Chapter 152 That Person Is the Grandson of the Dowager Consort

Chapter 152: That Person Is the Consort's Grandson

Chen Hui was taken aback. A fur coat made from a demon fox’s pelt, discarded so casually. She couldn't help but remark, "This Consort is truly extravagant."

Nearby, the Consort had already boarded a new carriage, again using the young man’s back as a step.

Chen Hui had overheard their conversation clearly. Not only was he not praised for slaying the assassins, but he was also slapped—all because he had dirtied her clothes.

Now, watching the young man lie prostrate on the ground, allowing himself to be stepped on, she frowned slightly.

She usually didn’t care about others’ affairs, but this scene still made her feel deeply uncomfortable.

Hearing Chen Hui’s words, A Chan replied, "After all, she is the King of Northern Wilderness’s birth mother and the daughter of the former Imperial Tutor. Naturally, she uses only the finest."

However, A Chan recalled that in earlier years, the Consort of the Northern Wilderness King wasn't this extravagant. Wearing a fox fur coat in this weather—it seemed this year’s Northern Wilderness must have been quite eventful.

"She doesn’t seem to have a good temper."

A Chan knew what Chen Hui was referring to. She lowered her long lashes, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Do you feel that the young man just now seemed rather pitiful?"

"A little."

"Guess what their relationship is." A Chan’s sudden question piqued Chen Hui’s curiosity even more.

She pressed, "What relationship?"

By now, the procession had resumed moving. The Consort’s carriage had already entered the city gates, and the figure of the young man had disappeared along with it.

A Chan linked arms with Chen Hui as they walked back. Their carriage was still parked in its original spot. Once they boarded, A Chan said softly, "From a bloodline perspective, that person is the Consort’s grandson."

Chen Hui’s eyes widened.

A Chan gave her a strange smile. "Her actual grandson."

All her old connections had finally arrived.

With the Consort now inside the city, the roadblock guards dispersed.

The carriages and commoners who’d been waiting began lining up to enter the city. Soon, it was their turn, and Chen Hui drove through the city gates.

On the way home, Chen Hui couldn’t hold back her questions any longer and asked about the past of the Consort of the Northern Wilderness King.

"I remember the Consort only bore one son after marrying the previous King of Northern Wilderness, who became the next king and has yet to marry?" She could only recall this much about the Consort.

"That’s right." A Chan pushed aside the carriage curtain and leaned against the door. The sunlight today was nice and warm.

"Then where did the grandson come from?" Chen Hui never doubted that A Chan would speak truthfully.

"She only had one son with the previous King of Northern Wilderness, but that doesn’t mean she only had one son in total." A Chan’s lips curled slightly, her eyes sparkling as she shared the gossip.

After building up Chen Hui’s anticipation, A Chan finally said with a smile, "Our Consort is quite something. She was married once before and had a son who was given up for adoption. Later, she remarried the King of Northern Wilderness and had another son. Zhao Yin is the firstborn son from her first marriage—her eldest grandson."

Chen Hui was truly stunned. It had been over twenty years since the Consort married into Northern Wilderness. Likely, hardly anyone in the capital remembered this past. At the very least, she had never heard a word about it before.

"If he’s her own grandson, why treat him that way? Does she not like him?" After saying this, Chen Hui realized that didn’t add up. "But if she keeps him close, doesn’t that mean she values him?"

Her own words seemed to contradict each other.

A Chan’s voice dropped to a murmur. "Perhaps because what the Consort of the Northern Wilderness King wants isn’t an obedient grandson, but a loyal dog."

Chen Hui recalled what she had just witnessed and found A Chan’s words unexpectedly apt. That was no way to treat a person.

A Chan glanced at the streets on either side and said to Chen Hui, "Hui Niang, let’s go to Chongming Lane to find Lin Sui. There’s something I need her help with."

"Alright."

Chen Hui turned the carriage around, and they first headed to the General’s residence.

Lin Sui had studying today and hadn’t gone out. When A Chan arrived, her studies were not yet finished.

