Even a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs, but Mrs. Yue, having been steeped in the imperial palace for many years, was well - versed in the cruelty of struggles. Especially when it came to the royal family, it was either you die or I die.
Infighting among family members, fathers killing sons, and brothers turning against each other were all common occurrences!
Mrs. Yue's move was harsh, but it could preserve the bloodline of the Yue family.
As long as the Yue family remained, it would always be a solid backing for the Princess Royal.
Mrs. Yue seemed to have anticipated Shi Minglang's reaction long ago. She gave a calm smile.
"I'm an old woman on the verge of death, yet my own son has done such disgraceful things, shaming me. He's committed heinous crimes. I understand the meaning of upholding justice at the expense of family ties. He was disloyal to the Great Zhou and the emperor. He deserves to be sliced into pieces!"
She should have had a kind face, but she uttered such cruel words about killing her own son.
Shi Minglang couldn't show any expression on his face.
"I'm only responsible for assisting the Crown Prince in handling the case. The Crown Prince is wise and valiant. He'll surely make the right decision."
No matter how just Mrs. Yue's words sounded, it wasn't his place to convey them.
How could this calculating old woman be so sure that he would speak on her behalf?
"Sir Shi is being too modest," Mrs. Yue said. Although still haughty, since she needed Shi Minglang's help, she tried to restrain herself. "You're the Crown Prince's study companion, a young hero. Your uncle is the top judge in the capital. Whether a person lives or dies depends on his single word. Even King Yama can't do more than that. Having received your uncle's teachings, you're also an impartial and upright official. I've always admired the integrity of the Shi family."
Shi Minglang rarely heard so many compliments, but he felt a chilling aura lingering around him.
He looked down at the tea in his hand and politely put it back.
He didn't take a single sip.
Mrs. Yue's eyes were gloomy, but there was still a smile on her face. "Sir Shi must be twenty - five or twenty - six this year, right? You're so handsome and elegant. Yet, because of the reputation of the Shi family, no woman has dared to marry you so far. It's really a pity."
Shi Minglang forced out a dry smile and prayed silently in his heart for her to stop talking.
A maid brought in a fruit platter and pastries. Mrs. Yue gave a meaningful look to Yue Jiaojiao.
Yue Jiaojiao sat there motionless with a sullen face, like a stone pillar.
"Jiaojiao, invite Sir Shi to try our pine - nut and cashew white jade cake."
Mrs. Yue's tone carried a hint of stern warning.
No matter how bad - tempered Yue Jiaojiao was, she was still afraid of her grandmother. She took the fruit platter from the maid and presented it to Shi Minglang.
Her gaze swept directly across Shi Minglang's face.
He was indeed quite handsome, but unfortunately, he was only a fourth - rank official. How could he compare to the Crown Prince?
The Crown Prince was the future emperor. If she became the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, she would be the empress!
Who would dare to touch a hair on the empress's family?
Yue Jiaojiao indulged in daydreams, thinking that as long as she caught the Crown Prince's eye, she could save the whole family.
Her father wouldn't have to die, and she could even order that the woman who had tried to assassinate her father be torn limb from limb!
The Yue family wouldn't have to live in constant fear of being raided.
As she thought, Shi Minglang in front of her transformed into the Crown Prince, smiling gently at her.
She grinned.
Shi Minglang felt a chill run down his spine!
Instead of reaching for the pastries in Yue Jiaojiao's hand, he got up and walked around her, then bowed to Mrs. Yue.
"I'm just a humble official. How could I dare to trouble Miss Yue to serve me tea and pastries?"
Yue Jiaojiao rolled her eyes. "It's good that you know your place!"
Only the Crown Prince was worthy of the tea and pastries she served!
Yue Jiaojiao's words immediately blocked whatever Mrs. Yue was about to say.
Mrs. Yue cursed inwardly that Yue Jiaojiao was good - for - nothing.
"She's been spoiled too much on weekdays. Does she really think she's a princess?" Mrs. Yue scolded sharply. "Such an ignorant thing! Fortunately, Sir Shi is magnanimous and doesn't mind your rudeness! I think you've already forgotten the pain of being beaten. Get out of here!"
Seeing that Mrs. Yue was angry, two capable maids beside her quickly pulled Yue Jiaojiao away.
It was quiet now, but Yue Jiaojiao's image in Shi Minglang's mind had already been completely ruined.
Mrs. Yue had to try to make up for it. "This child, although she often speaks rudely, it's because she's pure - hearted and innocent.
She's my only granddaughter, and I've doted on her a lot. But now that she's grown up, I've been worried about finding a good husband for her. Sir Shi just happens to need a virtuous wife. Don't worry, Sir Shi. I'll definitely discipline her well before marrying her to you."
The premise of her saying this was that she was already certain that Shi Minglang wouldn't reject this marriage.
She was very confident about this.
No woman dared to marry into the Shi family.
If Shi Minglang didn't marry Jiaojiao, he'd have to be a bachelor for the rest of his life!
Mrs. Yue looked at Shi Minglang calmly and confidently, waiting for his reaction.
The muscles on Shi Minglang's face twitched. If it weren't for his good upbringing, he really would have liked to pour the tea on this old woman to wake her up!
What a daydream!
He'd rather be alone for the rest of his life than marry the daughter of a criminal official!
Moreover, Yue Chengkong had committed the great crime of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country!
He thought so in his heart, but he couldn't say so out loud.
Shi Minglang showed a slightly regretful expression. "I'm extremely grateful to Mrs. Yue for worrying about my marriage. But the Crown Prince has already promised to arrange a match for me. How could I bypass the Crown Prince and decide my marriage on my own?"
He was extremely nervous inside.
But in order to kill Mrs. Yue's idea, he could only bring up the Crown Prince.
He gambled that Mrs. Yue didn't dare to go and verify with the Crown Prince.
Mrs. Yue's face looked a bit ugly, but she managed to maintain the dignity of the head of the family.
"Since Sir Shi has said so, I'll wait for a while."
After leaving the Yue family, Shi Minglang rushed back to the government office without stopping.
The Crown Prince had just returned from inspecting the military camp.
Shi Minglang reported Mrs. Yue's words to the Crown Prince exactly as they were.
This included Mrs. Yue's intention to marry Yue Jiaojiao to him.
The Crown Prince couldn't hold back his laughter.
Shi Minglang was annoyed, but he didn't dare to get angry with the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness, in order to silence Mrs. Yue, I've brought you up. You must arrange a marriage for me, or I'll really be alone for the rest of my life."
The two had been close since childhood, and sometimes the Crown Prince was willing to put aside his status and treat Shi Minglang as a friend.
"Alright. If you have a girl you like, just tell me."
Shi Minglang's eyes lit up. "A gentleman's word is as good as his bond!"
The Crown Prince raised his eyebrows. "So you already have someone in mind? Tell me. Which girl is so unlucky?"
Shi Minglang: "..."
Out of respect for the young lady, he leaned over to the Crown Prince's ear and whispered the name.
The Crown Prince's eyes flickered. He knew what was going on.
Shi Minglang continued to report other official matters. At this time, the Crown Prince's secret agent brought news from the capital.
"Your Highness, the emperor has lifted the house arrest of the Princess Royal!"