and then bear a legitimate son? This is simply, simply...
Absurd!
"Consort, it’s getting late. We should leave the palace now." The Princess Consort of Prince Min spoke harshly.
"You shut your mouth!" Princess Consort Ji glared at her and then turned to Empress Dowager Wang: "Lady, you haven’t replied yet."
Empress Dowager Wang, coming to her senses, said, "What do you mean by this, that Prince Min and the Princess Consort should..."
"That’s right, let them consummate their marriage and bear a legitimate son," Princess Consort Ji said, seemingly gritting her silver teeth.
Empress Dowager Wang looked at the Princess Consort of Prince Min, whose face was flushed red, right up to her ears, so much so that she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
"Imperial Concubine, have you lost your mind? Just now, you were ranting madly against the Xia Clan." Empress Dowager Wang hinted.
She was just berating the Xia Clan like dogs, and now she says she wants the Xia Clan member present here to bear a legitimate son with Chu Ze. Isn’t this contradictory, or does she think her face is itching and she wants to slap it herself?
"Of course, I dislike the Xia Clan, but once the Xia Clan entered our Chu Family’s doors, they are the daughters-in-law of the Chu Family. I have already decided that once we return, I will sever the Princess Consort’s ties with the Xia Clan. From now on, she will be a woman of the Chu Family and not a daughter of the Xia Clan." Princess Consort Ji ground her teeth as she looked at the face of the Princess Consort of Prince Min, which had turned pale, and snorted.
Empress Dowager Wang raised an eyebrow.
"The Princess Consort was bestowed by the Emperor in a formal marriage. Even if I don’t like it, I must acknowledge it. Unless the Emperor is merciful and issues a decree for the two to separate, to choose again a Noble Lady as the Official Wife?" Princess Consort Ji probed as she looked at Empress Dowager Wang.
Empress Dowager Wang sneered. Oh, you cunning temptress, putting on a show with tears and tantrums like it’s a drama. But the real main event is this, wanting the Emperor to decree the annulment of Chu Ze and Princess Chongyang’s marriage, and then marry a Noble Lady?
She straightened her face and said, "Imperial Concubine, considering the plight of you and your son, I have tolerated your presence here to speak with me softly. Yet, you have forgotten that Prince Min bears the burden of a crime. He was the one who offered a harmful screen as a birthday gift, intending to harm the Emperor and me; this is a capital offense, warranting immediate execution. The Emperor, in his great mercy, considering that he was young and misled by others and out of familial affection, pardoned him from death, confining him to the Prince Mansion, not to leave unless summoned."
Princess Consort Ji’s face grew pale as she clenched her fists and pressed her lips together.
"The Emperor is benevolent, yet you are ungrateful and push your limits, wanting him to retract his decree and nullify the marriage? In the eyes of the Imperial Concubine, is the word of the ruler of a country such a trifling matter? The Emperor’s word, once spoken, is irrevocable. Even if you are not literate, having served as an Imperial Concubine for so many years, you should have heard of such sayings, rather than ignore them."
These words of reproach were indeed quite harsh.
Princess Consort Ji stood and bowed, "Lady, I am not being insolent or pushing my limits; please forgive me, Lady."
Empress Dowager Wang snorted heavily, "Considering your weak and ailing state, I will spare you from punishment this time. You should leave the palace and return to the mansion. As for Prince Min and the Princess Consort, whether to bear a child or not is for them to decide. You can’t force a cow to drink water unless it lowers its head willingly; can you personally oversee their actions?"
The Princess Consort of Prince Min lowered her head, feeling even her toes burning.
Princess Consort Ji awkwardly expressed her thanks. Regardless, she had gotten what she came for; a child can be born, and later, she will have the two consummate their marriage.