Mi primer marido después de la transmigración

Capítulo 175

Mo Jing gave birth to a son, and people who didn't know the details congratulated me. I had to pretend to be happy and symbolically went to Hongxiu Residence to see them. Even though I hadn't been to Hongxiu Residence for so long, she didn't seem to have any complaints. Perhaps, this was exactly what she wanted.

The next time I saw Aru alone was on such a night. His Majesty was enjoying family time with Susu and Ting'er in the garden of the North Courtyard. I was personally guarding the door for them outside when Aru, holding a large bunch of marigolds, fell into the garden, startling His Majesty.

What is she doing here at this time? Does she think she has too much time on her hands? Although he had made up his mind to ignore her, the thought that her life might be in danger made him conflicted.

Sure enough, His Majesty said that no one should be left alive. I took her outside, intending to put on a show to appease His Majesty, and then find a secluded place for her to live alone so that she would never appear in front of others again. Anyway, she had no idea what had happened tonight.

He reached out and released her speech acupoint, about to discuss the arrangements with her, when she suddenly laughed and said, "My lord, I know him, I know him, and I know you and him. Perhaps I already know your secrets."

Upon hearing this, my heart turned to ice. She knew Ting'er's true identity, and perhaps also the truth behind the Mo family's downfall. Then, wasn't everything I'd done over the past few years utterly laughable?

Actually, I've done far too many things like what happened to the Mo family, but seeing her smile like that and remembering what I've done, it felt like my ugliest scars had been exposed, making me furious. My original plans were thrown far away, and I immediately silenced her by pressing her acupoints, afraid that she would say something that would shock me.

He handed her over to the guards, saying she had sneaked into the north courtyard in the middle of the night, and told them to punish her lightly. He then returned to the garden. Not long after, a guard ran over and said, "Reporting to the Marquis, the woman didn't utter a sound. We thought she could hold on, but she died after only a few blows."

Aru! She rushed outside, but how could these guards recognize her as Consort Ru? Naturally, they showed no mercy. Seeing the shocking bloodstains on her body, her pale face, and her bleeding lips, and knowing I had silenced her by striking her acupoints, how could she cry out in pain?

My trembling fingers touched her nose, but there was no breath for a long time. Had my panic and carelessness killed her? I stood up, taking several steps back, my heart filled with more fear than ever before.

He dared not look at her again, and ordered the guards to send her back to Hongxiu Residence, and he truly did not look at her once more.

After the guards carried her away, they squatted back down where she had just been lying. There was a small, shiny gold locket on the ground. I picked it up and saw that it had a small character "谦" (qian) engraved on it. Was it the "谦" of Prince Qing, Shen Xiuqian? I held the locket in my hand and secretly squeezed it, wanting to crush it into pieces, but in the end I let go and put it into the sachet I always carried with me. Inside the sachet were the calming and tranquilizing herbs that Aru had prepared for me in the study.

I thought Aru had simply left my life, and I had deliberately forgotten about Hongxiuju. But unexpectedly, just over a month later, Ting'er came to me and said she wanted to take her younger sister to school with her. Younger sister? Which younger sister?

When I heard that it was Aru's daughter, Huai'en, my heart ached as if being slowly cut by a dull knife, and I resolutely refused Ting'er's request. Ting'er cried, "Sister, since we no longer have a mother, let me, as her older brother, stay with her."

She no longer has a mother, and I, as her father, don't like her either. Ting'er is willing to take care of her, which avoids my embarrassment and allows her to live a better life. Will Aru be happy?

After some thought, he finally agreed to Ting'er's request, and decided that she could stay with Ting'er from now on.

This daughter is becoming increasingly intelligent as she grows up. Even at such a young age, she's already a force to be reckoned with in the study. Mr. Song is both delighted and exasperated by her. Ting'er, in particular, is completely under her thumb, showered with affection, and is no longer the boy he's not even ten years old. Occasionally, Mr. Song watches them in class and is amused by her quick wit and some of her quirky remarks, yet he has to maintain a serious demeanor. Sometimes, he can't help but feel a pang of sadness: This is my Aru's child, but I don't know how to face her…

Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn, extra chapter of Marquis Qiyun (Part Two)

Chapter word count: 5425 Update time: 09-09-25 08:04

As the children grew up, Ting'er became even more devoted to her than before. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? Thinking about Ting'er's background, worry began to creep into her heart again.

