Yunchu’s Vengeance - Chapter 74
Chapter 74 - Uneasiness Within the Palace
Two carriages halted before the Yun family gates.
Yunchu sat in the leading carriage, while the rear carriage was packed full of ice blocks just hauled out of the storehouse.
Madam Lin felt her heart ache terribly upon seeing this. "You reckless child, spending money so carelessly—just how much silver did a whole carriage of ice cost?"
Although the Yun family held high positions and wielded great power, they were not some extravagantly wealthy great clan. Spending thousands of taels of silver on blocks of ice felt somewhat excessively extravagant to Madam Lin.
"That Chen's Ice Shop on the street? I own it," Yunchu stated plainly. "If Mother needs ice, just have someone go fetch it directly."
Madam Lin was astounded. "The southern merchant who went on a massive hoarding spree of ice back in March and April was you?"
"Mother just needs to keep this to herself," Yunchu said, shifting the subject. "Last time, a rift occurred between the Xie family and the Marquis of Xuanwu, resulting in An'er losing his opportunity to study at the Imperial Academy. If Eldest Brother doesn't plan on sending Jiang'er to the Imperial Academy, why not give this opportunity to An'er?"
Jiang'er was the eldest son of Yunchu's eldest brother, Yun Ze. Named Yun Zhenjiang, he was five years old this year and, like Xie Shi'an, studied at the Huide Academy established by the capital's government.
Madam Lin casually remarked, "Your eldest brother never went to the Imperial Academy back in the day, so Jiang'er naturally won't go either. Since the spot is vacant anyway, just let An'er have it."
Yunchu knew that no one in the Yun family would object. Even her eldest sister-in-law, Liu Qianqian, knew the Yun family members could not enter the Imperial Academy and would eagerly wish to cede this quota away.
In her previous life, Xie Shiyun had obtained this favor.
In this lifetime, would she let Xie Shi'an have his wish?
A deeper smile curved at the corners of Yunchu's lips.
Madam Lin smiled as she brought up another matter. "Ran'er's marriage has been settled."
Yunchu was surprised. "So fast?"
"Ran'er is already seventeen, how could we delay any further?" Madam Lin began. "That boy from the Dai family is also nineteen. Other families' sons of that age already have children of their own, so the Dai family is anxious, and we are anxious as well. Thus, the marriage has been set for the autumn, leaving plenty of time to prepare the dowry."
Yunchu nodded and began discussing the dowry for her younger half-sister with Madam Lin.
Once they had discussed most of it, Madam Lin lowered her voice. "Tomorrow, accompany me into the palace to visit Consort Yun."
Yunchu detected an unusual undertone. "Did something happen to Aunt?"
Madam Lin shook her head. "Didn't the Crown Prince fall ill a few days ago?"
Yunchu knew about the Crown Prince's illness; Yu'er had told her yesterday when she went to the Yin family residence.
Originally, the Prince of Pingxi was supposed to go to Juzhou to suppress bandits, but because the Crown Prince fell gravely ill, the Emperor ordered the Prince of Pingxi to remain in the imperial capital.
She had not understood why the Crown Prince's illness required the Prince of Pingxi to stay, but seeing Madam Lin's solemn expression now, Yunchu understood a fraction: the Crown Prince's illness this time was likely man-made...
"The Fourth Prince made a trip to the Eastern Palace, and soon after, the Crown Prince began vomiting and suffering from diarrhea. The imperial physicians tested the food sent to the Eastern Palace by the Fourth Prince and found it problematic," Madam Lin said in a very low voice. "The Emperor flew into a rage and punished the Fourth Prince, ordering him to go to the Qing'an Temple outside the city to pray for the Crown Prince's recovery... Now that the princes of various palaces have all grown up, some have hatched ambitions they ought not to harbor. The palace will likely have no peace for the next few years. Your grandfather instructed me to enter the palace and admonish Consort Yun, telling her to keep a close eye on the Eighth Prince and make sure he doesn't get mixed up in these matters."
Yunchu remembered that this incident had also occurred in her previous life. The Fourth Prince was punished by being sent to pray at the Qing'an Temple. Only after the Crown Prince recovered from his illness was the Fourth Prince permitted to return. Later, when the Crown Prince reinvestigated the poisoning incident, it turned out to have been orchestrated by someone else; the Fourth Prince's innocence was cleared, and the Emperor, realizing he had wronged an innocent, bestowed numerous treasures to make amends. That period was likely the happiest and most comfortable time of the Fourth Prince's life.
