The question Cheng Simian raised was something Princess Lingyang had never thought about.
In her perception, Crown Prince was the legitimate heir apparent and would surely ascend the throne in the future.
She didn't understand these matters of state and had always only cared about her own emotions.
Her dissatisfaction with the imperial marriage was simply because she didn't want to marry someone she didn't like.
Cheng Simian's sharp gaze seemed to be mercilessly mocking her narrow - mindedness and ignorance.
"I..." Princess Lingyang lost her previous arrogance and reluctantly put down the bowl in her hand.
It was the bowl she had planned to throw at Cheng Simian's face.
Cheng Simian walked over and sat down beside her.
Her gaze softened a bit, but there was still an undeniable solemnity in her eyes.
For some reason, Princess Lingyang was a little afraid of such a look in her eyes.
"I know, Your Highness, it's unfair for you to be forced to marry someone you don't like. But do you know that this marriage is crucial to the stability of the court? Whether the Crown Prince will encounter obstacles when he ascends the throne in the future and whether he can succeed smoothly are closely related to your marriage."
"Is it really that important who I marry?"
Princess Lingyang suddenly felt a heavy burden on her shoulders, as if she had to bear a thousand - jin responsibility.
Cheng Simian's expression was no longer so serious. She raised her eyebrows and said playfully, "It seems that Your Highness still hopes the Crown Prince can ascend the throne, right?"
"Of course!"
Princess Lingyang straightened her back.
She wasn't unreasonable, okay?
Although she resented the Crown Prince for not pleading for her, she truly understood in her heart that the Crown Prince was her future reliance.
She just wanted to vent her emotions.
When it came to matters of principle, she would never take the wrong side.
"You are the only princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, with a noble and unparalleled status. Who you marry is not only a family matter but also a national affair."
Cheng Simian patiently explained to Princess Lingyang, "The Qin family not only has a first - rank duke, but Qin Feng is also the head of the civil officials and a first - class important minister beside the emperor. He has countless protégés and can call on many in the court. If he doesn't support the Crown Prince but has other intentions and supports another prince..."
Princess Lingyang got anxious. "Why would he not support the Crown Prince but side with another prince?"
"Because Qin Feng wants his daughter, Qin Xuanyan, to be the Crown Princess to consolidate his position. In this way, when the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, he will be the emperor's father - in - law and can firmly hold on to his power."
Princess Lingyang couldn't hide her disgust. "Qin Xuanyan, that stupid pig. How can she be worthy of being the Crown Princess?"
She sized Cheng Simian up and down again.
Although she was a bit resentful towards Cheng Simian now, she wasn't blind.
Qin Xuanyan couldn't even compare to a hair on Cheng Simian's head.
She had never doubted the Crown Prince's taste.
"That's right. When the Queen tested Qin Xuanyan, she failed. To damage my reputation, she even staged the incident of the erotic - painted handkerchief in the Chunling Courtyard. And the other day, my mother was poisoned by cherries, which was also the doing of the Qin family. Their schemes not only failed but also angered the Crown Prince. Qin Feng is a cunning man. He knows that Qin Xuanyan can't be the Crown Princess and has offended the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, the Qin family will be punished. To preserve his power and wealth, he had a crooked thought and sided with the Second Prince, trying to join hands with him to bring down the Crown Prince."
"The Qin family is so greedy! They want everything. Their children are useless, so they use such despicable means!"
Princess Lingyang hit the nail on the head.
Cheng Simian was actually quite impressed by her.
Although Princess Lingyang was a bit naive and arrogant, there was one thing that Cheng Simian admired very much.
She was always above - board. Even when she wanted to harm Wan Chu before, she never resorted to any tricks.
She always took action herself and never made excuses for her actions.
She used to be an open - and - above - board villain.
Better than a hypocrite who plotted in secret.
"So, Your Highness, do you understand the emperor's good intentions now?"
Cheng Simian knew that there had been wave after wave of people coming to persuade Princess Lingyang, only constantly urging her to put the overall situation first and be willing to sacrifice.
But what was the overall situation and why should she sacrifice?
No one had explained it clearly.
Everyone regarded her as a naive child.
Although Princess Lingyang was stubborn and childish, she wasn't stupid when it came to matters of principle.
Cheng Simian explained the truth to her in detail.
Gradually, there was a glimmer of light in Princess Lingyang's eyes.
"I seem to understand. Father is marrying me to Qin Ziqi so that Qin Feng can only support the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, out of consideration for my dignity and happiness, won't punish the Qin family. At least, he will keep the Qin family's title."
Cheng Simian was relieved. "Your Highness is reasonable."
It had been a long time since anyone had praised her like this. Princess Lingyang showed a long - lost smile and looked at Cheng Simian more favorably.
