The palace eunuchs summoned her to the palace and read out the list of candidates in public. When they read her name, she was stunned and didn't understand why she was on the list when she hadn't submitted her application.
The emperor and empress were watching closely. If she disregarded the consequences and had her name crossed out, she would be mocking the royal family. The emperor would be furious, and her parents and relatives would suffer as a result.
Left with no other choice, she had to go along with the mistake and let the selection process continue, praying in her heart that she would be rejected. After all, there were only a few principal and secondary consorts, and there were many women in the capital who were smarter, more beautiful, and from better families than her. She might not be chosen.
Unexpectedly, things didn't go as planned; women from better family backgrounds were not selected, while she was.
Dongfang Zhan frowned as he looked at the dejected Chu Youran, and said with difficulty, "The selection of the prince's principal and secondary consorts is initially made by the Empress, and the final decision is made by the Emperor. I'm afraid I can't help Miss Chu."
A glimmer of hope flashed in Chu Youran's eyes as she said urgently, "Your Highness Zhan, I have heard that before His Majesty makes a decision, he will let you see the list. If you say that you do not like me and do not want to marry me as a concubine, my name should be crossed out."
Shen Lixue's gaze sharpened; Chu Youran had been added to Dongfang Zhan's list of concubines!
The initial selection was overseen by the Empress, and the final selection was essentially finalized. After the Emperor's review, there would be no major changes. Chu Youran was on Dongfang Zhan's list of concubines and would definitely marry into Zhan Wang's mansion as a concubine.
Two months ago, Li Fan, Dongfang Zhan's cousin from the Prime Minister's residence, went on a blind date with Chu Youran. Two months later, she inexplicably became Dongfang Zhan's betrothed concubine. Why is Dongfang Zhan so persistent in pursuing Chu Youran? Does he like Chu Youran? Not necessarily, otherwise, why would he have his cousin go on a blind date with her?
"Miss Chu doesn't like me, and doesn't want to be my concubine?" Dongfang Zhan's calm voice carried an indescribable chill.
"No...no..." Chu Youran hurriedly shook her head, her eyes somewhat flustered. Members of the royal family are inherently arrogant, especially someone as handsome and capable as Dongfang Zhan, who possesses an innate sense of superiority. He is always the one who refuses others, never allowing anyone to push him away.
“Prince Zhan is young and promising, handsome and outstanding, and many young women admire him. How could I not like him?”
"Since you like her, why are you unwilling to marry me as a concubine?" Dongfang Zhan looked down at Chu Youran, his powerful pressure making it hard for her to breathe.
"Your Highness, my parents only have my brother and me as their children. My brother is far away in Jiangnan on his post. If I were to marry into the capital, my parents would have no one to take care of them." Filial piety is the most important virtue, and Chu Youran's reason for moving Dongfang Zhan with her filial piety was a brilliant one.
Dongfang Zhan pondered for a moment: "Governor Chu has governed the prefectures and counties diligently for decades and has made many contributions. It's time for him to be promoted. I will go to the palace another day and mention it to my father, the Emperor, to have him transferred to the capital. Then Miss Chu can take care of her parents more easily..."
Shen Lixue rubbed her forehead. Dongfang Zhan was determined not to let her go. What exactly did he want to do by forcibly marrying Chu Youran?
Chu Youran's perfect excuse was easily exposed by Dongfang Zhan, leaving her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment. It took her a long time to come to her senses. In order to make it easier for her to take care of her parents, he transferred her father to the capital. Did Dongfang Zhan do this because he liked her?
Rumors in the capital say that Prince Zhan is gentle and refined, extraordinary, and considerate to every woman. If it were not Chu Youran standing in front of him today, but another woman, he would definitely do the same. He doesn't like them, he just takes care of them.
"Your Highness, to be honest, I was born with a terrible illness and I could die at any moment. I don't want to cause you any trouble..." When one plan failed, Chu Youran came up with another.
Dongfang Zhan looked at Chu Youran carefully: "Miss Chu has a rosy complexion and is in excellent spirits. She doesn't seem like a patient with a serious and incurable illness."
Chu Youran was startled and touched her face. When she was seriously ill before, her face was pale and her eyes were dull. Now, although she looked a little haggard, she was in good spirits, her eyes were bright, and she did not show any signs of illness.
"Your Highness, my illness has improved somewhat after treatment, but it could relapse at any time. I really don't want to trouble Your Highness..."
Dongfang Zhan's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "The imperial physicians in the palace are the best in the entire Qingyan, especially Physician Chen, whose medical skills are superb, unmatched by few in the world. I'll ask him to examine Miss Chu's pulse another day; perhaps he can cure your ailment, and you won't have to suffer from pain anymore..."
Chu Youran: "..."
