Chapter 230: Two Women Serving One Husband

Chapter 230: Two Women Serving One Husband

There are no true secrets within the palace walls, unless the emperor on the throne spares no effort to seal the mouths of those who know.

After some inquiries, Yongming Grand Princess quickly grasped the entire situation.

So, at the family banquet, amidst the clinking of cups and toasts, she casually recounted Gu Huai's actions in Changhe County as a joke to the emperor.

"Gu Huai is indeed young and impulsive, lacking experience. Once he gained Your Majesty's favor, he lost his sense of proportion and acted somewhat recklessly."

Yongming Grand Princess picked up a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her mouth, sighed lightly, and spoke earnestly.

After a pause, she showed hesitation.

The emperor, clad in a bright yellow robe with a wide black belt embroidered with auspicious cloud motifs, had reached middle age. The traces of time at the corners of his eyes and brows added to his majesty.

"Elder Sister, feel free to speak."

In the flickering light, Yongming Grand Princess's brow furrowed slightly, her temples gleaming with a radiant sheen, appearing particularly compassionate and benevolent.

"Your Majesty granted Heir Gu the authority of the Shangfang Sword, granting him the authority to act first and report later. This generous gesture aims to nurture the younger generation."

"Heir Gu should be prudent in his words and deeds, striving to repay Your Majesty's immense grace with utmost dedication."

"However, if a young man's temperament is too indulgent and he acts rashly, the common people, unaware of the truth, might misunderstand Your Majesty's leniency towards the children of nobility, misjudging it as disregard for the law and careless handling of human lives. This could undoubtedly tarnish Your Majesty's reputation."

"This matter could range from minor to major, but since ancient times, wise ministers and enlightened rulers know that water can both float and sink a boat."

At this point, Yongming Grand Princess seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn and quickly added, "This is merely a woman's opinion, not to be taken seriously, not to be taken seriously."

The emperor's expression was unreadable, his emotions inscrutable.

He had usurped the throne by killing his nephew, and his claim to the throne was illegitimate.

Over the years, even though court officials remained silent, everyone had their own thoughts.

Thus, what he desired most was a reputation for benevolence and wisdom.

Duke.

The emperor lowered his gaze, silently playing with the jade cup in his hand.

Princess Pingning, who had come to the banquet with Yongming Grand Princess, added sharply, "The Duke's son is truly unruly."

"He had barely left the capital when he caused a prisoner's death. Who knows what greater disasters he might cause if given more time."

"Has the Duke lost his wits?"

"Even if he is eager for Gu Huai to establish himself in the court, he should teach him properly. How can he let Gu Huai act so recklessly, squandering Your Majesty's favor?"

Unlike Yongming Grand Princess's indirect approach, Princess Pingning directly targeted the fickle-hearted Duke.

As a member of the royal family, Princess Pingning was not one to part on bad terms and show mercy where it was due.

However, Gu Shen's actions after her engagement to the Duke had sickened her.

Spreading malicious rumors to tarnish her reputation and the Duke's, publicly disclosing their past letters, mocking her for her supposed shamelessness and self-abasement, and even proposing to make her a noble concubine in his household.

She, the dignified Princess Pingning, daughter of Yongming Grand Princess, could not stomach such insults, nor would her mother permit her to endure them.

Her mother took her straight into the palace and knelt outside Qian De Palace, begging Emperor Wencheng to take action.

Emperor Wencheng and Empress Dowager Xie issued an explicit decree reprimanding Gu Shen, and this old matter was finally put to rest.

However, her reputation was ultimately tarnished, and her mother had no choice but to lower her expectations and marry her off to a scholar from a humble background who had achieved success in the imperial examinations.

The Duke had been unreliable and inconsistent from the start, and his lack of discipline afterward only added to her grievances. It was only natural for her to hold a grudge and capitalize on his downfall.

It was almost laughable. Twenty years had passed, and the sands of time had buried their enmity. That Gu Shen had now become a model noblewoman in the capital, constantly lecturing about rules and etiquette.

