Ch 109 – Miscarriage
Cheng Yumo was leaning on the bed. She was so skinny that her body was only skin and bones, and her pale face was tear-stained.
Ruan-shi also sat on the side of the bed, wiping her tears: "Mo'er, you and the Marquis are still young. There will always be opportunities in the future."
This sentence poked into Cheng Yumo's pain, and her already calm emotions were agitated again. These past two days, Cheng Yumo had cried too much. Grief and pain overwhelmed, and she seemed to have exhausted her tears. Her red eyes were so painful, almost as if she was going to be blind. Even now, she was wailing, but no tears came out.
Ruan-shi became even sadder seeing her daughter like this. She held Cheng Yumo's hand tightly and said, "Mo'er, you can't be like this. The Marquis didn't mean to harm you. It must be the child's fate for coming at such an untimely moment. No one knew that you had been one month pregnant, which is very tragic. Maybe the child is here to block catastrophe in your place. He is gone, and the catastrophe that was about to befall you has now been solved."
"Mother." Cheng Yumo clutched her chest tightly, as if she wanted to dig her heart out, "I know, but I cannot help but hate. My still unformed baby, gone just like that! I have been looking forward to him for one year!"
Ruan-shi cried again. Cheng Yumo let out another dry wail, still unable to shed a single tear. Her eyes were red and full of despair. She suddenly grabbed Ruan-shi's hand. Caught off guard, Ruan-shi was startled: "Mo'er?"
"Mother, all is that wicked woman fault! I hate her!" Cheng Yumo grasped Ruan-shi's hand violently. Her eyes were full of hatred, as if she couldn't wait to devour her enemy. Ruan-shi looked both distressed and frightened. She hurriedly took her daughter's hand and said, "Mo'er, mother knows that you feel bitter, but she is your mother-in-law. You can never say such things."
It was precisely because Huo Xue-shi was Cheng Yumo's mother-in-law that Huo Xue-shi could scold her openly when she failed to get pregnant. When Cheng Yumo was pregnant but unexpectedly miscarried, Huo Xue-shi scolded her again for losing the child. Cheng Yumo suddenly felt another cramp in her lower abdomen, and she couldn't help bending down. Ruan-shi was frightened: "Mo'er, what's wrong with you?"
Cheng Yumo clutched the bedding tightly. In just a few days, she had lost a lot of vitality because of the miscarriage, and she looked almost like a different person. Cheng Yumo opened her mouth, but was unable to cry. She could only hold her mother's hand and repeated: "Mother, my child is gone, he is gone! But the wicked woman still refuses to give up, and she wants to give the Marquis a concubine!"
"My poor Mo'er!" Ruan-shi's tears couldn't stop falling. She hurriedly wiped her tears with a handkerchief. After quickly looking around, she leaned over and whispered to Cheng Yumo, "Mo'er, everything started from that vixen surnamed Su. She behaves timidly and speaks weakly, but who doesn't know what she is thinking about? Mo'er, precisely because of her attitude that you cannot fall behind. If you become cold with the Marquis, isn't it just what your mother-in-law and that surnamed Su want?"
When Cheng Yumo heard this, she was both sad and aggrieved. Obviously, she and Huo Changyuan were in love. Obviously, she was the one who had rescued Huo Changyuan in that snowy mountain. Obviously, she was Huo Changyuan's first and only wife in this life. Why did things turn out like this?
"Mother, but Su-shi is Marquis' maternal cousin, and she is backed by mother-in-law. I just lost a child and can't even get out of bed. What should I do?"
Ruan-shi hugged Cheng Yumo distressedly. It was as if her heart was pierced by a knife, painful and bloody. Ruan-shi gritted her teeth, brought her lips near Cheng Yumo's ear, and said in a low voice: "You can't do anything to your mother-in-law, but there is still the Crown Princess."
Cheng Yumo was shocked. Maybe Ruan-shi didn't notice her daughter's reaction, or maybe she didn't care, but she continued: "You are Crown Princess's younger sister. If Huo family doesn't give you a face, it is equivalent to not giving the Crown Princess a face. Fortunately, the Mid-Autumn Festival is soon. We can tell your grievances to the Crown Princess after the banquet. Why should you fear that Huo Xue-shi?"
Cheng Yumo closed her eyes in despair. Seeing the lack of answer, Ruan-shi couldn't help but urge: "Mo'er, mother is talking to you."
Cheng Yumo paused for a long time. Her voice was as dry as sand: "...Okay."
...
