Chapter 217: Chapter 216: Slapping the Green Tea Empress Dowager 33
He Zhenyu, wise beyond his years, couldn’t help but clench a fist in excitement: "Whatever sister wants, I will absolutely help her find it."
Helan Zhi couldn’t help but laugh out loud: "Enough, who called you my brother, what can I possibly ask from you?"
A smile also emerged in He Zhenyu’s eyes.
"How did father agree to it?"
Helan Zhi then told him about how Prince Kang wanted her to enter the palace again, followed by Anning showing Prince Kang the deep affection between the little Emperor and Yun Que.
For a long time after hearing this, He Zhenyu didn’t speak.
Helan Zhi didn’t feel too distressed, "It’s alright, we are grown up now, unlike when we were children craving his attention. Let him do as he pleases, just like mother said, we three siblings should care for each other; he only likes his Empress Dowager and the little Emperor."
He Zhenyu nodded: "Sister is right, once our business is settled, I’ll just let him be with the Empress Dowager and the little Emperor; they are the real trio."
"Fine."
Helan Zhi pursed her lips and stole a giggling breath.
After Helan Zhi left, He Zhenyu became somewhat agitated and couldn’t settle down to do anything.
He took several deep breaths, and only after writing several pages of big characters at his desk did his mind finally calm down.
Wang Qingyu often visited Prince Kang Mansion, so it was inevitable that she would run into He Zhenyu. After a few encounters with Wang Qingyu, He Zhenyu grew fond of her. Later, he saw the poetry that Wang Qingyu had written and the handkerchief, clothing accessories, and such that Wang Qingyu had personally made and given to Helan Zhi. As he read Wang Qingyu’s poetry, he felt her upright nature and became increasingly attached.
He panicked when he heard that the Empress Dowager wanted to bring Wang Qingyu into the palace.
Such a fine young lady; he didn’t want her to be thrown into the abyss that was the Royal family.
But he was a man and couldn’t blatantly tell his parents that he liked Wang Qingyu and didn’t want her to enter the palace.
If word got out, it would be deemed a private arrangement, detrimental to Wang Qingyu’s reputation.
He Zhenyu was a person who greatly restrained his desires and followed proper conduct. He merely loved Wang Qingyu in silence, never doing anything inappropriate, and certainly never intended to bring unnecessary trouble to Wang Qingyu.
But he had to ask his father to intervene, not certain of the outcome, He Zhenyu could only seek help from Helan Zhi.
After all, Wang Qingyu was Helan Zhi’s close friend, and it would be best if Helan Zhi mediated the matter.
Sure enough, after Helan Zhi pleaded with Prince Kang, and Prince Kang took action, Wang Qingyu no longer needed to enter the palace.
Thinking that such a wonderful young lady would be spared misfortune, He Zhenyu felt joyous.
Yet, Wang Qingyu was still betrothed to the Li family; he feared that...
Thinking of this, he felt somewhat disheartened.
On the other hand, since Prince Kang had decided to help his daughter, he wouldn’t procrastinate.
He immediately changed into his traveling clothes and went to the Wang family.
At Prime Minister Wang’s place, he was discussing the matter of Qingyu entering the palace with Mr. Wang when he heard that Prince Kang was visiting.
Prime Minister Wang was startled and hurriedly went out to greet him in person.
When he saw Prince Kang, Prime Minister Wang was quite anxious: "Prince gracing my humble abode is truly..."
With a wave of his hand, Prince Kang cut him off: "Enough with the formalities. I have something to discuss with you, Prime Minister. Let’s talk inside."
Prime Minister Wang and Mr. Wang invited Prince Kang into the parlor. Prince Kang, without beating about the bush, directly asked: "I hear the Prime Minister wishes to send his granddaughter to the palace?"
Prime Minister Wang was momentarily taken aback, then smiled: "Indeed, the Empress Dowager and I discussed it, how could I possibly disagree?"
