The Emperor Chases His Wife

Chapter VII

CHAPTER VII: Prince Li Is Not Coming To The Hall

It was his move now. If he voiced his opinion to cancel the engagement, it would seem like he annulled the engagement because he didn't think she was good enough and made her feel that way. But if he didn't speak up....

Nian grinned inwardly. She was setting a trap for the Crown prince to fall into and he seemed to be doing just that.

Gritting his teeth, Qinsheng raised his jade plank and stepped forward, bowing his head slightly. "Father Emperor, I believe Miss Shanghai had gotten the wrong impression. Despite her reputation, this prince has never expressed any disappointment in her."

Qinsheng cast a glance at Nian with a look that said 'you can't trap me'. Nian frowned. It seemed that the Crown Prince wasn't as stupid as she thought he was. The Emperor was aware that there a verbal battle occurring between the two. Both of them wanted to annul the engagement but neither wanted to be the one do to it.

He was actually surprised at Nian's words. Such a brave girl. She showed no fear in confronting the Crown Prince. Was this really the same girl who was known as an idiot and would cower away from authority?

The person right now didn't seem to be afraid of anything or anyone.

This caused the Emperor to straighten up in his seat. He wanted to see how this would play out.

Unlike the Emperor who was lightly amused, Chengfeng was a little horrified. When did his useless, good for nothing daughter gain such a nimble mind and sharp tongue?

"Your Majesty, Shanghai Nian is sure the Crown Prince is being modest as to not make me lose face. However, it would be unfair of me to continue on as it displeases His Highness. Isn't that so, Your Highness?"

A little murmuring broke out in the court. The officials soon caught on to the same thing that the Emperor had. This was turning into a verbal debate. Qinsheng frowned.

Obviously he had not shown his displeasure with her in public but he didn't hesitate when they were in private. Now, this suddenly cunning girl was twisting her words to suit her play?

Huang was watching the play and fuming on the inside. Why was the Crown Prince going back and forth with her useless sister? All he had to do was announce that he wanted the marriage to be annulled or agree to marry her as a concubine and then stated he wanted to marry her as the first wife.

"I think you've gotten it wrong, Miss Shanghai." The Crown Prince realized he was being backed into a corner. If he didn't choose his words carefully, wouldn't he be the one to lose face.

Nian grew cold and clenched her fists in her sleeves. "Really? Then who is it that would order me a table at the other side of the room if we went out? Who is it that makes me ride in a separate carriage without any proper seats or cushions if we travel? Was it you or your servants? You've never gotten me anything for my birthday either and not once have you invited me to the palace to spend any time together. Isn't that enough evidence to prove that you're displeased with me?"

The words were sharp and brutal and Qinsheng almost coughed up a mouthful of blood. There was no way he could publically deny it as several of the court officials who supported him were aware that he was unfair in his treatment of his fiancée.

Now that Nian had said it out loud, if the Crown Prince denied it out loud, it would make him a liar.

This caused several of the officials to suck in a harsh breath, even the Emperor was taken off guard. He knew his son was displeased about the engagement but she thought his son still treated the girl like his fiancée, at most, if they married she could still be a concubine of some sort.

Now for the first time, he was hearing that his son didn't even regard her as his fiancée much yet as a concubine. It was common knowledge that fiancée's of the princes were to be brought to the palace a few times a year, whether they were concubines or the main wife, and were expected to live in a Palace for a few weeks at a time where they were educated on the ways of the harem in preparation for their marriage into the family.

Even if they didn't marry, it was still protocol.

Now the Emperor was hearing that the Crown Prince completely disregarded this rule.

He treated the girl like she was a thorn in her side. It was fine if he didn't shower her with an abundance of affection but he still had to show her some sort of feeling. He didn't buy her gifts and from her words, he didn't show up in public with her. She may have a reputation of being a good for nothing but she was still a girl and the Emperor was sure that her feelings may have been hurt as she seemed to be greatly wronged.

"Nian!" The Great Merchant's face began to grow red and he hissed at his daughter.

Where was all this coming from? She didn't have such courage before and even in the presence of the Crown Prince she would be submissive but now, in the presence of the imperial court, the Crown Prince and even the Emperor himself, she dared to talk back!

This good for nothing girl dared to tell such lies about the Crown Prince?

Who give her this right?

The Emperor turned to face his eldest son. Qinsheng face was red with anger and his fingers were curled tightly around the jade slab. If he was to exert any spiritual force of any sort, the jade be turned to dust.

A feeling of anger disappointed crossed his face and he noticed that Qinsheng lowered his head further to avoid his gaze. With such words out in the open, how could he look at his father?

Nian smiled in her heart but on the outside she portrayed a look of someone who was unjustly wronged. Her eyes were so sad and sorrowful that to the onlookers it appeared that she was going to burst into tears at the moment.

Even the Emperor wanted to comfort her. He knew it must have been quite a shame for her and it would have taken a lot of courage for her to admit the Crown Prince's mistreatment, in a royal court in front of all these officials and even himself.

She'd been wronged all these years.

Just as the Emperor opened his mouth to speak and pacify the tension in the air, an imperial guard rushed into the hall with a horrified look on his face to report. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Li, His Highness Prince Li is..."

The Emperor's calm face darkened and he spoke with a heavy voice. "What is wrong? I ordered you to bring him to the hall two hours ago. Not even his shadow is here. Where is he not here?"

The guard trembled and lowered his head. His voice was shaking as he replied to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, Prince Li's people said...said Prince Li is not coming to the hall..."