The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1111: Chapter 1085: Honor Amid Turmoil 153

Qianning Palace

Xiao Ying had just obtained some ancient paintings and was appreciating them, while Xiao Dezi cautiously placed a note from the Hidden Guard on the table.

Xiao Ying put the paintings down, picked up his pen to write, and caught sight of the note on the desk.

He picked it up, took a look, and couldn’t help but laugh.

Xiao Dezi stood by and said, ”Your Highness seems in good spirits. Would you like to go out for a walk? Staying in the house for too long can become stifling.”

Xiao Ying waved his hand, carefully storing away the ancient paintings, ”It’s about the Lu Family. This Mrs. Liu is quite interesting; she was so timid before, but now she wants to stand up, although when problems arise, she thinks about hiding first. She’s afraid of competing with the Gao family, so she hid in the manor. However, she is clever enough to take away her dowry. Given the current situation of the Lu Family, without Mrs. Liu’s dowry and help in managing the manor and shops, life will be difficult.”

Xiao Dezi chuckled along, ”Speaking of which, despite other shortcomings, this Mrs. Liu has indeed inherited the Liu Family’s business acumen and manages commerce skillfully.”

Xiao Ying sat down and took a sip of tea, ”It’s quite good this way. After all, that is the Crown Princess’s maternal family; if I were to personally intervene and punish them, it might seem like I dislike the Crown Princess, and others might look down on her. It’s more amusing to let them create chaos among themselves, considering how they previously bullied the Crown Princess; let them experience being bullied in return. The Old Madam and Lu Shan acted this way, and Mrs. Liu...hmph, she won’t have it easy either; it’s best if both sides suffer injuries.”

Xiao Dezi was startled.

Xiao Ying instructed someone to invite Liu Cai to persuade Mrs. Liu. Xiao Dezi initially thought Xiao Ying was standing up for Mrs. Liu, considering she is the Crown Princess’s biological mother, to make her life more comfortable.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince aimed to incite infighting within the Lu Family, causing the three women who previously bullied the Crown Princess to entangle and ultimately suffer mutual defeat.

If the Crown Prince hadn’t revealed this, Xiao Dezi wouldn’t have guessed such a plan.

Now, he could only think that the Crown Prince was worthy of his title, effortlessly resolving the Crown Princess’s significant troubles while also punishing those who wronged her.

”Your Highness is wise.”

Xiao Dezi praised with a smile.

Xiao Ying waved his hand, ”Stop flattering and go pick some travel books from my storeroom to send to the Crown Princess; deliver them personally to the Lin Mansion and hand them directly to the Crown Princess.”

Xiao Dezi quickly agreed, ”The Crown Princess will surely be delighted. The books are secondary; what matters is the Crown Prince’s sentiment.”

Xiao Ying tapped Xiao Dezi’s head, ”Hurry up and go.”

Anning has been occupied these days with selecting brides for Prince Xin and worrying about the marriages of Princess Zhaoyang and Princess Pingyang.

Princess Chuyang has taken a liking to Wang Qi, so Anning doesn’t worry about her anymore. Princess Fengyang, with Qi Nanxue, has stated she won’t marry, and Anning won’t force her. That leaves Zhaoyang and Pingyang. These two young ladies are somewhat introverted; Anning asked them what kind of Prince Consort they liked, and they both replied that they’d leave it to Anning to decide, making it difficult for Anning.

Anning has been reviewing the profiles of several notable young men and ladies from the capital but hasn’t found anyone particularly suitable.

While reviewing profiles, Princess Pingyang entered the room.

Princess Pingyang immediately said to Anning, ”Mother, I’ve chosen the second young master of the Song Family.”

Anning had to think for a while to remember who this second young master from the Song Family was.

The Song Family is a long-established noble family with a heritage spanning hundreds of years. After Da Qi was founded, the Song Family settled in the capital, and successive generations have held official positions and fostered numerous connections with various families, establishing an extensive network.

”Are you aiming to help your Father Emperor stabilize the court?”

Anning’s first thought was this.

