mtl008 Chapter 139: Demoted to Aunt, Plan Derailed
Chapter 139: Demoted to Aunt, Plan Derailed
"Yiyi, what happened next?"
Prince Jing was in the mansion in Tacheng. Li Jingwan was cracking walnuts while talking. "Did your father divorce Chen?"
"No." Bai Yiyi shook her head, took the crushed walnuts from Li Jingwan's hand, took out the walnut meat, and continued to recount the scene of that day.
"After you left, my father locked up Chen and Bai Lixuan because my grandmother's birthday banquet was about to begin."
"They were kept locked up until the evening. Chen was a very cunning person. As soon as she saw my father, she knelt down and cried and begged for mercy, saying how good she had been to him over the years and that she had not intentionally offended the distinguished guest."
Bai Yiyi said angrily, "She also said that the rumors about me were all spread by the servants. She had no idea about it. She just wanted to deny it."
"So your father has softened his heart?" Li Jingwan said with a smile, "Even if your father is confused, your grandmother is a wise person and will not let him do something stupid again."
"Sister Xiaowan, you are so amazing." Bai Yiyi exclaimed.
"My father was indeed a little shaken at the time, but fortunately my grandmother said that taking a concubine as a wife was against the law, and asked my father to think about the Bai Mansion and not lose the big picture for the small."
"My father immediately demoted Chen's position as the principal wife and made her a concubine again." Bai Yiyi was about to laugh when she thought of the scene at that time.
"Chen disagreed and kept throwing tantrums, threatening to commit suicide. Bai Lixuan also couldn't accept the fact that she had gone from being a legitimate daughter to a concubine's daughter, so she hugged my father's legs and begged for mercy."
"Fortunately, my grandmother was very strong. She said that if they continued to make trouble, they would be sent to the farm and never allowed to come back. Only then did they stop."
She threw the walnut meat into the bowl and said, "Sister Xiaowan, I have been complaining about my grievances for so many years. I am really proud of myself at that moment."
"Thank you, Sister Xiaowan." She thanked Li Jingwan sincerely, "If I hadn't met you, I would still be on the farm now."
"Because of your relationship with Prince Jing, my father now values me very much. He has given me many things and returned to me the things that the Chen mother and daughter had taken from my mother. Those two were driven to another courtyard, and my grandmother sent someone to watch over them. They are well behaved now."
"My father urged me to come here yesterday to pass on a message to Prince Jing. He wanted to let Prince Jing know that he had changed and was managing the family well. He was afraid that Prince Jing would not be satisfied with him."
Seeing the bright smile on her face, Li Jingwan also became happy, "Back then at the manor, I promised to help you, and I will never break my promise."
"And I also want to thank you for keeping me here, giving me the opportunity to meet Ding Zheng, and for delivering a message for me."
Bai Yiyi was a little embarrassed, "Sister Xiaowan, actually, no matter what I do, you are the one helping me."
She wanted to do something in return. "If you need me for anything, just tell me. I will do it, no matter if it means risking my life or going through fire and water."
Li Jingwan was amused by her chivalrous words, "Lady Bai, I really need your help with something."
"What is it?" Bai Yiyi asked immediately.
It seems that even if Li Jingwan wants to become a bandit, she will follow him.
"I will be going to the capital of Xirong in a few days. If you have time, come and talk to Ding Zheng and help me look after him, okay?"
"No problem." Bai Yiyi agreed immediately, but was a little disappointed that he couldn't do more for her.
Li Jingwan picked up another walnut, and the walnut shell cracked with a crisp sound.
"Doctor Xu said that having someone familiar accompany Ding Zheng would be good for his recovery. He knows you and would definitely be willing to communicate with you."
"Sister Xiaowan, I will come and talk to him every day."
"Not really." Seeing that there were a lot of walnuts, Li Jingwan put down the nutcracker and said, "Come when you have time, but remember one thing..."
"Don't mention it to anyone." Bai Yiyi finished her words and vowed, "Sister Xiaowan, don't worry. Even if my mother comes back to life, I won't tell anyone."
Li Jingwan smiled and said, "Thank you, Miss Bai. Let's go and see Ding Zheng. Doctor Xu should have taken your pulse."
-
The Imperial Palace in Beijing.
According to regulations, the palace would hold a family banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony on the day of the Wanshou Festival, mainly inviting royal relatives, high-ranking nobles and some high-ranking officials in the capital, foreign envoys, etc. to attend the banquet, and this year is no exception.
After the beginning of winter, the capital city suddenly became cold, but the floor heating had already been lit in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, making it as warm as spring.
After Song Qingyan entered, she felt a wave of heat coming towards her and couldn't help coughing a few times.
"Yan'er, are you okay?" Zhao Yunying asked hurriedly, patting her on the back. "If I had known earlier, you wouldn't have come. You could have stayed in the mansion with your grandmother to recuperate."
