Chapter 196: Cold Shoulder
A person who cannot see fate actually managed to solve Wei Chang’s Seven Killings Solitary Fate?
He went to flip that book yesterday.
But the last page is still damaged, and he simply cannot find the method of solving.
“It seems this marriage was truly the right choice.” Emperor Qin was overjoyed, “Imperial Advisor, you have worked hard. There will be a reward.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Jiang Kui lowered his eyes, showing no joy or anger.
The Imperial Consort’s bedchamber had just learned of this matter.
“What? Crown Prince actually survived past his twentieth year?” Flames nearly shot from the Imperial Consort’s eyes as she viciously smashed the teacup in her hand onto the ground, “If he is still alive, what does that make my Second Prince?”
Looking at the teacup shattered into pieces on the ground, Jiang Kui seemed accustomed to it, not even lifting his eyelids, and said indifferently, “Imperial Consort, calm down.”
“In this situation now, how do you expect me to calm down? Clearly, as long as Wei Chang died in his twentieth year, my son would be Crown Prince, but unexpectedly his fate was so strong that he did not die.”
“Your Ladyship, it is a good thing that Crown Prince is alive.” Jiang Kui curved his lips, “As long as Crown Prince is alive, Second Prince has a chance.”
The Imperial Consort thought of something and quickly understood what he meant.
Joy instantly appeared on her face.
“You are right, but now that he is Crown Prince and his Seven Killings Solitary Fate has been changed, what exactly are we to do?” The Imperial Consort still said uneasily.
“You do not need to worry about this. You only need to understand that before I accomplish my major matter, do not cause any more trouble. And also the Fifth Princess…”
Jiang Kui paused, “It is time for the people and matters around her to quiet down.”
A trace of panic flashed in the Imperial Consort’s eyes. She did not dare to look at Jiang Kui’s face at all, only carrying three parts respect and seven parts fear, “I understand.”
Only then was Jiang Kui satisfied, “Understanding is best.”
**
Jiang Ruanxi followed Wei Chang to see the Empress.
Today, the Empress seemed to be in a good mood and pulled Wei Chang to talk for quite a while.
Jiang Ruanxi stood to the side, listening as her words seemed to be all about how she had lacked care for this son in the past, just as if she wanted to make up for it now that they had met today.
She knew very well in her heart that the Empress was not Wei Chang’s biological mother.
Previously, the Empress had only treated Wei Chang as a chess piece. Now, she also did not know how much sincerity there was in this so-called care.
“This palace remembers that when you were young, you loved to nestle in Mother’s arms and act coquettish while talking. Now in the blink of an eye, you are already married.” The Empress sighed, “Time passes so quickly.”
Wei Chang said coldly, “The things from when I was young, I no longer remember. It is impressive that Mother has remembered for so many years.”
The Empress’s expression instantly became stiff, but she seemed accustomed to it as well.
She pretended to understand nothing and continued speaking those words to Wei Chang, as if deliberately ignoring Jiang Ruanxi.
Jiang Ruanxi knew this very well in her heart and remained neither humble nor arrogant.
Until they had sat for nearly half an hour, Wei Chang saw that the Empress still wanted to ignore Jiang Ruanxi, and displeasure already showed on his face.
“Mother, there are still some matters at my manor.”
The Empress still pretended not to understand, “You child, any prince after marrying will have several days of wedding leave. What matter at your manor could be more important than accompanying Mother?”
Wei Chang no longer gave her face and simply pulled a long face.
“Father Emperor just assigned me some matters, so naturally I must hurry to handle them. Even if I do not go personally, I must give instructions.”
“Since it is something His Majesty assigned, then you go ahead, Chang’er. Leave Crown Princess here to speak a few words with this palace.”
Wei Chang lowered his eyes, concealing a trace of disgust in them that was imperceptible.
“Mother, I came today with Crown Princess, so naturally we will return together. If I leave Crown Princess here alone at this moment, would it not give people something to laugh at another day?”
The Empress was a bit displeased in her heart, but on the surface she still appeared benevolent.
Helplessly, she said, “You child, Mother was just joking with you. Why take it seriously? Fine, since you are married, you are also grown up, and this palace cannot manage you anymore. This palace originally wanted to get close to Crown Princess, but it seems my beautiful dream is dashed.”
After speaking, the Empress removed a bracelet from her wrist and stuffed it into Jiang Ruanxi’s hand, “This is something this palace has always worn. Today, I give it to you. In the future, you two must love each other dearly, live well with Crown Prince, and give this palace a fair and fat grandson.”
Jiang Ruanxi lowered her head, her face full of shy bashfulness.
But her eyes were full of ice-cold.
This bracelet had crude workmanship. One look showed it was casually bought outside and was not at all like the kind the Empress usually wore.
It seemed the Empress did not like her very much!
Wei Chang did not know this. After Jiang Ruanxi raised her head and said a few polite words, Wei Chang took her and left.
After they left, the Empress, who had been full of smiles earlier, instantly became indifferent.
“Old Woman Servant, what you said just now, is it true?”
As soon as the Empress spoke, an elderly old woman servant emerged from behind the screen.
She had an inverted triangular face.
She knelt down respectfully, “Empress, this servant absolutely did not see wrong. I originally thought I had seen wrong, but after they left, I quietly checked again carefully, and still saw nothing wrong.”
The Empress’s face changed greatly.
No wedding night stains meant that Wei Chang had married a broken thing.
If he had not broken the Seven Killings Solitary Fate, she would not care what kind of woman he married.
But now that it was broken, it proved he could live a long time.
In the future, he would be her reliance.
She absolutely could not allow Wei Chang to marry such a dirty thing.
The Empress’s face immediately darkened, “You withdraw first. Do not spread this matter for now.”
“Yes, Empress.”
Wan Bi knew the Empress’s thoughts. Last time Jiang Ruanxi had helped her, she could not help speaking up for her, “Empress, Your relationship with Crown Prince has only just eased a bit. This servant sees that he likes Crown Princess very much. If you pursue Crown Princess’s matter, might it not provoke Crown Prince’s resentment?”
“Am I to watch with open eyes as Crown Prince is deceived by that bitch?”
The Empress angrily slammed the table hard.
Wan Bi, over these many years, knew the Empress’s temper and nature.
It was not as benevolent and friendly as it appeared on the surface.
Afraid that if she said too much for Jiang Ruanxi, the Empress would distance herself from her.
After thinking, Wan Bi still chose for her own future prospects and said in a low voice, “Empress, do not be angry. Actually, there are still many methods that can let you vent your anger without offending Crown Prince.”
“Easy to say. She is at Crown Prince’s Manor outside the palace now, and Crown Prince watches her so closely. What more can I do?”
Wan Bi’s eyes flashed. She went forward and whispered a few words by the Empress’s ear. After the Empress heard, her eyes brightened, and a smile hung at the corners of her mouth, “You are the one with ideas. Everything will be done as you say.”
