Chapter 265: Progress

As dawn broke, Madam Xue’s hurried footsteps shattered the quiet of the Marchioness of Dongyang’s room.

“How is Jingyun?” she asked urgently, “Why didn’t you tell me about such a big incident?”

There were no maids or servants in the room. The Marchioness of Dongyang was leaning against a pillow, a cup of clear tea in front of her, seemingly savoring it.

Seeing Madam Xue enter, she didn’t get up, only saying: “Just some flesh wounds.” She then gestured with her hand: “Elder Sister, try this tea that the Marquis personally roasted at Duke Zheng’s Residence.”

Madam Xue raised her eyebrows: “He’s still in the mood to roast tea at Duke Zheng’s Residence? And you’re still in the mood to drink tea!”

The Marchioness of Dongyang took a sip of tea: “Life goes on, we can’t stop living just because of him.”

Madam Xue snatched her teacup: “Do you even look like a mother!”

“My son doesn’t act like a son, why should I have to act like a mother?” The Marchioness of Dongyang snorted coldly.

Madam Xue looked at her reckless demeanor, it seemed she had been greatly affected.

She lowered her voice and asked: “Was he really injured by the Prince of Chu?”

The Marchioness of Dongyang didn’t answer, but instead asked with curiosity: “Word has spread outside? How did it spread?”

“Xue Silang told me, how else could it spread?” Madam Xue said irritably, “It’s just that.”

About them being deeply in love, willing to die for each other, to live and die together.

The Marchioness of Dongyang let out a strange laugh, but didn’t speak, picking up her tea again. Madam Xue once again snatched it away: “Stop being sarcastic, just tell me, is it true? What exactly happened!”

The Marchioness of Dongyang looked at her: “Don’t worry, you’ll find out in a few days. Don’t ask now, I’m too lazy to make up lies to deceive you.”

As she spoke, the scene of that woman speaking in front of her seemed to reappear before her eyes.

“Madam, I won’t make up lies to deceive you, I’ll tell you the truth.”

“I’m actually a monster, I can transform into demons and ghosts, I can drive people mad, I can make people want to die.”

“I came to the capital because my family is dead, I’m not reconciled, so I came to bring calamity upon the world.”

“I’ve already killed several people.”

“Madam, are you afraid of me?”

The Marchioness of Dongyang gritted her teeth, the figure in front of her dissipated, leaving only Madam Xue with a face full of annoyance.

Although angry, Madam Xue’s eyes were bright, her complexion rosy, she looked like she not only had the energy to argue with her, but also the energy to hit her.

Unlike before, when she got angry, let alone angering others, her frail self could anger herself to death.

The Marchioness of Dongyang snorted disdainfully.

She didn’t see her kill anyone, but she did witness her save her elder sister.

Putting on a fierce act, trying to scare who.

“I can’t even scare Madam.”

The image of that woman giggling reappeared before the Marchioness of Dongyang’s eyes.

“It seems Madam is more formidable than me, with a strong mind, firm will, and no fear, even demons and ghosts can’t scare you.”

“Alright, I won’t ramble on, but praising Madam is not rambling.”

“I’m leaving. In my previous life, the former heir apparent pretended to marry me and brought me to the capital. This time, I’m going to pretend to marry the Prince of Chu and enter the royal family as a Noble Consort.”

“Alright, I can’t hide it from Madam. You’re right, I’m going to oppose those who killed my family, to make them restless.”

“The Prince of Chu also happens to want to oppose someone, we hit it off. I’ve told the heir apparent, next, we’ll have to trouble Madam to remain steady as a mountain, and continue watching us put on this act.”

“Although the matter is fake, without Madam and the heir apparent’s true feelings for me, this act of mine would have been exposed long ago.”

“Thank you, Madam, you’ve worked hard, and suffered for me.”

She bowed deeply, raising her head from the ground, her eyes looking at her.

“Madam, my feelings for you are also true.”

Someone pushed her shoulder: “What are you doing? What true feelings, fake feelings?”

The Marchioness of Dongyang looked at Madam Xue’s face.

“True feelings, fake feelings,” she said, “Let everyone say what they want.”

She raised her hand, took the teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.

What’s true, what’s fake, truth and falsehood, feelings or no feelings, she didn’t care anymore.

