Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 17.2

Chapter 17.2

When Emperor Qingde went back to Zhenghe Hall, he gave the command to summon Shen Qushenge.

Emperor Qingde first chatted with Shen Qushenge about government affairs. After talking about the official business, Emperor Qingde came to the topic he wanted to discuss. “Recently, the Imperial Concubine and the Queen have been selecting ladies to enter the coen prince’s palace. Seeing that the Seventh Girl is beautiful and dignified, the Imperial Concubine intends to marry the Seventh Girl to Marquis Pingxi, so she asked me to talk with you. Speaking of things, I wonder what father-in-law’s intention is?”

Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Shen Qushenge felt quite complicated. ‘This Emperor clearly agreed to his daughter’s proposal to make Qingqing the crown prince’s concubine, but now he favours the Noble Concubine Chun because of her few words. He really has the potential to be a coward.’ 

If he looked into this matter as the Queen’s father or a cabinet member, Shen Qushenge would be unhappy, but considering his granddaughter, Shen Qushenge was very pleased that Noble Concubine Chun could persuade Emperor Qingde to change his mind.

“Marquis Pingxi is a pillar of the Imperial Court. However, Qingqing has been spoilt by her parents and is not worthy of the Marquis.” Shen Qushenge said humbly. He thought if he could protect his granddaughter from both the Prince and Li Zhi, it would be the best. 

Emperor Qingde looked at Shen Qushenge opposite him, but he had another thought.

‘It seems Shen Qushenge didn’t want to marry the Seventh Girl to Li Zhi. Could it be that he wanted to favour the Queen and the Prince?’

To be honest, Emperor Qingde didn’t know whether Noble Concubine Chun’s unborn child would be a boy or a girl. Even if the Noble Concubine Chun gave birth to a boy, that child would probably not be able to win the throne. At present, there were three sons: one was the Crown Prince, one was disabled, and the other was young. Therefore, it was precise that the Crown Prince would be the Emperor one day. And he was very worried that after his death, the Crown Prince and the Queen would take revenge on Noble Concubine Chun. Therefore, the Emperor realised that if the marriage between the Shen family and the Li family could happen, then even if the Crown Prince wanted to deal with the Concubine Chun and siblings after he ascended the throne, the Shen family would beg for mercy for the sake of their daughter.

Thinking of this, Emperor Qingde smiled and said, “Father-in-law is overly worried. In fact, Marquis Pingxi has been attracted to Qingqing for a long time. The two of them are talented and beautiful, and they have the fate of heroes saving beautiful women. It is really a match made in heaven. Don’t my father-in-law think so?”

Shen Qushenge had previously agreed with his third son to marry Li Zhi to his granddaughter. After learning of Emperor Qingde’s desire to arrange marriages, he did the same and remarked, “The Marquis has talent. Marrying him will be a blessing for us.”

Emperor Qingde was very satisfied and said loudly, “In that case, during the draft tomorrow, I will grant the marriage.”

Shen Qushenge smiled bitterly in his heart. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

 ****

Shen Qingqing was unaware of the events taking place within the palace.

Shortly after Noble Concubine Chun passed out, the nun brought the display girls—who had not yet been chosen—back to Chuxiu Palace.

On the way, Shen Qingqing could feel so many eyes on her, especially her fifth sister Shen Jiarong. Shen Qingqing laughed to herself. ‘The Fifth Sister is so envious of my concubine title. But would the fifth sister attack and kill Zhou Ya, the one designated as the Crown Princess?‘

Returning to her room, Shen Qingqing smiled mockingly and sat stiffly on the chair, unable to keep a straight expression.

‘The Crown Prince’s concubine… The Queen aunt actually wanted me to enter the East Palace.’

She clearly remembered the incident that happened on the Queen’s birthday. 

No matter how stupid Shen Qingqing was, she knew that Queen Shen didn’t like her. 

‘Today’s arrangement was clearly to punish me. Queen Shen knew the Prince very well and knew that I did not want to become a concubine in the East Palace. What to do now?’

Shen Qingqing was quite tense. She wished very much that she could have rushed out of Chuxiu Palace, found her grandfather, and asked him to punish his excellent daughter. But the palace was controlled by strict rules, so how could Shen Qingqing have a chance to meet her grandfather?

Shen Qingqing was so worried that she didn’t sleep all night.

The following day, during breakfast, Shen Jiayi whispered to Shen Qingqing, “Seventh Sister, look, the Fifth Sister’s eyes are almost on you.”

Shen Qingqing didn’t bother to look, and since she didn’t have any appetite, she couldn’t even eat when she saw Shen Jiarong.

