Chapter 1345 - 24: Threats
The Empress’s decree prohibiting the Duchess from entering the palace was the first step. She did not wish to see the Duchess and directed the Duchess of Chong to persuade her. Furthermore, efforts were to be made to uncover the identity of the young woman who had made a lifelong commitment with Xie Hao.
Though the Empress had yet to encounter her, she bestowed such a profound humiliation upon her and Princess Nanzhang. The Empress refused to tolerate her.
The arrival of the Duchess of Chong was anticipated by the Duchess. She remarked, "If I could have decided Haohao’s marriage, I wouldn’t have repeatedly entered the palace to beseech the Empress."
The Duchess of Chong doubted the Duchess’s words, saying, "Traditionally, marriage decisions are made by parents, no matter the matchmaker’s words. How can anyone simply become the Heir’s wife?"
Upon saying this, the Duchess of Chong felt her words were lacking in taste, questioning herself for discussing such matters with the Duchess.
No young woman in this world could be worse than one who privately eloped after making a lifelong vow, could she?
The Duchess of Chong spoke without limitation, while the Duchess listened intently, perceiving it as a deliberate mockery.
Her face turned somber, she signaled Mrs. Wang and her maid to leave. As the door closed, her smile faded, replaced by frosty resolve, "Stop using past threats against me. If forced to the edge, I’ll do whatever it takes!"
The Duchess of Chong’s expression turned displeased, "Do not forget who gave you your current honor and wealth!"
The Duchess laughed.
Another threat?
If she didn’t speak openly, would they really think she was a pushover?
A single threat might have been tolerable, but her concession led to increased demands.
She was not their puppet to be manipulated at will.
"Duke Chong and our Duke have always had good relations. If I reveal what happened in the past, what will be the outcome?" The Duchess asked.
"I was supposed to die more than a decade ago. As for you, Duchess of Chong, and the high-riding Empress reigning over the realm, who knows if the Empress will remain stable or if the Crown Prince’s position will still include the Sixth Prince!"
Her words grew increasingly sharp, though they did not reach beyond the room.
Moreover, with all the maids and attendants in the courtyard, who dared to openly eavesdrop on the conversation inside?
The Duchess of Chong did not expect the Duchess to say such things and worried about being overheard, so she lowered her voice and said, "Have you no regard for your own life?!"
"I value my life, but if it comes to having two of you accompany me, what is there to fear?" the Duchess scoffed.
A barefoot person does not fear the one wearing shoes.
Already with nothing to lose, why not fight for what she had?
The Duchess of Chong had always known the Duchess to be ruthless and difficult to control. It was a concern when the initial decision was made.
However, the Empress insisted, leaving no room for opposition. Who could have foreseen that after being peaceful for over a decade, the Duchess would finally turn against them?
If they backed down this time, it would be even harder to get her to comply in the future.
This step cannot be retreated!
The two women stood firm, neither yielding, with the Duchess even more resolute, driven by concern for losing more than the Duchess of Chong.
Moreover, the issue of Princess Nanzhang’s marriage inherently conflicted with the Duchess’s interests.
Originally aligned, how did their interests diverge to reach this point?
Looking at the Duchess of Chong, the Duchess said, "Ultimately, this matter does not concern you. It is not worth quarreling."
"Ask yourself, would you marry your daughter to a man who has no heart for her?"
"If the Empress truly cares for Princess Nanzhang, she ought to reconsider this marriage."
The Duchess’s tone softened, and so did that of the Duchess of Chong. "Feelings can be cultivated slowly."
The Duchess frowned and said, "But Haohao is not one to yield. The more he is forced to marry, the more he will resent Princess Nanzhang."
"Even the Duke was persuaded to plead with the Emperor to rescind the marriage decree, much less me."
"If you insist on Princess Nanzhang’s marriage, it can only be as a concubine."
Compared to being a mere mistress, the Duchess had already retreated significantly.
Yet, even such a retreat did not satisfy the Duchess.
A dignified commandery princess cannot become a concubine!
Being a concubine is no better than marrying into a subordinate position!
Recalling the idea of a secondary marriage, the Duchess of Chong’s eyes gleamed as she said, "The Empress is eager to arrange Princess Nanzhang’s betrothal, but she hasn’t thought of marrying her off so soon, intending to keep her by her side for a year or so longer."
"I am curious about the sort of woman who has captivated the Heir to such an extent that he refuses marriage for her."
Upon hearing this, the Duchess realized her intentions.
Nevertheless, she intended to advise the Empress.
However, entering the palace proved impossible as the Empress denied her entry.
To harm the other lady, then marry Princess Nanzhang—such an easy opportunity was not available.
Once the door was opened, whether Princess Nanzhang refused her marriage she would have to!
Of course, these thoughts were not shared aloud. The Duchess frowned and said, "Since it’s not urgent, let’s discuss it slowly."
"Haohao is cautious. I have asked several times where the young lady’s family is, and he refuses to say even a word."
The Duchess of Chong laughed, "A secret may be kept for a while, but not forever."
Thus, the discussion reached a settlement, at least from the perspective of the Duchess of Chong, who needed to inform the Empress in the palace before taking her leave.
Once she left, the Duchess called Xie Hao over and asked where his beloved hailed from.
Xie Hao refused to say, causing the Duchess to be angered, "This is already the fourth time I’ve asked, and still you refuse to say. Could it be as the Empress claims, that there is no beloved at all, just fiction?!"
Xie Hao was distressed.
Such a major issue, how could he deceive her?
But Princess Hengyang’s identity—until the marriage was annulled, cannot be revealed.
Out of options, Xie Hao resorted to lying, "She is a young lady from Yu State."
Yu State is a necessary passage to Nanliang, where they lingered for two days.
Xie Hao refused to disclose the young lady’s identity, so the Duchess summoned the visiting ministers on the Nanliang congratulatory mission, but yielded no results.
Lying requires reason and evidence, else it’s riddled with holes.
The Duchess inquired, "What is her surname?"
"Her surname is Li," Xie Hao replied.
The Duchess gently reasoned, "Princess Nanzhang is of noble status and bestowed in marriage by the Emperor. It is impossible to relegate her to the position of a concubine."
"Visit Yu State and convince the young lady to accept the position of a secondary wife, ranking beneath Princess Nanzhang."
Xie Hao disagreed.
Incited, the Duchess exclaimed, "Does she intend to surpass Princess Nanzhang?! "
"If you cannot broach this topic, I will send someone to negotiate."
A small place like Yu State having a chance to produce an Heir’s wife would already appear improbable, making it unreasonable to disagree.
The Duke considered the arrangement advisable, as long as his heart cherished the young lady, titles were secondary.
What could Xie Hao do?
He could not reveal the truth, so he obediently departed the Capital.
The nearer he approached Yu State, the slower he traveled, knowing Yu State was just a fabrication.
Moreover, he was followed by two groups.
One sent by the Duke to protect him, and the other by the Empress.
Upon reaching Yu State, Xie Hao stayed at an inn studying the Military Book while the followers realized their exposure.
The Empress’s group adamantly refused to reveal themselves, while the Duke’s entourage emerged to confess, "Young Master, we don’t mean harm. Duke sent us to ascertain the virtues of the future Heir’s wife to put his mind at ease."
Xie Hao attempted to dispatch them away; the Hidden Guards showed reluctance.
However, in the end, none of the three parties faced difficulty.
Because war broke out at the border, Nanliang laid siege.
Learning the news, Xie Hao had no mind to address the Hidden Guards and hurriedly advanced to the border.
Misfortunes never come singly.
At such a time, the prospect of marrying Princess Hengyang became even slimmer.