The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 459 - 427: Three Years Later, Let Her Enter the Palace! (Part 2)
The Eldest Prince encountered assassins outside the city on the first day, and Chief Xue’s son, Minister Xue, died blocking arrows for him.
This event spread swiftly through the city, causing a great uproar within half a day.
When the body was sent back to the Minister’s Mansion, Zhao Xi saw Xue Yinhuan, her eyes red, kneeling on the ground without saying a word or shedding a tear, appearing slightly dazed.
Xue Yinhuan’s stepmother Mrs. Xie, however, cried very sorrowfully, and had to be pulled up with effort by her sister-in-law. Upon seeing Zhao Xi standing aside speaking to Mr. Cui, she turned to confide in her sister-in-law, "I originally intended to leave the city today to pray to the Bodhisattva, seeking a good marriage for Yinhuan, but who knew that my husband would suddenly..."
At this point, Mrs. Xie covered her lips with a handkerchief, crying once more.
There was a lot of information in her words.
Xue Yinhuan, having come of age this year, could originally choose a day for marriage once the betrothal was settled. Now that her father is dead, she has to observe mourning for three years.
To observe mourning from fifteen to eighteen years old, she becomes an old maid, and by then, how many families would still want her?
If Mrs. Xie was worried about her biological daughter Xue Yinling, she would certainly face criticism from others, for thinking only of her daughter’s marriage while her husband’s body is not yet cold seems excessively callous and heartless.
But she spoke of Xue Yinhuan’s marriage, which was different.
Xue Yinhuan is a stepdaughter, the daughter of her predecessor’s wife. Her concern over her stepdaughter’s marriage would only make people think she is a virtuous stepmother. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
In addition, there was a strong implication for Zhao Xi to take responsibility for Xue Yinhuan.
Upon hearing this, Xue Yinhuan glanced at her stepmother. If it weren’t for Xue Yinling being only ten, this matter wouldn’t have fallen upon her.
She didn’t look at Zhao Xi’s reaction, as her father had just died, leaving her indeed not in the mood to think much.
Zhao Xi’s gaze shifted to Xue Yinhuan, observing her kneeling straightly on the ground. Compared to her usual witty and talkative nature, today she was noticeably subdued, becoming unusually quiet, almost as if she didn’t understand what her stepmother was scheming.
After a brief silence, Zhao Xi spoke, "Three years later, let her enter the palace."
Mrs. Xie’s crying abruptly stopped at these words.
"Your Highness!" Minister Xue’s old and deep voice clearly held disapproval, "Such matters concern the reputations of Your Highness and Yinhuan, and I hope Your Highness will reconsider."
Otherwise, once this talk spreads, Xue Yinhuan would become the Eldest Prince’s woman, whether as an unwed wife or a concubine, which would certainly impact a girl’s reputation.
Zhao Xi was not one to misunderstand the broader picture.
Minister Xue died for him, and the court would repay this favor sooner or later. He himself was likely to form alliances with important ministers in the future, among which Xue Family would be included.
Rather than fussing three years later, might as well settle it directly now.
Collecting his thoughts, Zhao Xi’s expression turned resolute, his tone solemn, "What I said today, every word is true, if Miss Xue does not wish to enter the palace, this Prince will not force her."
Mrs. Xie, realizing the situation, promptly knelt to thank him.
Minister Xue sighed helplessly, looking at his granddaughter, "Yinhuan, when your three years of mourning are over, would you wish to enter the palace and serve His Highness?"
Xue Yinhuan prostrated herself on the ground, "With the decree of my parents and words of the matchmaker, Yinhuan has no biological parents left, I will follow my grandfather’s arrangements in all things."
With her grandmother deceased and her grandfather busy with state affairs, usually unable to manage the inner residence, Xue Yinhuan’s sole reliance for the past years was her father. Now with her sole reliance gone, she must enter the palace to find her aunt to escape her stepmother’s control.
Being together with her aunt is certainly better than enduring hardship apart.
Zhao Xi waved his hand, instructing Minister Xue to handle Minister Xue’s funeral arrangements without concerning him.
When everyone dispersed, only then did Xue Yinhuan rise.
Zhao Xi said, "If you don’t want to, don’t force yourself."
After all, the engagement was set temporarily due to Minister Xue’s death; Zhao Xi didn’t want her to enter the palace with resentment.
Xue Yinhuan had originally lowered her head, but upon hearing his words, slowly raised her eyes, her circles still red, yet she smiled at Zhao Xi, "Your Highness misunderstood, this servant girl willingly agrees."
Zhao Xi asked her, "You don’t resent me?"
Of course, she resented him; because of him, she lost her father in a single day. But he was the Emperor, and her father was a minister. When the Emperor was in difficulty, a minister could not stand by.
Despite her unwillingness, the tragedy had already occurred, and she could only accept it.
"I resent." Xue Yinhuan did not want to lie, "But marrying you is safer than marrying someone arranged by my stepmother. Whether it’s genuine or not, Your Highness would at least favor me due to guilt over my father, wouldn’t you?"
Zhao Xi smiled lightly, "You see things quite clearly."
Xue Yinhuan said nothing, she wasn’t seeing things clearly, but understood even better than anyone else that without her father’s support, to survive long-term, she must learn to be adaptable.