When the Emperor entered Hanliang Palace, Consort Bai was playing ring toss with the baby, a group of young eunuchs acting as stakes, either being caught by the bamboo rings thrown by Consort Bai or dodging them, to amuse the little prince.

But the little prince didn’t seem interested, and when he saw the Emperor walk in, he immediately reached out to him and cried “ahh ahh.”

“I’ve been coaxing you for half a day, why do you go looking for your father as soon as he arrives?” Consort Bai complained, deliberately holding him back from going to the Emperor, “No, you’re not allowed to go.”

The little prince started to cry loudly.

The Emperor smiled and took the child: “Baolang hasn’t seen his father for half a day either.”

Consort Bai said with a hint of distress: “Your Majesty just finished the morning court session, and there’s another minor court meeting later, you must be tired. Please rest for a while.”

The Emperor tossed the little prince in the air, making him giggle.

“It’s very relaxing to play with Baolang,” he said, “I’d rather play with Baolang than attend the morning court.”

Consort Bai hurriedly bowed: “Your Majesty, you must not say such things.”

The Emperor smiled and pulled her up: “Don’t always be so cautious, let’s be casual when our family of three is talking.”

Only then did Consort Bai stand beside him, taking the brocade handkerchief offered by the eunuch and gently wiping the sweat from the Emperor’s forehead. Thinking of something, she asked, “I heard the Marquis of Dongyang’s heir apparent is injured?”

The Emperor snorted: “Yes, I’ve inquired with the Imperial Medical Academy. The wound is near his heart, extremely dangerous, but fortunately he’s alright.”

Consort Bai hesitated for a moment and asked: “There are rumors that it’s because of the Prince of Chu?”

The Emperor said irritably: “I asked the Marquis of Dongyang, he only said Zhou Jingyun injured himself while drunk.”

Consort Bai smiled: “In that case, Your Majesty should quickly arrange for the Prince of Chu to get married. He’s clearly a sentimental person, yet there are such unpleasant rumors.”

“There’s no smoke without fire,” the Emperor snorted coldly, “It’s all because of his improper behavior.”

Consort Bai reached out and poked the little prince’s face: “Don’t be too harsh on him, he lost his parents at a young age.”

As she said this, Wang Degui ran in from outside.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty,” he said urgently.

Consort Bai raised her eyebrows: “Why are you so flustered? You’re serving before His Majesty now, if you can’t do it, we’ll replace you.”

The Emperor stopped her: “Degui is doing a good job.” He asked Wang Degui, “What is it?”

“Princess Jinyu is here,” Wang Degui said, his expression tense, “Her face doesn’t look good, she didn’t take a sedan chair, she seems very angry.”

Consort Bai was also a little nervous: “Your Majesty, could she have heard the news? Have you told her?”

The Emperor’s expression was also slightly tense: “I planned to summon her this afternoon to tell her.”

Li Yu was afraid of Princess Jinyu, wasn’t he also afraid? He had agreed to Li Yu impulsively at the time, but he still regretted it a little in his heart, and didn’t dare to tell Princess Jinyu, so he kept delaying…

But seeing the nervous and apprehensive expressions of Consort Bai and Wang Degui, the Emperor frowned. It wasn’t like before, he and the people around him couldn’t still be trembling with fear, afraid of everyone.

He was the Emperor now, no one could scare him anymore!

“It’s good that she came early,” the Emperor straightened his back, “Tell her sooner, so they can prepare for the wedding sooner.”

Consort Bai was about to say something, when Princess Jinyu’s shout came from outside.

“Liulang!”

Along with the shout, she strode in.

Consort Bai hurriedly took the child from the Emperor’s arms: “Your Majesty, please speak with the Princess, we’ll withdraw first.”

Perhaps because she was in a hurry, the little prince started to cry in panic.

Princess Jinyu’s gaze fell on Consort Bai, and she sneered: “Consort Bai, why are you hiding? You have a guilty conscience, did you instigate His Majesty to have Li Yu marry a maid?”

Consort Bai was about to kneel down with the child in her arms: “Princess, this concubine wouldn’t dare…”

✿✿✿

The little prince in her arms cried loudly.

