Cheng Yumo leaned against the bedding. Her face was covered in tears and her face was drained of blood. Her wrist was so thin that only bones were left.
The Nguyễn Clan also sat by the bed and wiped her tears. "Mo'er, you and Marquis are still young. There will always be opportunities in the future."
These words touched Cheng Yumo's sore spot. Her originally calm emotions were stirred up again. Cheng Yumo had cried too much these past two days. She was weak and sorrowful. Her eyes were red and dry, almost as if she was going to go blind. Even now, she was clearly crying, but her tears couldn't fall.
The Nguyễn Clan became sadder when she saw this. She gripped Cheng Yumo's hand tightly and said, "Mo'er, you can't be like this. Marquis didn't do it on purpose. You can only blame this child for coming at the wrong time. No one knew that you were already a month pregnant. That's why you have such regrets. Maybe this child is here to block the disaster for you. If he's gone, your following disaster will be resolved. "
"Mother." Cheng Yumo clutched her chest tightly, as if she wanted to dig a hole in it. "I know, but I just hate it. My unborn child is gone just like that! I've been waiting for him for a whole year. "
The Nguyễn Clan cried when she heard this. Cheng Yumo wailed for a while, but not a single tear came out of her eyes. Her eyes were red and filled with despair. She suddenly gripped the Nguyễn Clan's hand. The Nguyễn Clan was caught off guard. She was shocked by the dry touch. "Mo'er?"
"Mother, it's all that evil woman's fault. It's all her fault!" Cheng Yumo gripped the Nguyễn Clan's hand tightly. Her eyes looked as if she wanted to eat someone. The Nguyễn Clan was both distressed and afraid. She quickly covered Cheng Yumo's hand and said, "Mo'er, Mother knows you're suffering, but she's your mother-in-law. You can't say such things."
She couldn't say that because she was a mother-in-law, the Huxue Clan could openly insult her when she couldn't conceive a child. When she lost a child, they could also righteously criticize Cheng Yumo for not having a mother. Cheng Yumo felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. She couldn't help but bend over. The Nguyễn Clan was shocked when they saw her. "Mo'er, what happened to you?"
Cheng Yumo's fingers clutched the bedding tightly. In just a few days, she had lost all her vitality due to the miscarriage. Now, she barely looked like a human being. Cheng Yumo opened her mouth but couldn't cry. She could only grab the Nguyễn Clan's hand and repeat over and over again, "Mother, my child is gone, gone! But that evil woman won't give up. She wants to take in a concubine for Marquis! "
"My poor Mo'er!" The Nguyễn Clan's tears fell uncontrollably. She used a handkerchief to stop her tears and looked around. She bent over and whispered to Cheng Yumo, "Mo'er, everything started because of that vixen surnamed Su. She's swaying when she walks and her voice is weak. Who doesn't know what she's thinking? Mo'er, you can't fall behind when she's acting like this. If you give up on Marquis because of this, wouldn't that be exactly what your mother-in-law and Madam Su want? "
Cheng Yumo was sad and grief-stricken when she heard this. She and Huo Changyuan were clearly in love. She was clearly the one who saved Huo Changyuan from the snowy mountains. She was clearly the one who became Huo Changyuan's first wife in this lifetime. Why did things turn out like this?
"Mother, but Madam Su is Marquis's cousin. She also has mother-in-law's support. I just lost a child and can't even get out of bed. What am I supposed to do? "
The Nguyễn Clan's heart ached as she hugged Cheng Yumo. She was in so much pain that it felt like her heart was bleeding. The Nguyễn Clan gritted her teeth and whispered into Cheng Yumo's ear, "Even if you can't do anything to your mother-in-law, don't you still have the Crown Princess?"
Cheng Yumo was completely stunned. It wasn't clear if the Nguyễn Clan didn't notice or didn't care. She continued, "You're the Crown Princess' biological sister. If the Huo family doesn't give you face, they're not giving face to the Crown Princess. The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner. Mother will take you to the palace to complain to the Crown Princess. Why should we be afraid of a mere Huxue Clan? "
Cheng Yumo closed her eyes in despair. The Nguyễn Clan saw that there was no movement and couldn't help but urge, "Mo'er, mother is talking to you."
