Transmigration: The Main Character is Not Becoming the Cannon Fodder!-Chapter 185 - 3: Strife Between Legitimate and Illegitimate Offspring (Part 3)

Chapter 185: Chapter 3: Strife Between Legitimate and Illegitimate Offspring (Part 3)

Li Gui’s loyalty to the Emperor was beyond doubt, but he also hoped his family would prosper.

When the Emperor mentioned the Fifth Prince, he directly said that he had two granddaughters who could enter the Fifth Prince Mansion anytime if needed.

The Emperor was still very moved, although the Fifth Prince was a Prince, he really had no foundation. Previously, when he sought marriage with Marquis Xiao Yao’s only concubine daughter, the family refused.

The concubine daughter of Marquis Xiao Yao was Lady Lian’s disciple, and although she was just a concubine daughter, her status was unique.

Look at Li Gui, even offering his legitimate granddaughter; this was truly someone he could trust.

However, this time, the Emperor did not immediately decide on the marriage. He felt that concubine daughters were always somewhat inferior to legitimate daughters, and if he were to betroth the Fifth Prince to a legitimate daughter, he feared it would be unfair to Li Gui.

Li Shumeng also didn’t expect, through this proposal, that the Emperor would change his mind. After all, the Fifth Prince was a minor figure, but he still wasn’t a match for just any concubine daughter.

Li Shuning was unaware that Li Shumeng was preparing a big gift for her. One day, while Li Shuning was resting, Li Shumeng came to visit, and she lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, Li Shuning’s father slapped her directly, and from that point, she was confined.

It was Li Shumeng who said Li Shuning didn’t want to marry the Fifth Prince and had attempted suicide by hanging. Fortunately, Li Shumeng visited and saved Li Shuning.

There were indeed marks on Li Shuning’s neck.

If the Emperor found out about Li Shuning’s actions, the entire Li Family would likely be punished. No matter how insignificant the Fifth Prince was, he was still a member of the Royal Family, and such disrespect from Li Shuning could not be tolerated.

Moreover, it was Li Gui himself who had suggested marrying his granddaughter into the Royal Family, and now Li Shuning’s actions would be considered a slap in his face.

Li Shuning was utterly speechless.

The Li Family naturally imposed a cover-up. This matter absolutely couldn’t be leaked.

Li Shumeng had read the book and knew the Fifth Prince had visited Qianqiu Mountain.

During this period, Li Shumeng behaved very obediently, and having saved Li Shuning from a grave mistake, her family did not oppose her wish to travel. Instead, they provided guards and the best carriage, allowing her to visit Qianqiu Mountain.

On Qianqiu Mountain, Li Shumeng avoided the guards and encountered the Fifth Prince.

Having read the entire book, Li Shumeng naturally knew some of the Fifth Prince’s taboos and preferences.

Feigning an accidental encounter, a few warm words left a deep impression on the Fifth Prince.

Learning that Li Shumeng was bullied by her family’s legitimate sister, which drove her to seek solace on Qianqiu Mountain in the cold weather, the Fifth Prince felt a bit of sympathy for Li Shumeng.

The few confidants around the Fifth Prince checked into it and found out she was a girl from the Li Mansion.

The Emperor’s anxiety over the Fifth Prince’s marriage was known to him, and not long ago, the Emperor hinted that he might marry a girl from the Li Mansion.

Recalling Li Shumeng’s remarks about Li Shuning’s arrogance, the Fifth Prince’s heart leaned towards Li Shumeng.

After a few more chance encounters, the Fifth Prince and Li Shumeng became more acquainted. Each time, Li Shumeng’s words struck a chord with the Fifth Prince, but the Emperor was preparing for Li Shuning to marry into the Royal Family.

After receiving the news, the Fifth Prince went to the Emperor, expressing his unwillingness to harm Li Shuning, as she was a legitimate daughter, and he was willing to seek marriage with the Li Family’s concubine daughter.

