Chapter 28

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Chapter 28: Title

Lian Tianwei put down the document in his hand and stood up, about to walk outside the hall. “A-Rong is here; why didn’t you notify me in advance? I could have changed my clothes.”

“I’m not anyone special, what clothes do I need to change? Did I disturb my brother and sister-in-law’s beautiful moment?” Lian Rong entered cheerfully, showing no hint of embarrassment.

Lian Tianwei placed his hand on his mouth and coughed lightly, “Coming to the palace so early, why not stay and have breakfast with me?”

Lian Rong glanced around the hall, seeming indifferent. “No need, I plan to visit the Prime Minister’s residence to propose in a couple of days and just wanted to inform you, brother.” Finishing, she found a seat and waited for Lian Tianwei’s reaction.

Lian Tianwei was stunned. “Propose? To whom?”

“To the second daughter of the Prime Minister.”

“You, how can this be?” Lian Tianwei’s face was filled with disbelief.

Lian Rong smiled, “If my brother cannot bear to part with something, the royal sister can only do this.”

A threat, a blatant threat!!!

Lian Tianwei helplessly said, “A-Rong, although you are a prince, you are still a girl. How can a girl marry another girl? This will become a joke for everyone.”

“Oh? My brother finds it embarrassing? Me becoming a joke isn’t a new thing; you promised me so sincerely in front of so many people back then. I don’t care, so why are you worried?”

Lian Tianwei sighed, “Must it be this way?”

Lian Rong raised an eyebrow, “The royal sister is also thinking of the royal brother. You must have heard something about Gu Yuanqing’s second daughter; she has been wronged, yet Yanger is expected to marry her into the palace. This plainly shows disrespect towards you, brother; what I am doing can also dampen his spirit.”

Lian Tianwei shook his head, “Prime Minister Gu won’t agree.”

Lian Rong smiled slightly, "How can brother be so sure? If royal sister personally brings a betrothal gift to the Prime Minister’s residence to ask for her hand, can he still refuse? A woman with a questionable past has the fortune to enter Prince Rong’s door—it must be from her many lifetimes of good luck." Before she could say more, Gu Yuanqing wouldn’t dare to refuse.

Lian Tianwei looked at Lian Rong, "You say Gu Meisheng is a fallen flower, so why marry her? Do you truly have feelings for her?"

Lian Rong chuckled lightly, "Marrying her and liking her are two different matters. Royal sister just finds Gu Meisheng quite interesting. Besides, there’s not much going on lately, and wasn’t brother and sister-in-law just discussing royal sister’s wedding? Well, now you don’t need to worry about it; brother should focus more on state affairs."

Lian Tianwei sat down on the dragon chair, "Prime Minister Gu is a proud person. You know his temper, A-Rong, this matter might be troublesome."

"Troublesome? If brother agrees to Gu Yuanqing, how will Yanger manage in the future? Have you brought this up with him? The Empress is not in good health, and brother’s actions would undoubtedly put her in a difficult position."

"It seems A-Rong, you care a lot about my concubine. I can’t refuse that," Lian Tianwei said calmly, his expression towards Lian Rong growing slightly colder.

Lian Rong showed a hint of panic on her face. She stood up and bowed, "Royal sister doesn’t dare to. Royal sister is just addressing the matter at hand. If brother agrees to Gu Yuanqing, wouldn’t that be fulfilling his wishes?"

Lian Tianwei noticed Lian Rong’s flustered expression and her respectful bow, his expression softened considerably. "Alright, you don’t need to be so nervous. I simply think this matter is too hasty. As for Gu Meisheng, if you like her, feel free to pursue her; I’ll certainly help you."

Lian Rong smiled gently, "Thank you for your support, brother."

"Your Majesty, why are you up so early? Didn’t you handle the documents last night?" A lazy, melodic voice came from the inner hall, clearly the tired tone of the Empress.

Lian Rong glanced at the figure that had come out from the inner hall, wearing only an outer garment. Her long black hair fell loosely over her shoulder, her plain face barely had time to prepare, and the moment their eyes met, a flicker of surprise crossed her clear, spring-like eyes.

"It seems Lian Rong has disturbed sister-in-law’s peaceful rest. If there’s nothing else, royal sister will take her leave."

"Wait, A-Rong, did you come to the palace early in the morning for a reason?" The Empress showed a hint of concern on her face.

Lian Rong smiled, "There’s nothing much. Royal sister intends to marry Gu Meisheng, just letting brother know. Sister-in-law need not worry."

The Empress paused, "A-Rong, I don’t understand what you mean. Gu Meisheng? The second daughter of the Prime Minister? Why would you want to marry her?"

Lian Rong looked at Lian Tianwei. "Royal sister has other matters to attend to, so please trouble brother and sister-in-law to explain." With that, she turned and walked out.

The Empress looked at Lian Tianwei beside her, "Your Majesty, what is going on?"

