Chapter 157 Barbie Q
Bi Yingming was so scared he almost died on the spot, confessing everything like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.
"Her Ladyship said if I dared tell anyone, she... she would take my life!"
After he finished speaking, he completely broke down, kneeling on the ground and wailing.
He was going to die either way; speaking meant death, not speaking also meant death.
If he walked out of the Imperial Heirs Residence today, Consort Shu would kill him tomorrow. He couldn't live like this.
He was just a lowly painter; why was fate so cruel to him!
Shen Yulou finally nodded in satisfaction.
"Alright, stop wailing. This Official will protect your life.
Tomorrow, I will apply to the Ministry of Personnel to transfer you to the Imperial Academy, specifically to teach painting to the Imperial Heirs and princesses. From now on, you are my man.
In the Imperial Academy, no one can touch you."
Shen Yulou had heard of this 'human camera' before, and now that he had the chance, he finally brought him under his wing.
This man was so skilled; he would surely be of great use in the future.
Bi Yingming was overjoyed at the news, hardly believing his ears, and quickly kowtowed in gratitude.
But then, he glanced at the Eighth Prince, who was "dead with eyes wide open," on the ground, and said with a mournful face,
"Lord, then... then what about this? The Prince is dead; can you handle it?"
Shen Yulou walked over irritably and kicked Zhao Lü.
"Stop faking it, get up. He's already confessed."
No sooner had he spoken than the Eighth Prince on the ground performed a carp jump, springing up full of life, patting the dust off his bottom, and saying with lingering enjoyment,
"That's it? I thought there would be a torture session; I haven't had enough fun yet!"
Bi Yingming: "..."
He gasped, almost fainting from the Prince's 'resurrection'.
It took him a few seconds to realize that he had been tricked!
He stared blankly at the scene, feeling his worldview shaken like never before.
Damn!
You can do that?!
This Shen Yulou is simply a devil!
...The next morning, at the Princesss Residence.
Shen Yulou, Li Hui, and Song Hu sat around a table.
Shen Yulou briefly recounted what happened last night, and everyone discussed countermeasures.
After listening, Li Hui slapped his thigh, his face full of regret.
"What a pity!"
Everyone looked at him in unison, and the Princess asked curiously, "Commander Li, what's a pity?"
Li Hui had a look that said, "I know this answer," and said with deep regret,
"It's a pity Consort Shu is not single! Otherwise, why would it be so troublesome?
Lord Shen would take her down in minutes, letting her know what emotional value is, and what a man's charm is!
Guaranteed she'd be completely submissive!"
Song Hu, standing beside him with his arms crossed, added a deadpan remark,
"Actually, not being single doesn't necessarily mean it's impossible."
Shen Yulou:...No sooner had he spoken than both men felt a chill down their spines, and a chilling aura of killing intent washed over them.
They looked up and met the Princess's half-smile.
Li Hui and Song Hu immediately fell silent, sat up straight, eyes downcast, like two obedient children.
Shen Yulou cleared his throat, forcefully bringing the conversation back on track.
"Consort Shu's move is an overt scheme.
She probably plans to make her move at our wedding banquet. Prince Rui will preside, and all civil and military officials will be present. As long as she hangs Prince Chen's portrait in the main hall, we'll be 'Barbie Q' on the spot."
Li Hui: "Lord Shen, what does 'Barbie Q' mean?"
Shen Yulou: "It means 'hung up'."
Li Hui: "'Hung up'? What does that mean?"
Shen Yulou: "It means dead, dead! Passed away! Entered nirvana! Ascended to immortality! Rode a crane to the west! Quack quack quack! Understand?"
Li Hui:...Prince Chen's cause of death was a palace taboo.
On the wedding day, to pay respects to Emperor Ren's political enemy in front of everyone, where would Emperor Ren put his face?
Qingqing's little face turned pale with anxiety.
"She has the portrait; we can't guard against it! Even if we know her move, we can't stop it!"
Everyone was worried.
Shen Yulou, however, sneered.
"Who said we're going to stop it?"
"Not only will we not stop her, we'll help her. This time, we'll advance by retreating."
He looked at the Princess and said gravely, "Zhao Siyi, you need to go to the palace and make a request to His Majesty."
...The Imperial Study.
Emperor Ren was reviewing memorials when he heard that Princess Siyi sought an audience. He was a little puzzled.
This girl never came without a reason; what was she here for?
"Announce her."
The Princess, dressed in plain clothes, entered gracefully and performed a standard bow to Emperor Ren.
"This Official's daughter greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Ren hadn't seen this niece for a long time, and now seeing her, he felt a bit more affectionate.
He couldn't help but sigh, thinking that she was still in her swaddling clothes during the events of that year, so it truly had nothing to do with her.
After Prince Chen's death, his consort committed suicide. This child was raised by him, so she shouldn't harbor any hatred towards him, right?
"Dispense with the formalities, rise." Emperor Ren put down his vermillion brush, his tone much gentler. "What brings you to see Us today?"
The Princess raised her head, her beautiful eyes carrying a touch of well-placed sorrow and earnestness.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, This Official's daughter's wedding is imminent, and my heart is filled with gratitude for my parents' nurturing grace.
This Official's daughter dares to humbly request Your Majesty's gracious permission to set up ancestral tablets for my parents at the wedding banquet, and perform the kowtow ceremony, to fulfill my filial piety."
"Bang!"
Emperor Ren's teacup was placed heavily on the table, tea splashed out, and his face instantly darkened.
Paying respects to Prince Chen?
What did she mean by this? Was she trying to provoke him?!
The atmosphere in the entire Imperial Study instantly dropped to freezing point.
The Princess, however, seemed not to notice Emperor Ren's displeasure, remaining kneeling on the ground, neither humble nor arrogant.
Emperor Ren's heart was churning with anger, but looking at his niece's face, which closely resembled Prince Chen's, he ultimately did not erupt.
"We will consider this matter. You may withdraw for now."
The Princess said, "Your Majesty, This Official's daughter's wedding is tomorrow. Please grant permission."
"Presumptuous! Didn't you hear Us say We would consider it? Withdraw!"
...As soon as the Princess left, Emperor Ren could no longer restrain himself, grabbing the cup on the table and smashing it to the ground!
"Outrageous! Haven't We been good enough to her?! What else does she want?!"
He paced back and forth in the hall in a rage, getting angrier the more he thought about it.
"We even bestowed Shen Yulou, such an excellent talent, upon her for marriage. What else is she dissatisfied with? If We had known this, We should have bestowed him and Old Seven in marriage!"
Eunuch He Shun quickly stepped forward, tidying up the fragments while softly advising,
"Your Majesty, calm your anger. It's not worth harming your imperial health over such a small matter."
He picked up the fragments, then re-brewed a cup of tea for Emperor Ren, and said,
"Your Majesty, Princess Siyi's actions may not necessarily be against you. Perhaps she has other ideas?"
"Other ideas?"
He Shun put down his work and leaned closer to Emperor Ren, carefully analyzing.
"Your Majesty, consider this.
If you agree to this matter, what does it show?
It shows your broad-mindedness and extraordinary magnanimity.
When the people of the world see this, they will know that your heart is open and honest, and you are not afraid of what others say. Won't those rumors then dissipate on their own?"
"Not only will you not lose face, but you will also leave behind a name as a sage!"
Blown away by He Shun's flattery, Emperor Ren was stunned.
He pondered for a moment and realized it actually made sense!
After all, from the perspective of an ordinary family, the Princess's request was not excessive.
Now, with He Shun's explanation, it seemed reasonable, and perhaps the Princess truly was thinking of him