The next morning, Chiyin went to Wansheng Palace and met Zhong Nian and Zhong Lüping outside.
Zhong Nian bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Ignoring him, Chiyin focused on Zhong Lüping, who looked exhausted, her usual radiance gone. Bowing silently, she seemed resigned.
"Greenpin, just speak your mind to the Emperor. I'll support you," Chiyin encouraged.
Zhong Lüping murmured, "Thank you, Your Highness," sounding listless.
Entering the study, Cui Yi noticed Zhong Lüping's state, puzzled, "Greenpin, what happened?"
Kneeling, she replied, "Nothing, Your Majesty."
Not believing her, Cui Yi stated, "We summoned you regarding last night's proposal. If you have someone in mind, tell us."
Avoiding mentioning Zhong Nian's plan, he wanted to hear her true feelings.
Zhong Lüping bit her lip, silent. Zhong Nian urged, "Answer the Emperor!"
"Marriage is serious. Take your time," Chiyin chided, serving soup to Cui Yi.
Silence reigned, broken only by the sound of spoons clinking against bowls.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I've thought it through," Zhong Lüping finally spoke, numbly.
Cui Yi sipped, "Go on."
Clutching her fists, she declared, "I'm willing to marry Prince Jing."
Chiyin dropped her spoon in shock. Cui Yi steadied himself, asking, "Changed your mind about marrying a general?"
Zhong Lüping trembled, "It's up to parents. I was foolish before. Please disregard those words."
Cui Yi understood Zhong Nian must have pressured her all night.
Glancing at Chiyin, Zhong Lüping continued, "Prince Jing, though not capable, is still a prince. Marrying him is my fortune. He loves me deeply and once protected me from an arrow. It's right for me to marry him."
Cui Yi knew better. Cui Xiang had caused the incident, nearly getting her killed.
"Please approve," Zhong Lüping bowed.
Annoyed, Cui Yi suspected Zhong Yuanshan planned rebellion. Why else push his daughter into the royal family?
Zhong Nian bowed, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Greenpin and Prince Jing are in love. Please approve."
Cui Yi pretended not to hear, asking, "Greenpin, are you sure? You don't need to fear anyone. If someone threatens or forces you, we'll protect you."
Looking tearful, Zhong Lüping insisted, "No one is forcing me. I choose this willingly."
With her resolve clear, Cui Yi reluctantly agreed, "Very well, we grant your marriage."
Zhong Lüping left with her brother, visibly shaken.
"Clearly coerced," Chiyin noted, "What did Zhong Nian say to make her comply?"
Cui Yi set down his bowl, "Many women would endure anything for a chance at being empress. Even if unhappy, they'd accept."
Chiyin gasped, "Rebellion again? Is rebellion addictive?"
Cui Yi shook his head, hiding something from her.
The next day, news spread, shocking Baili Zan and others. Cheng Fengyi visited Chiyin, but she confirmed it was Zhong Lüping's choice.
Meanwhile, Baili Zan warned Cui Yi against the marriage, suspecting rebellion.
"This marriage cannot happen!" Baili Zan pleaded, listing reasons.
Cui Yi raised an eyebrow, "If Uncle Zhong insists on marrying his daughter into the royal family, I'll
I'll fulfill his wish."
Sure enough, he complied with his wishes. If Huaiyou were to make another mistake in the future, even the Jiangzhou Marquis of the Zhong family would be stripped of their titles, making him taste the bitter consequences of his own schemes.
Baili Zan was filled with worry: "Ah... Although the Jing King is neither scholarly nor martially skilled, and thus not much of a threat, the Zhong family is still the Emperor's maternal uncle's household and a key supporter during his ascension to the throne. It will be difficult to uproot them in the future."
Cui Yi arrogantly snorted, saying, "I doubt they can turn the tables. Although I am not proficient in statecraft, at least I can fight to defend the territory of Great Chu. What does Huaiyou know? He only causes trouble. The ministers won't support him just for the sake of it."
