Chapter 380 – The Outcome

Chapter 380 - The Outcome

Yun Li rolled her eyes and immediately sought a spot to rest.

These few days before her monthly cycle were truly exhausting.

Before lunch was served, she had already fallen asleep.

Seeing her pale complexion, He Jinli instructed that someone should come in the afternoon to take her pulse.

This time, it wasn't just Yun Li who was relocating. Xian Xiuyi had already been promoted to Xiuyi but still resided in her pavilion, which was no longer appropriate.

Therefore, she also moved, settling into the Luo Mei Pavilion.

The Luo Mei Pavilion was considered one of the best accommodations among all the pavilions in the imperial harem.

It was situated right behind Meigui Empress's Chao Yang Palace.

Zhang Mei moved to Yi Hua Pavilion.

With many inhabitants in the Zuiyun Palace, Xiao Yi would also move to the side chamber of Cuiping Palace after Yun Li's departure.

She was delighted; this was, after all, the residence of the virtuous empress.

But her joy was in vain; He Jinli didn't come for the palace itself, but for the person within it.

Jiang Concubine was now with child and shouldn't share a pavilion with Feng Baolin anymore. Thus, she too would eventually move to Cuiping Palace's side chamber.

The junior concubines were quite pleased, as who wouldn't be happy to reside in a larger space?

Consort Zhao had no qualms either. Her favor had been fleeting, like a blooming flower that wilted soon after giving birth to Princess Wudi.

Her loss of favor had occurred without any particular incident.

Thus, being able to live alone in a separate pavilion, Xianxiu Concubine found contentment.

Her fellow consorts visited Xianxiu in the Lomei Pavilion to offer their congratulations.

Xianxiu smiled on the surface, listening to their praise, but bitterness lingered in her heart.

All praised her grace, yet as a Lady of Ceremony, she was still not allowed to reside in a palace of her own. Perhaps it was because she had no prince to her name.

If she were truly as favored as people claimed, she would be like Empress Xiaoxian, with her own palace and living a life detached from worldly strife.

Even if she couldn't aspire to Xiaoxian's status, the serene and unassuming Ladies Mien and An, both from the Eastern Palace, each held their own domains.

Xian Lady sighed, aware that in this world, nothing was more elusive than one's heart's desire.

She could only sigh inwardly, putting on a composed front.

When Yun Li was roused from sleep, she felt as if she hadn't had enough rest.

But she was also hungry, so after a late lunch, she yearned to continue sleeping. Jincheng called in the imperial physician to examine her first.

Relieved upon learning that her condition was merely a normal symptom before her menstrual cycle, he felt reassured.

The physician prescribed some medicine for her, but before administering it, Lord Meng Chang was instructed to personally inspect it.

In the afternoon, Jincheng gave up on the idea of having Yun Li assist him with documents. She slept soundly, oblivious to everything, and didn't even think about returning home.

Their side was at ease.

After Jiang was taken away, she was immediately sent to An Yi Hall.

In the meantime, He was brought out.

Upon seeing Jiang, He pounced on her and started fighting. She now knew for sure who had killed her entire family.

How could she not hate?

If not for others holding her back, who knew what she would have done.

Despite this, Jiang's face was scratched.

In just a short month, their positions had reversed.

Although He was now only a lowly Attendant, she was no longer confined to the cold palace.

She still had her princess.

Yet, Jiang's life could only end here.

Though not every member of the Jiang family was put to death, there were still dozens of them. Expelled from the marquis manor and stripped of their allowances, they were left to fend for themselves.

Those innocent ones with connections hastily packed their belongings and departed with their families.

The rest, who had nowhere to turn, stayed with Jiang Baoyi, settling temporarily in a dilapidated peasant's courtyard on the outskirts of the city.

Not only was the Jiang family's mansion reclaimed, but all their manors, shops, and properties were to be seized as well.

There wasn't much to begin with.

After the Jiang family was chased away, the people from the capital's government found that the Jiang family's residence was... quite indescribable.

