Chapter 336: Chapter 336 Prime Minister Song: Does your conscience not hurt?
Shen Qing’s niece was suddenly granted marriage to a royal family member to become a Commandery Prince Consort, causing many ministers who knew about the near marriage alliance between the Song and Shen families to sharply detect a whiff of intrigue.
The two families were originally to be related by marriage; first Song Zhiyu was granted marriage to Commandery Princess Dongyang, and then Miss Fu, whose father was just a minor Deputy Magistrate, was granted marriage to a royal Commandery Prince.
One following the other, who would believe there’s no mystery in it?
Could it be that the Emperor got addicted to granting marriages? No, the ministers are more inclined to see it as compensation. But why compensation? It can’t possibly be because the Emperor took Song Zhiyu, who was intended to be engaged to Fu Qing, and gave him to Commandery Princess Dongyang.
No, no, that’s impossible. How could that be reasonable? The Emperor, noble as he is, having moments of guilt?
Yet, they struggled to find evidence to convince themselves otherwise.
Unable to figure it out, they decided not to think about it. It wasn’t related to them anyway, so better to just eat peanuts and enjoy the spectacle.
For now, they should first curry favor with Lord Shen, as he has now become related to the Royal Family through marriage. Though Miss Fu married Commandery Prince Qing as a second wife, the Prince Qing Mansion still hasn’t had legitimate children, only two concubine-born daughters.
Moreover, the Prince Qing Mansion was also thinly populated. Once Miss Fu married over and bore a legitimate son, wouldn’t Imperial Concubine Qing treat her like a treasure?
Better curry favor, better curry favor indeed.
Prime Minister Fan looked at Shen Qing, who was surrounded and leaving, and his old face turned even greener, confirming he had made a blunder.
The Emperor had long intended for Song Zhiyu to marry Commandery Princess Dongyang.
And he, Prime Minister Fan, merely went along with it.
The Emperor could allow a marriage alliance between the Song and Shen families, meaning at least for now, he wouldn’t be wary or suspicious of the Song family but rather intended to use them.
Of course, the Song family had no concubines in the palace, so they could be boldly utilized.
Then, what was the Emperor’s intention with such an act? Was it to merge the powerful forces of the Song and Shen families for his own use, or...
Whose path was being paved?
Prime Minister Fan’s eyes flickered as he pursed his lips and looked towards the princes soon to be married. Could it be one of them?
Something flashed quickly through his mind, but before he could grasp it, Song Zhiyuan’s figure intruded on his gaze.
"Why does Prime Minister Fan seem to be in a bad mood?"
Prime Minister Fan glanced at him, saying, "Prime Minister Song seems quite happy, having your dear brother become a Commandery Prince’s husband. Have you fulfilled your wishes?"
Song Zhiyuan looked innocent, "Doesn’t your conscience hurt saying that, Prime Minister Fan? Clearly, it was you who first agreed to this granted marriage for me."
Prime Minister Fan: "..."
Pretentious, shameless.
Prince Dingbei walked over with his hands behind his back, glanced at the two, and said, "Prime Minister Song, come with me to the Observatory to ask the Director to select an auspicious date, so these youngsters can handle the formalities sooner."
Song Zhiyuan twitched the corner of his mouth, "Are you really in such a rush?"
Prime Minister Fan laughed and said, "Indeed, the sooner they marry, the sooner they can have many children. I wish Your Highness to embrace grandsons soon."
Prince Dingbei gave him a sidelong glance, "Fair enough."
The two headed towards the Observatory’s department.
Prime Minister Fan watched their receding figures, snorted, and thought, let’s see how long you can flaunt.
Just as he was about to leave the palace, a young eunuch from Lady Shufei’s palace approached, saying the Old Madam was missed and was wanted in the palace for a conversation.
Prime Minister Fan paused, looking at the Third and Fourth Princes not far away, his head slightly throbbed.
At that moment, he truly wanted to curse that sometimes what the Emperor did was damn annoying.
"I will have the Old Madam visit the palace to pay respects to Her Ladyship later. You may go," Prime Minister Fan said indifferently.
The Fan family, for now, wasn’t ready to take sides, not even for the sake of a grandson, so it was best to stabilize things for now.