However, the servants of the General’s residence all knew A Chan was their young lady’s close friend and showed them right in.

When the two arrived at Lin Sui’s courtyard, she was training in the yard. Seeing A Chan and Chen Hui in her home, she was astonished. She hopped down from her training posts and hurried over.

"I thought you two were supposed to be at Yong Mountain? Why are you here all of a sudden?"

Not only had they come, but A Chan was also holding a large armful of plum branches.

A Chan handed them to Lin Sui and said, "These are from Yong Mountain. May they bring you the blessings of the Flower Goddess."

Lin Sui took the branches with a smile. Though she didn’t believe in the Flower Goddess, she trusted that the flowers A Chan gave would surely bring her good fortune.

After leading them into her room and dismissing the servants, Lin Sui asked, "Did you come today because you need something?"

"Just now, when we entered the city, Hui Niang and I happened to witness the Consort of the Northern Wilderness King’s arrival in the capital."

Lin Sui had heard about this from her elder brother.

"She’s here so early. My brother said it was for the Imperial Tutor’s birthday, right?"

The former Imperial Tutor, Zhao Qi, was now in his eighties. Thanks to his bond with the late emperor, the Zhao family had the current emperor’s favor and held considerable prestige in the capital, especially among scholars.

"Mhm."

"Is the favor you need related to the Consort?"

"There’s a young man named Zhao Yin by the Consort’s side. I’d like you to have someone keep an eye on the Zhao family for me. If Zhao Yin goes out alone, let me know his whereabouts." A Chan got straight to the point and stated her request directly.

"Consider it done." Lin Sui agreed without hesitation.

"Tell your people to be careful. He’s likely at the Third Realm now."

"Don’t worry, they won’t be discovered."

Meanwhile, the very Zhao Yin A Chan had her eyes on had already arrived outside the Zhao residence with the Consort’s carriage.

Today, the usually low-key Zhao residence was adorned with festive decorations. The vermilion gates were wide open, and the ground had been freshly cleaned.

Aside from the Imperial Tutor, whom no one dared disturb, the two masters of the Zhao family and their descendants were all waiting at the entrance to welcome the Consort—their own sister.

As the carriage drawn by the bó beast came to a stop, the Consort stepped out.

Zhao Hongliang, the eldest of the Zhao family, was helped down the steps by his second son, Zhao Xun, to greet the Consort.

"Little sister, you’ve finally returned." Zhao Hongliang’s voice trembled slightly with emotion. It had been ten years since he last saw his sister.

The last time she returned to the capital was for their father’s seventieth birthday.

"Elder brother." The Consort’s expression softened slightly when facing her family.

Her gaze shifted from Zhao Hongliang to Zhao Xun, a flicker of emotion surfacing in her otherwise calm eyes.

Zhao Xun appeared even more agitated than Zhao Hongliang beside him. He opened his mouth, managing to say, "Aunt."

"You've grown up," the Consort of the Northern Wilderness King said, reaching out to pat his shoulder.

Now in his forties, Zhao Xun reddened instantly at the gesture.

After a moment, he turned and called to a slightly plump young man behind him, "Zeqian, come greet your aunt at once."

At his words, Zhao Zeqian hurried over, dropping to his knees with a thud before the Consort and kowtowing three times. "Your grandson greets you, Aunt!"

The Consort couldn't help but smile, bending down to help him up herself. "Good child, there's no need for such formality with your aunt."

Zhao Zeqian grinned, his round face quite charming.

"Aunt, Grandfather is waiting for you. Let's go inside first," Zhao Xun urged from the side.

"Very well."

The family crowded around the Consort as they passed through the gates. From start to finish, no one even glanced at Zhao Yin.

Zhao Yin watched their retreating figures before lowering his gaze and following silently.

The Consort's first act upon entering the estate was to visit her father, Zhao Qi. At the courtyard gate, the younger Zhao generation was halted, with only the Consort, her two brothers, Zhao Xun, and his son allowed through.

Just as the gate was about to close, Zhao Yin stepped forward and entered the courtyard.

