Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 574

The wedding ceremony of the Seventh Prince was to be held on December 23. The invitation had already been delivered. As soon as Yun Shang and Luo Qingyan returned to the mansion, the butler presented them the invitation. While Yun Shang was reading it, Luo Qingyan came closer. "The Seventh Prince is going to marry his wife and his concubine on the same day. Seems he wants to provoke the conflict between the Liu clan and the Hua clan. The Liu clan will definitely be very dissatisfied that the most outstanding lady from their clan could only be a concubine. On December 23, the princess-to-be will be escorted to the wedding by the Seventh Prince and enter the Seventh Prince's Mansion from the front door. While Liu Yiyi even can't wear a red wedding dress. And she has to enter the mansion from the side door.

Yun Shang smiled and said, "I've never met Liu Yiyi before, but Hua Yutong seems to be a straightforward girl."

Luo Qingyan lay down on the bench. "In the Seventh Prince's Mansion, a straightforward person is the least suitable. Besides, I don't think a crafty man like Lord Hua Guo would send an naive girl into the imperial household."

Yun Shang chuckled, "how could you say your grandfather like this?" But she didn't contradict Luo Qingyan. It's hard for a straightforward person to survive in the Imperial Palace. Yun Shang knows it. Lord Hua Guo must also know it.

"I'm afraid Lord Hua Guo also had expected that Hua Yutong wouldn't be chosen into the imperial household. " Luo Qingyan said lightly.

"Eh? How could? " Yun Shang was confused by Luo Qingyan's words. If Lord Hua Guo knew that Hua Yutong couldn't been chosen, why did he make every effort to send her to the selection?

Luo Qingyan smiled, took Yun Shang's hand, helped her sit down on the bench, and whispered, "This time, the purpose of the three big clans is very obvious. The Liu clan supports the Seventh Prince. Lord Hua Guo is my nominal grandfather, and Su Qi is the Empress' father. All the ministers were waiting to see which lady from the three big clans would be chosen into the imperial palace. Then they could tell who would most likely be appointed Crown Prince.

Yun Shang was surprised. "Aren't they thinking too much? Even if His Majesty married a lady recommended by one of the clans, he might not plan to appoint anyone Crown Prince."

Luo Qingyan sneered, "even if His Majesty didn't have the intention, those ministers would think the same. The former Crown Prince's death has left the position absent. It is the most sensitive period. Moreover, I've been brought back suddenly. All the ministers are anxious to know who is the Crown Prince-to-be in His Majesty's mind. Even the slightest signs would be noticed by them."

Yun Shang sighed. She was quite familiar with the fights in the imperial household in her previous life and in this life, but she had never experienced the political struggle.

"His Majesty didn't marry Hua Yutong into the imperial household, but why did he made Lin Youran Lady Hui?" Yun Shang meditated for a moment and then said with confusion.

Luo Qingyan smiled, "only the Emperor and the Empress know that Lin Youran is related to you. The Empress doesn't know that His Majesty also knows it. So she is trying every means to get rid of Lin Youran. His Majesty wants to take advantage of Lin Youran to weaken the Empress's power, making the Empress unable to be dictatorial in the imperial household."

Yun Shang sighed and murmured, "But they are a couple. How could..."

Luo Qingyan failed to catch what Yun Shang was talking about. He looked at Yun Shang with inquiry. Yun Shang shook her head, "I've sent a message to Ning Qian, telling her to fake sick and not to get too close to the Emperor. If His Majesty has been suspicious of the Eldest Princess, I'm afraid that Ning Qian will be in danger."

Luo Qingyan nodded and pulled Yun Shang down on him. Then he breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't talk too much about others. Take a break with me."

Hearing this, Yun Shang glared at him. Then she smiled, "You've become lazy since you were grounded. You have to go to the court from tomorrow and you'll have no time to take a nap."

Luo Qingyan hugged Yun Shang, " I don't think about what will happen tomorrow." Then he closed his eyes and yawned.

Yun Shang also fell asleep soon.

When they woke up, it was already late in the afternoon. Seeing that Yun Shang had opened her eyes, Luo Qingyan got up and asked Qian Liu to serve Yun Shang. He turned to Yun Shang, "His Majesty said that the Imperial Edict which exempted me from the punishment was requested by the Eldest Princes anyway. Let's go to the Princess Palace together with some gifts tomorrow."

Yun Shang was still in a daze and could do nothing but nod. Amused by her, Qian Liu and Qian Zhuo tried hard not to laugh out. They helped Yun Shang put the robe on and fixed her hair in a bun.

After dinner, Luo Qingyan went to the study. The butler brought Yun Shang the account book. He bowed and said, "Recently I found that there might be someone who often peeks at the account book. So I didn't keep a record of the stores and new mansions you and Prince Rui bought. The account book only records things you brought from the State of Ning and those granted by masters in the Imperial Palace."

Yun Shang nodded, took the account book and looked through it. "Have someone classify all the records in it. Then withdraw some money and send someone to choose several shops in the city in a aboveboard way. Select those selling embroideries, make-ups, grains and oils which ordinary people need. And look for some mansions outside the city. Choose three or four with mountains, waters and fertile lands around. It doesn't matter if they are more expensive."

The butler nodded. Yun Shang handed the account book back to him, "You don't need to investigate who peeped at the account book."

"But if we allow it to happen? I'm afraid it will become a hidden trouble." The butler said hesitantly.