On the Mid-Autumn Festival, Cheng Yujin changed into the crown princess' yanju formal dress and attended the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet with Empress Yang. Empress Yang wore the empress' formal dress with a red juyi shirt inside, a bright yellow wide-sleeved blouse outside, and a red tasseled cape with gold embroidery on the outermost layer. Cheng Yujin's attire was very similar to Empress Yang's, except that she wore a blue juyi shirt, embroidered with Luan bird and auspicious cloud motif on the chest and back. Outside, she wore a red blouse, with sleeves wide enough to almost hang down to the ground. Her shoulders were draped with a dark blue tasseled cape, also embroidered with gold thread, very solemn and long enough that it almost touched the ground.
This kind of wide-sleeved blouse and long cape was very challenging to wear. If the wearer was not good enough, she would be overwhelmed by the attire's grandness and look unpretentious. However, when such heavy attire was worn by Cheng Yujin, they looked elegant and grand. Different garments were layered on top of another, and from a distance, it looked as if she was wearing a stack of gorgeous clouds.
On the Mid-Autumn Festival, Cheng Yujin changed into the crown princess' yanju formal dress and attended the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet with Empress Yang. Empress Yang wore the empress' formal dress with a red juyi shirt inside, a bright yellow wide-sleeved blouse outside, and a red tasseled cape with gold embroidery on the outermost layer. Cheng Yujin's attire was very similar to Empress Yang's, except that she wore a blue juyi shirt, embroidered with Luan bird and auspicious cloud motif on the chest and back. Outside, she wore a red blouse, with sleeves wide enough to almost hang down to the ground. Her shoulders were draped with a dark blue tasseled cape, also embroidered with gold thread, very solemn and long enough that it almost touched the ground.
This kind of wide-sleeved blouse and long cape was very challenging to wear. If the wearer was not good enough, she would be overwhelmed by the attire's grandness and look unpretentious. However, when such heavy attire was worn by Cheng Yujin, they looked elegant and grand. Different garments were layered on top of another, and from a distance, it looked as if she was wearing a stack of gorgeous clouds.
In particular, Cheng Yujin's blouse was red. Coupled with her black hair and snow-white skin, she looked so glamorous. Empress Yang was sitting not far away. With imperial gold draped on her body, she should be the most glamorous person in the hall. But unfortunately, Empress Yang's skin was not white enough. What was especially fatal was that she sat next to a more beautiful comparison. Next to Cheng Yujin's aura, Empress Yang looked so dark and unimposing.
Especially when the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was carried on in an orderly manner, with no mistake whatsoever. Dishes were being served one after another, and when the palace servants finally took out the blue and white porcelain mooncakes, Empress Yang's complexion totally collapsed.
The mooncakes were made from white flour and were molded into various beautiful and elegant shapes. What was especially rare was that the beautiful white crust was fused with blue patterns in a smooth and natural blending. All in all, the mooncakes looked like the finest porcelain art — exquisite and elegant to the extreme. Looking at the entire banquet hall, no two mooncakes had the same blue and white pattern.
Rather than a palace banquet, it was more like a display of imperial grandeur.
When such beautiful, art-like mooncakes were placed on the table, everyone held their breath in awe, and no one was willing to talk.
There were voices of exclamation below as the madams and young ladies learned that everything was arranged by the Crown Princess, including these mooncakes. Everyone was full of praises and amazement. Cheng Yujin was accustomed to being the number one, and the praises made her feel good, but she still had to play modesty: "I've made everyone laugh. These are but little things, and I dare not to claim credits. Everything is thanks for Empress Dowager and Empress' guidance."
How could these be small things? The grand Mid-Autumn Festival banquet went smoothly with no mishap. The menu was planned well and served perfectly with excellent combinations, not to mention the stunning mooncakes. Mooncakes were a staple for Mid-Autumn Festival, and everyone was more than familiar with them. Yet, the Crown Princess managed to amaze everyone with her new take of the traditional item. Could 'small things' sum all these up? The most frightening was that it was only the second month after this new Crown Princess entered the palace.
Everyone present had no words, but they were all convinced by Cheng Yujin. Her bearing was excellent, and her methods were great. Many titled madams were present tonight, but which of them dared to accept the task of organizing the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet after only a month of marriage? It was already a great accomplishment to organize this kind of important banquet without making mistakes, but Cheng Yujin was able to bring forth new ideas and make stunning improvements. Presumably, this new style of blue and white porcelain mooncakes would soon become a trend in the capital, and in ten years, there would never be a Mid-Autumn Festival that could achieve the same effect as this one.
After the banquet was over, the titled madams dispersed in small groups. They were technically allowed to leave now, but it was rare to enter the palace, so most people would stay for a while. Some of them chatted with their acquaintances, others took their daughters to socialize, or meet their in-laws. Among them, many people naturally went to greet the Crown Princess.
