Chapter 191 Emperor Chu is Incredibly Cunning

Chapter 191: Chapter 191 Emperor Chu is Incredibly Cunning

By mid-June, the hot topics of the tea-horse market and the return of Commandery Princess Dongyang to the capital were soon overshadowed by another topic.

That was, the Princes were being bestowed with marriages, and they were to marry by the end of the year.

This sudden explosive news left everyone stunned, not because the Princes were getting married — that was expected — but because of the chosen brides for them, leaving many families mystified.

Is the Emperor planning something big?

As Song Ci enjoyed her afternoon tea, she clicked her tongue in admiration at this grand royal gossip.

"The Emperor’s Heart Technique, truly unfathomable. Look at how skillfully he plays, it’s simply amazing."

As for the Second Prince, Chu Hongkun, he’s practically nonexistent; his biological mother is gone, his adoptive mother, Consort Duan, has a low rank, and he himself isn’t particularly outstanding, with no exceptional qualities, so he has never been highly favored.

But at least he’s the second, and the Emperor arranged him to marry Li Qingqiu, the eldest daughter of the Lai Family, who is the Governor of Fengtian Prefecture.

The Third Prince, Chu Hongzheng, is the most noble-born among all the Princes except for the Crown Prince. His mother is from the Fan Family, holding the rank of Consort, and his maternal grandfather is the current Prime Minister Fan. One might say his background is quite impressive.

Many nobles knew that Prime Minister Fan has a granddaughter who has been waiting in the boudoir, and at sixteen years old, she hasn’t been promised to anyone because she’s been waiting for this arranged marriage. The Fan Family also considered this Fan Minyi as the Official Wife for the Third Prince.

But what about the reality?

Emperor Chu’s bold move came.

He made Fan Minyi the Official Wife of the Fourth Prince, Chu Hongqing, and betrothed Minister of Rites Li Da’s daughter, Li Qian, to Chu Hongzheng.

So ask yourself, isn’t Emperor Chu’s matchmaking bold?

The Fan Family is Consort Fan’s maternal clan, and now the granddaughter indeed belongs to the Imperial Family, but she’s the daughter-in-law of rival Consort Shen Huifei. If a fight breaks out in the future, will the Fan Family side with the daughter or the granddaughter?

And then there’s the unlucky Chu Hongzheng. Why is he unlucky? Because his future wife’s family is that of the Minister of Rites, and their rank isn’t low. But previously, during court discussions about establishing a Crown Prince, Minister Li supported the traditional principle of prioritizing the legitimate and the eldest.

Just imagine, when it’s time to establish a Crown Prince, Minister Li, who has always valued rules and legitimism, has to have a non-legitimate and non-eldest son-in-law as his son-in-law. Will he still support the principle of prioritizing the legitimate and the eldest?

This arranged marriage left the nobles baffled.

So, as they say, you can’t guess the mind of an Emperor, the more you guess, the more unfathomable it becomes.

And Song Ci thought to herself, no wonder many people automatically change the Emperor’s surname to Dog. Comparing to dogs, the Emperor is the most dog-like.

Uh, she was wrong. The current Emperor Chu is a good emperor. He’s not dog-like; he’s just extremely skilled at playing. Amitabha.

"I heard Consort Fan and Consort Shen are both lying on their beds wearing headbands out of anger?" Song Ci recalled having seen those two consorts before and felt a bit of Schadenfreude.

Especially Consort Fan, who initially had her sights set on Commandery Princess Dongyang and Song Ruqi, but now she hasn’t got any of them. Even her own niece is out of the question. It’s said that Miss Li is raised strictly according to the rulebook, particularly emphasizing discipline and propriety, making her somewhat old-fashioned and wooden.

Seeing the old lady’s spirit waver, the palace maid couldn’t help but remind, "Old lady, be cautious with your words."

Song Ci looked around: "There’s no one else here, let’s gossip a little. We absolutely won’t speak outside."

Lin Qing sipped her milk tea, something only available in Song Ci’s place for afternoon tea, took a sip, and said, "The Emperor’s move emphasizes the art of balance. When it’s time to discuss the Crown Prince again, it’s bound to get even bloodier and fiercer."

"Who cares, anyway. Our Song Family isn’t involved in these matters."

The Song Family neither has daughters in the Harem nor daughters chosen as consorts, thus avoiding these struggles. Whoever gets appointed or whoever we’re loyal to doesn’t matter.