Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
A scholarly family like the Yu Residence, which relied on hard work to achieve the status of an official, and the Zhenguo Marquis Residence, which relied on military contributions to earn the status of a lord, looked down on the imperial family.
It was a different story for the imperial family that gained power.
In the past, the Duke Rongâs Residence had been the imperial family that had seized the title.
When the current emperor ascended the throne, he had the intention to pardon some relatives who had committed minor crimes, so there was the matter of Duke Rong ordering the reinstatement of his title.
In the early years, Old Madam Yu had some dealings with the Duke Rongâs
Residence.
Later on, when Old Madam Yu lived as a widow, she no longer went out much, and her relationship with the Duke Rongâs Residence completely faded.
This time, even Old Madam Yu was surprised that the Duke Rongâs Residence had sent a flower festival invitation to the Yu Residence.
However, although she was surprised, she still had to give them face.
Old Madam Yu frowned. âI heard that the case of cheating in the examination was handed over to Duke Rong for review.â
Madam Yao nodded. âIt was Third Princeâs suggestion. He said that this case involves Ning Yuanbo, who is a distant relative. This case shouldnât be handed over to an external minister to be tried. It should be handled by the imperial family.â
The imperial family was in a mess. Most of them were playboys who ate, drank, whored, and gambled. There were not many people who could be relied on. Duke Rong was the most trusted person by the emperor.
If the imperial family wanted to protect their noble title and enjoy wealth, they had to take sides in advance.
Only with these contributions could they recover their ancestral virtue and enjoy all the glory.
When Old Madam Yu thought about this, she recalled that the Third Prince had entered the rice shop under Yao Yaoâs name earlier. Her eyelids twitched violently, and she had a bad feeling.
As expected, Ning Yuanboâs case involved a conflict tor the position ot heir. Yu Youyao said, âDue to King Li of Zhouâs case, in the past two years, the emperor has indeed been interested in appointing titles to disciples of the imperial family. This year, during the autumn spring hunt, many disciples of the imperial family received praise from the emperor. They were even rewarded if they were good at riding and archery.â
In the case of King Li of Zhou, Yin Huaixi had appeared out of nowhere, and the emperor had also taken the Yin familyâs bloodline seriously.
These words seemed to be without rhyme or reason, but Old Madam Yu and Madam Yao both understood. The imperial family already had an influence in the competition for the position of heir. No matter what, they shouldnât treat this flower festival as a simple flower festival.
Old Madam Yu shook her head. âI havenât been out for many years. Itâs time for me to exercise.â
Madam Yao calmed down. âIn the past two years, the capital hasnât been peaceful either. Every time I go out and walk around, Iâm worried that Iâll make a mistake and cause trouble. This time, as soon as I received the invitation from the imperial family, I couldnât do anything. Fortunately, I have you at home, Matriarch. Otherwise, I really wouldnât know what to do.â
Old Madam Yu sighed slightly. âDonât be too nervous. The old princess consort is a straightforward person and has accumulated a lot of good reputation in the capital. Otherwise, do you think that there are thousands of idle imperial clans in the capital? Why would such a great thing like title renewal reach the Duke Rongâs Residence before it reached anyone elseâs family?â
The reason why Duke Rongâs Residence could be reinstated was because of the old princess consort.
Madam Yao nodded. âI often hear that the old princess consort is a straightforward person.â At this point, she glanced at Yu Youyao and changed the topic. âAt the mention of the old princess consort of the Duke Rongâs
Residence, I remember that our Yao Yao still has some affinity with herâ¦â
There were only three days left until the Flower Festival. Duke Rongâs Residence had already prepared for it, but when it actually happened, they were still a little flustered.
After breakfast, the Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residenceâs Residence arranged for the servants to explain everything.
By the time she was done, it was already noon.
The Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residence had her hair combed into a high bun, and her hair was combed over her scalp. After being busy for most of the day, she also felt her scalp tighten. As soon as she returned to the house, she asked Nanny Wan, who was beside her, to help remove her jewelry.
âWhereâs Brother Zhang?â The Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residence Prefecture relaxed. She remembered that she hadnât seen her son all morning.
Nanny Wan said, âHe said that he had an appointment with the Third Prince and left early in the morning.â
When the Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residence heard this, she frowned.
âTwo days ago. the royal Drince sent a memorial to the Imperial Court to be conferred the title of heir. Now is the critical moment. How many times have I told him to stay in the residence obediently for the time being? When the imperial edict from the Imperial Court is issued and his status as heir is officially confirmed, the family will be stable.â
Nanny Wan comforted her, âItâs not easy to reject Third Princeâs invitation.â
The Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residence sighed slightly. âThe memorial to confer the title of heir has been submitted to the Imperial Court two years ago. Itâs just that the imperial decree has not been issued for a long time. The royal prince and I are both worried that this title will end on us.â
Nanny Wan hurriedly said, âPrincess Consort, donât worry too much. This time, with Consort Xuâs help, Eldest Young Masterâs request for the title of heir will definitely be appropriate.â
The Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residence shook her head. âHow can it be as easy as you say? Imperial Consort Xu didnât help for nothing. If Iâm not careful, I wonât be able to hit the fox and Iâll even get into trouble. If it werenât for Brother Zhang, I wouldnât be willing to get involved in this mess.â
Nanny Wan understood when she heard this. âAre you worried about the Yu Residence?â
At the mention of this, the Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residenceâs expression darkened. âI donât want to do such a wicked thing, but the Old
Consort has taken a fancy to Eldest Miss Yu. Sheâs just waiting for the Flower Festival to invite her into the residence to take a look.â
Nanny Wan lowered her head, not daring to speak.
The Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residence sighed softly. âIn the past two years, Iâve also seen Eldest Miss Yu a few times. After all, sheâs someone who has received the Empress Dowagerâs praise. Her upbringing is indeed extraordinary. Old Madam Yu has been a widow for many years and has always been famous in the capital. Eldest Miss Yu has a good reputation and keeps a low profile. Sheâs not like Lu Mingyao from Ning Yuanboâs family, who shows off just because sheâs talented.â
Nanny Wan thought to herself, âOther than being a golden phoenix, who else in the capital doesnât like Eldest Miss Yu?â
The Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residence continued, âThe old Princess Consort and Yu Youyaoâs biological mother, Madam Xie, were a little fated. One year, at a banquet in the palace, a young lady couldnât take the heat and fainted on the spot. At that time, Eldest Madam Xie was close by and rushed over first to feed that young lady the secret medicine. That was why she was fine.â
Nanny Wan was wondering what this had to do with the old princess consort.
He heard the Princess Consort of Duke Rongâs Residence say, âAt that time, the old Princess Consort also suffered from heatstroke. In order to prevent herself from losing her composure on the spot, she looked for Eldest Madam Xie.
Eldest Madam Xie was also a straightforward and meticulous person, so she asked about the old Princess Consortâs health. After confirming that she had suffered from heatstroke, she generously gave her the medicine. The old Princess Consort liked Eldest Madam Xie very much and always praised her for being an open-minded person. Some of the businesses under the Regional Kingâs Residence also went through the Xie Residence. Back then, when Eldest Madam Xie passed away early, the old Princess Consort personally went to the
Yu Residence to pay her respects.â
Being part of the imperial family sounded good, but without a noble title or a proper title in the family, they could only have their ancestral businesses. However, the Great Zhou Dynasty had lasted many generations. No matter how big their ancestral businesses were, they had almost all lost..