Cheng Yujin handled the waves of people coming to her gently and patiently, with a constant smile on her face. Although she spoke only occasionally, she guided the rhythm very well. Anyone who came to greet her didn't feel that they were treated coldly; on the contrary, they would think they had done a wonderful job and managed to say many witty words in front of the Crown Princess.
Seeing the lively crowd surrounding Cheng Yujin, Dou Xiyin snorted coldly, "Worshipping high and despising low. These small people are too capable." The girl gritted her teeth and said bitterly.
Yang Yan, who overheard it, quickly covered Dou Xiyin's mouth. She then hurriedly looked around. Seeing there were no other people around, she sighed in relief before berating her daughter: "Xiyin, this is the palace. You can't talk nonsense here. Have you forgotten what Empress Dowager told you that day?"
Dou Xiyin tugged her handkerchief and retorted angrily: "Mother, why don't you feel angry? Look at her!"
Of course Yang Yan was also uncomfortable, but this was the palace. As a mere titled madam, what could she do to the Crown Princess? Yang Yan sighed and said: "Xiyin, I know you feel aggrieved, but she is the Crown Princess. Although the Empress loves you, the Crown Prince is her stepson and the only bloodline left by the previous Empress. On top of that, he has just returned after missing for fourteen years. Even if the Empress is willing to help you, it is not easy for her to do anything."
Dou Xiyin felt bitter. For so many years, she was the most dazzling and the most beautiful existence at every banquet, and everyone rushed forward for a chance to talk to her. Dou Xiyin was extremely dismissive and arrogant, and she seldom bothered to respond to the people who came to talk to her, not giving even a polite smile. Now that those people finally stopped bothering her as she wanted, Dou Xiyin became very uncomfortable instead.
It turned out that she indeed liked people flattering her, and she couldn't stand seeing herself stop being the center of attention.
Dou Xiyin bit her lip and suddenly made up her mind. She said to Yang Yan: "Mother, those people used to flatter me in the past, thinking that I was to be the future crown princess. Now that the position has fallen on another person, they are definitely mocking me in secret. If I even lose the position of second prince's wife, do I still have a face to meet my peers in the future? Mother, you cannot let me become their joke."
Dou Xiyin bit her lip and suddenly made up her mind. She said to Yang Yan: "Mother, those people used to flatter me in the past, thinking that I was to be the future crown princess. Now that the position has fallen on another person, they are definitely mocking me in secret. If I even lose the position of second prince's wife, do I still have a face to meet my peers in the future? Mother, you cannot let me become their joke."
How could Yang Yan let this happen? Over the years, she had always considered herself the mother of the future empress, bragging and praising her daughter everywhere. Dou Xiyin was no longer the future crown princess. If she even failed to marry the Second Prince, wouldn't Yang Yan also become a joke in the upper-class circle? Besides her pride, there was also the matter of future prosperity, so Yang Yan couldn't let the Second Prince marry someone else, no matter what.
However, Empress Dowager's attitude was very obvious. After spending half of her life together, Yang Yan knew her aunt best. If Empress Dowager Yang truly wanted to marry Dou Xiyin to Second Prince, she must have said it early to make Yang Yan and Dou family grateful to her. Instead, Empress Dowager Yang was ambiguous, not saying yes or no, and just hanging Dou Xiyin around. This forced Yang Yan to think in the direction of the worst possible outcome.
Yang Yan hesitated for a long time, and finally made up her mind. Empress Dowager Yang was indeed Yang family's greatest backer, and Yang family made their first rise by relying on her support. But that was in the past. Now Yang Yan's father had become the Senior Grand Secretary on the cabinet, and her younger sister had also entered the middle palace as the Empress. Why did they still have to be led in the nose by Empress Dowager? The second Prince was Empress Yang's son, her father's outer grandson. How could it be the turn for Empress Dowager Yang, a mere maternal grandaunt, to decide on his marriage?
Yang Yan made up her mind and said to Dou Xiyin: "Xiyin, don't worry. Mother will definitely let you get what you want. Now, most people have gone. Let's greet your Empress aunt."
Dou Xiyin was overjoyed and responded obediently.
Yang Yan took Dou Xiyin to Empress Yang. Meanwhile, Cheng Yujin also welcomed her 'family.'
Cheng Yujin had seen Cheng Yumo's pale face early during the banquet, but there were so many people around and she was also the center of attention, so she couldn't inquire directly. After the banquet was over, the titled madams came in waves to talk to Cheng Yujin, and Ruan-shi and Cheng Yumo had to back off again and again. Finally, the two found a gap and hurriedly came to Cheng Yujin.
On the surface, they were coming to greet her, but in Cheng Yujin's eyes, they were clearly here to tell grievances.
