Grand Tutor Wei fell ill, but it had nothing to do with Wang Qingyao.
Rumor had it that he was angered to sickness by his disobedient granddaughter, the deposed Crown Princess.
Even though Grand Tutor Wei was ill, the compensation he owed Wang Qingyao, which she then generously donated to the national treasury, could not be delayed by a single cent.
If it were simply to Wang Qingyao, perhaps there would be some room for delay.
But now it was for the national treasury, Grand Tutor Wei and Wei Chong dared not procrastinate.
After all, the grand pronouncements had already been made.
Wei Chong couldn't help but complain by Grand Tutor Wei's sickbed, "Father, why did you make that offer?"
Ten thousand taels of silver a year, the Wei family could manage it with gritted teeth.
But to pay it out would leave the Wei family severely weakened, not only impacting their lifestyle but also making it difficult to manage their various social obligations and offerings to Noble Consort Wei.
Wei Chong felt that his and Grand Tutor Wei's trip to beg for forgiveness was sufficient to show the Wei family's attitude; why would they add an unnecessary offer of compensation?
Grand Tutor Wei was also filled with regret.
"I never imagined that little wretch would demand such an exorbitant sum. Fifty-nine thousand?! How dare she ask for that?"
Grand Tutor Wei's usually impassive face, as lifeless as a corpse, showed rare anger. He even cursed her as a "little wretch," indicating how truly incensed he was, abandoning all pretense of decorum.
He had expected Wang Qingyao to ask for at most twenty to thirty thousand taels, which would have been the absolute limit.
"Cough, cough." Grand Tutor Wei coughed again, his voice hoarse, like a broken bellows.
Wei Chong patted his back and, after a moment of silence, asked, "Father, how do you think we should handle A Yu's situation?"
Grand Tutor Wei also fell silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Let it be for now. She is a clever girl. With the Wei family and her aunt by her side, Fengyi might still have a chance to ascend to the throne."
Grand Tutor Wei had not completely given up on Wei Yu, but he would no longer invest resources in her. Everything would depend on her own fortune.
"Then, regarding the new Crown Princess... does Father have any candidates in mind?"
Grand Tutor Wei sighed. The Wei family only had two legitimate daughters, and none of the illegitimate ones were qualified to marry into the Eastern Palace as Crown Princess.
Perhaps they could select someone from another minister's family, someone easily manipulated, to pave the way for Wei Yu.
The Wei family had many followers.
"What are your thoughts?" Grand Tutor Wei asked, leaning back on a large bolster pillow with his eyes slightly closed.
Wei Chong blurted out, "The Ban family."
The Ban family was Wei Yu's maternal relatives, the maternal family of Madam Wei the Second.
If a daughter from their family married into the Eastern Palace, she could not only look after Wei Yu but also, as relatives by marriage, the Ban family and the Wei family would share common interests.
A daughter from the Ban family was indeed a suitable candidate.
However...
Grand Tutor Wei opened his eyes, "You must be prepared for the possibility that this young lady from the Ban family will likely not live long."
The Empress of Great Sheng could only be a daughter of the Wei family.
When the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Wei Yu's rank would gradually rise, and the young lady from the Ban family could then retire with honor.
Grand Tutor Wei had met the legitimate daughters of the Ban family who were around Wei Yu's age.
They were in the bloom of youth and often visited the Wei family.
They called Wei Chong "Uncle-in-law," suggesting a certain degree of affection.
"Your son understands," Wei Chong's expression remained unchanged. "Those who achieve great things do not quibble over minor details."
"Good." Grand Tutor Wei looked at Wei Chong with satisfaction.
Wei Chong considered it carefully, "Let it be Sister Xuan."
Ban Ruoxuan was the youngest legitimate daughter of Madam Wei the Second's elder brother. She was a year younger than Wei Yu and had a very good relationship with her.
"Find an opportunity for your elder sister-in-law to visit Noble Consort in the palace."
