Yunchu’s Vengeance - Chapter 83
Chapter 83 - Thinking From Another Angle
Xie Ping knelt in the ancestral hall for a full night.
Yun Chu did not allow anyone to send food, nor did she even permit a single drop of water to be sent.
He Shi peered into the ancestral hall through the small window and, seeing Xie Ping slumped limply on the ground, felt her heart ache fiercely.
She stuffed most of the silver she had earned from doing embroidery work in recent days into the hands of the gatekeeper matron, carried a food box inside, and said in a low voice, "Ping'er, Mother has come. Hurry and eat something."
Xie Ping raised her head, grabbed He Shi's hand, and asked anxiously, "How is it? Has there been any movement?"
He Shi advised, "The sky has only just brightened; even if there were movement, it wouldn't happen this fast. Eat something first, and don't ruin your body."
How could Xie Ping have any appetite? Her entire body was aching and uncomfortable, but the present physical discomfort was only temporary—she was terrified that this matter wouldn't have a good outcome.
At that moment, the matron outside the door suddenly spoke up, "Aunt He, it seems a guest has arrived at the residence. Hurry and leave!"
A glimmer of light appeared in Xie Ping's eyes. "It must be that King Anjing sent someone. Auntie, hurry out and ask about the news."
After giving a few words of caution, He Shi immediately stepped out of the ancestral hall and headed toward the front courtyard.
Indeed, a guest had arrived at the front courtyard: a palace mama, specifically Mama Tang, a trusted confidante of Imperial Noble Consort De, one of the four imperial consorts of the inner court.
Mama Tang bowed one by one to the members of the Xie family. As a heavily favored individual close to Imperial Noble Consort De, how could the Xie family dare to accept her bows? They hurriedly offered her a seat and tea.
"The reason our Prince was at Qing'an Temple was to pray for blessings for the Crown Prince. During this period, he has been copying Buddhist scriptures daily, practicing asceticism and maintaining a clear mind; it is entirely impossible for him to have committed such an absurd act." Mama Tang's voice carried a chilling edge. "Why did Master Xie go to the Censorate last night, and why did Young Master Xie lead people to linger outside the gates of the Dali Temple all night? What are they trying to do?"
The old madam's word was law within the Xie family, yet at this moment, seeing the palace mama acting so overbearing and aggressive, she was left utterly speechless.
Yun Chu smiled. "Does Mama Tang mean to say that because King Anjing committed such an act right under the feet of the Buddha, the full responsibility rests on my little daughter's head? Originally, my Xie family was still considering whether or not to ask the Dali Temple Magistrate to preside over justice, but now it seems thoroughly necessary."
Mama Tang's expression stiffened.
She had originally intended to put on a lofty posture to put pressure on the Xie family first, never expecting that this Madam Xie would completely disregard Imperial Noble Consort De's face.
Yet upon reflection, it was understandable. This Madam Xie was, after all, the legitimate eldest daughter of the General's estate, and General Yun wielded great military power. Relying on the backing of the Yun family, why would she fear any imperial concubine?
Drawing a mutton-fat white jade pendant from her sleeve, Mama Tang softened her tone and said, "This is a jade pendant that Imperial Noble Consort De has worn for over twenty years. She specifically had me bring it to bestow upon Xie Eldest Miss. Once the Crown Prince recovers from his illness, our Consort will have the Ministry of Rites arrange to take Xie Eldest Miss as King Anjing's secondary consort."
Grandmother Xie was overjoyed. It seemed the position of secondary consort was secure.
Although Ping'er's future days might not be pleasant, the Xie family had at least hooked themselves to King Anjing's manor, and Jingyu's immediate predicament was also resolved smoothly.
Xie Jingyu furrowed his brows.
Last night, he went to the Censorate, An'er went to the Dali Temple, and Yun Chu made a trip to the Yun family—all to leverage the influence of these three forces to pressure Imperial Noble Consort De.
Imperial Noble Consort De had indeed made concessions, but at most, she was only willing to grant the position of a secondary consort.
In truth, he could also understand Imperial Noble Consort De, because given Ping'er's status, she simply was not worthy of the position of primary princess consort.
"This jade pendant is far too precious; our Xie residence dares not accept it." While he was deep in thought, Yun Chu spoke up. "Could we trouble Mama Tang to request Imperial Noble Consort De to send an imperial physician to pulse-diagnose my little daughter? Ever since returning to the residence yesterday, my little daughter has refused water and food, attempting to end her life multiple times. Right now, she has more outgoing breath than incoming..."