Family ugliness must not be shown to outsiders. No matter what kind of grievances happened between Cheng Yujin and Cheng family, no one aired it outside to become a public joke. After Ruan-shi and Cheng Yumo arrived in front of Cheng Yujin and curtsied in greetings, Cheng Yujin immediately waved her hand and said: "It turns out that second aunt and second sister are here. I just happen to want to ask about grandmother. How about we move to Ciqing Palace for tea?"
Ruan-shi couldn't ask for more. She and her daughter immediately followed Cheng Yujin and walked towards the Eastern Palace. After entering the palace, Ruan-shi couldn't help but look around, only to see the red walls and green tiled roof shining brightly in the sun. The imperial palace was the only place in the world allowed to use glazed tiles. The Crown prince ruled over the east direction, the direction of the wood element, so the color green had always been used to refer to the crown prince. Therefore, the glazed tiles used in the Eastern Palace were also green in color. The imperial palace was so large, but one could always tell where the Eastern Palace was by just looking at the green tiles above.
Except for Crown Prince, no one was allowed to use those green tiles.
When Cheng Yujin and her entourage entered the palace gate, all the servants knelt down in an elegant and respectful posture: "Greetings to Crown Princess. Blessings to Crown Princess." Cheng Yujin kept walking without stopping, receiving all kinds of bows and salutations along the way. After entering the main building, Cheng Yujin led Ruan-shi and Cheng Yumo to the secondary hall in the west. As far as one could see, there was a majestic imperial style everywhere. The palace servants were very orderly and disciplined. They all moved quickly and quietly with their head down, without making a single sound.
Ruan-shi was made stunned by the momentum she witnessed. It was far from being achievable by displaying extravagant or expensive furnishing, no matter how valuable. Standing here, people simply did not have the mind to focus on how expensive a vase next to them was. Rather, it was the depth and vastness of the palace, the magnificent and majestic atmosphere of the imperial family, that gave the vase an unparalleled aura of grandeur.
Ruan-shi's initial momentum couldn't help but languish in such an atmosphere. She even began to hesitate and forgot the words she had prepared beforehand. After entering the secondary hall, Cheng Yujin first sat on the main seat, then motioned Ruan-shi and Cheng Yumo to sit too, "Second aunt and second sister seemed to have waited long. What happened?"
Ruan-shi and Cheng Yu sat down. Ruan-shi felt like she was sitting on a hot iron plate and couldn't sit calmly. As for Cheng Yumo, she had just witnessed Cheng Yujin's grandeur on the way — watching how everyone bowed down before Cheng Yujin, seeing how familiar Cheng Yujin was with the grand dresses and luxurious hall — and her mood suddenly sank to the bottom.
Cheng Yumo didn't want to let Cheng Yujin know about her misfortunes. Instead, she couldn't wait to turn around and leave this place.
But Ruan-shi didn't understand Cheng Yumo's inner turmoil. She calmed down and braced herself: "We didn't mean to disturb Crown Princess, but Mo'er is very pitiful. Those people bullied her too much. We have no choice but to come forward and ask Crown Princess to give us justice."
After finishing her opening, Ruan-shi saw that Cheng Yumo was still unmoved, so she couldn't help winking at her daughter. According to their scenario, Cheng Yumo should use this timing to kneel down and cry, asking Cheng Yujin to give her justice. Regardless of the truth of the matter, it was in Cheng Yumo's best interest to have Cheng Yujin be preconceived and make her feel sympathy.
However, Cheng Yumo kept sitting motionless. Her head was lowered, so Ruan-shi couldn't see her expression clearly. Ruan-shi was anxious and couldn't help saying again: "Crown Princess, Mo'er is very weak now. She has been in a trance like this for the past few days. She must be overwhelmed by joy upon seeing Crown Princess again. Please do not take offense."
Of course Cheng Yujin saw the secret signal Ruan-shi sent to Cheng Yumo, but she simply smiled slightly before responding: "It's alright. There are no outsiders here. If second aunt and second sister have any grievances, just tell me."
Ruan-shi winked at Cheng Yumo again. Seeing that her daughter still showed no intention to speak, Ruan-shi felt exasperated inside. In the end, she had no choice but to put aside her pride as an elder and began to narrate: "Crown Princess, reasonably speaking, the ugliness inside the family should not be leaked to others, but apart from you, we really don't know who can help to enact justice for us. Mo'er has been married to Huo family for more than a year. During that time, she has always been walking on thin ice. She serves her mother-in-law and takes care of the household with all her heart, but Jingyong Marquis Manor disregards all of her hard work, and even...want to give the Marquis a concubine!"
Cheng Yujin raised an eyebrow. Though this news was unexpected, it made sense. "Why does he suddenly want to take a concubine? Which girl is it?"