"Mom, I'm fine." Song Qingyan resisted the itch in her throat. "It's just too cold outside and too hot inside. I couldn't help coughing a few times after coming in. It's okay."
Just like in her previous life, she caught a cold two days before her birthday.
In her previous life, she did not attend the Wanshou Festival family dinner because she was sick and she was already engaged to Guo Boyan.
Just two days after this family dinner, He Bingshu, who was originally favored by Concubine Zhong, was ordered by the emperor to marry the second prince Chu Tingjue.
She guessed that something must have happened at this banquet, so she had to attend the banquet in this life.
Some people had already arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony and were standing in groups of three or four, talking.
When Song Qingyan began to look for He Bingshu in the crowd, a woman came over and said with a smile, "Mrs. Song, Miss Song."
As soon as she saw her, Song Qingyan felt a surge of hatred in her heart, and she wanted to slap her twice on the spot.
This person was her mother-in-law in her previous life, Guo Boyan’s biological mother, Zeng.
She remembered the mean face Zeng showed to her and all the tortures she had suffered after Chu Tingyu's faction lost power.
But now, she could only bear it and pretend not to know him.
Zhao Yunying has already met Zeng, and Song Qingyan did not reject Concubine Zhong's marriage proposal. She also believes that Song Qingyan will agree, after all, it was the Concubine who acted as a matchmaker.
Zeng thought so too and smiled at them warmly.
"I've heard that Miss Song is both talented and beautiful. Today, I see that she is indeed a top-notch beauty. It's hard to take your eyes off her. She looks exactly like Madam Song."
This sentence praised both the mother and daughter. Zhao Yunying smiled and said, "Mrs. Guo is joking."
She introduced to Song Qingyan, "Yan'er, this is the wife of the Minister of Revenue, Mr. Guo, Madam Guo. Come and meet Madam Guo."
Song Qingyan bowed very obediently, "Qingyan greets Madam Guo, and says hello to Madam Guo."
"Oh, Miss Song is such a lovely girl." Zeng happily held her hand and seemed very satisfied with her.
Song Qingyan's body stiffened, and she forced herself not to pull her hand back.
"I liked Miss Song the moment I saw her. If she became someone's daughter-in-law, that family would be blessed after several lifetimes of hard work."
"Mrs. Guo, you are too kind." Zhao Yunying said modestly, "Yan'er has been spoiled since she was a child. She can read a few words and is just an ordinary girl."
"If Miss Song is still considered ordinary, then my Shuyu is even more useless."
Guo Shuyu is the eldest daughter of the Guo family. She is already married. She is of the same character as Zeng, always looking down on the powerful and praising the weak.
When Song Qingyan heard the names of these people, she felt that Zeng was looking at her with even more disgust. She withdrew her hand calmly and bowed slightly.
"Mother, Madam Guo, please forgive Qingyan for being rude. Miss Mei from the Xuanping Marquis family is here. I'll go over and say hello."
"Go ahead." Zhao Yunying nodded.
Zeng also said, "Miss Song, you young people have something to say, I will chat with your mother. When you are free some other day, you must come to the Guo Mansion as a guest."
"Okay." Song Qingyan smiled and nodded. As she turned around, the smile on her face disappeared instantly and her eyes became gloomy.
When she becomes the Crown Princess and then the Queen, she will definitely destroy the Guo family and avenge her past life.
In fact, Mei Yueying had not come yet, Song Qingyan just found an excuse.
She just wanted to wash her hands now. The thought of Zeng's hands holding hers made her feel extremely disgusted.
According to regulations, maids were not allowed to enter the palace and had to wait outside the palace.
Lian Ye saw Song Qingyan coming out and hurriedly came over to her, "Miss, where are you going?"
"Change."
Lian Ye then went to ask the eunuch beside him how to get there.
At this moment, Song Qingyan's eyes lit up.
He Bingshu is here.
She had met He Bingshu at the Marquis Xuanping's Mansion and had an impression of her.
At this time, the person walking beside He Bingshu was Qi Xinyu, who was talking with a smile on her face, and their maids followed behind them.
As the two approached, Qi Xinyuo saw Song Qingyan and a hint of unnaturalness flashed across his face.
Last time in the Princess's Mansion, she acted as Song Qingyan's vanguard to find fault with Li Huirou, which resulted in her elder brother Qi Lingjun being stripped of his official position and becoming a commoner.
She was severely scolded when she returned to Qi's house. She felt resentful towards Song Qingyan and stopped sticking to her afterwards.
He Bingshu didn't know about the hatred between them. When she saw Song Qingyan, she took the initiative to greet her, "Miss Song."
Song Qingyan nodded and said with a smile, "Miss He."
He looked at Qi Xinyou again, "Ms. Qi, long time no see."
