Chapter 10 The Grand Princess of Deyang

Yao Qingling arrived at the Duke's Mansion.

After passing through the hanging flower gate, we entered the inner courtyard.

Princess Deyang, her elder sister-in-law Cui, and her younger sister-in-law were all in Tinglan Courtyard. The women were chatting about something, but when they saw Qingling arrive, they quieted down.

When her sister-in-law, Xingxiang, saw Qingling, she ran over with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling: "Second sister-in-law, what brings you here? It's been so long since I've seen you, you've grown even more beautiful."

She tugged at Qingling's sleeve and acted coquettishly, her words very sweet.

Qingling took out a gold hairpin inlaid with agate and stuck it in her hair: "Not as pretty as you. My Xiangxiang..."

She paused deliberately.

Zhan Xingxiang touched the new hairpin in her hair, her eyes sparkling, and excitedly asked, "Tell me quickly, what's wrong with your Xiangxiang?"

Yao Qingling: "The rouge fades with the rain, and she is most enchanting when she is half-open."

Zhan Xingxiang received a new hairpin and was praised. She ran back to her mother and said, "Mother, my second sister-in-law said I look as pretty as a crabapple blossom."

Princess Deyang smiled, but deliberately frowned: "You're so impetuous. If you're so shameless, which young master would dare to want you?"

Zhan Xingxiang stuck out his tongue.

She was well-bred, and even after she came of age, she still retained the mischievous and lively spirit of a young girl.

Knowing that her mother-in-law had called Yao Qingling over to discuss something, Cui greeted her and then coaxed Zhan Xingxiang away.

Suddenly, only Princess Deyang and her two maids, Rong and Jia, remained in the room.

Princess Deyang didn't even glance at Qingling. Instead, she took a small comb and gently combed Xue'er's fur.

Xue'er is a pure white Pekingese dog. She usually acts arrogantly because she is pampered.

At this moment, it lay obediently on Princess Deyang's lap, without making a sound, and even closed its eyes comfortably.

Qingling remained silent, waiting for her mother-in-law to speak.

She opened the box of pastries she had brought and took out several plates of delicate pastries, placing them on the table.

He glanced at Princess Deyang out of the corner of his eye.

Princess Deyang was slightly plump with a kind and prosperous face, but the inherent dignity of royalty was evident in her appearance, making her seem imposing without being angry.

Qingling became even quieter, respectfully lowering her head, her peripheral vision falling on the jade pendant on the table—Zhan Xingzhuo's.

In the silent air, only an increasingly solemn atmosphere could be felt.

A few moments later, Princess Deyang put down the small comb, and Rong Mama immediately stepped forward to pick up Xue'er, while Jia Mama handed her a warm handkerchief.

Princess Deyang wiped her hands and said calmly, "Go feed it some meat broth."

Rong Mama respectfully said yes, and then took the dog and went out.

Granny Jia took the handkerchief and left, leaving only the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in the room.

The Grand Princess of Deyang gestured with her chin toward the jade pendant: "Do you know what this jade is significant about?"

Qingling replied softly, "I know."

"The new government is out of money?"

Yao Qingling nodded, then shook her head, her eyes lowered.

Princess Deyang stared at her for a while, and seeing her respectful and cautious appearance, she said, "Don't be nervous, I'm not going to scold you."

Yao Qingling pursed her lips, but dared not relax her tense nerves at all.

She pawned the jade pendant that the princess had given to Zhan Xingzhuo, which was extremely disrespectful; she was disobedient to her husband, which was against the proper conduct between husband and wife; she also caused the Duke's mansion to lose all face.

The Grand Princess of Deyang took a sip of tea and said calmly, "You want to force Xingzhuo to move back to the Duke's mansion by using the excuse that he has no money?"

After Zhan Xingzhuo moved away, although they did not separate their households, the eldest princess did not provide him with any compensation, and that was the reason.

She originally thought that her son would give in and obediently go home if he ran out of money, but she never expected that he would hold out until now.

Yao Qingling was kind and loyal to him and was willing to support him with her dowry. Although Princess Deyang was not satisfied with her daughter-in-law for not meeting her requirements, she did not blame her much.

Qingling opened her lips.

She didn't mean it that way at the time, but her mother-in-law thought so, and she didn't deny it, thinking that she could avoid being punished.

The Grand Princess said, "He's a stubborn and obstinate person. You've had a hard time staying by his side these past two years."

Qingling forced a smile, having no intention of taking credit.

