Moreover, she clearly intended to frame Mingwei that time, but ended up harming herself instead, getting a marriage she was not satisfied with.
Should she marry the son of the third branch of the Duke's mansion as his principal wife, or become a concubine by the side of the Prince Cheng's heir? If these two choices were presented to Mingrong, she would definitely choose the latter without hesitation.
Even if she had no other choice, she would still desperately try to squeeze in.
Furthermore, since Consort Shu and others already had guilty consciences, Ming Rong was easily swayed by their encouragement. Therefore, even though she followed Rong Hao in such a dishonorable way, she felt happier than following the cowardly Liu Ren!
After all, Prince Cheng is the eldest and most capable of the three princes. If he were to inherit the throne one day, Rong Hao would be the crown prince. Perhaps Ming Rong is confident that she can climb the ranks step by step within Rong Hao's inner circle.
"Awan, don't be angry." Rong Zhen saw Mingwei's expression change repeatedly and was afraid that she would get sick from being angry, so he pulled her into his arms and comforted her, "Since Grandmother and Mother are taking care of things, there will naturally be no problem."
Mingwei leaned obediently against Rong Zhen's chest, her expression calming down. "I know. But Third Sister is just too selfish and reckless. I initially thought she had some schemes!" Suddenly, she remembered how Mingrong thought the Second Madam had arranged a marriage for her with Liu Jun, and tried to steal the opportunity, only to end up getting herself into trouble instead. Rong Hao was also a master of this kind of thing; from Su Xuan to Mingwei, he used despicable and underhanded methods one after another.
She couldn't help but say sarcastically, "These two are a match made in heaven!"
"It would be better if it weren't for that, but I'm afraid my second sister and the others will be implicated in this!" Mingwei murmured to herself, "Although it was Consort Shu and the others' scheme involved, my third sister was also willing. The reputation of the Marquis's daughters has also been damaged, but my second and fourth sisters haven't been engaged yet..."
Rong Zhen breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she was willing to tell him these things. "The family traditions of the Marquis of Chengping are well-known, and anyone with discerning eyes can see that something is amiss. This matter is truly strange; everything is too coincidental!"
“That’s right.” Mingwei nodded, then her eyes lit up and she said with a mischievous grin, “Consort Shu also went to great lengths. Where will the face of the third branch of the Duke of Ying’s mansion be? Mingrong and Liu Ren are engaged. This is going to hurt people. Not to mention the third branch, the entire Duke of Ying’s mansion will lose face.”
“We can also use them to sow discord!” Mingwei became happy again and said triumphantly, “Why should it be them who sow discord and cause trouble? I don’t believe that the old lady of the Duke of Ying’s mansion is satisfied with the first wife’s actions! There will always be some conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.”
Rong Zhen was both amused and annoyed. He shook his head helplessly and said, "You!"
"Your Highness, Your Highness, Imperial Physician Xue is already waiting outside!" Just as the two were discussing Rong Hao and Ming Rong's matter, Lai Fu came to report from outside the door.
Mingwei's smile froze. She glanced pitifully at Rong Zhen, only to find a faint smile on his lips.
"Let him in."
******
Princess Yu is pregnant!
The news was reported to the palace at top speed, and then spread to the residences of various princes and noble families.
It is said that Prince Yu was overjoyed and lavishly rewarded all the servants in his household. Everyone beamed with happiness, as if it were a festival. Consort Chen quickly reciprocated by bestowing gifts upon the serving matrons, as well as countless medicinal herbs, fine silks and satins, and rare antiques. The Emperor also unusually bestowed many gifts upon them.
The Prince Yu's residence was naturally filled with a joyous atmosphere. However, while some were happy, others were sad. For instance, in Consort Shu's palace, the atmosphere was gloomy and somewhat oppressive.
"The Third Miss of the Marquis's Mansion just had an accident, and now she's been diagnosed with pregnancy." Consort Shu said with displeasure, "Isn't that a bit too much of a coincidence! Is it really true?"
