"My intentions are the same as those of the Crown Prince!"
What Zhou Yunshen was thinking, Chu Yu naturally understood.
But Chu Yu knew that Zhou Yunshen did not have much genuine affection for Yun Jinnian; he might want to use her more than anything.
"Heh, then I’m curious, Prince, what are your true intentions?" Zhou Yunshen said, leaning closer to Chu Yu, speaking in a voice only the two could hear, "Does the Wise Prince also wish to marry Princess Yijia?"
Chu Yu tilted his head, a smile on his face, but his eyes were icy, "What if I do? What if I don’t?"
"Then it seems we are of one mind!" Zhou Yunshen also smiled, his demeanor still gentle and refined.
"I won’t let you succeed!" Chu Yu did not back down.
Jinnian is his, and she can only ever be his.
For this lifetime and beyond, she must be his wife and the mother of his children!
"Then I shall wait and see, and I hope His Highness the Wise Prince will do his best. However, I believe there are many who would not want His Highness to marry Princess Yijia. Perhaps the Wise Prince should relinquish his hold, and I am willing to help elevate the Wise Prince to a higher level?"
Tempted by the throne, Zhou Yunshen believed many would choose the throne, and he believed Chu Yu would too.
"Heh, heh!" Chu Yu laughed coldly, looking at Zhou Yunshen as if he were a fool, "So, the Crown Prince of the Great Zhou Kingdom is such a person. Do you think I would trade a woman just to ascend to that highest position? Besides, what I want is both the kingdom and the beauty in my grasp, as for you, Crown Prince, it seems you lack the capability. At the very least, the Empress of the Great Zhou would not agree!"
The Empress of the Great Zhou did not come from a high status, yet she became the empress of the Great Zhou Kingdom.
On the surface, the Emperor cherishes her greatly, but in reality, the Empress has long rendered the Emperor powerless, controlling the entire royal family of Great Zhou. After all, she has very powerful brothers who hold the few million-strong armies of Great Zhou and a childhood confidant wholly devoted to her, controlling the court, willing to live or die for her.
Mastering both civil and military, the Empress is indeed a figure.
Yet such a formidable woman only bore one child, which is Zhou Yunshen.
Deep Affection for You!
As for whom she holds such deep affection, only the Empress of the Great Zhou knows.
"So we are the same!" Zhou Yunshen spoke indifferently.
He has his mother to block him, and Chu Yu has the Emperor to block him, making it exceedingly difficult to win over the beauty.
The superficial harmony but inner discord between Chu Yu and Zhou Yunshen was clear to everyone, yet they pretended not to notice.
Zhou Yunshen, the Crown Prince of Great Zhou, is now merely a guest in Tianchu Country, and Chu Yu dares to confront him as others wouldn’t dare.
Han Xuzi stroked his beard, viewing Chu Yu with approval and praise.
Seeing Han Tianci happily eating at the side, Han Xuzi shook his head lovingly but said nothing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the auspicious time has arrived, please!"
The auspicious time arrived.
The coming-of-age ceremony must proceed to the ancestral hall.
Mrs. Han and Yun Qi warmly invited the guests to the hall to witness the ceremony, only to see a man rushing in hurriedly, "Princess, Princess..."
All eyes turned to this man.
Only Xu Xinmo lightly curled her lips.
For the coming-of-age ceremony, such a grand event, if someone’s reputation is ruined and they’re pursued to the door, what of their pure and noble image, how can they be the first Commandery Princess of Tianchu Country?
"Princess, Princess Yijia, I am Shaozhi!"
The crowd was shocked, but did not change color.
Yun Jinnian stood in place, unmoving.
Dai Hanmi, however, stepped forward, "I am Princess Yijia, what is your business with me?"