Qi Xinyou had no choice but to reply, "Meet Miss Song."
Song Qingyan stepped aside and said, "You two go in first. I need to change my clothes."
He Bingshu nodded, asked the maid to take off her cloak, and walked in with Qi Xinyuo.
Lian Ye came back at this time, took down the cloak hanging on the side, put it on her, and pointed to the right, "Miss, come this way."
Song Qingyan washed her hands and walked back. Thinking that she would definitely be asked to talk by Zeng if she went back now, she slowed down her pace and said, "Lian Ye, let's take another route and go through the garden we just passed."
She would rather stay outside for a while longer than to see Zeng's hypocritical face.
It was cold outside and a family banquet was being held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, so I didn't even meet any palace servants on the way.
After walking around a rockery and about to walk out, I suddenly heard voices of conversation in front.
"Are you all ready?"
Song Qingyan stopped immediately and signaled Lian Ye to keep quiet with her eyes.
She was standing at a very secretive angle, and no one could see her from outside unless they looked closely, but if she turned sideways, she could see the person who was talking.
When Song Qingyan saw these two people, her eyes widened immediately.
Isn’t this Qi Xinyuo and He Bingshu’s maid?
Why did they come here to talk?
Qi Xinyou's maid said, "Don't worry, as long as you take your young lady to the railing near the pavilion in the center of the lake, everything has been arranged. The second prince knows that she is wearing a pink cloak."
Song Qingyan's heart skipped a beat.
He Bingshu's maid was a little worried, "Will Miss get hurt if she falls into the lake in such cold weather? What if the master blames her..."
"Of course not." Qi Xinyou's maid said, "You just need to call for help, and the Second Prince will come out to save her immediately. My lady and I will also appear, and we will testify for you that the railing she was leaning on was loose, and she fell down by herself."
He Bingshu's maid said "hmm", "Let's go back quickly, we can't leave for too long."
After the two men left, Song Qingyan's heart was still beating wildly, and she understood.
No wonder He Bingshu was suddenly married to Chu Tingjue in her previous life. It turned out that it was all a trap set by Chu Tingjue.
When He Bingshu fell into the water, he jumped in to save her.
He Bingshu had physical contact with her and had no choice but to marry him.
If you think about it carefully, the Qi family was indeed the second prince's party.
It turned out that these people had already colluded with each other in private to carry out the plan.
Song Qingyan was so scared that a layer of cold sweat broke out on her back. When she looked at Lian Ye again, she saw that the other person also had a panicked look on his face.
"Miss... they want to... hurt..."
"Don't say anything yet." Song Qingyan immediately interrupted her, pulled her to an empty corner, and spoke in a low voice.
"You can't tell anyone what you just heard, or you'll die."
Lian Ye's face looked even worse than that of the sick Song Qingyan, "I understand...I understand."
It was quiet all around, with only the cold winter wind blowing.
After a while, Song Qingyan gritted her teeth and made a decision, "Lian Ye, you will do as I say later."
"As long as it's done, I'll ensure you a lifetime of wealth and glory."
Lian Ye was not stupid. She knew that what Song Qingyan asked her to do must be of great importance.
But she had no choice but to nod and say, "Miss, I will obey you."
-
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, all the guests have arrived and taken their seats.
Song Qingyan looked at Chu Tingjue who was sitting in the front row, and her eyes gradually deepened.
At this time, a eunuch reported loudly:
"The Emperor has arrived, and the Imperial Concubine has arrived."
Everyone stood up and saluted immediately, "Welcome to the Emperor, welcome to the Imperial Concubine."
Chu Yin sat in the main seat. Since Concubine Zhong had not been promoted to empress, she could not sit with the emperor, and her seat was slightly lower.
"Everyone, please stand up." Chu Yin's voice sounded good. "Today is a family dinner, so there is no need to be formal."
Song Qingyan returned to her seat and looked forward curiously.
In her previous life, she had never seen the emperor and didn't know what Chu Yin looked like.
But she was now sitting relatively far back, so she could only see Chu Yin's blurry face.
After the banquet started, everyone first congratulated Chu Yin in unison, followed by the princes and princesses who came forward to congratulate him.
Chu Yin was in a good mood and gave gifts to everyone.
Concubine Zhong then picked up the wine glass.
"Your Majesty, it's your birthday today. Yu'er is in the northwest preparing for war and cannot come back, but before he left, he asked me to toast you on his behalf."
"This glass of wine is Yu'er's blessing to you. He wishes you a long life, good health, prosperity for the country, and long-lasting blessings."
Chu Yin laughed loudly, "Yu'er is thoughtful, I am very pleased."
"With Yu'er here, the Sheng Dynasty will naturally prosper, and the country will be peaceful and the people will be safe."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly became quiet.
Chu Tingjue on the side tried his best to keep his expression unchanged, but his palms were clenched into fists.