0p0 Chapter 482 Choosing a Way Out
Chapter 482 Choosing a Way Out
The woman living in the Butterfly Garden was a beautiful woman surnamed Gao, whose maiden name was Chunhua, a very poetic name.
I heard that her father was a minor official of the sixth rank in Jiangnan; otherwise, a woman like her would probably not have been able to enter the Chang Le Prince's Mansion.
The reason Mu Xin Nuan let her live alone in a courtyard was not to cause any infighting among the three of them, but because after reading the information that Duanmu Chu Ze had sent over, she felt that this beautiful woman was a rare and wonderful girl.
Although he came from a humble background, he was well-versed in literature and poetry from a young age and possessed great talent. However, due to his low social status, he was sent to Yanzhou by imperial decree.
Such a woman, if she were to marry a commoner, would surely live a very happy life.
As for tonight, Mu Xin Nuan will arrange for her to serve the prince in bed. On the one hand, she wants to see if this girl really wants to become the prince's woman, and on the other hand, she also wants to test her skills and abilities.
If she truly loves the prince, then keeping such a woman in the mansion will put the Empress at ease. At least, a woman who prides herself on being aloof would not stoop to such low-class methods of vying for favor.
But who knows? That's why Mu Xin Nuan came up with this method to test her.
If she truly has no interest in wealth or the prince, then she will naturally find a way to grant her freedom. If she accepts her fate and no longer desires anything else, then she will simply be left to live out her days in solitude within the Chang Le Prince's Mansion.
When the two young ladies living in Xiangyuan heard that the princess had begun arranging for the concubines to serve her in the harem, and that the first one to be chosen was Gao Chunhua, who lived in Dieyuan, they couldn't help but feel a little jealous.
Since entering the manor, none of the three women had ever seen the true faces of the Prince and Princess. Who would have thought that when the opportunity to serve the Prince finally came, Gao Chunhua would be the first to claim it?
When Gao Chunhua heard what the maid had said, she was slightly taken aback. Instead of showing any joy, she looked rather forlorn.
Seeing her reaction, Mu Hua turned around and returned to Yijing Garden, where he repeated the same thing to the princess.
That evening, the prince indeed arrived at the Butterfly Garden, and Gao Chunhua, of course, had already bathed and dressed early, kneeling to welcome the prince's arrival.
When Duanmu Chuze entered the room, he merely glanced at her without saying a word. Then, he looked at the dishes on the table and frowned slightly.
Gao Chunhua didn't see the prince's actions, but her maidservant did and quickly said, "Miss doesn't know the prince's preferences. These dishes were prepared by the kitchen and then sent over."
Duanmu Chuze raised an eyebrow. "Sent from the kitchen?" Now all affairs of the Prince's mansion are managed by the Princess. Her saying this clearly means she thinks he is unhappy, so she is pushing all the responsibility onto the Princess.
This little girl may look young, but she's quite adept at sowing discord among people!
Gao Chunhua seemed to realize something was amiss and turned back to reprimand him lightly, "What right do you have to speak in front of the Prince? The Princess Consort had already ordered that the Prince dine here. If the Prince doesn't like these dishes, it's because we didn't prepare in advance. How can you shift the blame to the kitchen?"
The little girl seemed a bit flustered and quickly lowered her head, repeatedly admitting her mistake.
"That's enough, you may leave now. If there's a next time, I won't let you off the hook."
Duanmu Chuze remained silent throughout, merely observing coldly.
After they sat down, Gao Chunhua poured him a drink herself. She had just picked up the serving chopsticks to serve him food when she was stopped.
Duanmu Chuze glanced at her and said, "You don't need to go to such lengths. I'm not here today to have any intention of living a life of marital harmony with you."
Upon hearing this, Gao Chunhua turned deathly pale and immediately knelt down, saying, "This servant dares not. Your Highness, this servant was originally the daughter of an official, but because of the Empress's decree, this servant had no choice but to obey. This servant truly dares not have any improper thoughts. Please, Your Highness, investigate thoroughly."
The phrase "raising the tray to the eyebrows in perfect harmony" was truly too much for her, and it terrified her! Apart from the Princess Consort, who in the world wouldn't dare to accept those four words?
"You don't need to be afraid, stand up and speak first."
Gao Chunhua stood up tremblingly, her head almost buried in her chest, not daring to breathe.
"My heart belongs only to my Queen. But you are all women bestowed upon me by the Empress Dowager. If I were to not come even once, it would make my Queen appear petty. I am not a saint; I naturally understand that it is proper for a man to have three wives and four concubines. But in my eyes, besides my Queen, there is no room for a second woman. Lady Gao, I will not make things difficult for you. I will only ask you one question: if you are only interested in wealth and status, I can marry you, and you will naturally have no worries about food and clothing in this Chang Le Prince's Mansion, and no one will dare to bully you. But there is one thing: if you want to gain any favor from me, that is nothing but wishful thinking!"
Gao Chunhua trembled, realizing that the prince was both warning her and giving her a chance!
An opportunity for her to leave the Chang Le Prince's Mansion and become a normal woman like other women, instead of a pawn!
"Your Highness, I dare not ask for anything else, I only beg that Your Highness will let me go home, I will be eternally grateful." Gao Chunhua knelt down again, her face sincere.
Duanmu Chuze laughed, "Gao, don't forget who you are. Let you go back? Do you think that's possible? Now that you're in Yanzhou and have entered the Chang Le Prince's Mansion, you're my woman. What would you be if you went back to Jiangnan? Gao, do you think you'd have a way to survive if you left the Chang Le Prince's Mansion?"
Gao Chunhua was slightly taken aback. Oh right, how could she forget that if she left in such an unclear way, even if she returned to Jiangnan, she would only be despised by her clansmen there!
Although she was the legitimate daughter, her mother had died early, so what status did she have in the household? If she were to return without explanation, she feared she would only face death!
"Your Highness, please grant me a way to live."
"There is a way out, of course, it's up to you to choose." Duanmu Chuze smiled with a hint of cunning, but he didn't even notice Gao Chunhua kneeling on the ground.
Rongyue had prepared the meal early, not understanding why the young lady insisted that the prince go to the Butterfly Garden, but she had also prepared two sets of bowls and chopsticks.
"Miss, if we don't have dinner soon, it will get cold."
Noticing Rong Yue's displeasure, Mu Xin Nuan glared at her. "Have someone keep the chicken soup warm. We can eat it together when the Prince arrives."
"Didn't you send the prince to the Butterfly Garden? Right now, the prince might be enjoying drinks with that beautiful lady Gao, and might even have gone to bed."