Cheng Yumo paused for a long time. Her voice was so dry that it sounded like it had been pulled out with a saw. "… Okay."
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Cheng Yujin changed into Yan Ju's formal attire and attended the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet with Empress Yang. Empress Yang wore the empress's gown. She wore a red robe inside, a bright yellow wide-sleeved gown on the outside, and a red robe with gold embroidery on the outside. Cheng Yujin's clothes were very similar to Empress Yang's. However, she wore a green robe with a phoenix cloud embroidered on the chest and back. She wore a red gown with sleeves that almost reached the ground. Her shoulders were embroidered with gold embroidery and a dark green robe that almost reached the ground. It was very dignified.
She wore both a wide-sleeved gown and a long robe. These kinds of clothes were very delicate. If it wasn't done properly, it would be loose and undignified. However, when Cheng Yujin wore such a wide gown, it looked elegant and dignified. From afar, the gown reached the ground and layered on top of each other, as if the clouds were piled on top of her.
In particular, Cheng Yujin's gown was red, which complemented her black hair and snow-white skin. Her beauty was indescribable. Empress Yang sat not far away. Her gold robe should have made her look very noble. Unfortunately, her skin wasn't white enough. What was more fatal was that there was a fair-skinned and beautiful person sitting next to her. Compared to Cheng Yujin's red robe, her skin was dark and dispirited. She didn't look very imposing at all.
In particular, the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet was carried out in an orderly manner. Dishes were served one after another. When the palace servants finally served the blue and white porcelain mooncakes with ice skin, Empress Yang's face turned completely ugly.
The mooncakes were made of white flour and pressed into various dignified and rich molds. What was especially rare was that the ice skin was actually fused with blue patterns. It was like blue and white was naturally dyed. The transition from blue to white was very smooth, like high quality blue and white porcelain. It had many changes and was elegant and freehand. It could be said that it fused nobility and elegance to the extreme. Looking over the large banquet, there wasn't a single mooncake that had the same blue and white pattern.
This was called a palace banquet. This was the style of the imperial family.
When this kind of mooncake was placed in front of them, it was as beautiful as a work of art. No one was willing to eat it.
There was a wave of exclamations from below. When the madams found out that this was arranged by the Crown Princess, they all praised her from the bottom of their hearts. Cheng Yujin was used to being first. At this moment, she felt refreshed, but she still had to be modest. "I've let everyone see a joke. It's just a trifling thing. I don't dare to claim credit. It's all because the Empress Dowager and Empress taught me well. "
How was this a trifling thing? The large Mid-Autumn Banquet was not messy at all. Not only were the dishes perfectly matched with meat, vegetables, cold, and hot, but on top of the mooncakes that everyone was familiar with, there was also a new product that could shock everyone. How could this be described as a trifling thing? The most frightening thing was that this was only Cheng Yujin's second month in the palace.
No one present said anything, but they were all completely convinced by this new Crown Princess. Her bearing was powerful and her methods were also powerful. Of all the madams present, which one of them dared to agree to a banquet like the Mid-Autumn Banquet after being married for a month? Not making any mistakes at this banquet was already a great achievement, but Cheng Yujin was still able to innovate and create new tricks on top of what everyone was already used to. Presumably, this new blue and white porcelain ice skin mooncake would soon be popular in the capital. In the next ten years, there would be no Mid-Autumn Banquet that could surpass this one.
After the banquet ended, the madams scattered in twos and threes. After the banquet ended, they could leave. However, it was rare for them to enter the palace, so many people would stay for a while. They would either talk to their wives, bring their daughters to socialize, or look at their wives. Among them, there were naturally many who came to pay their respects to the Crown Princess.
Cheng Yujin smiled and listened patiently to wave after wave of people speaking. Although she did not speak much, she led the conversation well. No one who came to pay their respects felt that they were being treated coldly. Instead, they felt that they were in an excellent state of mind with their witty words. Dou Xiyin stood far away and snorted coldly when she saw how lively Cheng Yujin was.
Dou Xiyin gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "Flattering the strong and stepping on the weak."