...
The Xue family was in mourning, so Zhao Xi didn’t stay long. Before leaving, he went to the hastily erected mourning tent where Chief Xue was, and lit an incense stick.
On the way back to the palace, Song Yuanbao asked Zhao Xi, "Your Highness, you easily promised a marriage. Aren’t you afraid she’ll come for revenge?"
Zhao Xi asked him, "If you were me, having heard what Mrs. Xie said, could you just drop it and walk away?"
"That’s true, but I still think Your Highness was too hasty with this matter."
"Even if I think it over slowly, the result would be the same." Zhao Xi did not regret the decision he made.
...
Because of Chief Xue’s death, the hunt scheduled for the first day of the year was canceled. After entering the Imperial City, Song Yuanbao returned to Yutang Palace, and Zhao Xi went straight to see Emperor Guangxi.
Upon learning that his son was nearly assassinated, Emperor Guangxi was furious, "To dare an assassination in broad daylight, these people are simply defying the heavens!"
He asked Zhao Xi, "Xixi, did you see the assassin clearly?"
Zhao Xi shook his head, "At that time, Chief Xue was hit by a poisoned arrow, and my attention was on him, so I didn’t have time to inspect the assassin. However, the imperial guard that accompanied me out of the city has already reported this to the Shuntian Prefecture. I believe they will start investigating soon."
Emperor Guangxi was very worried about his son, "Were you hurt at all?"
Zhao Xi still shook his head, "I am completely unharmed, it’s just a pity for Chief Xue; he died shielding me."
Emperor Guangxi said, "Since he is the legitimate son of Minister Xue, naturally he must not be treated unfairly. I will have the Ministry of Rites grandly arrange his funeral."
Zhao Xi took a deep breath, "Father, I have previously promised at the Minister’s Mansion to bring Chief Xue’s legitimate daughter Xue Yinhuan into the palace in three years."
"Xue Yinhuan?" Emperor Guangxi found the name somewhat familiar.
Mr. Cui reminded, "She’s the Miss Xue who served Lady Qing last time in the palace."
Emperor Guangxi realized, looking at Zhao Xi with worry, "Did you promise her the position of main wife?"
Zhao Xi thought for a moment, "I thought, her father’s life was worth the position of the main wife."
"No!" Emperor Guangxi firmly disagreed, "Xue Yinhuan’s reputation was not good when she was in the palace before. If she becomes the main wife, once you inherit in the future... In short, she is not suitable to be your main wife. If it is to be a concubine, I have no objections."
"Father..."
"There is no room for negotiation on this matter. Chief Xue died saving you, the court will reward the Xue family generously. But the position of your main wife is of great importance and must not be handled lightly. I am considering your future."
Zhao Xi pursed his lips, "I respectfully heed Father’s teaching."
At least his son had not become too stubborn, and Emperor Guangxi’s tense old face relaxed, "You just encountered an assassination outside the city, surely you were frightened. Go back to the palace early to rest. That Xue family girl is still in mourning for three years, there’s no rush on this matter."
Zhao Xi bowed and took his leave.
After leaving Qianqing Palace, he did not go to see Princess Consort Qi but went directly to his own palace. After just sitting down and having a cup of tea, someone from Xianfu Palace came, saying the Imperial Concubine wanted to see him.
Zhao Xi knew without thinking that his mother must be concerned about Xue Yinhuan, he rubbed his forehead, and said to the Palace Attendant, "Go tell the Imperial Concubine that I am unwell today, I will personally visit her another day when I feel better."
The Palace Attendant quickly relayed Zhao Xi’s words to the ears of Princess Consort Qi.
Princess Consort Qi had been deeply worried upon hearing that her son was nearly assassinated, and now, hearing from the Palace Attendant that he was unwell, she couldn’t sit still and had a carriage prepared to go immediately to Yutang Palace.
Without informing anyone along the way, she went directly to the main hall, saw Zhao Xi drinking tea, and hurriedly asked, "Xixi, how are you, were you hurt?"
Not expecting his mother to come suddenly, Zhao Xi put down his teacup and stood up.
Princess Consort Qi looked him over, as if confirming that not a single hair was missing.
Zhao Xi, fearing she would worry, said, "Mother Concubine, I’m fine."
"Really fine?" Princess Consort Qi’s face remained worried.
"I dare not lie." Zhao Xi said, assisting Princess Consort Qi to sit beside him, then carefully recounted the encounter with the assassins when he left the city and how Chief Xue shielded him from the arrow.
Princess Consort Qi listened in heart-stopping alarm.
Since she hadn’t mentioned it, Zhao Xi could only voluntarily confess, "Mother Concubine, I have already promised to take Chief Xue’s legitimate daughter Yinhuan as a concubine in three years, and I have already discussed this with Father."
Princess Consort Qi did not like Xue Yinhuan, but since the Emperor had agreed, she had no argument, "You make your own decision about concubines, but regarding the main wife, you must wait for your father to grant you a marriage, don’t be reckless, understand?"
"I understand."
Princess Consort Qi looked at him comfortingly, "Xixi, it’s not your first day knowing Xue Yinhuan, you should understand, her temperament is not suitable for a main wife, and she will never be able to preside appropriately as empress. It’s just right for her to be your concubine."
"Yes."
