The atmosphere in Consort Shu's palace was heavy. Other than the Hou Clan and Consort Shu, there were also Consort De, Consort Rong, and several other Imperial Consorts present.
Jun Wang's abuse of Jun Wang Fei was a scandal for the Imperial Family. Although the Qilong Emperor was dissatisfied with Prince Sheng, he was still very dissatisfied with the Hou Clan's actions. In his opinion, the Hou Clan's marriage into the Imperial Family was the Hou Clan's honor. Now that they dared to cause this kind of trouble, they really didn't put the Imperial Family in their eyes.
Also, Yan Boyi was too useless. He couldn't even keep an eye on his own woman and let her make this matter known to the entire city. Even if he was very dissatisfied, he could only have people take good care of the Hou Clan and not let her suffer any grievances. Otherwise, the Imperial Family would lose even more face.
The Imperial Family was dissatisfied, and the aristocratic families were also unhappy. Although the Hou Clan wasn't the most famous, it was still a large aristocratic family. Their well-educated daughter married into the Imperial Family, but not only did the child not survive, there were also rumors that her husband had an ambiguous relationship with another woman. Now, she was tortured by her husband into such a sorry state. This really didn't put the aristocratic families in their eyes.
Although the aristocratic families were muttering in their hearts, they didn't show it on their faces. They were waiting for the Imperial Family's response. As for Prince Sheng, who abused his first wife, his reputation in the hearts of the aristocratic families and the common people plummeted.
Seeing the Hou Clan's sobbing appearance, Consort Shu was very troubled. She was also a daughter of an aristocratic family, so her heart was naturally biased towards the Hou Clan. However, she also knew that the Emperor was dissatisfied with this matter, so she couldn't decide how to deal with this matter in a short time.
As the saying goes, it's better to tear down ten temples than to ruin a marriage. However, faced with the Hou Clan's emaciated and sorry state, Consort Shu couldn't bring herself to say this. But she also didn't dare to let the two separate. At the beginning, the two were married by the Emperor. If she said that the two weren't suitable, wouldn't she be saying that the Emperor didn't have good taste?
It was said that marriage was for the two families to be together. For the Hou Clan and Yan Boyi to do this, it was really a sin. When she first married into the Hou Clan, she was such a beautiful woman. Now, it had only been a few years, yet a charming woman had been tormented into a lifeless dead tree. It was unknown what kind of torment she had suffered.
Everyone present was a woman. Although there were some who were watching the show and laughing, there were more who felt pity. They were all women, so how could they not know the suffering of women?
Seeing that the Hou Clan was so haggard that they couldn't even cry, Consort Shu sighed and said, "Don't worry. The imperial family will definitely give you justice."
When the Hou Clan entered the palace, their clothes were ragged and their hair was disheveled. Although they had been freshened up, the gorgeous dress on their bodies gave off a sense of emptiness, making people feel distressed for no reason.
The Hou Clan's unfocused and lifeless eyes were dazed for a moment before they stood up and bowed to Consort Shu: "Many thanks, Consort Shu niangniang."
"Sit down, there's no need to be so courteous." Consort Shu couldn't help but sigh inside again. She had been so clever in the past, but now she was so dumb that it was pitiful.
Consort De and Consort Rong exchanged a look and then shook their heads helplessly. They were the same as Consort Shu. In this palace, they were consorts who had no status and no favor. Because they had no children, they were fated to die of old age in the inner palace. Therefore, they didn't want to cause too much trouble.
Right now, Prince Sheng had many supporters. If he really became the future emperor, if they offended him in this matter, how could they live the rest of their lives?
The main consorts in the palace didn't dare to speak. Consort Ning Wang and Xu Wang Fei naturally wouldn't rashly express their opinions. Therefore, everyone present looked at each other and in the end, their gazes landed on Consort Shu.
Consort Shu groaned inside but didn't show it on her face. Her expression was gentle as she looked at the Hou Clan: "You can temporarily stay in my palace. This matter is not a small matter. Why don't we invite all the matrons of the Imperial House above Jun Wang Fei into the palace and discuss how to resolve this?"
"Many thanks, niangniang." The Hou Clan stood and walked to the center of the hall to kneel, "But qie has no more wishes in this life. I only ask for peace for the rest of my life, and to never see Prince Sheng again."
Consort Shu's brows furrowed slightly before she recovered her gentle expression: "Your words …"
"Qie only asks for a peaceful separation from Prince Sheng. Qie is willing to go to the temple to pray for the Emperor and the Yan Clan, and never leave the temple again." The Hou Clan kowtowed heavily towards Consort Shu as though she had made a great decision, "Qie's body and mind are already dead. Please, niangniang, grant my wish."
"It's not that ben gong is unwilling, but …" Consort Shu realized that her words were inappropriate and hurriedly corrected herself, "This matter is not a small matter. Ben gong needs to report to His Majesty."
"Many thanks, niangniang." The Hou Clan kowtowed heavily again. Even Consort Shu felt pain for her. But the Hou Clan's expressionless expression made it seem as though the person with the red and swollen forehead wasn't her, but someone else.
At this time, a taijian came to report that Xian Wang Fei was asking for an audience.
Consort Shu had people help the Hou Clan to a nearby chair and then summoned Xian Wang Fei.
When Hua Xi Wan entered Consort Shu's palace, she sensed that the atmosphere inside was not normal. She looked straight ahead as she entered the main hall. After properly greeting everyone present, she sat down on a chair near the Hou Clan.
"Jiejie, are you well?" Hua Xi Wan gently patted the back of the Hou Clan's hand. She gently caressed the dark bruises on it and sighed.
