CHAPTER 454: CHAPTER 453: COVETING HER POSITION AS EMPRESS, AND THE EMPRESS

Chu Yu looked at Yan Wanqing with some smugness and said, word by word, "This is a matter that concerns the friendly relations between our two countries. Wuyang merely wishes to exert her own strength for the people of Chu Kingdom. The Crown Princess Consort should not be petty and jealous over romantic affairs when faced with the greater good of the nation."

A heavy accusation was made, and if Yan Wanqing told her that she felt uncomfortable, if she did not, Chu Yu believed that it would soon be rumored outside that the Crown Princess Consort was petty, only wishing for the Crown Prince’s exclusive affection and not upholding feminine virtues.

Chu Yu’s eyes twinkled with amusement as she stared at the woman sitting in the main seat, her figure slightly plump, certain that she had no way to solve the puzzle she had presented.

Unexpectedly, Yan Wanqing set down her teacup, her eyes as calm as still water.

She said, "In the Dawei harem, women are not allowed to participate in politics. If the Princess wishes to discuss such matters, that would be punishable by beheading."

"What, what?" Chu Yu did not expect this to directly involve beheading; the abrupt change in tone was a bit hard to accept in the moment.

"Is it not the same in Chu Kingdom?" asked Yan Wanqing, her gaze filled with longing.

Naturally, in Chu Kingdom women were also prohibited from discussing politics, and the rules were very strict.

It was said that when the former Emperor of Chu was still alive, a concubine was put to death for merely speaking a few words about an Imperial Court official.

Since then, no woman in the Chu harem dared to criticize court affairs again.

In comparison, Dawei was much more lenient, especially during the time Xiao Pingfeng was planning his succession, when the enthusiasm of women to participate in politics reached an unprecedented peak.

But Chu Yu was not from Dawei, and Yan Wanqing was seizing this difference in timing.

That’s what you get for being an outsider.

Chu Yu’s complexion turned somewhat pale, "...Is this, this also considered a matter of state politics?"

"Relations between countries are definitely a matter of state politics. It’s not surprising for the Princess, who has always been secluded in the inner palace, to not be aware. You can say these things here with me, but do not speak carelessly outside. It would be troubling if someone with an agenda overheard and told the King of Chu. It might cause unnecessary upset," Yan Wanqing said earnestly.

Her throat parched from speaking, she picked up her teacup and took a sip of water.

This young girl, thinking she could handle me—go back to the Chu harem and try your luck for another hundred years.

Chu Yu was left speechless by Yan Wanqing’s few words, not sure what to say, but since she had come, she could not leave empty-handed, so she continued.

"I didn’t expect the issue to be so serious. It’s all Wuyang’s fault for being too direct and nearly causing trouble for the Crown Princess Consort."

Yan Wanqing waved her hand dismissively, "It doesn’t matter."

"Ah..." Chu Yu sighed, "Wuyang has just arrived and my royal brother has gone out to attend to state affairs. I have no playmates at the moment and hope the Crown Princess Consort won’t look down on Wuyang. I’ll come find you to play when I’m free, alright?"

Come again?! Yan Wanqing gripped her teacup tightly upon hearing this.

She had refused her sisters’ requests to enter the palace; now why would she want to spend time with Princess Wuyang, who was always so sardonic?

Her peach blossom eyes slightly narrowed, then brightened up with an idea.

"Of course, if you find it dull, then tomorrow I can invite the ladies from the noble families of the Capital City to the palace. We can all enjoy the flowers and tea together. What do you think, Princess Wuyang?"

Instead of letting her focus on tormenting me, it would be better to find a group to torment her.

Yan Wanqing was not foolish.

This Crown Prince was handsome and majestic, soon to ascend the throne of Dawei, and had already become the object of adoration for all the women in the Capital City.

The ministers with daughters all wished to send them into the palace, resulting in a daily stream of ladies and young misses submitting their visitation cards to meet her.

She had previously been troubled over how to handle this.

Now, a perfect opportunity had presented itself.

Princess Wuyang wanted to enter Xiao Pingfeng’s harem, didn’t she?

Then let her first deal with this group of women.

Yan Wanqing would observe the fire from across the shore, seeking peace and quiet for herself—just perfect.

Upon hearing this, Princess Wuyang thought it was a great opportunity to bond with the young ladies of the Capital City’s official families and welcomed the idea.

So, she promptly nodded, "Naturally, that’s agreeable to me."