Mama Tang's expression turned ugly.
This Madam Xie was attempting to tell her that if Imperial Noble Consort De could only offer the position of a secondary consort, then Xie Eldest Miss would commit suicide.
A cheap wench who seduced Prince Anjing deserved to die anyway; however, the Xie family did not see it that way. If Xie Eldest Miss died, the Xie family would likely turn the world upside down making a scene.
She stood up and took back the jade pendant. "Our Consort will certainly give the Xie residence an account regarding this matter. I ask Master Xie not to spread word of this, and I shall return to the palace to report back."
Mama Tang quickly departed from the Xie residence.
"Madam, this move will undoubtedly cause Imperial Noble Consort De to fly into a rage." Xie Jingyu frowned and said, "Imperial Noble Consort De only had King Anjing after giving birth to two princesses, and she has always pampered him immensely. Not only did the Xie family scheme against King Anjing, but they also covet the position of primary consort. I fear Imperial Noble Consort De will not easily let the Xie family off. I wonder if Madam has a backup plan?"
The gazes of all the Xie family members landed uniformly upon Yun Chu.
Yun Chu spoke calmly, "My lord should spend more time paying attention to court affairs. Nowadays, the Crown Prince is gravely ill, and the Emperor is convinced that King Anjing is responsible. Only by taking the initiative to marry a daughter of a humble family can he dispel the Emperor's suspicions. Imperial Noble Consort De cannot fail to understand this logic."
The old madam pursued the question, "What if Imperial Noble Consort De stubbornly refuses?"
"Then it can only be said that Imperial Noble Consort De is foolish and fails to see the bigger picture," Yun Chu sneered. "With such a foolish birth mother, King Anjing will not achieve any great accomplishments in the future anyway. It would be better for Ping'er not to marry him at all."
Hearing her say this, the old madam dared not ask anything further. Asking too much seemed to imply that she, too, was foolish.
After leaving the Xie residence, Mama Tang returned straight to the palace and reported the entire situation in meticulous detail to Imperial Noble Consort De.
Imperial Noble Consort De was so furious that she smashed every single cup in sight.
"Why does that fourth child not have an ounce of brain!" She said, her head aching from anger. "To actually be schemed against by a girl whose hair isn't even fully grown—and to do it in a sacred Buddhist place, right at the time when the Emperor was punishing him to reflect on his faults! It doesn't matter much that he's going to anger me to death, but I'm terrified he'll anger the Emperor enough to banish him to the fiefdom. The fiefdom is so far away, so cold, and so desolate—how could he endure such hardship!"
"Consort, calm your anger," Mama Tang lowered her head and said. "Thinking from another angle, this might not necessarily be a dead end."
Imperial Noble Consort De said in a deep voice, "What do you mean?"
"Right now, the Emperor suspects the Prince of plotting to seize the position of Crown Prince, which is why he punished the Prince to pray for blessings at Qing'an Temple," Mama Tang explained slowly. "Although our Prince was framed, as long as the Emperor and the Empress have made up their minds, they will not easily permit the Prince to leave Qing'an Temple. If Consort takes the initiative to request a marriage for the Prince with a daughter of a humble family as his primary princess consort, it is equivalent to telling the Emperor that our Prince has no intention of fighting for the throne. Naturally, the Prince will then be allowed to return."
Imperial Noble Consort De understood this logic, but she still felt deeply unreconciled. "Even if it's a daughter of a humble family, it cannot be that cheap wench!"
"That Madam Xie of the Xie family is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yun family. If she is determined to make a huge fuss over this matter, I fear the Prince will never be able to return to the capital for the rest of his life," Mama Tang persuaded. "Once that Xie Eldest Miss becomes the primary consort, won't she still be at Consort's mercy to round or flatten as you please? You can just find a suitable excuse later to strip her of her primary consort title; it's of no consequence."
Imperial Noble Consort De clenched her back teeth tightly.
If the Xie family made a huge uproar over this matter, a simple investigation would reveal countless respectable women kept in King Anjing's private back courtyards, and King Anjing would likely be drowned in the spit of the common folk.
Although they were not contending for the imperial throne, they could not afford to become a prince despised by the common people.
Thinking it over and over, it seemed there was only one path left to walk.
Imperial Noble Consort De had no choice but to stand up, change her robes, and head toward the Palace of Earthly Tranquility where the Empress resided.