CHAPTER 648: CHAPTER 635: THE DOOMED PRINCESS (PART 3)

Consort Huang was not unaware of her current predicament.

Though her family background was not illustrious, and her initial rank upon entering the palace was not high, she was only attended to once by the Emperor due to her youthful allure, but to her surprise, she was fortunate enough to become pregnant on that sole occasion.

By that time, Emperor Xiande had already been on the throne for a few years, yet he had no offspring, so when Consort Huang became pregnant, Emperor Xiande was overjoyed. He did not care whether the unborn child was a boy or girl; he immediately bestowed upon her the title of consort.

However, when Consort Huang gave birth to Anning, Emperor Xiande was, in truth, somewhat disappointed.

He had hoped that Consort Huang would bear him a son in one fell swoop, yet she delivered a princess.

Back then, Emperor Xiande was still young and held out hope for siring more sons. Though he was fond of Princess Anning, his affection was not as intense as it is now.

It was only later, as year after year passed with no one else in the palace becoming pregnant, that Emperor Xiande grew increasingly fond of Anning, and consequently, Consort Huang’s status rose higher and higher. Now, because of Anning, Emperor Xiande elevated her to Noble Consort and allowed her a hand in palace affairs. In name, she may be inferior to the Empress, but in terms of food, clothing, and living expenses, she was hardly worse off.

Consort Huang was a shrewd woman, fully aware of the source of everything she currently enjoyed.

It was not that she was favored or that the Emperor adored her, but rather that she had proven capable by giving birth to the sole princess.

Yet she also felt anxious.

She fretted over the absence of a prince from Emperor Xiande, and what future awaited her and Anning once Emperor Xiande passed.

There’s no point in hoping to adopt a royal family male child—those adopted would have distant blood relations and with their own parents, who would take a consort closely to heart?

Even an adopted child wouldn’t be Princess Anning’s biological brother—how could he possibly treat her well?

Upon Emperor Xiande’s passing, she feared that she and Anning would not be well off.

Consort Huang was worried, but she was also without an alternative.

She dared not speak of it to Anning, for fear of causing her concern, and even less so to Emperor Xiande—to keep it all bottled up inside was her only choice.

Now that Anning had brought it up, Consort Huang was quite startled: "My child, don’t worry about this. I believe your Father Emperor will surely make proper arrangements for both of us."

At this moment, Consort Huang could only hope that Emperor Xiande would plan for her and Anning’s future.

But Anning shook her head: "Queen Mother, the human heart is a mystery, sealed behind flesh. Father Emperor surely intends to find someone with a kind disposition to inherit the throne, but isn’t it true that many people are adept at pretense? What if he deceives Father Emperor? While Father Emperor lives, he might tolerate us in many ways, but once Father Emperor is gone, he’d probably wish he could flay us alive."

Consort Huang frowned; she had weathered many years in the palace, naturally acquiring insight and tactics.

She knew Anning spoke the truth.

The very thought of such a possibility sent a chill down her spine.

It was quite possible for a royal family male to inherit the throne.

If Emperor Xiande had his own biological son, even if that Prince was born not of Consort Huang, he would still share the same father as Anning, and even after Emperor Xiande’s passing, that Prince couldn’t treat Anning badly, and would also likely be decent to Consort Huang, the birth mother. Consort Huang and Anning could live securely and peacefully.

But as for a male from the royal family, that was truly uncertain.

"My child, how did you come to discuss this with me?"

Consort Huang asked softly, holding Anning’s hand.

Anning whispered into Consort Huang’s ear: "I’ve been restless these past days, and after much contemplation, I’ve come up with an idea..."

She shared her plan in detail with Consort Huang.

Consort Huang listened in such fright that her heart nearly leapt out: "You, that’s far too bold, this cannot do, absolutely not, wouldn’t this muddle the royal bloodline?"

Anning glared back: "Queen Mother, how could this be muddling the Royal bloodline? I am Father Emperor’s biological daughter, the person most closely related to him by blood. The blood of the Da Xing Royal Family flows through my veins. My child would be Father Emperor’s direct grandchild, far more closely related than those male members of the royal family."

Seeing that Consort Huang was still unwilling, Anning whispered, "Queen Mother, think about it, the child is your own grandson, raised by your son with as much love as anyone else. Should anything happen in the future, we have no reason to be afraid."

"But..."

Consort Huang was still very hesitant.

Anning took her hand, "Queen Mother, fortune favors the bold. If we don’t do this, we will have no hope for the future; but if we do it, a life of glory and wealth will be secured."

"What about your Father Emperor?"

Consort Huang worried about Emperor Xiande.

If Emperor Xiande found out about this in the future, he would certainly not spare her.

Anning smiled, "Are you afraid that the Father Emperor will find out? Queen Mother, the last thing we have to fear is the Father Emperor finding out. If he does, he would have to accept it. After all, it is his own grandson, not someone we adopted from outside. Would he really be willing to give up his direct bloodline? Moreover, would he have the heart to scold me or chide you?"

Consort Huang calmed down and thought that Anning was right.

Emperor Xiande had no sons; if she and Anning produced a son, Emperor Xiande might even help them conceal it from the world, where would he find the heart to be harsh?

Most importantly, since the son would be Anning’s, even if Emperor Xiande knew, he would not say anything. His most beloved was Anning; he would never bear to reprimand her.

Seeing Consort Huang tempted, Anning continued, "Queen Mother, whether it’s wealthy families or poor ones, if a couple only has a daughter, they would let their daughter marry and retain their family business by having the child take their family name. We are just learning from them. Queen Mother, do you think the Father Emperor would willingly let this vast kingdom fall into the hands of others?"

These final words defeated Consort Huang.

Indeed, if a common family with only a daughter could allow their daughter to marry and bear a child to continue the family legacy, why couldn’t they do the same?

Consort Huang steadied her heart and asked Anning, "Have you... chosen a Prince Consort?"

Anning nodded, "I have chosen."

"Ah?"

Consort Huang was stunned, "Who is it?"

Anning took a deep breath, "It is the eldest grandson of Mr. Xue’s family."

Consort Huang sprang to her feet, "This won’t do, absolutely not."

Anning’s eyes were determined, "I only want him; no one else will do."

Consort Huang suppressed her rising anger, "My child, you can choose anyone to be the Prince Consort, anyone but him. He... he’s a fool."

"But I have my heart set on him; he is so handsome."

Looking up imploringly at Consort Huang, Anning tugged at her sleeve, "Queen Mother, Xue He is so handsome, truly, truly very handsome. I was smitten at first sight. I am willing to overlook his foolishness. Besides, he was not born a fool; he became like this after falling into the Water and becoming feverish, he’s really quite pitiful."

Consort Huang took deep breaths to quell her anger, "Then go talk to your Father Emperor, if he agrees, then it’s settled."

Anning smiled and jumped up, "These are your words, Queen Mother. If the Father Emperor agrees, then it’s settled. Anyway, I want him, and if the Father Emperor doesn’t agree, I will not eat and starve myself in front of him."

Consort Huang was really at her wit’s end with Anning, waving her hand, "Enough, enough, get out of my sight. If I keep looking at you, I’m afraid I might strangle you."

"Yes, then I’m off."

Anning left with a bounce, as Consort Huang sighed incessantly behind her.

Returning to Baoyan Palace, Anning dismissed everyone attending her and lay on the bed, pressing her hands against her heart.

Her heart was beating especially fast, and the image of Xue He, somewhat blurred, a pure and kind young man, appeared in front of Anning.

Xue He, that was the guilt she had carried for many years.