Bei Tang Wenfeng was extremely irritated at this moment. The person he had been eagerly expecting had arrived in North Ming Country, and he couldn’t be happier. Earlier, after returning to his hall, he had barely reviewed a few official documents when a guard hurriedly entered to report that Qingxue and Yunjin had encountered the Empress in the Imperial Garden.
Concerned, he rushed out to check on them, only to find they had already clashed.
Now, as soon as they entered the hall, Yang Qingning began sobbing, which annoyed him further. He spoke coldly, “What did Jingyang say?”
He knew that Jingyang had always been spoiled beyond measure, and he also knew Jiang Qingxue and Mu Yunjin’s temperaments. If the other party hadn’t been truly domineering and arrogant, they would never have struck so readily.
“Jingyang… Jingyang…” Yang Qingning was momentarily speechless. She looked at Bei Tang Wenfeng through tear-filled eyes, again surprised. She had already said so much; wasn’t His Majesty going to punish this Madam Qing? Why was he questioning what Jingyang had said?
Could it be that if His Majesty truly believed Jingyang had spoken wrongly, this matter would be dismissed?
Yang Qingning suddenly felt a tightness in her chest.
“If the Empress won’t speak, you tell me!” Bei Tang Wenfeng’s gaze swept toward the Empress’s maid, his eyes dark, seemingly with little patience.
The maid was so frightened that she immediately fell to her knees with a thud, hanging her head, her body trembling. She bit her lower lip, not daring to say a word.
Seeing that the Empress and her maid were both playing dead, Huang Yan, ever ready to stir up trouble, stepped out of line, bowed with folded arms, and said, “Your Majesty, earlier in the Imperial Garden, the Empress and Princess Jingyang pressured Madam Qing with their rank, demanding that she kneel in respect. Madam Qing presented the token you bestowed upon her, exempting her from the courtesy.”
“But Princess Jingyang would not comply. She claimed to be your most beloved daughter and held the position of Imperial Princess, saying that even if she ordered Madam Qing and us servants to be beaten to death on the spot, Your Majesty would have no objection.”
After saying this, Huang Yan paused for a moment, looking up at Bei Tang Wenfeng on the throne.
Bei Tang Wenfeng snorted, glancing sideways at Yang Qingning, and frowned, “Is this how you’ve taught your daughter! To see the token is to see me. Should I kneel to you, mother and daughter as well?!”
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Jingyang caught a cold a few days ago and was ill for several days. Today, she only agreed to come out for a walk because the weather was good. Children who have been ill tend to be a bit more spoiled, but this doesn’t warrant… injuring Jingyang until she’s covered in blood, does it?” Yang Qingning hurriedly explained, consistently using the excuse that Jingyang was young and didn’t know better.
Bei Tang Wenfeng glanced at Jiang Qingxue and Mu Yunjin to his lower right. Both mother and daughter wore indifferent expressions, coldly staring at Yang Qingning across from them, their eyes conveying contempt and disdain.
Jiang Qingxue noticed Bei Tang Wenfeng’s gaze and looked up at him. After their eyes met in the air, Jiang Qingxue pressed her lips together, a surge of grievance rising in her heart.
“Qing’er, what do you want to say?” Bei Tang Wenfeng, sensing that something was off with Jiang Qingxue’s mood, spoke gently.
That single “Qing’er” nearly made Yang Qingning lose her composure again.
Jiang Qingxue sat in her place, giving a light laugh with a hint of mockery, “A fourteen-year-old girl, not a four-year-old. Shouldn’t she know what to say and what not to say?”
After hearing this, Yang Qingning’s eyes glared fiercely at Jiang Qingxue across from her. She clenched her fists tightly and was about to retort when she heard Jiang Qingxue speak again, her tone composed.
“My guard merely reminded Princess Jingyang that Princess Jinhua is now the Imperial Princess of North Ming Country. But Princess Jingyang said…” Jiang Qingxue dragged out the last syllable, looking at Bei Tang Wenfeng, her eyes reddening slightly.
“Said what?” Bei Tang Wenfeng frowned, asking urgently.
“Just a bastard.” When Jiang Qingxue said these words, her heart was filled with bitter sorrow and deep guilt toward Mu Yunjin. As a mother, she had failed, allowing others to call her child a bastard.
Upon hearing the word “bastard,” Bei Tang Wenfeng’s expression instantly darkened with anger, emanating a murderous air. He raised his hand, grabbed an official document beside him, and threw it heavily in Yang Qingning’s direction.
Yang Qingning couldn’t react to this in time. The golden phoenix crown on her hair was struck by the flying document, twisted askew, and fell to the ground with a ‘clang’. Her previously well-arranged hair also loosened, falling onto her shoulders, adding a touch of dishevelment.
“Did I not tell you both, mother and daughter, about Jinhua’s importance to me? How did you answer me then?!” Bei Tang Wenfeng was furious.
When he returned to North Ming Country from West Yuan Country, he had privately summoned Yang Qingning and Jingyang, informing them that he owed Yunjin too much, and given that Yunjin was indeed two years older than Jingyang, he had issued an edict declaring Yunjin as the foremost among all princesses. At that time, Jingyang had held his arm, repeatedly saying she wanted to meet her sister Jinhua and had prepared gifts for her. He had been gratified then, thinking that although Jingyang was somewhat spoiled, she was still sensible.
Today, he never imagined that the word “bastard” would come from Jingyang’s mouth.
In the end, it was a disappointment.
Yang Qingning, having just been struck by the document, was now stunned in place. Looking at the phoenix crown that had fallen to the ground, her heart was filled with bitterness. She couldn’t tell if Bei Tang Wenfeng was defending Princess Jinhua or simply this Madam Qing.
