GBP Chapter 689 The Fifth Prince's Offensive
Chapter 689 The Fifth Prince's Offensive
The Fifth Prince, Zhao Hongjing, was unaware that the Fourth Prince had entered the palace for the sake of the Tong family. He assumed that the Fourth Prince, like himself, was restless because of the imperial edict regarding the establishment of the heir apparent.
His thinking wasn't wrong, after all, if the Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince hadn't been restrained, they might have gone directly to the palace.
Although they are young, they have both left the palace to establish their own residences under His Majesty's decree.
Currently, the only prince living in the palace is the "special" Second Prince.
The sixth, seventh, and eighth princes were among the least ambitious of the princes, so even if they found out, they would just listen to it as trivial matters.
Do they care who ultimately ascends the throne and becomes emperor?
They still cared a little, after all, it was related to whether they would have good "benefits" during their future life as princes.
If a kind-hearted prince ascends the throne, he will consider some brotherly affection; but if a more ruthless prince ascends the throne, the other princes will be lucky to keep their lives.
"Your Highness, everything you requested has been prepared. Shall we depart now?"
The Fifth Prince's trusted eunuch was holding a stack of lists, on which the names and quantities of the items were clearly recorded.
"Good job. Get the frame ready, let's go now."
The Fifth Prince felt that his relationship with the Ouyang family could be taken to the next level, since the Ouyang family had been extremely friendly during his recent visits.
Every time I revealed even a little bit of information about Ouyang Jue, the Ouyang family would treat it as a treasure and be extremely grateful to me.
The Fifth Prince boarded a carriage bearing the royal insignia, followed by several ordinary carriages carrying large wooden crates, and headed towards the Ouyang family's residence.
The steward of the Ouyang residence hurriedly welcomed the Fifth Prince inside. Master Ouyang himself was waiting in the hall. Upon seeing the Fifth Prince arrive, he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.
The Fifth Prince smiled and helped Master Ouyang up: "Lord Ouyang, please don't stand on ceremony. I have visited you many times before. If you are always so formal, I'm afraid I won't dare to visit you again."
Master Ouyang nodded in agreement and hurriedly ordered someone to serve tea. He asked anxiously, "Does Your Highness have any updates on Ouyang Jue? His parents have been coming to visit more and more frequently lately; they're probably going crazy waiting for news."
The Fifth Prince cleared his throat. "Um, Lord Ouyang, I've come here for two reasons. First, it's about Ouyang Jue, and second, it's about Miss Ouyang."
Master Ouyang was taken aback, not understanding how his daughter had suddenly been brought up.
“This… how could Ouyang Jue’s matter involve my daughter? She has never associated with the brothers in the clan, and she only gets together with the sisters in the clan occasionally for flower viewing banquets.”
The Fifth Prince smiled and waved his hand, "Lord Ouyang, don't worry, this matter is actually unrelated to Ouyang Jue's matter."
This prince is actually quite hesitant. Several times I have failed to express to Lord Ouyang that I have long admired Miss Ouyang Yan, but I have been engaged to someone before.
Sigh~ His previous fiancée also passed away from illness. Regardless of what others think, he will inevitably bear the reputation of being a jinx to his wives.
Adding to this, my mother passed away this year. These successive misfortunes have made me doubt my own fate. Therefore, I've been hesitant to speak.
Master Ouyang was somewhat taken aback. How did the conversation suddenly turn to his children's marriages? He hadn't prepared for this at all!
Besides, if you've been hesitant to speak up, why not just say it now? Couldn't you have just kept quiet all this time?
The Empress Dowager had long ago given instructions that women from the Ouyang family could not enter the palace as concubines.
Although the Fifth Prince has his own princely residence outside, he is still a member of the royal family.
Besides, His Majesty is now quite old and his health is not as good as before, so the baton will eventually be passed on to the next generation.
Does the Fifth Prince have absolutely no chance? No! Not only does he have a chance, but it seems like he has a very good chance right now!
Compared to the other princes, the fifth prince seems... rather... outstanding?
Master Ouyang was startled by his own thought. What was he thinking? Where had his mind wandered?
Did she really want the Ouyang family to produce another empress? No, no, no, she absolutely had no such ambition.
The crucial point is—he dares not have it!
Their elders in the Ouyang family once made a prophecy: if another phoenix were to emerge from the Ouyang family, then the Ouyang family's century-old foundation would be destroyed in an instant!
If another phoenix appears, doesn't that refer to the empress?
The Ouyang family has already produced an empress, who is now the Empress Dowager.
The current empress is from the Yang family, but the Yang family has already dwindled in talent, with only those who are not very capable left to support it.
Master Ouyang was worried that his family would suffer the same fate as the Yang family, no, it might even be worse than the Yang family!
When the Fifth Prince saw that after he expressed his feelings, Master Ouyang remained silent and even seemed lost in thought, he was immediately displeased.
"Does Lord Ouyang have some unspeakable difficulty? Please speak frankly!"
Ouyang Zheng choked on his words. He didn't have any unspeakable difficulties; he was speechless because of the Fifth Prince.
He would never believe that the Fifth Prince was unaware of the Empress Dowager's demands on the Ouyang family.
Knowing full well the Ouyang family's rule against marrying off their daughters to the royal family, they still openly came to their door to express their feelings. What is this if not coercion?!
Why would she defy her aunt, the Empress Dowager, disregard her daughter's wishes, drag her into a pit of fire, and sacrifice her lifelong happiness?
Hmph, the Fifth Prince is dreaming!
Cough cough, that's just wishful thinking.
"Alas~ Your Highness must know that the Empress Dowager once gave a reprimand to the Ouyang family."
The Ouyang family has a rule that women are not allowed to enter the palace. The Empress Dowager herself stated this, so it is considered an imperial edict. Whether we are subjects or junior members of the clan, we should all abide by this teaching.”
The Fifth Prince's expression changed slightly, and he was secretly annoyed, wondering if the Ouyang family was using the Empress Dowager as an excuse or if he himself was unwilling.
The Fifth Prince still managed a forced smile: "Lord Ouyang, although I am a prince, I do not live in the palace. I have my own residence, so how can I be considered to have entered the palace?"
Since I don't need to enter the palace, how can that be considered disobeying the Empress Dowager's decree?
Ouyang Zheng thought to himself, "Is this Fifth Prince still not giving up? Has he never even considered it?"
They claim to have a residence outside the palace, but in the end, aren't they still desperately trying to get that one position?
He might believe others if they said the princes had no ambition, but he didn't believe the fifth prince.
Ouyang Zheng suddenly realized that the Fifth Prince's repeated visits and his affection for his daughter were precisely because of his ambition.
After all, the Ouyang family held a significant position in the capital, with many clansmen serving as officials in the previous dynasty and the Empress Dowager acting as a pillar of stability in the imperial harem.
What a wonderful help this marriage alliance is!
The Fifth Prince is doing very well, very well indeed.
What a huge appetite! They want to devour the entire Ouyang family in one bite. Aren't they afraid of biting off more than they can chew and breaking their teeth?
"Your Highness, please have some tea!"