Chapter 368: Giving Up (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Chu You hadn’t felt this defeated in a long time.
“Where are the people from the Internal Affairs Directorate? Can’t you contact any of them?” Chu You suddenly turned to the eunuch and asked in a low voice.
“I’ve tried all kinds of methods. Even the person in charge of purchasing hasn’t left the palace for a few days.” The eunuch swallowed his saliva and stammered, “Your Highness, will there be another change in the palace?”
Chu You’s face flashed with uncertainty as he asked in a low voice, “What did the people watching outside the palace say?”
The eunuch lowered his head again and didn’t dare look into Chu You’s sharp eyes. He lowered his head and replied obediently, “Your Highness, other than the Feng family’s matter, there has been a storm recently. There seems to be nothing else in the palace.”
The matter of Feng She instigating the Censor Lian to hit the pillar had been in an uproar recently. Everyone in the court had their own arguments, but there was still no result.
“…” Chu You’s expression darkened even more. He pursed his thin lips tightly, and his face seemed to be covered in a layer of ice.
Previously, even though Empress Dowager Yuan was temporarily under house arrest in Shouning Palace, the Internal Affairs Directorate and the entire inner court were in the hands of Empress Dowager Yuan. From time to time, Chu You would have news from the palace. It wasn’t difficult for him to know anything.
But now, he didn’t even know if Empress Dowager Yuan was fine.
This was the first time in her life!
What if the Emperor deliberately made things difficult for the Empress Dowager…
Chu You was really not confident. His heart was in a mess as he walked back and forth quickly.
In the corner was a three-legged incense burner with a green embossed lotus flower. A wisp of green smoke curled up and slowly dissipated in the air.
The rich fragrance entered Chu You’s nose.
Chu You took a deep breath. The fragrance filled his chest and made him feel stuffy.
Chu You suddenly stopped in his tracks and muttered to himself, “I have to go to the palace. I have to at least see my mother.”
His eyes narrowed slightly and darkened. He immediately instructed the eunuch, “Prepare a horse for me.”
He had to hurry into the palace to confirm what had gone wrong.
The eunuch agreed obediently and quickly went out. However, as soon as he left, he returned. The Wang family’s official came in with him.
“Your Highness, the Ceremony Directorate of the Imperial Court has come and requests an audience with you.” The Wang family’s official bowed to Chu You. Ceremony Directorate? Chu You frowned even more and looked at the official with a gloomy gaze.
When did the inner court have an additional Ceremony Directorate?
“No.” Chu You flicked his sleeves heavily. “I want to enter the palace.”
The official maintained his bowing posture and hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Your Highness, someone said that the Empress Dowager has already arranged a marriage for you, but their Ceremony Directorate checked the imperial family register and realized that it hasn’t been officially decided. Now, they’ve asked the Imperial Astronomer to choose an auspicious day and specially came over to ask you if you want to make an announcement of the marriage.”
Marriage?! Chu You’s eyes widened slightly. He took a step back and slowly sat on the rosewood armchair at the back.
Last time, because of Fang Mingfeng’s interference, the engagement between him and Rong’er was ruined. That was why the marriage had been delayed until now.
Chu You lowered his eyes, and a strange light flashed across his eyes.
He knew that his mother had never liked Rong’er.
Otherwise, this marriage wouldn’t have been delayed.
Although his mother had personally promised him that she would set a wedding date for him and Rong’er as soon as possible, his mother actually had other plans in her heart. She wanted to choose one or two secondary consorts for him before he married Rong’er.
To him, concubines were just decorations. It was fine if he accepted them.
However, he knew that Rong’er had a strong personality and couldn’t tolerate a single grain of sand in his eyes. If he took in a secondary consort, Rong’er would definitely break off the engagement and leave him.
Just thinking about this possibility made Chu You feel a dull pain in his heart.
“Drip, drip.”
In a corner of the house, there was the sound of water dripping from the pot leak. Drops of water fell gently into the kettle below, making the house even quieter.
The eunuch at the side couldn’t help but hold his breath. A moment later, he heard Chu You, who was sitting in the armchair, ask the official in a deep voice, “When is the auspicious day?”
“In three days,” the official replied respectfully.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Chu You’s heart couldn’t help but beat faster. His long and narrow eyes shot out an abnormally bright light.
Three days, just three days.
Only after the small engagement ceremony would he and Rong’er be officially engaged. This marriage was a sure bet, a shoo-in.
But the Empress Dowager…
An intense struggle flashed across Chu You’s eyes. The faces of the Empress Dowager and Gu Yunrong flashed across his mind. His heart was in a stalemate as he gripped the armrest of the armchair tightly with his right hand..