Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 614

The third prince had five bright red finger marks on his face, tears in his eyes, and a helpless expression, but he still tried to argue.

“Mother, you used to say that the Xing family held military power and had no way out. If they didn’t seize the throne, they could only wait to be wiped out. Now the Xing family no longer has military power and is no longer a threat. Wouldn’t it be better to just live a quiet and unassuming life from now on? Even if we wanted to fight for it now, what would we have to offer?”

Consort Xing grew even angrier and slapped him several more times.

"Listen to the nonsense you're spouting! The Xing family has supported you for so many years, and now that they've fallen, you're just going to abandon them like this? Don't you have any conscience? Don't you have any ambition? How could I have given birth to such a good-for-nothing like you!"

Consort Xing suddenly stood up and poked the Third Prince with a sharp finger.

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll be working at the Hanlin Academy! Huo Jinghuai went to the Ministry of Justice and rose from a lowly clerk to his current position. Why can’t you do the same? ... If you dare to indulge in frivolous pursuits again, and if I find out you’ve ever touched a paintbrush, I’ll chop your hand off!”

The third prince's face was pale, his expression filled with pain and resistance.

He was born with a dislike for politics and hated the intrigue and hypocrisy. Dealing with officials whose every word was laced with sarcasm would be the death of him.

But he knew he couldn't refuse Consort Xing now; no matter what he said, she wouldn't listen.

He could only lower his head in silence, and after a long while, he replied, "Yes."

Consort Xing gasped for breath, finally catching her breath a little, but then tears streamed down her face again.

Holding the Third Prince tightly, she said in a heart-wrenching voice:

"Bin'er, it's not that your mother wants to make things difficult for you, but you really can't give up! When I first entered the palace, I was just a lowly concubine. It took me so many years, so much effort, and so many hardships to climb to where I am today. Now that I've fallen out of favor, you want me to spend my days in this cold and desolate palace and die a miserable old age? I'd rather die!"

The third prince's eyes reddened, and he remained silent, his eyes filled with only sorrow and despair.

Consort Xing pulled him aside and poured out her heart to him at length. Seeing that he seemed to be able to listen, she took the opportunity to instill in him many tricks of officialdom and politics.

The third prince listened, like a puppet, his eyes vacant and dim.

Consort Xing spoke for most of the day, and it wasn't until the palace gates were about to be locked that evening that the Third Prince was allowed to return home.

When the Third Prince left, he was like a walking corpse, his back view desolate and lifeless.

......

The Seventh Prince's Residence.

In the past few days, the Seventh Prince's residence has been receiving a constant stream of visiting cards and invitations, keeping Mo Chonggui and Shen Lingjun extremely busy.

The Xing family has suffered a severe blow. Although they haven't been completely wiped out, they are in a state of utter decline. The military power that was originally in Xing Feng's hands has now been completely taken back.

The Third Prince's faction, which originally had an 80% chance of winning, now only has a 30% chance.

Although Huo Jinghuai's background was terrible, many people still felt that his chances were perhaps greater than those of the Third Prince. With only a few princes left, the Emperor really had no other choice but to select Huo Jinghuai.

Therefore, the number of powerful officials who came to curry favor with the Seventh Prince's residence suddenly increased again. They were all taking a gamble, hoping that if they bet correctly, they might rise to prominence.