Xie Ping knelt in the ancestral hall for an entire night.
Yun Chu didn’t allow anyone to bring food, not even sending a single sip of water.
He Shi looked through the small window into the ancestral hall and saw Xie Ping kneeling limply on the ground, feeling extremely distressed.
She stuffed most of the silver she had earned from embroidery work in recent days into the hands of the old woman guarding the door, then carried in a food box and said in a low voice: “Sister Ping, Mother is here. Quickly eat something.”
Xie Ping raised her head, grabbed He Shi’s hand, and urgently asked: “How is it? Has there been any movement?”
He Shi advised: “It’s only just gotten light. Even if there’s movement, it won’t be this fast. First eat something. Don’t ruin your health.”
How could Xie Ping eat? Her entire body felt uncomfortable and distressed. The current discomfort was temporary—what she feared was this matter not having a good outcome.
At this moment, the old woman outside the door suddenly spoke: “Concubine He, it seems a guest has arrived at the residence. You must leave quickly!”
Light appeared in Xie Ping’s eyes: “It must be someone sent by Prince An’jing. Concubine, quickly go out and find out the news.”
He Shi gave a few instructions and immediately left the ancestral hall, heading toward the front courtyard.
A guest had indeed arrived at the front courtyard—a palace matron, Nanny Tang, a trusted confidant of Consort De, one of the four imperial consorts in the inner palace.
Nanny Tang greeted each member of the Xie family. She was a highly favored person beside Consort De. How would the Xie family dare accept her courtesy? They hurriedly offered her a seat and tea.
“The reason our prince is at Qing’an Temple is to pray for blessings for His Highness the Crown Prince. During this time, he copies Buddhist scriptures daily, purifying his mind and abstaining from desires. He absolutely could not do such an absurd thing.” Nanny Tang’s voice carried coldness. “Last night, Master Xie went to the Censorate, and Young Master Xie led people to linger at the entrance of the Court of Judicial Review all night. What is the meaning of this?”
The Old Madam was someone whose word was law in the Xie family, but right now seeing the palace matron so imposing and overbearing, she was stunned into silence, unable to say a single word.
Yun Chu smiled: “Does Nanny Tang mean that Prince An’jing did such a thing at the Buddha’s feet, and the responsibility lies entirely on my daughter’s head? Originally, our Xie family was still considering whether to ask the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to uphold justice. Now it seems very necessary.”
Nanny Tang’s expression stiffened.
She had originally wanted to take a high posture and pressure the Xie family first, not expecting this Madam Xie to give Consort De no face at all.
But thinking about it, it was understandable. This Madam Xie was the legitimate eldest daughter of the General’s residence. General Yun held military power. With the Yun family backing her, how would she fear a mere consort?
Nanny Tang took out a white jade pendant from her sleeve and softened her tone slightly: “This is a jade pendant Consort De has worn for over twenty years. She specially had me bring it to bestow upon Miss Xie. Once His Highness the Crown Prince recovers, our lady will have the Ministry of Rites arrange to take Miss Xie as Prince An’jing’s secondary consort.”
Old Madam Xie was overjoyed. It seemed the position of secondary consort was secured.
Although Sister Ping’s days ahead wouldn’t be easy, at least the Xie family had connected with Prince An’jing’s residence, and Jingyu’s current predicament would be easily resolved.
Xie Jingyu frowned deeply.
Last night, he went to the Censorate, Brother An went to the Court of Judicial Review, and Yun Chu made a trip to the Yun family—they wanted to use the influence of these three powers to pressure Consort De.
Consort De had made concessions, but at most she could only give the position of secondary consort.
Actually, he could understand Consort De, because Sister Ping’s status really couldn’t support the position of princess consort.
“This jade pendant is too precious. Our Xie residence doesn’t dare accept it.” While he was contemplating, Yun Chu spoke. “Could I trouble Nanny Tang to ask Consort De to send an imperial physician to check my daughter’s pulse? After returning to the residence yesterday, my daughter has refused water and food, attempted suicide multiple times, and now she’s breathing out more than breathing in…”
Nanny Tang’s expression turned ugly.