There happened to be no official business that day. After breakfast, I was cleaning Aru's paintings by myself in the study when I heard someone report that Mo Jing from Hongxiuju had stolen Madam Ji's things, and that Madam Ji was causing a scene at Hongxiuju with her people.

Hongxiu Residence?

Carefully putting away Aru's painting, I ordered someone to take them to the interrogation hall. This Yun Ji is too arrogant. She really doesn't respect the rules of my Marquis's mansion.

When I arrived at the punishment hall, it was noisy. Everyone greeted me and waved casually. I took Su Su and sat down on a chair. I coldly watched as the people below started gossiping again. Mo Jing and her son were on the ground, and Yun Ji was arrogant.

Just as the interrogation was about to begin, my daughter, who had rushed over, stopped me. She had clearly seen me but was only interested in her so-called aunt and brother, and then she engaged in a battle of wits with Lady Ji. Seeing her such a young age yet possessing such imposing manner and eloquence, I felt a mix of emotions. I didn't interrupt her, letting her debate with Yun Ji. If Yun Ji lost to her, it would be a lesson learned.

But things spiraled out of control, eventually involving Aru. I had to order them to stop and immediately punish Yunji severely, not for any other reason than that her words had tainted Aru. However, I didn't expect that after dealing with Yunji, my daughter would turn the conversation to me. Every word she uttered was logically deduced, and the scene of Aru's death flashed before my eyes. Before I could react, my daughter had already cut her hair, severing all ties with me. Hearing her say, "Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs," I was both amused and exasperated. I had never considered kicking her out of the house, let alone killing her to silence her. The prohibition against discussing Aru was merely to prevent myself from hearing it again and adding to my regret.

However, seeing them leave the Marquis's residence so resolutely, I didn't stop them. Firstly, I couldn't save face for the moment, and secondly, I felt that perhaps it was a good thing for them to leave, so that I wouldn't have to worry about her and Ting'er anymore. Ting'er's treatment of her was really becoming more and more different.

Ting'er stopped me, crying and begging me to let her stay. I took Ting'er to the study and said solemnly, "Ting'er, I know you love Huai'en, but are you willing to watch her die like her mother? You two are deeply in love now, but what will she do when you return to the palace? What will your father do when she finds out your true identity? Will he keep her? Her mother died because of this; how will she view you? Ting'er, if you don't have the power to protect her, let her leave for now. When you have enough power, you can bring her back." Only His Majesty, Su Su, and I know Ting'er's true identity, and as an "outsider," my future situation is also very dangerous.

Ting'er grew up in the Marquis's mansion, far removed from the intrigues of the palace. He was a kind child, but also a clever one. He quickly understood what I said, wiped away his tears, stopped crying, and immediately ran back to his own quarters to secretly take some valuables to give to Huai'en. I didn't stop him. That stubborn, somewhat comical little girl left everything behind, taking only a portrait of Aru, and ran off like that. What would they eat and drink? No matter how clever and sensible she was, she was still just a child who didn't understand the hardships of life.

After Huai'en left, Ting'er suddenly became much quieter, smiling noticeably less than before. Even Tianqi seemed to lose much of his vitality. Not long after, Huai'en sent a letter saying he had arrived in the capital, which made Ting'er very happy. I didn't send anyone to inquire about their whereabouts; it wasn't necessarily a bad thing if they could escape the foreseeable conflicts. Later, Empress Dowager Zeng passed away, and all power returned to His Majesty's hands. As soon as the funeral was over, His Majesty secretly sent people to bring Su Su and Ting'er to the palace. There, Su Su's current status had already been arranged since her departure.

The Marquis's residence fell completely silent. Only my daughter, Hanyan, remained by my side. Compared to Huai'en, this daughter was far more obedient. From a young age, she had received the refined upbringing of a noblewoman under Xiaowen's tutelage, and her every move seemed impeccable. However, I didn't devote much attention to her, only instructing that all her reasonable requests be fulfilled. In the future, her marriage would only be a political one, and Xiaowen's upbringing would be more than enough for her to handle.

