Cefei's Rise to Prominence Record - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Zhang Huaishang made quite a commotion, Yang Yun’s face turned green and white by turns, cursing Zhang Huaishang in her heart for not knowing what’s good for her. Under the gaze of everyone, she could only awkwardly return to her room.

Zhou Yun was also drawn attention to, she raised her eyes to look over.

She only caught a glimpse of Zhang Huaishang’s back, and her brows furrowed.

Actually, there hadn’t been much conflict between her and Zhang Huaishang before, she couldn’t understand why Zhang Huaishang was so against her.

But no matter what, Gu Yan’s failure to be selected because of her was a fact, and it was destined that she and Zhang Huaishang were on opposite sides.

On the other side of the long corridor, a few noble ladies sat by a stone table.

Compared to others, they seemed much more natural, even facing the people from the Jujiao Palace, they were neither humble nor arrogant.

One of them, a woman in blue, held her face and whispered softly, “Miss Zhang seems to be furious.”

She tilted her head and looked at the woman sitting in the middle, “Sister Zhuang, tomorrow is the selection, why are you still reading?”

The woman in blue referred to as Sister Zhuang looked up from her book and glanced at her calmly, “The outcome of the selection is still uncertain, some people’s thoughts are too restless.”

It was unclear who she was referring to.

Luo Qiushi smiled coquettishly, “Among all the ladies present, perhaps only Sister Zhuang can remain as calm as this.”

Her gaze lightly swept over Zhuang Yisui’s fingers holding the corner of the book, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

Zhuang Yisui didn’t joke with her anymore and lowered her eyes, sinking her thoughts into the book. However, for a long time, the book remained unturned.

Fu Ling didn’t stay for long, and after Zhou Yun applied the medicine, she left quickly. After all, she was needed at Noble Consort Zhen’s place and couldn’t stay away for too long.

Through a locust tree, Zhou Yun’s gaze met Liu Momo’s from afar. Zhou Yun tilted her head slightly, resting her cheek on her hand.

Liu Momo’s movements paused for a moment, and she lowered her head slightly.

Zhou Yun then casually withdrew her gaze. It was only one day, and she didn’t expect to give Liu Momo much time to think.

She hadn’t placed much hope on Liu Momo anyway. If Liu Momo hadn’t thought it through, she would have taken other actions. The empress would leave people to protect Zhang Huaishang; it wouldn’t make sense for Noble Consort Zhen to let her be bullied.

Fortunately, Liu Momo didn’t disappoint her.

—

Prince Xian Mansion.

Fu Yun had just entered the study when he noticed the bookshelves lining the walls, a famous painting hanging on the side wall, and a jade incense burner on the desk emitting wisps of white smoke and a faint purple sandalwood fragrance.

Since he came of age, the emperor had tasked him with managing the Ministry of Personnel’s miscellaneous affairs. Now, during the imperial examinations, he was busier than ever.

The door was knocked, and Zhang Chong pushed it open, bowing before speaking hesitantly, “Your Highness, the Zhaoyi has sent someone to request your presence in the palace.”

Fu Yun didn’t even lift his eyelids, asking coldly, “What’s the matter?”

“The person didn’t specify,” Zhang Chong replied.

After all, she was the biological mother of their master. Zhang Chong hesitated, but still spoke up for her. “Perhaps the Zhaoyi is unwell.”

When Fu Yun heard these words, he slightly lifted the corner of his mouth.

He thought that Zhang Chong had finally come up with a good excuse for her, unlike before when he would say something thoughtless like the Zhaoyi missing the prince.

Tomorrow was the palace selection, and Fu Yun knew exactly why Meng Zhaoyi wanted to see him at this time.

He was not in the mood to perform a deep mother-son relationship with Meng Zhaoyi at this time. He listlessly lowered his eyes and directly said, “Just tell her that this prince is busy with palace affairs and will visit her another day to pay respects.”

Zhang Chong responded with a “yes”, but before exiting, he suddenly remembered something and said respectfully, “There’s another matter. The people from the palace transmitted a message saying that Jujiao Palace requested a doctor again today.”

