Chapter 322: Chapter 323 - Undercurrents

Wei Mengying looked at her daughter approvingly and said, “My daughter is really smart. This person is your cousin. She is a girl from your grandmother’s maiden family. Her name is Lianxiu. As her name, she is very cute. The rarest thing is that she has a gentle and virtuous nature, so I think she will make a good wife.”

“The Cao Family is similar to the Wei Family in that they have only produced six or seven ranked officials, which is a little insignificant in the imperial capital.” Song Yixiao said suspiciously, “The one that the Prince wanted to introduce to Master Guanqun was the granddaughter of the world’s most famous chancellor and current Prime Minister. There is such a big gap now, and it worked. Mother, you did a good job.”

“It’s just a matter of talking about Lu Guanqun’s concubine’s child.” Wei Mengying leisurely said, “Lu Guanqun certainly does not have a legitimate son with his first wife, but there are two male descendants from the concubine. Both of them are intelligent and lovely, and Lu Guanqun likes them very much. If the second wife comes from a prominent family, it may not be a good thing for the two male descendants.”

Song Yixiao said, “You yourself are also a second wife. If you say such things to the Prince, are you not afraid of making things awkward and making the Prince suspect you instead?”

“Silly daughter, have you forgotten how Lu Guanqun’s concubine’s children born?” Wei Mengying laughed and covered her mouth, “I did that for you. I deliberately made Madam Jin to live in the village for a year and managed to get those concubines pregnant. Those concubines should be grateful to me. I only revealed some of the Prince’s intention to them. For the sake of their children and themselves, how could they not cry before Lu Guanqun, begging him to go to the Prince himself and solve the problem?”

“Then how would Master Guanqun agree to marry my cousin from the Cao Family?” Song Yixiao frowned and said, “Although the cousin who comes from Cao Family is far less noble than the daughter from Gu Family, she is your niece. Nowadays, the backyard of Prince of Hengshan’s mansion is under your control, since Master Guanqun is worried that the new wife from a distinguished family will be unfavorable to his concubine’s sons after marrying into the family, isn’t he afraid that my cousin from the Cao Family will learn from you?”

Although she had never met Lu Guanqun and did not know him very well, Song Yixiao did not believe that Lu Guanqun could have any good feelings towards his stepmother. Wei Mengying in the treatment of the original children was not like Madam Liu to Song Yixiao as explicitly harsh and spite, but the actual trick was even worse.

Lu Guanqun was almost thirty years old this year but not three years old. Over these years, even if there was no evidence, how could he not understand?

Hearing this, Wei Mengying’s smile on the corner of her mouth HYPERLINK “C:/software/YoudaoDict8.9.6/Dict/8.10.3.0/resultui/html/index.html” l “/javascript:;” deepened, she said, “This matter I should say thanks to you, my daughter. If you hadn’t forced Madam Jin to die, how could I blackmail Lu Guanqun to agree with me this time?”

Not surprisingly, she saw Song Yixiao reveal her anger and laughed more and more happily, “I told Lu Guanqun that his first wife did such an excessive thing to you. After all, they are couples. Since Madam Jin is not good, does he have no responsibility? If he doesn’t want to get into trouble in the future, he’d better listen to me and marry Cao Lianxiu, so that we can all save trouble. Otherwise, if he chooses a suitable and unsupportive wife, I will be able to make her ambitious enough to kill his concubine’s sons.

Song Yixiao said in a cold voice, “Mother, you like to do bad things so much, are you not afraid of retribution one day?”

“When the first emperor conquered the world, he killed so many people, but in the end, he founded his country and established a dynasty and became a noble emperor.” Wei Mengying laughed and said, “There is such a ready-made example, but you talked to me about retribution? Good daughter, I know you are not happy in your heart right now. But as you said, we have to support each other. Even you’re uncomfortable now, don’t let it show on your face. When I leave later, when others ask about our conversation, remember to say something good about your mother.”

She smilingly returned Song Yixiao’s previous words, “My daughter is the most intelligent. Such a small thing is not difficult for you? All right, you calm down. I’ll go to see Qingyue. I want to be a loving mother. How can I not show my love for my granddaughter in full view of the public?”

But Wei Mengying, who thought she had won, did not notice that the grown-up Wei Chan, who was in the corner, was using the action of raising the cup to hide a flash of coldness in her eyes when she looked at her.