“After Jingyang’s wounds heal, find her a new tutor to teach her basic etiquette. If there’s a next time, I will directly revoke her title and expel her from the palace!” Bei Tang Wenfeng said with a stern gaze, looking at Yang Qingning.
Finally, he added, “You may leave now!”
Yang Qingning had never been so embarrassed in her life. She bent down to pick up the phoenix crown from the ground, her heart trembling uncontrollably. She gazed deeply at Bei Tang Wenfeng on the throne, then bowed slightly and left.
The moment she turned away, her lips curled in mockery. Bei Tang Wenfeng, hmph…
When you’re making amends to Jiang Qingxue and her daughter, have you ever thought that I, Yang Qingning, am also someone you’ve wronged?
……
After Yang Qingning left, the great hall returned to silence. Following that scene, an awkward atmosphere pervaded the air.
Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes, not knowing what to say. Bei Tang Wenfeng was her father and also the sovereign of North Ming Country, with numerous consorts in his harem. Today, by protecting her and Jiang Qingxue, he had given them justice, but it was also unfair to Yang Qingning’s side, as she was indeed Bei Tang Wenfeng’s wife.
Ultimately, she still couldn’t accept a man having multiple wives. It was unfair to everyone.
After today’s events, they had likely earned Yang Qingning’s hatred.
Jiang Qingxue’s thoughts were equally complex. During this period, she seldom entered the palace, but Bei Tang Wenfeng would often come to see her. Previously, she hadn’t felt anything improper about it, but today, after seeing Yang Qingning and experiencing these events, she suddenly realized that no matter how hard one tried, some things could never return to how they were before.
Bei Tang Wenfeng had other women by his side, along with a host of princes and princesses. He wasn’t hers to enjoy exclusively.
A trace of desolation suddenly crossed Jiang Qingxue’s heart.
“Your Majesty, Madam Qing, it’s time for the evening meal,” said Head Eunuch Su Xin, noticing the awkward atmosphere and hurriedly trying to ease it.
Bei Tang Wenfeng had been watching Jiang Qingxue and Mu Yunjin, noticing the deep emotions in their eyes. He felt a sense of apprehension and concern in his heart. He knew the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, but also wholeheartedly wanted to make amends to the mother and daughter. That’s why he had arranged for Jiang Qingxue to live outside the palace, to avoid the chaotic world of the harem. But unexpectedly, they had still encountered trouble.
He, too, was in a difficult position. How he wished he could abandon this kingdom and fly away with Jiang Qingxue, the three of them living happily together as a family. But reality, sigh…
“Qing’er, have dinner with me first,” Bei Tang Wenfeng smiled, looking at Jiang Qingxue and Mu Yunjin.
Jiang Qingxue was slightly startled, glanced at Bei Tang Wenfeng, and curled her lips, “You should go check on Jingyang’s wounds first. I’ll take my maids to eat dinner.”
Bei Tang Wenfeng was stunned.
“Madam Qing is right. Your Majesty has already punished the Empress and defended Princess Jinhua. The punishment has been given, and now you should go see Princess Jingyang to avoid completely breaking the Empress’s heart,” Mu Yunjin added. These words were spoken with true sincerity.
Yang Qingning was the only daughter of the Prime Minister. Being an only daughter, she was naturally precious to her family. If this caused a rift between the ruler and his minister, it would be troublesome.
These words made Bei Tang Wenfeng even more conflicted.
“We’ll leave first,” Jiang Qingxue said, then, without waiting for Bei Tang Wenfeng’s response, she tilted her head toward Mu Yunjin, signaling her to leave together.
Mu Yunjin understood, and after walking a few steps, she turned back to look at Bei Tang Wenfeng, who was still staring at them in a daze. She slowly curved her lips and said, “Princess Jinhua understands Your Majesty’s care for her. Besides that, Your Majesty is also Princess Jingyang’s only father.”
Having said this, Mu Yunjin turned and left.
Bei Tang Wenfeng sighed softly, turning to Su Xin, “Come, let’s go see Jingyang.”
Su Xin nodded, following Bei Tang Wenfeng by his side. After leaving the great hall, the night wind was a bit cool. After draping a cloak over Bei Tang Wenfeng, Su Xin couldn’t help but speak, “Your Majesty, this old servant has one question.”
“What is it?” Bei Tang Wenfeng said lightly.
“Why not give Madam Qing an official title?” That would make it more proper, Su Xin thought, but didn’t dare ask the second half of his question.
Bei Tang Wenfeng smiled gently, his gaze somehow distant, his eyes containing a trace of vicissitude, “Though it came late, in this lifetime, I wish to have only her as my wife.”
Hearing this, Su Xin’s eyes revealed shock and surprise. But having been by Bei Tang Wenfeng’s side for so many years, how could he not know about his feelings for that Holy Maiden of South Ting Country?
Alas, the ironies of fate.
……
After Bei Tang Wenfeng and Su Xin had walked far away, several figures emerged from a corner.
After leaving the great hall, Mu Yunjin and Jiang Qingxue had not gone far, but lingered near the hall. When they saw Bei Tang Wenfeng exit the hall, they instinctively moved away to hide.
“Who would have thought, the King of North Ming is still such a devoted lover?” Huang Yan couldn’t help but say, then looked at Mu Yunjin, strangely reminded of how Chu Li loved her to the bone.
These mother and daughter were truly fortunate.
“I never expected that at his old age, he would still be so devoted!” After speaking, Mu Yunjin nudged Jiang Qingxue’s arm with her own, “Well, were you moved?”
Jiang Qingxue, outwardly calm and composed, gave Mu Yunjin a helpless look, “Have you forgotten why we came to the palace?”