When Yang Yan heard this, she quickly covered Dou Xiyin's mouth. She quickly looked around and saw that there were no outsiders around. Only then did she heave a sigh of relief and scolded, "Xiyin, this is the palace. Don't spout nonsense. Did you forget what the Empress Dowager said to you that day? "
Dou Xiyin gripped her handkerchief and said indignantly, "Mother, look at her. Aren't you angry?"
Of course, Yang Yan was uncomfortable. However, this was the palace. She was just a mistress. What could she do to the Crown Princess? Yang Yan sighed and said, "Xiyin, I know you feel wronged. However, she is the Crown Princess after all. Although the Empress dotes on you, the Crown Prince is her stepson. He is the only bloodline left behind by the previous Empress. He was even lost for fourteen years. No matter what the Empress does, she will not be able to please him. Even if she wants to help you, she can't do it. "
Dou Xiyin was depressed. For so many years, she was always the most dazzling person at every banquet. Everyone fought to talk to her. Dou Xiyin was proud and disdainful. She ignored those who came to talk to her and did not even bother to smile. Now, those people did as she wished and did not bother her. However, Dou Xiyin was very upset.
As it turned out, it was not that she did not care about the flattery. Dou Xiyin was the one who could not bear it the most when she saw the crowd move in another direction.
Dou Xiyin bit her lip and suddenly said to Yang Yan as if she had made up her mind, "Mother, those people have been flattering me with the title of the future Crown Princess. Now that the title of Crown Princess has fallen through, they are already secretly laughing at me. If the title of the Second Prince's Consort is also lost, how am I going to face the other ladies? Mother, you can't let them laugh at me. "
How could Yang Yan be willing? All these years, she had been flaunting her identity as the future Empress of the Nation and flaunting her daughter everywhere. If Dou Xiyin didn't end up as the Crown Princess or the Imperial Concubine, wouldn't Yang Yan become a joke in the social circle? Even if it was not for her reputation, Yang Yan could not allow the Second Prince to marry someone else for the sake of her future glory and wealth.
However, Empress Dowager Yang's attitude was very clear. After spending half her life together, Yang Yan knew her aunt the best. If Empress Dowager Yang really wanted Dou Xiyin to be the Second Prince's Consort, she would have said it long ago so that Yang Yan and the Dou Xiyin would be grateful. However, Empress Dowager Yang was ambiguous and did not say yes or no. She just kept Dou Xiyin in suspense. Yang Yan could not help but consider the worst case scenario.
Yang Yan hesitated for a long time before she finally made up her mind. Empress Dowager Yang was indeed the Yang Family's backing. When the Yang Family first rose to power, it was indeed because of Empress Dowager Yang's support. However, now that Yang Yan's father had become the Grand Secretary and her sister had become the Empress of the Palace, why would they still follow Empress Dowager Yang's lead? The Second Prince was the Empress's son and her father's grandson. How could it be Empress Dowager Yang's turn to decide who the Second Prince would marry?
Yang Yan made up her mind and said to Dou Xiyin, "Xiyin, don't worry. Mother will definitely let you get what you want. Now that most of the people have left, come with me to pay respects to your Aunt Empress. "
Dou Xiyin was overjoyed and agreed in a crisp voice.
While Yang Yan brought Dou Xiyin to look for Empress Dowager Yang, Cheng Yujin also welcomed her "family".
Cheng Yujin had long noticed that Cheng Yumo's expression was not right. However, there were many people at the banquet and her every move was in the eye of the storm, so she did not ask. Now that the banquet was over, the women who entered the palace and Cheng Yujin exchanged greetings and left one after another. The Nguyễn Clan and Cheng Yumo finally found a chance to talk to Cheng Yujin.
On the surface, it was to talk about personal matters, but Cheng Yujin saw that it was to complain.
Dirty linen should not be aired in public. No matter what feud Cheng Yujin had with the Cheng Family, it could not be exposed to the public and become a laughing stock. After the Nguyễn Clan and Cheng Yumo approached and bowed, Cheng Yujin did not say much. She just waved her hand and said, "So it's Second Aunt and Second Sister. I was just about to ask about Grandmother's situation. Second Aunt, please follow me to the Ciqing Palace to talk."
