Chapter 80: Unpaid Debts
Ping Le sat idly in the courtyard of Hua Yi Palace, listening to a maid chatter about outside affairs.
She had been staying here for many days, and her heart longed to return to her mansion, but Imperial Father kept her here.
Although he said it was for her health, Ping Le knew very well that Imperial Father was afraid she would be unhappy upon hearing the gossip outside after returning to her mansion.
“Are the things about that Xue Liu true?”
The little maid’s name was Lu Lian, and she had accompanied Ping Le to the Bamboo Forest Elegant Pavilion that day.
She had personally witnessed two nannies being beaten to death and still felt lingering fear.
“Yes, this servant has inquired, and that Sixth Miss Xue is quite formidable now. She has made the Old Madam beam with joy, and everyone in the mansion likes her. Even Minister Xue regards her highly. Once she marries into Prince Duan’s Mansion, who knows how she will bewitch His Highness Prince Duan…”
Ping Le’s brows furrowed even tighter.
Recently, she had been afflicted with a strange illness and had no time to deal with the mess in the Women’s Society. However, she knew that there was a “Petition of Ten Thousand People” outside accusing her of occupying land and selling official positions, with people beating the Dengwen Drum and filing lawsuits everywhere, causing a great uproar.
Hearing about Xue Liu’s prominence made her even more indignant.
“When this Princess recovers, I will see how I deal with her!”
It was at this moment that the Emperor entered, hands clasped behind his back.
“Look at the crabapple blossoms in Hua Yi Palace, how lush they are! The flowers are delicate and pleasing. Ping Le should be out more often, enjoying the flowers and relaxing her mind…”
Hua Yi Palace was where Ping Le lived before her marriage.
Although she had been married for many years, the palace had been preserved.
She could still return to the palace and be as at ease as before.
This showed the Emperor’s favor towards her.
“Imperial Father!”
Upon hearing the voice, Ping Le quickly rose to salute.
As she looked up, she saw Li Zhao following behind the Emperor.
The smile on her face froze, but she dared not be too presumptuous in front of the Emperor, so she pulled at the corners of her mouth, forcing a smile.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Imperial Brother, why have you both come?”
Li Zhao smiled faintly, “Is Imperial Sister well?”
Li Huan said gently, “It has been many days. Looking at Imperial Sister’s complexion, you seem to have lost quite a bit of weight.”
Ping Le felt miserable.
For the past while, due to those vexing matters, she had been drinking bitter medicinal soup daily, without a single moment of ease.
Medicine had its side effects; drinking it daily not only ruined her appetite but also caused her inner restlessness to flare up from time to time. During these days, she had summoned the Imperial Son-in-law two or three times a day, and the Imperial Son-in-law had been quite worn out by her.
Fortunately, the Imperial Son-in-law was gentle and did not ask too many questions, and he believed her excuse of “being poisoned by the Eastern Palace”…
She said, “Imperial Father, the weather has turned warm recently, and I wish to return to my mansion. The palace is too quiet, and I always sleep restlessly at night. Moreover, my son Guan Chen is still at the mansion, and I cannot help but worry about him alone…”
The Emperor looked at her haggard appearance.
Her once bright and spirited eyes had become dim and lifeless.
She had lost weight, and beneath her eyelids, there was a dark circle.
The Emperor said, “Then tomorrow I will send someone to escort you back to your mansion. Imperial Physician Hu and Imperial Physician He will accompany you to tend to your medicine and recovery.”
Ping Le smiled, “Imperial Father! How could your daughter need two Imperial Physicians? Recently, the medicinal soup has all been prescribed by Imperial Physician Hu, and I have been taking his prescriptions. His home is also close to the Princess’s Mansion, so it will be convenient to call him if anything happens. Just him is fine.”
Emperor Chong Zhao nodded, a hint of imperceptible darkness in his eyes.
“Then it shall be as you wish.”
As father and daughter spoke, palace maids timely brought tea and arranged seats.