Yet less than half a month after living in carefree ease, disaster struck.
Yunchu stayed at the Yun family residence to share dinner with Elder General Yun before taking the carriage back to the Xie residence.
Xie Jingyu's personal pageboy was waiting right at the main entrance. Seeing her return, he hurried forward and said, "Madam, you've finally returned. Master has been waiting for you."
Yunchu asked in a calm voice, "Where is Master?"
"At Anshou Hall," the pageboy replied respectfully. "Will Madam head over right now, or should this lowly servant invite Master to come to Sheng Residence?"
Yunchu walked straight toward Anshou Hall.
At this hour, the Xie family members were all gathered here awaiting news, and the concubines were present as well, making the room lively and bustling.
"Chuchu, sit down," the Old Lady said with a beaming smile. "What did Madam Yun and your eldest brother say regarding An'er's matter?"
Yunchu took a sip of tea before speaking unhurriedly, "My eldest brother felt that because he himself never entered the Imperial Academy for his studies, he only managed to place in the Third Rank of metropolitan graduates, a regret that has lingered with him ever since. He plans to wait until Jiang'er turns eight before sending Jiang'er into the Imperial Academy."
The smile on the Old Lady's face slowly faded.
She had placed excessively high expectations on this granddaughter-in-law; the higher her hopes had been, the greater her disappointment was now.
Xie Jingyu frowned slightly.
Based on his understanding of Elder General Yun, the General would never allow anyone in the Yun family the opportunity to establish overly close contacts with the princes in the palace, so how could he possibly send Yun Zhenjiang into the Imperial Academy?
Could it be that Consort Yun intended to utilize the Yun family's influence to vie for the succession on behalf of the Eighth Prince?
At this thought, Xie Jingyu broke out in a cold sweat.
Although he relied on the Yun family, he had no desire to blindly follow the Yun family in taking a stand for the Eighth Prince, because the Eighth Prince was far too young—contending for the imperial throne would be unimaginably difficult...
"However, I persuaded my eldest brother. Jiang'er is only five years old, and we don't even know whether he favors scholarship or martial arts. Wouldn't taking up this opportunity now be a waste?" Yunchu looked at Xie Shi'an with a face full of gratification. "An'er is well-read in the classics and has worn out many binding cords with his diligence; he is truly a person of genuine talent, and the Imperial Academy should rightfully have a place reserved for him."
An expression of ecstatic joy flashed across Xie Shi'an's face, though he quickly suppressed it, his voice carrying unmistakable emotion: "Thank you, Mother."
Only after losing this opportunity did he realize just how precious such a chance truly was.
He never could have imagined that, between Jiang'er and himself, his mother would actually choose him.
Then he would never disappoint this heartfelt kindness from his mother.
"Chuchu, you truly are the lucky star of our Xie family," Madam Liu said with deep emotion. "Without you, An'er's entire life would have been ruined."
The Old Lady spoke up, "Chuchu, in the future An'er will certainly be filial to you and also repay the Yun family in kind..."
Yunchu exchanged a few casual pleasantries with the Old Lady before taking her leave and departing Anshou Hall.
Xie Jingyu followed her out. "Madam."
Yunchu halted her steps. "Does Husband have any further matters?"
"Walking through the market today, I saw a hairpin that would suit Madam very well." Xie Jingyu retrieved a butterfly jade hairpin from his sleeve. "Let me pin it in for Madam."
Yunchu glanced at it.
This hairpin was worth ten taels of silver at most—enough to coax a young girl, perhaps. But she was already twenty, long past the age of being easily moved by petty favors.
Her voice was serene. "This hairpin is indeed quite nice. Later on, I'll take it and give it to Ping'er; it will suit her well."
Xie Jingyu's expression stiffened slightly.
This was the first time in their five years of marriage that he had bought jewelry for her, yet she merely glanced at it before giving it away to someone else.
The heart he had offered up felt as though it had been cast aside onto the dirt by her.
"If Husband has no other business, I shall take my leave first."
Yunchu turned away with serene indifference, her retreating figure quickly vanishing into the doorway of Anshou Hall.
Xie Jingyu clutched the hairpin tightly, his chest heaving violently.
"Master."
A soft, tender voice sounded. Immediately afterward, his hand was grasped, and the hairpin within his grip was gently drawn out.
He glanced sideways and saw Tingyu standing by his side.