Qing Zhuo stood outside the tent, building up his mental fortitude—the Grand Prince had ordered him to deliver Purple-Gold Blood-Activating Pills to Miss Song the Sixth. This was Dragon-Tiger Mountain’s exclusive secret medicine, exceptionally effective for treating bruises and injuries. But the words the Grand Prince asked him to convey were not so pleasant. What did it mean “your horsemanship is quite good, let’s spar next time”? The lady had struck his aunt, yet he not only rushed to deliver medicine but also said such words. Who knew whether the Ninth Princess, upon learning of this, would cough up another liter of blood.
With great difficulty, he completed his mental preparation, delivered the medicine, and came out feeling his heart wasn’t working so well anymore—this Miss Song the Sixth was no ordinary person either. Upon hearing these words, her expression didn’t change as she said “thank you for the compliment.” Could this truly be something good?
Full of inner conflict, he took the letter and returned to Moon-Colored River-Sound Island. Looking at Zhou Weizhao, he silently sighed. The Grand Prince’s age was not young anymore. Although the Celestial Master said he had cast divination for him indicating he shouldn’t marry early, shouldn’t they at least start looking at prospects? Previously, he had felt Miss Song the Sixth was also quite excellent—not because Miss Song the Sixth was truly so outstanding, but because the Grand Prince had, after all, stayed at Dragon-Tiger Mountain for seven or eight years. Apart from this Miss Song the Sixth, there weren’t many other young ladies he’d seen more than a few times. But now it seemed this Miss Song the Sixth was still somewhat unsuitable—he hadn’t noticed before, but looking now, he realized she truly wasn’t an easy character. She struck even princesses when she said she would. If in the future this Miss Song the Sixth really married over, wouldn’t she tear the roof tiles off?
He turned to whisper with Han Feng, his inner worries practically overflowing: “The Crown Princess is still concerned about His Highness’s marriage, saying he should just choose someone he fancies. If we truly chose according to His Highness’s fancy, apart from Miss Song the Sixth, who else could there be? But Miss Song the Sixth’s temper…”
Han Feng felt he was thinking too far ahead. With this effort, he’d be better off worrying whether the Grand Prince even liked women at all—having grown up among Daoists since childhood, never having contact with women. When he first returned that year, he blushed upon seeing any girl. Although things were better now, that was also because he rarely saw female family members. Apart from seeing him barely able to converse with Miss Song the Sixth, Han Feng couldn’t think of any other noble young ladies with whom he could speak urgently.
Song Chuyi was completely unaware that in Qing Zhuo’s eyes, she had once been a candidate for Grand Princess Consort. She was currently holding the letter pulled from the Purple-Gold Blood-Activating Pills bottle, lost in thought. Although she had long known that Zhou Weizhao, once he acted, could handle matters appropriately and properly, she never expected he could be proper to this extent—this Grand Prince had not only instigated the Princess Consort, who already harbored inner demons, to harm Consort Rui, but had even taken care of the Qin family—the first and third branches of the Qin family had started fighting upon learning the news. It was said that Madam Qin of the first branch’s husband couldn’t beat his older brother and was even severely injured, still lying in bed huffing and puffing to this day.
As for Prince Duan, at this moment he must certainly be utterly overwhelmed—he had originally worked hard to whitewash everything as peaceful, the matter of the Qin sisters jointly serving one husband in harmony had even become a celebrated tale. It had always been that one must first cultivate oneself and regulate one’s family before governing the realm. Now with such a mess in his household making its way before the Emperor, who knew how it would be resolved, or how much hair he would lose.
Qing Ying and Ziyun had been anxious all day. Although later both Madam Cui and Madam Yu had separately sent messages saying Song Chuyi should rest at ease, that absolutely nothing would come of this, how could they truly set their hearts at ease?
It wasn’t until evening when the Eleventh Princess and Song Jue came together to see Song Chuyi that they all simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. Since the Eleventh Princess could come, it meant Consort Song knew about it. Since even Consort Song wasn’t afraid of offending Consort Xian, clearly the matter hadn’t blown up.
The Eleventh Princess’s eyes and brows were full of laughter she couldn’t conceal. Pulling Song Chuyi, her eyes bright as she looked at her: “Little Aunt, you truly gave me such a shock! When I heard the news, both Mother Consort and I were stunned. We never could have imagined you would dare to be so bold…”
Song Jue covered his lips with his hand and coughed several times, indicating she should restrain herself. Seeing Song Chuyi had no major issues, he then glanced at her lightly: “You’re also bold enough, actually daring to run onto that small path thick with thorns. Even if the Ninth Princess’s several lashes couldn’t do anything to you, you might have carelessly fallen yourself and disfigured your face. But those with great skill are bold—looking at it now, it’s nothing. The injuries aren’t severe, just rest well.”
The Eleventh Princess heard that Song Jue was speaking sarcastically. Pulling Song Chuyi to comfort her: “Little Aunt, don’t listen to Uncle. Consort Xian already lodged a complaint with Father Emperor long ago, but Father Emperor simply didn’t address the matter. Mother Empress also said lightly that it was just children playing around, to be more careful next time. You won’t be reprimanded, rest assured!”
Since childhood, she had suffered many losses at the Ninth Princess’s hands. This was the first time she’d seen the Ninth Princess lose face so badly. She couldn’t help but feel greatly pleased, the dejection of recent days swept away completely. Her entire person became radiant and spirited.
Consort Xian never dreamed she would suffer such a setback. In the past, Emperor Jianzhang would always give her some face—she had, after all, like the Empress, endured bit by bit alongside Emperor Jianzhang, and had borne him two sons and one daughter. She always held some weight in his heart. Moreover, the Ninth Princess had always been favored. Yet this time, upon hearing the Ninth Princess had been injured racing horses with Song the Sixth, he not only didn’t fly into a rage but also said pointedly that the Ninth Princess had indeed been somewhat excessive. There are people beyond people, heavens beyond heavens—losing was just a common occurrence in military affairs.
She had never heard Emperor Jianzhang speak of the Ninth Princess in such a veiled, critical manner. Carrying an uneasy heart, she returned to her chambers. But she soon learned the reason—her son’s rear courtyard had caught fire. Not only had it caught fire, it was a raging inferno. In one fell swoop, the legitimate consort had killed the secondary consort—one corpse, two lives. Not only that, but the Qin family had also erupted in chaos. Madam Qin of the first branch had committed the offense of inferiors attacking superiors, scratching the Princess Consort’s face raw. The Princess Consort had hanged herself with a rope and was only saved with great difficulty…
What Emperor Jianzhang most detested were inner chamber scandals. Now Prince Duan had struck right at the muzzle of the gun, neither deflecting nor evading.
Her heart filled with both anger and anxiety. Angry that her son was so unobservant that he had allowed such an absurd thing to happen at this juncture. Anxious that this matter had so quickly made its way before Emperor Jianzhang and spread until everyone knew…
In the future, how would people view Prince Duan? Since Marquis Pingyang of the Xiao family in the Chenghua era, let alone princely nobility, even ordinary officials’ households hadn’t produced such scandalous affairs.
The Ninth Princess viciously smashed the newly replaced furnishings again until everything was shattered. Song Chuyi was actually fine. She had committed the offense of an inferior attacking a superior, ambushing herself, yet was completely unharmed without even a single reprimand?!
This was blatantly slapping her face as a princess. When others spoke of this matter in the future, who knew how they would mock her.