Imperial Husband Chapter 21

"Why choose Ying Yuan?" Ying Zhengjing frowned slightly, a flash of confusion quickly passing through his eyes.

Ying Zhengjing seemed uninterested in everything, but in reality, he was thoroughly informed about matters within the palace. Even the fact that Gu Rushuang had previously favored Ying Ziqi couldn't escape Ying Zhengjing's notice. Yet, inexplicably, the person Gu Rushuang named turned out to be the completely insignificant Ying Yuan.

He wondered if Gu Rushuang had chosen Ying Yuan because he had detected the covert surveillance. However, he quickly dismissed the idea. The people he had dispatched were consistently cautious, making it highly improbable they had been discovered.

Ying Zhengjing couldn't help but privately speculate about Gu Rushuang's motives.

However, Gu Rushuang's choice was very much to Ying Zhengjing's liking. After all, Gu Rushuang held the position of Empress, and his family was a behemoth like the Gu family. His every move involved the interests of many. If Gu Rushuang had told Ying Zhengjing now that he wished to raise Ying Ziqi, Ying Zhengjing's suspicious nature would surely have led him to suspect that Gu Rushuang had designs on the crown prince's position.

"Replying to Your Majesty, because the Seventh Prince is very pleasing to Chengjun's eye," Gu Rushuang's tone was very composed. "To be frank, Chengjun initially preferred the Third Prince, but later some incidents occurred that allowed Chengjun to see the Seventh Prince's stubbornness..."

Gu Rushuang knew Ying Zhengjing had a suspicious nature, so he simply informed Ying Zhengjing about the incident that day involving Li Jin, Ying Yuan, and Ying Zijun.

After hearing this, Ying Zhengjing nodded. "Since that is the case, We grant the Empress's request."

Ying Zhengjing's demeanor was feigned, he had already known about the incident that occurred that time but had simply kept it concealed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Having received Ying Zhengjing's permission, Gu Rushuang immediately performed a bow.

Shen Qianxue immediately stepped forward to offer congratulations. "This Consort congratulates Your Majesty on joyfully gaining a noble son."

Gu Rushuang, you make it sound so noble. In my opinion, you only chose Ying Yuan because you were afraid His Majesty wouldn't agree to let you raise Ying Ziqi, weren't you? But what does it matter if you chose Ying Yuan? That boy is timid and foolish, completely unqualified to compete with my child for the crown prince position. Just watch nicely as my son ascends to the position of Crown Prince and later becomes Emperor.

"Mmm."

Gu Rushuang gave a distant nod.

A trace of well-concealed resentment flashed in Shen Qianxue's eyes, then she looked at Ying Zhengjing with an excited expression and said, "Your Majesty, today His Majesty joyfully gaining a noble son is a great occasion. Perhaps we should host a banquet and invite all the sisters to come and celebrate, which would also serve to formally acknowledge the Seventh Prince's status."

"Mmm, Consort Chun's words are reasonable," Ying Zhengjing agreed with a nod. "Empress, the matter of hosting the banquet shall be handled by you. We will not attend."

Gu Rushuang curtseyed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiyu Palace, Side Hall.

Ying Yuan shook his head, refusing Zhiqiu's attempt to take him away from the West Feather Palace. "I want to wait for him to return. He said he would come find me. I won't go anywhere."

"Him?"

Zhiqiu's eyes widened in surprise.

If Zhiqiu hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he truly wouldn't have believed that the Seventh Prince, who had always been bullied in the palace, now that he had finally gained Gu Rushuang's personal notice, would actually refuse verbally. Wasn't he afraid Gu Rushuang would really change his mind? And who was this 'him'?

"Mmm." Ying Yuan nodded solemnly. "Li Jin will come find me. If I leave, he won't be able to find me."

"Wait... the person the Seventh Prince wishes to wait for is... is Heir Apparent Li?"

Hearing Li Jin's name from Ying Yuan's mouth surprised Zhiqiu even more.

From what Zhiqiu knew, Li Jin and Ying Yuan had only met a few times and weren't familiar. How could Ying Yuan value Li Jin so much?

"Yes."

Ying Yuan nodded again, the stubbornness in his eyes undiminished.

"If the Seventh Prince wishes to meet Heir Apparent Li again, then you shouldn't refuse His Majesty," Zhiqiu said, having found the reason for Ying Yuan's unwillingness to leave, immediately addressing the core of the issue.

Ying Yuan made a puzzled sound. "Why do you say that? Do you also know Li Jin?"