Madam Wei the Second had fallen ill from worry for her daughter and was too weak to go to the palace to convey the message to Noble Consort Wei, even though it was her niece.
Wei Chong nodded. "Yes."
Noble Consort Wei was the Crown Prince's birth mother. When the Crown Prince married, she, as his mother, was most qualified to select the next Crown Princess.
Not only the Wei family was making preparations; other noble families, due to the deposed Crown Princess, were all eagerly anticipating a chance for their daughters to strive for a better future.
Noble Consort Wei met with her elder sister-in-law and, having a clear understanding of the situation, summoned the Crown Prince and relayed Grand Tutor Wei's intentions.
Noble Consort Wei firmly believed that the Crown Prince and the Wei family shared common fortunes and misfortunes, so she also informed the Crown Prince that Grand Tutor Wei had not completely abandoned Wei Yu.
Moreover, she genuinely doted on Wei Yu.
She also felt great pity for Wei Yu's current predicament.
But given the Emperor's temperament, Wei Yu would never be able to turn things around as long as he lived.
Only when...
Upon hearing the Wei family's plan, the Crown Prince felt a surge of irritation.
As the dignified Crown Prince, did he have to obey others' arrangements for whom he should marry?
"You have also met Sister Xuan. Although she is not as intelligent and charming as A Yu, she is pure of heart. Your Imperial Father favors girls with such dispositions, so she might win his favor."
Wei Yu's deposition had actually brought the Crown Prince a hint of secret delight.
This way, wouldn't he be able to marry Princess Mu Jin?
With the Kingdom of Dongling as his backing and General Long Wu, the maternal uncle of Consort Lu, supporting him, with absolute control over military power, wouldn't his position as Crown Prince be as stable as Mount Tai?
What use was the granddaughter of a Dali Temple Minister?
"Mother Consort," the Crown Prince said in a low voice, "Father has already agreed to let Seventh Brother accompany Princess Mu Jin back to the Kingdom of Dongling. The journey is long, and many accidents are bound to occur..."
Noble Consort Wei understood his unspoken meaning. The innocent, doll-like face of hers turned grim and ruthless.
However, this expression, as if she had transformed, lasted only for a fleeting moment. Soon, Noble Consort Wei's doll-like face resumed its smile.
"Be careful in all matters."
The Crown Prince nodded, and after a moment, he added, "If Seventh Brother... then Princess Mu Jin will..."
Noble Consort Wei raised an eyebrow and looked at him, "You want to make Princess Mu Jin the Crown Princess?"
"Prince Xin controls the lifeline of the Kingdom of Dongling. Marrying Princess Mu Jin would only bring benefits and no harm. Moreover, Princess Mu Jin is gentle and easy to control."
Noble Consort Wei remained silent.
"Mother Consort," the Crown Prince walked behind her and massaged her shoulders, "I know you are concerned about my maternal grandfather. Rest assured, I will do it without anyone knowing, and my grandfather will not know this is my idea."
"It's not just your maternal grandfather, but also your Imperial Father," Noble Consort Wei said. "Princess Mu Jin was first betrothed to you, then the engagement was broken and she was betrothed to Seventh Brother, and then betrothed back to you. What is this? With so many women in the world, must you brothers go back and forth over this one woman? The court officials will not agree."
"Mother Consort, rest assured," the Crown Prince said, "I will make Father agree."
Noble Consort Wei began to understand his intention: "If not the primary consort, then a secondary consort will suffice."
Frankly speaking, Noble Consort Wei did not think highly of Princess Mu Jin as her daughter-in-law. She was not beautiful, her disposition was ordinary, and she lacked talent. If she had not been suddenly recognized by the Yun family, she would have had absolutely no redeeming qualities.
Princess Mu Jin's return to the Kingdom of Dongling to acknowledge her relatives would involve a long journey, taking over three months round trip. Including her stay in the Kingdom of Dongling, it would be at least half a year.
During this half-year, would the Emperor not remember to appoint another Crown Princess for the Crown Prince?