jdhmnovel Chapter 102 Two Hearts Pledged
Chapter 102 Two Hearts Pledged
The following day, the imperial desk was covered with memorials advising His Majesty that "Your Majesty should prioritize the succession of your children and ensure that your favor is distributed equally among all your offspring."
"These people are incredibly audacious! They want to interfere in my family affairs? Do they think they've defied the heavens?"
Pei Yuanling threw the memorial in his hand forward violently.
Chen Zhongliang, bowing low, stepped forward and picked up the memorial from the ground: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
"How can I appease my anger? They keep saying they're thinking of my offspring, yet they're forcing me to favor other concubines."
Pei Yuanling's face was filled with anger and resentment. He didn't believe that these officials would care about the affairs of the inner palace for no reason. There must be someone behind this.
Empress Wang?
She had only come to advise him two days ago, and now the court officials were all submitting memorials—it was too much of a coincidence.
"Has the Wang family made any moves recently?" Pei Yuanling asked in a cold voice.
"Your Majesty, the Wang family has been very quiet lately. Ever since you mentioned the matter of Chief Minister Lu and the Wang family's daughter last time, they have kept a low profile. I suppose they are afraid that if they attract too much attention, it will arouse Your Majesty's suspicion."
Chen Zhongliang answered respectfully from the side.
Pei Yuanling hesitated for a moment before speaking again: "Have the Lu family and the Wang family had any private contact recently?"
"I heard that the Wang family's daughter went to see Prime Minister Lu several times, but was turned away each time."
"Ha, the Wang family is indeed a match made in heaven, but unfortunately, Lu Zhiheng is a king who has no dreams."
Pei Yuanling sneered, and as if possessed, he suddenly thought of the name Chu Qingyin murmured in her dream that night at the palace banquet.
A cold glint appeared in his dark eyes: "Give the Wang family a heads-up that I intend to arrange a marriage for Grand Secretary Lu, and the candidate will be chosen from among the daughters of noble families."
When did Your Majesty become so concerned about Grand Secretary Lu's marriage?
In the past, he had hated the marriage alliance between the Wang family and Prime Minister Lu the most.
A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Zhongliang's eyes, but he dared not question it and respectfully replied, "This servant obeys the decree."
After he left, Pei Yuanling's anger subsided. He stared at the layers of memorials piled up in front of him, squinting as he looked ahead.
Perhaps he should really consider having another child with Yinyin.
Inside Xingyue Palace, flowers and plants flourish.
Upon hearing the officials advising His Majesty to bestow his favors equally on the grounds of the emperor's lack of an heir, Chu Qingyin couldn't help but sneer: "These old fogies are really meddling in other people's business."
Kang Luhai carefully observed her expression, hesitated for a long time, and finally spoke: "Your Majesty, please allow me to say something disrespectful."
In June, the heat made Chu Qingyin feel weak all over, especially the soft cushion beneath her. After leaning against it for a while, she was covered in sweat, which made her uncomfortable.
She shifted to a more comfortable position, half-lying on the cushioned couch, before raising her chin and saying, "Go on."
"Your Majesty, though you are currently favored, you are ultimately alone. If you have no children to rely on, and as your beauty fades and the king's heart changes, you—"
Kang Luhai didn't finish his sentence, but Chu Qingyin already understood what he meant.
Have a child?
She might have thought about it before, but now, she has absolutely no desire to have children for Pei Yuanling.
Moreover, since her rebirth, she has only been thinking about how to take revenge, how to clear the Chu family's name, and how to rescue her brother. She has long since lost all feelings for Pei Yuanling.
"I understand what you mean," Chu Qingyin said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Kang Luhai perked up his ears, eagerly awaiting her next words.
But after waiting for a long time, the lady simply lowered her eyelids and did not continue.
Having been by Chu Qingyin's side for some time, Kang Luhai had experienced quite a bit. He had also figured out her temperament, so he said no more.
**
The capital city, the royal family residence.
Wang Chengxun, the current head of the Wang family, looked solemn as he read the letter from the palace.
"What exactly does Your Majesty mean by this? You can't really be trying to arrange a marriage between our Wang family and the Lu family, can you?"