On that day, the one-month-old banquet was very lively and HYPERLINK “C:/software/YoudaoDict8.9.6/Dict/8.10.3.0/resultui/html/index.html” l “/javascript:;” successfully. However, after the banquet, Song Yixiao remembered her mother’s words and felt frustrated.

After hugging her daughter for a while, she couldn’t help sending someone to the Wei Family to inquire about Cao Lianxiu’s situation.

Jinxun was ordered to go to the Cao Family. When she came back, she said, “Elder Lady Cao said that Miss Cao is her brother’s granddaughter and is one year older than you. She is very quiet in nature and does not like to go out. Therefore, although she is your cousin, you have never met her.”

She added, “The marriage was decided half a month ago, when you were in the confinement. They were afraid of disturbing you, so they didn’t tell you.”

In fact, it was because Cao Lianxiu came from Elder Lady Cao’s maiden family but not the Wei Family. Although it was said to be Song Yixiao’s cousin, they didn’t have much contact, and the marriage also did not need to tell Song Yixiao in particular.

Song Yixiao said, “Master Guanqun already has two sons and a daughter, and he is very fond of that two sons. His relationship with Wei Mengying is not as cordial as it seems, do the Cao Family know these things?”

“Elder Lady Cao’s words revealed that men with some status nowadays all have a lot of wives. Even if Miss Cao marries another man, this man will still marry concubines and has children. If so, it’s better to marry her into the prince’s mansion, at least it’s more decent.” Jinxun curled her lip and said.

Song Yixiao felt speechless about this answer. The example of Wei Chan was there, and her own grandmother was not worried about getting her maternal grandniece into trouble as well?

However, Elder Lady Cao might have thought of this. However, Wei Mengying was a princess consort and had a ruthless heart. Even if the Wei Family disobeyed her will, they would be avenged. The Wei Family and Cao Family could not provoke her, and they could only sacrifice Cao Lianxiu.

Seeing that she did not speak for a long time, but only had a gloomy face, Jinxun knew that she was in a bad mood. Jinxun said carefully, “When I left the Wei Family, the Seventh Miss Wei came out to see me off. She told me on the way that Miss Cao has always been sensible and cautious.”

“The situation is bad. What’s the use of being more sensible and cautious?” Song Yixiao sighed, she was not optimistic about Cao Lianxiu because of Wei Chan’s words. Her mother is really bad. She couldn’t think of any good countermeasures at the moment, so she decided not to think about this matter first. The wedding date between Jiang Muting and Yuan Xuepei was approaching, so she ordered someone to get the list of gifts that she had prepared earlier.

There were many happy events in the third lunar month this year. First, Jiang Muting got married, then Wei Yinlian married Ji Mingfei, and then Qiu Family and Gu Family connected through marriage again. There were already three events.

Finally, there was a larger wedding–Prince of Su married County Lady Jinghui.

This series of happy events let the HYPERLINK “C:/software/YoudaoDict8.9.6/Dict/8.10.3.0/resultui/html/index.html” l “/javascript:;” court HYPERLINK “C:/software/YoudaoDict8.9.6/Dict/8.10.3.0/resultui/html/index.html” l “/javascript:;” and HYPERLINK “C:/software/YoudaoDict8.9.6/Dict/8.10.3.0/resultui/html/index.html” l “/javascript:;” the HYPERLINK “C:/software/YoudaoDict8.9.6/Dict/8.10.3.0/resultui/html/index.html” l “/javascript:;” commonalty felt physically and mentally exhausted. The good thing was that in the beginning of the fourth lunar month, the case of Huang Jingting had been settled, which made many people relaxed.

With sufficient evidence, Huang Jingting was sentenced to be decapitated, and his family and assert were confiscated to the public. His party members received the same punishment as he did.

Many cases handled by Huang Jingting during he was the supreme court were re-investigated, of which the murder case in Jianling was the top priority.

The crown prince finally vindicated, and Emperor Xianjia was satisfied and praised the staff of the Council of Censorate who had been so busy during this period.

The Imperial Censor Wei Xi was transferred to the Ministry of Rites as a minister. Qiu Shuxia, after adopting Qiu Cihua, proposed to retire on the grounds of “old age and infirmity”. Emperor Xianjia said a few words to retain him, and then approved. There was a vacancy for the Director in the Ministry of Rituals, so he let Wei Xi fill it.

Others were also rewarded, but the only one who was promoted like Wei Xi was Jian Xubai.

He changed his job again. From the Council of Censorate to the Ministry of Works, he became a vice minister.

