Chapter 78: Property

Chapter 78: Property

The redness and swelling on Yao Su's face turned into more severe bruising the next day. On the first day, she could barely speak; on the second and third days, she could hardly eat, only managing to consume some liquid food.

Her wet nurse cried incessantly out of worry, while the rest of the Yao family was preoccupied with one concern: the Third Prince had completely broken off the engagement, and it was uncertain when the imperial edict would come.

At that moment, the Third Prince was kneeling at Emperor Chengde’s feet, speaking ill of Miss Yao.

"Your Majesty, I know your edict has already been issued, and changing it would tarnish your reputation. However, I have no choice. Her rash actions are beyond my control. Where is there a young lady who removes her hairpins and only brings a wet nurse, hiding guards in secret? It is truly not the behavior of a proper woman."

Prince Zhao Ting’s words struck a chord with the emperor. Upon hearing about Yao Su’s boldness, he did not admire her chivalrous spirit but instead found her actions reckless and lacking in feminine propriety.

However... if the engagement were to be broken, it would be a slap in his own face.

The Third Prince knelt before the emperor, "This Miss Yao was also chosen for me by Mother Empress. I should not criticize Mother Empress, but she was deceived by Miss Yao and made a poor judgment."

By saying this, Zhao Ting pointed out that the fault lay not with the emperor but with the Empress for making a poor match.

Emperor Chengde nodded slowly, "What you say is true. Let Me think about it."

The emperor had forgotten that when he and He Lanting conceived their son Yan Ji, he had prepared everything for Yan Ji, from major to minor matters. Choosing such a princess consort for the Third Prince was something Emperor Chengde himself favored.

Just then, the palace door opened.

The Third Prince hastily stood up as the beautifully dressed lady, Concubine Chen—He Lanting—entered.

"Your Highness, I greet Concubine Chen."

Concubine Chen smiled and said, "Third Prince, may you be well."

She placed the food box in her hands on the table and, with a twinkle in her eyes, allowed the emperor to take her hand. "What were you discussing?"

Zhao Ting immediately said with a grievance, "I was talking about the princess consort. The previously chosen Miss Yao acts in a way that is not befitting a young lady. I wish to request Your Majesty to revoke the previous decree. Concubine Chen..."

The emperor listened to Zhao Ting’s complaints to Concubine Chen with a warm smile. A wave of warmth filled his heart. He Lanting was the woman he loved most in his life, yet her position in the palace was awkward due to her title as Concubine. She had no young prince or princess close to her. Now, seeing the Third Prince respect Concubine Chen so much, it brought glory to the emperor.

Zhao Ting had been closely observing Emperor Chengde’s reaction and now felt confident.

He Lanting waited until the Third Prince finished speaking and then said warmly, "In my opinion, if this Miss Yao is indeed unsuitable, it would be better to break off the engagement early before the wedding. If she becomes the Third Prince’s consort and then regrets it, it will be too late."

The emperor was moved and dismissed the Third Prince. After the Third Prince left, he could not help but say, "This edict was issued by Me. Is it inappropriate to revoke it now?"

He Lanting covered her mouth and laughed, "Remember, all under heaven is the emperor’s domain. Whatever you say goes. Whether to issue or revoke the edict is entirely up to you."

Emperor Chengde nodded and said to Fu Bin, "The Third Prince should not have gone far. Eunuch Fu, go and tell him the news. He does not need to return to express his gratitude."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Fu Bin bowed and left.

In the Yangxin Hall, the charcoal fire burned brightly, making it warm like spring. When the palace door opened, Fu Bin could not help but shiver. The wind was howling, and it was truly cold.

He did not dare to delay, asked the palace attendants for the direction the Third Prince had taken, and hurried off with his hands tucked into his sleeves.

The Third Prince wanted to break the engagement and sought the support of Concubine Chen. He deliberately slowed down his sedan chair and soon met Fu Bin, who was rushing over.

Snow began to fall, forming fluffy clumps that landed on Fu Bin’s hat, shoulders, and even his eyebrows, quickly melting into water.

Fu Bin respectfully bowed to the Third Prince, who had not yet stepped down from the sedan chair, "Your Highness, His Majesty has granted your request."

Zhao Ting, who had been sitting in the sedan chair, got down upon hearing this, "Then I need to go in and express my gratitude."

"His Majesty told me to inform Your Highness that when the edict is issued, expressing gratitude will suffice."

"I will not disturb Father and Concubine Chen," Zhao Ting said agreeably.

After saying this, Zhao Ting got back into the sedan chair and left.

Fu Bin watched as Zhao Ting departed, his eyes narrowing slightly. Because of his unique position, the Third Prince had always respected him, the eunuch. But now, it seemed the Third Prince was somewhat dissatisfied with him?

Fu Bin thought about his niece’s rescue of Yao Su. Perhaps the Third Prince’s dissatisfaction stemmed from this incident.

Understanding why the Third Prince was dissatisfied, Fu Bin did not blame Lin Yingxue for meddling. Among so many people, none had seen through the kidnapper’s scheme except his niece. This showed Lin Yingxue’s intelligence.

