nycdaug Chapter 148 Confession
Chapter 148 Confession
Prince Duan remained silent for a moment, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, before earnestly saying, "I understand. I will definitely put in more effort to get rid of all those messy cousins of my mother! And I will also make my mother truly afraid, so she won't dare to make any more foolish moves!"
If his mother also finds Zisu and tells her all sorts of nonsense, then his relationship with Zisu will be completely over. Zisu, that young woman, has a really hard heart; she can give up so easily, even more decisively than him, a grown man.
The Eldest Princess said, "You must learn from Fang Heng's lesson. Don't let your mother cause trouble at the General's Mansion again, and don't let her say anything untoward to Zisu. Although Zisu is very tolerant and generous, she is very particular about certain issues. This child has suffered a lot and endured a lot of hardship, so she hopes to marry into a good family and live a peaceful and happy life."
I could sense that she seemed to have a strong aversion to wealthy and powerful families, always wanting to find someone from an ordinary family. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made the decision to give up on Fang Heng just because of what Fang Heng's mother said. After all, Fang Heng treated her very well, and it was clear that he was deeply in love with Zisu. You also have to admit that a man as good as Fang Heng is actually very rare in this world.
If his mother hadn't made a scene, Zisu definitely wouldn't have given him up; in fact, he was the perfect husband in Zisu's eyes. But she still gave him up! So, you need to keep your mother in check and get rid of those other women as soon as possible. If Zisu finds out you have a cousin living in the Prince's mansion, she definitely won't give you a second glance!
Prince Duan nodded: "I understand. I will return to the capital tomorrow and send my cousins away immediately!"
Just half a month ago, several of my cousins came to the Prince's mansion and have been staying for half a month. According to the secret guards stationed at the mansion, these cousins intend to stay there indefinitely, hoping to become his mistress. To this end, they have been secretly plotting with their maids and servants, devising several insidious schemes. It's truly terrifying; these cousins, seemingly so gentle and refined on the surface, are actually so treacherous and malicious at heart.
The Eldest Princess said, "Very well, I'm also going back to the capital tomorrow, and Zisu should be going back too. Why don't we all go back together? It'll be safer on the road. Zisu only has Shen Laihui and Xiangli by her side, it's too unsafe! I offered her a few guards, but she didn't agree, saying that Shen Laihui and Xiangli are enough!"
Prince Duan said, "Don't worry, I will select two bodyguards to protect her closely. I will discuss this with General Shangguan and won't keep it from her." Besides, even if he wanted to send someone to protect her secretly, he probably couldn't. Shen Laihui is a master among masters; he can detect anyone within a hundred paces of Zisu.
The Eldest Princess said, "Very well, then handle this matter quickly. Zisu has always been kind to others and doesn't have any enemies. I'm just worried that your cousins and the girls who admire you might try to harm Zisu!"
As she spoke, she rolled her eyes at him: "Look at you, why did you have to be so stunningly beautiful? Zisu told me that one of the reasons she rejected you was because you're too beautiful. She said that you're destined to be surrounded by suitors, and she couldn't bear that kind of torment!"
Prince Duan smiled bitterly: "Alas, I didn't want this either! My mother wasn't particularly beautiful, so why am I so handsome?"
The Eldest Princess said, “This is because your father was incredibly handsome. Otherwise, Consort Lu wouldn’t have been so shameless as to insist on becoming his concubine! You know, Consort Lu was the eldest daughter of a high-ranking official of the third rank! Yet she willingly became your father’s concubine, which moved him so much that he wanted to cherish her like a precious gem!”
Prince Duan was speechless and could only sigh.
Things were on track in Wuliping. Summer had passed, and Zisu missed her parents. It was time for her to return to the capital.
Zisu said to the Princess, "Your Highness, the Good Days Restaurant along the way is not yet finished. Why don't we take a nap before setting off? We can stay in Zhangshu County tonight and then head back to the capital the day after tomorrow. How about that? I have a two-courtyard house in the county. I keep two servants there every day, and they clean and tidy it up every day. The house is very clean!"
The eldest princess said, "Hmm, that's good. That way, we won't have to rush so much on the road, and we won't have to spend the night on the way!" She hated staying overnight on the way, mainly because the inns there were so poor and unclean. Staying in the county town for one night was fine; she had never stayed in a county town before, and it would be a good opportunity to experience what it was like at night.
Yue'er was still a child, very playful, and reluctant to part with Zisu. Hearing that she could stay overnight in the county town, she was happier than anyone else, and fearing everyone might change their minds, she quickly raised her hand and said, "I want to stay in the county town for one night before I leave!"
Zisu nodded: "I understand, don't worry!"
Yue'er grinned.
Prince Duan was somewhat displeased. Fang Heng was the county magistrate, and since Zisu was staying in the county town, Fang Heng might use the pretext of paying homage to the Princess to visit her at the garden. If that happened, Zisu couldn't refuse him entry. Besides, she had heard that Fang Heng's sister and two children had a very good relationship with him.
