The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 467 - 435: An Eye for an Eye (Part 2)

[There’s nothing much, just want him to handle his future in-laws well the next time he goes home.]

The word "in-laws" carried significant undertones.

Zhao Xi couldn’t help but turn his head and look at Song Yuanbao. To be precise, he was observing him. After a long while, he made an objective appraisal of the observed subject, "Not bad skills."

Song Yuanbao replied awkwardly, "Ah."

The tone was as if he hadn’t reacted yet, or as if he agreed with Zhao Xi’s assessment.

Zhao Xi shifted his gaze to Song Wei, "I’m quite surprised and pleased that you managed to find the plans and establish the Divine Soldier Bureau in such a short time. The future of the Divine Soldier Bureau relies entirely on Minister Song."

"Your Highness, you’re too kind," Song Wei said, "In office, one must do their duty. Since I have taken the position of Minister, it is only right that I diligently assist the Emperor."

Zhao Xi nodded, "Minister Song must have official matters to attend to. I won’t hold you up; I’ll take my leave first."

After saying this, Zhao Xi turned around and headed towards Yutang Palace.

Watching Zhao Xi walk away, Song Yuanbao muttered under his breath, "Dad, you’re giving too much face. Announcing this everywhere? Isn’t it embarrassing?"

Song Wei raised an eyebrow, "You still know what embarrassment is? If you hadn’t led them on, would they be visiting so often back then?"

Speaking of this matter, Song Yuanbao felt a bit guilty, but he wouldn’t admit it verbally, "I wasn’t leading them on; it was clearly a test. Without testing them, how would I know which family genuinely wanted me as a son-in-law?"

Song Wei said, "Even a prince choosing a concubine doesn’t make such a scene. Next time you go back, make things clear yourself."

"Who knows when I’ll go back," Song Yuanbao said in a flattering tone, "They say it’s the parents’ mandate and the matchmaker’s words. You and mom should handle it for me. You are the elders; your words carry more weight than mine."

Song Wei was originally just teasing him. When faced with such situations, he and Wanwan could not just stand by, so seeing Song Yuanbao’s acquiescence, he didn’t argue but instead advised him to be cautious and humble, and not to show off whenever the opportunity arose, lest he bring ridicule to himself.

After being lectured, Song Yuanbao returned to Yutang Palace with his head hanging low.

Guessing that Zhao Xi might be bathing, Song Yuanbao didn’t go looking for him. He returned to the side hall and threw himself onto the large cool bed.

Eunuch Sanbao followed him in and asked if he wanted water prepared for bathing.

Song Yuanbao lazily replied with an "mm," then thought of something and called to stop Eunuch Sanbao, asking him, "Did His Highness say anything when he returned?"

"Nothing," Eunuch Sanbao looked at him with suspicion, "Is there something bothering Young Master Song?"

"Nothing," Song Yuanbao smiled and changed the subject, "By the way, has the assassin of His Highness been caught?"

"Not yet!" Eunuch Sanbao sighed as he brought this up, "It’s been so long, and Shuntian Prefecture hasn’t given us any conclusive news. The officials there are becoming more and more careless in their work."

"Alright, I understand," Song Yuanbao waved his hand, "Go get the hot water ready for me. I just came back from the training ground, reeking of sweat. I need to wash up well."

——

The incident of Zhao Xi’s assassination was met with a lukewarm attitude from Emperor Guangxi.

Empress Su, with her wide network, had already found leads and knew it was related to Princess Consort Duan. She found an opportunity to invite Princess Consort Qi for tea and brought up the assassination of the Eldest Prince, subtly pointing the blame towards Princess Consort Duan.

Princess Consort Qi’s maternal family was not influential, so she couldn’t rely on them, and thus she was more cautious and vigilant in her words and deeds than others.

From the beginning, she had suspected Princess Consort Duan’s involvement in the assassination attempt, believing that, given the Emperor’s favoritism towards the Eldest Prince, justice would certainly be pursued. But now that so much time had passed, the case lingered at Shuntian Prefecture with every inquiry met with the perfunctory response of "it’s still under investigation," which was infuriating. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Today, with Empress Su fanning the flames, Princess Consort Qi’s anger was directly ignited.

However, she did not show any emotion in front of Empress Su. Once she returned to Xianfu Palace, she summoned her personal maids Gu Yu and Jingzhe to come up with a plan.

Upon hearing the matter involved Princess Consort Duan, Gu Yu was immediately filled with hatred, "The Second Prince is still so young and she already plots to eliminate the eldest for her son to have a path; that venomous woman, truly a snake-hearted scorpion! Yet the Emperor still dotes on her!"

Princess Consort Qi looked at Gu Yu, "Do you have any ideas?"

Gu Yu’s eyes turned dark, "If it weren’t for Chief Xue taking the arrow for His Highness, the Eldest Prince would likely have met his end by now. If Princess Consort Duan shows no humanity, then we shall not show righteousness. Your Highness should not worry about this matter; leave it to me to handle."