The Emperor’s temper also flared up, he reached out and pulled Consort Bai up, then patted and soothed the little prince, reprimanding Princess Jinyu: “Speak properly, don’t be wild here!”

Princess Jinyu glared at the Emperor: “You say I’m being wild? I just asked your consort a question, is this being wild? Then when I asked Yang Yuan to pour me wine and tea, was that a heinous crime deserving of death?” She started crying, “This was once my home too, ever since Father Emperor was bewitched by that Demon Empress, we’ve been homeless. I’ve been hoping and waiting for you to finally come back, but I didn’t expect, I’m still homeless.”

These words were half complaint, half flattery. Hearing them, the Emperor’s anger immediately dissipated, and he said helplessly: “Speak properly if you have something to say, don’t cry and make a scene!”

When Zhang Ze arrived, he saw several officials standing outside Hanliang Palace, whispering amongst themselves.

Because there was a minor court meeting after the morning court, important ministers would gather here for important matters.

However, the Emperor had become increasingly lax recently, always delaying and avoiding meeting them.

“What’s going on?” Zhang Ze asked, seeing them, “Is His Majesty not seeing anyone today?”

Several officials turned around and saw it was Zhang Ze, finding his question redundant, Zhang Ze wouldn’t have asked in the past.

Even if the Emperor didn’t see them, he would definitely see Zhang Ze.

But since Zhang Ze had spoken, it was impolite to ignore him, it was better not to provoke this mad dog.

So one official said: “Probably won’t be able to see him, Princess Jinyu is here.”

Princess Jinyu nowadays also liked to hang around the Emperor, and liked to meddle in state affairs, talking for half a day at a time.

Zhang Ze said “oh.”

“Must be talking about the Prince of Chu’s marriage,” he said, and then walked past the officials, “Let’s go listen.”

Huh? The Prince of Chu’s marriage? The other officials were stunned, and the officials who had turned their heads also looked over.

This could also be listened to?

Seeing Zhang Ze indeed already standing by the palace door, they looked at each other, their eyes signaling, then they might as well listen too.

After all, the Prince of Chu’s identity was unusual, his marriage also involved the court’s situation.

As they approached, the originally low and mournful voices inside the hall suddenly increased.

“Don’t give me those nice words!” Princess Jinyu shouted, “What do you mean it’s for his own good! Follow his wishes? What is his identity! A maid as his official wife, as the Princess of Chu, the royal family’s face is completely lost!”

Maid?

The officials outside the hall were astonished.

The Prince of Chu was going to marry a maid? Was it true or false?

“Princess, he already has a child with that maid, the face is already lost. Now, as elders, we should think of ways to help him salvage…”

Consort Bai’s soft and gentle voice followed, shocking the officials outside the hall even more, they already had a child!

“Consort Bai! Who are you to lecture me! Because your own status is low, you want to find someone of low status for the Prince of Chu, is that it!”

“Jinyu! Consort Bai is my consort, bestowed by the late Emperor’s decree, and also the mother of the current First Prince! How is she of low status!”

“Liulang, you still remember she was bestowed by Father Emperor? At that time, Father Emperor was already bewitched by the Demon Empress! She was chosen by the Demon Empress! I think she wants to bewitch you too! Ignoring state affairs, spending all day with the child, and wanting to find a maid as a wife for the Li family’s descendant! You’ve really lost your mind!”

“Princess! This concubine is wronged, this concubine wouldn’t dare!”

Hearing this, Zhang Ze lifted his foot and stepped inside.

“Princess!” he shouted in a deep voice, “You must not lose your composure and shout before His Majesty!”

The Emperor had a headache from Princess Jinyu’s yelling, coupled with Consort Bai kneeling and crying, he didn’t know whether to reason with Jinyu first or comfort Consort Bai.

He had never been good at arguing with people since he was young, especially with Princess Jinyu, who had been spoiled since childhood and no one dared to provoke.

Zhang Ze’s sudden appearance, not only did the Emperor not blame him for entering without reporting, but he was relieved.

Princess Jinyu looked at Zhang Ze and sneered: “What? Zhang Ze, you also want to discuss the Prince of Chu’s marriage? Don’t forget your place, this is our Li family’s business!”

