Chapter 200: Becoming Her Enemy

Shocked, Yun Wan couldn't help but worry: "This is your secret. Is it...inappropriate for you to tell me like this?"

This world is harsh on women, and being unmarried and having sex with someone else is not a good reputation for Huipin.

Understanding what she meant, Huipin shrugged and said, "Even if I don't tell you, His Majesty will tell you sooner or later."

Given Emperor Jingxuan's love for Yun Wan, as long as she opens her mouth, she will definitely tell her the whole story of how she fell into misfortune in her youth and was cheated by a cheap man.

Instead of this, it would be better for her to be honest and open with him.

Yun Wan was the only person Huipin could confide in during her more than ten years in the palace. Although she only did so out of curiosity at first, the longer they got to know each other, the more she treated Yun Wan as a friend from the bottom of her heart.

There is no intertwining or conflicting interests between her and Yun Wan, which makes their friendship more pure.

"Then what do you want to do--" The words were on the tip of Yun Wan's tongue, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he realized that something was wrong and stopped talking abruptly.

She shouldn't be asking this question.

Seeing that she was hesitant to speak, as if knowing what she wanted to ask, Huipin waved her round fan and smiled, "Don't worry, I'm doing well in the palace. I feel uncomfortable outside the palace."

As early as after seeing the man's true face, Huipin gave up on men. After entering the palace, she had food, drink, and was treated respectably and served.

She only needs to be a good chess piece in the hands of Emperor Jingxuan, disrupting the situation when necessary and keeping quiet when necessary. Now she has become a close friend of Queen Yun Wan, and she has everything she needs for wealth and glory.

As for freedom, she naturally wants it, but one cannot have it all. She wants fine clothes and delicious food more.

Seeing that there was no sadness between her brows, Yun Wan felt relieved and asked, "Where is that man after you entered the palace?"

"Him?" Huipin curled her lips into a cold smile. "My father saw that I had successfully entered the palace and was afraid that he would go out and spread rumors, so he drove him out of the capital. After he left the capital, I sent people to break his hands and feet, and sold him to a human trafficker in Nanyue."

Huipin felt like she had something stuck in her throat, feeling as disgusted as if she had eaten a fly, and hated herself for being blind. She knew that her love at first sight was also carefully planned by the other party.

"As for his cousin, she ran away overnight after seeing her affair with her cousin exposed. She's quite a smart person."

The other party had little connection with her, and at least he had not offended her openly, so Huipin let him go.

Yun Wan nodded, "I feel relieved. I'm glad I didn't let him go."

Huipin burst out laughing, "I thought you would say I was cruel, after all, I once loved him."

Yun Wan shook her head. "No, he wanted to take shortcuts, which shows his lack of ability. He can't even climb the ladder. He's fickle, has his eye on the pot while having his share, and is two-timing. A broken leg is the least of his worries. You deserve revenge on him."

"Who's two-timing?"

Emperor Jingxuan came in boldly and stood in front of Yun Wan like a gust of wind.

Yun Wan glanced in Huipin's direction, and Emperor Jingxuan understood and commented openly, "She has very poor vision, unlike Madam, who has a unique vision."

Choose yourself.

Huipin:.........She shouldn't be here.

Yun Wan pinched his palm. She had never seen anyone who would criticize others all day long and then flatter himself.

Emperor Jingxuan raised his eyebrows slightly and didn't care. What he said was the truth.

Taking a deep breath, Huipin smiled and said goodbye: "I remember that I have something else to do, so I will leave first."

"Wait a moment." Yun Wan called her and turned to Emperor Jingxuan and said:

"Your Majesty, I have something to say to Concubine Hui. Would you please go to the inner hall and wait for me?" She discussed with him in a soft tone.

Emperor Jingxuan nodded in agreement unhappily.

After he left, Huipin was obviously relieved and teased Yunwan: "Your Majesty is only easy to talk to in front of you."

Yun Wan smiled helplessly and got down to business: "Do you want to see your family?"

Huipin paused, and the smile on her face gradually faded.

"Although you and your father have broken off the relationship, what about your mother?"

Huipin lowered her eyes, her expression indifferent: "My father is very strong, and my mother has never had a say in front of him. But she treats me very well, but I dare not disobey my father's decision."

She thought of her weak mother, and a complex expression flashed in her eyes.

Yun Wan pondered for a moment and said leisurely, "Then I will invite Madam Zhou to the palace, and then you and your daughter can have a chat."

A look of embarrassment crossed Huipin's face, and she did not respond.

Seeing this, Yun Wan chuckled: "If you don't say anything, I'll take it as your consent."

.......

Ten days later, at a small banquet in Huicui Palace, Huipin met her mother whom she had not seen for several years.

Yun Wan deliberately arranged the two of them to sit together, and the mother and daughter both had tears in their eyes as soon as they met.