...

That night, a black cat sneaked into the sleeping quarters of Princess Consort Duan’s Yonghe Palace. It cried loudly, a truly terrifying sound at night. Moreover, the black cat had been fed something, frightening the young Second Prince into wailing loudly, and the next day he fell into a high fever, unconscious.

When Emperor Guangxi learned of this, he grew furious and immediately ordered an investigation into the origin of the black cat.

Just then, Princess Consort Qi brought a warming soup to the outside of Yangxin Hall. Hearing the sound of the Emperor smashing things inside, she crossed the threshold steadily and asked with concern, "What has upset the Emperor?"

Seeing it was Princess Consort Qi, Emperor Guangxi quickly suppressed his anger. Holding his forehead, he said, "Last night, a beast inexplicably entered Yonghe Palace and frightened the Second Prince. Coupled with catching a cold, he’s now in a high fever and unconscious."

Princess Consort Qi placed the warming soup before Emperor Guangxi and walked behind him to massage his shoulders. "I thought someone had made the Emperor unhappy, but it turns out it was the Second Prince. He’s only two years old, and children often get fevers—it’s quite normal. The Emperor need not worry excessively. With the Imperial Physicians tending to him, he’ll recover in no time."

Even as Emperor Guangxi held the soup bowl, his anger was unabated. With a "crack," he threw the small bowl on the ground.

Princess Consort Qi, looking at the shattered porcelain bowl, suppressed the emotions in her eyes and bent down to pick up the pieces.

"Your Highness, please let this servant do it!" Mr. Cui offered, moving to help lift Princess Consort Qi up.

Princess Consort Qi declined, smiling slightly, "I heard that some time ago, the Emperor got upset over the Eldest Prince’s assassination attempt. I wasn’t around then to pick up the pieces the Emperor smashed. Let me handle this one personally today."

Hearing this, Mr. Cui immediately fell silent, casting a sidelong glance at Emperor Guangxi’s expression.

In truth, the Emperor hadn’t been so angry as to throw things since the Eldest Prince’s assassination attempt.

The Eldest Prince had narrowly escaped being hit by a poisoned arrow.

The other was the shock and cold that led to a fever and unconsciousness at night.

Yet the former didn’t elicit much sympathy from the Emperor; it was the latter that enraged him.

Was it because the former was unharmed and didn’t need sympathy or because the latter received more of the Emperor’s favor?

Mr. Cui hardly dared to continue pondering.

He understood Princess Consort Qi; any concubine in such a situation would feel it was unjust.

However, Princess Consort Qi’s actions today were somewhat risky, even though her speech was quite subtle. But then again, the Emperor was no fool. How could he not understand the insinuation?

Gathering all the porcelain shards onto a tray, Princess Consort Qi stood up, never looking at Emperor Guangxi. Her voice remained as measured as before, "Since the Emperor is in a foul mood, I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll take my leave."

Emperor Guangxi discerned the reproach in Princess Consort Qi’s words and, despite disliking palace intrigue, he thought of Zhao Xi, Princess Consort Qi’s son—a boy who couldn’t be cultivated even if parents spent fortunes—prompting him to suppress his emotions and smile, "Beloved concubine, are you annoyed with me?"

"I dare not."

Emperor Guangxi signaled with his eyes for Mr. Cui to leave.

Mr. Cui immediately understood, took the tray from Princess Consort Qi, and quickly exited Yangxin Hall.

Emperor Guangxi moved forward and gazed intently at Princess Consort Qi. Then he lifted her chin with one hand, "Are you complaining that I haven’t shown enough concern for Xixi?"

Princess Consort Qi said, "They are all the Emperor’s offspring. I believe the Emperor can treat them equally."

She paused for a moment, meeting the Emperor’s inscrutable eyes, "Emperor, the assassination case has been delayed too long by Shuntian Prefecture."

The implication was that the case must eventually conclude. Why persist in shielding Princess Consort Duan?

Releasing her chin, Emperor Guangxi tried to reassure her, "Regarding this case, I will provide Xixi with an answer."

"This answer isn’t for the Eldest Prince," Princess Consort Qi said. "It’s for the civil and military officials."

Emperor Guangxi narrowed his eyes slightly, exuding a sense of danger.

Princess Consort Qi was unwavering, "Just such a nearly adult prince under the Emperor’s care—if the officials don’t cherish him, will they favor the Imperial Family instead?"

In one sentence, she dispelled the Emperor’s concerns about the Eldest Prince "forming cliques."

Emperor Guangxi then realized he had been overly suspicious. The Second Prince was only two years old, and it was too early to see his talents. It was natural for the officials to focus on the Eldest Prince. If they ignored him, that would indeed be suspicious.

With this realization, Emperor Guangxi took Princess Consort Qi’s hand, "Accompany me for a walk."