Li Huan and Li Zhao sat to the side, listening quietly.
“Then it shall be as you wish.” They had heard this sentence countless times.
Imperial Father treated Ping Le with the demeanor of a doting father, entirely different from how he treated his other children.
The sunlight grew warmer, and Ping Le’s spirits seemed to improve slightly.
She suddenly raised her head, her gaze lingering on Li Huan for a moment, then sweeping subtly over Li Zhao’s impassive face.
“Imperial Brother, are you truly going to take that Xue Liu into your household?”
Li Huan simply nodded, “Yes.”
Upon hearing this, Ping Le could barely hide her mockery. Disregarding the Emperor’s presence, she directly said, “On the day of the Spring Flower Banquet, there was much gossip outside. Aren’t you afraid of what others will say? There are so many noble young ladies in Shangjing, not enough for you to choose from? Why specifically Xue Liu? What is so special about her??”
Li Huan frowned slightly upon hearing this.
“Ping Le, this is Imperial Brother’s family matter.”
Ping Le persisted, “Everyone is watching, so it’s no longer just a family matter.”
Li Huan had always disliked arguing in front of the Emperor.
He was always praised for his gentlemanly magnanimity, generosity, and uprightness, and did not wish to say more to Ping Le.
Li Zhao was different.
He had never given Ping Le face before. Mentioning the Spring Flower Banquet was like stepping on his tail, and he immediately let out a cold laugh.
“Where did the rumors come from? Imperial Sister should know clearly. Imperial Brother did not blame you, yet you come here to question him?”
Ping Le’s lips curled, a mix of mockery and a smile.
“The Crown Prince also does not wish for Sixth Miss Xue to marry into Prince Duan’s Mansion, does he?”
Li Zhao said, “Ridiculous! If I am not taking a wife, why should I care?”
His reaction was cold and mocking, so much so that no one could detect the chilling undertone in his words.
Ping Le stared into his eyes, “Crown Prince, ask yourself, are you truly not familiar with Sixth Miss Xue?”
Li Zhao: “Imperial Sister, speak with caution.”
The relationship between Imperial Princes was already delicate, and such words would undoubtedly stir up conflict.
Li Zhao was like a louse with too many to feel the bite; he didn’t care at all. Li Huan, however, was very unwilling to argue with Li Zhao. The Emperor disliked him arguing; those who did not compete or snatch and worked silently were the kind of sons the Emperor wanted.
Which emperor would want an additional competitor in his prime?
That was why some people privately said…
The reason Ping Le received infinite favor from the Emperor was simply because she was a daughter.
The pure and selfless paternal love that the Emperor could not bestow upon his sons could find a concrete manifestation in her, a father’s heart…
Of course, only the Emperor knew what he was thinking.
At this moment, Li Huan did not believe the Emperor would want to hear this.
“Ping Le.” He frowned slightly, “Sixth Miss Xue is pure and innocent. Imperial Father personally bestowed upon her the title of Benevolent and Kind Woman. Not to mention that she saved your and Tong Tong’s lives, even if she were an ordinary woman, you should not tarnish her reputation.”
Ping Le raised her eyebrows, “I am tarnishing her reputation? Before she has even married, Imperial Brother is already defending her. What will happen in the future?”
Li Huan remained silent.
Li Zhao gave a cold laugh.
“Princess, who do you plan to blame for the Petition of Ten Thousand People? This matter cannot be dismissed so easily. Imperial Father and Imperial Brother have been worried sick about your affairs, yet you refuse to show any understanding and are being unreasonable…”
Ping Le’s pupils trembled slightly, and her voice involuntarily rose a few decibels.
“Crown Prince, stop slandering me! It was clearly Assistant Minister of the Interior Yao Hong who indulged his son, and under my name, altered documents and forged imperial decrees, occupying civilian land! As for the Gold Department matter, I am even more innocent. Gu Jie’s actions have nothing to do with me! His Majesty will make a clear judgment on this matter; the Crown Prince need not worry!”