She picked up the plate of pastries and placed it in front of the Grand Princess: "I've been busy at the manor these past few days and haven't had time to make anything else. I bought these at Yulongzhai on my way here. They said they're a new style that just came out today. Mother, would you like to try them and see how they taste?"

She thought that after the divorce, she wouldn't have many more opportunities to be filial to the Grand Princess.

The Grand Princess, however, felt that she was too virtuous and shook her head, not taking the pastries: "Your marriage to Xingzhuo was arranged by me, Qingling, and I am very satisfied with you. You are well-educated, reasonable, and understand human relationships. However, I have not asked you to excessively pursue a 'virtuous reputation'."

Yao Qingling was stunned; she hadn't intended to be a virtuous wife.

"Mother, I'm not..."

The Grand Princess didn't let her continue. Her expression changed, and she said seriously again, "Qingling, this isn't how a virtuous wife should be."

"You need to deal with Zhou Zhining. She keeps staying at your new residence, and Xingzhuo keeps seeing her get hurt. How can he let it go?"

"You're being lenient with her because you want to curry favor with Zhuo Suohao and hope he'll be grateful to you? Qingling, your methods are wrong."

"However, I don't blame you for arguing with him this time. I do think that you've finally started to take Zhou Zhining seriously, but the method you used was not clever. It's not just that you've lost face for the Duke's mansion, but Xing Zhuo's dignity as a man has also been damaged..."

The Grand Princess then said many more words of instruction.

Qingling felt a bitter smile in her heart.

Previously, she didn't want to cause conflict and made many concessions. Her mother-in-law felt that she served her husband too well, so she couldn't bear to criticize her. Now that she has made a scene that everyone knows about, the Grand Princess thinks that she has finally resorted to underhanded tactics.

How will we discuss divorce in the future?

She was slightly lost in thought.

Coming back to my senses, I heard the Grand Princess Deyang ask, "What are your plans for Zhou Zhining and her son? Are you still allowing them to live in the mansion?"

Qingling poured her some tea and calmly replied, "I originally said I would send her to the estate, but the young master said he would have Wang Xuan come to apologize in person and take Zhou Zhining back."

Princess Deyang frowned: "Make Wang Xuan admit his mistake?"

How is that possible?

Back then, the matriarch of the Wang family arranged such a marriage for Wang Xuan when she was seriously ill, for the sake of her son's future. Wang Xuan was blinded by lust and did not understand the seriousness of the matter, thinking that getting a beautiful woman was enough.

But later, Wang Xuan gradually realized what was going on. He beat Zhou Zhining not only because he was tired of her, but also because he realized that his career was ruined because of her. He failed the imperial examinations and no one recommended him for an official position.

Wang Xuan wanted to divorce his wife, but Wang Zheng, the son of the deceased Lady Wang, was now a high-ranking official and had the upper hand over him.

As long as Wang Zheng does not agree to his divorce, Wang Xuan cannot divorce his wife.

Princess Deyang finally realized what was happening.

Zhan Xingzhuo said he wanted Wang Xuan to apologize, which probably means he said something to Wang Zheng.

Zhan Xingzhuo is currently doing assessment work in the Ministry of Personnel, and Wang Zheng is on his assessment list.

Princess Deyang nodded slowly, but she still wanted to continue to reprimand Yao Qingling.

"...If Xingzhuo becomes her sworn brother, his future prospects will be difficult to improve. Even if he is my son!"

“Zhou Zhining needs to resolve this as soon as possible… Xingxiang has come of age and will be engaged soon. With someone like this affecting the reputation of the Duke’s mansion, people will find fault with Xingxiang. I don’t want her to suffer this injustice. My daughter, the daughter of the Grand Princess of Deyang, must not be married to someone of lower status.”

Yao Qingling remained silent.

She liked the young girl Zhan Xingxiang and naturally didn't want Xingxiang's future to be affected by Zhou Zhining and Zhan Xingzhuo.

But this was no longer something she could control.

All she can do now is prepare herself and get a divorce as soon as possible.

The Grand Princess invited Qingling to stay for lunch. During lunch, she told her that the Duke's Mansion was going to hold a spring banquet and asked her to come and help Cui Shi with the preparations. She also said that Qingling would be invited to come as well.

The spring banquet is the best time to meet potential partners. Princess Deyang's idea is to ask Qingling to help choose a good husband for Xingxiang.

In addition, Zhan Xingzhuo will also come, so that everyone can see that the couple is loving and affectionate, dispel the rumors, and save face for the Duke's Mansion.