Chapter 60: No Selection of Concubines Allowed

Chapter 60: No Selection of Concubines Allowed

Few mourned Aunt Li's passing; to many in the marquis's residence, her existence had made little difference whether she lived or died. In the Eastern Capital City, where novelty abounded, she had been considered as good as dead the moment her scheme of swapping a concubine's daughter for the legitimate one was exposed to the world.

When she was discovered, her body was already rigid, her arms outstretched as if desperately trying to grasp something. Those who retrieved her remains remarked that not an inch of her flesh was unscathed, indicating that she must have endured countless abuses and beatings in life.

The aftermath was handled by Madam Shen. A thin, delicate coffin and a new set of clothes were prepared. For a concubine who had committed a grave mistake to receive such treatment was a testament to the master's benevolence.

Madam Shen averted her gaze after merely a glance, tears and resentment gradually welling up in her eyes. Dead bodies were indeed ghastly, and compared to the last time she saw him, his emaciated, sallow complexion now emphasized his high cheekbones as if they were mere bones wrapped in skin.

Back then, when she was taken into the household, everyone praised her plump figure as an omen of good fortune. But now, with her lifeless appearance and disheveled hair, there remains no trace of the rosy, prosperous look that once was etched in people's minds.

For a convict like her, death was merely a matter of being wrapped in a straw mat. The thin coffin was purchased by Madam Shen, and the clothes for her funeral were also prepared by her.

In the dilapidated courtyard, apart from the few servants that Madam Shen had brought along, there were only Mama Huang and a maid who had originally served as attendants. Xiang Mang supported her own lady as she watched the servants nail the coffin lid shut.

Pei Yuanjun, at a distance, wept loudly. Day and night, she had yearned for Aunt Li's demise, almost wishing to carry out the act herself. Yet, when the moment of death actually arrived, fear crept into her heart.

Bathed in privilege for fifteen years, she hadn't even seen a dead chicken, let alone a corpse. Given the history of deaths in this courtyard, she would never dare to reside here again.

"Mother, Mother... I'm scared..."

Looking over, Shen felt as if she couldn't recognize the young girl behind the lacquered coffin. The person in the coffin had suffered many beatings before their death; who could have inflicted such cruelty?

She had raised this child for fifteen years. At one point, she couldn't bear even the slightest injustice done to her child, let alone seeing her weep like this.

Her precious child, nurtured with utmost care, was now someone who would strike and scold her own birth mother. She vividly remembered the first steps the child took, and the first time she called Shen 'Mother'. Once, Shen believed that even without bearing a legitimate son, this child was her pride.

The child crying and shouting in the distance seemed so unfamiliar. Hearing those cries sent shivers down Shen's spine. Gazing at the face that resembled Aunt Li more and more, she couldn't recall what her own child used to look like – they appeared to be two entirely different people.

Pei Yuanjun rushed towards her, avoiding the coffin, "Mother, Aunt Li is dead. Please take me back, I'll surely honor and obey you..."

The servants, overhearing this, secretly commented on the ruthlessness of Third Young Lady. It seemed she had been eagerly awaiting Aunt Li's death as an excuse to return to her mother's side.

Xuanting Courtyard was the main courtyard, where even the second daughter, born from the legitimate wife, didn't reside. By custom, it wasn't the place for a daughter born from a concubine. However, Third Young Lady was raised by Madam Shen herself. If Madam Shen were to soften her heart and take her back, it wouldn't be unprecedented.

With a sorrowful expression, Shen replied, "We cannot break tradition."

"Mother, you love me the most. You've said that anything I desire, you would help me obtain. Whatever others have, I will have too, and whatever they don't, I'll still have. You spoke those words yourself, you can't go back on them," Pei Yuanjun cried, as if by voicing these desires, they would come true.

Indeed, those words were spoken by Madam Shen, and not just once.

Back then, she was the legitimate daughter, but now, she is a concubine-born daughter.

The servants held contempt in their hearts; wasn't Third Young Lady's incessant talking just about returning to Xuanting Courtyard? She did have audacity, even entertaining the fantasy of being treated equally with a legitimate daughter.

Madam Shen felt a pang in her heart; how could she forget those words? Through countless days and nights spent together as mother and daughter, she had vowed countless times to provide Yuanjun with the very best in life. The child she had tenderly cared for and deeply cherished had transformed into what she was today, causing Madam Shen pain as if her flesh were being torn apart.

The pain of how much she had once doted on this child was now matched only by the agony of her present distress. She reproached herself for not having taught the child better, and for still feeling a twinge of tenderness in her heart at this very moment.