The Consort glanced at him but said nothing.

Zhao Xun, however, finally turned his attention to Zhao Yin, his gaze complex—appraising, laced with barely concealed wariness and disdain.

Not a trace of paternal affection could be found.

Zhao Yin had been his firstborn son, yet this child bore no resemblance to him and had been taken away by his aunt since infancy. Zhao Xun could summon no familial warmth for him.

Zhao Yin seemed oblivious to Zhao Xun's stare, trailing behind the Consort as quietly as a shadow.

The door opened, and the three Zhao siblings entered the room where Zhao Qi already sat in the seat of honor.

Though eighty years old, Zhao Qi appeared no older than fifty or sixty, showing no signs of age.

Clad in a plain blue robe, his hair neatly combed, he looked just like a struggling scholar one might encounter in the marketplace.

But this was misleading.

The teacup in his hand was carved from a single rare piece of Northern Mountain red jade, as was the teapot beside it. This set alone was worth a fortune—enough to trade for a two-courtyard residence in the capital.

"Your daughter pays respects to Father," the Consort of the Northern Wilderness King said with a bow.

"Come sit," Zhao Qi beckoned warmly. When she took her place beside him, he poured her tea from the red jade pot.

As the pot tilted, an intricate square mark could be glimpsed at its base.

The Consort eyed the conspicuous set, her brow furrowing slightly before she held her tongue.

"How fares the King?" Zhao Qi inquired.

The King in question was naturally Bai Zhanhuang, the King of Northern Wilderness.

"His Highness is well and often thinks of you, Father."

Zhao Qi nodded. "He's twenty-two now, is he not? I hear his marriage remains unsettled. As his mother, you should have arranged this."

"You speak truly, Father. This visit is partly to see to his marriage," the Consort replied, a brief flash of irritation in her eyes before she softened her tone. "He shows no interest in taking a wife, and finds no Northern Wilderness woman to his liking. I thought to seek a noble bride in the capital, then petition His Majesty for the marriage. It would make a good match."

"Which family's daughter have you considered?" Zhao Qi asked.

"I don't know much of the capital's noble houses. I need your help in this matter."

Zhao Qi thought for a moment before answering, "There is no urgency. I have heard your relationship with the King has become distant these past years?"

The Consort tensed. "Where did you hear such baseless rumors, Father?"

"Is that so?" Zhao Qi clearly doubted her but refrained from pressing further in front of his sons and grandson.

The atmosphere gradually eased as the Zhao brothers and Zhao Xun made small talk with the Consort. Initial stiffness soon gave way to familiarity, which pleased Zhao Qi as he observed the scene.

Young Zhao Zeqian, lowest in seniority, remained silent throughout, sitting obediently at the end while his eyes darted greedily about.

His great-grandfather's room held many treasures—not just the red jade teacup he favored lately, but even the green jade cup in Zhao Zeqian's own hands was extremely valuable.

Alas, these items were too noticeable. If one went missing, it would be immediately apparent.

Absently stroking his cup, Zhao Zeqian wondered if he might find another inconspicuous yet valuable piece like last time.

He was short on money, yet his parents only preached about proper behavior without offering aid. With over a thousand taels of debt pressing upon him, he had no choice but to seek other ways.

After more conversation, the Consort said she needed to rest, and Zhao Qi didn't object.

Once her brothers had departed, she paused to tell Zhao Qi, "Your daughter knows of Father's love for antiquities, but some beautiful things carry ill omens. Please be careful with them."

Zhao Qi understood her meaning—she disapproved of his using treasures from the hidden vaults, citing superstition when her true concern was discovery.

Turning the cup in his hands, he remarked, "You are too careful in your role as Consort."

Pressing her lips together, she replied, "With His Majesty having recently acted against the Prince of Xiling's household, caution ensures stability and protects the King from implication."

At the mention of the King, Zhao Qi's tone softened. "No one else sees these items. Since you worry, I'll have them put away tomorrow."

The Consort smiled, pleased. "As you wish, Father."