nycdaug Chapter 150 Cheating
Chapter 150 Cheating
Prince Duan left the palace with a large amount of rewards, but instead of returning to his own residence, he went to a house next to the Protector General's mansion. This house was his villa, a villa that even the Dowager Consort Qin did not know about.
This villa was originally the residence of the Commander of the Nine Gates. Half a month ago, Prince Duan bought it for 30% above market value. This was only because he had some connections with the Commander of the Nine Gates and had pleaded with him for a long time before the Commander finally agreed. Otherwise, who would willingly move when everything was perfectly fine?
However, the wife of the Nine Gates Admiral was greedy, and the house was bought for thirteen thousand taels of silver. Thirty percent above market value, that's equivalent to making several thousand taels of silver for free. Why not? Keep in mind, the Nine Gates Admiral's annual salary was only a little over three hundred taels of silver.
The purchasing power of silver in this era was astonishing. For example, the daily expenses of the Nine Gates Admiral's family were only about twenty taels a month, including the monthly wages paid to the dozen or so servants. Three thousand taels of silver was enough to buy a large three-courtyard mansion in a good location in the capital!
That day, Zisu was jogging along the tree-lined path around the mansion when she suddenly heard a melodious flute sound. She looked in the direction of the sound and was astonished to find a person sitting on the wall playing the flute; that person was none other than Prince Duan.
"What are you trying to do?" Zisu stopped and couldn't help but shout, "This is the home of Zhao, the Nine Gates Admiral! You're sitting on his wall playing the flute so early in the morning. Be careful, or Zhao will mistake you for a thief and arrest you!"
Prince Duan grinned: "Lord Zhao moved out a few days ago. This house is now mine. No one but you will dare to arrest me as a thief!"
"What?! This house is yours?!" Zisu exclaimed in surprise. "The Zhao family moved out. How come I didn't know?"
Prince Duan: "I bought this house half a month ago. Lord Zhao's family moved out five days ago. You were still in Wuliping when they moved, how would you have known?"
Zisu: "This is so strange. Why didn't my father and mother tell me?" Such a big thing, and her parents didn't even tell her.
Zisu stopped running and hurried to her parents' courtyard: "Father, Mother, have the Zhao family next door moved away?"
Shangguan Mufeng: "Yes, they moved away several days ago! I heard that they sold the house to someone else, so they moved away."
Zisu: "Father, the one who bought the house next door is none other than Prince Duan, did you know that?"
Shangguan Mufeng: "Oh, really? I really didn't know. Father has been very busy lately, leaving early and returning late every day, and hasn't had time to ask Lord Zhao who bought his house."
Zisu stomped her feet and said, "Father, why do you think Prince Duan bought the house next door? Just now, I saw him sitting on the wall playing the flute."
Shangguan Mufeng couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, Your Highness is really something, why doesn't he stay in the perfectly good Prince's Mansion?" He didn't need to guess why Prince Duan wanted to live next door; he knew very well that it was simply because the Prince doted on his daughter.
Zisu: "That's right! Father, could you step in and buy the house next door from Prince Duan?" To be honest, she really didn't want to be neighbors with Prince Duan and wanted some peace and quiet. She had finally let go of her feelings for Fang Heng; she didn't want to start a new relationship anytime soon.
Shangguan Mufeng said with difficulty, "I'm afraid that won't work. The prince probably won't be willing to sell. Besides, even if we buy the house next door, he can just buy the house next to that."
Zisu thought about it and realized that made sense.
Zisu was furious: "So you're just letting him get away with this, letting him do whatever he wants?"
Shangguan Mufeng: "Isn't this great? The prince lives next door to us, so we don't have to worry about safety. The prince has so many guards and secret agents under his command, so we can benefit from living next door!"
Zisu: "Father, please stop joking. Your daughter doesn't want to be his neighbor!"
Shangguan Mufeng: "Why is that? Prince Duan is a very good person, impeccable in every way. Father thinks it's great to have such a good neighbor!"
In his eyes, both Fang Heng and Prince Duan were fine men. Either of them would be a good match for Zisu. Especially Prince Duan, who had never been married and didn't even have a concubine. Moreover, he had already received a hint from the Emperor that he would make arrangements for Prince Duan to ensure that he could live a peaceful and happy life and would not be suspected by the next Emperor.
Now that the Emperor had spoken, Shangguan Mufeng finally felt relieved. His only worry about his daughter marrying Prince Duan was that the new Emperor would feel that Prince Duan's achievements were too great and would threaten his position. If this threat was gone, then he hoped his daughter would choose Prince Duan over Fang Heng.
After all, he had fought alongside Prince Duan at the border for five long years. The two knew each other very well, and Prince Duan was an upright and magnanimous man, a rare and fine gentleman.
Zisu stomped her feet angrily: "Father, if you keep doing this, I'll go live in Wuliping forever and never come back!"