Jian Xubai only became an official at the beginning of the year before last, and for the first time he served as a fifth-ranking Director of Ministry of War, which can be said to be because he made military contributions and was compensated and appeased for a grievance in Wuhuan, and had the advantage of compensation and appeasement for having been wronged in it, as well as being raised by the Empress Dowager. Last year, during the summer vacation, Jian Xubai was promoted two levels to be the Intermediate Imperial Censor. Because he rescued the crown prince and his son. As a father and grandfather, Emperor Xianjia wanted to express his gratitude to the savior for saving his son and grandson’s lives. As an uncle, he took extra care of his two nephews, so it was reasonable to promote him.

During the so-called case of Huang Jingting, the court staff understood Jian Xubai did not pay too much. The most important thing was that all the staff of the Council of Censorate work as hard as he did, or harder than he did. But he was promoted three levels, and became a fourth-ranking Assistant Minister. Wei Xi from the Imperial Censor to the Director in the Ministry of Rituals had only risen one level.

That was the crown princess’s father, and Commandery Prince Zhongling’s grandfather.

The point was that Jian Xubai was too young.

Even he was a father now, but he was only 19 years old.

“No wonder everyone knows the risk of fighting for the title of heir to the throne, but every time there is someone wants to perform outstanding military exploits for the emperor.” Some people said in private, “The emperor’s nephews, even if they are the sons of Grand Princess Jinguo, Earl Shouchun and the Jian Yiyou are also the brother of the Duke of Yan. But in terms of future, the two of them together are not as good as Duke of Yan.”

But for Jian Xubai, the joy of being promoted was secondary. What made him happiest was that he could ask for a few days off to be with his wife and daughter.

“When I went to pay my respects to Grandmother two days ago, I met Princess Consort of Xiang and her daughter, the commandery princess.” Jian Xubai clumsily took her daughter in his arms and adjusted his position according to his wife’s instructions. He said proudly, “Grandmother wanted to hold the commandery princess, but the commandery princess kept crying. Grandma had no choice but to ask the foster nurse to come closer and have a look. I haven’t seen my daughter these days, but she doesn’t cry.”

“That’s because Aunt Yun said our daughter would not remember much about people yet.” It was a little hot, Song Yixiao played the fan gently and said, “A few days later, when she can remember face, if you don’t appear in front of her every two or three days. Let’s see if she remembers you.”

Song Yixiao gave him a sidelong glance, quite a bit of teasing.

The two of them were now playing with their daughter on the soft couch under the west window. Song Yixiao wore a short jacket with peach red draped sleeves, a bunch of magnolia flowers embroidered on the left breast and right abdomen, a water-colored pleated skirt underneath, and a colorlightred brocade HYPERLINK “C:/software/YoudaoDict8.9.6/Dict/8.10.3.0/resultui/html/index.html” l “/javascript:;” silk HYPERLINK “C:/software/YoudaoDict8.9.6/Dict/8.10.3.0/resultui/html/index.html” l “/javascript:;” ribbon around her waists. Her outfit was simple but charming. Behind her was a newly changed green window screen, making her look like a pretty peach blossom.

She was a little fatter after giving birth. But because she had practiced dancing in her boudoir, she was thin before she became pregnant. Her figure was in good shape. she had trained hard in the boudoir dance, before she was pregnant she was actually thin, which made her look lush and slender.

In the light coming in from the window, her pink and moist skin glowed with a light glow, a pair of almond eyes was exceedingly fascinating and charming.

Jian Xubai looked at Song Yixiao and his mind felt hot. He looked at the room and saw that there were only Song Yixiao and he and their children in the room, so he joked, “This is hard to say. After all, you know that I have changed my job again. I have not been to the Ministry of Works before, so when I finish my rest and start working, I may have to be busy again for a while.”

Song Yixiao was about to speak, but Jian Xubai said, “But Qingyue is really lonely, let’s give her another brother and sister as soon as possible, then our daughter will have a companion.”

“I am serious, but you are joking.” Song Yixiao took the fan to hit him. Jian Xubai smiled and grabbed her daughter’s small hand to stop, “Daughter, your mother is really fierce. You must grow up quickly so that you can protect your father in the future.”

“It’s useless for our daughter to protect you.” Song Yixiao used the fan, avoiding her daughter’s small hand, to knock Jian Xubai’s shoulder and laughed, “How dare you use my daughter as a shield. I should hit you a few more times, so you can remember.”

They enjoyed the family happiness, but the atmosphere in Princess Changxing’s mansion was heavy.