Chapter 278 - Sweetheart, Feel Free to Act Boldly and Arrogantly!

Bu Jinglan sneered. “If you told me, at least I could stop your stupid plan!”

“Haha,” Bu Tinghe’s eyes rolled. “In your eyes, who else isn’t stupid besides Shen Ninghua?”

“I’m just stating the facts. Don’t talk nonsense.” Bu Jinglan shouted coldly.

“Am I not stating the facts? Since you have already decided not to help me, then don’t point fingers at me. Even if I lose again in the fight with Shen Ninghua, I won’t regret it in the face of death. I don’t need you to worry about me!”

Bu Jinglan sneered. “Okay, I won’t interfere with whatever you want to do, but there is one thing: the child in your belly must be born safely!”

Bu Tinghe suddenly raised her head, and her eyes were filled with disgust. “You want me to keep this monster?”

Bu Jinglan gritted his teeth and affirmed. “Yes, keep it no matter what.”

“No way!” Bu Tinghe cried out. This child was a symbol of her humiliation. Just thinking about it made her feel extremely disgusted. How could she possibly keep this stain?

If it were not for the fact that she was pregnant, Bu Jinglan would have slapped her.

“Stupid! How long are you going to be stupid? This child is the bloodline of both the Third Prince and the Great Yue Kingdom. I have already written a letter to Father Emperor and Imperial Uncle. They have already sent people to negotiate with Da’an’s Emperor. Your wedding date will be delayed. Imperial Uncle will personally come in two days to give you away. Do you understand?”

Bu Tinghe was stunned, and then her eyes suddenly lit up. “Sixth Elder Brother, you mean…”

Bu Jinglan explained with an icy expression, “Originally, Father Emperor and Imperial Uncle decided to support Baili Junyi. Unfortunately, he was too difficult to control. Now that we have a better choice, the plan needs to change as well. Father Emperor and Imperial Uncle have decided to fully support the Third Prince in seizing the power. However, there is one condition: your child must be the Crown Prince!”

A trace of excitement flashed through Bu Tinghe’s eyes, and it took her a while to suppress it. “What if this child is a girl?”

“I have already asked someone to check your pulse. It must be a boy.”

A smile flashed across Bu Tinghe’s face, and the disgust in her eyes disappeared in an instant. She raised her hand and gently stroked her belly. “Good boy, you have to grow up well. You must not have any problem.”

Inside Royal Prince Yi Mansion, Shen Ninghua listened to the news as Hong Ling reported, and her hand that held the chess piece moved. “The wedding between Bu Tinghe and the Third Prince is delayed…Did Father Emperor agree?”

“Yes, His Majesty agreed on the reason that the Internal Affairs Department has not been well prepared.”

Shen Ninghua lowered her eyes. “It seems that some changes are going to occur.”

Baili Junyi walked in. When he saw the chess piece in Shen Ninghua’s hand, a smile immediately appeared on his face. “You are training hard in chess. Is Father Emperor going to invite you into the Palace to play chess again?”

Shen Ninghua glared at him. “I cannot improve my chess skills no matter how much I practice.”

Baili Junyi waved his hand and asked Hong Ling to go down. He packed up the chess pieces and handed the black pieces to Shen Ninghua. Then, the two of them played chess in a leisurely way.

“Ninghua, have you heard about Bu Tinghe?”

“Yes, I just heard from Hong Ling that the Great Yue Kingdom’s Emperor personally negotiated to postpone the wedding. Prince An came all the way here to send away the bride. Obviously, they have great expectations for Bu Tinghe.”

Baili Junyi said mockingly, “I, a grown-up prince, do not have a close relationship with the Great Yue Kingdom. Naturally, they have to find someone who is easier to control. Bu Tinghe’s child comes at the perfect time.”

“Do you have any plans?”

Baili Junyi casually took a soft pillow and placed it by his side. His expression was extremely leisure. “Right now, I am merely a prince who has just returned to the royal family. Although I am conferred the title of Royal Prince, it is because my wife giving birth to the babies. I have no plans.”

Shen Ninghua looked up at him. Her black eyes glittered, and her red lips curled up. “What, do you think it is a shame to rely on your wife to get the position?”

Baili Junyi laughed and stopped playing chess. He sat next to Shen Ninghua and pulled her into his arms like holding a doll. He shook her slightly. “Those people who said this are jealous. I relied on my wife to get the position and their eyes almost burned with jealousy. I am more than happy. I don’t see anything to be ashamed of.”

Shen Ninghua couldn’t help but laugh. “Hurry up and get up. How will others comment on us when they see us hugging in broad daylight?”

“I am hugging my beautiful wife. If anyone dares to gossip, I will fry him up!” Baili Junyi leaned on her and said in a domineering manner.

“Look how mighty our Royal Prince Yi is.”

Baili Junyi lowered his head and buried it in her neck, saying rather shamelessly, “When it’s time to show off one’s might, one naturally has to do it. Honey, you should do the same. When you are outside, don’t care about my face. If anyone makes you unhappy, you can directly order Qing Que to hit them. If anything happens, I will bear the responsibility!”

Shen Ninghua’s eyes flashed with a cold light. “This is what you said, so I will take it seriously.”

“Yes, I said it. Don’t worry and just act boldly and arrogantly.”

Shen Ninghua nodded quickly. In five days, it would be the annual nation-wide selection. She had heard that there were many people who aspired to become Royal Prince Yi’s side concubines. She had just confessed her feelings for Baili Junyi and naturally would not allow any woman to take half a step into Royal Prince Yi Mansion!

Showing off might was a pretty good choice!