Shangguan Mufeng couldn't help but rub his forehead: "Zisu, you have to think about it this way, he's a prince. He went to great lengths to become our neighbor, even the Nine Gates Admiral obediently moved away. Do you think he'd agree if I went to him and asked him to buy the house next door? If our house were small, and we wanted to buy the house next door to expand it, maybe he would agree. The problem is, our house is big enough. Didn't you think we had too many houses before, and you even demolished several courtyards?"
"Sigh, you're right." Zisu nodded helplessly, gritting her teeth as she said, "Xiao Hao, you bastard!"
Shangguan Mufeng couldn't help but laugh: "You child, why are you swearing?"
Madam Yu was terrified and quickly scolded her, "Zisu, you mustn't do that! He's a prince! If the Emperor finds out, it will be terrible! This is insubordination!"
Insubordination can be fatal!
Zisu: "Mother, why are you so nervous? It's just scolding him. Since he's capable of such a despicable thing, what does it matter if I scold him?"
Madam Yu was still pale with fright, and Shangguan Mufeng quickly comforted her, "Alright, don't worry! Daughter was just saying that in anger, and it was only at home, she didn't scold him in public. The Emperor is a wise ruler, even if he finds out, he won't punish her. However, he will probably issue an edict to reprimand her. Zisu, it's best not to say such things in the future, after all, it's not a good idea!"
Seeing that she had frightened her mother, Zisu obediently nodded: "Father, I understand. I won't curse her anymore!" If she wanted to curse, she would curse her in her heart, a thousand times or ten thousand times!
Three days later, Zisu was still reeling from the shock of Prince Duan moving next door when she was shocked again by Prince Duan.
That day, Zisu was practicing calligraphy in her study when Xiangli came to report: "Miss, Prince Duan has come to propose marriage, bringing many valuable gifts!"
"What? They've come to propose?!" Zisu was completely stunned.
Good heavens, he actually dares to propose marriage? Which eye of his saw that she liked him? Did she agree to be with him? No way, she has always kept a certain distance from him and has never done anything that could be misunderstood.
Zisu: "Xiangli, go tell Master and Madam that there are still several young ladies living in the Duan Prince's mansion. I do not agree to this marriage. I will not discuss marriage with anyone for the next two years!"
Xiangli couldn't help but persuade her, "Miss, Prince Duan is actually quite good. Why not consider him?" She'd already given up on Fang Heng, and Jiang Chun was even less likely to be considered. She had sworn never to marry Jiang Chun. If she gave up even Prince Duan, where would she find such a good man in the future?
From an outsider's perspective, Xiangli genuinely feels that Prince Duan is indeed quite good.
Zisu waved her hand vigorously: "Go quickly, don't nag!"
Xiangli could only sigh and go to the front yard to find the master.
Shangguan Mufeng was playing chess with Prince Duan when he heard Xiangli's message. He sighed and said helplessly, "Your Highness, since my daughter has said so, you should take the gift back with you!"
Prince Duan: "General Shangguan, Zisu was probably just saying that out of anger. Please accept the gift!"
"No, this gift is too valuable. Regardless of whether Zisu was just saying it in anger, you should take this gift back first! You can come back to propose marriage when my daughter agrees!" Shangguan Mufeng quickly refused.
He would never force Zisu in this lifetime, especially on matters of marriage. This child was decisive; having experienced exile, any decision she made would be the result of careful consideration, not an impulsive act.
Prince Duan pleaded, "General Shangguan, please allow me to see Princess Yulin."
Shangguan Mufeng: "How about this, I'll go and try to persuade them myself. You wait here for a moment."
Prince Duan bowed respectfully: "Thank you, General!"
Shangguan Mufeng went to the backyard and found Zisu: "Girl, the prince wants to see you. What do you think? Should you see him or not?"
Zisu: "Father, I have no intention of discussing marriage with anyone right now. Tell him to stop causing trouble. I won't agree to his proposal for at least a year. Tell him to behave himself and stop asking for my hand in marriage. His behavior is really bothering me!"
Shangguan Mufeng: "Alright, as long as you have your own plans! Your father won't put too much pressure on you regarding your marriage. Don't overthink it, just be happy!"
Zisu: "Thank you, Father. Please speak to him politely and tactfully, so as not to offend him. Father's position as Minister of War must be very difficult now, and having more friends means having more strength!"
"Alright, I understand. You get some rest and leave everything to your father!" Shangguan Mufeng was very touched. Even though his daughter was so troubled, she still thought of him.
Prince Duan arrived full of excitement and hope, only to be rejected. Although it was expected, he was still very sad.
When the Emperor found out, he couldn't help but laugh and scold, "Useless thing! She's just a young woman, and you brought so many treasures but couldn't even win her over!"
When Consort Qin found out, she smashed a pile of porcelain shards on the floor, cursing, "Shangguan Zisu, you wretched servant! My son is such a good man, how dare you look down on him?!"
Just as she was venting her anger, a cold snort came from beside her ear: "Mother, I told you to send your cousins away, why didn't you?! It would be strange if Princess Yulin agreed to my marriage proposal in this state!"
Consort Qin was both surprised and delighted: "My son, you're finally back!"
