Chapter 172: Pestilence, popular anxiety (1/2)

Chapter 172: Pestilence, popular anxiety

Seeing Zhao mama so anxious, Han Yunxi assumed that there were developments in the palace, but the mama only shook her head as she panted for breath.

Han Yunxi grew impatient. “Zhao mama, say something!”

Zhao mama heaved for breath. “Esteemed wangfei, Grand Concubine Yi she…she wants…to write a letter asking Princess Rongle for help!”

“What?!” Han Yunxi was stunned, afraid to believe her own ears.

“Really! A mama from the Peony Courtyard said so… Esteemed wangfei, we can’t do things like this, it’s too disgraceful!” Zhao mama was both anxious and angry.

Han Yunxi was even more furious and went to the Peony Courtyard without another word. If even the servants understood this as losing face, Grand Concubine Yi must have gone crazy or stupid. She actually thought of such an idea. As a man, even a common citizen would find it humiliating to be forced into marriage, much less a lofty figure like Long Feiye. He’d already refused the decree, so if Grand Concubine Yi brought up the matter with Princess Rongle, wouldn’t she invite dishonor?

Suppose Princess Rongle publicized the news? Then it wouldn’t just be Long Feiye losing face, but Tianning Country as well. If one took 10,000 steps back and assumed Princess Rongle agreed to drop the matter of marriage, would Long Feiye accept her sentiments? Would Emperor Tianhui easily let him go? In the end, it’d still be Long Feiye bearing the brunt of the insult!

Han Yunxi rushed into the Peony Courtyard in a huff, where Grand Concubine Yi was actually writing a letter in her study. She had no time to bother with details as she burst in through the doors. “Mufei, don’t harm His Highness!”

Grand Concubine Yi’s hand trembled as she drew a large black streak across the papers, ruining her letter.

“Mufei, His Highness definitely wouldn’t agree to such a thing. He might’ve been forced to marry, but now we’re asking the other party to give it up? What would that count for?” Han Yunxi said, panting with rage.

Grand Concubine Yi set down her brush, simmering with anger. “Han Yunxi, what did you just say? Exactly who was the one to hurt Feiye? You actually ran over here to find fault with me?”

“Just who was it that hurt Feiye?!”

As Grand Concubine Yi spoke, she walked out and drew closer to Han Yunxi. “Tell me! Who hurt Feiye?”

The furious Han Yunxi finally sobered up and dropped her gaze in silence. Grand Concubine Yi suddenly shoved her away before tottering back, almost tumbling down herself.

“Han Yunxi, it’s all because of you! You shameless woman! If you had some integrity and didn’t barge into our house, none of these things would’ve happened!”

“Han Yunxi, do you know? The emperor will lock him up for the rest of his life. His Majesty’s been waiting for the chance!”

Grand Concubine Yi had already staggered back significantly after her words. She bumped into the table behind her and used it to support herself, her other hand pinching her forehead in agony. She wasn’t an idiot. Of course she knew that asking Princess Rongle for help was a stupid idea, but she had no other ways. Right now, she didn’t even have a way to see the Duke of Qin. The situation was completely unclear. If Emperor Tianhui really resolved to lock him up there forever, then he might go even further in the future.

The Duke of Qin’s power would slowly disintegrate, and the Duke of Qin’s estate would gradually lose its position in the imperial house. She couldn’t bear any of that happening. The late emperor had already passed away. Besides her and the empress dowager, all of the other concubines were either buried alive with the dead or sent off to watch his tomb. The only person she could rely on was her son.

Han Yunxi saw the despair in the ever elegant and poised Grand Concubine Yi, and couldn’t help but feel bad in her heart. Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stood in silence before Grand Concubine Yi raised her head. “Han Yunxi, do you have any other ideas besides asking Princess Rongle?”

This…

Han Yunxi really wanted to answer, but she couldn’t say anything after opening her mouth.

Did she have an idea?

In both this life and her last, she’d never given considerations to positions of birth or family background. She disdained those who used such things to get what they want. But even so, she deeply desired to have such respected positions of her own–to have a strong family as her backup and a path to accomplish things!

Unfortunately, she didn’t. She didn’t have anything…

Her own family needed her support to exist in this world!

Grand Concubine Yi didn’t rebuke Han Yunxi any further. She turned around to rip up the letter, before leaving with a soft laugh. Han Yunxi left in a daze, wandering aimlessly in the courtyards until Steward Xia ran over in a rush.

“Esteemed wangfei, esteemed wangfei!”

Han Yunxi had no reaction. Grand Concubine Yi had already said that much. Besides Long Feiye compromising, what other good news could there be? But how could that fellow possibly relent with his type of temper?

Steward Xia hastily ran in front of Han Yunxi. “Esteemed wangfei, something’s happened, something big. Your servant couldn’t find esteemed imperial concubine, so I can only find you!”

“What’s happened that’s so big?” Han Yunxi finally asked.

“His Majesty’s maternal uncle’s second wife paid a visit to her parents on the 15th of the new year. But she caught the plague and brought it back. Meanwhile, that Imperial Uncle’s family’s been secretly quarantining themselves until yesterday, when their third son fell ill as well. I heard he was infected!”