Zhang Ze said calmly: “This minister is not here to discuss that. This minister is the Inspector General appointed by His Majesty, and also supervises the conduct of ministers.”

His face darkened.

“Princess Jinyu, although your surname is Li, and you are a child of the royal family, you are also a minister, you must not be disrespectful before His Majesty!”

Princess Jinyu’s face stiffened, the Inspector General did indeed have this responsibility.

“You—”

Zhang Ze interrupted her first: “As for the Prince of Chu’s marriage, the Princess shouldn’t come to His Majesty to make a scene, you should go question the Prince of Chu. This was the Prince of Chu’s personal request to His Majesty, not asking for advancement, only asking for a lifetime of monogamy. His Majesty fulfilled the Prince of Chu’s wish, so Princess, you come to His Majesty to make a scene, whose wish are you fulfilling?”

Princess Jinyu was furious: “Zhang Ze, it’s not your place to lecture this Princess!”

Zhang Ze showed no fear, taking a step forward, looking at Princess Jinyu: “But this official has the authority to investigate you.”

Princess Jinyu looked at him: “Investigate me for what? Don’t try to frame me!”

Zhang Ze took a scroll from his sleeve: “There are many things to investigate. There are accusations of the Princess seizing fertile land, accusations of the Princess abducting young men, and also, Prime Minister Zhu also came to ask this official to investigate the matter of Young Miss Zhu’s disappearance at the palace banquet, whether it’s related to the Princess.”

As he spoke, he handed over the scroll.

“Why doesn’t the Princess take a look yourself? Tell this official, which one is a frame-up?”

Princess Jinyu’s face flushed red, she wished she could tear up the scroll, and also tear up Zhang Ze.

This damn Zhang Ze, he didn’t dare to provoke her before, now he wanted to take advantage of His Majesty’s anger to step on her?

These cruel officials were all bastards.

The Demon Empress’s cruel officials were like this, and the cruel officials after Prince Changyang ascended the throne were also like this.

“Father Emperor, you died too early—” Princess Jinyu let out a wail.

“Enough!” the Emperor shouted, “Zhang Ze, put away your scroll, speak after you’ve investigated clearly, don’t accuse without knowing whether it’s a frame-up.”

Zhang Ze bowed and responded “yes.”

The Emperor looked at Princess Jinyu again: “Li Yu came to ask me precisely because he knew you wouldn’t agree. It wasn’t easy for this child to survive, now he just wants to live a peaceful and smooth life, I’ve tasted the bitterness of living in fear, so I agreed to him.”

He emphasized the words “peaceful and smooth,” his gaze towards Princess Jinyu meaningful.

“If you have other wishes, go and persuade him with reason and emotion, it’s his life, he has to be willing to live it himself.”

Princess Jinyu wanted to say something, but in the end her expression changed, she flung her sleeves, turned around, and strode away.

The Emperor looked down at Consort Bai, who was kneeling and sobbing.

“Without status, you’re constantly ridiculed,” he said, “A’ying, get up, I’ll immediately bestow upon you the title of Noble Consort.”

After saying that, he called for Wang Degui.

“Are Lord Huang and the others all there?”

Wang Degui hurriedly said: “They are all waiting outside the hall.”

The Emperor said: “Summon them to the study, I want to draft decrees, one for the Prince of Chu’s marriage, and another for Consort Bai’s title.”

Wang Degui responded loudly “yes.”

This time, Consort Bai didn’t object, she knelt and choked with sobs: “This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness.”

The Emperor took Wang Degui and went to the side hall, the officials outside who were listening to the commotion also followed.

Consort Bai was still kneeling on the ground, but there was no trace of fear, she raised her hand and gently touched her temple, looking at Zhang Ze who was standing in the hall.

“Thank you, Inspector, for arriving in time,” she said with a smile, “Otherwise, I don’t know how long it would have dragged on.”

Zhang Ze bowed, his face full of smiles: “To be able to help Your Ladyship, this minister is deeply honored.”

New plot developments in progress.

Recommendation, Dong Wuyuan’s new book 《Ink Dyeing Danqing》

At the last moment, when everything collapses and there’s nowhere to retreat, someone has to stand up and pull everything out of the abyss.

If there’s no such person, then, I’ll be that person.