Chapter 107 - What To Do if You’re the Villain and the Heroine Likes You

In the afternoon, after having a meal and resting for a while, He Yuanhao prepared to enter the palace to meet the empress dowager. In the palace, there were no personal matters. Even though the empress dowager no longer held political power, marrying the eldest princess still wielded considerable political influence. This influence is neither insignificant nor substantial. For regular third or fourth-rank officials, marrying the eldest princess as a daughter-in-law undoubtedly implied being drawn to the Meng family and choosing to align with them. However, He Yuanhao was different. The He family was deeply rooted, and he was a military general. Almost all military officials were under the control of the prime minister. Those who were discerning would understand that a mere out-of-favor eldest princess would not shake He Yuanhao and would not cause him to replace the He family's formidable 120,000 elite soldiers. Although He family's pressure regarding marriage was not significant due to Nanzhu's lack of favor, she was still the late emperor's beloved daughter, the dignified and well-known eldest princess of Qi. This was unlike ordinary families. In ordinary families, even if there was a slight disparity in status between the two families, when the elders met, they had to maintain their manners, treat each other equally, and address each other as "relatives." But the Meng family was not an ordinary family; they were the imperial family of Da Qi. By marrying the eldest princess, Nanzhu, in theory, He Yuanhao was forming a kinship with the imperial family and, after calculating the seniority, could become the emperor's uncle and the empress dowager's relative by marriage. But this was only theoretical. In reality, even after marrying the emperor's sister, the eldest princess, the emperor would still be the emperor, and the empress dowager would still be the empress dowager. The proper etiquette of subjects would not be lacking in any way due to marrying the eldest princess. There would be no exemptions granted. Take dressing, for example. Although He Yuanhao was going to discuss marriage, he still had to dutifully wear the attire representing his role as a subject. When Zhang Jingxian assisted him in donning the official attire, He Yuanhao specifically instructed her, "Be careful." "Ordinarily, when attending court, Lord doesn't pay this much attention." "This time, I am meeting the empress dowager to discuss Little Rabbit's marriage. It's not as simple as attending court." Zhang Jingxian snorted, "Others are fearful and cautious when attending court, but Lord strolls around leisurely, so carefree." He Yuanhao chuckled, "You don't understand. If you have desires and intentions, you will be consumed by anxiety and restlessness. Just like those court officials who are not at ease in their positions. I don't have that many thoughts and ideas. As long as I finish court business, I'm content with a bowl of black chicken soup." Zhang Jingxian meticulously smoothed out the creases in He Yuanhao's official attire and helplessly commented, "Lord, you just spoke about not having any intentions, yet here you are breaking your own rule and mentioning it to me." After tidying up the attire, He Yuanhao patted the smooth sleeves of his official attire and expressed his satisfaction, "I am not a monk with a clear mind. I don't aspire for wealth and status; I only aim for peace. Let's go." The Lady of the Marquis escorted the Marquis to the horse, but after the Marquis mounted it and rode a few paces, he dismounted and hurried back to the mansion. "Jingxian, fetch my horse. I forgot something." "The invitation cards have already been taken, haven't they?" "Something else." Something else? Zhang Jingxian did not quite understand. Apart from the invitation cards, what else was needed to seek a marriage alliance in the palace? A sword? Impossible. The palace was not their home; how could he bring a sword inside? ... In the six ministries of the court, three were under the control of Han, and the other three belonged to the Meng family. This delicate balance had been maintained in the political arena of Qi since the late emperor's division of power. Even during the empress dowager's reign, the Meng family controlled at least two ministries. Since Princess Xiaoyue took control, she had firmly grasped the Ministries of Penalty, Rites, and Works. At this time, the Meng family, in terms of the number of civil officials, gradually seemed to surpass the prime minister's faction. The