Chapter 176: Intertwined
After the rain, the sun finally broke through the clouds.
Xue Sui prepared a carriage and, in the bright daylight, happily headed to the Xue Mansion.
As the carriage arrived at the main street in front of the mansion, she saw the Wei Wang Chang Shi emerging from the residence.
She paused slightly, then stepped lightly into the mansion, heading straight for Shou An Courtyard. Upon seeing the Old Madam, she didn’t have time to bow before joyfully announcing the good news.
“Grandmother, the Princess Consort is with child!”
Xue Yuechen had been childless for many years, a matter that was almost a heartache for the entire Xue Mansion. Now that her eldest granddaughter was pregnant, Old Madam Cui’s eyes reddened with emotion, nearly bringing her to tears.
“Heaven has truly opened its eyes, heaven has opened its eyes! Great joy for the Xue family.”
She held Xue Sui’s hand, asking about everything, and repeatedly praised her for her profound blessings, calling her the great bringer of good fortune who had returned to the Xue family, uniquely favored by heaven, bringing good luck to Xue Yuechen in one fell swoop.
The air in Shou An Courtyard was filled with joy.
Xue Sui hesitated for a moment and said, “I saw people from the Wei Prince’s Mansion on my way here. I wonder what business they had?”
Old Madam Cui said with a hint of hesitation, “It’s about your good-for-nothing Ninth Sister.”
Sighing, she recounted the Wei Prince’s proposal.
“Sixth Girl, in your opinion, what are the Wei Prince’s intentions? He already harmed Fourth Sister, and now he plans to marry Ninth Sister?”
Xue Sui smiled faintly, gazing at the flower branches swaying in the wind outside the window, a hidden current surging within her heart.
“This is likely not the Wei Prince’s own intention…”
Old Madam Cui, being a shrewd and perceptive person, was startled by her words.
“The only one who could persuade the Wei Prince is the Empress Dowager… Could it be…”
“It’s the Grand Princess, it’s the Xiao family,” Xue Sui stated with certainty.
“They are trying to silence the Xue family, using favors to win us over, in order to conceal the truth about Aunt’s poisoning…”
Old Madam Cui’s expression changed slightly, but she showed no surprise.
Xue Sui keenly observed the shift in her emotions.
“Grandmother, what are your plans?”
Old Madam Cui said, “Your father holds an official position in court and has always been cautious, afraid of offending anyone. Moreover, he has always intended to ally with the Wei Prince’s Mansion through marriage. Now that the Wei Prince is making a friendly overture, he will likely be overjoyed. Alas, I am also filled with anger and resentment! Your aunt died a tragic death. Whenever I recall her dying cries, I wish I could tear the Xiao clan apart…”
After a pause, Old Madam Cui sighed again.
“After all, this Xue Mansion is not something I alone can decide. Your father must consider the overall situation of the Xue family…”
Xue Sui understood the unspoken meaning in her words and smiled faintly.
“Then what about Ninth Sister’s intentions?”
“Her?” Old Madam Cui snorted lightly.
She looked down on that granddaughter.
“She envied your eldest sister even before. She often grumbled behind your back. As a concubine’s daughter, if she has the good fortune to enter a Prince’s Mansion as a remarriage, it would be a blessing accumulated over several lifetimes. What more could she possibly pick and choose?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, perhaps realizing Xue Sui was also a concubine’s daughter, she felt a bit awkward and quickly patted her hand.
“You are different from Ninth Girl. She has a simple mind and acts rashly. If she had half of your intelligence, cleverness, and propriety, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”
Xue Sui smiled thoughtfully.
Xue Yue E would not only not pick and choose, but she would likely not even care about the scandal of Xue Yue Ying giving birth to an illegitimate child for Li Yan, and would happily become the remarried wife…
After a moment of thought, she deliberately reminded her.
“Grandmother, His Majesty is in his prime, and the situation in the Imperial Court is uncertain. The Xue family must not choose the wrong side.”
Old Madam Cui understood the implied meaning in her words.
Her eyes flickered, and she sighed heavily, “I can only hope your eldest sister’s womb is blessed and gives birth to a legitimate son in one go, solidifying Prince Duan’s position. Only then will our Xue family’s efforts not be in vain.”
She was gambling that as long as Xue Yuechen gave birth to Prince Duan’s legitimate son, the Xue family could wholeheartedly support Prince Duan and plan for future prosperity.