The main gate looked decent and imposing.

The front courtyard was manageable as well.

But once one entered the back courtyard, the issues became apparent.

The space within the second gate was cramped and crowded. Everywhere bore signs of modification, with each dwelling significantly smaller and partitioned into numerous sections.

It was understandable that with every male member of the Jiang family likely having several concubines, there wouldn't be enough room for everyone.

Sons were born from these concubines, who in turn might have their own children...

One could only say that the Jiang family not only had long lifespans but were also prolific in producing offspring.

Of course, there wasn't adequate living space for all.

None of them held any significant official positions, merely scraping by from day to day without additional manors or residences.

Thus, they had to make do with what they had.

They might present themselves magnificently when going out, but upon returning home, they found their quarters less spacious than those of ordinary citizens.

No wonder the Jiang family was so 'ambitious'; perhaps it was genuinely a result of the challenging living conditions they faced from childhood.

Before long, news arrived that Jiang Baoyi had passed away.

He couldn't die just yet; despite his lack of accomplishments, he was still a marquis after all.

In the entire Marquis Manor, anyone could suffer, but not him.

Now, suddenly, he had become an insignificant old man that nobody cared about. How could he withstand the harsh winter?

Yun Li had been much more lively these past few days. Resting her head on one hand, she asked, "Tell me, what did the Tenth Prince do in this matter?"

Zhi Fu smiled and said, "This... This is a difficult question for your servant. The Tenth Prince didn't step forward at all."

Yun Li raised an eyebrow slightly. "His mother was imprisoned, and he didn't step forward?"

"Yes, he not only didn't plead for mercy, but he also didn't visit his mother. He didn't intervene with the Jiang family's affairs either. Actually, secretly sending some money wouldn't have hurt. It's said that apart from the old marquis, three others have died in the Jiang family within these past four or five days."

They were all nobles who had suddenly fallen from grace, losing everything overnight. How could they not be affected?

Yun Li shook her head and said, "Their ruthlessness seems to have been inherited."

He Jinning should have seen through it as well.

"Indeed, it's for the best. This way, he won't be causing trouble all day long," Zhiru said.

Yun Li nodded. "I was considering moving before the New Year. I thought that you girls have grown up and should consider marriage."

Zhiru smiled. "Your Highness, we've discussed this among ourselves, and none of us wish to marry."

Yun Li raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"

"We've talked with Juyu, Luwei, and Yinchá. The four of us have no intention of leaving the palace. However…" She paused. "Luwei doesn't want to leave either. She wishes to serve you for her entire life, but she desires a child."

"Desires to bear one herself?" Yun Li was surprised.

"Exactly, she wants a child, whether a boy or a girl," Zhiru replied.

Yun Li laughed. "What a determined girl. Call her over."

In no time, Luwei arrived. Upon learning the reason, she blushed and knelt down. "Your Highness, I have a blood-related older sister who leads a good life. If you permit it, after giving birth, I would like my sister to raise the child. I will continue serving you as usual."

Yun Li gazed at her face and sighed. "You're so beautiful. You truly don't want to marry?"

"I have no desire for that. All I wish for is a child, one who carries my own surname. With your grace, Lady, I know you'll protect both my child and me. As for a man, I leave that choice entirely to you, Lady. I have no intention of marrying on my own accord," Reeds declared firmly.

Yun Li smiled. Who said ancient people were conservative?

In fact, it was the modern folks who were truly conservative.

Ancient women could have children before marriage and still ascend to the throne as queens or empresses.

It was the modern people who obsessed over chastity, treating it like some ultimate virtue.

"I've been feeling quite uncomfortable these few days, ah, and it's already late."

"It truly seems that people nowadays are becoming more and more conservative. They cry out for women's rights and female liberation, but when they read a book, if the female lead isn't a virgin, they find it disgusting and drop the book. If she's divorced, they drop it. If she's had a miscarriage, they drop it. Huhu."