resting chamber of Meng Qingqian was located outside the Changhe Palace. Li Jinzhi's father, Li Gongqin, the Minister of Rites, Huang Buren's father, Huang Qinghe, the Minister of Penalty, and Yang Dong's father, the Minister of Works, Yang Xingguang, the three second-rank officials under the Meng family, all stood together outside the door of the eldest Princess Xiaoyue. Huang Qinghe arrived early. After standing for a while without being summoned by the princess, he asked the just-arrived Li Gongqin, "Brother Li, the princess suddenly summoned us today. Do you have any clue about it?" (Implication: The princess unexpectedly shook things up. I'm a bit flustered. You are her cousin, so can you give me some insight?) Li Gongqin rushed in, sweating profusely, and replied, "Huang, We can't guess the princess's intentions, can we?" (Equivalent implication: I have no idea!) Although all three of them were close to the Meng family, they did not often gather together. Seizing this opportunity, Yang Xingguang said, "Brother Li, Brother Huang, the princess is about to turn twenty. Although twenty is not a big birthday celebration, it's still an adult ceremony. Even if it's not a grand occasion, we cannot disregard the princess's face. Do you have any preparations?" (Equivalent implication: It's the princess's birthday. Have you thought about what gifts to provide?) Li Gongqin said, "The princess doesn't like mundane things. In this troubled time, causing fewer disturbances is the greatest gift." (Equivalent implication: Tell Yang Zhe not to cause trouble. My sister-in-law doesn't like him.) Huang Qinghe added, "Brother Li makes a good point." (Equivalent implication: I agree.) Yang Xingguang smiled as he bowed, without thanking the two men, and then turned towards Changhe Palace, remaining silent. (Equivalent implication: We'll see.) Before long, palace maids led the three men into the palace. Meng Qingqian, dressed in a dark red long dress, was as usual, leaning against a chair near the tea table, not letting go of the memorial in her hand. Jianling, unlike when Li Jinzhi arrived, was not standing not far from Meng Qingqian, but stood behind her, eyes closed, and embracing her sword, staying silent. The three ministers immediately knelt upon entering the palace. "Ministers pay respects to the princess." Meng Qingqian said, "Rise." She glanced at the memorial for the last time, tossed it onto the table, then stood up, dragging her long dress to the floor, and under the gaze of the three second-rank court officials, she walked to their side, to a spot they hadn't noticed when they entered the room. The three ministers did not dare to look directly at the eldest princess for most of the time. What they could see in their field of vision was primarily the hem of the red dress. At this moment, the eldest princess approached them abruptly from behind, and they could only sneak glances at her out of the corner of their eyes. Their bodies were still facing the original position of the eldest princess's seat and did not dare to move. It was not until Meng Qingqian's clear voice rang out. "Three Grand Ministers, I have good news to share with you today." Only then did they dare to turn around to face her, saying, "We congratulate the princess." It wasn't until this moment that they noticed, aside from Meng Qingqian's long dress, there was also an official attire in their line of sight. Meng Qingqian smiled, "No need for congratulations. Look up and meet an old friend." The three men raised their heads to find a high-ranking official clad in a third-rank attire beside Meng Qingqian. Lu Liang, the Minister of Rites! Wasn't Lu Liang on Han Wenxin's side? How did he end up here...? Meng Qingqian extended her delicate hand and gently patted Lu Liang's shoulder. "Minister Lu has always been a pivotal figure of our court, with outstanding vision, abilities, and talents. From now on, all of you are friends. There is no need to be so uneasy, and you can visit often." Lu Liang's waist bent more and more as Meng Qingqian's palm patted his shoulder. After the princess finished speaking, he bowed to the three ministers, saying, "We are all friends from now on. I am willing to serve and be loyal to the princess." All three were political courtiers and naturally understood the implications behind Lu Liang, the prime minister's confidant, switching sides. Li Gongqin said, "Congratulations, Princess." Huang Buren said, "Princess is wise." Yang Xingguang said, "I and my Yang family relatives vow to follow the princess and serve the country to the death!"