Rulan's lifeless body still lay in the courtyard, the very place where her own child had suffered for fifteen long years. In those endless days and nights when cries for help went unanswered, what had Yuanxi been thinking?

Her vow was to her own flesh and blood, and that bloodline belonged to Yuanxi.

"Stop thinking about things that aren't your concern. Live well from now on." Despite her disappointment in this child and her hatred for Aunt Li's actions, she couldn't simply erase the years of maternal affection she had for Pei Yuanjun. As a stepmother, she would fulfill her duty by finding a suitable marriage for the girl. "I will take care of your marriage arrangements, I won't let you settle for anything less than you deserve."

Pei Yuanjun seethed inwardly, her mother's heart was indeed ruthless. She discarded her when she said so, expelled her from Xuanting Courtyard without a second thought, and hadn't even bothered to look at her all these days.

Reduced to a concubine's daughter, unable to marry Brother Chang Yin, what good marriage prospects could possibly await her? She had hoped to desperately gain favor with the Grand Marshal, but alas, there seemed to be no way in.

Mother spoke of not letting her suffer, but if she truly didn't want her to endure hardship, why didn't she appeal to Marquis Changqi's wife for help? It was true that she was a concubine-born daughter, but after being nurtured by her mother for so many years, she could very well be recorded as the mother's legitimate child. If her mother did nothing for her and still claimed she wouldn't let her suffer, she simply couldn't believe it.

"I beg you, Mother, don't abandon me. You said you'd always be by my side, that with you, I had nothing to fear... I'm really scared. This courtyard is dilapidated and old, with rats running around at night."

The courtyard had been neglected for a long time, and the house had even been damaged by fire. The weeds had grown unchecked for who knew how long, their withered state adding to the desolation.

The dress Pei Yuanjun wore seemed to be from last year, its fabric washed until it had faded to a pale shade, losing much of its original luster. Previously, she always wore different hairpins, but now she only had a few to rotate through.

Months ago, Madam Shen could never have imagined that the child she had nurtured with her own hands would end up in such a predicament. In just a few brief months, it felt as if half a lifetime had passed. Their former intimacy as mother and daughter seemed like a past life, and for the rest of her days, she would be consumed by self-reproach and guilt.

Despite the turmoil of emotions within her, she steeled herself and said, "Your second elder sister lived here for fifteen years. Why can't you? In a couple of days, I'll have new clothes made for you; it's your rightful share as a concubine's daughter."

Aunt Li's body had already been prepared for burial. A few servants carried her away, not to be interred in the Pei family's ancestral graveyard, but rather to be laid to rest in an unmanned mountain forest, covered by a mound of earth.

Madam Shen also made her way out, causing Pei Yuanjun great distress.

"Mother, I am your daughter, the one you have nurtured with your own hands. How can you just decide to abandon me, to say you no longer want me..."

Madam Shen paused in her steps, supporting Xiang Mang's hand.

Pei Yuanjun continued to weep, "Mother, you are the kindest. I understand that you're hesitant to take me back because of Second Sister. In the future, I promise to get along well with her. I won't argue with her over anything, alright?"

Tears streamed down Madam Shen's face.

Why did her Yuanxi refuse to be close to her? Why wouldn't she move back to Xuanting Courtyard? She knew everything, yet it was her fault for wanting to care equally for all her children.

"Yuanjun, I've done all that I can."

"You're lying!" Pei Yuanjun was seething with anger. She refused to believe such nonsense. "You could have taken me back anytime. There would have been enough food for me in the Xuanting Courtyard. You raised me for fifteen years; even a dog would have grown attached to its owner by now. Yet, you have such a ruthless heart. Just for your own flesh and blood, you abandoned me in this dilapidated yard, feeding me scraps fit for pigs and dogs, and allowing me to be bullied by those wicked servants..."

"Third Young Lady, we've never made things difficult for you. You can't just accuse us like that," a matron protested softly.

"You didn't make things hard for me? You knew I dislike dried vegetables and plain meat, yet you insisted on serving them twice a day, deliberately disgusting me! I couldn't even have a bite of something else, and you said it was Second Young Lady's order. Aren't you just looking down on me because I'm a concubine's daughter, deliberately humiliating me?"

She was, after all, a lady of a marquis household. No servant could withstand such accusations. The two matrons in charge of guarding the courtyard knelt before Madam Shen, recounting the events truthfully.

