Chapter 410 - The Empress and Consort Join Hands (1/2)

Mo Xuetong was only in Cining Palace briefly. Consort Ning had plotted to and killed Consort Chu. This was a grave matter and changed King Ning, Feng Yuzhen’s plans completely. Everyone knew that the court was no longer in two factions. It seemed on the surface that this matter was caused by King Ning’s foiled plots.

However, in actuality, King Chu had not suffered any losses in this matter. It was said that the Ding General Manor was prepared to marry their Third Miss, a legitimate daughter of the family, to King Chu. She would become his second wife. The Ding General Manor had lost a daughter just like that and the royal family owed the Ding General Manor one. It was necessary for them to allow the Ding General Manor to have another Consort Chu in their family.

It was different for King Ning. w.a.n.g Yueyue’s death was not something that could be explained. She had miscarried early on in the pregnancy and it would not have put her life in danger. Everyone knew someone who had a miscarriage. At most, it would just affect their ability to have children in the future. However, one would not die just like that. It was also a coincidence that she had not left any message and took the blame for the whole matter.

It was a very curious incident and those who had been in politics for a long while all felt that something was off.

A chasm had grown between the w.a.n.g Manor and King Ning. There were even rumors that said that the First Miss of the w.a.n.g Manor had died an inexplicable death because she had something going on with King Ning. Some even described vividly what happened on the day of King Ning’s wedding. w.a.n.g Xiuxiu had lost her child and died. These matters could really be related!

While Grand Secretariat w.a.n.g had retired, he had been an official for many years and was well-known to all. Both his daughters had died in King Ning’s hands. He could not be unmoved about it. As such, more and more people watched King Ning in the shadows. Some officials who had long agreed to side with King Ning slowly broke ties off with him.

The internal branch of the Ding General Manor also had a slight disagreement with the Empress Dowager after this. They even treated the men the Empress Dowager sent to them lightly. Even though they did not refuse to do anything they were supposed to, they were not eager about doing it either.

All her plans that she had come up with over the years were now completely useless. The Empress Dowager was furious and laid in Cining Palace, ill. She was not in the mood to deal with those younger than her and only picked a few older n.o.bilities to chat with. She did not want to deal with people like Mo Xuetong, the consort of a prince, even more so. She told the eunuch at the door to say that the Empress Dowager was tired and to have her guests return. As such, Mo Xuetong only curtsied in the direction of the Empress Dowager outside the inner hall and was then brought out.

Meanwhile, it was bustling in the Empress’s Tianfeng Palace. The Empress’s ladies were all waiting outside for her to call them in.

A servant had already entered to report Mo Xuetong’s arrival when they saw her. A smiling eunuch appeared with a smile and brought Mo Xuetong in.

The Empress was seated at the highest seat in front. She exuded a sense of wealth and n.o.bility in her luxurious and beautiful phoenix robes. Even though she seemed a little pale, her expression was one of peacefulness and calmness. It was evident that she was in a good mood. A few consorts sat beside her. Consort Su, who had never gotten along with the Empress was there as well. It was a rare sight to see the two get along peacefully and laughing as they spoke.

Mo Xuetong was granted a seat by the side after she greeted the Empress.

“Is King Xuan’s leg better?” The Empress asked kindly as a palace maid served up tea.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. His Highness’ leg injury is mostly healed. However, he is still lacking in strength. The imperial physician said that even when he is completely healed in the future he has to use less of his legs. If he injures his bones again, it would be difficult to make a full recovery.” Mo Xuetong bowed respectfully and answered with a smile.

“King Ning is playful or he would not have injured himself. I heard that you have managed the back courtyard pretty well. You have to get rid of some of those things that cannot be seen in public. Don’t cause any trouble in the future.” Consort Su said with a close-lipped smile.

Feng Yuran’s back courtyard was like a large provision shop. Everyone knew about that. The other women looked at Mo Xuetong when they heard that and their smiles were tinged with ridicule. So what if Mo Xuetong was strict in her management of the household? How much could she reign King Xuan in? He was known to be unwieldy.

There were so many beautiful women in his back courtyard. How would he bear to let them leave? Who knew when he would return to his licentious behavior and bring the women into his manor one by one?

They were newlyweds now and Mo Xuetong was beautiful. Feng Yuran would definitely like her very much. It did not mean much for him to abandon his entire back courtyard. But what would happen in the future? Given Feng Yuran’s unruly reputation, no one knew how long his affections for Mo Xuetong would last.

Mo Xuetong did not know why Imperial n.o.ble Consort Su was displeased with her. Fortunately, she did not mind. She figured that Consort Su would not have liked her anyway since she was Consort Xuan. As such, she pretended not to mind and replied graciously, “His Highness has his plans for those in the back courtyard. I do not dare to meddle. His Highness will do what he wants.”

No matter what Consort Su meant, Mo Xuetong just had to pretend to be a gracious and open-hearted Consort Xuan.

“Consort Xuan is really a gracious and intelligent person. Look at how thin you have gotten from taking care of King Xuan.” Consort Su exclaimed and put her hands together. Then, she turned to say to the Empress sweetly, “Your Majesty, you have to reward Consort Xuan well. I heard that she’s been keeping King Xuan company in the manor and he’s been reading. His Majesty has already asked King Xuan to go over. I suppose His Majesty will ask if King Xuan has been reading lately!”

She turned to look at the Empress after having said that.

The Empress looked at Mo Xuetong and nodded. She said with a smile, “You are a virtuous one. If King Xuan does you wrong in the future, don’t mind it as much. I will help you. You have to deal with the things in your courtyard but don’t deal with all of them. Just get rid of the ones who don’t know their place and the ones who are just inferior. Then, settle on a few concubines so that the royal family will not be embarra.s.sed.”

Mo Xuetong rolled her eyes internally. However, her expression grew more respectful. The royal family had already embarra.s.sed themselves many times. Ever since the Princes married, embarra.s.sing incidents had happened one after another. Why would she cause an embarra.s.sment! Why was the high and mighty Empress focused on King Xuan’s back courtyard? Even Consort Su mentioned it over and over.

“Yes, I will return and remind His Highness.”