They countered each other, neither giving way.
Emperor Chong Zhao felt his headache worsen.
“Enough!”
He looked at his children.
Then he said to Ping Le, “You are a mother now, do not throw childish tantrums. Your Imperial Brother is merely taking a Ru Ren as a concubine, why are you so concerned? Focus on recovering and do not overthink things.”
Ping Le looked at the Emperor with a wronged expression.
“The Crown Prince beat my nannies to death, which is silencing witnesses.”
“My Wet Nurse said she was pushed into the Lotus Pond. I sent someone to investigate, and the path was perfectly flat. How could one fall while walking normally? Someone must have arranged it beforehand, pushed her into the water, and then had Xue Liu pretend to save Tong Tong to gain a good reputation…”
“And that mouthful of heart blood…”
She desperately wanted to say that she had become so pathetic because she drank that blood, but that would inevitably reveal that she had poisoned the Crown Prince, so she stopped herself.
“In any case, I have known Xue Liu since childhood. She is treacherous and cunning, as wicked as a viper. If she marries into Prince Duan’s Mansion, she will surely cause more trouble…”
“Enough!” Emperor Chong Zhao suddenly raised his voice.
He rubbed his forehead and looked at Ping Le with some fatigue.
“I said, enough. You are a daughter, mind your own business.”
Ping Le did not yet know that her Imperial Father was fully aware of her actions, but she could tell that the Emperor was truly displeased.
The wrath of an emperor could lead to a million corpses.
The emperor’s heart was unfathomable.
Ping Le understood the art of seizing the moment.
She bit her lip and lowered her head, displaying a sickly and regretful expression.
“Your daughter was wrong. I will be cautious in my words and actions from now on. Please, Imperial Father, do not be angry!”
Emperor Chong Zhao said, “When you return to your mansion, remember to prepare some gifts and send them to Xue Mansion to express your gratitude. After all, she saved your life, do not let people say the Princess does not remember kindness.”
Life-saving grace…
Ping Le gritted her teeth inwardly.
She would “repay” it.
She would return it a hundredfold, a thousandfold…
Let Xue Liu marry if she wants to.
Once she enters Prince Duan’s Mansion, she will have plenty of ways to deal with her.
–
Meanwhile, the marriage of Eighth Miss Xue Yue Man of Xue Mansion had fallen through.
She threatened to die, and her mother, Concubine Liu, was also deeply worried, so she pleaded with the First Madam. However, Madam Fu was no longer managing household affairs and looked haggard, only sighing.
“Fate. It is all fate!”
And so it was.
Xue Qingzhi and the Old Madam naturally would not allow Eighth Miss to become a concubine in the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion.
Since the marriage did not work out, they sent someone to inquire about the intentions of the Zhao family, scholars from the Guangwen Academy.
Dr. Zhao had intended to marry into the Xue family back then.
His son, Zhao Hong, was handsome and talented, but at that time, Eighth Miss Xue had high standards and looked down on the Zhao family’s status. Now, after the “secret meeting at Pu Ji Temple” and the incident with the unidentified corpse, with rumors spreading throughout the city, would they still be willing if they inquired now?
Dr. Zhao did not want to offend anyone, yet he was unwilling to marry into the Xue family. Just as he was in a dilemma, a matchmaker from Qingfeng Ward came, proposing the Third Miss Gu of Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion.
Third Miss Gu was the youngest daughter of Marquis Jingyuan and had just reached the age of marriage.
The Zhao family was worried about finding a suitable marriage. After inquiring, they learned that Third Miss Gu originally had an engagement, but it was broken off by the groom’s family due to an incident at Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion.
Recently, Third Miss Gu had been staying at Pu Ji Temple with her mother, observing fasting and abstinence. She was gentle, knowledgeable, and virtuous, completely unlike her elder brother.
Moreover, the status of Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion was even higher than that of the Minister’s Mansion.
