TFWYH – Chapter 796 Best Candidate

He Shihan’s meaning could not have been clearer.

How could Gu Xiyan possibly fail to understand?

She was so stunned that she froze for a long while before finally coming back to her senses. Instantly, her anger flared. Pointing at He Shihan, she shouted,

“You shameless bitch! You may look down on becoming someone’s concubine, but do you think I, the granddaughter of the Prime Minister, would stoop to being one? Get out! Get out of here!”

“Sister!” He Shihan stamped her foot anxiously. “I’m only saying this for your own good. You know your current situation better than anyone. Right now, you have only two choices.”

“The first is to become a nun.”

“The second is to marry someone of low status.”

“Tell me—which of those is better than the option I’m suggesting?”

“The Eldest Prince may be older, but he’s still a prince. Besides, no matter what, you still have the Prime Minister as your grandfather. Do you really think the Eldest Prince would mistreat you?”

“If you marry into his household, you’ll at least become a secondary consort.”

“The Eldest Prince’s principal wife has no children. If you’re the first to give birth to a son, then you’ll rise in status through your child.”

“And don’t forget—even a secondary consort is officially recorded in the imperial genealogy and holds a recognized rank.”

“The sons born to a secondary consort also have the right to inherit.”

Gu Xiyan’s eyelids twitched repeatedly.

She remained silent for a long time.

It was obvious that He Shihan’s words had moved her.

That’s right…

A secondary consort is still an officially recognized royal consort.

And the son of a secondary consort still has inheritance rights.

As for the Second Prince…

His principal wife was Gu Xiyan’s own aunt.

Since ancient times, when had an aunt and her niece ever shared the same husband?

If she dared set her sights on the Second Prince, she wouldn’t even need anyone else to deal with her.

Her formidable aunt alone had a hundred different ways to kill her.

As for the Third Prince…

There was even less need to consider him.

Everyone in the capital knew he adored his wife beyond measure.

And now that the Third Prince’s wife had already given birth to a legitimate heir, even if Gu Xiyan somehow managed to marry into that household, her days would certainly be miserable.

With that in mind…

The Eldest Prince truly seemed like the best option.

Seeing that Gu Xiyan had taken the bait, He Shihan secretly laughed to herself.

Outwardly, however, she wore an expression full of concern.

“Sister, think it over carefully. I can’t stay away from the palace for too long, so I have to return to attend Her Highness. The next time I’m allowed to leave the palace, I’ll find another opportunity to come see you.”

“…Mm.”

Gu Xiyan answered indifferently, once again putting on her lofty, superior demeanor.

That was hardly surprising.

Now that she believed she had found a way out of her predicament, she naturally began looking down on He Shihan again.

“Take care, Sister.”

The moment Gu Xiyan wasn’t looking, He Shihan rolled her eyes before turning and leaving.

As soon as she was gone, Gu Xiyan immediately went to find her mother.

No one knew exactly what the two of them discussed.

But when Gu Xiyan emerged again, a spring-like smile hung on her lips, as though her wish had already been fulfilled.

…

After He Shihan returned to the Minister’s residence, Su Qing also prepared to leave.

This trip had primarily been to visit Tang Wan.

Setting a trap for Gu Xiyan had merely been an added bonus.

Besides the jewelry, she had also brought Tang Wan many outfits from the new season.

Tang Wan was deeply grateful and asked Aunt Zhao to prepare a lavish meal for Su Qing.

During the meal, Su Qing suddenly remembered that Tang Wan had seemed about to leave when she first arrived.

She couldn’t help asking,

“Did I come at a bad time? You looked as though you were about to go out.”

“Not at all.”

Tang Wan placed a piece of fish into Su Qing’s bowl before answering honestly.

“My father wants to establish a martial arts academy, so I was planning to inspect a few estates to see if any would make a suitable location.”

“A martial arts academy?”

Su Qing blinked.

“What is that? I’ve never heard such a term before.”

Tang Wan had never hidden much from Su Qing, and there was nothing particularly secret about this matter.

So she explained the idea of opening a martial arts academy in detail.

Su Qing nodded thoughtfully, quietly committing the matter to memory.

She planned to mention it to the Emperor once she returned to the palace.

If possible, she’d even persuade him to lend a helping hand.