But the smile quickly disappeared. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "But I hate Qin Ziqi. I heard that he acts like a gentleman outside but does whatever he wants at home. He almost forced a beautiful maid to death."
She knew her importance, but she just couldn't get over this hurdle.
Cheng Simian's heart also ached slightly.
Princess Lingyang was actually very simple. She whole - heartedly liked Liang Yuzhou.
Although her methods were extreme, she was truly a person of true feelings.
It was really unfair to her to make her spend a lifetime with someone she didn't like or even hated.
But she was a princess, different from ordinary women.
"Your Highness, you are marrying Qin Ziqi in a superior position. Moreover, you don't need to enter the Qin family to serve your in - laws. On the contrary, the entire Qin family will serve you. After your marriage, you will have your own mansion. If you're happy, you can let Qin Ziqi live there. If you're not happy, you don't have to let him in."
"Can I refuse to consummate the marriage with him?"
"Of course you can. You are a princess. Who would dare to make things difficult for you? To put it bluntly, Qin Ziqi is like a son - in - law entering the royal family. He is your subject and should obey you. If you don't want him to serve you, he wouldn't dare to overstep."
Princess Lingyang felt much better.
Cheng Simian gently stroked her shoulder, with a flicker of pity in her eyes.
But this was the most she could persuade.
"Actually, the Crown Prince wanted to ask the emperor to revoke the imperial order for a long time. It was his subordinates who strongly advised him that he held back."
Princess Lingyang sniffed. "Really?"
"Really. The Crown Prince has been in a bad mood for many days, but he can't anger the emperor. He's in a difficult situation."
Princess Lingyang tugged at the tassels on her belt and said nothing.
"He understands you, and you should understand him too. You are siblings. No matter what, he will never abandon you."
This was equivalent to telling Princess Lingyang that she could be a bit willful and unreasonable after marrying Qin Ziqi.
Princess Lingyang invited Cheng Simian to have lunch.
She even personally sent Cheng Simian to the gate of Caiying Palace.
The afternoon sun was bright. Princess Lingyang showed a sincere smile to her. "The Crown Prince has good taste. You will be a good queen."
Cheng Simian slightly raised the corners of her mouth.
Suddenly, she remembered the almost pleading words of the Crown Prince when he hugged her tightly.
"Mianmian, don't leave me."
She was in a daze for a moment, and her heart seemed to be weighed down by a heavy stone.
Not far from Caiying Palace, she met Concubine Lan head - on.
She gracefully curtsied.
But Concubine Lan looked at her with suspicion and a trace of panic in her eyes.
She quickened her steps and entered Caiying Palace.
"Your Highness has just finished eating?"
Two maids were cleaning the table. Concubine Lan quickly glanced at it. There were four dishes and a bowl of soup, and most of them had been eaten.
When had Princess Lingyang's appetite gotten better?
"Concubine Lan is here."
Concubine Lan had been caring about her attentively these days, so she was also very nice to Concubine Lan.
She stood up and curtsied to her.
But Concubine Lan could hardly smile.
Princess Lingyang's complexion had obviously improved, and the hostility in her eyes had faded a lot.
What had Cheng Simian said? Had she persuaded her?
That wouldn't do. Princess Lingyang must fall out with the Crown Prince!
"Just now, was it Miss Cheng who had lunch with you?"
Concubine Lan's smile didn't reach her eyes. "She is the future Crown Princess, so she is naturally on the same side as the Crown Prince. She advised you to consider the overall situation and endure the injustice, right? Don't blame her. She has always been virtuous and of one mind with the Crown Prince. Only when the Crown Prince's position is stable can she, as the Crown Princess, live comfortably."
If Cheng Simian hadn't come to advise her today, she wouldn't have thought there was anything wrong with Concubine Lan's words.
But now that she understood the interests involved in this marriage, when she heard Concubine Lan's words, she always felt they were sarcastic.
"Concubine Lan cares about me. I see it all. Father always dotes on you. Why don't you plead with Father for me and ask him to revoke the imperial order?"
Concubine Lan's face changed drastically.
She didn't want to anger the emperor!
Seeing her stuttering, Princess Lingyang sneered.
She had been incited by the Second Prince once.
Did they think she was a fool?
Couldn't she tell such an obvious incitement?
Concubine Lan looked embarrassed and hurriedly left Caiying Palace.
She ordered a maid beside her, "Go and see. If Cheng Simian hasn't gone far, call her back!"
Just as Cheng Simian got on the carriage, she saw a maid stop the carriage.
The maid looked a bit arrogant. "Concubine Lan asks Miss to go back and answer some questions!"
Cheng Simian's eyes darkened slightly.