Withdrawing his gaze with satisfaction, Yun Wan turned his head to talk to Lin Xiu and the eldest princess below.

The women below looked at Yun Wan, who was sitting in the first seat, and felt emotional.

Who would have thought that the throne had been vacant for more than ten years, and that the person who would finally ascend to the position would be an unexpected person?

I wonder what the paralyzed old lady of the Lu family and the Yun family members are feeling now?

In the corner, feeling the subtle ridicule coming from all around, Yun Shiyue sat restlessly with a tense expression.

She didn't want to come, but she had to.

The hope of survival of the Wenchang Earl's Mansion rests on her.

"Mother, we are here."

Halfway through the banquet, Asui and the other two slipped in through the side door, greeted everyone, and then stood in front of the table to eat.

It was hot outside, and the three little faces were rosy, which was very pleasing to the eye.

Yun Wan raised her hand to wipe Asui's sweat, "Why are you here now? Aren't you reading or doing homework?"

Ah Sui took a bite of the honeydew melon and muttered, "Father thinks we're noisy and wants us to come and have a feast."

Pei Qian nodded in agreement, "We just exchanged a few words, and my uncle is already impatient."

He drank a mouthful of ginger honey water and praised, "The food here is still delicious."

Unlike my uncle, who only has tasteless health tea.

Princess Yongshou's mouth twitched slightly. Each person said a few words, and three people said dozens of words.

Moreover, based on her understanding of her son, he definitely said more than a few words, but she couldn't expose it because they were in public.

The third prince said nothing and just ate.

He had memorized books for an entire afternoon under his father's watchful eyes, and now he was in urgent need of replenishing his brain power.

The butter stained his cheeks, and he lowered his head to look for a handkerchief. Seeing this, Huipin handed him a clean handkerchief.

The Third Prince: "Thank you, Empress Hui."

Seeing this, Yun Wan blinked.

The noble ladies below focused their attention on Asui, and one of them asked, "I wonder if Your Majesty and Your Majesty have any plans to find a study partner for the young prince?"

"Reading companion?"

All the royal descendants have study companions. Asui originally entered the Hongwenguan as the study companion of the third prince. Now that Asui has become a prince, Yun Wan has never thought about it.

She lowered her head and asked A Sui: "Sui'er, do you want a study partner?"

Ever since Asui could remember, Yun Wan would always ask Asui himself about matters concerning him, and it has become a habit now.

After thinking for a moment, Asui nodded: "I do, but can I choose for myself?"

Yun Wan smiled and said, "Of course."

"Then you can contact them first and choose for yourself."

The first requirement for a reading companion who will accompany your child as he or she grows up is naturally that the personality is compatible.

Asui nodded seriously and took it to heart.

Pei Qian, standing by, felt a surge of crisis. "Cousin, if you have a study partner, what about us?"

The third prince stopped eating and turned to stare at Asui.

Who would have thought that his study partner would become his brother, and his brother would soon have a new study partner.

Ah Sui pursed his lips and said seriously: "You are different. You will always be my good brothers!"

He thought about how the prince had many study companions in the past, and there were crowds of people wherever he went. He didn't need too many, but he had to have some.

At least we can't lose in momentum.

Upon hearing this, Third Prince Pei Qian felt relieved, "That's more like it!"

The three of them shared the food in front of them.

Yun Wan chuckled. No one knew where the little guy had learned this from, but he won people's hearts with just a few words.

Seeing that the Queen and the little prince were thinking of choosing a study partner, the female relatives looked at each other and saw hope in their thoughts.

This is good news. If my child can be selected, it will be a great thing.

After a small banquet, the female relatives left with happy expressions on their faces, and the concubines who saw their relatives also sincerely thanked Yun Wan and accepted the favor.

With Yunwan and Princess Yongshou around, Lin Xiu got to know many noble ladies. She was gentle and thoughtful, and soon received several invitations.

She was Yun Wan's only close female elder, and also the mother of the current top scholar. No matter what the reason, the female relatives were all polite to her.

Those who have daughters of marriageable age are secretly planning how to act as matchmakers.

"Your Majesty, the young lady of the Earl of Wenchang's Mansion requests an audience." After the banquet, a palace maid came to report.

"Who?" Yun Wan asked subconsciously. He had no impression of the Wenchang Earl's Mansion in his mind.

Yueya: "It's Second Miss Yun. It seems she has something to ask for."

Yun Wan remembered that her sister Yun Shiyue had indeed brought it up on her own initiative, but she didn't take it to heart.

"Let her in."

The palace maid brought Yun Shiyue in, accompanied by a noble lady who was dressed simply and appropriately.

The two entered the palace and bowed: "Your humble servant, Zou Lin of the Wenchang Earl's Mansion, pays homage to the Empress."

"Shiyue has met the eldest sister."

Yun Wan waved her hand and called out, her eyes falling on Yun Shiyue, her tone indifferent: "I am your only child, you can just call me like everyone else."

