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The second son of the Marquis of Wuding, Xue Lian, was appointed as the Inspector of Xingzhou, leading one hundred soldiers from the Shenshu Camp out of the Capital.
On that day, the wife of the Duke of Xu and the wife of the heir apparent submitted a petition to the palace.
The favored consort received the two at Yongfu Palace. After dismissing the palace maids, she asked, “Is everything going smoothly? I heard that His Majesty has pardoned your cousin.”
“Very smoothly,” replied the wife of the Duke of Xu. “Maolin’s memorial arrived just in time; whether it was a day earlier or a day later, it wouldn’t have been as fortuitous. His contribution is significant; not only did His Majesty pardon his punishment, but he also exempted the Wei family’s dependents from forced labor in Beiguan. As long as they do not leave Beiguan, His Majesty has allowed them to move about freely.”
“That’s wonderful news.” A relieved smile appeared on the favored consort’s face. Not long ago, she had heard from Consort Ling that her cousin had escaped from the exile team and was facing dire consequences, which had frightened her greatly.
She recounted Consort Ling’s words to the wives of the Duke and the heir apparent, and both were taken aback.
The wife of the Duke of Xu, still somewhat shaken, patted her chest. “That was close. If the memorial hadn’t arrived just in time, once His Majesty issued the decree for Maolin’s punishment, it would have been too late to do anything.”
After all, the emperor’s word is final. Once he ordered strict punishment, there would be no turning back.
“As for Maolin, as long as he can safely reach Beiguan, there’s nothing to worry about for the time being.” Compared to her nephew, the wife of the Duke of Xu was more concerned about her daughter. “Are you doing well in the palace? You seem to have lost quite a bit of weight lately.”
The favored consort raised her hand to touch her cheek, noticing that she indeed looked somewhat thinner. Even the maids had commented on her poor complexion while doing her hair that morning.
“What happened in the palace?” the wife of the Duke of Xu asked in a lowered voice. “Has that one from Qionghua Palace given you trouble again?”
The principal lady of Qionghua Palace was Consort Ling, who had enjoyed favor for many years.
Though she had not been formally named a consort, she held considerable influence in Emperor Xiaoming’s harem, even surpassing the former empress.
“It’s not her,” the favored consort shook her head, her voice very soft, revealing a sense of helplessness.
Seeing this, the wife of the heir apparent asked with concern, “Is it news from Changning that has reached you?”
The favored consort’s complexion paled, and her lips, now lacking color, trembled slightly.
Even without her answering, the wife of the heir apparent and the wife of the Duke of Xu could tell that they had guessed correctly.
The wife of the Duke of Xu anxiously asked, “What happened in Changning?”
The favored consort gripped the armrest of her chair tightly, her eyes closing for a brief moment. When she opened them again, she sighed deeply and said in despair, “Changning lost a child…”
“What?”
The wife of the Duke of Xu and the wife of the heir apparent both showed surprise, which quickly turned into tender concern.
Princess Changning, the eldest daughter of the favored consort, had been sent to the Northern Barbarians for a political marriage four years ago.
Changning was only just of marriageable age at the time, and Emperor Xiaoming married her off to the Northern Barbarian leader, who was already nearing forty. The leader’s eldest child was considerably older than Changning.
Less than half a year later, news of Changning’s pregnancy reached the Capital.
When Emperor Xiaoming was drunk, he had even jokingly said in the harem that he would support Changning’s child to ascend the throne, firmly securing the Northern Barbarians under Dayong’s control.
Unfortunately, the child was lost unexpectedly when it was less than three months old.
The letter sent back said the child was lost due to a slip and fall.
Emperor Xiaoming muttered, “Bad luck.”
Consort Ling sneered, “She can’t even keep a child.”
Only the favored consort suspected that the child’s loss was not accidental.
Now, three and a half years later, almost identical news had arrived, and the favored consort increasingly suspected it wasn’t an accident.
“The child was deliberately lost by the Northern Barbarians.”
The favored consort gritted her teeth, voicing her suspicion. “The Northern Barbarians never wanted Changning to give birth to a child with Dayong blood.”
If that were the case, the so-called political marriage was never sincere.
It was merely a temporary peace bought by Emperor Xiaoming with his daughter and a large amount of treasure.
Once this “peace” is broken again, those most affected would not be the people of Beiguan, but Changning, living in the Northern Barbarian camp!
“……”
Xue Lian had already changed into his official robes, gathered his men, and left the Marquis of Wuding’s residence, heading straight for the North Gate.
Within Xuanwu Gate, next to the Marquis of Wuding’s residence, the Marquis of Jinyang’s residence was also discussing the matter.
Madam Qin, the wife of the Marquis of Jinyang, said rather resentfully, “Why was this task given to the second son of the Marquis of Wuding? How is our Feng any worse than that boy? If Feng were to go, he would certainly handle things perfectly and return with a promotion…”
“Enough, say no more,” the Marquis of Jinyang interrupted impatiently. “This is not a good assignment. Why do you think those old foxes in the court pushed this matter onto Xue Lian? It’s because he is from the former Crown Prince’s lineage, and they want him to go to his death!”
“Hiss…” Madam Qin gasped. “So, it’s a good thing our Feng wasn’t chosen.”
“Isn’t that right? Do you think the harsh northern lands are easy to travel to?” The Marquis of Jinyang stroked his beard and shook his head. “Our Feng is not from the Wei Maolin family; there’s no need for him to suffer this hardship.”
Just a courtyard away, in Qifeng Courtyard, Chen Feng was also contemplating what he had just heard from his father.
After nearly a month, it was the first time he had heard news regarding the Wei family.
Xue Linglong flipped through the account books in her hands, and after a long time without a response from Chen Feng regarding her earlier question, she grew a bit impatient. “Are you even listening to me?”
“Hmm?” Chen Feng came back to his senses, looking at Xue Linglong, who had her arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed, and couldn’t help but frown.
“What were you just thinking about?” Xue Linglong asked suspiciously, staring at Chen Feng.
Under her penetrating gaze, Chen Feng felt a bit guilty.
Thinking of the recent tumultuous discussions in the Capital, she quickly guessed, “You’re thinking about the Wei family, aren’t you? You’re thinking about Wei Yunlan?”
Chen Feng’s frown deepened, but he didn’t voice a rebuttal.
“Wow, you promised me a lifetime of companionship, and now you’re thinking about your divorced ex-wife?”
Xue Linglong slammed the account book onto the table in frustration, pointing at Chen Feng. “Chen Feng, do you have any regard for me? Do you appreciate all the hard work I put in to earn money to support your entire family?”
“It’s not like you’re supporting me,” Chen Feng’s expression grew even darker. The marquisate had its own estates and businesses; even without the treasures in the storeroom, there was no need for him to be supported as Xue Linglong claimed.
Their Marquis of Jinyang’s residence held a hereditary title.
While the Xue family had previously been just a merchant family!
“……”
Over a thousand miles away in the north.
Wei Yunlan was unaware that the news from her family had caused the newlywed couple to part ways unhappily, just a month after their marriage.
At this moment, she stood on a rock outside Yandu Gorge, gazing at the narrow pass nestled among towering peaks. A glimmer of determination shone in her clear eyes.
This road leading to the northwestern nations was the starting point of her future journey.