Chapter 33 : Is Being a Rich Widow Not Good Enough?

The Imperial Concubine Wan, was not as calm and composed as she appeared in the Furong Garden.

Upon returning to the palace, she immediately lost control of her emotions and smashed the cup in her hand.

Taking a deep breath, she said, “Pick it up.”

“…Yes.” The maid trembled in response.

Concubine  Wan’s so-called “pick it up” was not to use a handkerchief but to pick up the broken shards with her hands, ensuring they were cleaned up thoroughly, even drawing blood if possible.

This was what Wan enjoyed most.

She could quietly watch for a while, and her anger would dissipate.

Some would call her cruel, but other palace masters were even more brutal.

Still, the maid couldn’t help but feel afraid.

After a while, the maid cried out in pain as a shard cut her, and the blood flowed uncontrollably.

Concubine  Wan finally turned her gaze away and called for her personal maid to go to the inner room.

“Your Majesty, why bother being angry with them? One is childless, another is on the verge of losing the Emperor’s favor, and the other is just a little girl…” the maid advised.

She was referring to Duke Zhao, Princess Jinque, and naturally, Xue Qingyin.

“A little girl?” Concubine  Wan laughed coldly, “It’s because I made a big mistake with this little girl that we’re in this situation now, and even the Emperor was shocked!”

The maid said, “Fortunately, Your Majesty, you still have the Emperor’s favor.”

Concubine  Wan’s face tightened, “Do you really think so?”

The maid replied confidently, “Of course. With how Duke Zhao acted today, no one else could have calmed him down so easily.”

Concubine  Wan muttered, “You think today’s punishment for the Xue family was light?”

The maid, confused, asked, “Wasn’t it light? Your Majesty enjoys high favor, and your brother was also highly valued in the previous dynasty. You’ve always been well-rewarded. The punishment may seem severe, but what effect does it really have?”

Wan sighed, “…Duke Zhao must think the same.”

The maid was perplexed.

“So what?”

But Concubine  Wan didn’t respond.

Her personal maid was very loyal, but after years of smooth sailing, she had become a bit slow-witted.

Concubine  Wan felt an ever-present unease in her heart.

That unease solidified when she took the initiative to have the eldest son of the Xue family request to marry Xue Qingyin, only for the Emperor to reject it.

She feared… that when the news of today’s punishment spread…

As the saying goes, “A string played knows the musician’s intent.”

She feared that others might see it as a sign that the Xue family was losing power.

In the Furong Garden, Duke Zhao and Emperor Liang Dedi sat together in the pavilion.

From a distance, Zhao Xufeng’s cries could be heard: “Mother! Mother!”

The cries were very sorrowful.

Emperor Liang Dedi glanced in the direction of Zhao Xufeng and whispered, “Years ago, I advised you to take another wife, but you refused. Look, A Feng still longs for a mother.”

Duke Zhao shook his head and muttered, “He wants a pearl, not anyone else. If I take another wife, when I die, the pearl won’t recognize me.”

“Pearl” was the name of Duke Zhao’s wife.

“Then why do you call that Xue girl ‘mother’ today?”

“She knows how to comfort him.” As he spoke, Duke Zhao’s mind wandered. It was rare to find a girl who didn’t mind his son…

Emperor Liang Dedi seemed to understand his thoughts and said, “This Xue girl is not bad. If you’re moved…”

Duke Zhao hurriedly interrupted, “If she marries in, it’s no different from jumping into a fire pit. She’s still young; she could be Afeng’s daughter.”

Emperor Liang Dedi laughed, “You’re too kind.”

Then, his smile faded, and his tone grew serious, “I know you’re unhappy, but now the students of Xu Qin are gradually occupying high positions. I want to curb their influence, but it will take time.”

Duke Zhao’s resentment vanished instantly. He frowned and said, “The Xue family’s power is indeed getting too much. If only this were a battlefield, even though I’m old, I’d still be willing to fight for the Emperor.”

Emperor Liang Dedi patted his shoulder. “I know your heart.”

“Isn’t Ning Que the best student of Xu Qin? Isn’t he about to return to the capital to report on his duties?”

“Mm.” Emperor Liang Dedi’s expression became complex when he spoke of Ning Que. “He performed very well as the governor of Bianzhou. Soon, I’ll be promoting him.”

“I’ve heard of him… He’s very competent, has the ability to govern, and is loved by the people. He’s said to be a man of integrity and impressive stature. If he could serve the Emperor, that would be great.”

Emperor Liang Dedi put down the chess piece and sighed. “…Unfortunately.”

Ning Que had no weaknesses, so how could Emperor Liang Dedi trust him completely?

