The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 619: Chapter 618: Settling for Second Best

Huangfu Yuxuan felt rather displeased in his heart and said, "So, what do you mean by asking me to settle for the next best thing?"

Gongyang Puyu analyzed the current situation for him: "Prince Cheng and Concubine Cheng have returned to Yunzhou, leaving only a young child in the Capital City, and the Emperor doesn’t favor Prince Cheng, so he’s not to be feared! But now, Prince Zhuang has been demoted to Commandery Prince Zhuang, yet the Emperor still allows him to remain in the capital; Prince Lu and Prince Xin are eyeing the throne fiercely, and though not in the Capital City, years of strategizing mean they have people speaking for them! Prince Li has long resided in the Capital City, and Second Young Master knows well what he has on his mind! With wolves on all sides, it won’t be long before the Emperor’s birthday; the Emperor is now old and easily swayed. If he desires to summon all the princes to the palace for his birthday, by then, summoning them may be easy, but sending them back could be difficult."

Huangfu Yuxuan said nothing. He knew that Gongyang Puyu truly had his interests at heart and that his analysis was quite reasonable.

With a hint of coldness in his eyes and brows, he said, "There are still three months; it’s indeed possible, and perhaps the Holy Decrees summoning them have already been dispatched!"

Gongyang Puyu said, "The Capital City seems calm now, but with the Crown Prince’s position vacant, it’s actually a whirlwind of chaos! The stargazing indicates a scene of utter disorder. However, considering Second Young Master’s current status, it’s still a bit lacking to deal with such turmoil!"

Huangfu Yuxuan frowned, his expression deepening, though not out of dissatisfaction with Gongyang Puyu’s words; on the contrary, he was seriously contemplating them.

After a moment, he slowly said, "Sir, you are right. But now, there is my elder brother above me, and if I don’t get married, I cannot be established as the Princely Heir." Unlike the Vassal Kings such as Prince Cheng, Prince Xin, and Prince Lu, the Princely Heir does not need to be already married. However, being the second son, and since the eldest son is married, without marrying, he cannot compete with the eldest son.

Gongyang Puyu secretly nodded; he had only hinted, and yet the Second Young Master grasped the crux of the matter.

Amidst a group of princes and royal sons, his father, Prince Liang, was a failure, and as an Imperial Grandson, he wasn’t even a Princely Heir, indeed lacking in advantages.

But if he were to become the Princely Heir, he could then maneuver with those Uncles Wang; only then, ascending to the throne, would he be justified and rightful.

Gongyang Puyu said, "So, young master should marry soon!"

He paused and said, "Now that the eldest young master has long been married, but His Highness Prince Liang has not yet named him the Princely Heir, this is your chance. If you continue to delay, and if Prince Liang names the eldest young master during this period, you will be in a passive position!"

Huangfu Yuxuan felt somewhat irritated, "You want me to marry another woman and get married first?" He thought coldly to himself: To name the eldest young master? That chance won’t arise.

Gongyang Puyu sighed, "It would certainly be good to marry that young lady from the northwest, but everything is about timing. The current timing is not quite right; the stars are in disarray, each shining brightly, and though destiny favors the Second Young Master, it is presently dimmed by the current situation, with the star signs sure to change in half a year. Within half a year, if Young Master does not marry, you may not even get a sip of soup!"

He was quite confident, believing that his Stargazing Method Fragment was the most powerful secret technique for predicting destiny in the world. And he had placed all his bets on Huangfu Yuxuan, certainly hoping not to end up empty-handed, and continued, "If the marriage proposal from the northwest doesn’t come through, then young master should choose a lady from the noble families in the Capital City who best suits your interest, to stabilize the current situation first!"

By the right person, he naturally didn’t mean someone Huangfu Yuxuan liked, but someone who could provide him the greatest support.

Huangfu Yuxuan did not immediately agree. He simply fell into his thoughts, but Gongyang Puyu was reassured, knowing that the young master had taken his words to heart.

The young master’s mind had previously been entirely on that young lady from the northwest; as long as he shifted his focus, he would understand that when things cannot be perfect, one should settle for the next best thing!

He smiled gently, waiting for Huangfu Yuxuan’s final decision.

After a moment, Huangfu Yuxuan’s sullen, gloomy expression changed slightly, with a hint of resolute determination in his eyes. He said, "Isn’t there still half a year? I want the best, and if within this half a year I cannot succeed, it won’t be too late to opt for the next best thing then!"

Gongyang Puyu was slightly startled, his usually confident, inscrutable smile freezing momentarily!

The Second Young Master, clearly understanding the current situation, still decided to maintain the status quo! He did not plan to settle for the less optimal; given the Second Young Master’s usual calmness, such a situation should not arise. He thought the Second Young Master, after weighing options, would give up, yet it seems he’s become somewhat entangled?

Thinking of this, he hesitated, closely observing Huangfu Yuxuan’s expression. Then, with a slight change in his expression, he said, "The Red Simurgh Line of the Second Young Master has moved; Second Young Master, for one to accomplish great things, emotions are the most useless thing..."

Huangfu Yuxuan calmly said, "Mr. Gongyang, I have my own plans!"

His normally handsome yet somber face became slightly serene, with a powerful aura emanating, the kind of royal and noble disposition radiating from his bones, startling Gongyang Puyu, who immediately bowed and said, "I have spoken too much!"

This is the future monarch; any aura he possesses is as it should be, any temper he shows is also as it should be. Gongyang Puyu now reminded himself to strictly adhere to a minister’s duty.

He can suggest, he can advise, but he cannot sway his decisions!

Huangfu Yuxuan, having said he would win over Xia Wenjin within these six months, immediately set about doing so.

For instance, having Qiao Ping and others keep an eye on Xia Wenjin’s whereabouts; even if they couldn’t follow her, they at least needed to know where she had been and in which direction she was heading.

Now the forum is more than halfway finished, yet the person he was waiting for hadn’t arrived; could the information have been incorrect?

Thinking this, Huangfu Yuxuan’s expression turned grim.

Though outwardly refined and courteous, regarded as a graceful gentleman, winning much praise in the Capital City, he was acutely aware of what he desired. All he did was merely to advance toward that goal.

Even though attending the forum provided him an opportunity to appear amiable and approachable, he currently lacked that patience.

Just as he was about to leave, a girl sitting nearby, blushing with shyness, softly said, "Young Master Xuan, the master said ’All phenomena arise from conditions, and with the cessation of those conditions, they perish,’ and also ’Once conditions arise, they are destined to vanish, and what has arisen is already void.’ I find this a bit confusing; could you explain it to me?"

Huangfu Yuxuan glanced at her—she seemed to be the daughter of the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, though he had forgotten her name. The Assistant Minister’s status in the court was neither heavy nor light, but if he could win her over to his side, Huangfu Yuxuan would be quite willing.

But seeing Kang Xiaomin’s demeanor, how could Huangfu Yuxuan not realize? This was clearly her eyeing him!