Sigh, it's true, who knows what kind of accident might happen.
If Fang Heng gets Zi Su's forgiveness, what will become of him? No, I need to pull myself together and not let Zi Su and Fang Heng have any chance to meet alone.
Before setting off, Prince Duan took an opportunity to call Yue'er to his side and said to her, "Yue'er, would you like your sister Zisu to be your aunt?"
Yue'er nodded vigorously: "Yes, of course I hope so! That's for sure!"
Prince Duan: "Alright, then your uncle will give you a task. When we get to the county town tonight, you must stay by your sister Zisu's side at all times, and it would be best if you brought Hua'er along too. That way, Fang Heng won't have a chance to be alone with your sister Zisu. Understand?"
Yue'er giggled: "I know, it means that Lord Fang is Uncle's rival in love, and Uncle is afraid that Sister Zisu will be snatched away by Lord Fang!"
Prince Duan blushed slightly and reached out to tap her on the head: "You little rascal, how dare you make fun of your uncle! I'll teach you a lesson!"
Yue'er dodged him while giggling, "If you want me to help you, you have to give me something in return, otherwise I won't agree!"
Prince Duan couldn't help but laugh: "You little rascal, what do you want?"
Yue'er: "I don't want anything, except that if you marry Sister Zisu, you have to let me be your flower girl. Also, if I miss Sister Zisu, you have to agree to let me stay at the Prince's mansion for a few days!"
Prince Duan: "That's all you ask for? Sure, no problem, I agree!"
Yue'er smiled happily: "Alright, since Uncle is so agreeable, then I promise to help Uncle. I'll get Sister Hua'er with me and chase Lord Fang away!"
Fang Heng knew about Zisu as soon as she entered the city.
He left his business trip early and went to the garden with the gifts.
Xiangli came to report: "Miss, Lord Fang requests an audience!"
Zisu said helplessly, "Let him in!" Anyway, the Princess and Prince Duan are both there, so it's not like a man and woman meeting alone.
It was dusk, and the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire garden. A cool autumn breeze blew by, bringing a refreshing sensation.
Zisu stood under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, smiling gently as she greeted the guests. Yue'er followed closely behind Zisu, sitting to her left, while Xiangli stood to her right.
They formed a protective stance, one on the left and one on the right. Yue'er stared intently at Fang Heng, her eyes unblinking.
Fang Heng couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It seemed that the young princess was very wary of him. What was she planning to do?
Zisu: "Welcome, sir! Brother Shen, please have a cup of tea with me!"
Shen Laihui: "Yes, young lady!" He then gestured for Fang Heng to proceed: "Sir, please come to the reception room for tea!"
Fang Heng glanced helplessly at Zisu: "Princess, I would like to speak with you alone for a few minutes. Is that alright?"
Zisu thought for a moment and finally nodded: "Alright, I also have something to tell you!"
Yue'er became anxious: "Sister Zisu!"
Zisu said, "Yue'er, I'll keep the adults company for a few minutes. Why don't you go play in the back garden for a bit?" After saying that, she winked at Xiangli.
Xiangli understood and quickly tugged at Yue'er's sleeve: "Little Princess, let me accompany you for a walk in the back garden!"
The eldest princess also came out in time and scolded Yue'er in a low voice: "Your sister Zisu has something to do, you mustn't bother her!"
Yue'er had no choice but to walk away, turning back every three steps.
In the reception room, Zisu and Fang Heng sat facing each other.
Fang Heng had finally gotten this chance to be alone with her. As soon as he sat down, he hurriedly said to her, "Zisu, I like you very much, so very much! In this life, I will marry no one but you. I hope to spend my life with you! Please promise me, give me a chance, okay?"
Zisu: "I've given you many chances, waiting for you to propose marriage, but you've never come. However, I'm still not angry and keep waiting for you. But your mother actually went to Wuliping and told me directly that she wanted to take a concubine for you. This is too much! You haven't even proposed marriage, nor have you confessed your feelings to me, and your mother is acting so recklessly."
What does this mean? It means that in your mother's heart, I have absolutely no place or weight. Or perhaps she thinks I care about you so much that I'll swallow my pride and endure whatever she does to me? I can't possibly have a mother-in-law like that, and I can't afford to serve her! My dear, to be honest, making the decision to give you up is very painful, very difficult, and very hard for me. However, my feelings for you haven't reached the point where I can abandon my dignity!
Life is short, only a few decades. I don't want to make things difficult for myself, I don't want to ruin myself. I want to live comfortably and happily, with dignity. I don't want to waste my youth being tormented by my mother-in-law and fighting with concubines. At worst, I'll just never get married! You can leave now, and don't look for me again. I won't discuss marriage with anyone until I'm sixteen! I need to think this through, to calm down! I don't want to make a hasty decision about marriage!