After finishing their chess game, Emperor Liang Dedi stood up and asked the palace servant, “Has King Xuan left?”

The servant replied, “Your Majesty, I’m not sure. I’ll go look for him right away.”

Emperor Liang Dedi smiled. “Let’s have dinner here in the Furong Garden today. Go invite King Xuan over.”

The servant searched but couldn’t find him.

Emperor Liang Dedi’s face darkened immediately.

After sitting for a while in the pavilion, he suddenly said, “King Xuan is no longer young. It’s time to choose a noble, virtuous lady for him to marry.”

At the same time, He Songning was still talking to Xue Qingyin: “The Emperor’s actions don’t mean he has really let  Concubine Wan off.”

Xue Qingyin thought to herself, “King Xuan said the same thing.”

It seemed everyone here was clever.

“Retreating to advance. This will put Duke Zhao and the Xue family completely at odds,” He Songning whispered.

Xue Qingyin was a good listener.

He Songning didn’t avoid her and directly analyzed the situation.

After all, they were on the same side now.

He needed her to infiltrate the King of Wei .

They talked long into the night.

Xue Qingyin yawned lazily. “So, according to you, the Xue family might be doomed in the future. Why should I still marry into the King of Wei ?”

“He’s still the Emperor’s son. The Xue family will fall, but what does it have to do with him? If one day, even the Wei Wang dies,” He Songning said, looking at her, “you can become the master of the King of Wei , with all the wealth in the world. Isn’t that good?”

Xue Qingyin snapped to attention. “So you’ve already planned all this?”

She couldn’t help but feel a little moved.

Who wouldn’t want to be a rich widow?

But then she thought, if the Emperor really acted one day, she’d die with the Wei Wang.

But it probably wouldn’t come to that.

The Emperor didn’t like the maternal family, but it was rare for him to even harm his son, especially when everyone knew the Emperor was truly fond of Wei Wang.

He Songning was pleased to see that she wasn’t afraid. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“You’re brave,” he said, pleased.

“It’s late, you should rest,” He Songning said, rising to leave.

After leaving the yard, He Songning paused, but didn’t go to see Xue Qinghe.

It was too late and he didn’t want to disturb her sleep.

Another day arrived.

Today, Ning Que, the governor of Bianzhou, came to report to the capital.

Also, the news spread that the Emperor would be selecting wives for the princes.

At this time, Princess Jinque posted an invitation for noble girls to join a lakeside excursion.

Everyone began to guess whether this was an opportunity to select suitable candidates for the princes.

Soon, all the noble girls were excited.

Xie Yiyi, who had been chosen as one of the Four Princess’s companions and was the daughter of the National Master, was sitting with some noble girls admiring the flowers.

Suddenly, someone said, “Have you heard? Xue Qingyin went to Furong Garden.”

“What?” The others quickly gathered around.

Xie Yiyi froze for a moment.

Furong Garden…

She couldn’t go, but Xue Qingyin went?

Was it that the Fourth Princess favored her so much that others were envious?

She recalled how she had feared that Xue Qingyin might be jealous of her, and now she felt embarrassed and awkward.

“You didn’t know? For some reason, Princess Jinque and she get along very well,” another girl said with a soft laugh.

Xie Yiyi couldn’t sit still anymore, and felt that these words were all ironic to her.

She was overjoyed when the Fourth Princess rewarded her with a glass cup from the Western Regions. But

Xue Qingyin had a box…

Moreover, Princess Jinque had a title, and everyone knew that she had been loved by His Majesty since the death of her husband. As for the Fourth Princess, although she could get a glimpse of her status by being raised under Concubine Wan’s lap, she didn’t have a title and didn’t have her own residence, so she couldn’t compare to Princess Jinque.

“Princess Jinque is arrogant, how could she be on good terms with her?”

“Who knows.” Do we have to learn from Xue Qingyin’s stubbornness? The noble ladies secretly murmured in their hearts, feeling somewhat envious and disdainful of Xue Qingyin.

Xue Qingyin got up in the morning and put on her makeup, and the maid came to urge her in a hurry.

“I don’t know what kind of luck our family has had recently, with nobles coming one after another.”

Xue Qingyin looked back blankly: “Ah?”

“My girl, don’t be dazed. There are people from the Duke of Zhao’s mansion again, and also from the Princess Jinque’s mansion and the Prince of Wei’s mansion.”

The maid said, her mouth couldn’t help but grinning from ear to ear.

Which girl can have such a pomp?

Xue Qingyin couldn’t help smacking her lips. She was not surprised by the Prince of Wei and the Princess Jinque.

But why did the people from the Duke of Zhao’s mansion come again? They wouldn’t really catch her to remarry, would they?