Chapter 59: Please Request the Prince Regent to Officiate the Wedding

Leaving the Qin residence, Princess Pingyao boarded a carriage directly heading to the Regent’s Residence.

“Yes.”

Qin Yumo entered the carriage, looking at the Princess puzzledly, “Your Highness, why are we going to the Regent’s residence?”

“Of course, to request a wedding officiant.” Princess Pingyao glanced at him sideways, “I don’t like the people in the palace, but a marriage ceremony should have elders present… Although the Regent and I are of similar age, he is, after all, my imperial uncle with high status and power. He can reluctantly officiate the wedding.”

Reluctantly?

Qin Yumo sat quietly beside her, lowering his head.

If not for being taken into the Princess’s household, he might never have had the chance to speak a single word in front of the Regent in his lifetime, while the Princess could easily ask the Regent to officiate her wedding.

Looking at the entire Yong Kingdom, there might not be a second woman who could live as leisurely as Princess Pingyao. Even among men, there were few who could officiate their own weddings.

After a moment of silence, Qin Yumo asked, “Your Highness, what you said earlier, is it all true?”

“What do you mean, true?” Princess Pingyao coldly snorted, “Do you think I am bluffing them?”

Qin Yumo remained silent. He didn’t think she was bluffing them, he just found the whole situation incredibly surreal, like a joke or a dream.

“How about it?” Princess Pingyao tilted her head, casually looking at him, “Don’t you want to be a future consort?”

Qin Yumo lowered his gaze. “My status is humble—”

“Isn’t the Qin family self-proclaimed as noble?” Princess Pingyao’s tone was indifferent. “Although you are a bastard, you carry the blood of the Qin family, not a lowly lineage.”

Qin Yumo replied calmly, “In families like ours, status is determined by the mother’s rank. With a lowly mother, the children are born into lowliness—”

“The hierarchy of legitimacy doesn’t need your explanation.” Princess Pingyao interrupted. “Don’t forget, I too am a concubine-born.”

Qin Yumo shook his head hastily. “It’s different. Your Highness’s mother, though not the Empress, is one of the four consorts, inherently noble. Whereas I am truly born of a concubine, how could I dare compare myself to you?”

“A peculiar theory.” Princess Pingyao chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in her smile. “If you keep emphasizing your humble origins, it implies you face oppression at home frequently, in a difficult situation. If it were me, I would seize any chance to escape such a fate, not hesitate like you, fearing rescue as if from a fire pit.”

Qin Yumo remained silent for a moment, then knelt in the carriage. “Your Highness, have you ever considered why the Empress Dowager wanted the Qin family to marry you?”

“If I couldn’t understand the Empress Dowager’s intentions, I’d be dead a thousand times over.” Princess Pingyao sneered. “She has her schemes, but what does that have to do with me? Even if Qin Yanshu, or all the sons of the Qin family, were sent to me, I wouldn’t yield an ounce of military power!”

“All the sons?” Qin Yumo’s expression stiffened slightly, instinctively wanting to ask if she could handle it.

However, he held back the words in time. The person before him was the Princess, with a dignified status not to be offended.

“I have no intention of forcing you.” Princess Pingyao’s expression softened. “If you have any reservations, you can back out before entering the Regent’s residence. I won’t pressure you.”

Qin Yumo pressed his lips together. “I…”

“Or perhaps you prefer to return to the Qin family that degrades you, allowing your brother to marry me, letting Mrs. Qin continue to torment you?” Princess Pingyao looked coldly at him. “If that’s your choice, I respect it.”

Qin Yumo did indeed have some reservations.

However, compared to his reservations, returning to the Qin family was definitely something he did not want. The days before were challenging, but hope had never sprouted.

Now, with a rare chance to break free, going back would likely plunge him deeper into an endless abyss.

After today’s events, Madam Qin would not spare him.

He quickly spoke, “I’ll follow the Princess’s decision.”

Princess Pingyao coldly snorted, “You’re unwilling even with a title. I wonder what you’re thinking.”

Qin Yumo remained silent.

A woman as noble as Princess Pingyao naturally wouldn’t understand the reservations in his heart.

But she didn’t need to understand.

As the carriage arrived at the Regent’s residence, Princess Pingyao stayed inside, sending a servant to communicate with the attendants at the door.

Glancing at the luxurious carriage nearby, the attendants entered through a side entrance to inform the steward.

After seeking permission from the Regent, the steward personally came out to welcome Princess Pingyao.

The Regent was in the study discussing matters with the Prime Ministers.

Upon hearing of the Princess’s arrival, he seemed somewhat surprised and promptly sent someone to inform Shen Ning, “Escort the Princess to the main hall and serve tea. I will be there shortly.”

“Understood.”

“I wonder why the Princess suddenly arrived. The Empress Dowager has been plotting against her recently,” Xie Tinglan furrowed his brow.

“The Princess’s position isn’t solely due to the late Emperor’s favor.” Yan Qingchen lightly smiled, “The Empress Dowager can’t control her.”

Xie Tinglan nodded in agreement, “That’s true.”

The discussion paused as Ji Yucang got up to leave.

Accompanied by the two Prime Ministers, they all arrived at the main hall of the Jade Hall, bowing to Princess Pingyao.

Princess Pingyao slightly bowed, “Greetings, Imperial Uncle.”

Qin Yumo, not daring to be as casual, knelt respectfully and greeted, “Qin Yumo, the Qin family’s illegitimate son, pays respects to the Regent.”

Ji Yucang asked casually, “What is it?”

“On the sixteenth of next month, I will marry Qin Yumo. I request Uncle and Aunt to officiate our wedding.”

Ji Yucang’s gaze swept over Qin Yumo. The Qin family’s illegitimate son appeared modest, reserved, and unassuming, showing no remarkable qualities.

“I recall that the one you were engaged to was Qin Yanshu, the legitimate son of the Qin family.”

Princess Pingyao showed disdain, “I don’t like men who are fickle and indecisive.”

These words elicited subtle reactions from everyone present.

Yan Qingchen’s mouth twitched, “If I recall correctly, the two idioms the Princess used are typically used to describe women.”

Princess Pingyao responded, “I’ll say what I want to say. If you understand, that’s all that matters.”

Yan Qingchen nodded, “Understood. I spoke too much.”

“Furthermore, the Empress Dowager merely wanted me to marry Qin Yanshu, without issuing an imperial decree.” Princess Pingyao quickly turned to Ji Yucang, “Even if there were an imperial decree, I might not obey her. But it’s better without one, I don’t even have to consider it.”

Ji Yucang inquired, “Then why do you want to marry the Qin family’s illegitimate son?”

“I want to marry him. Why complicate things with explanations?” Princess Pingyao lifted her teacup, “Uncle, officiate the wedding for me, and I’ll send a gift to the new Aunt.”

“What?”

“The whip that Father bestowed upon me.” Princess Pingyao said calmly, “It’s of no use to me, perhaps it could serve a purpose if given to the new Aunt.”

Yan Qingchen and Xie Tinglan looked at her in surprise.

Could it be that the Princess intended for the Regent’s Princess consort to have a legitimate reason to confront the Empress Dowager and the Emperor?

It was said that the whip could subdue a tyrant and punish a traitor. Even if used incorrectly, the recipient could only endure it quietly.

Was she really willing to give it to the Regent’s Princess consort?