The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 287 So beautiful it makes you blush

Witnessing this scene, the young ladies were so frightened that they dared not breathe.

Some of the more timid ones were so frightened that they burst into tears.

Despite the burning pain on her face, Guo Yingrong didn't reach out to touch it.

Looking at the tyrannical crown prince, her expression became even calmer, and she said calmly, "Your Majesty, I am incompetent and beg you to calm your anger."

After venting his anger, Xuan Yuan Hongjun's expression softened when he saw her looking meek and submissive.

"Come to the study in a bit." With that, Xuan Yuan Hongjun turned and left.

"You should all get up quickly," Guo Yingrong said to the group of young ladies, and reached out to help a few of them who were closer.

Seeing the obvious slap mark on the Crown Princess's face, all the young ladies felt sorry and sad for her.

The Crown Princess was of excellent character and virtue. Before marrying into the Eastern Palace, she was already well-known for her good conduct and was a role model for all the noble ladies in the capital.

She never expected that after marrying the Crown Prince, he would not cherish her at all. He even dared to lay a hand on her in front of so many people. It was really too much.

"Alright, the flower viewing banquet is now over. Everyone, please leave the palace." Even though Guo Yingrong tried to remain calm, she was no longer in the mood to host the banquet. Moreover, the young ladies had been frightened and probably couldn't stay any longer, so she spoke up.

After seeing off the group of young ladies, Guo Yingrong returned to her room, applied ice to her face for a while, and then went to the Crown Prince's study.

When she entered, the Crown Prince was engrossed in official business. Hearing her arrival, he didn't even look up. "What's going on with Zhiwan? Why didn't she come?"

“Miss Zhi is sick and has caught a cold, so she can’t come,” Guo Yingrong replied.

"How could it be such a coincidence? The Crown Prince invited her to the flower banquet, and then she fell ill? Didn't you tell them to send someone to treat her? What did the imperial physician say?" Xuan Yuan Hongjun asked with a gloomy expression.

"Imperial Physician Wang has examined her, and Miss Zhi has indeed caught a cold," Guo Yingrong said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Hongjun suddenly threw down his pen. "I truly underestimated her. She actually dared to play this charade of feigning illness with me. Choose a day and, in your name, invite her to the horse farm in the western suburbs for horseback riding."

Guo Yingrong frowned and reminded him, "I heard that today in court, the Emperor bestowed upon her the title of County Princess and arranged her marriage to Minister Lu. Your Highness should really not... come into contact with her."

Mentioning this matter reminded Xuan Yuan Hongjun of how he had been suppressed by Lu Zhan that morning, and his face immediately turned furious. "So what if he was granted a marriage? Once I ascend the throne, I will wipe out Lu Zhan and the Duke of Dingguo's mansion! I will grind them all to dust!"

Upon hearing this, Guo Yingrong felt a chill run down her spine.

If the crown prince is unrighteous, he will surely become a foolish ruler when he ascends the throne.

Such a person is truly unfit to be an emperor.

Guo Yingrong felt utterly exhausted, but still dutifully advised, "Your Highness, you must not think like that. The Duke of Dingguo holds military power and has made outstanding contributions to our Great Chen. Your Highness should treat them well, otherwise it will surely disappoint the people of the world..."

"Shut up!" Xuan Yuan Hongjun roared, coldly saying, "Quickly lure them out, or I can easily crush your Guo family!"

Guo Yingrong was both shocked and furious. She clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth as she reminded him, "But Your Highness must not forget that the autumn hunt is coming soon, and Your Highness will still be serving you then."

"What's the big deal? I'll find a way to keep the regent here." Xuan Yuan Hongjun said confidently. "It'll be perfect for getting rid of that scoundrel Lu Zhan. Then, won't I be in charge of this huge capital? I'll definitely be able to get that little beauty, Zhi Wan, with ease." As he said this, it was as if Zhi Wan was already in his grasp, and a lewd smile appeared on his face.