Princess Pingyang smiled, ”For me, whoever I marry is the same; life goes on wherever I am. With the skills taught by you, Mother, I can live well anywhere, and no one can bully me. Given this capability, why not do something useful? The Jing Dynasty is newly established, and many areas need smooth transition. I know Father Emperor intends to weaken the power of the noble families, but now isn’t the time. By marrying into the Song Family, I’m signaling to the world that Father Emperor still trusts the noble families, reassuring them and lowering their guard. When the court stabilizes, and the realm prospers with the people’s allegiance to Father Emperor, with my mediation, the noble families won’t feel like Father Emperor plans to target them. At that moment, when he does strike, it will be truly clean and swift.”

Anning heard this and embraced Princess Pingyang, ”It’s a burden for you, but it pains me as your mother.”

Princess Pingyang laughed, ”I am not suffering or troubled. I am a princess and have enjoyed honor and luxury, so I must shoulder a princess’s responsibility too. I understand that only with Father Emperor and Mother well, and Crown Prince Brother well, can I be well.”

Pingyang is so understanding, making Anning quite affectionate towards her.

Nevertheless, since this is Pingyang’s decision, Anning won’t stand in her way.

”Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll discuss with your Father Emperor. As for the second young master of the Song Family, I need to take a look; if he’s unsuitable, we won’t proceed.”

”I’ll listen to Mother.”

Pingyang lowered her head, a blush coloring her face.

With Pingyang settled, only Zhaoyang remains.

After a few days passed, Zhaoyang approached Anning to share that she too had chosen a Prince Consort, the chosen being Li Chenshu’s eldest son.

On hearing Zhaoyang’s choice, Anning couldn’t help but sigh, ”Each of you is so remarkably understanding. Zhaoyang, you must understand that you don’t necessarily have to act this way. Your Father Emperor and I only wish for you to live freely like Fengyang, to lead a life flamboyant and joyful, not to be so careful and wise, always prioritizing the larger picture.”

Zhaoyang softly replied, ”Is it impossible to live freely once married? As a princess, who would dare disrespect me? Wherever I go, I intend to live as I wish.”

Anning shook her head, ”Your perspective makes me, as your mother, ache deeply.”

Li Chenshu, of humble origins, was initially recruited by Xiao Yuan who first took Dong Da, followed by Li Chenshu, a Jianghu Hero, as Deputy General. Over the years, Li Chenshu has accompanied Xiao Yuan in his southern and northern campaigns, making significant contributions. However, he still retains some Jianghu traits, maintaining connections with swordmen and heroes of the Jianghu, and people highly regard Li Chenshu in those circles. His words command respect among the Jianghu heroes.

Zhaoyang chose Li Chenshu’s eldest son because of this.

Zhaoyang aims to absorb the influence of the Jianghu through Li Chenshu, intending to form a department to oversee those reckless and impulsive Jianghu heroes.

Moreover, Li Chenshu is among the top military generals and holds significant esteem within the military. By marrying Li Chenshu’s eldest son, it reassures the military generals who helped Xiao Yuan establish the kingdom and stabilizes the current court situation.

Zhaoyang, being sensitive, has perceived Xiao Yuan’s intention to weaken the military’s authority once stability is achieved. Marrying into the Li family aims to help Xiao Yuan stabilize military morale and seize the opportunity to persuade Li Chenshu to willingly relinquish control.

Anning reflects on the four daughters’ selections for Prince Consorts. Each choice is approached from a perspective of the larger strategy.

When Xiao Yuan needed Dong Da to aid in his wars, Le Yang chose Dong Da, an older, second-marriage man, as her spouse.

As for why Chuyang wishes to marry Wang Qi, it’s partly because Wang Qi is of Xiao lineage, and partly because he represents a scholar from a humble family, being a disciple of Mei Zhiyuan; marrying Wang Qi appeals to officials from humble origins and draws intellectuals closer.

Zhaoyang and Pingyang’s marriages aim respectively to win over military support and entice noble families. These four children leave Anning speechless.

”Alright, as you have decided, let’s proceed.”

Anning held Zhaoyang’s hand, ”Mother must remind you, no matter what the future holds, you must live contentedly; if anything displeases you, feel free to retaliate. Father Emperor and Mother will have your back. I’ve told this to you, as well as to Pingyang and Chuyang — regardless of the trouble you might cause, Father Emperor and Mother will handle it for you.”

”Okay.”

Zhaoyang rested against Anning, ”I won’t endure a life of wrongs.”