Chapter 410 The Empress and Consort Join Hands
Mo Xuetong was only in Cining Palace briefly. Consort Ning had plotted to and killed Consort Chu. This was a grave matter and changed King Ning, Feng Yuzhen’s plans completely. Everyone knew that the court was no longer in two factions. It seed on the surface that this matter was caused by King Ning’s foiled plots.
However, in actuality, King Chu had not suffered any losses in this matter. It was said that the Ding General Manor was prepared to marry their Third Miss, a legitimate daughter of the family, to King Chu. She would beco his second wife. The Ding General Manor had lost a daughter just like that and the royal family owed the Ding General Manor one. It was necessary for them to allow the Ding General Manor to have another Consort Chu in their family.
It was different for King Ning. Wang Yueyue’s death was not sothing that could be explained. She had miscarried early on in the pregnancy and it would not have put her life in danger. Everyone knew soone who had a miscarriage. At most, it would just affect their ability to have children in the future. However, one would not die just like that. It was also a coincidence that she had not left any ssage and took the bla for the whole matter.
It was a very curious incident and those who had been in politics for a long while all felt that sothing was off.
A chasm had grown between the Wang Manor and King Ning. There were even rumors that said that the First Miss of the Wang Manor had died an inexplicable death because she had sothing going on with King Ning. So even described vividly what happened on the day of King Ning’s wedding. Wang Xiuxiu had lost her child and died. These matters could really be related!
While Grand Secretariat Wang had retired, he had been an official for many years and was well-known to all. Both his daughters had died in King Ning’s hands. He could not be unmoved about it. As such, more and more people watched King Ning in the shadows. So officials who had long agreed to side with King Ning slowly broke ties off with him.
The internal branch of the Ding General Manor also had a slight disagreent with the Empress Dowager after this. They even treated the n the Empress Dowager sent to them lightly. Even though they did not refuse to do anything they were supposed to, they were not eager about doing it either.
All her plans that she had co up with over the years were now completely useless. The Empress Dowager was furious and laid in Cining Palace, ill. She was not in the mood to deal with those younger than her and only picked a few older nobilities to chat with. She did not want to deal with people like Mo Xuetong, the consort of a prince, even more so. She told the eunuch at the door to say that the Empress Dowager was tired and to have her guests return. As such, Mo Xuetong only curtsied in the direction of the Empress Dowager outside the inner hall and was then brought out.
anwhile, it was bustling in the Empress’s Tianfeng Palace. The Empress’s ladies were all waiting outside for her to call them in.
A servant had already entered to report Mo Xuetong’s arrival when they saw her. A smiling eunuch appeared with a smile and brought Mo Xuetong in.
The Empress was seated at the highest seat in front. She exuded a sense of wealth and nobility in her luxurious and beautiful phoenix robes. Even though she seed a little pale, her expression was one of peacefulness and calmness. It was evident that she was in a good mood. A few consorts sat beside her. Consort Su, who had never gotten along with the Empress was there as well. It was a rare sight to see the two get along peacefully and laughing as they spoke.
Mo Xuetong was granted a seat by the side after she greeted the Empress.
“Is King Xuan’s leg better?” The Empress asked kindly as a palace maid served up tea.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. His Highness’ leg injury is mostly healed. However, he is still lacking in strength. The imperial physician said that even when he is completely healed in the future he has to use less of his legs. If he injures his bones again, it would be difficult to make a full recovery.” Mo Xuetong bowed respectfully and answered with a smile.
“King Ning is playful or he would not have injured himself. I heard that you have managed the back courtyard pretty well. You have to get rid of so of those things that cannot be seen in public. Don’t cause any trouble in the future.” Consort Su said with a close-lipped smile.
Feng Yuran’s back courtyard was like a large provision shop. Everyone knew about that. The other won looked at Mo Xuetong when they heard that and their smiles were tinged with ridicule. So what if Mo Xuetong was strict in her managent of the household? How much could she reign King Xuan in? He was known to be unwieldy.
There were so many beautiful won in his back courtyard. How would he bear to let them leave? Who knew when he would return to his licentious behavior and bring the won into his manor one by one?
They were newlyweds now and Mo Xuetong was beautiful. Feng Yuran would definitely like her very much. It did not an much for him to abandon his entire back courtyard. But what would happen in the future? Given Feng Yuran’s unruly reputation, no one knew how long his affections for Mo Xuetong would last.
Mo Xuetong did not know why Imperial Noble Consort Su was displeased with her. Fortunately, she did not mind. She figured that Consort Su would not have liked her anyway since she was Consort Xuan. As such, she pretended not to mind and replied graciously, “His Highness has his plans for those in the back courtyard. I do not dare to ddle. His Highness will do what he wants.”
No matter what Consort Su ant, Mo Xuetong just had to pretend to be a gracious and open-hearted Consort Xuan.
“Consort Xuan is really a gracious and intelligent person. Look at how thin you have gotten from taking care of King Xuan.” Consort Su exclaid and put her hands together. Then, she turned to say to the Empress sweetly, “Your Majesty, you have to reward Consort Xuan well. I heard that she’s been keeping King Xuan company in the manor and he’s been reading. His Majesty has already asked King Xuan to go over. I suppose His Majesty will ask if King Xuan has been reading lately!”
She turned to look at the Empress after having said that.
The Empress looked at Mo Xuetong and nodded. She said with a smile, “You are a virtuous one. If King Xuan does you wrong in the future, don’t mind it as much. I will help you. You have to deal with the things in your courtyard but don’t deal with all of them. Just get rid of the ones who don’t know their place and the ones who are just inferior. Then, settle on a few concubines so that the royal family will not be embarrassed.”