Xue Sui merely smiled without speaking.
The rise and fall of fortunes and disgrace in the Imperial Court were ever-changing.
Let alone giving birth to one legitimate son for Prince Duan, even two or three might not guarantee that Xue Yuechen’s son would inherit the throne after Prince Duan ascended the throne…
–
West Mountain Imperial Palace.
Consort Wan leaned against a bamboo couch, coughing incessantly.
“After this rain, even the cicadas have stopped singing.”
Wen Jia placed the medicine bowl on the low table, a hint of distress flashing in her eyes.
“Mother, drink the medicine while it’s hot.”
Consort Wan looked at her daughter tenderly, slowly sat up, holding the medicine bowl, “You, child, don’t force yourself. If you have any difficulties, don’t hide them from your mother. Swallow all your bitterness by yourself…”
Wen Jia smiled and shook her head, “Mother, your daughter is not bitter…”
Consort Wan couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
“The embroidered scripture that Ping Le stole took you three months of hard work…”
“Have you heard of ‘darkness under a lamp’?” Wen Jia smiled, stroking the tassel on the Xiang Fei bamboo screen, holding it in her hand, making a rustling sound.
“That medical sutra wasn’t so easily stolen…”
Before the incident, she had already made arrangements with Xue Liu. When embroidering the scripture, they used the Rain Silk Brocade obtained from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau, and they had even deliberately left hidden stitch marks within the scripture…
“The medical sutra is in the Empress Dowager’s hands. Sooner or later, she will discover something… By then, it will be my time to shine.”
Consort Wan listened to her elaborate explanation, so shocked that she almost dropped the medicine bowl.
“What did you say? You let Ping Le steal it on purpose?”
Wen Jia’s gaze was distant, and she smiled confidently, sitting down and gently patting her mother’s back.
“Sixth Girl is exceptionally intelligent. Following her advice is always right. Mother, just focus on recuperating and don’t let Sixth Girl’s efforts go to waste…”
Consort Wan stared blankly at her daughter, seeing the clarity in her eyes.
The Wen Jia of today was vastly different from the past…
–
As the sunlight dyed the carved window frames of the imperial palace red, the carriage from Ci An Palace had already stopped outside.
“Princess Wen Jia, receive the imperial decree—”
Wen Jia knelt on the bluestone ground, listening to the Empress Dowager’s words of praise. Her heart remained unmoved until the title “Princess Protector of the Nation” was bestowed. Only then did she kowtow to express her gratitude.
“Congratulations, Your Highness the Princess.”
The female official approached with a smile, saying, “The Empress Dowager has been admiring Ye Sheng’s painting for a long time. Thinking of the Princess’s filial piety, she specially issued an imperial decree to bestow rewards and summoned the Princess to Ci An Hall to speak.”
The carriage to escort her had already arrived; she could not refuse.
Wen Jia smiled faintly and gracefully curtsied.
“Wen Jia was also supposed to go to Ci An Hall to express her gratitude. However, Consort Wan is unwell, and I must first attend to her medicinal soup before I can depart. Please, Madam Official, go ahead, and I will follow shortly.”
The official delivering the decree left with the reward money, beaming, after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. All the servants in the imperial palace rejoiced for Wen Jia, while Consort Wan was filled with worry.
“The Empress Dowager’s sudden favor, I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse.”
Wen Jia, with a composed expression, half-embraced Consort Wan and smiled gently.
“Mother, there’s no need to worry. Your daughter has gained the Empress Dowager’s favor, and from now on, I will have someone to back me up. This is a good thing.”
For Wen Jia, it was a good thing.
But for Consort Xiao and Ping Le in Rui Jin Hall, it was like a bolt from the blue.
“Absurd! Princess Protector of the Nation? What right does she have? What right does she have…”
Ping Le was so angry that she smashed the medicine bowl to the ground. Amidst the ear-piercing sound of shattering porcelain, tears streamed down her face, and her body felt as if its bones had been removed…
“I want to return to the mansion,” she grabbed Consort Xiao’s sleeve and cried, “Mother Consort, please inform Imperial Father for me. Your daughter wants to return to the Princess’s Mansion. I don’t want to stay in the palace for another moment…”
Consort Xiao was exasperated by her lack of self-control.
