Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

101. The Revealing of An Elaborate Plan

Translator: Antonia

On hearing the words, some were delighted and others worried. Madam Zhao’s eyes instantly cooled down. She knew that the Emperor never changed his words. At this moment, she was afraid only Old Master Zhao was able to let the Emperor take back his order. Therefore, immediately, she shifted her beseeching eyes to Old Master Zhao.

This Old Master Zhao wasn’t a heartless person. He certainly loved his own granddaughter and would help her out as long as there was the slightest hope. However, at present, Madam Zhao had cut off the last possible way out, and even if he risked his life to offend the Emperor, the latter wouldn’t change his mind.

Old Master Zhao was too old to be stupid and of course wouldn’t risk his life for nothing. To this point, he could only stagger out, kneel on the ground, tearful, and kowtow to the Emperor, “The Zhao family is willing to do everything for Shenglan!” His sentence meant that he agreed to the Emperor’s command for marrying off Miss. Zhao.

Although the Emperor still harbored scruples against the Zhao family, considering that there would be another girl marrying together along with Zhao Zheng, which was quite unfair to the Zhao family, he now felt a little apologetic to Old Master Zhao, “Don’t worry, Mr. Zhao. Zheng will be marrying in the identity of a princess. I won’t treat her badly.”

This was the last commitment from the Emperor. Old Master Zhao shut his eyes hard when the Emperor wouldn’t see it. On the surface, the marriage was a glory to the Zhao family, but only the one who suffered knew the truth. If the Turkic land was a nice place to go, why, with two real princesses in the palace, would Zhao Zheng be selected for the marriage?

To this point, things couldn’t be reversed. Since everything was settled, the Emperor wanted to stay here no more and motioned to the Empress to tackle with the rest of the things, himself leaving first to rest. The guests took the hint and certainly wouldn’t linger here, taking leave one after another.

Du Chuxuan soon also followed Yuxing Tianrui back to the East Palace. Until he sat in the room, Du Chuxuan was still in the confusion of not understanding what had happened this evening. He waved the servants out. Yuxing Tianrui looked at him with a smug face.

In every way, his expression looked at a huge dog ingratiating its owner, and Du Chuxuan couldn’t help smiling, “Did you throw the dirty water on Zhao Zheng?” This point he was sure, because back then Yuxing Tianrui had been not a bit surprised, so Du Chuxuan wouldn’t believe it was a coincidence.

Yuxing Tianrui nodded slowly and suddenly sat next to Du Chuxuan, holding out a hand to take Du Chuxuan’s as if he was playing with it and so careless about the matter. Du Chuxuan kept asking, “You figured Ashina Fei’s identity in advance?” Even Du Chuxuan hadn’t known it.

“It wasn’t hard to make the surmise.” Yuxing Tianrui snorted proudly and explained to Du Chuxuan, “The reception of foreign envoys is under my charge, so I’m clear about the utilities for them. It’s understandable that some envoys ask for things of better quality, but what they asked for weren’t ordinary.”

Du Chuxuan raised his eyebrows to show his confusion. Yuxing Tianrui had to go on explaining, “For example, a commoner wouldn’t sleep with burning incenses. A wealthy person might use a little soothing incense. An official, with granted gifts from the Emperor, would be more meticulous and use incenses with particular function. It’s a pattern.”

“But those who are accustomed to things from the palace are different. The soothing incense in our room are tribute from the west. It’s not only soothing but also has a floral aroma which is very pleasant. Although there are different kinds in different palaces, it is not like an official that dares to be picky about the stuff here.”

“You mean based on the mere soothing incense, you knew that man was Ashina Fei?” Du Chuxuan was a little surprised. It did make some sense, but the reason wasn’t sufficient.

“Of course not. The incense just made me suspect. In the end, it’s Mr. Xing who led me into that surmise. In terms of ranks, this Mr. Xing is the noblest one among the squad, but whenever he spoke, he glanced back from time to time.”

“An official of that rank might not be conceited but would never have been daunted when he spoke, so combining this with the previous clue, I had this bold surmise.” Yuxing Tianrui raised his pretty eyebrows, “But it was just a surmise. Even if he isn’t Ashina Fei, the plan whole plan wouldn’t be effected either.”

With that said, Du Chuxuan understood everything. Actually in Yuxing Tianrui’s plan, he just needed a hapless scapegoat, and as for who this scapegoat was which one of the Turkic Envoys, it didn’t really matter. The coincidence was that Zhao Zheng had fallen into the trap at the moment while the eldest prince wasn’t a clever man either.

Pursing his lips, Du Chuxuan rolled his eyes in pondering and suddenly thought of the unforgettable scene they had run into today, “If everything is designed by you, so is the woman who was in Ashina Fei’s bed?”

“Of course.” The corners of Yuxing Tianrui’s lips curled upwards, and he pinched Du Chuxuan’s fingers, “I must think over everything aspect. If only Zhao Zheng is married off, it’s probable that she goes out of our control. The Zhao family might starts to be rebellious because of it, and that will cause a great disorder in our country.”

“But things will be different, when the eldest prince has another unparalleled beauty along with Zhao Zheng. Supposedly, the eldest prince loves better a passionate woman and will turn a cold back to Zhao Zheng, so that Zhao Zheng won’t have a good time there and the domestic balance of power won’t be threatened either.” Yuxing Tianrui said seriously, not a bit guilty.

“A great calculation. But how would you know whether the Zhao family will be irritated when it learns that Zhao Zheng’s life is terrible over there.” Du Chuxuan snorted and tried to take back his hand. He hadn’t known that this vinegar jar should have such a beauty around him and wondered whether he had had some thought before.

“It won’t.” Yuxing Tianrui gave a snort, “This time, it loses all the face, and I’m afraid it won’t try to protect Zhao Zheng anymore.” Taking a deep breath, he said it pitifully.