Ch 110 – Taking a Concubine
Once Ruan-shi entered the state, the rest of her words came smoothly and sleekly: "Crown Princess may not have known, but after Mo'er entered Huo family's gate as a bride for a year, she has to serve her mother-in-law and also take care of the manor every day, and she is so busy that she has never gone out. We all know that di-born children are different from shu-born ones, but now that the eldest di son has not yet been born, how can the Huo family let shu children be born and muddy the difference between di and shu? If it was just a nameless tongfang or low-ranked concubines, then it might still be okay, but to welcome a woman with a proper background as an honorable concubine, aren't they creating trouble for the next generation? Mo'er refuses to allow the Marquis to accept a concubine at this moment is for the sake of Jingyong Marquis Manor. But her mother-in-law seems to have lost her mind and vehemently wants to make her niece the Marquis' concubine. That Su Ke'er looks delicate and weak, but she is very scheming. She has just entered the manor as a guest and already caused a rift between Mo'er and the Marquis. If this goes on, won't Mo'er be forced to death by her?"
Ruan-shi's words were prattling and one-sided, but Cheng Yujin quickly sorted out the key clues from the long passage: "Su Ke'er? Is she Huo Xue-shi's maternal niece, that is, Marquis Jingyong's cousin?"
"That's right." Ruan-shi wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and continued to say with red eyes, "Crown Princess, you don't know anything about this Su Ke'er's methods. My child has swallowed so much wrong under her hands. On the day Su Ke'er arrived in the manor, Mo'er was kind enough to welcome her, but she instead instigated Mo'er's mother-in-law, causing Mo'er to be scolded as unfilial. Not only that, Huo Xue-shi even said that she wants to give the Marquis a caring woman of her liking as a concubine. Heaven pities my child! Even since Mo'er entered Huo family's manor, she has been working from dawn to dusk, doing everything personally, and never having free time of her own. Yet Huo Xue-shi doesn't acknowledge Mo'er's hard work and keeps insisting that Mo'er is unfilial. Mo'er was wronged, so she argued with Huo Xue-shi. Who would think that the Marquis just happened to be back at this time? In the end, in the end..."
Cheng Yujin asked cooperatively, "In the end, what happened?"
"He pushed Mo'er, which caused Mo'er to bump into the eight immortals table next to her and killed the one-month fetus in her belly."
When Cheng Yumo heard this, she finally couldn't help it anymore and began to cover her face and cry. Cheng Yujin wasn't surprised about the concubine matter, but she didn't expect that Cheng Yumo would have a miscarriage because of it. In an instant, Cheng Yujin's expression changed. Her eyes suddenly became sharp as she glanced at Cheng Yumo, "Why didn't you talk about such an important matter from the beginning? Someone come, put on a soft cushion for Marchioness Jingyong."
A palace maid in green clothes immediately stepped forward, putting a soft cushion behind Cheng Yumo's waist in a swift but gentle movement. Another palace maid also came forward to change the tea into something that warmed and nourished the body. Cheng Yujin held back her anger and asked: "What exactly is going on? Start from the beginning."
Cheng Yujin had been nothing but warm and amicable — until she suddenly lowered her voice just now. The expression on her face hadn't changed much, but the aura around her was clearly different. Ruan-shi was taken aback and no longer dared to make any fuss or use roundabout words. She lowered her head and quickly recounted what happened that day from start to finish.
After Cheng Yujin listened to the whole story, she was speechless. She then looked at Cheng Yumo. It was obvious that she should be annoyed at the latter's uselessness. However, when Cheng Yujin saw Cheng Yumo's thin, pale face and the skinny wrists coiled with jade bracelets, she was unable to say harsh words.
Cheng Yujin was also helpless with this mother and daughter pair. Was the main point now Su Ke'er? Obviously, it was Huo Changyuan. Huo Xue-shi was Huo Changyuan's mother, and Su Ke'er was also his cousin. As long as Huo Changyuan made it clear that he didn't want to take a concubine, could Huo Xue-shi force Su Ke'er into his bed? As for excuses like 'couldn't hold back when drunk,' those all were nonsense. Nothing would happen as long as the man didn't have such intention.
Moreover, Huo Changyuan taking a concubine and Cheng Yumo's miscarriage were actually two different matters. Regardless of the role of this Su Ke'er, it was a fact that Huo Changyuan failed to harmonize the relationship between his mother and his wife. As the head of the family, he didn't take care of his family affairs. Cheng Yumo and Huo Xue-shi had no blood relationship; wasn't it normal that they couldn't get along well?
Even Huo Xue-shi's word of unfilial should be directed to her son Huo Changyuan. Not to mention that Cheng Yumo miscarried because Huo Changyuan pushed her.
