Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The old emperor ground his teeth in frustration.

This little bastard, relying on the fact that he is speaking his mind, dares to say anything.

The other ministers: “…”

They kept their eyes on their noses and their noses on their hearts, pretending they hadn’t heard anything.

Prime Minister Dou quickly glanced at Princess Wanshou, noticing that although she remained silent, the thoughtful expression on her face clearly indicated that she had taken Xu Yanmiao’s words to heart.

“…”

So, this is why His Majesty wanted to grant Princess Wanshou an official position?

Did he want Xu Yanmiao to wake her up?

Prime Minister Dou thought for a moment and felt…

[And the princess is too naïve and sweet. Duke Song is the founding Duke, the emperor’s right-hand man. The emperor would have to be crazy to force the Duke’s son to give up his bright future just for the princess’s marriage! This isn’t an alliance; it’s creating enmity.]

[If your Prince Consort is really so stubborn, the old emperor would just offer him gifts to placate him, and reassure Duke Song that this won’t affect their loyal relationship.]

[Only when he agrees will the emperor grant the marriage!]

The old emperor’s expression suddenly brightened.

That’s right. He had specifically asked Duke Song, and there had been no rejection of the princess, nor any mention of another love interest. That’s why he gave his decree for the marriage. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to create tension among his important ministers just for a princess.

Princess Wanshou was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at her father. Her trust in him made her accept Xu Yanmiao’s words without hesitation.

When her father was conquering the world, for a period of time, he had only one son, the current crown prince. The crown prince, young and inexperienced, once led an army into battle, and in an act of overconfidence, he caused three generals to be injured and killed while saving him. Her father almost killed the crown prince in a fit of rage—although he didn’t die, the prince’s leg was crippled, and he still limps today.

So…

Princess Wanshou suddenly realized.

What could she force from Duke Song’s second son? Could she really match the status of the crown prince?

Her mind wandered back to the moment when she had thought she was forcing the Prince Consort into marrying her.

Eight years ago, in the Da Bao Pavilion, beside the antique shelves, she was only sixteen. Disguised as a man, she secretly left the palace and cornered the second son of Duke Song, who had not yet married at the time.

The slender porcelain vase reflected the young woman’s fair and glowing face.

“Will you… marry me?”

Before this, they had met two or three times and had some conversations. The princess thought he had feelings for her. But she hadn’t seen the disgust in his eyes, only hearing him coldly reply, “I, of course, am willing,” and she happily ran off to ask her father for the marriage.

After marriage, the Prince Consort remained cold and distant. The princess, feeling hurt, reflected on it—perhaps it was her attitude and approach when she asked him that made him feel pressured?

But… what if that wasn’t the case?

With complicated emotions, the princess looked at Xu Yanmiao.

Could this person give her an answer?

Xu Yanmiao, coincidentally, had finished watching this backstory.

Afterward, he couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic comment.

[Oh, come on. He’s neither proactive nor rejecting, and definitely not responsible—this Prince Consort has mastered the art of indecision.]

[I thought the princess had directly asked the emperor to grant the marriage. Turns out she even asked the Prince Consort for his consent beforehand! I can’t stand people who are inwardly resentful but say “it’s fine, no problem” on the surface, making others think they’re happy about it, only to later stir up trouble and make the other person question if the issue is with them…]

[What’s wrong with him!]

Prime Minister Dou listened eagerly, his gaze subtly drifting toward the Prince Consort, internally urging: Curse more! Curse more!

Although Xu Yanmiao couldn’t hear anyone’s thoughts, Prime Minister Dou pretended to cheer him on in public.

The Prince Consort’s actions reminded him of a certain matter involving the Prince, which made him furious all over again!

Princess Wanshou was also struggling to catch her breath, feeling as though everything she had believed for the past eight years was being turned upside down.

So it wasn’t her fault?@@novelbin@@

She didn’t speak, but her dazed expression sent a chilling sensation through the Prince Consort.

Though no one in the room had said anything directly against him, the cold feeling that seeped into his heart triggered panic, and he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cavern.

It felt like something had changed.

The Prince Consort no longer appeared confident. He couldn’t hold back and weakly called, “Princess…” but then fell silent. He simply said her name, standing stubbornly with his back straight, as firm as bamboo.

The princess particularly liked his stubbornness. It tugged at her heart, and she bit her lip. The next moment—

“Father.” The princess quietly said, “No matter what, if he hadn’t become the Prince Consort, he could have had a great career in the government. I’ve ruined him…”

“You still want to plead for this beast?!”

“Yes…”

The old emperor was so furious that… he looked at Xu Yanmiao.