Of course, the Nguyễn Clan could not ask for more. The Nguyễn Clan and Cheng Yumo followed behind Cheng Yujin and walked towards the East Palace. After entering the Ciqing Palace, the Nguyễn Clan could not help but look around. All she saw was the red walls and green tiles that shone brightly under the sun. In the world, only the Forbidden City could use glazed tiles. The Crown Prince was in charge of the East, and the East was in charge of the Wood. Hence, the East Palace's glazed tiles were also green. In such a large palace, one only needed to look up and see the green tiles to know where they were.
Other than the Crown Prince, no one else could use green tiles.
After entering the palace, the palace servants all knelt down in an elegant and respectful manner. "Greetings to the Crown Princess and the Crown Princess." Cheng Yujin walked all the way, and such kneeling voices followed her all the way. When they entered the main hall, Cheng Yujin led them to a secondary hall on the west side. As far as the eye could see, there was the dignified and noble air of the imperial family everywhere. The palace servants stood guard every ten steps in an orderly manner, but all of them had their heads lowered. Their movements were quick and quiet, and they did not make any sound.
The Nguyễn Clan was shocked speechless by such an imposing manner. This was not something that could be achieved by how expensive the decorations were or how beautiful the zithers were. The people standing here did not have the mind to pay attention to how expensive the vase next to them was. Instead, the vast palace and the magnificent and dignified royal aura gave the vase an incomparable sense of nobility.
In such an atmosphere, the Nguyễn Clan's imposing manner of complaining couldn't help but wilt. Even the words that she had long thought of were stammering and couldn't say out loud. Cheng Yujin sat on the round chair at the head of the table and motioned for the Nguyễn Clan and Cheng Yumo to sit down. She asked, "Second Aunt and Second Sister, why have you waited for so long?"
The Nguyễn Clan and Cheng Yumo sat down as instructed. The Nguyễn Clan felt as if there was something hot under her butt. No matter how hard she sat, she couldn't sit still. On the other hand, Cheng Yumo saw Cheng Yujin walking over with everyone kneeling and bowing to her. She was dressed in a luxurious robe with wide sleeves, sitting in the high hall with ease and familiarity. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
Cheng Yumo didn't want to talk about her difficulties at all. Instead, she wanted to turn around and leave.
However, the Nguyễn Clan didn't understand Cheng Yumo's inner thoughts. She composed herself and mustered up the courage to say, "We originally didn't want to disturb the Crown Princess, but Mo'er's experience was too pitiful. The other party bullied her too much. Mo'er and I had no choice but to come and ask the Crown Princess for justice."
After the Nguyễn Clan finished speaking, she saw that Cheng Yumo was still in a daze. She couldn't help but give her a look. According to their plan, Cheng Yumo should be crying and kneeling on the ground at this moment, stammering and pleading for the Crown Princess to uphold justice. No matter what the truth was, they had to let Cheng Yujin have the strongest first impression. They had to give Cheng Yujin a feeling that Cheng Yumo was very pitiful.
However, at this moment, Cheng Yumo was still sitting motionlessly. Her head was lowered, and the expression in her eyes couldn't be seen clearly. The Nguyễn Clan was anxious. She couldn't help but say, "Crown Princess, Mo'er's body is too weak. She's been absent-minded for the past few days. When she saw the Crown Princess, she was so happy that she became silly. Please forgive her, Crown Princess."
Of course, Cheng Yujin saw the look between the Nguyễn Clan and Cheng Yumo. She smiled without saying anything and said, "It's okay. There are no outsiders here. If Second Aunt and Second Sister have any grievances, just say it. "
The Nguyễn Clan went to give Cheng Yumo another look. When she saw that Cheng Yumo had no intention of speaking, she could only glare at her daughter in disappointment. She turned her old face away and complained, "Crown Princess, according to the rules, we shouldn't air our dirty linen in public. However, other than you, we really don't know who else to seek justice from. Mo'er has been married into the Huo family for more than a year. She's always been walking on thin ice. She serves her mother-in-law with all her heart and takes care of the family. However, Marquis Jingyong doesn't care about Mo'er's efforts at all. He actually … actually wants to take in a concubine for Marquis! "
Cheng Yujin raised her eyebrows. She felt that all of this was unexpected yet reasonable. "Why does he want to take in a concubine? Who is he taking in? "
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