The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1174 - 1174 568 Drama King and Queen Siblings (First Update)

Chapter 1174: 568 Drama King and Queen Siblings (First Update) Chapter 1174: 568 Drama King and Queen Siblings (First Update) The reactions of others weren’t as strong as Princess Ning An’s; they were just surprised, that’s all.

“Your Majesty… why would you let a princess oversee the nation?”

The question came from Consort Zhuang.

If it had been Princess Ning An announced to oversee the nation today, she would’ve asked the same.

Ever since Empress Dowager Zhuang set the precedent of a woman overseeing the nation in her role as the Empress, but Xinyang was merely a princess.

Moreover, no one had heard that His Majesty was particularly fond of this princess.

The relationship between the Emperor and Princess Xinyang indeed couldn’t be considered very close. Princess Xinyang’s marriage to Marquis Xuanping had been arranged by the Emperor, who was actually following the late Emperor’s last wishes; hence their marital discord led people to believe the Emperor had been careless when matching up the “Mandarin Ducks.”

People thought that Princess Xinyang probably held some grudge against the Emperor in her heart.

So why would the Emperor let her oversee the nation?

“Could this royal edict be fake?”

Consort Zhuang’s mouth truly had no filter; she dared say anything.

Empress Xiao was the first one to show displeasure, standing up and looking coldly at Consort Zhuang: “Consort, what do you mean? The royal edict is written clearly in black and white on white paper and is stamped with the seal of Zhan Country. Are you doubting the Zhan Country’s royal seal, or are you doubting His Majesty’s will?”

The royal edict did mention a part about the Crown Prince assuming regency. Declaring it fake would be to deny the Crown Prince as well.

Empress Xiao didn’t care who oversaw the nation or not; the important thing was that the Crown Prince would replace His Majesty in attending the court sessions!

Consort Zhuang chuckled: “Who knows if someone took advantage of His Majesty’s unconsciousness, stole his royal seal, and then drafted the edict? Right, Eunuch Wei?”

Eunuch Wei’s temples throbbed; Consort Zhuang, oh Consort Zhuang, you’re usually so dim-witted; how did you become clever all of a sudden today?

Indeed, the truth was exactly that!

But alas, I can’t admit it!

Empress Xiao spoke with gravity: “Eunuch Wei, please recount the process of drafting the royal edict for everyone.”

“Ah… that…” Eunuch Wei, looking at the royal edict clearly written in Princess Ning An’s handwriting, brazenly said, “His Majesty woke up during the hour of the pig, and Princess Ning An was there too. His Majesty then had Princess Ning An draft the decree in his stead, and had me bring the royal seal for stamping.”

Consort Zhuang scoffed with derision: “Had Princess Ning An draft the decree in his stead? Why every time His Majesty wakes up, Princess Ning An is there, but whenever we come to visit, he never wakes up?”

She was referring to an earlier incident where the Emperor had Princess Ning An draft the edict regarding the Empress Dowager’s affairs.

Empress Xiao said coldly: “Isn’t that because you all couldn’t wake His Majesty? Do you not know whether His Majesty wishes to see you or not?”

Indeed, wasn’t it the case?

All the women of the Imperial Harem combined couldn’t compare to the importance of a single Princess Ning An.

Completely at a loss for words, Consort Zhuang was unable to retort.

“Princess Ning An, take a look, is this the decree you transcribed last night?” Empress Xiao gestured for Eunuch Wei to pass the royal edict to Princess Ning An.

Princess Ning An took it and inspected it closely; it was her handwriting, without the slightest flaw.

But she would never confuse her title with that of Xinyang’s.

Therefore, the royal edict had been switched.

However, even if she revealed the truth now, no one would believe it, not to mention… that wasn’t a sustainable truth.

Princess Ning An’s hand clutching the royal edict trembled with bulging veins.

Eunuch Wei was petrified.

Princess Ning An wouldn’t think it was him, would she? Heaven knows that after he placed the royal edict in the brocade box last night, he never touched it again! Who knew how the Ning An written inside had turned into Xinyang?

Princess Ning An took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, saying, “In response to my sister-in-law’s words, yes.”

Empress Xiao raised an eyebrow: “Princess Ning An and Eunuch Wei are both steadfastly loyal to His Majesty; you should all believe their words. Besides, the crime of deceiving the Emperor warrants beheading; who would dare to forge a royal edict?”

Eunuch Wei thought to himself, there are plenty who would dare to forge a royal edict; do you dare believe the one right in front of you?

Princess Ning An spoke up: “It seems that Princess Xinyang has yet to return to the capital…”

If she hadn’t returned to the capital, there was still room to maneuver. If one edict could be drafted, a second and a third could be made, or a reason could be found to abolish her authority to oversee the nation. It really wasn’t something difficult to achieve.

Yet before she could finish speaking, she heard the panting eunuch rush over from the entrance, saying, “Princess Xinyang has arrived—”

Princess Ning An: “…”

Everyone stood up, looking towards the entrance of Huaqing Palace.

Amid the auspicious snow and jade mountains, with the golden dawn light, Princess Xinyang, in a light golden palace dress veiled with thin gauze and wearing a hat, approached slowly with the support of a young maid.

Princess Xinyang’s beauty was known throughout the land, and despite having passed her most beautiful years, she was still stunningly lovely.

Although today she wore a hat with a veil that covered her nation-toppling beauty, her royal demeanor in every move and gesture still captivated onlookers.