Prince Duan frowned and gave her a cold look: "Mother, I ask you, why didn't you send my cousin and the others away?"
Consort Qin said aggrievedly, "I told them to leave, but they just wouldn't go. What could I do?"
Prince Duan said, “If you had been more resolute and strict, they would not have stayed. You are the one in charge of this mansion. If you insist on not keeping them, how could they have dared to stay?”
Consort Qin felt guilty and avoided eye contact: "It's not my fault. I was indeed very strict, but they were crying and kneeling, so I couldn't force them any further, could I?"
Prince Duan said, “Mother, I’ll say it one last time: if they haven’t left by tomorrow, I will never come back to this house! You decide what to do!” Although he could have had the guards drive his cousins away, that wouldn’t have been a good solution. There’s no such thing as a thousand days of guarding against thieves, only a thousand-mile chase.
As for his cousins, it will only be effective if his mother comes to her senses and drives them away herself. Otherwise, even if he marries Zisu, his mother will still bring his cousins to the palace and try every means to force them into his life as concubines or maids.
Prince Duan's voice was unusually stern, and his tone extremely resolute. Hearing this, Consort Qin was filled with terror. Her son—it seemed he was serious! If she continued to let her nieces stay at the Prince's residence, this son might have been born in vain!
"I'll listen to you, okay? Tomorrow, I'll have the guards escort them home!" she quickly assured her son.
Prince Duan: "Mother, I hope you keep your word, otherwise you'll never see me again in this lifetime! If I don't come back, this Prince Duan's Mansion will be inherited by Lady Lu's son, and then you'll be in for a lot of trouble!"
As the matriarch of the Prince Duan's household, my mother had repeatedly lost to Lady Lu in their rivalry. If Lady Lu's son were to become the Prince Duan, would my mother still have a good life? It was foreseeable that she would live in dire straits.
Consort Qin had naturally considered this as well. She rushed over, hugged her son's legs, and burst into tears: "My son, Hao'er, I'll listen to you. Tomorrow I'll send your cousins away! From now on, I won't interfere in your affairs anymore! You can't just leave and never come back! You must come back, or I won't be able to live!"
Prince Duan forcefully pulled his leg out of her grasp, his voice still as cold as ever: "Fine, I'll see what you do. If my cousin and the others are still in the palace tomorrow, you'll bear all the consequences yourself!" With that, he turned and strode away.
As soon as Prince Duan left, Qin Caihong and her other cousins emerged from behind the flower bushes and rushed towards Consort Qin. Caihong cried out sorrowfully, "Aunt, are you really going to send us away? We've always been so obedient and well-behaved! You can't be so heartless!"
Leaving the Prince's mansion means there is absolutely no hope left; as long as one remains, there is still a glimmer of hope. Therefore, one must absolutely not leave, not even under duress.
Consort Qin wiped away her tears: "Your aunt has no choice. Your aunt doesn't want you to leave either, but your cousin has given you an ultimatum. If your aunt doesn't send you away, your cousin will never come back, and your aunt will have no one to rely on for the rest of her life! So, you must leave. Go pack your things now and leave first thing tomorrow morning. I will have the guards from the Prince's Mansion escort you back!"
Qin Caihong's home is located five days' journey from the capital.
"No! I won't leave! I'd rather die than leave!" Qin Caihong sat on the ground, rolling around and acting like a spoiled child.
"I'm not leaving, I'd rather die than leave!" The other young ladies followed suit, throwing tantrums and making a scene.
The Empress Dowager Qin was utterly bewildered, her eyes wide with shock.
Mrs. Lu, along with her daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and other family members, stood not far away watching the spectacle. This scene greatly pleased her.
Hmph! The Qin family, which prides itself on being a prestigious clan, has produced a daughter who behaves with such poor taste. Even among commoners, few would resort to such a tantrum.
The next morning, as expected, Consort Qin appointed twenty guards to escort her nieces home.
After learning about this, Prince Duan went to the General's Mansion next door after dinner.
Zisu continued to avoid him, and Shangguan Mufeng had no choice but to accompany Prince Duan for tea and conversation.
Prince Duan said to Shangguan Mufeng, "General, please tell Zisu that my mother has already sent my cousins back to their hometown. The Emperor has also promised that as long as I can move Zisu with my sincerity, he will not give me concubines, secondary concubines, or maids. I am sincere to myself, so please grant my request, General!"
Shangguan Mufeng was very surprised: "Did His Majesty really make such a promise?"
Prince Duan: "Yes, many of the gifts I brought last time were specially bestowed upon me by the Emperor as gifts for my marriage proposal!"
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Mufeng was overjoyed: Excellent! The Emperor is a man of his word; he does not make promises lightly, but once he does, he will keep them.
"Okay, I understand. You can go back now! Zisu hasn't been in a good mood lately. Be patient and give her some time to think things through." Shangguan Mufeng thought for a moment and then smiled at Prince Duan.
"So, General, you've accepted me?" Prince Duan quickly asked.