This time, she didn't speak to Bizhu first, but hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Bizhu is clumsy. Over the years, only Laifu and a few others have served His Highness personally. I'm afraid Bizhu's stupidity might upset His Highness and disappoint Your Majesty's good intentions." After saying that, she knelt down in front of Mingwei with a "thump," disregarding the presumption in her words, and sincerely said, "Please reconsider, Your Majesty."
Bizhu's eyes widened in astonishment. She stamped her feet anxiously, "Sister Biyun, what are you doing?"
Mingwei understood.
Bizhu was blinded by admiration for Rong Zhen, but Biyun was quite perceptive.
“You can’t make that decision for her.” Mingwei’s smile deepened, her voice as gentle as ever. “I think this is quite appropriate. It’s better to go along with her wishes than for her to gossip about me to outsiders. Putting my dignity aside for now, Your Highness cannot bear to be implicated!”
Biyun's pupils dilated uncontrollably. She never imagined that the loyal Bizhu would be the one who spread the rumors that Mingwei was "jealous".
Under Mingwei's meaningful smile, Biyun knelt with forced composure, her mind racing. Since Mingwei had said it to her face, it proved that Bizhu was indeed involved. At first, she was shocked, but upon reflection, it made sense.
Rong Zhen had long been prepared for the question of the Crown Prince's wife. He knew that the Emperor would decide who would be the Crown Prince's wife, so he decided that while he would treat her with respect when she married into the Crown Prince's palace, he would actually be plotting to sideline her.
Bizhu already liked Rongzhen, and from then on, she had even more expectations.
To everyone's surprise, Rong Zhen married Mingwei, someone no one had expected. The two didn't consummate their marriage on their wedding night, much to Bizhu's secret delight. But as time went on, things became increasingly alarming. When the Crown Princess returned to her parents' home, she brought lavish gifts and had the Crown Prince's token handed to her well in advance—
Rong Zhen's gaze towards Ming Wei was full of tenderness and affection. This was not an act; he had clearly fallen in love with Ming Wei!
Furthermore, the first time Bizhu was reprimanded by Rong Zhen a few days ago was because of her disrespect towards Mingwei, so it's understandable that Bizhu harbored resentment. Biyun understands Bizhu; she certainly had no intention of harming Rong Zhen, but she did hate Mingwei. Mingwei is jealous, and Biyun would definitely believe that this would only damage Mingwei's reputation, not Rong Zhen's.
"Your Majesty, you can't just frame someone like that!" Bizhu was anxious. She knew that Mingwei was now Rong Zhen's most cherished person, and if things escalated, Rong Zhen would side with Mingwei. "This servant has served in the Eastern Palace since childhood and has received the favor of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. How could I do anything detrimental to the Eastern Palace?"
"Oh?" Mingwei lifted her eyelids, her faint smile carrying a profound meaning. "You think that spreading rumors of my jealousy will at most tarnish my reputation and damage the reputation of the Marquis of Chengping's mansion, while Your Highness will be completely unaffected?"
Bizhu remained silent, her neck stiff, clearly indicating that Mingwei had voiced her thoughts. She even felt she was helping Rong Zhen, who had been biding his time, and now Mingwei's sudden marriage to the Crown Prince was of unclear intentions. She didn't know what kind of person Mingwei was; what if she used Rong Zhen's favor to ruin his plans? Wouldn't she regret it then?
"Do you know that since I married the Crown Prince, we are bound together by fate, for better or for worse?" Mingwei's gaze was calm, yet exceptionally serious. "My marriage was bestowed by the Emperor, so it naturally represents his judgment. Now that a reputation for jealousy has spread, are you trying to pin the blame for misjudging people on the Emperor?"
"You who have served in the Eastern Palace for so long know better than I what the Crown Prince's situation is! If we really make a scene before the Emperor, will the Crown Prince gain any respect? Will the Emperor value him even a little more?"
Her voice was soft, but every word struck their hearts.
