Chapter 104: You Must Seize the Opportunity

A shadow of gloom flickered in Tan Qingsjiu’s eyes, yet her voice remained gentle and composed. “But Father, I am Prince Duan’s physician, and I know his condition best. His poison is extremely difficult to cure, and if it remains untreated, I fear he won’t survive beyond two months.”

Tan Yun, unaware of this, widened his eyes in surprise. “Is that so?”

“Why would I lie to you?” Tan Qingsjiu sighed. “I have already spoken the same to His Majesty.”

“However, His Majesty likely does not wish to make this matter public, so Father, please keep it a secret.”

For a brief moment, astonishment flashed across Tan Yun’s eyes before he quickly regained composure, excitement glowing in his expression. “This is perfect.”

“Perfect?” Tan Qingsjiu narrowed her eyes, curious to hear why he thought so.

A sly smile curved Tan Yun’s lips, his eyes shining with eagerness. “Prince Duan is the legitimate heir.”

“And he currently has no heirs.”

“If you seize this opportunity, find a way to lie with him and conceive a child, then the child you bear will be the legitimate imperial grandson.”

“If Prince Duan truly succumbs to the poison, dying without a cure, wouldn’t your child become his sole offspring?”

“After Prince Duan’s death, not only will His Majesty be his father, but also his grandfather, the former prime minister.”

“With this child, you could rise through your son’s status. Best yet, you could leverage this child to connect with Minister Ran, securing an unparalleled future.”

Tan Qingsjiu raised an eyebrow slightly. Tan Yun was certainly... meticulous in his intentions.

He only considered that if she lay with the prince and he died from the poison, her child would be the legitimate heir.

He never thought that if she had just married in, perhaps even before consummation, she might become a widow—and if she had a child, no one would dare marry her afterward.

Well, Tan Yun had always only thought of himself.

His excitement barely contained, Tan Yun urged, “This is definitely a good opportunity. Trust your father and grasp it quickly.”

“If Prince Duan’s poison causes frequent fainting spells or unconsciousness, your time is limited. No, I must find some fertility aids to help you succeed.”

Tan Qingsjiu’s eyes brimmed with scorn, but she only smiled. “Father, where would you find such fertility aids? Have you forgotten? I am the physician.”

“Oh!” Tan Yun slapped his forehead. “I had completely forgotten! Can you prescribe fertility aids?”

“Of course, it’s a minor matter.”

“That’s good.” Tan Yun chuckled. “It’s better this way. For such matters, I wouldn’t trust others. If word got out, it would be disastrous.”

His eyes curved with delight. “Go pack your things. Remember, you must seize this chance.”

Tan Qingsjiu nodded. “Rest assured, Father.”

---

Elsewhere in the Tan residence, Chen Yueru knocked a vase off the table, shattering it on the floor, her eyes burning red. “That little wretch actually managed to get close to Prince Duan, and even made him petition for an imperial marriage decree. Now she’s the rightful Princess Consort of Duan.”

“For what reason?”

Chen Yueru gritted her teeth. “Shen Nianqing only had a better background than me. Even though I was the first to be the master’s favored, he still married Shen Nianqing.”

“I thought that once Shen Nianqing died, I could take her place as Lady Tan, and my daughter would become the legitimate daughter, avoiding my own fate and marrying into a higher status as the primary wife.”

“When Yun Ge married the heir to Prince Ding, I was overjoyed. When Tan Qingsjiu was thrown into the pond, I was ecstatic, believing my fate and my daughter’s fate were changing by my own hand.”

“But I never imagined Tan Qingsjiu would return—not only return but become the Princess Consort of Duan, climbing back onto Yun Ge and onto me.”

A maid hurriedly tried to soothe her. “Madam, do not be so angry. Although Tan Yun Ge married Prince Duan, the prince is mad.”

“Moreover, the previous Princess Consort of Duan was personally killed by the prince on their wedding night.”

“And her death was tragic.”

“To be with a man like Prince Duan, whether she would even live after marriage is uncertain. And even if Tan Qingsjiu truly married him and became his consort, who knows when the prince might suddenly lose his mind and kill her in her sleep?”

Chen Yueru’s expression softened slightly, a bitter smile on her lips. “That’s true.”

“Tan Qingsjiu must be so thrilled with this imperial decree that she doesn’t realize these things. I hope Prince Duan goes mad soon and lets her die a more miserable death.”

“Of course, we can’t pin all our hopes on the prince.”

Chen Yueru pursed her lips. “We have to find a way. No matter what, we cannot let Tan Qingsjiu live too comfortably.”

Just as she finished speaking, a servant announced from outside, “Madam, the Second Miss has arrived.”

Chen Yueru snapped her head around, quickly suppressing the murderous intent in her eyes. “What is she coming for? Didn’t the decree say she should move to Prince Duan’s residence to care for him?”

“Didn’t the master already tell her to pack her things?”

“Let her in, and clean up the broken pieces.”

No matter what, she was now Lady Tan, Tan Qingsjiu’s stepmother. She could not afford to lose her composure or dignity.

As the servant tidied, Tan Qingsjiu entered the room.

“Greetings, Madam.”

Chen Yueru smiled. “Princess Consort of Duan, you flatter me. Since you are about to wed Prince Duan, the one who should kneel and pay respects to me from now on is you.”

“The decree said you were to move to Prince Duan’s residence to care for him. How do you still have time to visit me?”

A faint smile played on Tan Qingsjiu’s lips. “I came regarding the marriage decree.”

“Oh? The marriage decree?” Chen Yueru’s expression shifted slightly. Could this little vixen have come just to flaunt before me?

It wouldn’t be impossible. This little wretch was capable of such things.

Tan Qingsjiu smiled. “Also about my mother’s dowry.”

“You once said it needed to be properly sorted and inventoried. I didn’t rush since it wasn’t urgent, but now that the imperial decree has been issued, and I don’t know when the wedding date will be, it’s best to prepare the dowry in advance.”

“So, I had no choice but to trouble you, Madam.”