Baili Zan looked at him and said softly, "Although the Jing King has countless flaws, at least he is willing to take concubines..."
Cui Yi was momentarily speechless.
In fact, from the moment he ascended the throne, all officials unanimously advised him to select more beauties to fill the harem, ostensibly for the prosperity of the royal lineage but actually aiming to place their daughters in the palace. Even if there was a one-in-a-million chance of pleasing Cui Yi, it could bring significant benefits to their families in court.
Among those who advised him was Zhong Yuanshan, whose words carried the most weight. As Cui Yi's uncle, and with the previous Emperor and Empress—along with Consort Duan, Lady Ye—all deceased, Zhong Yuanshan could be considered a semi-guardian. His words couldn't be easily dismissed by Cui Yi, who always used "I will consider it" as an excuse to evade the matter. When Zhong Yuanshan realized that Cui Yi wasn't interested, he stopped mentioning it and returned to Jiangzhou to continue being the Jiangzhou Marquis, leaving Beijing affairs to his son.
If it weren't for Zhong Nian's sudden move, Cui Yi wouldn't have doubted Zhong Yuanshan's loyalty. After all, among the many meritorious contributors to the coup, Zhong Yuanshan wasn't the most distinguished, yet he received the most generous rewards. Since the founding of Great Chu, only the First Emperor had bestowed three marquisates, each hereditary for three generations. Besides endless wealth, these titles symbolized the imperial trust and favor. A daughter of a marquis entering the palace would naturally hold a higher rank than other concubines.
Everyone wanted to be the father of the Empress, hoping to gain prestige through their daughters. Despite the vivid example of Changsun Tai, people still flocked to vie for this title, countless and unending.
Cui Yi felt utterly disappointed. Even his own uncle turned against him. Was it really so unacceptable to refuse taking concubines?
Thus, following the weddings of Yang and Cheng, preparations began for the marriage of the King and Princess. While the former were merely honorary relatives, the latter were genuine nobility. According to the protocol for a king's wedding, vast amounts of silver would be required, but Zhong Lu Ping expressed that no extravagance was necessary; a simple ceremony like ordinary people would suffice.
Cui Xiang was displeased. His last marriage was unsatisfactory, and now he wanted to marry someone he truly liked. He demanded a procession of a hundred green horses, a hundred sandalwood carriages laden with gifts, and gold ingots instead of copper coins. Hearing these demands, Cui Yi went mad and threw a paperweight at him. This time, Cui Xiang was prepared and dodged, causing the paperweight to fly past his temple and shatter against a pillar.
Even a desperate rabbit might bite back, let alone Cui Yi, a fierce tiger. In his rage, he could be quite terrifying. Cui Xiang's face fell long, and under Du Zhongquan's persuasion, he reluctantly knelt and left.
While drinking lotus seed and coix tea to cool down, Cui Yi reviewed memorials, with Du Zhongquan fanning him diligently, but it did little to quell his anger. Soon, Cui Yi impatiently threw the documents aside and stormed off. Du Zhongquan hurriedly followed, asking, "Your Majesty, where are you going?"
"..." Cui Yi didn't know himself. With Chi Ying away helping Zhong Lu Ping choose jewelry, he wandered aimlessly until he arrived at the Imperial College, brightening up, "I'll go see Hao."
Little Cui Hao was just over a year old but, as a prince, had been sent to the Imperial College after weaning to foster independence and a love for learning—a tradition set by ancestors. Even though Chi Ying loved her son dearly, she couldn't defy this rule and could only visit him daily. Cui Yi could also enjoy father-son bonding here.
Seeing his father, Little Cui Hao didn't show particular excitement, blinking at him before offering a half-eaten apple slice. Cui Yi found this amusing and touching. He picked up his son, kissed him, and whispered, "The hardships I've endured, my child, you shall never experience again."
Little Cui Hao struggled with the apple slice using his two front teeth, drooling all over Cui Yi. Those sparkling eyes seemed like the last pure thing in the filthy palace.