"I will not punish you for now; you'd better watch yourself."
Before Bizhu and Biyun could even breathe a sigh of relief, footsteps were heard, and a moment later the ginger-yellow brocade curtain on the door was lifted, revealing a handsome face.
Rong Zhen, dressed in a bright yellow court robe, stood at the door with an icy expression.
******
Qingliang Hall.
After leaving the council hall, Rong Zhen was immediately led to a side hall of the Qingliang Palace.
Rong Hao and the others who were traveling with him were secretly gloating. They all had their own ways of finding out what Rong Duo wanted to ask Rong Zhen.
"Grandson greets His Majesty the Emperor!"
Rong Zhen knelt down and bowed swiftly, his expression calm and his voice clear. The bright yellow imperial robes embroidered with dragons did not make him appear imposing at all; instead, they made him look even more gentle and elegant.
However, Rong Duo, sitting high on the dragon throne, looked at his sixteen-year-old grandson with a complicated expression.
After a long silence, Rong Duo slowly spoke, "Do you know why I summoned you here today?"
Rong Zhen already knew what was going on. Rong Duo didn't tell him to get up, so he remained in the bowing posture and respectfully replied, "Grandson knows. It's because someone has been spreading rumors recently that the Crown Princess Ming is jealous."
"It's good that you know." Rong Duo's attitude was slightly cold, and he said with a hint of reproach in his tone, "Such rumors are really damaging to the reputation of the royal family."
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Chapter 137
It was clear that the visitor knew Xu Hui, but judging from Liang's expression, she did not recognize the man before her. This indicated that the visitor only knew Xu Hui!
Wan and Zheng Xing's expressions immediately changed.
"Who are you?" Hearing him address Xu Hui so intimately, Madam Liang immediately had a bad feeling. "I don't know you. Get out of here. There's no one here who's looking for you." With that, Madam Liang tried to kick Chen Qian out the door.
Chen Qian had already made preparations, so naturally he wouldn't leave easily.
"Isn't this Xu Hui's home? I took her home before." Chen Qian feigned confusion, taking in the expressions of the three people in the room. He put on a completely incredulous expression and asked in surprise, "Could it be that there's a family with the surname Xu here?"
Madam Liang turned pale with anger. The visitor's detailed account clearly indicated that he knew Hui Niang. But Hui Niang had never told her that she had met such a man outside!
Xu Hui stood outside the curtain, hesitant and unsure whether to go in or not.
"You've made a mistake, please leave immediately." Thinking of the Zheng family mother and son still present, Madam Liang only wanted to get Chen Qian out as quickly as possible. Chen Qian's words were ambiguous; if they misunderstood and thought Hui Niang had something going on with him, that wouldn't be good. "We don't know you."
Chen Qian was deliberately looking for trouble, so why would he care about Liang's attitude?
He suddenly looked enlightened and quickly said in a gentle voice, "I completely forgot to introduce myself. I was so focused on knowing you that I forgot you hadn't seen me before, so you don't recognize me." Chen Qian wore his usual humble and gentle smile. "I am Chen Qian, you should recognize me by now, right?"
Upon hearing his words, Madam Liang's face turned slightly pale. She even tried to shoo Chen Qian away.
"I don't care who you are, Chen Qian or Li Qian. I don't know you. Get out of our house right now!" Liang felt increasingly uneasy and, in a fit of anger, almost lost her balance and staggered.
Zheng Xing quickly stepped forward to support her.
"Young master, since the host says he doesn't know you, you'd better leave quickly!" A complicated look flashed in Zheng Xing's eyes. He hesitated for a moment, but then suppressed all his questions. Seeing that Madam Liang's expression was not good, he helped her to drive Chen Qian away.
Wan remained silent, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
Although it was somewhat dishonest to say it like that, she wanted Chen Qian to stay and at least clarify the truth. If he really did have some kind of ambiguous relationship with Xu Hui... then the marriage between the two families would have to be reconsidered.