txolops Chapter 1208 - 1197: The Wealthy Merchant
Chapter 1208 - 1197: The Wealthy Merchant
When the people from Prince Linsan’s side learned that Ye Qiu had sent a woman to fight, everyone except Ye Lu was mocking, but out of her own selfishness, Ye Lu didn’t warn them.
"I thought Prince Ye was formidable, but he actually sent a woman to battle."
"I suppose he conquered Prince Donghe’s territory merely due to his advantageous timing and geographical position. Prince Donghe, after all, led eighty percent of his elite troops, so being conquered was only natural."
"I said, how could he possibly develop so rapidly in such a short time."
"General Shi, this time we’re counting on you to beat Prince Ye soundly."
Shi Rui was also full of ambition. He was already one of Prince Linsan’s fierce generals, and now his opponent was a woman. It’s not that he looked down on women, but women inherently lacked the talent that men had in this field. Could ordinary women even wield weapons? How could they fight him?
"Rest assured, everyone. I shall fulfill my duty to the Prince," Shi Rui said with great confidence.
At that time, Shi Xuan in the backyard also felt confident, thinking that her and her brother’s status might rise because of this battle. She had underestimated Ye Lu, this concubine, not realizing how hard it was to make the Prince biased against Ye Lu. Recently, the Prince had been won over again.
Especially now that the concubine had already lost a child, she would surely be more cautious in the future. It would be difficult for her to make a move.
She couldn’t help but resent her own belly, wondering why it wasn’t cooperating. She had been married to the Prince for over four years without any sign of pregnancy. Despite praying, visiting doctors, and taking medicine, why couldn’t she get pregnant?
"Princess Consort need not worry. General Shi will surely conquer Prince Ye’s territory this time. He will achieve such great merit that no one will dare shake your position," the nanny said comfortingly.
"But without a descendant, I’m always uneasy. Nanny, do you think I should..."
"Spit, spit, spit, there’s nothing wrong with Princess Consort’s health; it’s just that the time hasn’t come. But if Princess Consort continues to dread that concubine, I have an idea that requires you to be ruthless."
Shi Xuan seemed to grasp at a lifeline: "Nanny, please tell me."
"Instead of fearing that the concubine will have a child to threaten your status, why not actively give the Prince other concubines? When one of them bears a child, you can keep the child and gain a reputation."
"But if I have a child in the future, wouldn’t my child be considered lower than the concubine’s child?"
"That’s why I said Princess Consort must be ruthless," the nanny said with a sharp look.
Shi Xuan’s heart trembled, then she paced back and forth hesitatingly.
"Princess Consort, if you can’t bear it when the child arrives, you can just let the servants take care of them."
"Nanny, let me think it over."
"Princess Consort, there’s no time to think. The concubine has already recovered. Who knows when she’ll be pregnant again?"
"But I’m afraid if something happens to the child, the Prince will suspect."
"Did the Prince suspect you when the concubine miscarried? We could use the same trick again, pretending it was the concubine’s doing, killing two birds with one stone."
The more Shi Xuan listened, the more tempted she became. In the end, she made up her mind: "Then let’s do as the nanny suggested. First, select two ordinary women with pure family backgrounds and beautiful appearances from the city. Promote two handmaids from the Prince’s side and give them a separate courtyard—no grand ceremony needed. Just say it is my intention as the Princess Consort to provide descendants for the Prince."
"The issue of the Prince’s descendants has always been the worry on everyone’s hearts. Princess Consort is so understanding; the Prince and all the generals will be grateful to you. If the concubine gets jealous because of this, everyone will only say that the concubine is really a concubine and doesn’t consider the bigger picture, increasing your affection among them."
Shi Xuan smiled proudly: "Nanny, you’re right. Even if we don’t talk about anything else, just angering Ye Lu makes me happy. I’ve heard that Prince Ye is her biological brother. If she keeps opposing, people will inevitably suspect she has ulterior motives. For the future, I’ll endure for now."
When it was heard that Princess Consort had given Prince Linsan four concubines, Ye Lu was indeed furious. But then she became relieved, having already seen through Prince Linsan’s true colors, why should she give her heart? So how many concubines Prince Linsan had didn’t matter to her. Her goal had always been the position of Empress. Prince Linsan never had just her as his woman, so what did a few more matter?
Moreover, she had guessed Princess Consort’s intentions but didn’t take them to heart. Children aren’t easy to raise. As the male lead, Prince Linsan wouldn’t be deceived repeatedly. The stages before and after a child is born are entirely different. Does Princess Consort really think she’s powerful enough to cover the sky with one hand?
However, she’s playing the deeply affectionate role now, and still needs to act, especially in front of Prince Linsan.
"Why do you look like that?" Prince Linsan gently coaxed her.
Ye Lu’s eyes reddened instantly: "I am jealous."
Prince Linsan chuckled: "Because of those four concubines?"
"Yes."
"What’s worth being jealous about? They’re just here to continue my lineage. You know my heart has always been with you."
"But thinking about you sleeping beside other women makes me unhappy."
"Before you entered the mansion, I already had a Princess Consort and several concubines. Why didn’t you seem unhappy then?"
"That’s different; I entered the mansion later," Ye Lu pouted, "Prince, you have new favorites, will you still like me?"
"What nonsense are you saying? When did I stop liking you? Rest assured, I have no feelings for them. Look at you; the Princess Consort isn’t jealous. Why are you?"
"It’s only when you like someone and want to monopolize them that you feel jealous. I’m not as magnanimous as the Princess Consort," Ye Lu muttered.
Prince Linsan’s expression suddenly deepened, and he looked outside the window with a complicated look.
"Prince, let’s have another child. This time I’ll listen to you and take care of him carefully," Ye Lu begged sweetly, "With a child, you won’t forget about me and will visit me more often."
"I won’t. You have me in your heart, and I have you in mine. I won’t let you down."
That night, Prince Linsan didn’t visit the new concubines but spent the night in Ye Lu’s courtyard, sleeping until dawn. Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Shi Xuan tore two more handkerchiefs in anger.
The rivalry between the two soon led to the first direct battle between Prince Linsan Chen Gaoxuan and Ye Qiu, drawing the attention of all the Vassal Kings and rebels. However, most didn’t think Ye Qiu would win.
The main reason was the generals—everyone thought Ye Qiu had no one capable, hence sending a woman to the front. What battle could a woman fight?