The Deposed Crown Prince had Three Lifelong Regrets - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: The Empress and Zhao Mengchuan (Side Story)

Warfare raged in the north, and the Xiongnu pushed southward. Before the capital was relocated, it had always been fixed in Jinling.

Zhu Lingyi, the daughter of a feudal prince, engaged in conversations with the most favored Prince, who had the strongest maternal family power, when the Emperor had yet to establish a Crown Prince. However, the other party repeatedly spoke improperly, so she had no choice but to seek another path. She temporarily agreed with the weak Li Bingde that she would help him seize power, and he would establish her as the Empress.

Once the decision was made, there was no turning back. If her father intended to support another, she would be killed to pave the way.

At that time, the imperial examinations had just ended, her father had left the capital, and she remained in the capital, residing at her maternal uncle Shang’s residence.

Her uncle was extremely arrogant, looking down upon this niece who possessed a clever mind but had no place to utilize it.

There were many fine steeds in the world, but those who recognized talent were few.

“I am new here and being followed, Sir. Please lend me a hand.” Zhu Lingyi had no choice but to run to the base of the Great Buddha Temple. Her pursuers followed close behind. She fled onto a carriage that was just departing. Inside was the very person with whom she had just concluded a marriage agreement, the third-ranking scholar who had succeeded in the imperial examinations.

Mao Hongbo’s eyes were gentle, his azure and green robes complementing each other, and his black hair was tied high on his head.

“Miss Zhu, why don’t you put down the knife first.” In his bewilderment, a soft dagger was already pressed against his chest.

Zhu Lingyi squinted and smiled, “What a coincidence to meet again.”

The footsteps outside the carriage were messy and numerous. The servant driving the carriage did not stop, but his speed increased.

It was the people sent by her father. They wanted to kill her to claim credit upon their return.

Mao Hongbo was unaware of these disputes, assuming the other party had provoked some misfortune. Despite the blade pressed against him, his words remained calm, “If you’ve gotten involved in a murder case, I advise you to turn over a new leaf after this ordeal and voluntarily report it to the Dali Temple (Supreme Court). If there’s another hidden reason… I… don’t be narrow-minded, Miss. Why not rest in the carriage for a bit longer.”

His affection was poorly concealed, and it seemed he was aware of it himself, as his neck and earlobes were flushed pink.

He had initially tried to escape the marriage arranged by his parents and the matchmaker, but now he had developed a degree of admiration for Zhu Lingyi. After all, she was different from the delicate noble ladies in the capital. She was skilled in riding and archery, and even if she only had a superficial understanding, her demeanor was still captivating among all the ladies.

They were considered a beautiful match in the capital.

The capital had no shortage of dignified and elegant ladies, nor playful and clever ones. Some never left their homes, while others were unconventional, speaking shockingly to the very end.

But why did he only admire her?

Could it be that you like the ambition and desire in my eyes? Do you like my insolence and rudeness?

“I naturally dare not do anything unconventional.” Zhu Lingyi felt she had won the gamble, but the too-smooth process made her suspect a trick. Only after observing the other party’s expression for a long time did she dare to sigh in relief, laughing and saying something to confuse the issue.

The pursuit was perfectly resolved, but after one ending, there would be a second and a third.

The second time the two met was on a pleasure boat, and Mr. Mao finally realized some of the problem.

The stern of the boat merged with the lake water, which reflected the light of the ubiquitous lanterns, resembling shaken milk. The layers of clear water reflected a silvery glow.

The sky was full of stars, as if platinum had been scattered over the lake. Zhu Lingyi was originally standing on the decorated bridge when she suddenly plunged into the icy lake.

Everyone cried out. The servant who had pushed her slowly retreated. She struggled on the water’s surface, trying to get closer to the boat.

As she choked on the water, a hand reached out from afar. Seeing that she couldn’t grasp it, Mao Hongbo broke free from his friend’s restraint and leaped down.

After he rescued her, she lay in the boat cabin, dry-heaving for a long time. The guests outside were noisy and clamorous. Fearing that Lingyi would be the subject of gossip, Mao Hongbo quickly supported her shoulders and helped her up.

“Sir, I love the trumpet creeper flower. It cannot withstand wind and rain and can only live a life of glory and luxury. It pleases me greatly to follow my heart and use your high branch to show off,” Zhu Lingyi said, shedding tears before even wiping her face. Having just faced death, she knew her father was determined to eliminate obstacles. (2)

She was merely a person about to die. Confused and dejected, she confessed the truth that the two of them had never been in love.

After all, the marriage agreement was originally a tool to consolidate power. Now that death was imminent, what was the point of talking about the manifest will of heaven or compatible birth characters?

Mao Hongbo was somewhat stunned, but the young masters and ladies of the Shang family had already handed over an outer robe, surrounding their cousin and escorting her back to the residence to rest.

He watched them leave, often recalling the glance she cast his way during their separation when he was half-asleep.

All things in the world faded into silence for this. Talented scholars and beautiful ladies gathered in the hall, but only her features were clear in his eyes.