Shen Jia saw her cousin’s listlessness. She murmured softly, “You don’t want to?” as she became aware of something.

The concubines of the Crown Prince were undoubtedly not as good as the Crown Princess, but the concubines were still quite noble. As long as they didn’t make mistakes, the Prince would succeed to the throne in the future. Immediately after that, Shen Qingqing could be named a Noble Concubine and occupy the position of master of the first palace. Shen Jiayi knew that her cousin didn’t like the prince, but she didn’t expect her cousin to be so resistant. After all, there were many ladies who wanted to be at least a concubine of the Crown Prince. 

Shen Qingqing said nothing.

Suddenly the female instructor looked over at them, so Shen Jiayi shrank her neck and swallowed back all her words.

When the time came, the nanny once again led the carefully dressed ladies to the Middle Palace.

Queen Shen was quietly worried about what Emperor Qingde and Noble Concubine Chun had talked about yesterday. 

Two and a half hours had passed while the girls were waiting outside.

‘Why are they still outside? Could Noble Concubine Chun possibly still wish to sabotage this draft?’

Most of them had that thought.

A young Eunuch from the front hall hurried over. “Your Majesty, His Majesty has just come from the Zhenghe Hall and has taken a seat in the front hall. Please come over.”

Queen Shen quickly stood up and went to the front hall. Emperor Qingde had already arrived, but the seat on the right was empty.

“Your Majesty, where is the concubine’s sister?” Queen Shen asked with a smile.

Emperor Qingde said calmly, “She is pregnant and should not work hard anymore. I am very busy today. Let’s get started.”

Once he had said so, Emperor Qingde turned to face the stunning young ladies.

In the front row stood Shen Jiarong and Shen Qingqing.

Queen Shen was about to praise Shen Qingqing as she did yesterday, but Emperor Qingde took the lead and said, “Jiarong’s nature is as pure and as elegant as a chrysanthemum, and she has the character of a queen. Let’s choose her as the Crown Prince’s concubine.”

Everyone was startled when the Emperor finished talking.

And Shen Jiarong was ecstatic. Her greatest desire was to hold the title of Crown Princess, but she never got her wish. Instead, Shen Jiarong was considering the concubine and opted for the next best thing.

The Queen had wanted Shen Qingqing to marry the Crown Prince, and Shen Jiarong felt as though something was lodged in her throat. One night, she nearly choked to death. Today things took an abrupt turn for the worse. She was personally ordered to marry the Prince by Emperor Qingde! 

Shen Jiarong was nearly laughing with happiness. 

However, she wasn’t happier than Shen Qingqing! Shen Qingqing was really happy that she had gotten away from her worst fear just now.

‘No matter how much Queen Shen wants to punish me, she will not be able to select two nieces from her natal family in a row.’

Queen Shen, for her part, was taken aback. She was afraid that Concubine Chun would discredit her and alter her selection of the Crown Princess, but Shen Qingqing ended up becoming the chosen one.

“Queen, what do you think?” Emperor Qingde asked, glancing at Queen Shen.

With a genuine smile, Queen Shen said, “Jiarong is good, too.” Queen Shen instantly gave herself a self-slap in front of all the attractive ladies, but who said the emperor actually made the final decision?

Once the candidates for the Crown Princess, and the two concubines were selected, the draft would be over.

Shen Qingqing was finally relieved, raising questions primarily about Emperor Qingde’s possible change of heart.

Shen Qingqing surreptitiously glanced at Emperor Qingde due to uncertainty, but Emperor Qingde also glanced at her!

When their gazes locked, Shen Qingqing was about to decide whether to smile at the Emperor Uncle or quickly avert her gaze when Emperor Qingde gave her an enigmatic first smile.

Shen Qingqing: ‘What was that for?’

Emperor Qingde did not confuse the little girl for too long. 

As soon as Shen Qingqing returned to the Shen family and before she had time to talk to Mrs. Chen, Emperor Qingde’s imperial edict came.

Every member of the Shen family, except the father and three sons, ran out, and knelt in the front garden to accept the edict.

The eunuch declared the edict in a clear voice. He glanced at everyone in the Shen family and read out in a cadence according to the bright yellow imperial edict. “By God’s decree, the Emperor has decreed that Shen Qingqing, the daughter of Shen Tingwen, a doctor in the household department, is beautiful, gentle and kind. This King is very happy with the Imperial Concubine, and this King has specially granted the marriage to the Imperial Concubine’s brother, Marquis Pingxi Li Zhi…”

End of chapter 17

Have a nice day!