Chapter 420: Chapter 420

For a fleeting moment, Shangguan Hong even felt a twinge of regret, wondering if he had been too hasty earlier. If Minister Zhou was like that, who knew how much of his grace and charm his daughter might possess?

However, this thought was but a flash, and moments later, political considerations ultimately took the high ground.

He was the ruler of a nation, possessing all under heaven. What kind of beauty could he not have? Why should he trouble himself to allow someone connected to his elder sister into the rear palace?

If one day she were to give birth to a prince...

Thinking of the Grand Princess's various methods before his ascension, and her still undiminished influence within the military, after a brief moment of regret, the emperor quickly made up his mind.

But with such beauty, it's no wonder Imperial Elder Sister...

His gaze, tinged with what seemed like regret, lingered on the man below for a moment before Shangguan Hong withdrew his eyes. He only thought of the other party's "pitiful state" that day, and added a few more strokes to the "compensation" he had earlier intended to give.

After all, she was the descendant of a meritorious official, a Second Rank Countess. Suffering such humiliation was truly unbecoming.

Anyway, it was just an empty position with little real power. He wasn't a stingy person.

Who knows what thoughts Earl Zhou, dragging his still weak and shaky legs, harbored as he received this "compensation" under the thoughtful gazes of his colleagues in the court. In any case, after the imperial decree was issued, everyone in the entire Count's residence was overjoyed!

What, did the Earl suffer any grievance?

"Afraid of what? Your father is a man of eight feet. How much of a loss could he possibly eat?"

Facing her daughter's anxious and uneasy gaze, Lady Jiang waved her hand, her face showing complete indifference. Even the recent arrival of someone from the Grand Princess's residence, saying they wished to invite the Changping Earl for a discussion, hadn't dampened the First Madam's good mood in the slightest.

She had even secretly instructed the servants earlier to pick out the most suitable clothes for the Earl, ensuring they fully showcased the Master's advantages, taking care not to be a single bit inferior to his appearance at the palace banquet that day.

Ah, looking at her eldest daughter who had grown so thin in such a short time, the First Madam felt heartache mixed with regret. If she had known earlier that the Master merely needed to slim down a little to possess such grace and exert such a significant effect, she wouldn't have made her daughter endure so much fear and suffering before.

Her heart aching, she gently stroked her daughter's thin face. Lady Jiang then softly comforted her again:

"Yun'er, rest assured. I've already ordered someone to properly prepare travel expenses for that matron. She will soon leave the residence to seek a better position elsewhere.

Once the new year passes, Yun'er will be seventeen, a grown young lady. While your father still has some face before the noble ladies, your mother will definitely find you a perfectly well-rounded, excellent marriage match."

Having said that, Lady Jiang had already begun to enthusiastically dig out the earlier dowry list, starting to ponder what more she could add for her own daughter.

"Yun'er, what do you think of this Guanyin statue? Ah? Mother thinks this jade vase is also nice. It just so happens your second aunt's maternal family sent over some fine rosewood recently. After a while, we'll add a writing desk for our Yun'er..."

The originally still somewhat worried Eldest Young Lady: "..."

In short, the moment she stepped out of the main house, Eldest Young Lady Zhou still wore a somewhat dazed expression on her face.

In the afternoon, the three sisters once again gathered at the pavilion. However, compared to the earlier leisurely atmosphere and the worries of the past month or so, now each one was more mentally adrift than the last.

They hadn't even noticed their teacups had gone cold for a long time.

Even the usually diligent Third Young Lady hadn't touched brush or ink for a good half day. Right now, the only calm one was probably the instigator herself, An Ning.

After who knows how long, Third Miss Zhou was heard first fiercely gulping down a mouthful of clear tea. Then, like a thief, she glanced around before lowering her voice to speak to her sisters:

"Eldest Sister, Fifth Sister, do you think Father... he really..." sacrificed his charms, attached himself to power and influence.

Although the last few words weren't spoken aloud, everyone present more or less understood their meaning.

Instantly, the few unmarried young ladies all blushed.

Even though they knew early on that their father wasn't reliable, to go this far... Third Young Lady still felt somewhat disillusioned, her eyes now considerably wider.

After all, what kind of person was Earl Zhou? No matter how much he schemed and yearned for wealth and status in his heart, on the surface he always maintained a certain air of aloofness. He really didn't seem like someone who would sacrifice his own charms.

Eldest Young Lady Zhou, however, thought a bit more deeply and couldn't help but ponder for a moment:

"Could it be that after learning of my failed selection, Father decided to take this desperate risk..."

Unlike her two elder sisters' heavy-heartedness, inside the pavilion, An Ning, who was beautifully admiring the pond full of lotus flowers, first leisurely sipped some clear tea before saying in a light, cheerful tone:

"Eldest Sister, you're overthinking it. Father is, after all, a proper Earl, a grown man. If he truly wasn't willing, who could force him?

Besides, the palace is ultimately extremely dangerous. Compared to Eldest Sister entering the palace, with an uncertain future ahead and the risk of losing more than you gain at every turn, isn't the current situation with Father much more stable?

It can bring the Earl's household back into the view of the upper circles without taking too great a risk."

As she spoke, An Ning didn't forget to nod her little head with an air of seriousness, her originally spirit-filled little face appearing utterly innocent and charming:

"Father probably considered all this before making up his mind to sacrifice himself."

Finally, she let out a leisurely sigh and said:

"Ah, all these years as the successor, enjoying the greatest wealth and power in the family for nothing, yet not adding much glory to the household. Father must have felt quite ashamed and uneasy in his heart!

Now, being able to save the Changping Earl's Manor with his own body, it probably fulfills his wish!"

Hmm... how could it not count? An Ning couldn't help but think.

Eldest Zhou, Third Zhou: "..."

Is... is that so? Third Young Lady, feeling something wasn't quite right, instinctively wanted to refute something. However, her peripheral vision inadvertently caught sight of her eldest sister's expression, which clearly held a trace of unease. She immediately coughed heavily and changed her tune:

"Ahem... isn't that right? Otherwise, why would Father have worked so hard earlier, slimming down and taking such care of his appearance?"

If it wasn't to seduce... no, to sacrifice himself for the future of the Earl's household, then what was it?

Speaking , as if confirming something, even Third Young Lady herself stopped doubting and began to contentedly savor the clear tea in her hand.

Hmm, I heard this tea was specially commissioned by the Madam at great expense from a physician. They say it's best for reducing swelling, cutting greasiness, and is very beneficial for maintaining beauty.

Although most of it was sent to Father's study, we daughters also received our share.

Lifting her head to glance at her two younger sisters, Eldest Young Lady Zhou soon also picked up her teacup.

Hmm... since it's what Father sought, she, as a daughter, shouldn't really comment much.

Thinking that she wouldn't need to follow those trivial, annoying rules, wouldn't need to enter that man-eating deep palace, and could still happily play and have fun with her sisters in the future, Eldest Young Lady Zhou deeply exhaled a breath of turbid air. Her slightly furrowed brows unconsciously relaxed.

In the pavilion, the three sisters exchanged glances, their eyes simultaneously brimming with smiles.

This day, the sunlight was bright and beautiful. Everything was so wonderful.

At the same time, Grand Princess's Residence

Seeing the familiar bed before his eyes and... ahem... Father Zhou's legs subconsciously trembled slightly for a moment.