Chapter 376: Chapter 371: Imperial Concubine
Princess Yuhua and Consort Wang turned grim-faced, Empress Dowager Wang’s expression was also very gloomy, but Ji Fei and Ye Qiu seemed as if they did not see it and kept talking about recent events in the palace.
"Since Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine have matters to discuss, I will not disturb you." Empress Dowager Wang said in a somewhat stiff tone.
"Let me escort you, Empress Mother." Ji Fei put on a completely filial appearance, showing a smile even though Empress Dowager Wang maintained a cold expression.
Empress Dowager Wang furiously brought Princess Yuhua and Consort Wang causing a commotion and then dejectedly took them back to Cining Palace, one can imagine the feelings involved.
Sitting in the sedan chair on the way back to the palace, Empress Dowager Wang suddenly felt very disheartened. Indeed, those not born of her own weren’t truly her own. It seemed she still misjudged her weight in the Emperor’s heart. But he is now elevating the Imperial Concubine so high probably on purpose, the higher one flies, the harder they fall. No matter what, the Wang family wouldn’t be as dreaded by the Emperor as the Ye Family.
"Empress Mother, are we just going to let it be?" Princess Yuhua unwillingly said, today’s words from the Emperor almost completely overturned her hopes for Ye Mu.
What does it mean, asking an official matchmaker after Marshal Ye and the Marshal’s wife return from the border? When they will return from the border is still uncertain! And even if they do return, would they agree if we ask an official matchmaker to propose marriage? Which princess has to propose herself? Wouldn’t that make me lose all my dignity?
It must be that little vixen, the Imperial Concubine, stirring up trouble, otherwise why would the Emperor speak in such a manner?
"What else do you want to do?" Empress Dowager Wang glared at her daughter impatiently. "Would I have ended up like this if it weren’t for you? I told you not to concern yourself with Ye Mu, did you listen? Do you think the Ye Family is something you can manipulate freely?"
"Empress Mother," Princess Yuhua protested, "but it’s him whom I fancy."
"Have all the men in Daxin Dynasty died that you must have him?" Empress Dowager Wang sternly stared at her daughter, "Just because of you even your cousin has to suffer the consequences."
Consort Wang, suddenly mentioned, stealthily glanced at Princess Yuhua and seeing both mother and daughter’s unpleasant expressions quickly said: "Aunt, I’m fine, I’m still carrying the Heir, that Imperial Concubine wouldn’t dare mistreat me too harshly. Once the Prince in my belly is born, what grace would the Emperor refuse?"
Listening to Consort Wang’s words, Empress Dowager Wang’s heart gradually settled, gazing at Consort Wang’s belly with anticipation, this child must definitely be a Prince!
"You go back to the Princess Mansion first. Since the Emperor mentioned grounding you for three months, don’t try any tricks. Once your cousin has given birth to the Prince, by then I will plead with the Emperor to grant you a grace, excusing you from submitting the visiting card to the palace." Empress Dowager Wang waved her hand at her daughter, the expression somewhat weary. She had felt deprived in the treatment of her daughter and wanted to compensate her, but now at this crucial time, it was better not to make mistakes, and after everything settled safely, what wouldn’t be possible then?
But she couldn’t say these words to her daughter, who had been raised these years without knowing how dark the Imperial Palace really was; a single misstep could lead to a profound abyss.
The next day, the news of Empress Dowager Wang causing a huge disturbance at Changchun Palace with Princess Yuhua and Consort Wang quietly spread among the various circles, all watching with the anticipation of a drama.
Especially Lady, although she was also from the Wang family, ever since Consort Wang started expecting, her relationship with Empress Dowager Wang had been growing increasingly distant. Empress Dowager Wang seemed to have given up on her, and she had lost her hopes for the Wang family as well.
I am also a daughter of the Wang family, and my son the Second Prince, should my child just assist Wang Yajing’s child? Why should it be so?
That night, Lady received another mysterious letter containing a token from her aunt. The letter mentioned her aunt had fallen gravely ill, and Mrs. Wang, fearing infection to the other masters of the house, had moved her to a separate residence.
Wang Yaning’s hand tightened around the letter, now that Wang Yajing and her daughter were so ruthless, she would not hold back any longer.
"My Lady, are you not angry?" In Yijing Palace, the palace maid beside Consort Hui asked with doubt, "Consort Wang went to make a fuss at the Imperial Concubine’s place, why aren’t you asking the Emperor for an explanation? After all, you are carrying the Heir! The Blood Bird’s Nest and gemstones just disappeared like that?"
Consort Hui smiled at the palace maid: "What good came from Consort Wang and the Empress Dowager making a fuss at Changchun Palace?"
"But you and Consort Wang are different!"
"There’s no difference." Consort Hui’s eyes looked through the window at the lotus pond outside the grand hall, "Besides, didn’t the Imperial Concubine explain the reason why the gemstones and Blood Bird’s Nest couldn’t be supplied? Moreover, what I exchanged the gemstones for were nephrite jades, what else should I be unsatisfied with?"
"My Lady..."
"Enough, let’s not speak of these things in the future. The Imperial Concubine is very fair in her dealings, it’s not for us to discuss." Consort Hui prevented the palace maid from speaking further, her eyes clear and bright.
At this moment, in the Xianyue Pavilion, Qiao Qingyue slightly frowned as she looked at the offerings presented by the Palace Bureau, "I remember it was always nephrite jade before, how come it has changed to Qinghai Jade now?"
Qiao Qingyue loved jade, especially the warm and elegant nephrite jade, most of her jewelry was made from it, both regal and elegant. Ji Fei knew her preferences well, so every time there were fine nephrites in the palace, he would send them to her. But this time, it’s either Qinghai Jade or nephrites of lower quality. How would she wear these out?
"My Lady, the Imperial Physician mentioned that it is not suitable for pregnant women to wear gemstones, so the Imperial Concubine sent the nephrite jade to Consort Hui and remembered that you do not favor gemstones and pure gold, thus the remaining pieces were brought for you to choose from. The Imperial Concubine said you could keep all if you wish," said a female official from the Palace Bureau.
The more Qiao Qingyue listened, the heavier the suffocation in her heart grew. Was she only to use the leftovers picked by others?
Yet, she had always maintained a non-competitive, non-contentious attitude in the harem, and even if she felt angry inside, she could not show it.
"You may leave. Tell the Imperial Concubine that I do not want them this time. Since Consort Hui is carrying the Heir and being important, it is justified." Qiao Qingyue said with stifled anger.
The female official from the Palace Bureau was somewhat distressed, "My Lady, please pick a few items. Otherwise, I would have a difficult time explaining my return, and outsiders might say you are dissatisfied with the Imperial Concubine’s arrangements."
"I understand." Qiao Qingyue’s face grew stiffer, then casually pointed out two items.
The major palace maid, Ying Chun, watched nervously, she had never seen her mistress this angry before.
"My Lady, perhaps when His Majesty visits, you could mention it to him? His Majesty has always been tender towards you, he will surely stand up for you," Ying Chun suggested cautiously.
Really? Qiao Qingyue was somewhat dazed, she knew Ji Fei loved her and had promised her the position of Empress, but recently she increasingly felt that the Emperor was becoming less attentive during his visits. Would Ji Fei actually stand up to the Imperial Concubine for her now?