Lian Tianwei sighed, "Lan’er, if Gu Meisheng does not enter Prince Rong’s residence, then Yanger will have to marry her into the palace. I already feel bad for their mother and son; I can’t make this child suffer further."

The Empress’s eyes watered, "If the Emperor doesn’t want Yanger to suffer, does that mean A-Rong must be wronged? Are you really going to make her marry a woman?"

"This matter is her own suggestion."

"No, I disagree. This is ridiculous. She’s such an adult now, and still a prince; how could he do something so absurd?"

Lian Tianwei held her in his arms. "I didn’t fulfill my promise to her back then, so now, it is good if I can compensate her."

"The Emperor thinks this is compensation? You are the ruler; she is a subject. She is part of this royal family, your own sister, and working for her brother’s kingdom is only natural. What you promised her back then was just an excuse. She was young and immature then; you don’t need to take it to heart."

"Lan’er, you don’t understand. A-Rong is a proud and self-assured person, much like the late emperor. Although she was young back then, over the years, she has been loyal to the court, helping with disaster relief funds and Dongyin’s treasury. She has done so much without ever complaining, and has never mentioned that matter." Lian Tianwei spoke sincerely, his words filled with guilt.

The Empress remembered Lian Rong’s words that day in Mingluan Palace and smiled bitterly inside. "Your Majesty, while it’s true, don’t you think you’re giving A-Rong too much power? If you indulge her like this, it may become uncontrollable in the future."

"Your Majesty, breakfast is ready," Li Xin said respectfully, bowing.

Lian Tianwei patted the Empress on the shoulder, "A-Rong is just a girl. As long as she respects me as brother, she will always remain a subject."

After leaving the palace, Lian Rong didn’t rush to the carriage. She told the coachman to head back to the residence first while she strolled leisurely on her own.

Gu Hengbo spotted Lian Rong walking towards her from a distance and looked around awkwardly, "Why did you call for me?"

Lian Rong stood still in front of her, arms behind her back, staring at her without speaking.

Gu Hengbo stepped back two steps, "Has the prince entered the palace?"

Lian Rong watched her for a while and suddenly found herself bored. "I’m standing here; what do you think?"

"Maybe you haven’t gone in yet and are still thinking about going in." Although she did come out from there, she had nothing to say.

Lian Rong nodded; she thought that when she was bored, she should indeed seek out this person to lighten her mood.

"Royal uncle?"

Gu Hengbo glanced over Lian Rong’s shoulder and saw Lianhua, dressed in a lake blue brocade, being helped down from a carriage by a palace servant. Lianhua was walking towards them.

Gu Hengbo’s eyes lit up; wasn’t that the eldest princess?

Lian Rong cast a glance at Gu Hengbo’s sparkling eyes and said, "Do you think Lianhua looks like me?"

Gu Hengbo nodded and then shook her head. "Not really; she looks more like the emperor." That was the truth, even though her impression of the emperor was not very deep.

Lian Rong remained silent, watching Lianhua approach, a smile forming at the corner of her lips. "You’ve left the palace?"

"I went to visit my grandmother."

Lian Rong nodded. "You’ve been in the carriage for a long time, so you must be tired. You should go back to the palace and rest."

"Thank you for your concern, royal uncle. Lianhua will head back now."

"Mm."

As Lianhua turned to leave, she glanced at Gu Hengbo and smiled before walking away.

"Your niece is really well-behaved," Gu Hengbo remarked.

Lian Rong turned her head to look at her. "Have you thought about entering Prince Rong’s residence?"

Gu Hengbo was taken aback, not understanding why she asked that suddenly. As if recalling something, her expression became serious. "Of course, the sooner the better."

Lian Rong clicked her tongue. "Why the rush? This king still needs to prepare; I can’t let my future princess feel wronged." When she spoke the last few words, Lian Rong’s lips nearly touched Gu Hengbo’s ear. Gu Hengbo was startled and instinctively tried to pull away, but Lian Rong hugged her waist. "Why are you avoiding this? Sooner or later, you will be mine."

"Let go," Gu Hengbo whispered.

Lian Rong smiled slightly and lifted her chin. "Look at that stubborn little face. How did you sweetly submit under Gu Cheng, hmm?"

"You—"

"Oh, I forgot. You know that I get along quite well with Prime Minister Gu. Why don’t you guess why I chose you instead of Gu Ran?"

"Let go of me."

Lian Rong’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Actually, you could fight back; I absolutely won’t retaliate."

"Let go of me."

"So persistent." Lian Rong lost interest and released her hold. "Don’t you think your expression of determination is quite funny?"

Gu Hengbo patted her clothes, ignoring Lian Rong’s teasing expression, and turned to leave. She feared that she might not be able to hold back and truly retaliate. That voice, that tone, was enough to make every cell in her body explode. Madam Dou, for the sake of possessing your daughter’s body, I’ll call you mother, and I will keep my promises.