Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 523 - 456: Treasure Piggy Grabs the Golden Seal_2

Chapter 523: Chapter 456: Treasure Piggy Grabs the Golden Seal_2

Dou Qingyi’s face turned deathly pale: "No... impossible... Qi’er is not Prince Jin’s child... Qi’er is Your Highness’s flesh and blood... he is Your Highness’s flesh and blood! That night, the one who graced me was Your Highness—it was Your Highness!"

Lu Yuan refused to believe it; Lu Zhaoyan would coax him, would slowly make him accept it.

But Dou Qingyi’s stubbornness only made him feel disgusted.

Lu Zhaoyan, holding Bao Shu, walked away without sparing her a glance.

Dou Qingyi grabbed his sleeve and choked out, "Your Highness, is it because of Bai Liu? Is it because Bai Liu cannot tolerate me?"

Lu Zhaoyan replied, "You have no right to mention her."

Dou Qingyi’s tears fell like rain: "For Bai Liu... Your Highness is willing to abandon even your own wife and child?"

Lu Zhaoyan couldn’t be bothered to waste words and walked away mercilessly.

When his sleeve slipped from her grasp, Dou Qingyi felt as if her heart had been wrenched away too.

Clenching her teeth, tears streaming down her face, she chased after him, only to be stopped in her tracks by Cui Hu, who stepped forward.

"This lady, please observe decorum."

His address had changed from "my lady" to "this lady."

Dou Qingyi wept, her beauty marred by sorrow: "You were bestowed to His Highness by His Majesty. Tell me... this isn’t real... His Highness is only... only trying to give Bai Liu an explanation... He’s been bewitched by Bai Liu... Let me find His Highness and straighten things out..."

Cui Hu remained unmoved.

Dou Qingyi struck him on the chest with her fists, shoved him hard, and even slapped him twice.

No matter how she alternated between softness and force, she couldn’t make Cui Hu let her go to the Crown Prince.

It wasn’t until Eunuch Zhen from the Household Affairs Office arrived at the mansion with eunuchs and palace maids to pack for Prince Jian that Dou Qingyi finally collapsed, bereft of strength.

She sat on a stone bench in the Rose Garden, staring blankly at the starry sky, tears dried in her eyes.

With a wide smile, Eunuch Zhen approached: "My lady, we’ve also packed your belongings. I’ll escort you to Prince Jin’s mansion, as a courtesy."

Dou Qingyi muttered, "Prince Jin’s mansion..."

Eunuch Zhen smiled and said, "That’s right, Prince Jin’s mansion. From now on, you’ll be a concubine of Prince Jin’s mansion. It’s a gracious favor from the Noble Consort."

"Prince Jin’s mansion... concubine..."

Dou Qingyi chuckled in self-mockery. "I was so close to becoming the Crown Princess Consort, and now I can only be a concubine in a prince’s mansion?"

Eunuch Zhen spoke with hidden meaning: "As long as the green mountains remain, there’s no need to worry about firewood. Your son is the Guardian Qilin, the heir to the empire. One day, when he ascends to the throne, would you still dwell on the path you’ve walked?"

Dou Qingyi slowly raised her head, her vacant gaze gradually sharpening: "Eunuch Zhen, how dare you speak so outrageously."

Eunuch Zhen dropped to his knees with a thud: "This servant misspoke! Lord Dou, please forgive me!"

Dou Qingyi gently brushed off a leaf that had fallen on her shoulder and spoke with calm detachment: "But, what you said isn’t entirely wrong. Whoever my son acknowledges, that person will be the Crown Prince."

Lu Zhaoyan, you will regret it!

For the sake of a mere woman, you betrayed me and Qi’er. I will wait to see you lose everything, to see if you will kneel and beg me!

No sooner had Eunuch Zhen left the Crown Prince Mansion than Eunuch Yu arrived.

Lu Zhaoyan met him in the study.

Eunuch Yu, gasping for breath, appeared disheveled and panicked.

Lu Zhaoyan spoke gently, "Chief Yu, your journey must have been arduous. May I know what brings you here so late?"

Eunuch Yu sighed deeply. "Your Highness, why put this old servant through such trouble? Haven’t my hardships all stemmed from you, Your Highness?"

Emperor Liang had sent him to ask Lu Zhaoyan one last time—whether or not he wanted to remain the Crown Prince.

Along the way, his cart wheels broke, the streets were blocked by people—it was one obstacle after another.

And during that time, Consort Hu had reconciled with Lu Qi, acknowledging their bond as grandmother and grandson. Consort Hu, in exchange for sparing Dou Qingyi, had won Lu Qi’s acceptance of his identity.

By the time Eunuch Yu overcame all obstacles to arrive at the Crown Prince Mansion, everything was already a done deal.

"You and the Noble Consort coordinated this move flawlessly," he said.

Lu Zhaoyan smiled. "Chief Yu, whatever are you talking about? I don’t understand."

Eunuch Yu wasn’t the least surprised. "I’ve watched all you princes grow up. Every prince is one of my young masters. I wish no harm upon any of you, and I am certain His Majesty, with his fatherly love, shares this sentiment even more profoundly. Whatever His Majesty decides, it will be both for the princes’ welfare and for the good of Great Liang."

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Father acts out of goodwill; I understand that. But to me, there are things more important than power. My father is right, but I am not wrong either."

Eunuch Yu nodded. "Then, I shall return to the palace and report to His Majesty."

He bowed, performed proper etiquette, and respectfully retreated.

"Chief Yu,"

Lu Zhaoyan called after him.

Eunuch Yu, already at the door, turned back and asked, "Your Highness, is there anything else you wish to instruct me?"