Seeing that Ying Yuan was beginning to waver, Zhiqiu patiently guided him. "Heir Apparent Li is His Majesty's nephew. If the Seventh Prince becomes His Majesty's adopted son, wouldn't you be able to see Heir Apparent Li frequently?"

"..."

Because of these words from Zhiqiu, Ying Yuan fell silent, and it wasn't hard to see that Ying Yuan was already tempted. But having been deceived too many times, Ying Yuan didn't dare to believe immediately.

Zhiqiu added more incentive. "His Majesty also said he intends to host a banquet to celebrate for the Seventh Prince, and plans to invite Heir Apparent Li into the palace as well. If the Seventh Prince doesn't believe this servant's words, you can go to the banquet and see for yourself if Heir Apparent Li comes or not."

"Alright, I'll go."

With Zhiqiu having spoken to this extent, Ying Yuan did not refuse again and nodded in agreement.

Elsewhere.

"You say Zhiqiu went to Ying Yuan's place and said the Empress chose Ying Yuan to be his adopted son, and is even going to host a banquet to celebrate for Ying Yuan?" Upon hearing the eunuch's words, Ying Ziqi's face instantly turned as black as a pot bottom.

The eunuch couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. "Y... yes..."

"Preposterous." Ying Ziqi angrily slammed the table. "How could a waste like Ying Yuan possibly gain the Empress's personal favor?"

"Re... replying to Third Prince, this... this is what... what this slave heard... and... and the person who went to the Seventh Prince's palace to say this was... was His Majesty's attendant Zhiqiu... this matter cannot be false."

Ying Ziqi could no longer suppress the anger in his heart, glaring furiously at the eunuch. "Get out!"

"Yes, yes... this slave will roll out immediately... roll out immediately..."

The eunuch dared not stay a moment longer under Ying Ziqi's furious state, and immediately scrambled away.

"Damn it, what exactly is going on? The one Gu Rushuang had his eye on was clearly me, so how did it suddenly become Ying Yuan?" Ying Ziqi made no attempt to conceal the jealousy and confusion in his eyes.

Ying Ziqi was no fool. He had long detected Gu Rushuang's intention to adopt him, which was why he subtly refused when Ying Zhengjing wanted to assign him a foster mother, while simultaneously putting on a good show in front of Gu Rushuang to win his favor.

To Ying Ziqi, the foster mothers Ying Zhengjing had previously chosen for him weren't bad, but these people were far inferior compared to Gu Rushuang and the Gu family behind him. If he recognized one of them as his foster mother, his path to ascending to the crown prince position would undoubtedly face many more obstacles.

As a prince, how could Ying Ziqi not want to sit on the crown prince's seat?

However.

This opportunity was so quietly and soundlessly snatched away by Ying Yuan. How could Ying Ziqi possibly remain calm? "Damn it, what exactly did Gu Rushuang see in Ying Yuan?"

Ying Ziqi continuously recalled past events, trying to figure out how Ying Yuan managed to connect with Gu Rushuang. It never occurred to him that Ying Yuan becoming Gu Rushuang's adopted son was entirely due to a few words from Li Jin.

Elsewhere.

"Mother Consort, your mood seems quite good? Could it be that Father Emperor bestowed some novel treasure again?" Having just returned from the Grand Tutor's place and seeing Shen Qianxue's happy appearance, Ying Ziheng couldn't hide his curiosity.

Consort Chun, Shen Qianxue, had given birth to two sons and one daughter, and also had an adopted shuang'er earlier. She could be considered the most prominent consort in the palace currently, seemingly on the verge of overshadowing Gu Rushuang.

Ying Ziheng was the elder of the two sons born to Shen Qianxue, second in line, slightly older than Ying Ziqi.

Shen Qianxue covered her mouth with a light laugh. "It's the Empress's great joy. Just now he told His Majesty he wishes to adopt the Seventh Prince, and His Majesty agreed."

"The Empress wants to adopt Ying Yuan?"

Ying Ziheng was also startled upon hearing this.

"Mmm." Shen Qianxue curled her lips. "This way, we can temporarily set our minds at ease regarding the Empress's side. Our main focus now should be concentrating our efforts to deal with the Eldest Prince, Ying Zihui, born of Consort Shu. As long as he falls, you will have the best chance of being established as Crown Prince."

"If Mother Consort says so... do you have a plan?"

"Indeed. Now we only need to wait for the right moment to arrive, and Ying Zihui will no longer be an obstacle to your ascent to the Crown Prince position."