CHAPTER 413: CHAPTER 405: AT THE MERCY OF OTHERS

Confronted with the resolute attitude of Yuan Yindi, the Fourteenth Prince could only temporarily take his leave.

However, though the Fourteenth Prince had taken his leave, this did not mean he would cease his efforts.

Because behind this marriage alliance was Emperor Xia.

Eight years ago, Ying Li had already informed Emperor Xia about Yuan Bao possessing an Immortal Treasure. Yet, Emperor Xia did not take immediate action, choosing instead to keep this matter to himself.

It was only now that Emperor Xia started to entertain plans.

The Immortal Treasure, capable of storing vast amounts of provisions and military equipment, would completely eliminate the logistical pressures of large-scale military campaigns.

These eight years, Emperor Xia had been diligent in governance, accumulating national strength.

Now, Emperor Xia felt the time was ripe to begin his quest for unification.

To ensure nothing went wrong, he needed to thoroughly control Yuan Bao.

However, Emperor Xia did not explicitly designate which prince should marry Yuan Bao. The reason the Fourteenth Prince emerged was purely due to a hint from Imperial Concubine Yi, and coincidentally, the Fourteenth Prince had also guessed a small secret about Yuan Bao.

"Fifth Brother, don’t be too upset!"

"Let me go and talk to Grandmother about this!"

After the Fourteenth Prince left, Ruan Wan also learned the general situation from Yuan Yindi. It was impossible for her not to be angry.

Even though Yuan Bao never called her "mother," often referring to her as "little aunt" or simply "Ruan," in Ruan Wan’s heart, she regarded Yuan Bao as her own daughter, just like Yuan Yindi.

The glory of the royal family is something shown to the outsider.

All that cannot stand the light is buried beneath piles of corpses and seas of blood.

Now, with the Crown Prince undecided, any prince could potentially succeed.

Though the Fourth Prince had the greatest support, it did not mean he would definitely prevail.

The Fourteenth Prince seemed to have no ambitions, but who could truly understand his intentions?

In the court, it is best to be a pure official.

The rewards of aiding a victorious emperor are immensely rich, but if one makes a misstep, it could lead to the ruin of one’s family.

"Wanwan, do you think this matter is the Fourteenth Prince’s own idea or the Emperor’s intention?"

Yuan Yindi did not have the same calmness as Ruan Wan.

"I don’t know!"

Ruan Wan pondered for a moment before shaking her head.

"Wanwan, why hasn’t the Fourteenth Prince married all these years? Is there a story behind this?"

Yuan Yindi suddenly thought of this situation after a moment of silence.

When it comes to a prince’s marriage, it is usually planned after the age of sixteen. According to what Yuan Yindi knew, even the Twenty-third Prince, who was just fifteen, had already chosen a princess.

But the Fourteenth Prince was already twenty-seven!

"Well, I do know a little about this!"

Ruan Wan blinked and said, "It seems a Daoist once read the Fourteenth Prince’s fortune, stating he should not marry before thirty, or he would face a life-threatening risk."

"Is it true?"

Hearing Ruan Wan’s answer, Yuan Yindi was taken aback.

"It should be true!"

Ruan Wan casually shrugged, "Otherwise, why hasn’t the Fourteenth Prince married by now? Even the Emperor isn’t in a rush!"

Yuan Yindi tended to have some belief in these fortune tellings.

After all, within the Yuan Family, Yuan Bao was considered their good fortune, a truth foreseen by their ancestors and passed down through generations.

The facts also proved that since the Yuan Family had this little girl Yuan Bao, life had been thriving more and more.

"For this matter, do not disturb the Eldest Princess first. Let me probe the Emperor for more information!"

Yuan Yindi thought for a moment, realizing that to uncover the truth, they must seek out Emperor Xia for more clues.

He was now appointed as the Imperial Censor.

The position of Imperial Censor already ranked as a leader in the court.

Achieving such a position at this age was clearly due to special advancement by Emperor Xia. Otherwise, given Yuan Yindi’s age, it would have been impossible.

In an official career, seniority and ranking are prioritized above all.

Being young and holding a high position will inevitably invite endless criticism.

"Fifth Brother, how do you plan to communicate with the Emperor?"

"I’ll see what reactions I get and adapt accordingly!"

Finding out Emperor Xia’s intentions is not difficult. By using the Fourteenth Prince as a topic, one could easily discern the Emperor’s thoughts.

"Fifth Brother, I think I should first go to Grandmother to ask about the news!"

"No!"

"Let me handle this matter!"

Yuan Yindi gently shook his head, "If I can’t find any information from the Emperor, then you go to the Eldest Princess!"

"Alright!"

Seeing Yuan Yindi’s resolute attitude, Ruan Wan could only comply with his arrangements.

...

After Yuan Bao returned to the Capital, she immediately informed Yuan Yindi and Ruan Wan about the situation in Yunyang City and also spoke of how Mrs. Wei Shen was schemed against by Imperial Concubine Yi, was flogged, and almost had her leg crippled.

"It seems there’s no need to ask the Emperor now!"

After Yuan Bao finished speaking, Yuan Yindi could already confirm that Emperor Xia had a role in this matter.

"Little Uncle, do you mean that this was the Emperor’s intention?"

"Ninety-nine percent sure!"

Yuan Yindi nodded, "Your godmother is the Eighth Young Madam of the Wei Family. Everyone in the court knows the significance of the Wei Family in the Emperor’s mind."

"Imperial Concubine Yi has always maintained a good relationship with the Wei Family. It’s impossible that they would punish your godmother for just a little disrespect!"

"What she did was undeniably a warning!"

"Little Uncle, according to your reasoning, do I have to marry the Fourteenth Prince?"

Yuan Bao squinted, realizing if things were to progress in this manner, she would not allow herself to be manipulated.

"It may not necessarily be the Fourteenth Prince!"

Yuan Yindi thought for a while, gently shaking his head, "Although it’s unclear why the Emperor is doing this, I think the Emperor likely wants you to be under his control!"

"Perhaps this is related to your master!"

Yuan Yindi was indeed very clever.

With just some information at hand, he had mostly pieced together the truth.

"Jiaojiao, you should find your master and ask for guidance!"

Yuan Yindi looked at Yuan Bao helplessly, "If the Emperor indeed has such intentions, then Little Uncle may not be able to offer much help!"

"At most, I can resign!"

"But if the Emperor decrees a marriage, whether I resign or not makes little difference."

Being in such a position was truly disheartening for Yuan Yindi.

"Little Uncle, don’t think too much. Perhaps you have misunderstood the situation?"

Yuan Bao blinked, "Let me ask my master first, and then we’ll plan our next steps!"