Ting'er would occasionally write to him about his life in the palace, and also tell him how Su Su was doing there. At first, his letters were filled with excitement and joy about the palace. Gradually, the letters became less frequent, the words fewer, and the emotions less intense. Su Su's life in the palace wasn't as pleasant as she had imagined. After waiting for over ten years in the Marquis's residence, His Majesty had already taken in countless beauties. When she first returned to the palace, His Majesty would visit her often, but as time went on, his visits became fewer and fewer each month. After a while, Su Su wouldn't see him for months at a time. Su Su and Ting'er gradually got used to it; even in its worst circumstances, it wasn't like when they only saw each other once a year in the Marquis's residence.

I only have two daughters. One left home early, and the other will leave someday. I have no other children. It's not that I can't have more, but that I don't want to. Although Ting'er is Su Su and His Majesty's child, I'm certain of one thing: the bond between me and Ting'er is deeper than the bond between His Majesty and Ting'er. This is something that comforts and makes me proud. I didn't win Su Su's heart, but I gained the father-son relationship with her son.

His Majesty once promised Susu that once he seized power, he would bestow upon her the most prestigious and glorious things in the world, making her his Empress. Yet, the reality is that Susu, having finally returned to the palace, is almost always left alone in the cold palace. His Majesty also promised to pass the throne to Ting'er, but currently, Ting'er is the weakest among the princes. I really want to know what Susu is thinking after all these years.

Now that Ting'er has come of age, there is no doubt that His Majesty has ordered Ting'er to marry my daughter. If my daughter and Aru's daughter were still in the manor, she would be the only choice. However, there is only Hanyan in the manor now, so let her marry Ting'er. In any case, if no one tells her, she will never know that the Second Prince is her deceased elder brother. Huai'en, on the other hand, may not know.

A lavish dowry was prepared for Hanyan, as compensation for the lack of care she had received over the years, and also to save face for the Qiyun Marquis's mansion. Seeing his daughter dressed in her finest attire, so noble and beautiful, he felt a surge of joy. This daughter was perhaps more suited to be a woman of the imperial family than Huai'en, and might even become the empress.

Arriving in the long-missed capital, the streets were teeming with people. Recalling the rumors I'd heard on the street about how much I doted on Hanyan, I felt nothing but utter mockery. I wondered what Hanyan would think if she heard them. The crowds greeted Ting'er and me with awe, but there seemed to be one or two discordant gazes in the crowd, tinged with sarcasm. This was something I hadn't encountered since being granted a title. Later, I learned that it was my daughter, who had left home years ago, mingling among the crowd.

To demonstrate His Majesty's boundless grace, a new residence was specially bestowed upon Hanyan in the capital, as the original residence had become quite dilapidated years ago. The new residence is located next to the Third Prince's residence, separated only by a wall. It is indeed quite prestigious for Hanyan to await her marriage here, especially since His Majesty has also arranged for the Imperial Guards to stand guard over it.

After everything was settled in the villa, His Majesty also left the palace. Many years had passed, and His Majesty had some gray hair at his temples. Compared to His Majesty, I was much better off. There was no way around it; His Majesty's ambition was too great. He always wanted to reclaim the fiefdoms and privileges held by the various princes and marquises, consolidating power in his own hands. Even his own sons hadn't been granted princely titles yet. How could he easily take back power that had fallen into their hands? Even I wasn't prepared to obediently relinquish my power, so it's no wonder he was so worried.

Hearing His Majesty speak of the hardships the court has faced these past years and how Prince Qing has grown stronger day by day, I offered words of comfort, but inwardly I remained unconvinced. When did I become so distant from everyone?

Ting'er and Hanyan's wedding was even more grand than expected, but Ting'er wasn't happy. Before entering the bridal chamber, she pulled me aside and said, "Father, I've searched for Huai'en for so many years but haven't found her. Why won't you help me find her? Am I really going to lose her forever?" I shook my head, secretly sighing at Ting'er's affection for Huai'en, but I couldn't be sure how long that affection could last. His Majesty had been kind to Su Su for many years, but in the end, it still ended like this. I also caught a glimpse of Su Su from afar at the wedding banquet. Although it was a celebratory feast, Su Su's face remained expressionless. Even when she smiled, it was the kind of emotionless smile often seen on the faces of palace women.

