Chapter 140: Second Prince’s Consort?

At the Xie household.

Supported by attendants, Xie Yuru stepped down from her carriage. She ignored the gatekeepers and walked straight inside. No one stopped her along the way, yet she felt no satisfaction at all. Neither Madam Zhang nor any of her people had come out to show their faces.

Xie Yuru arrived smoothly at the guest courtyard where Lady Qingqing was staying, her heart already smoldering with pent-up anger. Seeing her mother pale and weak, lying on the bed, she cried out, “Mother!” She hurried forward, taking Qingqing’s hand. “How could you suddenly fall ill? Did that woman do something to you?”

“Someone!” she called outside sharply. “Summon an imperial physician, immediately!”

“My Ru’er…” Lady Qingqing’s eyes reddened at once, her heart heavy with grievance. These past days, her husband had been far too busy, Xie Yuru had been away from the residence, and her son Jing’er was still recovering from the injury inflicted by Xie Yao’s lowly maid. In this moment of weakness, she had no one to lean on, no one to use.

“Mother, don’t be afraid. Your daughter has returned; I’ll support you.” Xie Yuru’s voice hardened as she swept a stern gaze across the servants. “Where is Madam Zhang? This princess consort came to the residence, yet she dares not come out to welcome me?”

She was utterly unrestrained. Even though Xiao Hong had been demoted to commoner status, her father had told her that His Majesty still favored the Second Prince and would soon restore his title. When that happened, she would be the Second Prince’s consort. Since it was destined anyway, what harm was there in exercising her rights early?

A sneer cut through the air. Momo Liu entered from outside. “Third Young Lady, mind your words. The position of the Second Prince’s consort is granted through a formal marriage, inscribed on the imperial jade register.” Her eyes ran up and down Xie Yuru with disdain. “And you think yourself worthy?”

Xie Yuru’s face darkened, fury sparking in her eyes. “You lowly wench! How dare you insult this prince’s consort? Someone, beat her for me!”

But no one moved. The attendants she had brought glanced toward Momo Liu, but before they could act, the servants standing behind Momo Liu fixed them with cold glares. At once, Xie Yuru’s people shrank back half a step, lowering their heads, pretending to see nothing.

Xie Yuru’s eyes burned red with rage. How could it be like this? If Xie Yao could rise up, why couldn’t she?

“You wait…when Father returns, I’ll have him deal with you properly!” Her whole body trembled with anger, the golden hairpins in her hair swaying unsteadily.

Indeed, Master Xie returned that day, having been alerted by a secret message Xie Yao had arranged to be sent. When he saw Qingqing suddenly taken ill, and then heard Xie Yuru’s complaints, his first suspicion naturally fell on Madam Zhang.

“Father!” Xie Yuru clutched at his sleeve. “The servants in this household have grown lawless, they don’t even respect me. Who knows how much humiliation Mother and Little Brother have suffered while you were away?”

Though Xie Yuru lacked ability in many areas, she had learned well from her mother the art of pouting and acting pitiful. Master Xie’s expression darkened, and he patted her hand soothingly. “Don’t be afraid. Father is here.”

At last Madam Zhang arrived. Today she was clearly well-prepared, wearing a deep violet gown that set off her stately grace. Though no longer young, the years had lent her a calm composure. Walking toward them, she exuded an aura that made Master Xie’s mind flicker with one sudden thought: Such is the bearing of a proper wife.

Qingqing might be young and tender, but in the end, she could never hold her head high in true company.

Madam Zhang spoke evenly. “Yuru is now recorded under my name as daughter. Yet today she entered the residence without offering me, her mother, the proper greetings, and even spoke rudely to me. I chose to overlook it for Lady Qingqing’s sake. But she also repeatedly claimed the title of Second Prince’s consort. Should such words spread outside, people might think it was Master Xie himself expressing dissatisfaction with His Majesty’s decision. When that happens…” She trailed off.

She didn’t need to say more. Master Xie’s mind supplied the rest. He had been overwhelmed with affairs these past days and hadn’t known what Xie Yuru had been shouting about. Hearing it now, his vision nearly went dark. Some matters could be thought, but never spoken aloud. Xiao Hong’s demotion was exactly such a matter.

“Did I say anything wrong?” Xie Yuru protested stubbornly. After suffering so many years of hardship, now that she had a chance to rise, of course she wanted to indulge herself to the fullest. “Father, I was only…”

“Silence!” Master Xie’s forehead throbbed as he cut her off.

Scolded, Xie Yuru grew even more aggrieved, stomping her foot angrily. “Father!”

But her future prospects were at stake, and Master Xie would not take risks. He gave her a sharp look. “Come with me.” He had to lecture her properly.

Taking a few steps, he turned back to Madam Zhang. “Madam…”

She understood at once. “Rest assured, my lord.”

Relieved, Master Xie led Xie Yuru away, berated her in the study, and afterward sent her back to the Second Prince’s residence. As for the imperial physician? Naturally, Xie Yuru never managed to summon one.

Returning in defeat, Xie Yuru left Qingqing still unattended. Seeing this, Zhuqing frowned. “Your Highness, Third Young Lady is truly useless. After such a scene today, she only ended up helping Madam Zhang.”

Xie Yao, calmly playing with her abacus, remained utterly composed. “I never underestimated Madam Zhang. I’ve already used Xie Yujiao’s affairs to unsettle her several times. She has wavered, almost spoken to me… but in the end, she bit her tongue.”

If Madam Zhang would not open up, then Xie Yao would try another way. Perhaps…

“Some days ago, Sister Zhao wrote to me,” she continued. “That residence in Sweetwater Alley; Xie Cheng’s home that was purchased the very year my mother was still alive.” She gave a humorless laugh. “With my mother’s own money.”

Zhuqing’s eyes widened. “Your Highness, you mean… perhaps Lady Qingqing knows something as well?”

Xie Yao shook her head. “No. But why not test it? At that time I was still a child, but Madam Zhang and Lady Qingqing were not. If there are any traces, who would know them more clearly than Xie Cheng’s pillow-side companion?”

Zhuqing bowed her head. “My lady is wise.”

“Therefore,” Xie Yao’s gaze sharpened, “Lady Qingqing cannot die. Understand?”

She was certain Madam Zhang was behind the attempts on Lady Qingqing’s life, for only Madam Zhang knew Lady Qingqing had discovered the truth about Xie Yujiao. But Xie Yao needed her alive.

“Rest assured, Your Highness,” Zhuqing replied firmly, and immediately left to make arrangements.

—–

As the year drew to its end, Xie Yao herself grew busier. On the 27th day of the twelfth month, the first snow of winter fell upon the capital.

Seven months pregnant, her belly was already larger than most women’s at that stage. She stood by the window, opening it slightly. A rush of icy air swept in. At once, Xiao Ji draped a thick cloak over her shoulders, wrapping her securely.

“Your Highness,” she asked softly, “did Consort Li return yesterday?”

The day before, Consort Li had knelt at the Yangxing Palace, begging His Majesty to allow Xiao Hong to return to the palace for the New Year. She had knelt an entire day, yet His Majesty had not relented. But now, with snow falling…

Xiao Ji gently squeezed her hand, answering obliquely. “Yao-yao, today I must leave the residence.”

Her breath caught. Ever since that last time when he had returned home with the scent of another woman clinging to him, he had been leaving once every half month. Each time he came back, that same fragrance lingered on his body…

Cultural Notes:

• “Princess Consort”: A formal title bestowed on a Imperial Prince’s main wife through imperial decree and marriage recorded on the imperial jade register.