Chapter 502 - Duke Ding Expressed His Loyalty (2/2)

The Second Uncle of Duke Ding was the Empress Dowager’s biological elder brother. He was an important person in the Ding General Manor, who supported the Empress Dowager. He was also in charge of contacting with the Ding General Manor and the Empress Dowager.

“Your Second Uncle is the Empress Dowager’s biological brother. It is normal for the two of them to get closer. Ever since your father pa.s.sed away, there are fewer and fewer close relatives of the Empress Dowager. Seeing that your Ding General Manor and the Empress Dowager are getting more and more estranged, I think that the Empress Dowager is pitiful.”

Emperor Zongwen slowly put on a smile, as if he was just a son who was worried about his mother’s loneliness. There was a hint of regret in his voice.

However, what he said made Duke Ding more determined—although the Empress Dowager came from Ding General Manor, they were distant relative in the bloodline. He raised his head firmly and said, “Your Majesty, my Second Uncle has been talking about treacherous words in front of me, and it’s about King Ning. On the one hand, they are my Second Uncle and aunt. On the other hand, I’m also Your Majesty’s subject. Your Majesty, please give me instructions.”

Duke Ding looked at Emperor Zongwen with a troubled expression on his face, with a hint of loyalty in his eyes. One would be easily impressed by him, feeling that this Duke Ding was indeed loyal to the Emperor. He did not mind putting all his elders aside. In the face of the interests of the country and the family, he chose to safeguard the interests of the country first. He was, so to speak, a loyal and righteous man.

This was the type of subject that was favored by an Emperor, because they could work for him wholeheartedly.

Emperor Zongwen smiled and said, “I’m really glad that you are so loyal to me. As for your Second Uncle, you should pay more attention to him. Don’t let him make trouble and affect Ding General Manor’s base of more than 100 years.”

“Many thanks for your instructions, Your Majesty.” Duke Ding broke into a cold sweat when he saw the impa.s.sive Emperor Zongwen. It seemed that what he did was right. The Emperor knew of the Empress Dowager’s actions. If he worked with the Empress Dowager, Ding General Manor’s hundred-year base might fall apart.

He admired Feng Yuxuan all the more. He had even guessed the Emperor’s reaction. He was indeed not simple.

At the same time, he was secretly shocked. If the Emperor knew that Ding General Manor had been wandering between the Empress Dowager and him, then Ding General Manor would lose its days of glory and wealth.

“You may leave now.” Emperor Zongwen made a wave of his hand.

“Yes.” Duke Ding didn’t dare to say anything else. Then he stood up, bowed, and left.

But when he retreated to the door and was about to lift his leg to cross the threshold, he heard the Emperor’s gentle voice. “Wait, is Consort Chu still living in your manor?” Duke Ding was so excited that he almost tripped. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and quickened his other foot’s pace. Then he lowered his head and reverently replied, “Yes, Rui’er has been living in Ding General Manor these days.”

“Okay, ask her to go back to King Chu’s Manor later. Since King Chu is not home, there is no one to take charge of the whole manor. Besides, ask her to help Second Consort Mo build up her health. No matter what, she is King Chu’s wife. There shouldn’t be so many contradictions between a wife and a second consort. A woman should be modest and respectful, trying to lead a better life.”

Emperor Zongwen, who was seated on high, said slowly.

After that, he waved his hand to motion Duke Ding to leave before he said anything.

Although Duke Ding had already guessed it, his face still trembled with excitement and he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Things really turned out the way King Chu said they would. Duke Ding became more respectful and decent. He knelt down beside the door and said loudly, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Off you go. The edict will come to you soon,” Emperor Zongwen said with a faint smile.

Duke Ding left slowly. It was not until he came out of the imperial study that he relieved a little easier and straightened up.

The matter regarding Ling Rui’er was finally over!

It had been a major incident on Duke Ding’s mind. Ling Rui’er had caused such a big fuss and even been demoted from the first consort to a concubine. This was a scandal that had never happened in Ding General Manor. At the thought of that, Duke Ding felt heartbroken. It shamed all the women of Ding General Manor. Who would dare to marry daughters of Ding General Manor in the future?

In the past, Ding General Manor said that they were descendants of righteousness and propriety, and the empress’s family and that their daughters were models for women. If Ling Rui’er could not regain her position, all the daughters of Ding General Manor would be embarra.s.sed and no one would be able to marry into a good family. Each daughter of the Ling family represented an unbreakable power. When the daughter of the Ling family was not able to marry well, it meant that the Ling family was weak.

Whenever he thought about this, Duke Ding would felt his heart was on fire.

However, the Empress Dowager claimed that she got sick and could not interfere in the matter regarding Ling Rui’er. Otherwise, it would arouse the Emperor’s suspicion. The Empress wanted to wait for a while and said that Ling Rui’er was too arrogant and that the Emperor was extremely dissatisfied. She said that it would anger the Emperor then if she mentioned it now. However, no matter what, Duke Ding was clear that what they said was an excuse, and that they all tried to make him forget about this matter. However, they did not realize that it would ruin the reputation of Ding General Manor.

In despair, Duke Ding could only accept King Chu’s method to save Ding General Manor. If he did not save Ling Rui’er, and the Emperor was to bestow a marriage upon King Chu, Ling Rui’er would no longer be the first consort even if she gave birth to a son. Furthermore, the fact that the legitimate daughter of Ding General Manor had become a humble concubine made Duke Ding unable to live with himself.

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