This Madam Xie was trying to tell her that if Consort De could only give the position of secondary consort, then Miss Xie would seek death.
A lowly harlot who seduced Prince An’jing wasn’t worth mourning even if she died. But the Xie family didn’t think so. If Miss Xie died, the Xie family would probably cause an uproar.
She stood up and put the jade pendant away: “Our lady will definitely give the Xie residence an explanation regarding this matter. I ask Master Xie not to spread word of this matter. I shall return to the palace to report now.”
Nanny Tang quickly left the Xie residence.
“Madam, this action will surely enrage Consort De.” Xie Jingyu furrowed his brows. “After giving birth to two princesses, Consort De finally had Prince An’jing, whom she has always doted on. The Xie family not only schemed against Prince An’jing but also covets the position of princess consort. Consort De probably won’t easily let the Xie family off. I wonder if Madam has a backup plan?”
The eyes of the Xie family members all fell on Yun Chu.
Yun Chu spoke lightly: “If husband has time, he should pay more attention to court affairs. Right now, the Crown Prince is gravely ill, and His Majesty has determined it was Prince An’jing’s doing. Only by proactively marrying a woman from a low-ranking family can he clear His Majesty’s suspicions. Consort De cannot fail to understand this principle.”
The Old Madam pressed: “What if Consort De refuses?”
“Then we can only say Consort De is foolish and cannot see the situation clearly.” Yun Chu mocked. “With such a foolish mother consort, Prince An’jing won’t have much achievement in the future. Sister Ping might as well not marry him.”
With her saying this, the Old Madam didn’t dare ask anything more. Asking too much would make it seem like she was foolish too.
After Nanny Tang left the Xie residence, she returned directly to the palace and reported everything in detail to Consort De.
Consort De was so angry she smashed all the cups.
“How can the Fourth Prince have no brains at all!” She was so angry her head hurt. “To actually be schemed against by a girl who hasn’t even fully grown! And in a Buddhist place of all locations! And right when His Majesty punished him to reflect on his mistakes! It doesn’t matter if he angers me to death, but I’m afraid of angering His Majesty into sending him to his fief. The fief is so far, so cold, so desolate—how could he endure such hardship!”
“Your Ladyship, please calm your anger.” Nanny Tang bowed her head. “Looking at it from a different angle, this might not be a bad way to break the deadlock.”
Consort De said in a deep voice: “What do you mean?”
“Right now, His Majesty suspects the prince of competing for the Crown Prince’s position, which is why he punished the prince to pray for blessings at Qing’an Temple.” Nanny Tang spoke slowly. “Although our prince was framed, as long as His Majesty and the Empress have determined this point, they won’t easily allow the prince to leave Qing’an Temple. If Your Ladyship proactively seeks a marriage for the prince with a woman from a low-ranking family as his principal consort, it would be equivalent to telling His Majesty that our prince has no intention of competing for the throne. The prince would naturally be allowed to return.”
Consort De understood this principle, but was still unwilling: “Even if it’s a woman from a low-ranking family, it absolutely cannot be that lowly harlot!”
“The Madam Xie of the Xie family is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yun family. If she’s determined to blow this matter up, the prince probably won’t be able to return to the capital for the rest of his life.” Nanny Tang advised. “Once that Miss Xie becomes the princess consort, won’t she still be at Your Ladyship’s mercy to manipulate as you please? Find a suitable excuse later to strip her of the princess consort position—it’s not worth much.”
Consort De clenched her back teeth.
If the Xie family blew this matter up, a casual investigation would reveal countless good family women in Prince An’jing’s residence’s back courtyard. Prince An’jing would probably be drowned in people’s spittle.
Although they didn’t compete for the throne, they couldn’t become a prince despised by the common people either.
Thinking it over, it seemed there was only one path available before her.
Consort De could only stand up, change her clothes, and head to Kunning Palace where the Empress resided.