"Second Young Lady is kind-hearted and remembered her past affection for Mother Li. She specifically instructed us to take good care of you. Mother Li loves dried vegetables and plain meat, so we thought Third Young Lady should prioritize her birth mother's preferences."

In the end, isn't it because Third Young Lady is ungrateful? For whom did Aunt Li commit all those misdeeds? Third Young Lady doesn't cherish her birthright and even abuses Aunt Li. She's worse than a heartless wolf.

Pei Yuanjun was furious. These two servants were just talking nicely; they clearly acted according to Pei Yuanxi's wishes. Even if someone enjoyed two dishes, they couldn't eat them every day. They were obviously humiliating her, yet they refused to admit it.

If she were still the legitimate daughter, no one would dare treat her this way. Even if she was no longer the legitimate daughter, living by her mother's side, no one would dare look down on her.

"Mother, they bully and deceive you. Look at how thin I've become!"

Indeed, she had slimmed down. It was precisely because of her weight loss that she resembled Aunt Li more. Madam Shen stared at her face for a while, and the softness in her heart turned cold once again.

If Yuanxi instructed the servants, it meant she still held resentment. If she, as the biological mother, were to take Yuanjun back, their mother-daughter relationship might drift further apart.

Rulan, Ping Zhen, and Cousin Zeng.

They used to be the people she knew best and was closest to. She thought Rulan and Ping Zhen were loyal, and Cousin Zeng was pitiful. However, beneath their loyal and pitiful appearances hid the most vicious hatred towards her. They made it difficult for her to bear children and left her body empty. They separated her from her own flesh and blood for fifteen years, rendering them strangers when they finally met.

This child before her called her 'Mother', but who knew how much affection she truly felt. She had lived for decades, yet she couldn't see through people and situations as clearly as Yuanxi. She admitted that she had empty eyes that failed to discern people's true nature. In that case, why should she care about what she saw and heard?

"I can't see anything. You'd better behave yourself."

With those words, Madam Shen didn't look back again.

Pei Yuanjun's cries turned into curses. How could they not see that she had become so thin? And how could they ignore the mistreatment by the servants?

"Liars, all of you! Liars!" She gritted her teeth. "Pei Yuanxi, Pei Yuanxi!"

The gatekeepers exchanged glances and shook their heads. Third Young Lady was truly beyond help.

In Changhui Courtyard, Madam Kang listened to the servants' report and repeatedly murmured "Amitabha" while pressing her hand to her chest. Then, she arranged for a carriage to quietly take Pei Yuanjun to the manor. It was said that Pei Yuanjun wept and pleaded, but in the end, she was gagged and forcibly put into the carriage.

The death of a concubine in a marquis's mansion was akin to the passing of a concubine within the palace walls. The Zeng family had first been implicated in a crime of treason against the emperor, followed by the sudden demise of Grand Concubine Zeng in Qixia Palace. Aunt Li's death elicited little gossip, while Grand Concubine Zeng's end was a topic none dared to broach.

The notion of sudden death was merely a distraction, a ploy to divert attention.

Throughout history, countless concubines have met sudden deaths within the palace walls. How many truly succumbed to natural causes? Those poisoned, beaten to death, or suffocated with silk cloths - all were sudden and tragic ends.

Consort Zeng was Gongye Chu's pawn in the Tai Ling Palace, perceived by the world as a watchful eye over the emperor. Her demise carries with it a multitude of implications.

A servant who cannot see in all directions and hear from every corner should abandon ambitions in the political arena sooner rather than later. Even someone as straightforward as General Hong was able to discern a subtle clue from Concubine Zeng's demise.

While waiting for the audience, he sidled up to Marquis Xuanping and whispered, "Do you think it was the Grand Marshal or the Emperor who was behind Concubine Zeng's death?"

Marquis Xuanping, privy to the truth, recalled how his wife and daughter had secretly entered the palace that very night, followed by Concubine Zeng's demise. If his assumption was correct, Concubine Zeng might have been the daughter born to Concubine Shang.

A venomous woman, she deserved her fate, he thought.

Furrowing his brow, he remained silent. General Hong grew anxious, "If you have any information, don't keep it from me. I was truly terrified during the massacre at Tai Ling Palace three years ago. All I want is to live peacefully for a few more years."

He sincerely hoped there wouldn't be a repeat of that tragedy.

"Tai Ling Palace doesn't need another bloodbath now," Marquis Xuanping said in a hushed tone. With the emperor as the sole sovereign, a single blade or sword stroke would suffice; it wouldn't escalate to a massacre.

