“The Crown Prince went to the Bu residence?” Xiao Changmin received this news right after Xiao Huayong left. He asked his reporting subordinate, “Who did he bring?”
“Your Highness, just one attendant and one guard,” the subordinate respectfully replied.
Xiao Changmin pondered silently before ordering: “Go invite General Yu to come.”
Though the Marquis of Pingyao was gone, Yu Xiang remained General of the Capital’s Defense Forces.
As the subordinate was about to withdraw, Xiao Changmin called out: “Wait, have General Yu bring Second Lady Yu.”
Last time, when they sacrificed the lesser to save the greater and withdrew in time, it was Yu Sangning who informed Yu Xiang, who then persuaded Xiao Changmin. Yu Xiang hadn’t claimed credit, hoping his daughter might earn Xiao Changmin’s favor later, so he told Xiao Changmin everything.
After avoiding that crisis, most things went as Yu Sangning predicted, and Xiao Changmin indeed came to greatly admire her. The Xiao family’s sons weren’t arrogantly dismissive of women – without even mentioning past heroines, wasn’t there one in the Eastern Palace now?
Thus, he was willing to treat Yu Sangning as an advisor. They would soon marry, and since Yu Sangning possessed such talent, why shouldn’t he give her more opportunities?
The Zhao Prince’s mansion among the sixteen royal residences was decorated with red silk, indicating the approaching celebration. Though Yu Sangning and Xiao Changmin were betrothed with less than a month until their wedding, Yu Xiang still had Yu Sangning dressed as a servant boy when accompanying him to the prince’s mansion.
“Your Highness,” father and daughter bowed in greeting.
Xiao Changmin hurriedly gestured for them to rise: “No need for formalities, General. We’ll soon be family.”
He signaled his confidant to dismiss everyone else. With the doors closed, only the three remained.
Yu Xiang’s expression grew serious: “Your Highness, what important matter requires attention?”
Xiao Changmin smiled gently: “The General worries too much. I have no task requiring your effort, but rather a matter I wish to discuss. General and Second Lady will soon be family with me, hence I invited you both. Please, sit.”
He led them to a round wooden table already set with tea, dried fruits, and pastries. When Xiao Changmin moved to pour tea, Yu Sangning stepped forward first: “By rank and age, I should serve.”
Xiao Changmin didn’t contest this, giving her a slight smile before politely turning to Yu Xiang: “General, I’ve received news that World Son Bu is female.”
Not only was Yu Xiang shocked, but even Yu Sangning’s hand trembled slightly. Fortunately, her self-control was excellent, preventing any tea from spilling, and she quickly composed herself, serving the first cup to Xiao Changmin.
He appreciated her quick recovery, showing his approval as he accepted the teacup with both hands.
“Your Highness, this is no small matter. Is the information reliable?” Yu Xiang quickly recovered and asked solemnly.
“The source is trustworthy and would never deceive me, however… they’re only seventy to eighty percent certain about World Son Bu being female, not completely sure.” Xiao Changmin naturally wouldn’t reveal his pleasure house to Yu Xiang. “These days, I’ve had people secretly investigating World Son Bu, but still found nothing.”
“If World Son Bu were truly female, how could she have hidden it so well all these years, growing up under His Majesty’s very nose?” Yu Xiang remained skeptical.
If this were true, wouldn’t His Majesty faint from anger?
Moreover, forget His Majesty – none of them had ever suspected Bu Shulin’s identity. Bu Shulin spent days with young nobles, either cockfighting and bird-catching or staying in pleasure houses drinking. To say she was female seemed… rather unbelievable.
“General, His Majesty originally intended to arrange Third Sister’s marriage to World Son Bu. Unexpectedly, World Son Bu became entangled with Junior Chief Justice Cui, causing widespread gossip. Third Sister refused, so it was dropped,” Xiao Changmin said. “World Son Bu is the sole heir of the Prince of Shunan’s household. That she shows no urgency about marriage, and the Prince of Shunan remains indifferent, is quite unusual.”
Even if Bu Shulin stayed in the capital, not wanting family burdens, and not wishing to be controlled by His Majesty in marriage matters, what truly adaptable good man would fear forming a marriage alliance according to His Majesty’s wishes? Without any prior attachment, such resistance to marriage was inexplicable.
“If so, why doesn’t Your Highness have His Majesty arrange another marriage for World Son Bu?” Yu Sangning suddenly spoke.
Both Xiao Changmin and Yu Xiang looked at her.
Yu Sangning showed no embarrassment, speaking gracefully: “Why is Your Highness so concerned about whether World Son Bu is female?”
Xiao Changmin didn’t mind her question, thinking carefully that exposing Bu Shulin as female might not bring much merit or benefit.
After a pause, Xiao Changmin said: “I suspect Junior Chief Justice Cui already knows World Son Bu is female, and given World Son Bu’s close relationship with the Crown Princess, she likely knows too. If handled well, this matter…”
The rest needn’t be said – both the Cui family and Eastern Palace would suffer.
When Yu Sangning heard Shen Xihe mentioned, her brow twitched, suppressing an inexplicable fear: “Your Highness, regardless of whether World Son Bu is female, or if the Crown Princess and Junior Chief Justice Cui know, Your Highness shouldn’t be the one to handle this.”
To Yu Sangning, this seemed thankless – even if exposed, it would merely help His Majesty eliminate the Bu family. Truly involving the Crown Princess and the now-leading Cui family wouldn’t be easy, yet would instantly offend both the Shen and Cui families.
“Second Lady Yu forgets, among the princes, I am the eldest,” Xiao Changmin reminded her.
Yu Sangning had long known Xiao Changmin wouldn’t submit to others but hadn’t expected him to state it so directly to her.
He wanted to use this to overthrow the Eastern Palace, gain merit, and hopefully take over as Crown Prince.
Yu Xiang hadn’t expected Xiao Changmin to be so bold – he was His Majesty’s man, wasn’t Xiao Changmin afraid he’d inform His Majesty?
Silence filled the room, broken only by the lingering tea fragrance.
After a while, Yu Sangning lowered her eyes: “Your Highness, forgive my directness, but this isn’t the best time for you to act.”
Xiao Changmin’s gaze deepened.
Yu Xiang glared at his daughter – how could she speak so carelessly?
Yu Sangning had thought long and hard but didn’t back down. She clearly understood Xiao Changmin’s heart held both the former princess consort and another hidden person. She’d never intended to discuss fleeting romance with him.
If so, she’d use another approach to become indispensable to him.
“Let’s set aside whether Your Highness’s plan could succeed, or the Crown Princess’s strategic abilities. Even if everything went as Your Highness wishes, could you secure the position in the Eastern Palace?” Yu Sangning took a deep breath and boldly questioned, testing Xiao Changmin’s bottom line.
“Impudent!” Yu Xiang shouted. “You…”
His reprimand was cut off by Xiao Changmin’s raised hand: “Continue speaking.”