If Gu Jie had not had an incident, they might not have been able to marry a daughter from a Marquis’s Mansion.
Dr. Zhao asked his son for his opinion.
Zhao Hong only said, “Everything is up to Father.”
Dr. Zhao stroked his beard and said, “Although Gu Jie was implicated in the Gold Department corruption case, His Majesty did not pursue Marquis Jingyuan. Furthermore, the old Marquis established great military achievements in the past, and Marquis Jingyuan is a man of integrity. He handled this matter very properly. I have some admiration for him. Currently, people in the capital are avoiding their family. It might be a good thing for us to marry into the Gu family at this time.”
Zhao Hong nodded.
“Father is right. In the Gold Department case, Marquis Jingyuan was merely implicated, and his daughter is even more innocent. Rather than adding to prosperity, it is better to offer help in times of need. Marrying at this time can be considered a righteous act, a demonstration of a scholar’s integrity.”
–
The Xue Mansion was shrouded in gloom.
The next day, the person sent to inquire at the Zhao family returned, saying that Zhao Hong had already reached a verbal agreement with Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion. Both parties had the intention to marry, and they politely declined Eighth Miss Xue.
No matter how beautifully it was phrased, it could not hide one fact.
The Zhao family disdained Eighth Miss Xue’s poor reputation and was unwilling to marry her.
To avoid her, they almost formed an alliance with the Gu family overnight…
The slap in the face was resounding. Xue Yue Man was so ashamed and angry that she wept all day. Xue Yue E went to her room to comfort her, but no matter what she said, there was no recourse.
In the end, all that was left was cursing.
“It’s all Xue Liu, that jinx, who is causing us to have no good days!”
“Ling Xu was not wrong; Xue Liu is a disaster star of the Seven Sha.”
Fortunately, Xue Liu was about to be married off.
Prince Duan’s birthday was approaching, and Xue Yue Chen had sent back letters twice, inquiring about the preparations in the mansion.
Although Eighth Miss Xue of Xue Mansion suffered a setback, it did not affect Madam Qian happily preparing Xue Sui’s dowry.
In Li Xiang Courtyard.
Xue Sui was playing with Ling Yu.
Jinshu came over and said that Madam Chun had returned to Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion from Pu Ji Temple, concerning her daughter’s marriage.
She had someone send a pillowcase embroidered with gold thread to Xue Sui, saying it was made by Miss Gu of the Marquis’s Mansion to add to her dowry.
Xue Sui looked at the exquisite Twin Lotuses pillowcase, the gold thread and silk tightly woven and luxuriously shaped, and couldn’t help but curve her lips slightly.
“Miss Gu is very skillful. I wish her a good husband, and this should also be a comfort to Madam Chun.”
If her son was not well, and her daughter’s marriage was also obstructed, she truly feared Madam Chun would not be able to live.
At Pu Ji Temple, she accompanied Madam Chun daily and was fortunate to have met that Third Miss Gu. She was gentle, kind-hearted, and very much like Madam Chun.
Now that Madam Chun had returned to the mansion to handle her daughter’s marriage and distract herself, it was a good thing.
That Young Master Zhao was a renowned scholar. He might not reach high official positions or great wealth in the future, but a person of noble character would be blessed by the gods.
Since Xue Yue Man looked down on him, let her watch others find happiness.
Jinshu looked at Xue Sui, spreading food in her palm, gently letting Ling Yu peck at it.
“Before, I only thought Miss was intelligent, but I didn’t expect her to be so magnanimous and generous.”
Xue Sui smiled, “Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt has its owner. There is no need to vent anger on others.”
The only person she hated was Gu Jie, and the person who left scars on her was only Gu Jie, not Madam Chun, and certainly not his sister Gu Ruoyi.
She had returned for revenge.
Not to let hatred fester and become uncontrollable.
Xue Sui: Ah, I’m finally leaving Xue Mansion~~
Li Zhao: Enough!! I said enough!
