Chapter 371: Chapter 366: Imperial Concubine
Empress Dowager Wang and Princess Yuhua were bewildered. How could things have developed so quickly?
Their original intention was to first deal with Wang Pang’s crimes and then divorce him, which would not only vindicate Yuhua but also save her face, preventing anyone from saying Princess Yuhua divorced because she was jealous and didn’t allow other women to bear the Prince Consort’s children.
By saying this, hasn’t the Emperor directly divorced them without even teaching Prince Consort Wang a lesson?
"Your Majesty, although the Princess is a royal daughter, she and the Prince Consort have not violated any national laws. If they agree on a divorce, it can be arranged," replied the Assistant Minister of Rites.
The Daxin Dynasty was founded barely over a century ago, and after experiencing wars, in an effort to restore the working population, the court allowed widows to remarry and couples to divorce. The regulations were quite loose, not just for princes and their princess consorts, but even princes and their princess consorts could divorce!
"Elder brother!" Princess Yuhua looked at Ji Fei with an unpleasant expression.
Ji Fei remained unmoved: "Yuhua, you heard what the Vice Minister said. If you are truly determined to divorce the Prince Consort, your elder brother will make this decision for you. There are always people at the Princess Mansion, and your brother can afford to support you."
Isn’t this nonsense? It really shows that non-blood relatives are indeed different! Empress Dowager Wang’s face turned steely. What kind of decision is this for Yuhua? Can’t they discuss the divorce themselves? Asking the Emperor was only intended to vent for Yuhua, and this is the result?
What about the Emperor supporting Yuhua? The princess’s stipend comes from the National Treasury, not from your private funds, Emperor, and the Princess Mansion was already well-established, with the palace maid and eunuch arrangements also set by standard!
"Wang Pang, are you really not going to deal with that maid?" Princess Yuhua felt stuck in a difficult position, but she indeed no longer wanted to stay in that place in Shandong. A divorce might actually be for the best.
Wang Pang wasn’t scared of Princess Yuhua’s accusations at all. His face was expressionless, but his attitude was resolute: "Princess, that child is the grandson my parents have long hoped for. I naturally do not wish to go against my parents."
"What a filial son you are! Wang Pang, well done, we’ll get a divorce!" Princess Yuhua’s face darkened as she glared at him, gritting her teeth.
"I will respectfully comply with the Princess’s orders."
Princess Yuhua and Prince Consort Wang divorced. This was the biggest news in the capital after the New Year. The reason for their divorce flew around wildly, but no one dared to ridicule the Princess to her face; they only talked behind her back.
After the divorce, Ji Fei still granted her a favor; the Princess Mansion was reassigned people for repairs, and he bestowed upon her many valuables, which slightly improved Empress Dowager Wang’s mood.
Consort Hui and Consort Wang were both pregnant at the same time, which became the second major news within the harem. This news caused a much bigger stir in the harem than the first.
"My Lady, you must really take good care and be cautious with this pregnancy!" In Yijing Palace, a nanny carefully handed a bowl of supplemental soup to Consort Hui.
Consort Hui was a beautiful woman with very proper features, not stunningly gorgeous, but she emitted a peaceful aura. Yet, no one dared to underestimate her. The fact that she had received the most favor among the newcomers without being harmed was enough to know her capabilities, not to mention that her father was the Marquis Weiyuan, who controlled the defense of the capital.
"What must I be careful of?" Consort Hui looked at the nanny, her calm eyes radiating wisdom.
"The Imperial Concubine..." the nanny hesitated.
Consort Hui chuckled lightly, "Nanny, you worry too much. Our concern shouldn’t be the Imperial Concubine. If she truly intended harm, do you think the Eldest Prince and Second Prince could have been born safely?"
She hinted just enough, unwilling to explain further. Before entering the palace, she had heard much about the Emperor favoring the Imperial Concubine exclusively, even repeatedly ignoring ancestral instructions for her and how the Imperial Concubine, flaunting her favor, was tyrannically overbearing, seemingly possessing the potential of an Evil Concubine.
But she was no fool. After entering the palace and observing more, she gradually guessed some things. However, there were still aspects she couldn’t understand—every time the Emperor saw the Imperial Concubine, the affection in his eyes seemed genuine. If that were the case, why would he use the Imperial Concubine to deliberately cause her to stumble?
Is it that the Emperor, being in the situation himself, has not yet realized that he has fallen for the Imperial Concubine?
This is getting interesting, thought Consort Hui with a light laugh. The Imperial Concubine appears not to like the Emperor as much as the rumors suggest!
Consort Hui was a very rational person. She knew she would inevitably enter the palace and that the Emperor would have many women. Hence, from the beginning, she did not aim for exclusive favor nor did she dream of winning the Emperor’s heart. She only wanted a child—a daughter preferably, so she wouldn’t be embroiled in future power struggles. She just wished to live peacefully in the palace, serving as a dependable hostage for the Emperor.
Consort Hui gently caressed her belly, whispering to herself, "You must try your best!"
Meanwhile, at Changxin Palace, Consort Wang’s situation was far from calm; her joy almost seemed to burst through the skies.
This was her first step on the path to becoming the Empress, and it must surely be a son!
If she gave birth to a son, she wouldn’t have to yield to that woman Wang Yaning anymore. Her son would surely be more prestigious than the Second Prince!
But how could Consort Hui also be pregnant? Unlike the Imperial Concubine, Consort Hui can bear children, nor is she a bastard like Wang Yaning, and neither is she from a lowly influential family like Fang Pin. If Consort Hui gave birth to a son, that would be her greatest threat.
"What are you afraid of? The most important thing is to give birth to the son peacefully," Empress Dowager Wang rebuked the restless Consort Wang, "It is still uncertain whether that lady in Yijing Palace can safely give birth or not!"
Listening to Empress Dowager Wang’s words, Wang Yajing’s heart settled slightly. Yes, her most crucial task right now was to protect this child and not fall victim to other women’s schemes, especially the Imperial Concubine.
In reality, the person least interested in Consort Wang’s unborn child was probably Ye Qiu, and no one would expect that this child was also given to Consort Wang after she knew Consort Hui was pregnant.
The Fertility Pill really works, but whether Consort Wang can safely give birth still depends on her own ability.
Ye Qiu is quite busy now; she doesn’t even have time to worry about harem affairs. After giving some political advice to Ji Fei inadvertently which solved his problems, Ji Fei seemed to have developed a taste for it and often discussed governmental matters with her. Now, he even lets her review some minor memorials.
The Daxin Dynasty continued the official selection system of the previous dynasty. Governors, Prefects, and even County Magistrates directly obey the Emperor. While this centralized royal power, it also increased the Emperor’s burdens; some local officials, in an attempt to curry favor, would submit memorials over trivial matters. Ji Fei, tired of this, dumped these memorials on Ye Qiu.
He thought it through well. The former dynasty wouldn’t know about the Imperial Concubine reviewing memorials, and for safety, the Imperial Concubine herself would not spread this news either. Thus, he could relax and simultaneously restrict the Imperial Concubine, a win-win situation, isn’t it?
Ye Qiu indeed wouldn’t spread this news now, but in the future, it might be a different story.
Dealing with these trivial memorials was annoying, but it wasn’t without its educational value. After seeing many, she could roughly guess the local public sentiment and the abilities and temperaments of the officials, memorizing them all.