"I'm fine." The Hou Clan raised her head and glanced at Hua Xi Wan. Then she quickly looked away as though she had nothing left to live for. "I've troubled meimei to come all the way here for me."
The others stared at the two in surprise. From their tone, it seemed that the two had a good relationship?
Logically speaking, with Prince Sheng and Xian Wang's current positions, Xian Wang Fei and Princess Sheng shouldn't have a good relationship.
"Hearing that jiejie has suffered such hardship, how can I sit still?" Hua Xi Wan saw the Hou Clan's index finger unconsciously draw a circle on the edge of the table. Her tone was tinged with anger and seriousness. "Jiejie, what do you plan to do?"
Xian Wang Fei, do you still remember your identity?
The onlookers felt that the scene was a bit strange. As the leader, Shu Fei could only speak again. "Xian Wang Fei and Princess Sheng have a good relationship."
"This concubine has been rude." Hua Xi Wan stood and curtsied towards Shu Fei. Then she said, "Hearing that jiejie has suffered so much, this concubine's anger cannot be quelled. Niangniang, please forgive me."
Shu Fei instantly understood. It seemed that Xian Wang Fei stood on the side of the Hou Clan. Was this Xian Wang's idea or Xian Wang Fei's own idea?
Hua Xi Wan didn't care about Shu Fei's plans. She stood out to speak for the Hou Clan and left a way out for the Hou Clan. Prince Sheng was destined to not be able to ascend the throne. If the Hou Clan separated from Prince Sheng now, they could make things clear in the future and not be implicated by Prince Sheng.
Thinking of Yan Jinqiu having the idea of having children because of the dispute between the Hou Clan and Yan Boyi, she felt a bit of a headache. Giving birth too young was not good for the mother and fetus. How could she scientifically and effectively discuss this serious problem with the subject?
"You have a deep relationship and should care for each other. This consort can understand." Shu Fei looked towards the Hou Clan. The meaning of her words changed a lot. "Was your decision just now sincere?"
The Hou Clan nodded: "Qie's decision has been made."
Shu Fei sighed and said: "This consort understands. In a moment, this consort will go see His Majesty. But this consort can't guarantee success. This consort can only do her best."
At the last moment, she still chose Xian Wang's line. Prince Sheng was a man who could be so cruel to his own wife. If he ascended the throne, they, the old people of xiandi, would have any dignity left. It was better to surrender to Xian Wang early. At least, they could live the rest of their lives peacefully.
Seeing this, De Fei and Rong Fei also spoke a few words of consolation to the Hou Clan. At the same time, they expressed that they were willing to plead with the Emperor for the Hou Clan.
"Many thanks, niangniang." Hua Xi Wan stood and bowed towards the three feipin. She watched as the palace attendants of Shu Fei's palace helped the Hou Clan to the back hall to rest. Then she stood and said, "It's late. This consort will not disturb you any longer. This consort will leave."
Hearing this, Shu Fei tried to persuade her to stay. Seeing that Hua Xi Wan insisted on leaving, she sent her most respected mama to see her out of the palace to show her importance.
"Xian Wang Fei, take care." The mama sent Hua Xi Wan to the palace gates. Seeing that Xian Wang was standing by the carriage, she was secretly surprised. She hadn't thought that Xian Wang valued Xian Wang Fei so much that he would wait for her at the palace gates to return to the fu.
After watching the two get on the carriage, the mama returned to Shu Fei's palace. After reporting everything she had seen, she said, "Niangniang, nubi thinks that if in the future … we can be on good terms with Xian Wang Fei, it will be very beneficial for us."
"How can ben gong not understand?" Shu Fei drank a mouthful of tea. In a few days, the new empress would enter the palace. In reality, His Majesty was already old. There were many things that he didn't have the ability to do. The Jang entering the palace was just a cover for the rumors.
As to whether the Crown Princess and His Majesty really had a dirty relationship …
Shu Fei smiled coldly. In this world, the Imperial Family was the most prosperous, but the dirtiest was also the Imperial Family. She had been in the palace for more than a decade. She had seen all kinds of people and experienced all kinds of things. The Jang Clan was so ostentatious now. They even dared to use Xian Wang Fei as a stepping stone to raise her reputation. In the future, she would naturally suffer.
"Tell people to serve the Hou Clan well." Shu Fei put down her teacup. "Today's matter, I'm afraid there's more to it than meets the eye."
In the carriage, Yan Jinqiu and Hua Xi Wan sat side by side. Yan Jinqiu carefully looked at Hua Xi Wan's expression. Then he said, "What do you think about the matter I told you before?"
Hua Xi Wan raised her eyebrows and said slowly, "Of course I'll lie down and think about it slowly."
Yan Jinqiu was silent for a moment. "I … I just don't feel at ease."
The carriage swayed slightly as it moved forward. Hua Xi Wan lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at the peddlers and servants who respectfully moved away from the carriage. She lowered the curtain and said, "I thought that you would feel more at ease now."
Yan Jinqiu looked at her in confusion.
Hua Xi Wan tilted her head and smiled at Yan Jinqiu. "I know your ambition. You know my personality. Is there anyone in this world more suitable than us?"
Yan Jinqiu was stunned for a moment. Then he smiled and said, "You're right. I'm thinking too much."
Hua Xi Wan shook her head. "Thinking too much is tiring. It's not good for your health."
Yan Jinqiu touched his forehead. "It's my fault."
Hua Xi Wan smiled. Seeing Yan Jinqiu like this, she lifted the curtain again. She saw a group of old couples supporting each other as they walked slowly at the corner of the street. She couldn't help but smile more and more. "Don't worry. We'll have children."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
