Just two days later, an imperial decree was issued to adopt the fifth prince to the Empress. Although some were unwilling, everyone understood its implications, and soon the Emperor officially named him Crown Prince.
For the past few days, Elder Master Mu walked with an air of pride. The thought of people looking at him with envy and fawning whenever he went out made him feel as if he had reached the pinnacle of life. Who would have thought that a poor country boy from decades ago would now be a sought-after minister, with the Mu family's prospects shining brightly?
With everything settled, fewer people monitored the fifth prince when he went out. It seemed some had given up, while those who hadn't, seeing no support from others, had to restrain their ambitions and keep a low profile to avoid drawing attention.
After a few days of prominence, the Emperor suddenly collapsed during a morning court session, throwing everyone into a panic. The imperial physician examined the Emperor's pulse and shook his head. Although he had been advising the Emperor to relax and had been carefully treating him, the deaths of several princes had dealt a severe blow, damaging his fundamental health. He had been given a year to live, and now he was at the end of his strength.
A full three days later, the Emperor slowly regained consciousness. Fully aware of his condition and knowing his time was short, he quickly made his final arrangements.
Another thing that left the fifth prince speechless was encountering a young lady of extraordinary appearance every time he walked on the street. Although she tried to conceal it well, it was evident from her body language and gaze that she was intentionally trying to get close to him.
Recently, many ministers had been inquiring about his marriage through various channels. Even though he already had a Crown Princess, he was now the heir apparent. As long as someone entered the fifth prince's mansion, they would be a future consort. No one wanted to miss this opportunity. Regardless of who asked, the fifth prince refused without hesitation. He even openly expressed his intention to remain devoted only to his Crown Princess in front of the Empress, seeing her clear disapproval and understanding that she couldn't comprehend his feelings.
However, he was not anxious at all. He would prove through his actions that an emperor, with sufficient capability, did not need to take a broad harem to stabilize the court.
Yao Feiyan had strived for so long, yet the Crown Prince treated her like a monstrous flood, trying every means to avoid her and declaring that he would spend his life only with his Crown Princess. While she didn't believe there truly was such an infatuated man in the world, the situation was unfavorable for her.
Today was Elder Master Yao's seventieth birthday. The Emperor's health was not good, so a grand celebration was not planned, but those who should attend still came. Even the Crown Prince made a special appearance, as Elder Master Yao had once been an imperial tutor. As long as the Emperor lived, everyone would have to show him utmost respect.
Besides Elder Master Yao, everyone gravitated towards the Crown Prince. He was the future emperor; who wouldn't try to curry favor? However, as they drank, the Crown Prince suddenly felt something was amiss with the wine in his hand. He subtly exchanged it for another cup. His personal guard immediately left and returned shortly, whispering to him when no one was paying attention. It turned out the maid who had poured his wine was Miss Yao, the maid of the lady he kept encountering.
The Crown Prince couldn't help but frown. He had initially assumed her status wasn't very high, as which young lady would casually encounter a man without her elders intervening? He hadn't expected her to be Elder Master Yao's granddaughter. This was problematic. If she pleaded with her grandfather to intervene, and considering Elder Master Yao's unusual standing in the Emperor's heart, he could be directly bestowed a secondary consort. He believed Wu Caiwei would trust him, but he didn't want to cause her distress.
To prevent the situation from escalating, he acted as if nothing had happened.
Unfortunately, while he thought this, some people were not prepared to let it go. When Yao Feiyan learned that the wine she had specially prepared for him had not been drunk, she stamped her foot in anger.
After some thought, she quickly ran to her grandfather, looking at him with a pleading gaze. Elder Master Yao had long heard of his granddaughter's recent unusual behavior. Seeing her expression, he understood. He sighed and tried to persuade her, "A forced melon isn't sweet. I hear the Crown Prince and Crown Princess live in harmony. Even if you enter his household, you won't have a good life. Why bother? My Yao family's granddaughters never lack suitors. I will certainly find you a devoted husband in the future, one that everyone will envy."
"No matter how good others are, they are not the Crown Prince. My greatest wish in this life is to be the empress. If I had met him first, the envy of everyone would be directed at me now. What does the Crown Princess have? She grew up in the countryside, she's a bumpkin, and her reputation is questionable. It's just luck. The Crown Prince has met few women and thinks the Crown Princess is unique. If he met more, he would definitely discover my good qualities," Yao Feiyan said with disdain.
"I've reminded you many times, be careful of eavesdropping. Some things can be said, while some things must be buried forever in your heart. Even if the Crown Princess has many faults, they cannot be spoken from the mouths of us Yao family members," Elder Master Yao said to his unyielding granddaughter with a hint of helplessness. He knew she only spoke the truth when facing him. Outside, she was always composed, so he didn't worry. It was just her excessive obsession with that position that was not good; life in the palace was not that easy.
"I know. Once I leave here, I won't say a word. But this time, you must help me no matter what." Yao Feiyan knew her grandfather doted on her the most. He couldn't bear to refuse any request she made.
As expected, although Elder Master Yao did not agree with her idea, he still nodded and decided to intervene himself. If the Crown Prince refused again this time, he would absolutely not indulge her further.
When the Yao family's steward personally came to invite the Crown Prince, he was bewildered. He had little contact with Elder Master Yao and didn't know why he would send someone to invite him specifically. He could only follow the steward's steps.
Elder Master Yao immediately bowed upon seeing the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince quickly stepped forward to help him up and stated his purpose without beating around the bush. "I have a granddaughter named Yao Feiyan. You've met her. That child is kind and intelligent, but after meeting you once, she can neither eat nor sleep. You must have understood her intentions from her recent words and actions. I know the Crown Prince has no intention of taking concubines, but my granddaughter has become fixated on you. I beg the Crown Prince to grant her an opportunity out of respect for me."
Xuan Yuan Xin looked at him with shock. It was said that the eldest daughter of the Yao family had been orphaned at a young age and raised by both Elder Master Yao and the old madam. They had doted on her greatly. Now, it seemed the rumors were true. The usually aloof Elder Master Yao, when it came to his granddaughter, was as worried as any ordinary elder in a family.