Reborn Doctor Concubine-Chapter 80: Half a Son-in-Law

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Cloud Consort's Palace

"Mother, this time it was my incompetence," Jun Hui said, his face clouded with frustration.

The expression on Consort Yun's face wasn't much better.

"It's not your fault. I never expected Jun Mo to intervene—it was completely unexpected."

Jun Hui hesitated before continuing, "Mother, I'm worried..."

Consort Yun nodded in understanding.

"You're right to be concerned. The Crown Prince is recovering day by day, and the defenses around the Eastern Palace have tightened significantly. Our people can't act freely at the moment—we must bide our time."

Jun Hui paused thoughtfully. "I'm also worried that even if the Crown Prince falls, Jun Mo will remain a formidable threat. He already holds significant military power, and if he gains the support of the Su family and the Wei family, who could possibly stop him?"

A faint smile curved Consort Yun's lips. "Don't worry. I think the Eastern Palace is likely panicking more than we are. The Empress believed that preventing Su Li from being sent to the Southern Border would bring the Su family into her camp. She schemed endlessly, but she never anticipated they'd choose Prince Jing. I imagine she's regretting her decisions deeply by now."

Jun Hui found her reasoning sound but frowned as he considered further. "However, Jun Mo has always been close to the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince trusts him fully and Jun Mo remains loyal, their combined forces would make them nearly untouchable."

Consort Yun rose from her seat, and a nearby palace maid quickly stepped forward to assist her.

"That throne—everyone covets it. I refuse to believe Prince Jing harbors no ambition. Even if he doesn't, we must ensure the Empress and the Crown Prince suspect otherwise. Let's wait and see. When the time comes, we'll fan the flames."

"Your wisdom astounds me, Mother."

The Empress's Fengyi Palace

"Your Highness, did Seventh Prince give you any hint about this matter?" the Empress asked, her gaze fixed on the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince shook his head. "No, I didn't expect my younger brother to get involved either." freёwebnoѵel.com

The Empress furrowed her brows. "Now that your seventh brother holds military power, if he marries the daughter of the Su family, what then...?"

"Mother, please rest assured. I trust my younger brother. He has no interest in the throne. If he did, given his capabilities, my position would have been compromised long ago. Besides, my recovery owes everything to him. It was his suggestion to have Miss Su treat me—otherwise, I might not be here today."

The Empress nodded, her expression softening slightly.

"It's not that I distrust him—it's simply the nature of the royal court. I am not one to repay kindness with betrayal. As long as Seventh Prince harbors no ambitions and maintains harmony between you two, I will gladly enjoy peace."

The Crown Prince smiled. "Still, I never expected so many suitors to appear today. The Wei family's involvement makes sense, but Sixth Brother..."

The Empress's expression darkened.

"I understand that Seventh Prince truly admires Miss Su. But Sixth Prince... his intentions are far from simple."

The Crown Prince spoke seriously. "Sixth Brother is usually kind and approachable. Could he too have fallen for Miss Su?"

The Empress massaged her temples. "Let's hope so."

Seeing her weary demeanor, the Crown Prince stood up and bowed respectfully. "It's late, Mother. Please rest. I take my leave."

The Su Residence

After suppressing her emotions since leaving the palace gates, Su Li finally relaxed once the formalities were complete. Between returning the other families' betrothal gifts, receiving the imperial decree, and seeing off the Ministry of Rites officials, the day had been an exhausting whirlwind.

What a nerve-wracking day it had been.

Su Li's father looked at his daughter sitting beside her mother and gently asked, "Lier, what exactly happened? Even if you wanted to avoid the Southern Border marriage, you could have chosen your cousin."

Su Li poured tea for her father and handed it to him. "Father, I didn't want to implicate Grandfather. The Wei family is already under scrutiny, and the Emperor has repeatedly tried to reclaim their military authority. If word spreads of a betrothal between our families, one civil and one military, wouldn't the Emperor grow even more suspicious? After much deliberation, I decided Prince Jing was the best option. Besides, I'll find a way to dissolve the engagement later."

Her last sentence carried a trace of unease.

Su Li's father reflected for a moment. He couldn't blame his daughter. The situation had unfolded suddenly, and mishandling it could have sent her to the Southern Border. Finding a suitable match wasn't easy—someone of lower status would have been forced to rescind their proposal, leaving her vulnerable.

In the past, avoiding ties with the royal family was prudent due to the instability surrounding the Crown Prince's position. Now, however, with the Crown Prince steadily recovering, perhaps their worst fears wouldn't come to pass.

"Very well. We'll take things one step at a time," Su Li's father said with a resigned sigh. No matter what, he and his father-in-law would protect Lier.

"Tomorrow, I'll visit your grandfather. He's bound to be worried about you," he added after taking a sip of tea.

Su Li's mother nodded. "Father will understand. Today was... unexpected. Who would have thought Sixth Prince and Prince Jing would propose?"

Su Li's father frowned. "Sixth Prince is inscrutable—not as simple as he appears. As for Prince Jing, I can't quite figure him out. Does he genuinely admire our Lier, or was he merely trying to block the Southern Border marriage?"

Su Li sipped her tea, feeling slightly guilty.

Su Li's mother glanced at her daughter, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"To be honest, Prince Jing and our Lier make a fine pair. Lady De is gentle and kind-hearted—I'd feel at ease if Lier married into their household."

Su Li coughed lightly.

Her parents didn't know that her relationship with Jun Mo was purely strategic. Now that the imperial decree had been issued, her mother already regarded Jun Mo as half a son-in-law.

"Mother, I haven't yet come of age. It's too early to discuss such matters," Su Li said softly.

Her mother dismissed her protests with a laugh. "Soon enough. But even when you do come of age, I won't let you marry so quickly. I want to keep you here for a few more years."

Su Li leaned into her mother affectionately. "I don't want to marry either. I just want to stay with you and Father, waiting for my little brother to be born. We'll live happily together as a family."

Her mother chuckled. "Silly girl. What woman doesn't dream of marriage?"

Su Li's father watched his wife and daughter, a rare smile finally gracing his features.