Chapter 229: Seeking The Empress
“Thank you, Crown Prince, for your understanding.”
While Sun Liangdi was feeling pleased, Wan Zhaoxun smiled, “Crown Prince, I have prepared a dance today. Why don’t you come to my room to give me some pointers?”
Seducing Wei Chang right in front of her, what a despicable vixen.
Sun Liangdi knew that Wan Qing was merely a concubine’s daughter from the Wan family who couldn’t hold her head high, and it was already burning incense for her ancestors to be able to come to the Eastern Palace.
Who didn’t know that her concubine mother had been a singer in a brothel back then, and had also taught her all those seductive skills.
She had thought the Crown Prince would look down on such tricks and not pay attention to it, but who would have thought that Wei Chang actually agreed.
“Good, I’ll go to your room tonight.”
Wan Qing was overjoyed, “Thank you, Your Highness, for gracing me. No time like the present, let’s go.”
Before long, she happily pulled Wei Chang to the room, and before leaving, she gave Sun Tina a deep look full of provocation.
Sun Tina was so angry her eyes turned red, but she could do nothing.
It was only after Wei Chang’s figure disappeared that she couldn’t help stomping her foot and angrily returned to her room.
These matters naturally reached Jiang Ruanxi’s ears, and Yushui was somewhat worried, “Crown Princess, His Highness went to Wan Zhaoxun’s room. And Sun Liangdi was angered to tears.”
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t speak, and Yushui continued, “Crown Princess, are you really at ease letting Crown Prince go in there?”
To be honest, although Yushui knew that Wei Chang truly had Jiang Ruanxi in his heart, if it were her, she absolutely would not allow Wei Chang to go to another woman’s room, even if it was just for show.
She had grown up in Yu Manor since childhood and had seen plenty of the filthy dealings among high officials and nobles while following Wei Chang in Lingnan.
No one could guarantee when a man’s sincerity would change.
Jiang Ruanxi, however, smiled, “If he really changes his heart, even if I stop him from going, can I really stop it?”
This indeed could not be stopped.
“Women shouldn’t always think about fighting for favor, clinging to a man, or using tricks to win a man’s heart. Sooner or later, a woman more skilled than you will use the same methods to take him away. Why should I worry myself? If a man truly likes you and keeps you in his heart, even if you do nothing, he will give you enough security.”
“Your Highness, His Highness is back.”
So soon?
Yushui calculated the time; in such a short time, Wan Qing surely couldn’t have done anything.
Just as the words fell, Wei Chang strode in.
“Xi Xi, have someone check what this thing is.”
Jiang Ruanxi frowned and soon instructed Yushui to call the imperial physician.
Before long, after the imperial physician examined it, his face changed greatly in shock, “Reporting to the Crown Princess, this… this is aphrodisiac wine.”
Wei Chang flew into a rage, “That damned Wan Qing actually dared to drug me. Looks like she’s really tired of living.”
“Your Highness, calm down. This matter is highly suspicious.” Jiang Ruanxi wasn’t angry. When Jiang Kui had sent three women in, she had already anticipated this scene.
“We heard this morning that Empress rewarded Wan Zhaoxun with some things, and that very night she dares to drug Your Highness. She’s just a mere Zhaoxun; how could she have such courage?”
Wei Chang understood; this was undoubtedly by the Empress’s order.
Regarding the matter with Lin Tingting, Wei Chang had been furious and had wanted to confront the Empress, but since Emperor Qin had already punished her, he held back. He hadn’t expected her to be unable to hold back so soon.
Wei Chang was naturally furious beyond measure, “I’ll go find her right now.”
With that, Wei Chang went to Fengqi Palace, and this time Jiang Ruanxi did not stop him.
The Empress had already prepared to retire for the night when Wei Chang burst in.
“Crown Prince, this servant has said that Her Highness has already retired…” Liu Ye followed in, her expression very anxious.
The Empress had never seen him like this, but she remained composed and waved her hand, “You may go first.”
After Liu Ye left, Wei Chang didn’t mince words, “This son asks himself that he has no reason to feel ashamed before Mother Empress and deeply appreciates Mother Empress’s many years of careful nurturing, but I hope Mother Empress will not interfere in matters of my palace in the future.”
The Empress knew he was referring to the matter with Lin Tingting and pretended not to know, asking, “Chang’er, what are you saying? Mother Empress doesn’t understand.”
Wei Chang was extremely irritated inside and said coldly, “Mother Empress, if you interfere in my Eastern Palace matters again in the future, don’t blame me for not considering our many years of bond.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Watching his retreating figure, the Empress sitting in her chair had an ashen face and angrily smashed the teacup on the ground, “Ungrateful wretch. This palace raised him for so many years, and now for one woman he treats this palace like this. Just like his mother, both ungrateful wretches.”
The Empress was so angry her chest heaved up and down.
Liu Ye stepped forward to soothe her, “Your Highness, don’t be angry. The Crown Prince is just temporarily blinded by the Crown Princess. As long as we let the Crown Prince see through her petty tricks, he will understand Your Highness’s kindness toward him.”
With this soothing, the Empress’s expression softened considerably.
“You’re right. But if he doesn’t obey, he’ll end up with the same fate as his mother.” The Empress said, her face full of haze.
**
After Wei Chang left, Jiang Ruanxi leisurely read a book.
“Crown Princess, Grand Tutor Ling is here,” Yushui said as she approached.
Jiang Ruanxi was stunned.
Since her marriage, due to various matters, she hadn’t had time to return to her family home after three days.
Speaking of it, after her marriage, she hadn’t returned to the Ling Family.
Thinking that although she wasn’t Grand Tutor Ling’s daughter, he had always treated her well, she couldn’t help but put down the book, stand up, and say, “Quickly invite Father in.”
Soon, Grand Tutor Ling entered and knelt to pay respects, “Greetings to Crown Princess.”
Just as he was about to kneel, Jiang Ruanxi quickly stepped forward and lightly supported his arm, “Father, there’s no need for such formalities between father and daughter upon meeting. I know you treat me like your own daughter in place of my sister.”
Grand Tutor Ling looked up at her in shock.
He was also very moved in his heart.
“Thank you, Crown Princess.”
Since his daughter passed away, how long had it been since anyone called him Father like this.
When Wei Chang had asked Jiang Ruanxi to act as his daughter, he had originally intended to help Wei Chang in his heart, but upon seeing Jiang Ruanxi, he thought of his own daughter and couldn’t help wanting to grow close.
Over this time, he had come to regard Jiang Ruanxi as half a daughter.
He had thought that after Jiang Ruanxi married Wei Chang and gained high status, she wouldn’t have much affection for him, but unexpectedly, he was wrong.
Jiang Ruanxi was unaware of his thoughts and, after inviting him to the seat of honor, voiced her doubt, “Father, have you come to the Eastern Palace so suddenly because something has happened?”
“I heard about the matter between the concubine from Yongning Marquis Manor and you, so I came to see you,” Grand Tutor Ling said.
Jiang Ruanxi was very moved, “Father, rest assured, I’m fine.”
