CHAPTER 671: CHAPTER 671: JUST A DECORATION

Princess Consort Ji stormed furiously towards the Imperial Palace; Prince Min did not stop her this time. If she didn’t vent that anger, she would surely end up with some ailment, so let her go.

Moreover, if she didn’t make a small scene, how would the world know about his grievances, or the importance of imperial power?

Imperial power indeed.

Prince Min looked towards the direction of the Imperial Palace, recalling the words of Emperor Chu, his eyes dark and brooding, as if with a storm brewing within.

Wasn’t he afraid?

If he wasn’t afraid, why then was he persistently investigating the remnants of the Xia family?

Prince Min lowered his gaze, a barely perceptible mockery playing at the corner of his mouth.

He strolled back to the study, dismissing the attendants, and stepped beyond the screen where an elder sat composedly.

"Does my lord truly intend to follow the decree?"

Prince Min chuckled lightly, "Does the gentleman think I can defy it?"

"But, that person..."

"It’s just the position of Official Wife, after all. It’s not something I can’t afford. This vast Prince Mansion is full of decorations; having one more or one less makes no difference." Prince Min picked up an exquisite long-necked vase from the shelf and toyed with it.

"You know well she is..."

"Sir." Prince Min’s voice was low, interrupting the elder, "Princess Chongyang will be Prince Min’s wife, and she will be so for a lifetime."

The elder fell silent.

"She needs a place for peace, so give it to her. It will also ease my dear emperor brother’s mind, won’t it?" Prince Min’s comments were mocking and self-deprecating.

Soothing him, enough to irk him perhaps?

The elder sighed longingly, "As long as you know what you’re doing."

"Of course, I have it all figured out. Please rest assured." He tugged at the corner of his mouth and murmured, "If I didn’t have it figured out, why would I be standing here?"

...

Princess Chongyang, stunned by the imperial marriage decree conferred upon her by Prince Xin Mansion, took a long moment before letting her slender fingers brush over the bright yellow document.

Could she truly be betrothed?

Prince Min?

Prince Xin looked at his niece and cleared his throat, "The imperial edict states the wedding will be held in February next year. Just stay calmly in the courtyard to prepare for the marriage; you don’t need to worry about anything else."

Princess Chongyang regained her senses, gracefully saluted Prince Xin, and softly said, "Yu’er thanks you, Uncle.

Prince Xin opened his mouth, his gaze sweeping over her jade-like face, before sighing after a long moment, "Do not be afraid. Once you become Prince Min’s consort, you will only live better and more freely. No one in that mansion will dare to wrong you."

"Yes." Princess Chongyang saluted again, her smile gentle and appropriately measured.

Prince Xin wanted to reach out and pat her shoulder but then remembered the difference between men and women, so he withdrew his hand, nodded, and left.

Princess Chongyang curtsied.

"Congratulations, future Consort of Prince Min."

Princess Chongyang turned around, giving the newcomer a flawlessly polite smile, "Thank you, Sister Yan."

"Oh please, do you not remember, Aunt Yu? You are a generation above us." The Xia clan woman sneered.

Princess Chongyang paused, then said, "It was my mistake, a momentary lapse.

Xia Yan sneered, "Were you overly joyous? After all, at your age, to still be able to marry into the Royal Family is significant." She covered her mouth and laughed, "But Aunt Yu, you should be careful when dreaming at night. A nightmare where ancestors scold you wouldn’t be good."

The maid beside Princess Chongyang was so infuriated by these words that her eyes bulged into a dead fish stare, ready to erupt, but her mistress glanced over.

"I, as your aunt, remember Yan’er’s words, yet must teach you a lesson: be careful what you say outside, for not everyone is as good-tempered as I am. Even Uncle might not protect you if you are accused of insubordination!"

"You! Xia Yu, what makes you so great? Do you think marrying can lead to good days? Dream on!"

Princess Chongyang gazed at her coolly, said not a word, and nodded her head as she left.