She kept only her trusted head maid, Lianzhu, by her side. Lianzhu said, "It can't be wrong. It was Physician Xue who went to Prince Yu's residence to take the princess's pulse. As you know, Physician Xue is an old man who is stubborn and unyielding. What he said should be correct."
"Could it be that Princess Consort Yu is trying to cover for her sister?" Consort Shu still felt the timing was too coincidental. "Does she think that if news of her pregnancy and her sister's impropriety spread, the rumors won't get out of the capital?"
Consort Shu was not ashamed at all that the other protagonist was her grandson.
“You should also discuss with the Princess Consort about finding a suitable marriage for the young master,” Lian Zhu advised from the side. “Now that Prince Yu has an heir, who knows if the Emperor might change his mind again.”
Consort Shu felt equally anxious.
Lian Zhu's words struck a chord with her. Rong Zhen was gentle by nature, and as the Crown Prince, he had neither made any significant contributions nor committed any major offenses. Yet, someone who bore a striking resemblance to Tang Wan had become his principal wife…
The older people get, the more easily they become nostalgic. Consort Shu recalled that since Mingwei married into the royal family, Rong Duo had been visiting Qionghua Palace more often. It felt like a thorn had been planted in her heart.
She had a hard time getting to where she is now, and it was only with great difficulty that her son finally had a chance to ascend the throne!
Consort Shu slowly lowered her eyelids.
For those who want to read books without theft, you can search for "" to find this site immediately.
Chapter 156
In the warm pavilion stood a huanghuali canopy bed, smaller than the canopy bed in their room, which forced the two of them to be even closer together.
The room was furnished as Lu Mingxiu always had: simple and elegant, with only the necessities. Especially after marrying An Ran, Lu Mingxiu had hardly slept in the study, making it feel even more deserted and lifeless. An Ran, however, was too preoccupied to notice any of this. Lu Mingxiu placed her on the bed, and looking at the "fierce" look in the eyes of the Marquis Lu, she suddenly felt a little helpless.
The five-pointed palace lantern in the corner emitted a soft light, not too dazzling, but enough for them to see each other's expressions clearly.
Lord Lu, who had originally wanted nothing more than to "devour" her alive, suddenly smiled slightly. As the door clicked shut, An Ran could clearly sense that Lord Lu's entire demeanor seemed to have changed.
His gaze grew increasingly deep and unfathomable.
Lu Mingxiu did not rush to take off his robe. Instead, he looked at An Ran leisurely until An Ran turned her head away. Only then did he slowly lean in and reach out to undo An Ran's jacket.
The peach-pink outer garment was unfastened, revealing a white inner garment underneath, and beneath the thin layer of fabric were two bulging mounds. Through the soft white fabric, a bright red bodice could be vaguely seen underneath.
An Ran unconsciously clenched the mattress beneath her.
Originally, she thought that whether she faced it or not, she would be killed anyway, so she might as well get it over with quickly. But to her surprise, Lord Lu, who was usually decisive and efficient in everything, was excessively patient in this matter. His slender fingers slowly and deliberately took off her clothes one by one, but when he opened her undergarment, he suddenly stopped.
An Ran held her breath nervously, her long eyelashes fluttering anxiously like tiny fans. The more composed Lord Lu appeared, the more nervous she became.
Little did they know, Lord Lu was already distracted by the "beautiful scenery" before him, and his breathing became rapid and heavy.
Jiu Niang was exceptionally beautiful, a true beauty; and she also had a wonderful, shapely figure. These were things that others could see.
But at this moment, only he could see Jiu Niang—her thick, jet-black hair cascaded across the quilt, making her skin appear even more like delicate porcelain; her face was flushed as if she were drunk, and her eyes shone with an alluring light, unconsciously captivating the heart; and beneath her half-covered inner garment, a bright red bodice embroidered with twin lotus flowers revealed a section of snow-white skin…
Two cherry-like points were visible through the bodice, and the snow-white breasts were partially exposed, creating a captivating and enchanting scene.
Lord Lu slowly bent down.
He could clearly feel that Jiu Niang was trembling slightly because of nervousness.
A gentle, loving kiss landed on her, one after another, on the corners of her eyes and brows, on her dark hair, on her snow-white neck, and further down...