Zhenbei Wangfei was shocked — she didn’t expect Duan Wangfei to be so daring, even challenging the Empress head-on! What a strong spine!
Well done!
Thinking of her own children, Gan Li and Gan Ying, Zhenbei Wangfei immediately spoke: “Your Majesty, though Duan Wangfei is young and spirited, her words are reasonable. Since Duan Wang made that promise, even if a concubine must be taken now, it should be his decision to explain. Your Majesty may wish to protect Duan Wang, but if you force this, he will earn a reputation for being unfaithful and breaking promises. Would that not be worse?”
Did they really think the Zhenbei Wang house was easy to bully? No way!
Duchess Wei exchanged a look with Fuchang Marquis Madam, who nodded slightly before speaking: “What Zhenbei Wangfei says makes sense. The Empress has always been known for her fairness. Surely she would not allow Duan Wang’s reputation to suffer. Why not invite Duan Wang to decide for himself?”
Guangxiang Marquis Madam glanced briefly at Consort Xian but, after a moment’s hesitation, chose to remain silent.
Instead, Duchess Rong picked up the conversation: “Madam, you speak rightly. The Empress has long presided over the inner palace with fairness and clarity. Her urgency surely stems from love and concern for Duan Wang.”
The two ladies sang in harmony, instantly cornering the Empress.
Consort Shu let out a silent sigh of relief and said, stern-faced: “Your Majesty, Duan Wang has always been upright, and His Majesty knows it well. Please, Your Majesty, ask Duan Wang for his opinion. If you forcibly grant him a side consort, what future would that girl have? From a pampered young lady to living like a nun for life?”
Consort Shu’s words were truly vicious, startling all the young noble ladies present!
Even the other madams’ hearts jumped—good heavens, marrying into the Duan Wang’s household only to end up living a life of asceticism with nothing but Buddhist scriptures and oil lamps? Wasn’t that like pushing their daughters into a pit of fire?
Such overwhelming wealth and status—one had to live long enough to enjoy it!
Ah, Duan Wangfei was truly blessed. It was one thing to have Duan Wang protect her, but now even Consort Shu was standing up for her. What young lady entering Duan Wang’s residence could possibly compete with that?
It was simply impossible.
“Consort Shu, are you threatening people now?” Duchess Cao jumped out to say, “Since the young lady has entered Duan Wang’s residence under an imperial decree, naturally Duan Wang should treat her well. Even if Duan Wangfei is jealous, she cannot be so domineering.”
“Duchess Cao makes a good point,” Mingxi said coldly. “But I heard that the Second Young Madam of the Gan family, upon just entering the household, beat and sold off the maids who had long served the Second Young Master. They had been loyal servants for many years; even if they had no major achievements, their hard work should have earned some respect. Since Duchess Cao is so compassionate and tolerant, shouldn’t she first teach her own daughter not to be jealous and domineering, and to treat others kindly?”
Who couldn’t speak in a sarcastic tone?
Duan Mingxi flung the words right back at her—if you can’t even manage your own daughter, who are you to lecture others? How shameless!
Zhenbei Wangfei immediately felt refreshed, and looked at Duan Wangfei with newfound admiration. Her own daughter-in-law, relying on the Empress and Crown Prince, was utterly insufferable.
Duchess Cao’s face turned black. For years she had leaned on the Empress’s influence, and no one dared to be so rude to her. She was so angry that she almost couldn’t catch her breath.
But Duan Mingxi wasn’t the least bit afraid. Right now, the only people she couldn’t openly defy were the Empress and the Crown Prince. As for Duchess Cao—even if she relied on the Empress, when they met, Duchess Cao still had to salute her first!
“Enough! Silence, all of you!” the Empress snapped angrily. “Duan Wangfei, you truly have a sharp tongue.”
“Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty,” Duan Wangfei replied sweetly.
The Empress: …
Everyone else: …
Consort Shu almost couldn’t hold back her laughter. This daughter-in-law of hers was truly extraordinary!
The Empress gave Duan Mingxi a deep, penetrating look. “Since you insist on a resolution, I will send someone to Chongzheng Hall to request an imperial decree.”
She had already consulted the Emperor beforehand and naturally had confidence.
“Zhang Mingde.”
“At your command,” Zhang Mingde immediately stepped forward.
“Go to Chongzheng Hall and request a decree.”
“Yes,” Zhang Mingde bowed and withdrew.
The hall fell into a heavy silence. The crowd’s eyes darted around—what a spectacular turn of events today!
Seeing the Empress’s demeanor, Duan Mingxi felt a slight sinking in her heart.
Judging from the Emperor’s attitude toward the Crown Prince, it was already clear… The Empress wouldn’t be acting so confidently unless she truly had the Emperor’s approval.
At that moment, outside at Chongzheng Hall, Xiao Muchen was kneeling, while the Emperor sat high on his throne, silent.
Ding Zhao kept his head lowered, wishing he could dig a hole and crawl into it. Had he known this would happen, he would have fled when Duan Wang entered!
“Royal Father, you once said that a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. How could I, your son, break my vow to Wangfei? I could never be so treacherous or shameless.”
“Old Four, you are my child. Must you really bow your head to a woman your whole life?”
“Royal Father, this isn’t bowing my head—it’s because I sincerely love her. The promises I made were given willingly and gladly.”
“You must understand, this will not bode well for you. What will the ministers think? What will the people think?”
“Royal Father, I am merely a Wangye. Why should I care about what the ministers or the people think? These things are not important to me.”
“Is that truly how you feel?”
The Emperor sighed softly, a sound laden with unspoken meaning.
Xiao Muchen kept his head bowed. “Yes. I only wish to grow old together with Wangfei. I ask for Your Majesty’s blessing.”
“You rebellious thing!”
“Royal Father, when I first sought to marry her, it was with your approval.”
The Emperor: …
So now he was being dragged into this as well?
Truly, a fine son he had raised!
Yet, back then, the Emperor had indeed given his consent. Now he was so angry his chest heaved violently. He pointed to the door, “Get out and kneel outside!”
Xiao Muchen obediently went outside to kneel.
The Emperor grew even angrier. He turned to Ding Zhao and said, “Look at him—140 jin of bones, but 150 jin of stubbornness! He’s going to drive me to an early grave!”
Ding Zhao shuddered at these words and quickly tried to think of a way to smooth things over. Carefully, he said, “Your Majesty, Duan Wang’s steadfastness is surely a reflection of your fine upbringing. If Wangye was fickle and broke his promises, how could he ever earn trust?”
The Emperor sighed deeply. “You know nothing. A man being too sentimental is not a good thing.”
“Your Majesty teaches wisely. A lowly servant like me wouldn’t dare claim to understand these matters,” Ding Zhao replied with a flattering smile. “But I do feel that Duan Wang has much of your spirit when you were young. Back then, you too were iron-willed.”
The Emperor paused, stunned for a moment, and finally said, “I am old.”
In his youth, he had been full of ambition, walking step by step to where he was now, old and weary.
A promise of a thousand gold pieces… in those days, he had valued it even more than his life. Now—
The Emperor let out a mocking laugh. What did it even matter anymore?
Thinking of this, the sarcasm on his lips stiffened slightly, and then he heaved another heavy sigh. Half speaking to Ding Zhao, half muttering to himself, he said, “People must learn to adapt…”
Ding Zhao didn’t dare breathe loudly, let alone respond. He kept his head bowed and his breathing shallow.