Mo Xuetong rolled her eyes internally. However, her expression grew more respectful. The royal family had already embarrassed themselves many tis. Ever since the Princes married, embarrassing incidents had happened one after another. Why would she cause an embarrassnt! Why was the high and mighty Empress focused on King Xuan’s back courtyard? Even Consort Su ntioned it over and over.
“Yes, I will return and remind His Highness.”
She was just a consort. Furthermore, she was the consort of a prince who was known to be licentious. She could just push all the responsibility to Feng Yuran lest the others kept talking about whether she was virtuous or not. No matter whether it was the Empress or Consort Su, none of them were people she could afford to offend right now. Without the ability to fight them, Mo Xuetong was more willing to keep a low profile.
Seeing that there was not a hint of unwillingness on Mo Xuetong’s expression and that she was respectful and smiling gently, the Empress was satisfied. She waved her hand and said, “You may leave first. Go and walk around in the gardens. You must not have the ti to walk around since you usually spend your ti taking care of King Xuan. You are a young girl and don’t have to keep us old won company. You should go out there and take in the scenery.”
Mo Xuetong imdiately left. No matter whether it was the Empress or Consort Su, she did not wish to get too close to them. Even though Feng Yuran had no choice but to enter the ga, she would still rather have people think that she was soone who was not in the ga. An arrogant and licentious prince, together with a gentle consort who had no opinions would calm those with any thoughts for so ti.
“I do not agree with Your Majesty. Anyone can see that I look like your elder sister when we stand side by side.” Consort Su’s sweet voice could be heard from behind her. The two won now had a common goal and their relationship imdiately improved. They forgot about what happened in the past. Those who were not in the know would really think that they were fast friends. There were too many won in the palace and they all wore masks before others.
“Your Majesty and Consort Su are both so young. I am an old woman here. If we go out, people would think that we are now one generation older.”
“That’s right, you two ladies are beautiful. If you go out just like that, you would both be even more striking than those young girls. Don’t say that you’re old.”
The other consorts buttered up to them and laughter filled up the great hall. Everything they said was directed at the Empress and Consort Su and they even placed the two won on the sa pedestal. News in the palace traveled fast as usual. The mont King Chu gained an upper hand, the entire palace seed to have changed. If Feng Yuxuan were to take the throne in the future, one of the won would be the Empress Dowager while the other would be the Emperor’s biological mother. Even though their status might have a little difference, it was not certain which one of them would be more powerful. Those who could butter up to them would, of course, butter up to them.
However, they did not know if the Empress would be upset upon hearing such things.
“Consort, Second Miss He has already gone over. His Highness sent word for you to go to Anhe Palace later. He will wait for you there.” Mo Ye helped Mo Xuetong away from Tianfeng Palace. After they walked away to sowhere with fewer people, she took the opportunity to speak softly while Mo Xuetong admired a blooming peony.
Even though she did not say much, Mo Xuetong understood. She nodded. Feng Yuran must still be with Emperor Zongwen. It was useless for her to go early. She might as well walk around. She always walked through the imperial gardens quickly and rarely had such a chance to admire the flowers quietly. It was spring and the flowers were blooming at their peak.
Mo Xuetong walked through the flowers casually with the help of Mo Ye and admired the beautiful sights of the garden. There were beautiful flowers of all colors on the branches.
“Is Second Miss He chatting happily with Consort Zhao?” Mo Xuetong picked a hibiscus casually.
“From afar, it looks like Second Miss He has been given a seat and Consort Zhao likes her very much. I heard that Consort Zhao gave Second Miss He so hair accessories.” Mo Ye replied. Consort Zhao guards had been looking at her and she did not dare to go too close. She only watched from afar. However, it seed that Consort Zhao liked He Yuxiu a lot. She was given a seat in just monts.
Mo Xuetong slowly walked forward and twirled the hibiscus in her hands. The faint fragrance tickled her nose. She frowned slightly, bit her lips, and asked, “Mo Ye, why do you think the He Family sent two consorts into the palace? Consort Xian should have been the most favored then, right?”
...
That was sothing she could not understand. If a family already has a daughter who was a favored concubine, why would they send another into the palace? If that daughter was not favored, then it would be a waste of a daughter. If the daughter was favored, it would just be taking affection away from the other daughter. The He family seed smart, so why would they do sothing so stupid?
It was sothing Mo Xuetong could never understand. She felt as if she had forgotten sothing important. However, she could not recall it at that mont, which was why she asked Mo Ye that casually.
Mo Ye answered casually as well after hearing the question. “Perhaps the He family thinks that sending one daughter only would not get them any affection!”
Mo Ye admitted that she was not as ticulous as Mo Xuetong and did not consider the whole situation fully. She never thought that Mo Xuetong would ask her a question like that and so gave her a casual reply. After answering the question, she felt that it was not right and hurriedly said, “My Lady, I just said it casually. A family like the Hes is complicated. Who knows what is going on in their minds? Perhaps they think that this would be safer. I am just saying this casually, and don’t think too much into it.”
Safer? Why would the He family think that Consort Zhao would gain the Emperor’s affections for sure? What kind of great ability did they have to make the Emperor dote on soone!
“Mo Ye, have you seen Consort Zhao?”
“I have never seen her. But she is said to be very beautiful. Earlier, there were so old servants in the palace who said... they said...” Mo Ye hesitated.
“What did they say?” Mo Xuetong asked gently.
“I heard that Consort Zhao resembles Consort Xian very much. They look very alike. Consort Xian passed away many years ago and many of the old people in the palace can no longer rember how she looks like. They only said that the two of them look very much like each other at one glance.” Mo Ye was versed in martial arts and had very sharp ears. She heard so of the titled won gathering together and discussing Consort Zhao when she was guarding outside Tianfeng Palace. The won all said that Consort Zhao resembled Consort Xian greatly.
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