However, he had noticed on that day that the relationship between His Majesty and the Grand Marshal was not ordinary. Perhaps they were indeed as close as uncle and nephew. His current concern wasn't about any rift between the ruler and his subject but rather, his daughter.

The more one knew about the royal family, the greater the peril. Yuanxi, being close to the emperor, seemed to possess substantial knowledge. He feared that if the emperor's favor ever waned, what would become of Yuanxi?

General Hong placed a hand over his heart, "I can't shake this unease. Something feels off."

Those civil officials were exchanging subtle glances and gestures, indicating that trouble was brewing. Although he was a military man, he disliked violence and bloodshed. If a peaceful life was possible, who would willingly court danger with daily battles?

As the officials entered the Qinghe Hall, as expected, chaos ensued. The scholars, always seeking turmoil, seized the opportunity to comment on the emptiness of the harem due to Concubine Zeng's passing and urged the emperor to hold a grand wedding to choose a new empress.

Unperturbed by the darkening expression of the Grand Marshal, these daring scholars stepped forward, one after another, advocating that the stability of the kingdom and the continuation of the royal lineage were paramount.

He shrunk his neck, deciding to distance himself from these officious men. They talked about the dynasty's longevity, but the Grand Marshal would be thrilled if the Shang family line ended with this generation. They might gain a reputation for honesty now, but when the time came, they'd all share in the consequences.

Gongye Chu, known for his aloof demeanor, wore an even more unappealing expression. He had suddenly become a father to a teenage son, and before he could even grasp this new role, these people were pushing him to take multiple consorts and sire countless grandchildren.

At this thought, a chill ran down his spine.

Shangxing's eyebrows knitted together like caterpillars as he fixated on the persistent officials urging him to wed and take concubines. Was it really expected of him to replenish the harem just because one concubine had passed away?

The death of a single concubine was irrelevant to whether or not he took an empress or concubines. These scholars truly had too much to say.

A sly glint flashed in his clear eyes. Putting aside the fact that he was still his parents' baby, even if he were willing to select some maidens for the palace, his father would likely object.

He secretly glanced at his father, who, sensing his gaze, returned a knowing look.

His clever eyes flickered, as if asking, "Father, do you wish to become a grandfather?"

Gongye Chu's face remained cold, seemingly responding, "I do not."

Very well, a mutual understanding had been reached.

Shangxing cleared his throat and said, "It has only been three years since I ascended the throne. Back then, I vowed that as long as there were still people in the world without food or shelter, I would rather remain unwed and childless. For these past three years, I have kept my promise, never forgetting my aspirations. Now, I ask my beloved ministers, are there still beggars wandering the streets, or citizens without a roof over their heads?"

Even under the heavens, it was impossible to have no beggars, nor could everyone afford a home. The ministers were speechless, unable to refute him even though they knew he was making it up.

He claimed to have grand ambitions, to care about the world as if it were his own.

An emperor who spent his days breeding venomous snakes and insects; an emperor who delegated all his state documents to his ministers; an emperor who fled the capital during summer to avoid bathing. He said he loved his people like his own children, even renouncing concubines and heirs for their sake.

Who would believe such a thing?

Marquis Xuanping didn't either. Which emperor didn't have a harem or descendants? If the emperor refused to marry or take concubines, the issue likely lay with the Grand Commander. He had just witnessed them exchange a glance – it must be because the Grand Commander disapproved.

If the emperor were to have a queen, concubines, and princes, it would complicate matters further for the Grand Commander in the future. These officials who submitted memorials urging the emperor to expand his harem might be testing the waters, trying to gauge the Grand Commander's attitude towards the emperor.

It was clear that the Grand Marshal was not keen on the emperor having an heir.

Shangxing observed every expression on the ministers' faces and raised his attractive brows slightly. "Let's discuss the matter of the imperial wedding and taking concubines at a later time. What do you think, Minister Gongye?"

All eyes turned to Gongye Chu, who stood tall and straight. "His Majesty is devoted to the people, which is a blessing for our dynasty. I believe that the emperor has yet to fully assume full control of the government, so the wedding can be postponed."

With those words, the matter was settled, leaving the courtiers with a subtle sense of unease. If Minister Gongye was blocking the emperor's marriage, it seemed that the throne was indeed unstable for the emperor.

The Ling Dynasty seemed destined to witness a change in its ruler.

A deep smile played on Shangxing's lips, his dimples appearing innocent. "There's still much I need to learn from Minister Gongye. Besides, he hasn't taken a wife yet, so there's no need for me to rush."