With three thousand beautiful ladies in the Imperial Harem, each a great beauty in her own right, they too had to admit that where Princess Xinyang made an appearance, no man would look at them.

Princess Xinyang elegantly walked towards Empress Xiao, about to pay her respects, but accidentally stepped on her skirt and went crashing to the ground in front of Empress Xiao, prostrated!

Empress Xiao: … That’s not necessary.

“Won’t someone quickly help your young master up?” Eunuch Su scolded the young maid.

The little maid pursed her lips, bent down, and hauled up Princess Xinyang.

Yes, hauled.

Her movements were rough, and her gaze even held a little bit of disdain.

Eunuch Su: “…”

Princess Xinyang straightened her attire and said to Empress Dowager Xiao, “Empress Dowager, may you be at peace.”

Empress Dowager Xiao nodded her head.

The Crown Prince came over and gave a bow to Princess Xinyang, “Aunt.”

Empress Dowager Xiao said to Princess Xinyang, “Your return is timely, as there is an imperial decree to announce to you, but… why are you wearing this?”

“I had an allergy after eating the wrong thing a few days ago, which caused many rashes, making it hard for me to be seen in public,” said Princess Xinyang as she lifted her veiled scarf to reveal a chin covered in red bumps.

Empress Dowager Xiao took one glance and felt a shiver of disgust, quickly waved her hand and wiped her nose with a handkerchief, saying, “Alright, be more careful with what you eat. Accept the decree.”

The person accompanying Princess Xinyang was not her usual lady-in-waiting Yujin, but an unfamiliar maid. However, Empress Dowager Xiao didn’t care much about Princess Xinyang’s affairs, so she couldn’t be bothered to ask.

Eunuch Wei read the imperial edict to Princess Xinyang alone.

Princess Xinyang knelt down, but the little maid did not.

Shockingly, no one present seemed to realize that anything was amiss.

By the time people caught on, Princess Xinyang had already accepted the imperial edict, “Xinyang hears and obeys, long live my Emperor, may he live forever and ever.”

Afterward, she turned her head and extended her noble jade hand to the little maid behind her, speaking in a haughty tone, “Help this princess up.”

The little maid, with a look of disdain, yanked her up, nearly dislocating her arm.

Princess Xinyang’s veiled scarf was mesh-like, opaque from the outside but see-through from the inside.

She glanced at Princess Ning An beside her and asked in confusion, “This person is…?”

“I am Ning An,” said Princess Ning An to her in a calm tone.

Princess Xinyang nodded and said, “So it’s Sister Ning An. You’ve changed so much; I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Ning An gave a half curtsey.

Princess Xinyang nodded in return as a gesture of reciprocity.

Empress Dowager Xiao announced to everyone, “Alright, there’s nothing more here. Disperse.”

Princess Xinyang said, “I’ll go in and see His Majesty.”

“Hmm.” Empress Dowager Xiao consented, as it was only proper for Princess Xinyang, just returned from outside the city, to pay her respects to the Emperor.

The Crown Prince had to attend court the next day, and Empress Dowager Xiao had too much to brief him on, so she took him and left.

Naturally, the other nobles also began to leave.

As Princess Ning An turned to head back to Bixia Hall, she was stopped by Princess Xinyang calling her.

Princess Ning An paused and looked at her, “Does Sister Xinyang have any instructions for me?”

Princess Xinyang said with concern, “Your complexion doesn’t look good. Are you sick?”

Princess Ning An pursed her lips but remained silent.

Eunuch Wei hurriedly explained, “Princess Xinyang may not be aware, but His Majesty was recently attacked. It was Princess Ning An who took the blow for His Majesty. Presumably, her injuries have not yet healed.”

Princess Xinyang uttered, “I see. I had no idea that such a major incident occurred during the short month I was away from the capital. Sister Ning An, your righteous defiance of kinship and valiant protection of the Emperor are truly admirable. If it doesn’t bother you, would you accompany me to visit His Majesty? We sisters haven’t seen each other for many years; it would be a good opportunity to catch up.”

Eunuch Wei looked at Princess Xinyang strangely; since when did she become so enthusiastic?

His gaze subconsciously swept over Princess Xinyang, and when his eyes landed on her hand holding the imperial edict, with its distinct joints, he felt a sharp twitch at his temple!

What’s going on?

Princess Xinyang had hairy hands!

Princess Ning An hesitated and was about to decline, but Princess Xinyang took her wrist through the sleeve before she could speak, “Surely Sister Ning An isn’t thinking of refusing me?”

Under the public eye, refusal was naturally out of the question. With Princess Ning An’s backers in the palace having fallen one after another, she certainly couldn’t decline the recently appointed Regent Princess Xinyang.

Otherwise, it would not fit with the persona she’d been diligently curating to please Empress Dowager Xiao these past few days.

Princess Ning An replied, “Of course not. Let’s go in.”

Princess Xinyang, holding Princess Ning An’s hand, stepped into the Sleeping Palace.

Eunuch Wei stared at Princess Xinyang’s retreating figure, rubbing his eyes fiercely.

He must have seen wrong, right?

What woman would have hair on her hands?

A gust of cold wind blew past, lifting Princess Xinyang’s veiled scarf, and at that moment, Princess Xinyang turned her head.

Eunuch Wei’s eyes fixed on her, and he nearly fell to the ground.

Not only did Princess Xinyang have hair on her hands, but she also had an Adam’s apple?!