Cheng Yumo seemed to think of the child she had lost again and cry louder. It was such a sad cry that moved everyone who heard it. Cheng Yujin also sighed and said: "Don't cry. What is the use of crying now? You might as well recompose your mood and look forward. If you destroy your health because of this, it will be very worthless."
After speaking, Cheng Yujin glanced at Ruan-shi. The tip of her eyebrows moved up lightly as she said: "Second aunt, second sister is still grieving and cannot think straight, but how can you be so ignorant? She had just lost her baby at the beginning of the month. Miscarriage is extremely damaging to the body, and she should still have stayed in bed and recuperated. But you took her to the palace to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Do you love her or want to harm her?"
Hearing this, Ruan-shi panicked, and all of a sudden, she stammered: "I...I didn't mean that. If that Su Ke'er doesn't leave, won't Mo'er suffer for nothing? Su Ke'er is still living in Huo family manor. If Huo Xue-shi gives her the honor and makes her the Marquis' concubine during Mo'er's recuperation period, then what to do? Mo'er is still unable to serve the Marquis. In the case of Su Ke'er gave birth to the eldest son before Mo'er, what will Mo'er do for the next half of her life?"
Ruan-shi panicked, and all of a sudden, she stammered: "I...I didn't mean that. If that Su Ke'er doesn't leave, won't Mo'er suffer for nothing? Su Ke'er is still living in Huo family manor. If Huo Xue-shi gives her the honor and makes her the Marquis' concubine during Mo'er's recuperation period, then what to do? Mo'er is still unable to serve the Marquis. In the case of Su Ke'er gave birth to the eldest son before Mo'er, what will Mo'er do for the next half of her life?"
Ruan-shi felt that there was nothing wrong with her worries. Mo'er could always get pregnant again even if her first child were gone, but a concubine couldn't be sent away once she entered the manor. Even more dangerous was that Su Ke'er had Huo Changyuan's affection as a cousin and Huo Xue-shi's preference as a niece. If Su Ke'er really gave birth to Huo Changyuan's eldest son... Ruan-shi didn't even dare to imagine how Cheng Yumo would have to spend the rest of her life under the pressure of a favored concubine and shu child.
Therefore, even if it was still only half a month after Cheng Yumo's miscarriage, Ruan-shi forced her daughter to attend the palace banquet today. She even specially planned it to avoid Qingfu Junzhu so that she and her daughter could see Cheng Yujin alone. If they only had Cheng family as a backer, Ruan-shi wouldn't dare to open this matter, but Cheng Yumo was not only the daughter of Yichun Marquis Manor, she was also the Crown Princess' younger sister! The mother-in-law of normal families would have to give the daughter-in-law's natal family an explanation following a miscarriage incident, but now that Cheng Yumo was the Crown Princess' younger sister, how could Ruan-shi easily spare Huo Xue-shi?
Ruan-shi was determined to give Huo Xue-shi a lesson and let the Huo family know that their Cheng family was not easy to offend.
Ruan-shi cried sorrowfully: "Crown Princess, Mo'er only has you to rely on. You must give Mo'er justice! This subject's wife begs Crown Princess. Please send that Su-shi far away!"
Cheng Yumo sobbed with her head down. Ruan-shi was overwhelmed with emotion as she spoke and firmly believed she was right. The mother and daughter's cry made Cheng Yujin's head ache. She massaged her temple and raised her hand impatiently: "Enough."
Ruan-shi's crying stopped, and Cheng Yumo also subconsciously restrained her sob. Ruan-shi raised her head and looked at Cheng Yujin expectantly: "Crown Princess?"
"I have my own judgment on this matter." Cheng Yujin cast a light glance at Du Ruo. "Marchioness Jingyong has just miscarried and is still physically weak. Du Ruo, help the Marchioness inside so she can rest a bit. Lian Qiao, you go and send someone to summon Old Madam Huo."
Ruan-shi was overjoyed when she heard that. Du Ruo and Lian Qiao simultaneously replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
...
Huo Xue-shi felt her eyelids twitching when she got up today. She had been a widow for many years. At first, the mourning period prevented her from attending banquets, but later, she preferred to stay at home and rarely went out to see people. Today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the imperial palace held a large banquet. Although Huo Xue-shi was reluctant to attend banquets, she had no way to refuse the invitation from the palace.
Fortunately, now that Cheng Yumo was the Marchioness, she could replace Huo Xue-shi to attend such social gatherings. However, it was now a long time after Cheng Yumo's departure, but she was not home yet. Huo Xue-shi slowly counted the time and frowned.
It was already afternoon, and the banquet should have long been over. Normally, Cheng Yumo should have been home some time ago.