Seeing his determined look, Guo Yingrong felt a chill in her heart, but still said, "If Your Highness stays to oversee the country, you will surely be busy with state affairs. Why don't we wait until after the autumn hunt before I invite Miss Zhi?"

Xuanyuan Hongjun's face darkened. "After the autumn hunt? If I remember correctly, Lu Zhan and Zhiwan's wedding is at the end of this month. By the time the autumn hunt is over, they will have already tied the knot. You want me to take what Lu Zhan has left over?" "That's not what I meant. I just hope that Your Highness can prioritize national affairs and not... put the cart before the horse," Guo Yingrong said, frowning.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Hongjun stared at her for a moment, then suddenly said, "By the way, your cousin, I remember she has already come of age. Why isn't she here at today's flower viewing banquet?"

Guo Yingrong's heart sank. "My cousin is not on the invitation list, so I did not invite her."

Xuanyuan Hongjun snorted coldly, "Crown Princess, I know what you're thinking. You just don't want me to have anything to do with your cousin, so you keep making excuses to keep her from coming to the East Palace."

But if you dare to disobey my will and do not obediently do what I have instructed, then I will have no choice but to settle for second best and have your cousin serve me.

Furthermore, never even think of complaining to the Emperor. If the Emperor finds out even a whisper of this, I have plenty of ways to wipe out your Guo family.

Okay, you can go now.

When Guo Yingrong came out of the Crown Prince's study, her face was as white as frost and snow.

Back in her bedchamber, she slumped onto the couch, utterly dejected.

“Crown Princess…” Xi Ying looked at her with a pained expression.

Everyone says that the Crown Princess has a noble status, but they don't know that she lives on thin ice in the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince doesn't take her seriously at all and only uses her to order his subordinates around.

"What does the Crown Prince want to see you about now?" Xi Ying squatted down, massaging her legs as she asked in a low voice.

"The Crown Prince actually ordered me to use my name to invite Miss Zhi to the horse farm in the western suburbs for horseback riding. Miss Zhi has already been betrothed to the Lu family, why is he still not giving up?" Guo Yingrong looked exhausted.

Xi Ying paused for a moment, then whispered, "That Miss Zhi is indeed charming and alluring, and could easily make a man... fall in love."

"Is it really that beautiful?" Guo Yingrong was taken aback.

"Yes, so beautiful it makes one...blush." ​​Xi Ying's mind flashed with the image of Zhi Wan, and after a pause, she whispered.

Guo Yingrong understood immediately upon hearing this.

She must be an absolute beauty.

No wonder the Crown Prince is so obsessed with it, even if it might anger the Emperor, he won't give up.

But what does that have to do with Miss Zhi?
If anyone is to blame, it's the crown prince himself for his wicked intentions.

“Your Highness, we have done all we can.” Xi Ying advised in a low voice, “Since the Crown Prince is so fond of Miss Zhi, even if you don’t help, he will find another way. It’s not worth offending the Crown Prince for an outsider.”

When she went to the Zhi family residence to invite Miss Zhi yesterday, she could tell that Miss Zhi was faking her illness.

She told the Crown Princess the truth. The Crown Princess originally wanted to help Miss Zhi fool the Crown Prince, but who knew that the Crown Prince couldn't forget Miss Zhi. Early this morning, he even asked the Crown Princess about Miss Zhi.

The Crown Princess told the Crown Prince that Miss Zhi had caught a cold and could not attend the flower banquet. The Crown Prince did not believe her and insisted that the Crown Princess send a royal physician to treat Miss Zhi.

Fearing that Lady Zhi's feigned illness would be exposed, the Crown Princess specially sent the Imperial Physician Wang, whom she knew well, to examine her. Unexpectedly, Lady Zhi was indeed ill.

After hearing what the maid said, Guo Yingrong recalled the Crown Prince's threat in the study, and her heart immediately became irritated.

What should she do?