Fu Yun’s brows furrowed.

He raised his head, his face darkening. “What’s going on?”

“It seems that she caught a chill yesterday and her cough has relapsed,” Zhang Chong replied.

After hearing this, Zhang Chong couldn’t help but wonder. Compared to Meng Zhaoyi, the prince’s relationship with Noble Consort Zhen seemed more like that of a mother and son.

Fu Yun stopped writing and remained still for a long time before standing up and walking out. “Go see mother.”

Zhang Chong was surprised that he had changed his mind. Seeing that Fu Yun was about to disappear from sight, he quickly composed himself and followed him.

Half an hour later, in the palace, Qiuliang Palace.

Fu Yun sat upright in his position, with a cup of hot tea in front of him. After exchanging a few words of greeting, he remained silent.

Meng Zhaoyi felt a knot in her stomach.

Every time Fu Yun visited her palace, he would have the same cold demeanor, which was annoying to look at.

However, Meng Zhaoyi still remembered why she had summoned Fu Yun to the palace today. She suppressed her anger and revealed a gentle smile. “Yun’er, Mother called you here today because there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

Fu Yun knew it was finally coming. He raised his head and looked at her. “Mother, if you have something to say, just say it directly.”

The tender words between them felt too hypocritical.

Meng Zhaoyi sensed the underlying meaning in his words. She clenched her handkerchief and then smiled. “This time, during the selection, your cousin Anyou is also participating. You’re not getting any younger, and it’s time for you to take a formal wife.”

As soon as these words were spoken, both Fu Yun and Zhang Chong were stunned.

What kind of family was the Meng family? They were only fifth-rank officials. For someone from such a family to enter the prince’s mansion, the title of Liangdi would be considered high. The Zhaoyi was indeed daring to think, directly mentioning the position of formal wife.

Fu Yun wasn’t angry, or rather, he had long anticipated this.

If it was just about arranging someone into the prince’s mansion, Meng Zhaoyi, as Fu Yun’s mother, could make it happen with the title of Cefei or Liangdi.

But specifically, the position of formal wife… Meng Zhaoyi wasn’t foolish. Even if she wanted to support her maternal relatives, she knew that her family members couldn’t become the formal wife.

Except for the Crown Prince, the Emperor highly valued Fu Yun, his third son. Therefore, not to mention the Emperor agreeing to this, not being angry with her would already be a good thing.

Fu Yun neither agreed nor refused. He directly stood up. “If Mother really thinks this way, then discuss it with Father. Your subject takes his leave.”

After speaking, he didn’t even want to look at Meng Zhaoyi again. He turned around and left.

Behind him, Meng Zhaoyi’s face turned livid with anger. Su Qi quickly supported her. “Your Ladyship, please calm down.”

Meng Zhaoyi pounded the desk. “Look at him. Does he even put this mother in his eyes?”

“Every day, he shows that deadpan face. I’m afraid he’s just waiting for me to pass away so that he can have his way,” she said.

Su Qi was frightened and knelt on the ground. If these words were to spread, the prince would be accused of being unfilial.

She discreetly frowned and quickly waved everyone away.

After Fu Yun left Qiuliang Palace, his aura was extremely low. Zhang Chong followed behind him, not daring to breathe loudly.

After walking a few steps, Zhang Chong realized that the direction was off. It didn’t seem like they were heading out of the palace. He looked up and saw that the gate of Jujiao Palace was right in front of them.

Zhang Chong glanced up, stealing a look at his prince’s back. He couldn’t help but wonder, who did the prince mean when he said he was visiting his mother?

Just as they approached Ju Jiao Dian, they heard a voice. “The Ladyship is unwell and may not be able to receive the prince. Prince An should return.”

The gentle smile on Prince An’s face paused slightly, and a hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes without being noticeable.

Because of his relationship with Zhou Yun, he had never been treated coldly in Jujiao Palace. Recently, he had clearly felt that the Noble Consort’s attitude towards him had become more gentle.

How could it be that in just a few days, the people in Jujiao Palace had changed their demeanor?