After that time, he secretly rejoiced over the marriage document. Sometimes he also felt he was acting like a petty person, always hoping to exchange a few more words before the wedding. But whenever the moment arrived, he would shrink back, timid and quite unseemly.

A man of honor? The current Tanhualang? How did he look like a rustic bumpkin?

“Why didn’t you report it to the authorities? If you’re afraid…” Mao Hongbo couldn’t understand her difficulties and wanted to persuade her to use his reputation to implore the Emperor to thoroughly investigate the murderer who repeatedly harmed her.

Zhu Lingyi dared not return to the Southwest, dared not face her birth father, and absolutely did not want to die carelessly, disappearing lightly like a feather.

“Stay out of my affairs,” she said decisively, even though she knew the other party intended to share her suffering.

The other party hesitated and lingered. The marriage agreement he had secretly rejoiced and looked forward to was unilaterally terminated. Zhu Lingyi married an unfavored prince. At that time, rumors were rampant, and all three of them became a laughingstock.

It wasn’t until an accidental encounter that Mao Hongbo realized the Princess Consort did not like the pretentious and aloof demeanor of scholars, not even a tiny bit.

“Did I seduce you? Did I ever speak nicely to you, or show you a pleasant smile?” Zhu Lingyi’s beautiful face revealed irritation, her tone urgent, wanting to immediately shake him off.

Mao Hongbo was speechless. “I…”

But Zhu Lingyi’s patience ran out. She suddenly turned around and interrupted him, “Enough. Time and again, it’s endless. Do I really have to explain clearly? I love him. I’m willing to live and die with him. Our marriage agreement was nothing more than the wishful thinking of both our families!”

She was aggressive, and he had no choice but to retreat.

She naturally knew what would happen if she kept appearing in front of the other person. She attended every banquet this person attended. Her presence was so high that she didn’t give him any opportunity to fall in love with anyone else.

Pretending not to understand love at this point was inevitably repulsive, but the position of Empress was much more fragrant than love.

However, when Li Bingde was finally established as the Crown Prince and the Emperor passed away, Zhu Lingyi only became a Noble Consort, even though she was originally the Crown Prince’s Crown Princess.

The other princes resented Li Bingde, so in order to stabilize the throne and legitimize his rule, he only granted Zhu Lingyi the title of Noble Consort. Only her father was ignorant of tact, swaying back and forth, attempting to bring new women into the palace.

Within two years, Noble Consort Zhu became pregnant but allowed the Primary Consort to feed her an abortion drug, resulting in a stillborn baby.

The couple erupted in their fifth major argument. The Emperor furiously smashed objects and left.

Noble Consort Zhu was completely disillusioned. She colluded with the Seventh Prince, who held military power, and allied with foreign tribes, attempting a rebellion. Less than four months into the plan, the Emperor, relying on the Brocade-Clad Guards, noticed anomalies, secretly suppressed the news, and confined the Noble Consort. He drank sullenly for several days, until one evening during a dark and windy night, he went to the rear palace, leaving behind countless broken porcelain and tiles, and a humiliating exchange of curses.

As the sun and moon rose and set, the Emperor personally led expeditions in late summer—eight times in total, lasting seven years. Although he frequently visited the Noble Consort’s palace during this time, he always sat outside and drank tea.

Noble Consort Zhu gave birth to a princess, Zhu Lingwei, and was promoted to Noble Consort for her contribution.

Zhu Lingyi raised Princess Zhu Lingwei alone in the deep palace, constantly suffering oppression from the other consorts, leaving her with chronic illness. Due to her awkward status, she was designated as the Crown Prince when the Princess was five years old, and the harm she suffered became even greater.

Constantly targeted, she had to feign punishment of Zhu Lingwei in public, but would hold her to sleep when they were alone.

Zhu Lingwei was naturally spoiled and bullied the maids. Her Imperial Mother had no choice but to punish both of them, making them kneel in the snow, which caused the Princess to develop painful menstruation.

The most unfortunate event was when her daughter visited a pregnant Consort’s palace and accidentally drank a contraceptive soup. The maid who led the way was given twenty heavy blows of the plank and assigned to the laundry department.

This maid was deeply liked by Zhu Lingwei. Because of this incident, she was extremely distressed. Moreover, the young lady from the Zhao family, who frequently visited, thought the palace staff were abusing animals and, using her seniority, demanded the long-haired cat be returned, which almost infuriated the Princess to death again.

Lu Fengmian, the only daughter of Zhao Mengchuan.

Zhao Mengchuan, a connection Zhu Lingyi had deliberately sought out.

Mengchuan was in love with her younger half-brother, who already had a wife. Her grandmother, to prevent her from ruining the family reputation, brought in a son-in-law from a poor family, Lu Enzhuo.

The Zhao family relocated to the new capital after Emperor Li pacified Beiping. During this move, her only daughter went missing after an attack by mountain bandits.

And she herself suffered a difficult birth during her second pregnancy, resulting in the death of both mother and child.

Although Zhu Lingyi knew that family continuously tormented Zhao Mengchuan, she took no action. If the sister passed away, the Jianghu token in her hand would naturally fall into her own possession.