This brief interaction yielded no results, and she even suffered a great loss, which immediately made Duan Lingling feel like crying.
In front of outsiders, she is the poised and elegant Prime Minister's Daughter, and few things can cause her to be emotionally agitated.
But what happened today was completely unexpected.
That despicable Li Chengan!
Three months Past in the blink of an eye, Zhou Yuan'er became Su Chen's first concubine. In the following six months, Su Chen took seven more concubines.
As time went on, Su Chen became increasingly legendary in the Great Qian Empire, and now everyone held the Fifth Prince in the highest esteem.
That day.
Mingyue Hall.
Since Su Chen's identity changed, the Mingyue Hall has expanded to nearly five times its original size.
Now.
The head of the civil officials, namely the current prime minister, stood in front of Su Chen with a kind smile on his face.
In the entire imperial court, he was truly a man of immense power, comparable only to the head of the military officers.
"Fifth Your Highness, it's truly not easy to see you."
Su Chen said directly, "Prime Minister Duan, please speak your mind."
Duan Tushen narrowed his eyes, then immediately smiled and said, "Your Highness, the main reason I've come today is to pledge my allegiance to Your Highness and serve Your Highness."
As he spoke, he knelt down and bowed to Su Chen.
Although Su Chen rarely appears in public, the Great Qian Emperor's intentions are too obvious; the position of Crown Prince is bound to belong to him.
As subjects, they naturally wanted to pledge allegiance as early as possible so that they could gain the greatest benefits and advantages after Li Chengan ascended to the throne.
Of course, these are secondary; as long as they aren't purged, that's fine.
Su Chen asked calmly, "Any requirements?"
Duan Tushen's eyes immediately narrowed. Although it was just a simple sentence, he could still sense that this Fifth Prince was definitely not simple-minded.
Duan Tushen kowtowed immediately, then said solemnly, "Your Highness has only one request: if Your Highness will allow my daughter, Duan Lingling, to become your principal wife, I will lead the civil officials to pledge allegiance to Your Highness."
"At that time, none of the other Imperial Prince will have the strength to compete with you."
Duan Lingling?
Su Chen raised an eyebrow, and the image of the woman dressed in white with a white silk scarf on her face appeared in his mind.
The legal wife.
Once he becomes the Crown Prince, she will be the Crown Prince; once she becomes the emperor, she will be the empress, the one who manages the harem.
On the surface, Duan Tushen's demands were very low; Su Chen made almost no effort whatsoever. In the end, the position of the legal wife was nothing more than a title.
Moreover, Duan Lingling is quite attractive, and she is certainly qualified to be his legal wife.
However, this requirement also benefits Duan Tushen the most.
Su Chen did not refuse. He smiled faintly and said, "I can agree to this."
Duan Tushen was overjoyed. In the court, although the Great Qian Emperor was very supportive of the Fifth Prince, the Fifth Prince did almost nothing and spent his days indulging in beautiful women.
Of course, after what had happened before, no one believed that the Fifth Prince was really having fun in the Mingyue Hall.
If you still think like that at this point, then there's really something wrong with your brain.
Therefore, in Duan Tushen's view, the Fifth Prince's actions were merely a pretense, and the Fifth Prince must have been making many preparations in private.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Even after leaving the Mingyue Hall, Duan Tushen's joy remained undiminished. The court of the Great Qian Empire was quite strange, and the Great Qian Emperor was practically openly supporting the Fifth Prince.
In addition, the Fifth Prince possessed extraordinary strength.
This situation is completely advantageous; as long as Taking Sides the Fifth Prince, you're practically guaranteed to win in the end.
Upon leaving the Imperial Palace, Duan Tushen immediately sent messengers to summon the other civil officials to discuss important matters, and also sent messengers to the Prime Minister's Residence to deliver a message.
"His Fifth Your Highness has arranged to meet Miss at Snowy Lake. Go back quickly and inform her, and tell her not to delay."
The Servants immediately nodded respectfully and quickly headed towards the Prime Minister's Residence.
About two hours later.
Snowy Lake.
Duan Lingling looked around nervously. It had been more than a year since the two last met at Snowy Lake.
To be honest, she was very unhappy.
She had thought the Fifth Prince was very fond of her because of what he did at Snowy Lake, but who knew he was just a womanizer.
Hateful!
Thinking of this, Duan Lingling felt extremely angry.
Despite thinking this, Duan Lingling was still very nervous when the Fifth Prince took the initiative to invite her to Snowy Lake. Two blushes appeared on her fair, jade-like cheeks.
She even found herself recalling the first time she had come here with the Fifth Prince.
Although Duan Lingling was cursing the Fifth Prince as a bastard in her heart, she still felt a proud and happy feeling when she heard that she would become his legal wife and that he had taken the initiative to invite her out.
Soon.
She arrived at the designated small boat, which was about the same size as when the two first met. The Maid who accompanied her was still very sensible, standing at the bow to steer the boat.
Pushing aside the curtain, one could see the handsome Fifth Prince sitting inside, drinking tea.
For some reason, Duan Lingling felt nervous the moment she saw the Fifth Prince, and she even lowered her head, not daring to look directly at Su Chen.
It wasn't until they walked Past that Su Chen spoke up, "Sit here."
Duan Lingling looked up slightly, somewhat dazed, at Su Chen. Seeing his slightly open arms, she realized that the Fifth Prince wanted her to sit in his lap.
In an instant.
Duan Lingling's mind went blank. How could there be such a shameless person?
For a moment, she didn't know what to do.
Leave?
This was of course impossible; Duan Lingling still wanted to marry the Future emperor.
The opportunity to become empress is not something everyone can have.
If I don't leave, wouldn't that mean I have to sit in his lap?
Su Chen did not urge her, but quietly looked at her with a slightly interested expression, sizing up Duan Lingling from head to toe.
She was indeed very beautiful; she could be described as stunningly beautiful.
Her figure was petite and youthful, and the white Long Skirt she wore added to her innocent charm, while the white veil over her lips added a touch of mysterious allure.
Duan Lingling struggled internally for a long time, but in the end, she walked forward with trembling body and a flushed face, and sat in Su Chen's arms.
For the sake of the Empress, I'll endure it!