Five days later, a vast array of carriages traveled through the street all the way to the north gate of the imperial palace. One by one, young girls like tender flowers dressed in meticulously prepared clothes were sent into the imperial palace.

Inside Zhichun Palace, Shen Ninghua sat on the chair next to Bu Yunqing and sized up Consort Li and Consort Jing. Consort Li was a gorgeous beauty, and time did not leave a single trace on her face. On the contrary, it added a lot of tenderness and charm to her. Every move of hers was full of charm.

Consort Jing, who was next to her, was much quieter. Her clothes and decorations were exceptionally elegant. At a glance, she looked clean, which was particularly inconsistent with the atmosphere in the harem. The other consorts and concubines were sitting below the two. Besides the Empress who was recuperating, the Second Prince’s mother, Consort Duan, was also absent. It was said that she was ill, but no one knew the details.

Bu Yunqing sat at the top seat of honor and waited for everyone to finish a cup of tea before saying, “Her Majesty is seriously ill and can’t host the selection. Sister Duan also told me in advance that she won’t be participating because she is not feeling well. However, we still have to do what we need to do. Today, the girls have entered the Palace. We sisters should go and take a look. The Second Prince, Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and the Sixth Prince…all need to have new concubines. Please pay attention. If there is anyone who you think is fine, just let me know.”

Consort Li put down her teacup and wiped the corners of her lips with a handkerchief. She said with a smile, “Sister Xian, you’ve talked about so many princes. Why did you forget about your own son? The Fifth Prince has just been conferred the title of Royal Prince this year. Logically speaking, he should have four side concubines. I’ve long heard that this year’s candidates are all very beautiful. You should select some good ones for him.”

Bu Yunqing’s expression was indifferent. “If there is a suitable one, I will pay attention. Thank you, sister, for being concerned about it.”

“Yes, sister Xian will not be biased. There is no reason for us to worry.”

Consort Li glanced at Shen Ninghua as she spoke. When she saw Shen Ninghua’s indifferent expression, she snorted coldly in her heart, “Now you are so calm, but you will show me how you cry later!

She had heard from the Third Prince about what happened at the embassy a long time ago. After thinking about it, she always felt that the Third Prince had been fooled by Shen Ninghua. Moreover, Shen Ninghua almost caused Bu Tinghe to have a miscarriage later on. So she extremely hated Shen Ninghua in her heart. Today, she could openly make things difficult for Shen Ninghua and she would not let go of this opportunity.

Shen Ninghua had been sitting quietly at the side. When she heard the palace maid come to report that everything had been arranged, she followed Bu Yunqing towards the imperial garden.

Before they got close to the imperial garden, they heard a burst of laughter. One of the cheerful laughter was particularly ear-catching. Shen Ninghua looked over and saw a red-dressed girl surrounded by a few young girls. She was dressed in a bright red brocade peony dress and wore a sapphire blue hairpin. Her smile was even more brilliant than the flowers in the garden. Her voice was even more pleasant to hear than the orioles.

Hearing the eunuch’s announcement, the girls quickly stood up and nervously tidied up their dresses and jewels. However, Shen Ninghua could see that although this group of girls seemed to have been playing happily, but almost everyone was paying attention to the entrance of the garden. When they heard the eunuch’s announcement, their eyes were filled with joy and excitement.

There were also a few who acted at ease, and the most eye-catching girl in red was one of them.

Bu Yunqing walked over and took a seat. She looked at the girls standing in three rows in front of her. “All of you have passed the re-selection. I and the other imperial concubines specially came to take a look. You don’t need to be nervous. Just enjoy yourselves. If there is anything, I will call you over.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Before these young girls entered the Palace, they had been taught by their families. Naturally, they knew in this session, their bearing and behavior would be observed. If they could attract the imperial concubines’ attention and be called forward, they were basically halfway on the fast lane.

Bu Yunqing held the teacup and suddenly turned to look at Shen Ninghua. “Ninghua, do you find anyone whose performance is outstanding?”

Shen Ninghua’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t quite understand what Bu Yunqing meant. Baili Junyi had already made an agreement with her before. Now, what did she mean by asking her?

“I didn’t see very clearly, but I feel that there isn’t much difference between the girls.”

Bu Yunqing didn’t say anything and took a small sip of tea. But Consort Li, who was seated beside her, laughed when she heard this. “Princess Yi, these girls are selected from out of thousands of candidates. They are all exceptionally outstanding in terms of both appearance and talent. How come they are all mediocre in your eyes?”

Shen Ninghua looked up. Her eyes shone gorgeously. She smiled and said, “Appearance? Talent? I really don’t see anyone better than me.”

Consort Li suddenly widened her eyes. The others were also stunned. Their first reaction was to laugh at her. However, when they looked at Shen Ninghua sitting calmly on her chair, they suddenly felt speechless.

Today, Shen Ninghua was wearing a rosy gold thread orchid dress with white fox fur on the collar and cuffs, which made her face look more delicate. Her hair was tied in a simple flying cloud bun with a gold thread gem hairpin in the shape of a butterfly around peony flowers. She also had a green thin lotus hairpin on her head. She simply reminded people of a poem line: Her black eyebrows were beautiful and slender, and her green hair was thick with the scent of spring.

Many of the young girls present looked extremely beautiful, but once they were placed in front of Shen Ninghua, they instantly lost their splendor. They could not compare with her in terms of either appearance or talent. Who did not know Princess Zhaohua’s unparalleled intelligence? In addition, she had just given birth to the boy-girl twins. Although her words were arrogant, they were extremely reasonable.

Consort Li’s face turned green. She glanced coldly at Shen Ninghua and suppressed the anger in her heart.