Prince An was afraid that the situation might change, so he put on a worried expression. “Is Mother unwell? Has she seen a doctor?”

He repeatedly referred to Noble Consort Zhen as “Mother”, and his intentions were clear.

Fu Ling didn’t want to talk to him much, fearing she might lose control. “She has seen a doctor. The Ladyship needs someone by her side, so I won’t accompany Prince An.”

Her words clearly indicated that Prince An should leave, but Prince An was used to being thick-skinned and wanted to say something more. Suddenly, a voice came from behind him. “Since Consort Zhen is unwell, Fifth Brother shouldn’t disturb her rest.”

Prince An’s expression changed slightly. He turned around and saw Fu Yun standing not far away with his hands behind his back. He clenched his fist and then bowed his head. “Big Brother is right.”

He paused and then raised his head, showing a hint of confusion. “How is it that Big Brother is here?”

Fu Yun glanced at Fu Ling’s slightly difficult expression and his eyes turned cold. He seemed annoyed by Prince An’s question and replied curtly, “I’m going to pay respects to Father. Do you want to come with me?”

Prince An’s body stiffened slightly. He knew he wasn’t favored by their father. Among all the princes, he was the only one who hadn’t been given a proper official position after coming of age. How could he go pay respects to their father?

Fu Yun’s words, whether intentional or not, made him feel uncomfortable. He smiled warmly and said, “Father is busy with state affairs. I won’t disturb him.”

Fu Yun nodded calmly and looked at him with a raised eyebrow, as if saying, “If that’s the case, why are you still here?”

The smile on Prince An’s face was almost unmaintainable, and he was dissatisfied with Fu Yun’s attitude. However, he was also anxious about why the Noble Consort had changed so much. With something on his mind, he hurriedly left.

After he left, Fu Ling came out and invited Fu Yun in.

From this series of events, even if Fu Yun didn’t know the cause and effect, he could guess that the Noble Consort was dissatisfied with Prince An.

He narrowed his eyes, and somehow, he thought of the woman who had cried pitifully in Jujiao Palace yesterday. He felt curious and walked inside without showing any expression. He asked in a low voice, “What did the doctor say?”

Fuling didn’t tell the truth. She simply replied, “It’s nothing serious now.”

While Fu Yun was in Jujiao Palace, a commotion occurred in Chuxiu Palace.

A scream broke the tranquility of Chuxiu Palace.

The palace servants ran to find Liu Mama, speaking in a trembling voice, “Momo, please go take a look. Miss Zhang… she… she’s covered in red rashes!”

Liu Momo stood up and rushed to Zhang Huaishang’s room, frowning. “What’s going on?”

The little palace maid was on the verge of tears. “I don’t know. Miss Zhang just slept for a while, and now she’s like this.”

Zhou Yun had just sat up when she saw Liu Momo and the palace servants hurrying past her window. She slightly raised her eyebrows.

It had taken effect so quickly?

She was injured and had limited mobility, but Liu Ruixiang had returned after witnessing the commotion, covering her chest and looking frightened. “Oh my god, Sister Zhou, you didn’t see it. Zhang Huaishang’s face… it’s almost unrecognizable.”

Zhou Yun hadn’t seen it, but she could infer what had happened from Liu Ruixiang’s words.

She knew clearly in her heart that Liu Momo wouldn’t offend the empress too much. This symptom would only last for a period of time.

However, it was enough.

Just as she had composed her thoughts, Zhou Yun noticed that Liu Ruixiang’s gaze was fixed on her. She raised her eyes and looked back. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Liu Ruixiang awkwardly averted her gaze.

Just yesterday, Gu Yan’s matter had occurred, and today, Zhang Huaishang had suffered. She couldn’t help but think more about it.

She suddenly thought of something and hesitated to ask, “T-Tomorrow is the palace selection. With Zhang Huaishang’s current condition, will she have to leave the palace?”

Zhou Yun lowered her eyes. “How would I know? After all, it’s the empress who is hosting the selection.”

“But…” Liu Ruixiang hesitated, “If Zhang Huaishang participates in the palace selection with this appearance, wouldn’t it be disrespectful to the Imperial family?”