The Emperor, while acknowledging he was a Prince, stated that even a legitimate daughter as a Concubine was acceptable.

Yet the Fifth Prince was determined to marry Li Shumeng.

Compelled, the Emperor could only request Li Shumeng for the Fifth Prince.

Feeling equally guilty, the Emperor arranged for Li Shuning to marry Duke Dingguo.

Subsequent events followed the storyline.

Ultimately, Duke Dingguo was killed, and Li Shuning embarked on the path originally meant for Li Shumeng.

However, Li Shumeng wanted to prove her uniqueness, becoming the Crown Princess Consort, she quietly extracted Li Shuning, and it was merely a substitute in the temple.

Li Shuning lived in a small courtyard, afraid to venture out.

With Li Gui’s death, the Emperor’s temper changed, and even towards his only remaining son, there was a hint of caution.

Furthermore, the Emperor’s youngest brother was summoned back to Xuanjing. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

It seemed the Crown Prince’s path to the throne was not so easy.

Li Shumeng, however, knew that Lord Rong had a penchant for married women.

She thought of her legitimate sister.

Since she saved her, she should work for her.

Thus, Li Shumeng offered up Li Shuning.

Li Shuning was very beautiful, and having been married, she possessed a mature charm.

Adding the sorrow in her eyes due to the Duke Dingguo affair, there was always a faint melancholy in her gaze.

When she learned she was offered to the Prince by her sister, she felt a wish to die.

Yet, in that era, how could a woman resist, even seeking death was impossible.

Nonetheless, Li Shumeng’s aim wasn’t there.

Li Shumeng began spreading rumors.

Prince Rong was rumored to have taken a nun from Qingshan Temple, a nun with hair, by force from the mountain, said to be the legitimate wife of the former Duke Dingguo.

Such a scandal, while not significant to Prince Rong, was extremely disgraceful among the nobility.

It was known that only those ladies or women who had erred were sent to places like Qingshan Temple.

Prince Rong’s act was indeed...

Gradually, the court’s sentiment began to shift; the Emperor severely ill, was personally cared for by the Crown Prince and Consort daily. After the Emperor’s passing, the Crown Prince naturally ascended the throne.

As for Prince Rong, realizing he had fallen for the trap, he slinked away from Xuanjing.

However, on the road, he stripped Li Shuning bare and left her by the roadside.

Originally an official road, humiliated so, how could Li Shuning continue to live? Seeking secluded paths, she ultimately committed suicide.

She truly was a good sister, standing up for a concubine daughter. But did she consider, after treating Li Shuning that way, what Li Shuning’s end would be?

Li Shuning collected herself, and once upright, she called for her maid. After dressing, a maid came to report, saying Li Shumeng had arrived.

Li Shuning’s mouth curled.

Li Shumeng and she had never interacted, yet her single visit here changed Li Shuning’s fate. It seemed she had come to this world just in time.

"Let her come in."

In the storyline, Li Shuning lay unconscious, as her close maid had been bribed.

The maid lit a kind of incense in the room, pleasant to smell on its own. But Li Shumeng carried another scent, and the combination formed a bewitching fragrance.

This was how Li Shuning fell into a trap in the plot.

Li Shuning’s dire outcome in the plot was indeed influenced by the Li Family’s attitude towards her.

As the legitimate daughter, the Li Family invested a great deal in nurturing Li Shuning.

But in the end, Li Shuning apparently hanged herself—a behavior unbefitting a meticulously groomed noble daughter.

Moreover, the disregard for family interests left the Li Family thoroughly disappointed with Li Shuning. Otherwise, they would not have let her be left to fend for herself.

Li Shumeng’s desire to marry the Fifth Prince, Li Shuning would fulfill it, but would not let her rise at her expense.

PS: Only one Chapter today. Some writer’s block; Xiao Qing is tidying up the outline first.