Su Ke'er was serving by Huo Xue-shi's side and fanned her lightly. Su Ke'er grew up proud of her beauty. She had never seen a more beautiful woman than herself, so she was very confident and arrogant. After the death of her mother, Su Ke'er quickly packed her belongings and went to her aunt in the capital.
As soon as she entered Jingyong Marquis Manor, Su Ke'er was shocked by the extensive display of wealth she saw everywhere. The gold items she could never afford was regarded as vulgar item by the family. Silver ingots as long as one's finger was used to reward lower-rank servants, while the higher-rank servants used golden hairpins and gold bracelets.
The prosperity dazzled Su Ke'er, and she became more determined to stay here no matter what. In the past half month, Su Ke'er's living standard had soared. Her clothes changed every day, and she had enough sets of jewelry and hairpins that she could afford to choose. This kind of life was something she could never imagine before. In order to please Huo Xue-shi, even the manor's servants did their best to flatter and praise Su Ke'er incessantly. These days, Su Ke'er felt like she was walking on clouds.
Today, Su Ke'er was serving Huo Xue-shi as usual while thinking about what kind of dress she should wear to see her biao brother tonight. In just half a month, Su Ke'er was completely fascinated by Huo Changyuan. She had never seen such a handsome, mighty, and noble man like Huo Changyuan. In her heart, Huo Changyuan was the best man in the world.
And such a man naturally should be hers.
Su Ke'er was daydreaming for a while when she suddenly saw Huo Xue-shi frowning and looked out of the window while muttering: "The palace banquet should have been over long ago, why hasn't she come back?"
Su Ke'er knew that her aunt was talking about Cheng Yumo. Su Ke'er didn't take this biao sister-in-law, who was supposed to be the noble young miss of a marquis family, seriously, and even was eager to compete with her to snatch biao brother Changyuan. Keeping this thought in her heart, Su Ke'er frowned slightly and pretended to be worried: "Did biao sister-in-law have some accident? The imperial palace is different from a marquis manor. But biao sister-in-law was born a daughter of a marquis family, and she is much nobler than me. It's impossible for her to wander around and get into trouble, right?"
On the surface, Su Ke'er seemed to be worried about Cheng Yumo, but she was actually stomping on her. However, Huo Xue-shi was not in the mood to pay attention at this moment: "It is still okay if she got into trouble. What I am afraid of is that she has gone to find someone."
Su Keer puzzled: "Going to find someone?"
Huo Xue-shi's lips trembled slightly, and her expression suddenly became very complex, "You have just arrived in the capital and still don't understand the situation of the Cheng family, but Cheng Yumo's eldest sister is the current Crown Princess."
Su Ke'er was really surprised. She suddenly remembered that when she first arrived in the manor, several mamas came to explain the identities of Huo family members to her. Su Ke'er vaguely remembered one of them mentioned that their Marchioness was the Crown Princess' younger sister. But soon afterward, Su Ke'er saw how Huo Xue-shi belittled Cheng Yumo. After that, Cheng Yumo miscarried, which forced her to stay in her room to recuperate, so she and Su Ke'er had never seen each other again. Slowly, Su Ke'er began to look down on this so-called marquis family's young miss and totally ignored the latter's family background.
Now, Su Ke'er seemed to take a blow, and she suddenly stammered: "A-aunt...you mean...the current Her Majesty is...biao sister-in-law's elder sister?"
In fact, it was wrong to call the Crown Princess 'Her Majesty,' but now Huo Xue-shi was not in the mood to pay attention to misspoken words. Her vague bad premonition was getting stronger over time. She recalled how Cheng Yumo, who was clearly so weak that she could barely stand straight, insisted on attending the palace banquet this morning. Huo Xue-shi suddenly realized how careless she was: "It's bad! She deliberately went to the palace to make a complaint!"
As if to confirm Huo Xue-shi's guess, not long after she said this, a senior servant stumbled in and trepidly said: "O-old Madam, someone from the palace is here."
Huo Xue-shi's face turned pale, as if her entire body was poured by a basin of cold water.
Su Ke'er supported Huo Xue-shi and tremblingly went to see the imperial messenger. Huo Xue-shi tried to stuff money into the eunuch's palm several times, but the other party merely looked at her coldly and said: "The palace has strict rules, and this one doesn't dare to accept Old Marchioness Jingyong's reward. The Crown Princess has sent a word, summoning Old Marchioness Jingyong to enter the palace right away."
Su Ke'er had never seen this kind of situation before, and she was so frightened that she didn't even dare to lift her head. All the way to the palace, she followed behind her aunt with her head down, only vaguely sensing the dizzying arrays of colorful glazes around her. After much walking and turning, the group crossed a heavily ornated threshold, and the surrounding atmosphere gradually became heavier. Finally, they stepped into a side door, and the eunuch who led the way suddenly looked very solemn, and Su Ke'er knew that they had arrived.