Their expressions froze, and Yun Shiyue lowered her head and replied, "Yes, Queen."

The scene was a bit awkward. Ah Sui, who had been sitting obediently next to Yun Wan, suddenly asked, "Mother, is she your sister? Why haven't I seen her before?"

Yun Wan said truthfully: "Because she hasn't visited you."

Asui frowned suddenly, then relaxed.

He glanced in Yun Shiyue's direction, leaned over to Yun Wan's ear and whispered, "Mother, did she bully you?"

Otherwise, as A Niang's sister, why has she never seen me?

Yun Wan smiled and scratched his nose, not denying it: "That was all when my mother was a child."

When she was a child, Yun Shiyue was jealous of her for taking the position of the original wife's daughter, and she often mocked her.

Upon hearing this, Asui immediately categorized Yun Shiyue as someone like the prince who had bullied him, and made a cross in his heart.

Yun Wan patted his arm and turned around and said, "Tell me, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Madam Zou slumped to her knees and said, "Your Majesty, please save the Wenchang Earl's Mansion and the Zou family!"

Yun Wan frowned and gestured for Yun Shiyue to speak.

Yun Shiyue bit her lip and said reluctantly under her mother-in-law's gaze, "Father-in-law has been implicated in the Li family's affairs and is now in jail. I beg you to ask the emperor to plead for him."

Her face gradually turned red as she pleaded with the elder sister whom she once looked down upon. "My father-in-law said that as long as the Zou family can get through this difficult time..."

She subconsciously glanced at Asui, gritted her teeth and continued, "As long as Your Majesty helps the Zou family overcome this difficult time, I am willing to fully support the young prince!"

This means surrender, but——

"Others always offer benefits first, but your Zou family does the opposite. Are you saying that only if I do this favor can I gain the loyalty of your Wenchang Earl's Mansion?"

Yun Wan lowered his eyes and looked at the two of them, and said in an ambiguous tone, "If I don't help, will we become enemies?"

"In that case, I'd rather not help. I don't need such loyalty, and neither does Sui'er."

If there is no interest support, supporters like the Zou family may turn against the party.

What Asui needs is a minister who truly supports him.

Upon hearing this, Madam Zou glared at her daughter-in-law fiercely, then turned to Yun Wan and explained with a smile, "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood. The Zou family has absolutely no intention of becoming your enemy!"

Yun Wan: "You said the Zou family was implicated by the Li family, so they committed a crime? What crime did they commit?"

Madam Zou hesitated for a moment, then stammered, "Last year, the young master of the Li family fell in love with a commoner girl and forcibly brought her back to the mansion. However, she was so stubborn that she committed suicide. Her parents came to make a scene, and my master, who works in the Ministry of Justice, was forced by the Li family to hastily close the case."

Who would have thought that the Li family, which was so prosperous last year, would be raided this year, and his own family was also affected. Wenchang Bo regretted it very much.

Yun Wan's intuition told her that there was something going on. Just as she was about to ask, Jiang Fusheng came over and said to her:

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has sent me to inform you that the Zou family, not only helped the Li family hastily close the case of the commoner girl, but also illegally occupied the fertile land and embezzled military funds. Such people are of no use to Your Majesty."

Let’s forget about the minor matters, but they even dared to do something as big as embezzling military pay, which shook the foundation of the country. It shows how audacious the Zou family is. What’s the difference between such a family and parasites?

Yun Wan's expression tightened, "Your Majesty..."

She was surprised not only by what the Zou family did, but also by Jiang Fusheng's last words.

She felt a little nervous as she thought of something.

Seeing her solemn expression, Jiang Fusheng smiled and said, "His Majesty said that his heart is the same as yours, but everything must be done step by step, not rushing into it. Your Majesty needs to wait patiently."

These seemingly plausible words stirred up a wave of shock in Yun Wan's heart, and she was stunned.

Ah Sui listened but didn't understand yet. He shook Yun Wan's hand and said, "Mother?"

Yun Wan smiled at him but didn't explain yet.

Madam Zou and Yun Shiyue didn't know what the eunuch had said to Yun Wan. Seeing that her face didn't look good, they immediately became uneasy and had a bad premonition in their hearts.

Sure enough, Yun Wan regained her composure and put away the chaotic thoughts in her mind. She looked at the two people below, and a cold look flashed in her eyes.

They considered that they were not clear about the affairs of the previous dynasty and planned to fool him, thinking that he would agree to their request.

She said coldly, "The Zou family's matter was ordered by His Majesty himself. I am powerless to do anything about it. Please go back."

Madam Zou was shocked: "Madam——"

As soon as the words came out, the palace servants came forward and quickly dragged them away.

After seeing the two off, Yun Wan rested for a while and then headed to the Zichen Palace.

"Your Majesty knows everything?"