Moreover, if Miss Yao had been kidnapped, wouldn’t it have been pitiful? In his younger days, Fu Bin was ruthless, which was how he reached his current position. Now, older and wiser, he had become more compassionate. Being kind to others was a good deed.

Besides, although he had offended the Third Prince, even if the Third Prince had a strong chance of succession, he would always remain the Third Prince. Through this matter, he had gained the favor of the Empress and the Grand General.

There were no eternal princes, but the Empress’s position would remain solid.

Thinking about this, Fu Bin decided to visit Luanfeng Palace regarding the Third Prince’s broken engagement with Yao Su.

/

Jian Yunyao had just returned from a three-day stay outside the palace and was directing the palace attendants in arranging items in Luanfeng Palace. The multi-treasure cabinet was filled with many strange and curious trinkets.

Fu Bin bowed and reported the Third Prince’s request, and after Concubine Chen’s arrival, the Third Prince’s wish was fulfilled.

Jian Yunyao frowned deeply, "I am aware of this matter."

She sighed, feeling thoroughly disappointed in the child she had raised.

She found the Third Prince’s naivety laughable. By aligning with Concubine Chen, the most she would do was use him as a front.

Putting aside thoughts of the Third Prince’s fate, Jian Yunyao summoned Yao Su to the palace.

Facing the Empress, Yao Su smiled faintly and took out a prepared document.

It clearly stated that the Yao family had long been dissatisfied with Yao Su’s search for her third sister and had intended for the second sister to take her place. Now, the Yao family’s efforts were in vain, and the princess consort was forever out of reach.

Jian Yunyao looked at Yao Su, whose eyes, swollen from injuries, were squeezed small but still clear and uncomplaining about the Third Prince’s rejection.

Empress: "Follow the physician’s prescription and take good care of yourself."

Yao Su kowtowed; she herself also wished to reduce the swelling quickly so she could visit the residence of the Marquis and the Fu family to express her gratitude in person.

After Yao Su returned to her residence, she told her family about losing the position of the Third Prince’s consort.

Apart from Yao Ting, everyone else had already accepted this fate, especially Lady Wang. The three golden flowers did not come from her womb, so if Yao Ting could marry the Third Prince, it would be fine, and if she couldn’t, it wouldn’t cause any loss to her.

Only Yao Ting's eyes were swollen like walnuts.

/

The snow continued for two more days, and it took seven days to melt. By then, the Magistrate Li had already beaten the families of the kidnappers and rescued over ten children who hadn’t been sold yet.

Unfortunately, these kidnappers had picked up a few small beggars whose bodies were too emaciated, and they died because they were rescued too late.

These kidnappers were not the ones who had abducted Miss Yao San. Although they were cunning, they mainly targeted commoners. According to them, Miss Yao San’s attire suggested she was either new to the trade or acting on a sudden impulse.

Not finding her sister, Yao Su felt somewhat disappointed. She composed herself, put on a hood, and went to the Fu residence.

Lin Yingxue was helping Fu Heng with the accounts today. It was close to the end of the year, and all financial matters needed to be reviewed. Fu Heng taught Lin Yingxue these skills, and Lin Yingxue learned that numbers alone could reveal truths without needing to converse with others.

Upon hearing that Miss Yao had arrived, Lin Yingxue closed the account book.

Yao Su always wore a veil, covering her face tightly. When she entered the main hall, she removed the veil, revealing bruises on her face.

Yao Su mentioned that the swelling on her face required vigorous rubbing to dissipate the blood clots.

After discussing her injuries, Yao Su presented a gift—a deed to a hot spring estate in the outskirts of the capital.

The capital city is said to be worth its weight in gold, and the same goes for the outskirts. Even many third-rank officials do not have estates in the suburbs, let alone a hot spring estate. Yao Su was very generous, offering this estate outright.

Most importantly, the estate was not registered under Fu Jiaze’s or Fu Bin’s names but solely under Lin Yingxue’s name. If one day Lin Yingxue were to divorce Fu Jiaze, this would be her private property.

Lin Yingxue was startled by the lavish gift, waving her hands repeatedly and finally standing up abruptly, “This is too valuable. That day, I merely did what I should have done, and I don’t deserve such a gift from you.”

“If it weren’t for Madam Lin, I might have fallen into the hands of the kidnappers and lost my life,” Yao Su said. “My life has been saved by you, so what does this estate matter? Moreover, Madam, I have already written your name on the deed and registered it with the authorities.”

Lin Yingxue eventually accepted the estate, her face flushed red. Yao Su noticed Lin Yingxue’s embarrassment and smiled, “I may not have many talents, but I have some money. I also have a favor to ask.”

The people Lin Yingxue used last time had left a deep impression on Yao Su. There were retired Jin Yi Wei (Imperial Guards) in various regions. With her considerable wealth, perhaps she could contribute some money to have these retired guards help her search for her sister.

In the past, even with money, it was impossible to connect with the Jin Yi Wei. Throwing money around carelessly could attract unwanted attention to her wealth. Now, having met Lin Yingxue, this matter seemed much easier.

Lin Yingxue nodded without hesitation. The Jin Yi Wei were powerful when in service, but those who retired due to severe injuries found it difficult to make a living. Such a commission could provide them with some income.