“You are being foolish! If Imperial Father hasn’t issued a decree, it means he is protecting you. You still have Imperial Father’s care in the palace; if you leave, aren’t you just asking for trouble?”
Ping Le clutched her collar, shaking her head desperately, “I really can’t bear it. There isn’t a single handsome young man in this palace. How can I recuperate…”
Consort Xiao’s expression changed drastically. She raised her hand and slapped her, suppressing her voice and roaring,
“Are you mad!”
Ping Le covered her burning cheek, her tears flowing even more profusely as she laughed.
“Yes, I am mad! But what does it matter? Compared to my life, what are those idle rumors?”
In this palace, she could not see Gu Jie.
Without seeing Gu Jie, the poison of the Love Silk Lure clung to her like vines, relentlessly entwining her, refusing to let go. Now, hearing of Wen Jia’s promotion to Princess Protector of the Nation, it stimulated her as if she were being gnawed by poisonous ants, her burning body feeling as if it would explode at any moment…
“Mother Consort, please…”
Overwhelmed with sorrow, she slowly knelt down.
Consort Xiao looked at her tear-streaked face and also knelt down.
“What kind of sin have we committed…” She took out a handkerchief to wipe Ping Le’s cheeks, but her tears only increased.
So, crying, she pulled Ping Le into her arms and sobbed loudly.
“I’ve prayed to Bodhisattvas, I’ve prayed to gods and buddhas, why has this disaster befallen us?”
Ping Le murmured to herself.
“It’s Xue Liu! Mother Consort, I now believe Xue Si’s words. That Xue Liu… she’s back to take revenge on us…”
–
Inside You Huang Ju, steam billowed.
Li Zhao slowly rose from the bath, water droplets like broken beads, sliding down his strong, full chest and disappearing into his lean, flowing waistline…
He stood with his head held high, like a drawn sword.
Lai Fu glanced quickly and then hurried forward with a soft cloth.
“Your Highness, Zhang Huaicheng is waiting outside. He says he has a new prescription that might be worth trying…”
“I don’t need it!” The morning light shone through the window, illuminating the scarlet in Li Zhao’s eyes.
Since the Love Silk Gu has been planted, why would he need an antidote?
He walked barefoot to the sandalwood clothes rack, pulled off a dry robe exuding the fresh scent of soapberry, quickly put it on, and strode towards the study room.
At the desk, he picked up his brush and began to write.
Suddenly, he paused again, crumpled the paper into a ball, turned, and threw it into the brazier, watching coldly as the flames devoured the ink marks…
Lai Fu was bewildered, his mouth agape in surprise.
Last night, His Highness returned from drinking at Lin De Hall and hadn’t slept. The Love Silk Gu made him restless, and he paced back and forth, unable to calm down. So, he quietly left the palace and sent a message to Madam Ping’an—
Who would have thought that after waiting and waiting at You Huang Ju, they wouldn’t receive Madam Ping’an’s visit, but instead receive hurried news from Ru Yi.
The girl didn’t explain clearly, only writing a single line.
“Master and Prince are out enjoying the rain.”
Li Zhao tore up the letter, closed his eyes, and remained silent for a long time before calmly instructing the palace servants to prepare water for a bath.
Including the one just now, he had taken five medicinal baths from last night until noon today; his skin was almost wrinkled…
Yet, the heat seemed to remain unquenched.
“Your Highness…”
Lai Fu watched Li Zhao suddenly abandon his brush and go out, and quickly put down the tea he had just brewed, following him while holding the hem of his robe.
“My Lord, please slow down, watch your step…”
Li Zhao went directly to the backyard.
In that corner bathed in dappled sunlight, were the Love Silk Flowers that Xue Sui had personally planted.
Now, they had sprouted.
Two thin, tender leaves poked their heads out timidly, trembling, so fragile that they seemed like they would wither with the slightest touch.
Li Zhao squatted down and slowly poured a ladle of water.
“I killed her, alright?”
He whispered to the void, with a nonchalant air.
“But if I killed her, what would I do then?”
How to soothe the Love Silk Gu that provoked him day and night…
If someone had to die, it should be someone else first!
Thank you, Sister Fans, for the romantic tales. Thank you to all readers for your votes, rewards, and subscriptions. I am grateful!
Li Zhao: So, why am I the one being tormented?
Reader: No one loves you.
Xue Sui: Tsk!