Su Ke'er tremblingly followed the others into the hall, then tremblingly knelt down, almost shrinking herself into a ball. She didn't dare to raise her eyes to look at the surrounding furnishings at all. Soon, a woman's calm voice sounded from above: "Old Madam Huo, long time no see. Please get up."
The voice was surprisingly very pleasant. Just one sentence made people want to see what the speaker looked like. However, Huo Xue-shi was so frightened into goosebumps when she heard the words 'long time no see.' Huo Xue-shi forced herself to get up shakingly. Su Ke'er originally was about to get up with her aunt, but the eunuch beside her gave her a cold glance, scaring her so much that she fell back on the floor with a shiver.
Today, Su Ke'er's three views received a heavy blow. This was the imperial palace, and that person was the Crown Princess. Jingyong Marquis Manor, whom she thought was very powerful and wealthy, was nothing in front of these people.
Cheng Yujin ignored Su Ke'er, who was trembling on the floor. She slowly opened the lid on the teacup and skimmed the tea foam inside. Cheng Yujin's posture was very elegant, but everything she did looked like a death sentence in Huo Xue-shi's eyes. Cheng Yujin took a sip, then put the teacup back on the table with a gentle thud. Such a small sound was enough to make Huo Xue-shi tremble even more.
Cheng Yujin raised her head. She looked at Huo Xue-shi, pursed her lips, and smiled softly: "Why is Old Madam Huo still standing? Someone come, give the Old Madam a seat."
Huo Xue-shi was fidgeting endlessly, but Cheng Yujin had spoken, and she didn't dare to not sit down. She settled herself on the edge of the chair, then hurriedly began to explain: "Crown Princess, you may have misunderstood. You cannot just listen to her one-sided words. This old woman can explain what actually happened that day..."
Huo Xue-shi secretly glanced at Cheng Yujin, only to find the other party was smiling elegantly as before. Cheng Yujin noticed Huo Xue-shi's peeking eyes and even nodded at her with a smile: "I see. Old Madam Huo may explain."
Huo Xue-shi found her tongue seemed to be frozen as she staggered to tell her own version of what happened on the day of Cheng Yumo's miscarriage. Huo Xue-shi had a resentment on her heart and added a lot of narratives that were beneficial to her. Listening to her, the matter was caused by Cheng Yumo's unfilial, and everything that happened afterward was Cheng Yumo's own fault.
A faint cry suddenly sounded from behind the screen. Huo Xue-shi's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately knew who was sitting over there. Even someone like Huo Xue-shi felt her face a bit hot at the moment.
Huo Xue-shi resisted the embarrassment and stood up to bow at Cheng Yujin: "This old woman knows that my daughter-in-law is Crown Princess' younger sister, and it is normal for Crown Princess to care about your family. However, this old woman is absolutely unbiased regarding the matter of that day and has a clear conscience. This old woman begs Crown Princess to be impartial."
When Huo Xue-shi knelt down once again, her body seemed to be both burning and freezing, making her dizzy. Huo Xue-shi remembered that it was only last year that she went to Yichun Marquis Manor to break the two family's marriage contract. At that time, she was very disgusted with Cheng Yujin, and when she came again with a marriage proposal for Cheng Yumo, she spared no effort to scold and demean Cheng Yujin in front of everyone. She was even so angry that she yelled at Cheng Yujin, accusing the latter of a poisonous woman. At that time, how could Huo Xue-shi imagine that one day she would have to kneel and bow to Cheng Yujin?
From her upper seat, Cheng Yujin looked down at the two people kneeling on the floor. Su Ke'er was shrinking into a ball, shaking so obviously for everyone to see. As for Huo Xue-shi, reluctance, embarrassment, resentment, and other emotions mixed in her eyes as she knelt down unwillingly.
In the end, Huo Xue-shi still bent her legs and bowed deeply to Cheng Yujin, begging for leniency.
Cheng Yujin looked at the mother-in-law in her previous life, the culprit who indirectly killed her in her previous life. When Huo Xue-shi in the previous life didn't hesitate to say "Keep the child," had she ever imagined about today?
Huo Xue-shi naturally had never imagined it. The matters of previous life ended in the previous life. Today's Cheng Yujin had never been part of Huo family. Huo Xue-shi's life and death, Huo family's life and death — what did they matter to her?
The events from the previous life just passed casually by Cheng Yujin's heart, leaving not even the slightest emotion, and she soon reverted to the dignified and honorable Crown Princess.
Cheng Yujin was about to speak when a loud announcement suddenly came from outside the hall: "Crown Prince has arrived. Marquis Jingyong has arrived."