Gongye Chu gave him a glance; he appeared completely innocent.

Some ministers were stunned. The emperor was actually teasing the Grand Marshal. It was common knowledge that the Grand Marshal had not married and did not keep any consorts in his residence. With so many noble ladies in the Eastern Capital City and countless aspirants eager to climb the social ladder, not a single person dared to propose marriage on his behalf, nor did any young maiden dare to express her affection for him.

The bloodshed in the Tai Ling Palace seemed to have yet to dissipate, and the eerie white bones could still be seen in the burial grounds outside the city walls. Who would dare meddle in the affairs of such a formidable figure?

The timid dare not even entertain such thoughts, while the bold can only secretly mutter a few words in the privacy of their own homes. Should one carelessly let slip even a half-phrase, there is a fear that their entire household might be eradicated in the dead of night.

Indeed, the emperor, facing his impending demise, has become fearless.

When the court session ended, even more people kept their distance from Marquis Xuanping, as if afraid of being associated with him. With a heart heavy with worries, he walked swiftly, and it was only at the palace gates that General Hong managed to catch up with him.

"Lord Pei, why the haste?" He spoke without any signs of labored breathing. "Could you explain what the Grand Marshal's intention might be? What should we do about this?"

"Stay calm, it might not be as terrible as we think," Marquis Xuanping said, though his words lacked conviction.

General Hong stamped his foot. "I'll send my mother and Baozhu to the countryside right away."

He mounted his horse hastily, kicking up a cloud of dust in no time.

Marquis Xuanping climbed into his sedan chair with a frown. Upon passing through the ornate floral gate, he saw Pei Yuanxi waiting for him. In the gradually chilling weather, she wore a peach-colored cloak trimmed with fur, which accentuated her rosy cheeks.

His gaze darkened. His Yuanxi was such an excellent child. Gifted and of impeccable character, she had endured years of hardship before reclaiming her rightful status. Why were those ruler and minister pair targeting her again?

Let them fight for their world; it had nothing to do with his Yuanxi.

A warm hand warmer was passed to him, and he held it in his palms, feeling some of his anxiety and worry dissolve. He knew that his daughter knew more than he had imagined, and she had always been intelligent.

Pei Yuanxi waited for him to speak about not pursuing the investigation into Concubine Xiang's matter any further. She had discovered that the person behind it might be more formidable than anticipated, and she didn't wish to put him in danger.

He had believed that Empress Zeng was the child of Concubine Xiang, and with her death, the matter could be considered settled. Indeed, there was no need to dig deeper. However, he couldn't help but feel regretful about his late wife's inability to discern people's true nature throughout her life. She had been betrayed by disloyal servants and deceived by deceitful female friends.

In the past, he rarely discussed court affairs with Madam Shen, and even with Madam Kang, he would only share what was appropriate. Facing his favorite daughter, the questions that had been on his mind along the way effortlessly slipped out of his mouth.

"In your opinion, how is the relationship between His Majesty and the Grand Marshal?"

Pei Yuanxi pondered for a moment. "I believe it's quite good, akin to a close uncle-nephew relationship."

Marquis Xuanping shared the same sentiment. Hearing his daughter's assessment, he felt reassured. "In the royal family, there are no true father-son or brotherly bonds, let alone those between uncles and nephews from different surnames. As your father, I still have some concerns. In case one day... Your grandmother mentioned wanting to pay respects at Pu'en Temple. Why don't you accompany her for a few days?"

Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes. "Father, that day will never come."

"Yet... human hearts are unpredictable. You should know the kind of person the Grand Marshal is, without me having to explain. He almost wiped out the entire Shang royal family, sparing only the emperor's life. Do you truly believe he did so out of kindness? He merely fears eternal infamy and wishes to seize the throne legitimately."

"Father, if he genuinely feared eternal condemnation, why would he massacre everyone in Tai Ling Palace?" Pei Yuanxi recalled Gongye Chu's cold expression. "He isn't afraid of being criticized by future generations."

"And why would that be?" Marquis Xuanping was even more perplexed. "Why would he prevent the Emperor from getting married or selecting concubines?"

"Perhaps he doesn't wish to become a grandfather just yet."

Marquis Xuanping didn't catch that. "Pardon me, what did you say?"

"Nothing much. I just think he wants His Majesty to undergo more training and experience."

Pei Yuanxi's ears turned warm, and she felt a inexplicable flush on her cheeks.

She, too, had no intention of becoming a grandmother anytime soon.