Commoner Queen: Falling in Love with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - Chapter 16

“What? She can’t be chosen?” Yi Han was displeased by the ministers’ reaction.

“Your Highness, please forgive this old minister for speaking out of turn,” Minister Xu said cautiously. “But the truth is, Lady Murong is not a suitable candidate for Crown Princess. That is why we unanimously decided to remove her from consideration.”

“You dare?!” Yi Han was furious.

“Your Highness, please allow me to explain—”

“No need!” Yi Han interrupted. “Are you going to tell me that she has brought misfortune to four husbands and is cursed? That she is unfit to be a princess?”

He had already investigated everything about Murong Ziying. He didn’t believe such nonsense. In his eyes, those men had died by fate, not because of her. She was waiting for him—waiting for him to break the so-called curse and make her his bride.

“That’s right. Since Your Highness understands the situation, we hope you can see why we acted as we did,” Minister Xu said.

“You old fools!” Yi Han fumed. “I am the Son of Heaven! Do you really think a mere curse can harm me? Ghosts and spirits would flee at my presence, let alone a woman! You’re all making a fuss over nothing.”

His anger was palpable.

“This…” Minister Xu hesitated, unsure how to calm the situation.

Minister Yue quickly stepped in. “Your Highness, while you are indeed powerful and protected, wouldn’t it be wise to avoid any unnecessary risks?”

“There are no risks! Go and summon her immediately!” Yi Han commanded. If she wasn’t here, this selection was meaningless.

“But—” Minister Yue still hesitated.

“Your Highness,” Minister Xu tried to reason, “putting aside the issue of Lady Murong’s fate, she has already been married four times. If she is chosen as Crown Princess, how could she serve as a role model? How could the court and the people accept her?”

Yi Han’s expression darkened further. He was on the verge of exploding when his attendant, Xiao Zhuzi, whispered in his ear, “Your Highness, please calm down. If this matter escalates and reaches the Emperor, it will not end well.”

The veins on Yi Han’s forehead pulsed. It was his father who insisted on this selection, yet now that he had chosen someone, they were blocking his way at every turn. How could he possibly tolerate this?

“Lady Murong may have been engaged four times, but none of those weddings were completed. She was never truly married. At most, she participated in four failed ceremonies,” he argued through gritted teeth.

“This…” Minister Xu was at a loss. He hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to be so determined.

Seeing their continued resistance, Yi Han’s tone hardened. “I understand your concerns, but they will not change my decision. If Lady Murong is not brought here, then this selection is over.” He slammed his hand on the table.

“This must not happen!” Minister Xu and the other officials turned pale. “The Emperor has ordered that today’s selection must be completed. If not, our heads will roll!”

“If your heads are worthless, why should I bother keeping them?” Yi Han sneered. If they refused to let go of their bias against Ziying, his father wouldn’t be the only one punishing them—he would deal with them himself.

“Your Highness, please spare us! We will summon Lady Murong immediately!” Minister Yue hurriedly agreed.

Yi Han finally smirked. “Then hurry up!” He couldn’t wait any longer—he had to see Murong Ziying again.

Meanwhile, in another part of the palace, Li Guochao was livid.

“Murong Ziying?! I can’t believe the Crown Prince has taken a liking to that old fool Murong Xi’s daughter!” He was shaking with rage. If Murong Xi’s daughter became the Crown Princess, he would be humiliated beyond words. How could he bear being mocked by Murong Xi for the rest of his life? He would rather die!

“Calm down,” Consort Li said confidently. “There’s no way the Crown Prince will make her his princess.”

“But he looked like he had already made up his mind!” Li Guochao said anxiously.