Ch 682: It’s Just A Crappy Treasure, Isn’t It?
Yun Niang hadn’t expected that her first public appearance with her daughter would lead to such an incident.
Looking at the grim-faced Ouyang Zhen, then at her daughter’s serious expression, and finally at the aggressive ministers on the ground,
Yun Niang’s heart sank. She knew the situation was difficult, but she was helpless.
Han Luoxue turned her head and gave her a gentle smile: “It’s alright!”
More and more ministers knelt down, almost everyone wanting the Emperor to take the Princess into the palace.
Seeing this, the Western Emperor’s lips curled up in a mocking smile.
Xi Wu Jue also smiled triumphantly.
He knew this wouldn’t hurt Ouyang Zhen much; he just didn’t want Han Luoxue to have an easy time!
It was all that woman’s fault! Otherwise, how could he have lost so badly? His younger sister wasn’t an ordinary person.
These ministers might not know; they thought it was just about bringing a woman into the palace, but in reality…
“Heh, it’s just a broken treasure! I don’t care for it!”
Ouyang Zhen coldly looked at the kneeling crowd. These people were really bold! A perfectly good victory banquet, and they staged a coup.
The crowd knew the Emperor was unhappy, but they had to press on: “Your Majesty, it’s just a princess. Compared to the treasure, what does she matter? If Your Majesty dislikes her, just place her in any courtyard in the palace.”
The Imperial Chancellor spoke righteously.
“Exactly, Your Majesty! The national treasury isn’t well-funded lately; we desperately need this treasure!”
They began to pressure again. The women also whispered among themselves.
Though their voices were low, Han Luoxue heard them.
“Our Empress is so stingy! Look at how the Emperor is being pressured, and she still doesn’t speak up!”
“Exactly. Since ancient times, which Emperor hasn’t had three palaces and six courtyards? It’s fine that our Empress is from a village, but she’s so petty! I’ve never seen such a woman who disregards the overall situation…”
“I say, even if she shared hardships with the Emperor, what does it matter? At the end of the day, she’s just a village girl with no sense of the big picture.”
“Her Majesty is being too unreasonable. If it were any other woman, she would have readily agreed!”
Yun Niang’s face darkened. She wanted to ask these women: If your husband kept bringing women home, would you welcome them with a smile?
Han Mingyuan clenched his fists. He knew he shouldn’t speak, but seeing so many people pressuring his daughter and son-in-law, he secretly vowed to work harder and climb higher to protect his daughter.
“Your Majesty…”
Just as everyone waited for the Emperor’s agreement, Han Luoxue suddenly spoke.
Everyone looked up at her. Han Luoxue smiled gracefully, her voice neither humble nor arrogant: “Your Majesty, I think they’re right. It’s just a woman. Keep her!”
“Xuě’er…”
Ouyang Zhen frowned and whispered, “Xuě’er, this isn’t just about one woman. Do you know, if you keep the Princess, the palace will…”
Han Luoxue smiled gently: “Your Majesty, I understand. National affairs are paramount!”
In the end, the Emperor agreed to the Western Emperor’s proposal. The ministers rejoiced, but the Western Emperor said he would reveal the treasure’s location only after his daughter married the Emperor!
That cunning old fox!
Back in the palace, Ouyang Zhen was still sulking.
He didn’t understand why Han Luoxue had agreed.
“Still angry?”
Han Luoxue was speechless. Shouldn’t she be the one more angry?
“We had to agree under the circumstances, but I think the Western Emperor has other plans.”
Han Luoxue explained. Ouyang Zhen sighed: “I know, but I’ll cause you hardship from now on!”
Agreeing to this would lead to more trouble.
Han Luoxue shook her head unconcernedly: “Don’t worry. This woman isn’t a problem. Don’t forget, I’m the smartest!”
Ouyang Zhen’s expression brightened. “Xuě’er, did you think of a way?”
Han Luoxue smiled mysteriously: “You’ll find out then!”
…
Yun Niang returned home still worried. Han Mingyuan felt self-reproach. He felt useless; otherwise, he could have stood up for his daughter.
He had been trying so hard lately, but it wasn’t enough!
“I never imagined that the Western Emperor, a defeated emperor, would dare to threaten the Emperor!”
Han Mingyuan was furious. If he had known this man was so despicable, he would have taught him a lesson on the road.
“Xuě’er said she has a way. What could it be? The Princess will probably arrive soon!”
Yun Niang was still worried.
“Don’t worry. Our daughter is resourceful! I’ll work harder and become a stronger support for her!”
Han Luoyu and Han Mengze hadn’t entered the palace. Hearing their parents’ conversation, they didn’t understand.
Unfortunately, when they asked, their parents didn’t tell them.
Their age was too young to help.
Yun Niang worried that the two children would act rashly and cause trouble. Now was not the time for trouble.
…
Early the next morning, the Empress Dowager came. She had heard about yesterday’s events and hadn’t expected so much to happen after she left.
First, the assassin, and then the Western Emperor trying to force another woman on the Emperor.
“Xue Ya Tou, don’t worry, I’m on your side!”
The Empress Dowager patted Han Luoxue’s hand comfortingly. “Actually, you shouldn’t have agreed!”
It was just a treasure! She didn’t believe the Western Emperor could hide it in such a secret place! Given time, they would find it eventually.
“Grandmother, don’t worry, I’m fine!”
Han Luoxue smiled. “When I learned of the Emperor’s identity, I knew this day would come! I just didn’t expect it so soon!”
The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly. “Xue Ya Tou, I went through the same thing!”
“Back then, I was about your age. The late Emperor wasn’t Emperor yet, but he already had several women in his mansion.”
“After his ascension, there were even more women. But what could be done? In that high position, so many people want to place women around him, you can’t prevent it.”
“Later, I got used to it. What are men? As long as he gives me enough status and power, and makes my son Crown Prince, that’s enough!”
“Look now, he’s been dead for years, my son is even dethroned, but I’m still the respected Empress Dowager.”
“Women, when young, may think that love is the most important thing, that being cherished and doted on by a man is everything. But at my age, I’ve realized that men are nothing. Power and status are what truly matters.”
