ebookland Chapter 284 For her, disregarding everything
Chapter 284 For her, disregarding everything
"I did nothing wrong, why should I apologize?"
Lan Zhi's eyes shone with unwavering determination as she continued her reminder with a firm and resolute tone:
“I know that none of you can stand to see me doing well, but I am where I am today because of the hard work of Wei Jianning and me. If you think I am not suitable to be the Crown Princess, then he is not suitable to be the Crown Prince. Then please go back and petition the Emperor to restore our freedom.”
Are you threatening me?
The Empress, her face ashen, pointed at Lan Zhi.
"Do you think the position of Crown Prince belongs to Wei Jianning? There are more than just him as a prince in the court."
"Of course not. Your son is already ten years old, and you are the Empress. How can you be willing to let someone else take the position that should belong to your son? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for your son to be the Crown Prince?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress immediately felt somewhat guilty, and Consort Liang's mind cleared in that instant. She seemed to realize something and quickly spoke up:
"What nonsense are you talking about? Even if Her Majesty the Empress did have such thoughts, it's not right for you to say them out loud. You are truly audacious."
The Empress gave a displeased snort.
"Sister Liang, what are you saying? Ye'er is still young. How could I have such thoughts? Sister Liang, please don't forget the purpose of our visit."
Only then did Consort Liang realize that if she continued to quarrel with the Empress, her son might not become the Crown Prince. So what was the point of her doing this?
Even though she disliked Lan Zhi and felt that she was not good enough for her son, she did not want her son's position as crown prince to be shaken.
Thinking of this, she smiled awkwardly, picked up a handkerchief with one hand, and gently wiped her eyebrows and eyes while whispering:
“From the day Ning’er was born, the Emperor was convinced that he would be the future monarch of the Northern Wei Kingdom. If he hadn’t been assassinated, his position would never have been shaken. I believe that no matter how much trouble anyone goes through, they can’t take his position away.”
Her words seemed to be addressed to everyone, yet also to the Empress, which greatly displeased the Empress.
She gave a cold laugh with a sullen face, and said disdainfully in a raised voice:
"What do you mean by that, Sister Liang? Are you giving me a warning?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not. Please just consider this as me talking to myself!"
"Sister Liang, don't forget, we're here today to find out about Lan Zhi's background. Why are we getting so carried away with this?"
Lan Zhi stood to the side, listening to their barbed conversation, a perfect smile curving her lips.
Let them argue however they want, the more heated the better, anyway, she doesn't want to get involved or say anything more.
At this moment, Madam Lin was truly restless. She had only come to get her daughter's little bell back and leave as soon as possible. She didn't want to listen to these women bickering, but she couldn't leave. She shouldn't leave before the Empress and the other ladies-in-waiting left.
Consort Liang rolled her eyes at the Empress, then turned to look at Lan Zhi.
"You said before that your parents were from the countryside. Although they were of low status, at least they had a respectable family background. But later it was discovered that you were not their biological child. Your identity is now a mystery. You can't blame us for being ruthless. The Empress said that if you cannot prove your parentage before giving birth, you cannot continue to be the Crown Prince's principal wife. Even if you are unwilling, you have to accept the facts. Even if Ning'er disagrees, he has to accept the rules of his ancestors. No one can break the rules of the royal family. If this matter makes Ning'er angry and he has the idea of not wanting to be the Crown Prince, affecting his future, you wouldn't have the heart to do that, would you?"
The Empress chimed in:
“Sister Liangfei is right. No one can break the rules of the royal family. Even if Ning’er threatens the position of Crown Prince, or even threatens her life, it will not change anything. If you truly care about the Crown Prince, you should consider his needs instead of putting him in a difficult position.”
Lan Zhi understood that Consort Liang and the Empress were subtly reminding her to voluntarily relinquish her position as Crown Princess.
Consort Liang simply didn't want her to be the Crown Princess because she couldn't help Wei Jianning.
The Empress, on the other hand, wanted to take this opportunity to disturb Wei Jianning's mind. If he really gave up his position as Crown Prince because of this matter, or made a scene with the Emperor, it would only benefit Ye'er and not harm him.
Even though they spoke in a high-sounding manner, it did not dampen Lan Zhi's confidence, because she knew that even if she agreed to give up the position of Crown Princess, Wei Jianning would not agree.
Moreover, she had just given birth to a child, who was the eldest son of the Crown Prince and the heir apparent. Even if she didn't consider herself, she had to consider her child.
She cannot and does not want to give up this position.
But they used royal rules to pressure her, leaving her at a loss for what to do.
Seeing that she was deep in thought and hadn't replied, the Empress raised her voice again to remind her:
"Are you stalling for time, waiting for the Crown Prince to return and make decisions for you? Let me tell you the truth, the Crown Prince has been sent to the military camp by the Emperor to handle urgent official business, and he won't be back for a while. Besides, we came here today at the Emperor's behest. Do you understand what I mean?"
She explained it so clearly, how could she not understand?
The Empress was reminding her that even the Emperor felt her unclear background made her unsuitable to be the Crown Princess.
She couldn't help but let out a disdainful smile.
These people are ridiculous. The Emperor, the Empress, and many concubines have joined forces against her, a mere Crown Princess, and not a single one of them is willing to speak up for her. It seems she really needs to change her easygoing and uncompromising nature.
But at this moment, several high-ranking figures are sitting in front of her, and her background is indeed unclear. How should she deal with this?
Just as she was in a dilemma, Wei Jianning strode in, fuming.
Before the others could even get close, he coldly questioned them.
“My wife is still in her postpartum period, why should she stand for so long? Someone, bring a soft chair.”
His tone revealed dissatisfaction and anger.
Consort Liang questioned him in displeasure.
"Ning'er, didn't the Emperor say there was a problem in the military camp and he wanted you to handle it? Why are you back so soon?"
Wei Jianning went straight to Lan Zhi's side, put one arm around her shoulder, and after a sharp glance at everyone, said in a cold, angry voice:
"With so many of you, do you think it's appropriate to bully a meritorious official who just brought a son into the royal family?"
The Empress's expression changed slightly at this moment, and she replied in a cold voice:
“Ning’er, since the founding of the Northern Wei Kingdom, no one of unknown identity has been able to enter the royal family. She has been occupying the position of Crown Princess for over a year using her identity as a country woman, but her country parents do not recognize her, and she still cannot find her biological parents. In this case, how can you guarantee that she is not from a family of bandits? How can you guarantee that she is not from a foreign country? Or is she a spy deliberately sent to the Northern Wei Kingdom by an enemy country?”
"Impossible! Don't make baseless accusations or frame her."