Chapter 363 - Chapter 363: Chapter 350: Why Not Enjoy It

Chapter 363: Chapter 350: Why Not Enjoy It

“Could it be because Miss Ruo’s name is not in this list?”

“Precisely.” Chu Yunzhao nodded, his face full of regret, “The reason is that Miss Luo’s destiny clashes with mine. If we were to forcibly marry, I’m afraid it would harm her family, especially the elders.”

“The Luo family’s elders are already mostly gone, but the Empress has been in poor health since this summer. Her days spent bedridden have considerably increased compared to previous years.”

“Forgive my impudence, but if I were to marry Miss Luo and something were to happen to the Empress’s health, I’m afraid all the blame would fall onto Miss Luo and me.”

“For Miss Luo, it means her destiny is harmful to others. For me, it means I’d be knowingly breaking the rules of loyalty and filial piety. In that scenario, I’d be considered a fool blinded by lust, and since our father values filial piety more than anything, he would certainly chastise me, and it would be a stain on my reputation.”

“The Empress’s move is very ruthless indeed,” Chu Jinnian mused, “It not only prevents you, Fourth Prince, from uniting influential people through marriage, but also purposefully causes a difficulty for you, making your plans unsuccessful.”

“If I’m not mistaken, I assume the names of the daughters of those who hold significant power are not on this list, right?”

“And you, along with the imperial concubine, despite being aware of this, can’t bring this matter before our father. After all, the list is justified in its existence, and if you create an uproar about it, it can only show that you harbor ambitions of forming a faction, conveniently accusing you of a crime.”

“Indeed.” Chu Yunzhao nodded and then sighed deeply, “The Empress and I anticipated what she is thinking. However, we also understand the consequences if we make a fuss about it. At the moment, we are stuck in a quandary and are helpless to retaliate, which is why I am feeling very annoyed.”

“Because of this, the imperial concubine’s eating and drinking habits have been disrupted these past two days, and she has become very ill. The imperial doctor just came to check on her after lunch and said it’s due to overthinking.”

“I have tried to reassure the imperial concubine for a while, but I’m not sure if she is willing to listen…”

Chu Jinnian clenched his fingers inside his sleeve.

I must say, the Empress has been consistent with her actions throughout.”

No matter whether her opponents have ulterior motives or not, she will always remain cautious, eliminating all potential threats, leaving no stone unturned.”

“The Empress’s move is indeed wicked. However, it’s not completely without a solution.” Chu Jinnian put down the teacup in his hand.

“Oh?” Chu Yunzhao’s desolate eyes suddenly lit up, “What’s the solution? Tell me.”

“Since the Empress is using your compatibility according to your date of birth against Miss Luo and is using the Empress’s health as a shield, why not use this strategy against them?”

Chu Jinnian said, “If the Empress can say that Miss Luo is incompatible with your destiny and can harm the Empress, while the Empress’s health is deteriorating, then simply say that there is someone whose destiny is extremely compatible with the First Prince’s, can bring good fortune to her husband, and can even contribute to the nation’s fortune and the Empress’s health.”

“If such a person exists, the First Prince will definitely marry her to enhance his own career. As for the Empress, if she can please our father and the Empress and gain a reputation for being virtuous, there’s no reason she wouldn’t do it.”

“For the royal family, it’s just about marrying multiple concubines for the First Prince. Growing the family tree and having more descendants are great things. They certainly won’t intervene too much.”

“Thus, this person could marry into the First Prince’s mansion.”

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying,” Chu Yunzhao furrowed his eyebrows and looked at Chu Jinnian in confusion. “If we do this, wouldn’t we just be giving the First Prince and the Empress more credit, and adding luster to their reputation?”

“Externally, of course, they might gain a reputation for being virtuous. However, if the concubine they brought into the house is ambitious and unwilling to be under others, and furthermore acts arrogantly due to her extremely beneficial destiny…”

Chu Jinnian didn’t finish his sentence but just smiled slightly.

A light suddenly sparked in Chu Yunzhao’s eyes.

“In this case, the First Prince’s harem would be restless, which would surely give the First Prince and the Empress a major headache.”

Chu Yunzhao slapped his thigh and laughed, “Moreover, they couldn’t easily divorce this person. Firstly, they can’t give up this so-called fortune and beneficial destiny. Secondly, they can’t tear off the facade of being virtuous.”

“Indeed, the Empress may appear virtuous, but her inner torment would be unbearable. The rock that she lifted by herself would end up smashing her own foot. In the end, she wouldn’t even be able to cry out in pain and could only suffer in silence.”

Chu Jinnian said, “Now, we just need to find such a suitable person. If one is not enough, two would be fine. Then find a suitable time to spread the rumor, there’s no reason it won’t work.”

“However, this move could only make the Empress and First Prince suffer. As for your marriage with Miss Luo, I’m afraid it won’t help much.”

“You two might have to wait for a while.”

When Chu Jinnian mentioned this, the light in Chu Yunzhao’s eyes that had just lit up suddenly dimmed again.

Not just a delay, there’s likely no hope at all.

With the reputation of incompatible destinies and being harmful to the Empress, as long as the Empress is alive, he wouldn’t dare to take this risk. But if the Empress were not around, he would be in mourning for three years. Given Luo Shishan’s age, she couldn’t wait any longer.

Also, our father has been frequently asking about his marriage lately. His marriage must be settled within this year at the latest.

Even if there were chances to marry Luo Shishan in the future, the position of the Empress would have already been filled by others.

Even if he could make up for it in the future, if he were to transcend the position of the Empress, he would be impeached for favoring mistresses over his wife, which would leave them open to criticism.

He could say that in the end, he couldn’t give Luo Shishan the status she deserves.

He had to accept that he had let her down.

Every time he thought about it, Chu Yunzhao felt choked up, and he drained the teacup in a single gulp, finally letting out a long sigh of relief.

Chu Jinnian knew he was upset, so he reached out and patted him on the shoulder.

Chu Yunzhao gave a bitter smile, “There is a saying about the merciless royal family. Since I was born here, living lavishly, high above others, I must also have corresponding regrets. After all, the heavens are always fair.”

“Even if I could marry Miss Luo as my empress through formal engagement, there wouldn’t just be her in this mansion. I would still have to watch me being intimate with other women, so I would still be letting her down.”

“It’s better that I clarify this issue with Miss Luo within a few days when I’m free. I should also ask Mr. Luo to find a good husband for Miss Luo as soon as possible, so that she can have a good future.”

With the last few words, his voice was dull and his speech slow, as if he was bearing countless sorrows in his heart that could not be relieved, and his heart was full of regrets that words could not express.

Chu Jinnian sighed softly in his heart.

Chu Yunzhao was probably the one least like a prince in the imperial family.

The other princes also had desires and loved ones.”