"Then I shall trouble you to entertain those ladies when the time comes," Yan Wanqing said, caressing her belly, "As you can see, I am with child and have many inconveniences. I’m incapable of handling certain matters..."

Hearing this, a glint of darkness flashed through Chu Yu’s eyes.

This fool.

Does she even know what she’s saying?

Letting her take charge of the whole banquet, to play hostess, isn’t that just like lifting a rock only to drop it on one’s own foot? By then, wouldn’t my status as the Crown Princess Consort be even more diminished?

But these things, Chu Yu would never point out.

She curled up the corners of her lips, feigning innocence and kindness as she nodded, "Of course, it would be Wuyang’s honor to be of help to the Crown Princess Consort."

However, after this flower-viewing banquet is over, how the people of the Capital City think of me, Yan Wanqing, will no longer be any of her concern.

Contented, Chu Yu left, and silence fell upon the hall once more.

Cong Ge hesitated at her side, wanting to speak.

Yan Wanqing washed her hands slowly and deliberately in the basin and took a dry soft cloth to wipe the drops of water off her hands.

"If you have something to ask, just ask. Don’t hold it in until it hurts."

Cong Ge stuck out her tongue, "Miss, if the Princess were to host tomorrow’s flower-viewing banquet, what would the ladies and misses of the Capital City think of you then?"

"Let them think what they will. Even if I did what I was supposed to, wouldn’t they still talk? They would say the same things, so Cong Ge, there’s no need to be shackled by these concerns. Whether it’s the role of Crown Princess Consort or Empress, if that person is not Xiao Pingfeng, I absolutely would not covet it."

These words were full of dominance, and they reached the ears of the man who had hurried over, his thin lips curving slightly upwards.

Who says his Wanwan has no affection for him?

Similarly, if the person who stood beside him as Empress was not Yan Wanqing, then he, Xiao Pingfeng, would not covet the role of Emperor either.

Everyone else may view power and position as incredibly important.

But if the person on this journey is not the right one, then achieving those things is meaningless.

Hearing this, he gestured a "shush" to the palace maids outside the door, then turned and left.

Xiao Pingfeng had excused himself on the grounds of convenience, fearing that the inconsiderate Princess Wuyang would come and upset his precious one. He hadn’t expected to arrive too late, only to overhear her words at the doorway, which swept away the irritations of the day.

His good mood vanished in an instant upon seeing Chu Qi’s face.

He and his sister were not the least bit disguising their intentions.

One coveted his position as Emperor; the other coveted his Empress.

They all deserved to die!

Xiao Pingfeng forced down the murderous rage in his heart and squeezed out a smile that was anything but sincere, "I left in such a hurry just now, what was it that King of Chu wanted to say?"

Chu Qi laughed, "Dawei is vast and rich, and its people are both culturally and martially accomplished. The Chu Kingdom has been striving to keep pace with Dawei over the years. Now that I have the opportunity to stand on this land, I am so overcome with emotion that I dare to propose a contest with the Crown Prince."

"A contest of literature or martial arts?" Xiao Pingfeng asked without even lifting an eyelid, as these were but common occurrences. When he was young, the former King of Chu had also come for such an event; now it was his son’s turn.

"With great scholars like the Crown Prince and Grand Tutor Qin in Dawei, Chu naturally wouldn’t dare to overestimate our abilities. We can only try our luck with a martial contest," Chu Qi said.

Xiao Pingfeng raised an eyebrow, "What’s the wager?"

"The losing party will agree to one condition of the winner," Chu Qi said, his smile tinged with undisguised ambition.

This was a bet between monarchs.

Whoever lost could be asked to concede territory or pay reparations; it was fair game to make grand demands.

Hearing these words, the civil officials of Dawei disapproved, wanting to remind the Crown Prince to refuse this impertinent request.

But to everyone’s surprise, their Crown Prince casually waved a hand and said simply, "Agreed."

Everyone: "!!!"

The capable military commanders were already defending the borders, and the Capital City was mostly left with older civil officials. Even with a few new faces, who knew the extent of their prowess?

This was undoubtedly too risky!

That night, the Crown Prince couldn’t wait to discuss the matter with Yan Wanqing.

After a moment of thought, Yan Wanqing said, "Today, Princess Wuyang came over, and I agreed to let her prepare for the flower-viewing banquet. If we’ve agreed to Chu Qi’s martial challenge, why not combine both events and host them together? How does that sound?"