I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 10

Why did the Zhongyong Marquis overlook Wei Hanshuang from the main branch and instead choose Wei Hanyue from the second branch to compete? The reason was that Wei Hanyue was exceptionally beautiful. Before Wei Hanzhang returned, she was the most presentable young lady of her generation in the family. The Fifth Miss of the Zhongyong Marquis Manor gained fame in the capital through her beauty. Before her downfall, Wei Hanyue was the only one who could compete with the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke of An's household for the title of the most beautiful lady in the capital.

Wei Hanzhang, who grew up in Xuzhou, knew little about the noble families in the capital, and even less about the Crown Prince. She asked, "Has the Crown Princess been chosen yet?"

"Not yet," Madam Jiang's eyes flashed with satisfaction. "Those people are fighting like crows behind the scenes, all wanting a chance at the future Empress position. But the Crown Prince refuses to marry, and even the Emperor is powerless."

Although the Zhongyong Marquis manor still had eligible young ladies, the Crown Princess position was now far out of reach for them. Since that was the case, it was best if no one else got it either.

Wei Hanzhang was a bit stunned. She never imagined that the Crown Prince would be such a character. As the future emperor, not only did he not think of 'sacrificing for the country' and producing heirs, but he didn't even want one.

This was a throne that truly needed to be inherited. No wonder the Emperor, bedridden for so long, was anxious.

Could it be that the Crown Prince had some kind of hidden ailment?

Wei Hanzhang could only think about this in her mind; she dared not ask Madam Jiang directly.

Madam Jiang went on praising the Crown Prince, saying things like, "You've never seen a true gentleman until you've met His Highness—his noble air, his refined manners, his pure spirit..." She spoke of him so highly that Wei Hanzhang started to feel that Madam Jiang was a diehard fan of the Crown Prince.

Wei Hanzhang was genuinely curious now. What kind of person was this Crown Prince to earn such praise from a prominent noblewoman like Madam Jiang?

However, she didn't quite agree with Madam Jiang's description of the Crown Prince as someone who "didn't partake in the affairs of mortals." After all, the Emperor hadn't personally governed for seven years, and it was the Crown Prince who issued all the orders for confiscations and exiles.

Just in Xuzhou alone, Wei Hanzhang knew of the Cao, Liu, and Li families who were ruined with just a stroke of his pen. The harshest punishments resulted in beheadings, and the lighter ones led to exile thousands of miles away. As for the female relatives...

Thinking of Cao Xinrou, Wei Hanzhang's heart sank slightly. She knew the Cao family had committed serious crimes, and Cao Xinrou, who grew up in luxury, was implicated by the downfall of her family. It was only natural. But after all, they had been close childhood friends...

As someone who grew up with her, how could Wei Hanzhang not feel compassion?

She had no idea where Cao Xinrou was now, or if there would ever be a day they could meet again.

After resting for a while, the mother and daughter made their way to the main courtyard of the Marquis Manor. The eldest sister-in-law, Madam Qian, was already inside accompanying the Marchioness, Old Madam Liu. The two women seemed to get along well, and three bright young girls were seated below them—Wei Hanshuang, Wei Hanyu, and Wei Hansu, the three sisters.

When Jiang Shi and Wei Hanzhang arrived, Old Madam Liu first waved to Wei Hanzhang and then looked at her second daughter-in-law with satisfaction. She said, "You look much better today."