Wang Chengxun's second son, Wang Jinglin, the second brother of Empress Wang, asked in bewilderment.
He was finding it increasingly difficult to understand this young emperor. Back when he was still a down-on-his-luck prince, he had been eager to befriend the Wang family, behaving with humility and politeness, addressing him as a brother and showing him exceptional respect as his brother-in-law.
But after he ascended the throne, the tide turned, and he became completely different from his previous enthusiasm, increasingly disregarding the Wang family.
"How is Jingyi doing lately?" Wang Chengxun asked in a deep voice, feeling a great headache when his youngest daughter was mentioned.
"It's the same old story. If I hadn't sent people to stop them, they would have run off to the Lu family again. They're a disgrace to the Wang family!" Wang Jinglin said angrily.
He naturally admired Lu Zhiheng. If the two families could truly form a marriage alliance, who in the court would dare to oppose them?
But judging from Lu Zhiheng's cold and aloof attitude, he clearly disdained associating with the Wang family.
"Don't be too harsh on your sister. Since His Majesty has already made his decision, even if it's just for show, we should go along with it."
Wang Jinglin's eyes widened in shock. She looked up at her father, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Father, this is unacceptable. If His Majesty changes his mind later, the marriage between our two families will be impossible. What will others think of my sister? How will she ever talk about marriage again? Aren't you pushing Jingyi into a fire pit?"
Their mother died early, and the four siblings—the eldest sister who entered the palace to become empress, and the youngest sister who was several years younger than them—were practically raised by him personally, and he cherished them like precious jewels.
How could he bear to see his father sacrifice his younger sister's entire life for the Wang family?
Wang Chengxun glanced at him indifferently: "As a daughter of the Wang family, this is her destiny."
"But..." Wang Jinglin was about to say something more when he was interrupted: "Enough!"
Wang Chengxun frowned as he looked at his son, his eyes filled with a mixture of dissatisfaction and ruthlessness: "As a member of the Wang family, everyone is willing to sacrifice for the family. Is this the first time you've known this?"
Wang Jinglin choked, remained silent for a long time, and finally lowered his head, saying in a muffled voice, "Yes, son understands."
***
Meanwhile, Wang Jingyi, the fourth daughter of the Wang family, was overjoyed to learn that her father had agreed that she could go to see Lu Zhiheng as she pleased in the future.
She tugged at her second brother Wang Jinglin's sleeve, her eyes brimming with joy: "Second brother, really? I'm so happy! Please thank Father for me!"
"Tell him that I will definitely do my best to make Lu Zhiheng fall in love with me and bring about a marriage alliance between the Wang and Lu families," Wang Jingyi assured him confidently.
Looking at her like this, Wang Jinglin's handsome face showed no joy whatsoever. He only tugged at the corner of his mouth and said, "Whatever makes you happy."
Wang Jingyi noticed his troubled expression and tentatively asked, "Second Brother, aren't you happy for me?"
"If your second brother says he hopes you will break off contact with Lu Zhiheng, would you be willing?"
Wang Jingyi was stunned, then asked in astonishment, "What do you mean by that, Second Brother?"
“Jingyi, Lu Zhiheng is not a good match. I think the second son of the Duke of Zheng, who admires you, is quite suitable. He is honest and kind, and treats you well. If you marry him in the future, you will definitely not be bullied—”
"Second brother, stop talking! I don't like Zheng Guanxing at all!" Wang Jingyi frowned slightly, her eyes filled with determination. "I only like Lu Zhiheng, and I only want to marry him!"
Clearly, there is no room for negotiation on this matter.
Now that things had come to this, Wang Jinglin stopped trying to persuade her. He sighed softly, "Jingyi, you will definitely regret it in the future if you remain so stubborn."
"I won't," Wang Jingyi said firmly.
She knew everyone disapproved of her being with Lu Zhiheng, and that Lu Zhiheng didn't like her either. But that didn't matter; she was confident she could move him and change his mind.
As long as Lu Zhiheng spends more time with her and realizes how good she is, he will eventually fall in love with her and they will pledge their hearts to each other!