Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1073 - 119: Noble Princess Consort Rong Pleads Again (Part 2)

The Emperor extended his hand to support Noble Princess Consort Rong as she rose, "I was merely jesting with you, why kneel like that?"

Noble Princess Consort Rong softly pinched the Emperor’s hand and gave him a coquettish glare, "Cousin, that joke of yours just now truly terrified me."

"Since when did you turn so timid?"

"Cousin, you know my feelings for you well enough, or must I rip out my heart to prove it?"

"No need, that would be too scary."

Noble Princess Consort Rong twisted a bit of flesh at the Emperor’s waist, "Cousin, you’re naughty once more."

The Emperor seized Noble Princess Consort Rong’s hand and patted it softly, "Who’s the naughty one here?"

"Cousin... please forgive my brother."

The Emperor gazed deeply into Noble Princess Consort Rong’s eyes, questioning with a faint smile, "Tell me, if your brother truly gathered troops and crafted weapons in Annan, what would you do?"

Noble Princess Consort Rong noticed the Emperor’s grave look, her heart clenching as her playful smile stiffened.

The Emperor pressed on, "And if your brother truly plotted to aid Second Prince in rebelling against me, then what?"

The attending palace maid broke into cold sweat from the Emperor’s pointed questions to Noble Princess Consort Rong, yet Sun Kui stayed composed.

Noble Princess Consort Rong hesitated briefly before answering, "Cousin, my brother and Prince Dai would never dare such treason."

"But suppose they did?"

Noble Princess Consort Rong met the Emperor’s eyes solemnly and declared, "If so, I would kill them myself."

Observing the earnestness in Noble Princess Consort Rong’s gaze, the Emperor recognized her honesty and lack of deception.

"Your promise suffices."

At these words, Noble Princess Consort Rong let out a hidden sigh of relief. Gingerly, she probed, "Cousin, regarding my brother..."

"As you noted, he’s only forging weapons in Annan without returning them to Great Zhou, so his offense doesn’t merit execution. I won’t end his life."

The heavy burden weighing on Noble Princess Consort Rong’s mind at last lifted. She expressed her deep gratitude to the Emperor, "Thank you, cousin, you’re truly the best."

"Enough with the flattery."

"Cousin, how can you call it that? My words come straight from the heart, not mere sweet talk," Noble Princess Consort Rong gazed at the Emperor with alluring eyes.

The Emperor feigned ignorance, rose to his feet, and told Noble Princess Consort Rong, "I have stacks of memorials awaiting me, so I’ll return to the Imperial Study. Rest early tonight, no need to wait up." With that, he departed.

"Cousin..." Noble Princess Consort Rong could hardly believe the Emperor had left so abruptly. She rushed after him, clutched his hand, and pleaded with mournful eyes, "Cousin, will you really abandon me here?"

The Emperor lifted his hand to pat Noble Princess Consort Rong’s shoulder lightly, soothing her softly, "I’m genuinely swamped. In a few days, once things ease, I’ll return to keep you company."

Feeling aggrieved, Noble Princess Consort Rong asked, "Promise?"

"Yes, have I ever deceived you?" The Emperor added, "Tonight’s meal you prepared was delightful."

A smile bloomed once more on Noble Princess Consort Rong’s face, "Cousin, then in a few days when you’re free, you must make it up to me."

"Fine, I’ll compensate you then," the Emperor answered smilingly, "No need to escort me."

"I’ll see Cousin to the door anyway."

Noble Princess Consort Rong trailed the Emperor outside, returning to the hall only after his figure vanished from sight. Her smile twisted instantly into a chilling scowl.

"Madam, the Emperor seems truly occupied, not upset with you, so don’t fret," Jin Mei reassured Noble Princess Consort Rong. "He’s left post-dinner before; tonight he likely paused his duties just to dine with you."

Jin Mei’s reassurance lightened Noble Princess Consort Rong’s mood, though a trace of worry persisted.

"Do you believe the Emperor is really that busy?"

"Madam, recall how he promised before leaving to make it up in a few days when less busy? He’s never gone back on his word to you," Jin Mei handed Noble Princess Consort Rong a cup of tea, "Stop worrying so much."

Noble Princess Consort Rong accepted the teacup, sipped slowly, and felt her inner turmoil fade considerably.

"I worry Cousin might resent me begging for my brother."

"As Marquis Xuanping’s sister, pleading for him is natural. Not doing so would seem odd."

"Will the Emperor truly release my brother?"

"He stated as much, so the Marquis is safe. Relax, Madam."

Noble Princess Consort Rong’s expression darkened abruptly: "They concealed the troop assembly and weapon forging in Annan from me. Without the Princess of Annan exposing it, they’d have kept it secret forever."

"Madam, I doubt the Prince or Marquis truly plans rebellion; it’s likely just caution."

"I know they harbor no treasonous intent, yet this act prods the Emperor’s sore spot." Fury and bitterness surged in Noble Princess Consort Rong over her son and brother’s secrecy. "Now I must mop up their folly."

"Didn’t Duke Zhen’s Mansion pull the same stunt?"

"A pack of idiots courting doom." Having spent time at the Emperor’s side, Noble Princess Consort Rong grasped his nature well. "If he erupted in fury, that’d be minor. But dispatching Prime Minister He and others for a full probe signals real wrath. The angrier he grows, the more serene his demeanor."

"He appeared in high spirits."

Noble Princess Consort Rong sighed softly, "The greater the rage, the broader his smile."

"Madam, he vowed to spare the Marquis’ life; no need for concern."

"I fear Marquis Xuanping’s title may not survive."

"The Emperor wouldn’t revoke the Marquis’ title, would he?" Jin Mei remarked, "Even if he does, with you here, he’ll reinstate it eventually."

This resonated deeply with Noble Princess Consort Rong, "True. While I remain, Marquis Xuanping’s title endures."

"Madam, will the Emperor pardon Duke Zhen Country Mansion and Duke Anyang Mansion?"

"Duke Zhen Country Mansion is uncertain, but Duke Anyang Mansion faces doom." Noble Princess Consort Rong sneered, "Consort Shu’s son’s vile deeds are unforgivable. How could the Emperor let Duke Anyang Mansion off?"

"Madam, why spare Consort Shu?" Jin Mei wondered aloud. "She surely knew of Prince Zheng’s past crimes and shielded him."

"The Emperor’s decree beheads the beast. Tossing Consort Shu into Cold Palace too would paint him as ruthless." Noble Princess Consort Rong saw the Emperor’s logic in leniency toward Consort Shu, "That beast is his flesh and blood, after all. As the proverb says, tigers don’t devour their cubs. Executing his son, no matter the crimes, brands him cruel."

"Prince Zheng’s atrocities demanded death; a sage ruler like the Emperor couldn’t overlook them." Jin Mei deemed the execution edict wholly proper.

"Thus, Consort Shu astutely shoulders all blame, sparing the Emperor any taint of poor parenting." Despite her disdain for Consort Shu, Noble Princess Consort Rong conceded her cunning. "She avoids begging for her son or Duke Anyang, retreating tactically to gain ground later."

"Consort Shu is deviously sharp," Jin Mei grasped at last why the Emperor hadn’t confined Consort Shu after Noble Princess Consort Rong’s insight.

"That’s intelligence, not like the dim-witted Princess Consort Liang. The shrewd endure, fools fall." Noble Princess Consort Rong mused silently: she prayed her son and brother avoided folly henceforth. She could salvage this blunder, but future ones? Her cousin might pardon once, not twice.