Chapter 678 - 333: The Feat of the Dragon_1
On March 15th, the grand coronation ceremony of the new Emperor Qianwu took place. Emperor Qianwu also posthumously honored the previous Empress Dowager as the Grand Empress Dowager, the late Consort Minde of the former emperor as the Empress Dowager, the deceased Lady Sun, Prince Ning’s wife, as Empress Yuan, and his eldest legitimate son Zhu Sujin as the Crown Prince.
At the same time, Fu Minglan was named as the Crown Princess Consort, Huang Lingling as the Consort of the Crown Prince, and Huo Shuqin as one of the Excellent Beauties of the Crown Prince, all to be married simultaneously in March of the following year. Unlike commoner families, the royal family prioritizes succession over mourning; thus, one year of mourning suffices.
Upon hearing this news, Qian Yixiu was stunned for a long time. Fu Minglan and Huang Lingling were best friends, and now their relationship would be that of a senior and junior wife. How could they get along? She wondered if they could indeed share a sisterly bond like the legendary E Huang and Nv Ying.
Nevertheless, both Fu Minglan and Huang Lingling had pleasant dispositions: one gentle and virtuous, the other charming and lively, and both were beautiful. Although Huang Lingling grew up in the Eldest Taifeng Princess Mansion, she was not the princess’s own blood, but the great-granddaughter of Old Prince Consort Huang’s brother, thus she was only named the Consort of the Crown Prince. On the other hand, Fu Minglan was the grand-niece of the Grand Empress Dowager and the legitimate eldest daughter of the Fu family, and so she became the Crown Princess Consort.
Qian Yixiu had not met Huo Shuqin, nor did she know much about her, only that she was the legitimate sister of Huo Liren and also said to be beautiful.
She hoped that Zhu Sujin would spread his favor evenly, keeping all the pretty young women in his court content, to avoid discord in the inner palace.
Occasionally, Qian Yixiu would wonder what she would do if she were to be granted one of these three women’s titles. Breaking her head over it, she could only think of one option: to hide in the Clam Shell House in a remote place, living low-key to avoid bringing trouble to her family, she would even have to stage a vanishing act in the Palace.
The thought of leading a group of women in serving one man was something she was unwilling to do. She had an escape plan, and she dared not put up with such nonsense.
If she had no other option, then Zhu Sujin would have no choice but to dote on her, and only her. Of course, with her disposition, Emperor Qianwu would certainly not let her off easily. But to have her man, Jinwa—who she had raised since childhood—to share his favor with many women before doting on her was something she did not want. In the end, she would either be dealt with, or compelled to make an unbearable compromise...
Thinking about all this, she truly, truly felt grateful to Zhu Sujin. He understood her well and, knowing her personality, he chose to let go.