Mingwei knew that Mingrong was proud and arrogant, and Mingrong naturally couldn't tolerate that Mingwei, who was originally inferior to her in every way, first gained the favor of the old lady, then was recognized as the eldest daughter of the main branch, and was even granted the title of Princess Changning County, married the Crown Prince, and became the Crown Prince's wife. Now, although she had become the Princess Consort of Prince Yu, it was still a height that Mingrong could never reach in her entire life.
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, Mingrong was easily swayed by their encouragement. Therefore, even if she followed Rong Hao in such a dishonorable way, she was probably 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 young lady 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.
Anti-theft seal
Chapter 162
Following the instructions on the crumpled paper, she searched the area. Upon reaching the vicinity, she didn't forget to have Biyun and Bizhu keep watch nearby.
Especially at times like these, she needed to remain calm and composed, and not make any mistakes.
Although she wasn't very familiar with the layout of the house, most residences in the capital had similar layouts, so she could find her way there. She just needed to avoid being discovered.
It would have been difficult to avoid bumping into them along the way, but since Chen Qian and Xu Hui were having a secret rendezvous, many people knew about it and deliberately avoided them so that they wouldn't be implicated if Ding discovered them. They would simply say that they didn't see them.
This has now provided convenience for Liu Niang.
Sixth Sister didn't know exactly where they were, but she walked along the path around the courtyard, slowing her pace and listening carefully to the sounds.
Persistence pays off; finally, in a corner of the small garden, they heard the voices of a man and a woman talking from inside the wall.
"When it snows, will you come and admire the plum blossoms with me again, Grandpa?"
The woman's coquettish voice could be heard clearly, and Liu Niang immediately clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her heart sinking.
As expected, it was Chen Qian who came to secretly meet with one of the maids!
"Of course. Since Hui Niang has asked, how could I refuse?"
"Admiring plum blossoms? Chen Qian does this refined thing with others, but when he sees her, he only touches her inappropriately and brutally vents his lust on her. Although Sixth Sister already knew that Chen Qian's hatred for her was even greater, she never expected that he would be so tender and gentle with even a maid, yet show her, a noble lady of a marquis's mansion, no respect whatsoever!"
Originally, she was called Hui Niang... Upon hearing Chen Qian address her by her name, Liu Niang frowned, as this did not seem like the name of a maid.
Who else could it be? Could it be the concubine that Lady Ding was preparing for Chen Qian?
Thinking of this possibility, Liu Niang's expression grew increasingly grim. If it weren't for Ding Shi's tacit approval, how dare that maid go to see Chen Qian again and again, and even bring Chen Qian to Ding Shi's courtyard? The more Liu Niang thought about it, the angrier she became. On the surface, Ding Shi was supporting her in every way, but in secret, Ding Shi was making things difficult for her.
She was, after all, a legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Nan'an's household. Even if she was born out of wedlock, marrying into a merchant family like the Chen family was already a step down for her! What more could they possibly want?