"Pingning, do not speak recklessly," Yongming Grand Princess pretended to reprimand.

Princess Qingyu lazily and seductively put down her wine cup, her eyes flickering. "Auntie's words are a bit too nitpicky."

"Gu Huai is just starting out, so it's natural for him to make some mistakes. He can't compare to our steady and humble nephew who has already made a name for himself."

The smile on Yongming Grand Princess's face faded instantly.

Princess Qingyu's words were a blatant insult.

Yu Jin was notorious in the capital as a playboy, excelling in eating, drinking, and merrymaking.

To promote Yu Jin, the Emperor had even assigned him some official duties, but Yu Jin was like mud that couldn't be shaped—he only held the title and avoided responsibility, taking credit for successes but dodging blame for failures.

However, Yongming Grand Princess saw nothing wrong with this.

Yu Jin was her only grandson, and she had more than enough wealth to allow him to indulge in a life of luxury.

At the very least, it was better than getting into trouble.

Princess Pingning reached out and, under the cover of her sleeve, gently patted Yongming Grand Princess's hand, then said with concern, "In the future, when Qingyu stays up late studying, she should also take care of her health. The dark circles under her eyes are quite concerning."

Princess Pingning and Princess Qingyu were of the same generation, but there was a significant age difference between them. When Princess Pingning spoke, she naturally exuded the air of an elder.

"By the way," Princess Pingning lightly covered her lips with her handkerchief, "no matter how handsome Gu Huai is, he is already engaged."

"For the sake of Qingyu's reputation, it would be best not to meet him privately anymore."

The Emperor, who had been calmly observing this farce, suddenly let out a light chuckle. Instantly, everyone at the family banquet fell silent.

In that moment, the grand hall was completely still.

Only Empress Dowager Xie continued to impassively rotate her prayer beads, the beads clinking together with a crisp sound.

Some brave souls glanced up. The candlelight seemed to cast a golden glow on her noble and dignified face, while the steam from the soup on the table rose in wisps. From a distance, she looked like a lifeless statue, coldly overlooking the joys and sorrows of the world.

She seemed out of place at this family banquet, yet somehow eerily blended into it.

If one were to speak of Empress Dowager Xie, she was indeed a legend.

The eldest daughter of the Xie family, Crown Princess, Empress, and now Empress Dowager.

She had nearly become the Grand Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Xie sighed softly and stopped rotating her prayer beads.

"Empress Dowager?" The Emperor turned slightly and asked respectfully.

Empress Dowager Xie did not even glance at the Emperor, her voice cold and indifferent. "Yongming Grand Princess is the eldest sister, and her husband died for Emperor Wencheng and Your Majesty."

"Even Emperor Wencheng, during his lifetime, dared not let her suffer any grievances, yet Your Majesty has raised a fine daughter who mocks her for the sake of an outsider."

"A daughter of age is hard to keep at home. Since Princess Qingyu has defended the young man from the Duke's household to such an extent, perhaps she has developed feelings. Your Majesty might as well play the matchmaker and facilitate their union."

"You!" Princess Qingyu was furious, rising to her feet with a sweep of her sleeve.

The Emperor's face turned cold, "Qingyu, have you forgotten all your manners?"

Then, his gaze turned to Empress Dowager Xie, "Sister-in-law, you may not know, but Gu Huai is betrothed to a young lady from the Yongning Marquis's family."

Empress Dowager Xie slightly raised an eyebrow, her tone devoid of emotion, "Duanhe mentioned the young lady from the Yongning Marquis's family while serving me in prayer."

"It is said that the girl, raised in the countryside, lacks manners and is overly affected, often clashing with the capital's ladies and unfit for the duties of a clan matron."

"Pingning just mentioned that Qingyu often studies late into the night. Even if her talents are average, diligence can make up for shortcomings. With such diligence, she must be quite scholarly."

"I am more suited to be the Emperor of Daqian than Xiao Cheng is."