Zisu spoke these words sincerely, yet with a deep sadness. Hearing them, Fang Heng was filled with sorrow and regret. Had he known this would happen, he should have gone to the General's Mansion to propose marriage before coming to Zhangshu County to take up his post. If the marriage had been arranged, even if his mother had made a scene at Wuliping, Zisu wouldn't have so easily broken off the engagement!
It's all too late; regret is useless now.
"I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes, I will wait for you!" Fang Heng looked at her and said this to her with a firm attitude before taking his leave.
It was no use staying any longer; Zisu had already served tea and seen the guests off.
While the two were talking in the living room, Prince Duan was feeling very distressed. He had excellent hearing and, standing in the courtyard, he also heard their conversation.
Sure enough, Zisu and Fang Heng had a past relationship. And indeed, Zisu had once wholeheartedly wanted to marry Fang Heng. It's just that Fang Heng was foolish enough to miss such a good opportunity.
No, once we return to the capital, he will personally go to the General's Mansion to ask for her hand in marriage!
Whether Zisu agrees or not, he has to go!
As Prince Duan stepped into the house, Consort Qin burst into tears of joy: "My son, you're finally back! I've missed you so much! You heartless, unfilial son, how could you bear to stay away for so long? You're so cruel!"
Prince Duan: "Mother, it's not that I don't want to come back, but just thinking about the few young ladies living in the mansion makes it impossible for me to step into the house!"
During this time, he had actually returned to the capital, even visiting his own home. He wasn't heartless; despite his mother's unreliability, he still cared deeply and wanted to see her for himself to see if she was doing well. However, the thought of his cousins hardened his heart, and he turned and left.
Consort Qin: "Just because of this, you don't even know how to manage a household?"
Prince Duan: "Yes, Mother, that's right! I've come back today to tell you when my cousins will leave, and that's when I'll return! If they're still in the Prince's mansion within three days, you can forget about ever seeing me again!"
After saying this, he turned and left.
Empress Dowager Qin reacted quickly, grabbing his sleeve: "Son, I promise you, I'll send them away tomorrow! But now that you're back, please don't leave, okay?"
Prince Duan: "If my son doesn't leave, am I supposed to stay and foolishly drink the soup that my mother and cousins have spiked? And then, make it a fait accompli?"
Consort Qin was shocked and exclaimed, "How...how did you know that?"
Prince Duan: "Mother, do you think that the secret guards under my command are all pushovers? Useless? Mother, stop thinking such things. I'm not afraid to tell you one thing: even if you succeed in drugging me and the deed is done, I will not give in! I will never marry those cousins! Not to mention marrying them as my principal wife, I will not even give them the status of concubines!"
If you care more about them than about me, then I have nothing to say. At worst, my son can go far away and never come back. My cousins can stay as long as they want; I have no objection to Mother giving them the mansion! I hope Mother will think carefully: do you want your son, or your nieces? Make a decision within three days, or you will never see me again!
Before he could finish speaking, a charming girl rushed out from the side and pounced on Prince Duan: "Cousin, do you hate Rainbow so much that you live here? I'm your cousin Rainbow! Didn't Brother Hao like me a lot when we were little?"
Prince Duan, being skilled in martial arts, sensed her approach the instant she lunged and quickly moved several steps to the right. Qin Caihong, having exerted too much force, fell face-first into the mud, her delicate face scraped and bleeding from the pebbles on the ground.
"Ah, the rainbow is ruined!" Suddenly, several brightly dressed girls rushed over from the side, shouting in sharp voices.
Prince Duan took several steps back, crossed his arms, and looked extremely indifferent.
Consort Qin glared at her son fiercely: "Hao'er, your cousin has fallen and hurt herself. Why don't you quickly pick her up and take her back to her room!"
Prince Duan sneered: "Mother, men and women should not touch each other. We have plenty of strong, rough-and-tumble women in the house. Just have them carry me!"
Consort Qin glared angrily at her son: "What? What did you say? The future princess of the Duan Prince's mansion, you let a lowly, uncouth maid carry her?!"
These words saddened the few unsavory old women present, though a fire of anger simmered within them.
Prince Duan's eyes dimmed slightly; his mother was indeed so outspoken. She always looked down on servants, especially the maids and old women who did the rough work, and often spoke hurtful words. Because of this, his mother was actually very unpopular among the servants in the Prince's mansion. Otherwise, even though his father had been dead for so many years, his mother, as the head mistress of the household, often couldn't outmaneuver Lady Lu.
To be fair, Lady Lu was indeed shrewd. She knew she was only a concubine and couldn't compare to the Dowager Consort Qin in terms of status. Therefore, she was exceptionally tolerant and generous towards her servants, never speaking ill of them to their faces. Over the decades, she won the hearts of countless servants.
This is why Lady Lu has been able to maintain her position in the Prince's residence. Over the years, the Dowager Consort Qin has never been able to find any fault with Lady Lu or drive her family out of the Prince's residence, and the servants have actually played a crucial role in this.
There will be another update tonight. Thank you all for your support and encouragement!