Chapter 78: Entering the Prince’s Residence as a Concubine

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Entering the Prince’s Residence as a Concubine

Upon Feng Qing’s words, the Empress Dowager became furious, pointing at Feng Qing and saying, "How dare you, you actually dare to defy the imperial decree, someone....."

Before the Empress Dowager finished speaking, someone outside the hall announced, "The Prince Regent has arrived."

Everyone inside the hall instinctively looked towards the main door, where the Prince Regent Rong Ling, accompanied by a gentle and refined young gentleman, entered from outside.

Once inside, the two first greeted the Empress Dowager and the Empress, "Greetings to the Empress Dowager, and the Empress."

The Empress Dowager and the Empress simultaneously looked at the two men bowing below, their gazes then resting on the leading Prince Regent Rong Ling.

Although the Empress Dowager appeared composed, Feng Qing still caught an unusual expression on her face, feeling a sudden shock and bewilderment in his heart.

As for the Empress Feng Yao beside them, her face was full of grievance, as if the Prince Regent beneath her had betrayed a good man’s heart.

Feng Qing couldn’t bear to look directly, quickly retracting her gaze, and turned to the young man beside Rong Ling, who bore a handsome face, exuding noble elegance in every movement.

Feng Qing had heard from Si Qi that he was Gu Pei, the youngest son of the late Emperor’s eldest sister, the Eldest Princess.

Although Gu Pei had a gentle and harmless appearance, he was a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Justice, having resolved countless wrongful cases. It was said that his methods of interrogating prisoners were extremely formidable, and the people brought into the Ministry of Justice feared him the most.

Indeed, one must not judge by appearances.

As Feng Qing pondered, Rong Ling, standing at the central position of the hall, began to speak, "I’m unsure why the Empress Dowager summoned my Princess Consort to the palace for?"

The Empress Dowager glanced at Rong Ling, withdrew her thoughts, and slowly spoke, "Regarding the previous incident with the bridal sedan, causing the Prince Regent to be at a disadvantage, I wish to compensate you. Hence, I intend to betroth the An Nan Marquis Mansion’s Princess Guangling to you as Ping Fei. What does the Prince think?"

After the Empress Dowager’s words fell, everyone in the hall simultaneously looked toward Rong Ling. Feng Qing also instinctively turned to Rong Ling, even though she knew Rong Ling wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen, she couldn’t help but feel a bit worried and thus fixated on Rong Ling.

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, Rong Ling’s black eyebrows furrowed, gradually shifting his gaze to Han Ziyan beside the Empress Dowager.

As Han Ziyan saw Rong Ling looking at her, she immediately lowered her head shyly, revealing her slender, alluring white neck. Unfortunately, Rong Ling had already retracted his gaze and spoke indifferently.

"Regarding the Empress Dowager’s words, our Dayan Royal Family never had the concept of Ping Fei. If Princess Guangling truly wishes to enter the Regent Prince Mansion, let her enter as a concubine."

After Rong Ling’s words, everyone in the hall had various expressions, Feng Qing’s face eased significantly, coldly smiling and looking at Princess Guangling, daring her to attempt her act.

The Princess Guangling, Han Ziyan, was initially blushing and secretly glancing at Rong Ling. Upon hearing Rong Ling’s words, she momentarily thought she misheard. Allowing her to enter the Regent Prince Mansion as a concubine, how could that be? She was willing to enter the Regent Prince Mansion as Ping Fei, shouldn’t the Prince Regent be grateful, touched by her love for him? Why did he instead suggest her entering the mansion as a concubine?

No, she must have heard it wrong, she must have. Han Ziyan reassured herself, her complexion looking somewhat better. Just as her heart settled, the Empress Dowager spoke up on the side.

"With Princess Guangling’s background and appearance, entering the Regent Prince Mansion as Ping Fei is already a grievance to her. If she enters as a concubine, wouldn’t it be a mockery of her?"

The Empress Dowager’s words made Han Ziyan realize that she hadn’t misheard before; the Prince Regent indeed wanted her to enter as a concubine.