Her illness was cured by Physician Chen. If Physician Chen were to take her pulse again, he would definitely give her away!
Seeing Chu Youran's anxious gaze and desperate search for a solution, Dongfang Zhan sneered. With such a limited mind, she thought she could fool him? She was truly overestimating herself. "What kind of dishes does Miss Chu like to eat?"
Dongfang Zhan's gentle inquiry pulled Chu Youran back from her reverie. She glanced to the side and saw that the sun was almost at its zenith, and it was almost lunchtime: "Thank you for your kindness, Prince Zhan, but I am not hungry."
"It's mealtime. Even if you're not hungry, you should eat something. I'll order some vegetables that girls usually like for Miss Chu..."
Dongfang Zhan suddenly paused, and a woman's bright face appeared before his eyes. Everyone has different tastes, and since she liked to eat vegetables, he assumed that all women liked to eat vegetables.
Chu Youran's mind was not on the food, and she didn't listen carefully to what Dongfang Zhan said. She just nodded mechanically and said, "Thank you, Prince Zhan."
A bitter smile appeared on her lips, her heart burning with anxiety: she had found someone she loved and wanted to marry him, which was why she didn't want to be a concubine of the Prince of Zhan!
She gave this reason, and the gentle and considerate Dongfang Zhan would definitely cross her name off. But at the same time, she also pushed away Zhan Wang and offended him. As proud as he is, he may not say anything on the surface, but he must be resentful in his heart. Her parents, her brother, and her sweetheart will never have a good life again.
This is the best reason to refuse to become a concubine, but it is also the reason that cannot be said.
After ordering, Dongfang Zhan glanced at Chu Youran, whose face was contorted in distress, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. Last time, when Li Fan forced her into marriage, she knew to ask for help. This time, being forced into marriage by him, she would definitely ask for help as well. She had very few close friends in the capital, and even fewer who could help her. She would definitely go to her again...
"Squeak." The waiter took the order to the kitchen, opened the door, and a beautiful woman walked towards him. Just as they were about to bump into each other, he quickly took a step back and said urgently, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Dongfang Zhan turned his head and saw Shen Lixue standing at the door. Her black hair was loosely tied into an exquisite bun, and her beautiful Xiang dress fluttered in the wind, reflecting the golden sunlight behind her, making her look indescribably elegant and otherworldly.
This time, Chu Youran didn't need to go and ask; she came herself!
"Li Xue." Chu Youran also saw Shen Li Xue. A thousand helpless feelings turned into a deep sense of grievance, which instantly welled up in her heart. She hurried forward, hugged Shen Li Xue tightly, her nose tingled, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
"You Ran, what's wrong?" Shen Lixue half-held Chu You Ran, her cold gaze fixed on Dongfang Zhan: "Did Prince Zhan bully you?"
"No...no..." Chu Youran shook her head heavily, unable to find the words to say, and her tears flowed more and more fiercely.
“Miss Chu does not wish to be a concubine of Prince Zhan. I beg you to remove her name from the list.” Dongfang Zhan said calmly, taking a sip of tea. The rising steam obscured the expression in his eyes.
"Prince Zhan is gentle and polite, and kind-hearted. Crossing out your name is a small matter for him. He will definitely help you. Why are you crying?" Shen Lixue scolded Chu Youran in feigned anger, but her words were actually directed at Dongfang Zhan.
Dongfang Zhan raised an eyebrow. She had flattered him. If he didn't help her sign the name, he would be a hypocrite pretending to be gentle and polite: "Miss Chu is dignified and gentle, which I have always admired. If she marries me, I will not let her parents be destitute in their old age, nor will I let her suffer from illness anymore. Wouldn't that be better?"
“Of course not.” Shen Lixue shook her head and rejected Dongfang Zhan’s words: “You Ran married into the Zhan Prince’s Mansion as a concubine. To put it simply, she would be a concubine or mistress in a commoner’s family. As the legitimate daughter and a woman from a prestigious family of an official, she would want to be the principal wife. No one would want to be a concubine.”
Dongfang Zhan looked up at Chu Youran: "Is that really so?"
Chu Youran couldn't think of a reason to refuse Dongfang Zhan, but Shen Lixue came up with a very reasonable one for her, so of course she wouldn't refute it and nodded gently: "Yes."
"Then why didn't you say so earlier?" A sharp glint flashed in Dongfang Zhan's gentle eyes. Shen Lixue was indeed smarter than Chu Youran, and her question was incisive and hard to refute.
"Is there any need to talk about this?" Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow at Dongfang Zhan: "Prince Zhan comes from the royal family, so he should be very clear about the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children."
Dongfang Zhan slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a faint smile: "It was my oversight."
"May I ask Your Highness to help with the name?" Shen Lixue smiled sweetly, like a hundred flowers blooming.