usatvline Chapter 189 Confession
Chapter 189 Confession
Chapter 189 189 Confession
Normally, Consort Zhuang rarely sent anyone to ask to see him. When Chunyu Yang heard Qiu Lu say this, he guessed that what happened at the Marquis of Anshi's residence yesterday had most likely reached Consort Zhuang's ears.
As astute as Chunyu Shan was, he naturally guessed the reason why Consort Zhuang had summoned Chunyu Yang. He said:
"It's been a while since I last went to the palace to pay my respects to Mother. Since we're going the same way anyway, Third Brother, shall we go together?"
Chunyu Yang hummed in agreement and strode toward the harem.
The palaces of Consort Zhuangxian and Consort Yushu were located in the north and east of the inner palace, respectively, which corresponded to the titles of Chunyu Yang and Chunyu Shan. The titles Shu and Xian also implied the virtues of the women in the inner palace. After entering the inner palace, Chunyu Yang and Chunyu Shan went their separate ways and went to Consort Zhuangxian's Xianling Palace and Consort Yushu's Taichang Palace.
Inside Xianling Palace, Consort Zhuang had been waiting for Chunyu Yang for a long time. Upon receiving the message from the eunuch, she immediately perked up, propped herself up, and looked intently towards the door, her eyes burning with desire.
A moment later, Chunyu Yang walked in with steady steps and a cold and solemn demeanor. His robes fluttered as he walked to Consort Zhuang, where he knelt down and kowtowed.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Consort Zhuang covered her mouth with her sleeve, coughed lightly twice, and said with tenderness in her eyes, "Alright, get up."
Chunyu Yang got up and sat down next to Consort Zhuang, checked her temperature, and asked with a frown, "Why is Mother coughing again?"
"Don't be nervous, your mother is fine." Consort Zhuang knew what he was worried about, and gently patted his hand to comfort him. "Ever since you found that poisonous thing here, your mother has been very careful and has not given anyone another chance to take advantage of the situation... cough cough, it's just that I didn't sleep well last night and caught a bit of a cold."
“Although it was discovered in time, Mother Consort has been poisoned for some time now. If she cannot be cured, her health will only deteriorate. This is exactly what that person wanted,” Chunyu Yang said in a deep voice.
"It's alright. What storms haven't I weathered over the years? This mere poison can't harm me," Consort Zhuang said with a light smile. "Besides, don't I still have you? You said you would find an antidote for me. Do you have any leads now?"
Chunyu Yang's expression hardened, and he looked directly into Consort Zhuang's eyes, saying, "Speaking of this matter, I have a request, and I hope that Mother will grant it."
Consort Zhuang was delighted. Today, she had Qiu Lu summon Chunyu Yang after the morning court session, intending to find out her son's thoughts on the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Anshi's family. Unexpectedly, the boy also had something he wanted to ask her. She wondered if they were thinking the same thing.
"You said."
"I wish to invite Mother Consort to accompany me on this autumn hunt."
Consort Zhuang was taken aback: "Autumn hunt? Why?"
"Your Majesty, I have found someone who can cure Mother Consort's poison. However, the process of curing this poison is quite dangerous, and she must stay by Mother Consort's side to deal with any unexpected events," Chunyu Yang said.
"Dangerous? Is this poison really that potent? Who is that person? Is it the 'Mr. Green Ivy' you often mention?" Consort Zhuang asked.
Chunyu Yang said, "No, it's her disciple, Ye Pianran, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Anshi's mansion."
Consort Zhuang's expression instantly became quite interesting. She looked at Chunyu Yang with a half-smile, her eyes full of mockery: "Oh? So you're just a little maid from the Marquis of Anshi's residence?"
Under the watchful gaze of Consort Zhuang, Chunyu Yang felt inexplicably embarrassed.
"Boyuan, I heard someone mention yesterday that you seemed to have done something rude at the Marquis of Anshi's residence?" Consort Zhuang said with a meaningful smile.
Chunyu Yang paused for a moment, then said, "In a moment of desperation, I had no choice."
"What a desperate situation! What kind of 'situation' could make you so anxious that you disregard your status as a prince?" Consort Zhuang asked.
"Mother..." Chunyu Yang wanted to say something, but Consort Zhuang interrupted him.
"Boyuan, you have always been a deep thinker and have your own ideas. Your mother knows you are steady in your actions, so I have never interfered with you," Consort Zhuang said slowly. "But it has been seven years. Zhan Yinghong has been gone for seven years, and in these seven years you have never been attracted to anyone else. Your mother knows that you are deeply in love with her, but Xuan'er still needs a mother. Boyuan, what are you really thinking? This time, can you tell your mother?"
Chunyu Yang's expression was quite moved. He stared intently at Consort Zhuang, his voice low and tense:
"Your heart has always belonged to only one person, and that person is not Zhan Yinghong, but her."
Consort Zhuang was stunned and exclaimed, "What did you say?"
"Your subject only wishes to spend the rest of his life with her; he asks for nothing more," Chunyu Yang said firmly.
"That—that Zhan Yinghong—" Consort Zhuang was clearly still reeling from his words, "Back then—"
Chunyu Yang knew this day would come sooner or later. He didn't really want to keep it a secret from Consort Zhuang. It was fine when Jingxuan was young, but as he grew older and his features became more defined, some things couldn't be hidden any longer.
Holding Consort Zhuang's hand reassuringly, Chunyu Yang said:
"I owe him my life, and this is the only way I can repay it. Although he and Zhan Yinghong are no longer here, I will still raise Jingxuan to adulthood so as not to fail this life-saving grace."
Consort Zhuang felt dizzy. She supported her head and it took her a while to come back to her senses. When she looked at Chunyu Yang again, her eyes were full of sadness and reluctance, as well as anger at him for deceiving her for so many years.
"Royal marriages cannot be treated so lightly!" Consort Zhuang said through gritted teeth. "If it weren't for that girl from the Marquis of Anshi's family, would you have spent your entire life paying off this debt?"
Chunyu Yang remained silent, but Consort Zhuang already knew his answer. She knew he would; her son, though not eloquent and quiet, was the most loyal and affectionate of all the princes. He was loyal and affectionate, yet unaware that this was also the shackle that bound him!
Consort Zhuang took a deep breath and asked with a serious expression, "You want to marry that girl from the Marquis of Anshi's family?"
Chunyu Yang: "Yes."
"Does she know about Xuan'er's background?" Consort Zhuang asked. "And what is Xuan'er's opinion of her?"
“When the time is right, I will confess to her myself,” Chunyu Yang said. “As for Xuan’er, Mother Consort, you need not worry about him at all.”
"Very well." Consort Zhuang nodded. "This time, your mother will find a way to go on the autumn hunt in Xingzhou with your father. I want to see what kind of woman can win your and Xuan'er's hearts."
"I will certainly not disappoint my mother," Chunyu Yang said.
Consort Zhuang hummed in agreement and said, "If it is indeed a good match, you should take advantage of this autumn hunt to make a good start and ask your father for a reward so that he can arrange the marriage."
Chunyu Yang's expression softened, and a relaxed smile appeared on his usually tense and cold face:
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will follow your teachings."