Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 378: The Frustrated Prince Huai and the Three Madams’ Schemes
Three days later, on September 4th, in Jing County.
Diwu Fusheng fulfilled his promise and brought Madam Hui and the others before Prince Huai.
As the new stronghold of Prince Huai, Jing County was still under the shadow of losing Huai State and the strategic failure. The city was filled with a gloomy atmosphere, and many Huai soldiers were worried that Chen Mo might harm their families. As people from Huai State, their homes were just within reach, yet they could not return.
Especially since the alliance between Xiliang, the Shu Residence, and Chen Mo made them worry about Chen Mo attacking Fengzhou next.
With the loss of Huai State, their wives and children captured, the strategic defeat, and Chen Mo’s exorbitant demands, under all these provocations, Prince Huai fell ill after Diwu Fusheng left.
The doctor diagnosed it as a heart condition, exacerbated by emotional distress. Although it wasn’t serious, he needed proper care to maintain a calm demeanor in daily life.
It was thought that the return of Madam Hui and the others might cheer up Prince Huai, but upon learning that Chu Juan had been forcibly taken as a concubine by Chen Mo, and that a settlement of one million had become her dowry — with a dowry gift of two hundred thousand taken from the settlement — Prince Huai felt a heavy blow to his chest, as if struck by a powerful punch.
If Chu Ce hadn’t supported him in time, he might have collapsed to the ground.
Though he had many children, and Chu Juan wasn’t as important to him as his sons, she was still his own daughter, a Commandery Princess of Prince Huai’s Mansion, yet she was made a concubine to someone else, and worse, to his enemy. This felt humiliating to Prince Huai.
Even though Chu Juan and the others were captured by Chen Mo, forced into such a situation, from Prince Huai’s perspective, they should rather die than agree to such terms, to preserve the honor of the entire Prince Huai’s Mansion.
"Chen Mo, this traitor, if I don’t avenge this, how can I call myself a father and a husband?"
Prince Huai gritted his teeth in fury, his veins bulging, a volcano of shame and anger erupted as he swore an oath before everyone.
Everyone exchanged glances in silence.
Diwu Fusheng advised, "Prince, please calm your anger. Currently, our army’s morale is low, and recently, General Chu Ce suffered a defeat. If we attack Huai State now, it would be unwise, as we wouldn’t gain much. Moreover, the Princess Consort and Young Master are still in Huai State."
Chu Ce remained silent, as what Diwu Fusheng said was true.
Prince Huai also said nothing, which was a form of acquiescence.
... 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
That evening, Prince Huai dined with Madam Hui, Madam Xiao, and Madam Gan.
In front of others, Prince Huai was embarrassed to ask, but now that there were no outsiders, he didn’t hide his questions and spoke them out loud.
Though he didn’t ask directly, his meaning was to inquire if Chen Mo had touched them.
To hear the truth, Prince Huai reassuringly stated that it was his fault for their plight, understanding their lack of choice, and said he wouldn’t blame them if they were defiled under duress.
Madam Xiao and Madam Gan immediately felt a pang of guilt.
As for Prince Huai’s words, if they believed them, they’d be fools.
Despite their inner panic and disbelief, outwardly they remained composed. As they were about to speak, Madam Hui spoke first, "Prince, rest assured, he has not laid a finger on me."
That was the truth; although Chen Mo had seen her naked, it was because she had undressed voluntarily.
Madam Xiao and Madam Gan also hurried to affirm they had not been touched by Chen Mo.
Prince Huai was skeptical, pointing out that even Liang Song’s wife and daughter weren’t spared by Chen Mo, so how could they have been left untouched.
This time, Madam Xiao spoke first, "Prince might not know, but during our time in Wuguan, that scoundrel did attempt to violate me. However, I swore I’d rather die, saying if he touched me, I would end my life. Afraid of not receiving the settlement from you, he stopped."
"Prince, I’ve done nothing to betray you. Please, believe me," Madam Gan tearfully pleaded.
Madam Hui, knowing some of the details, scoffed internally but didn’t expose them, fearing it might implicate her.
In this matter, the three women had formed a unified front on the road, agreeing on their stories and keeping them secret.
Whether to comfort himself or make himself feel better, Prince Huai chose to believe their words and turned the conversation to Xiao Yunxi and Chu Zheng.
"Sister and Young Master are well, but..." Madam Hui hesitated.
"But what?" Prince Huai pressed for an answer.
Madam Hui pretended to hesitate and then said, "It’s just that they have some complaints about you not bringing them back. Sister feels that since Huai State is occupied by Chen Mo, Prince might as well give it to him so they both could return."
Madam Xiao and Madam Gan seized the moment to add fuel to the fire, "Sister also says that Prince favors others and has abandoned her, not willing to give up even an occupied Huai State for her sake."
"Ignorant woman," Prince Huai fumed, slamming the table, "If I gave Huai State to him, the people there would think I abandoned them. Most soldiers are from Huai State, their families still reside there. Doing this would make them lose faith in me, making it even harder to reclaim Huai State in the future.
And that scoundrel Chen Mo not only wants Huai State, but also the Fourteen Cities on the North Shore of Fengzhou before releasing them. How could I agree?"
Madam Hui realized it was unwise to criticize Madam Xiao further in this matter and changed her approach, "Prince, please don’t blame sister. She just wants to return to your side, not understanding what she heard at that moment. Perhaps she didn’t grasp your struggles."
"She only behaves this way because of the support from the Xiao Family," Prince Huai huffed, but he didn’t dwell on this, instead asking Madam Hui if Chen Mo had touched the Princess Consort.
The three women were not foolish; they knew it was too risky to defame Xiao Yunxi now. Madam Hui replied, "This, I don’t know. We were all kept in separate courtyards by that scoundrel. However, he did visit our place of detention often, though for what reason, I can’t say."
Without directly accusing, the implication was clear.
Prince Huai’s expression darkened, feeling that asking such a question was self-inflicted humiliation.
For his beautiful Princess Consort, who hadn’t others witnessed the ugly side of childbirth, how could a man not be tempted?
Having only eaten a few bites, Prince Huai left the table, his mood utterly sour.
The time reached 9 p.m.
Having bathed, Madam Xiao dressed beautifully, choosing attire slightly more revealing, and headed to the Prince’s chamber.
Before leaving Wuguan, Chen Mo had bullied her severely. Fearing she might be pregnant, she hastened to be with the Prince, thinking if she became pregnant soon, she wouldn’t have to worry.
After all, not even the Imperial Physicians in the palace could determine the exact conception date through a pulse diagnosis.