Whether it's a strategy to eliminate the feudal lords or to consolidate the throne, Prince Qing has always been His Majesty's greatest threat. Years of maneuvering and covert confrontation have escalated the conflict between the two sides to an increasingly larger scale. Taking advantage of the arrival of the envoys from the Golden Sparrow Kingdom, His Majesty sent Princess Ziling to the Golden Sparrow Kingdom. This child, the last thing she should have done was become the daughter of Empress Zeng and the grand-niece of Empress Dowager Zeng. While Empress Dowager Zeng undoubtedly played a crucial role in His Majesty's ascension to the throne, she had forcibly separated Susu and His Majesty. Even though His Majesty's feelings for Susu are not what they once were, he still cannot swallow this bitter pill. Therefore, this princess, whose mother's surname is Zeng, could only have this fate. Furthermore, His Majesty's decision to have Prince Qing's son escort Princess Ziling to the Golden Sparrow Kingdom goes beyond mere personal resentment.

His Majesty's secret letter instructed that upon Prince Qing's return to court, various assassinations would be carried out by any means necessary, primarily to probe the power of Prince Qing's residence. It would be even better if Prince Qing could be eliminated. He burned the letter, shook his head to himself, and chuckled softly. With Prince Qing fallen, His Majesty's next target would undoubtedly be us minor lords.

Several assassination attempts were arranged, mostly for His Majesty's benefit. Even with their full efforts, they weren't guaranteed to eliminate Prince Qing. The various factions, both overt and covert, were numerous, and it seemed the other lords recognized Prince Qing as their greatest protector. However, Prince Qing was injured and remained in Pingcheng to recuperate. I received a new mission from His Majesty: the assassination of Prince Qing would be handled by someone else, but I had to deal with a family matter. Ting'er and the Third Prince were both in love with a woman from Prince Qing's household. This woman, who preferred to dress as a man, had rushed to Pingcheng upon hearing of Prince Qing's injury. To protect her, Ting'er and the Third Prince secretly sent many men to accompany her, clashing several times with the assassins sent by His Majesty. To avoid damaging the father-son relationship, His Majesty withdrew his assassins and ordered the two princes to recall their forces, with all three parties ceasing their involvement. However, this woman absolutely could not be allowed to live, and this matter fell to me once again.

As usual, I went to the villa to pay a courtesy visit to Prince Qing. There I also saw the woman dressed as a man. Her appearance was not as beautiful as Han Yan's, but she had a different kind of charm in her eyes. Neither she nor the man beside her bowed to me. They looked at me with cold indifference. Her features were somewhat familiar, but I couldn't remember when I had seen her before. Later, when I went there again, I never saw her again.

Prince Qing's injuries have finally healed, and he's preparing to return to the capital. Arrangements have been made; tasks assigned by His Majesty must be carried out, regardless of the outcome. Besides, this is the woman Ting'er has fallen for after Huai'en; his feelings must be considered. Tianqi was summoned and instructed to go with the others, to cause trouble, but avoid any casualties. Tianqi accepted the order and departed. Since Ting'er returned to the palace, Tianqi has been by my side; he's practically my child.

Whether it was fate or not, Tianqi was rarely sent out to do anything dangerous, but this time, the very first time he went, he was captured. And the person who captured him, the person who released him, and the person His Majesty wanted to eliminate were all the same person—my daughter, Huai'en. If it hadn't been Tianqi who went, I probably still wouldn't know that my daughter was actually in the Prince Qing's mansion. If it hadn't been Tianqi who went, my daughter wouldn't know that her own father had sent assassins to kill her. Regardless of whether they truly intended to kill her, those people were, after all, from the Marquis of Qiyun's mansion.

Listen to Tianqi relay her words: "Don't forget to ask Marquis Qiyun who wants to kill me. Don't let him do something that will be punished by heaven." As far as I can remember, after I never went to Hongxiu Residence again, she never called me "father" or "father marquis" again. Even when she met me in the study with Ting'er, she only addressed me as "marquis." I'm afraid I will never hear her call me father and daughter again.

I had thought that leaving the Marquis's mansion would keep her away from the struggles of the royal family and the court, but I never expected her to get involved in such a way, even more dangerous and troublesome than I had imagined. It seems that Ting'er also knows about her, but hasn't told me. With news of her, I naturally paid closer attention to the Qing Prince's mansion. I learned that she and her so-called younger brother went to the Northwest with the Little Qing Prince, that she was entangled with the Little Qing Prince, Ting'er, and the Third Prince, that she encountered danger in the Northwest, that she had a powerful patron... Finally, I heard that she and everyone from the Qing Prince's mansion disappeared in the dense forests and snow-capped mountains of the Northwest. I felt that His Majesty had truly ruined so much for me.