Prince Kang knew immediately upon hearing this that Prime Minister Wang wasn’t too keen on having his granddaughter enter the palace; it was just that imperial commands are hard to disobey.
He spoke with a stern face: "Is Prime Minister aware that Empress Dowager originally intended to have my daughter enter the palace, but I refused?"
This matter was indeed unknown to Prime Minister Wang.
Prince Kang Mansion kept it very tightly under wraps, and not a word had leaked from the Empress Dowager’s lips, truly unknown to others.
"Not informed of this."
Prime Minister Wang furrowed his brows: "May I ask why Prince refused?"
Prince Kang let out a cold laugh: "I indeed earnestly intended to allow my daughter to enter the palace, however..."
He recounted everything he had overheard the little Emperor and Yun Que say at the restaurant to Prime Minister Wang.
After hearing what Prince Kang said, Prime Minister Wang hadn’t reacted much, but Mr. Wang was already furious: "Outrageous, what does His Majesty take the noble ladies of our families for? Things he can demean at will?"
Prince Kang glanced at Mr. Wang, then addressed Prime Minister Wang: "I do not wish for my pampered daughter to suffer in the palace. Prime Minister’s granddaughter, known for her intelligence and modesty, surely you do not wish for such talent to be buried either. Moreover, His Majesty has offended me thus, and I am greatly displeased. Does Prime Minister believe he can withstand my wrath?"
Prime Minister Wang’s eyelids twitched, his face expressionless.
Prince Kang said no more but stood up to take his leave: "I have spoken my part, farewell."
After sending off Prince Kang, Mr. Wang returned and immediately began to discuss with Prime Minister Wang: "Father, Qingyu cannot enter the palace."
Prime Minister Wang nodded gravely: "I fear we will have to disappoint Empress Dowager’s well-meaning intentions. Otherwise, the wrath of the Regent King might lead to disaster."
Prince Kang’s intention just now was very clear; by offending both the Empress Dowager and His Majesty, he would not only prevent his own daughter from entering the palace but did not wish for any noble lady in the Capital to become a queen or concubine either. He wanted to make things difficult for the little Emperor.
Prime Minister Wang has always been a crafty person, akin to a reed swaying with the wind; he dared not provoke Prince Kang at this time.
"What about the Empress Dowager?"
Mr. Wang feared offending both the Regent King and the Empress Dowager as well as the Emperor.
A ruthless look flickered in Prime Minister Wang’s eyes: "Once we return, let Qingyu fall ill. If she is so unwell, the Empress Dowager surely won’t force a sickly woman into the palace."
Mr. Wang felt a twinge of heartache.
But compared to the peace of his household, he chose to have his daughter fall ill.
The Empress Dowager was simply waiting for Prime Minister Wang’s response.
Who knew that, in just a few days, the news that the Wang family’s legitimate eldest granddaughter was gravely ill spread.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager knew that Prime Minister Wang did not wish for his granddaughter to enter the palace. She was so angry she was gnashing her teeth and felt frustrated, as if everything was going against her, like everyone was bullying her.
"What exactly is going on?"
Empress Dowager asked Xiao Yu at her side.
Xiao Yu answered in a soft voice: "It is said that after Prince Kang visited the Wang family, Miss Qingyu fell ill."
The Empress Dowager’s eyes reddened with anger: "Prince Kang, always Prince Kang, why does he keep causing me trouble."
Xiao Yu glanced toward Jiyuan Palace: "My lady, Prince Kang is probably enraged. After all, His Majesty and that Mrs. Yun were planning, planning for Princess Lanzhi to enter the palace and then fall ill unto death; she is, after all, Prince Kang’s daughter..."
The Empress Dowager slapped the table: "Where is Mrs. Yun? Why has she not come to see me?"
A maid prostrated herself with a thud: "Replying to Your Highness, Mrs. Yun said she had been frightened, was unwell, and afraid to spread her sickness to you."
"Mrs. Yun?"
Empress Dowager let out a cold laugh: "What a Mrs. Yun, I haven’t agreed, so who dares to confer her as a consort?"