Consort Xiande, Chapter 264

When the Kangshou Palace caught fire, no one expected that the biggest beneficiary would be Jia Yuanchun.

After returning to the palace, the retired emperor felt resentful thinking about how he had barely escaped the fire.

In the past, people naturally put up with his temper, but now that there's a new emperor and a new court, there aren't many people he can vent his anger on anymore.

However, if he can't vent his anger, he can still do disgusting things.

The emperor and empress lived in harmony, and the inner palace was peaceful and tranquil.

This was something that had never happened during the reign of the retired emperor.

His concubines fought like roosters every day, making the harem extremely lively.

On this day, as I passed by the palace gate of the retired emperor, there were a total of five concubines.

All five of them were promoted in rank by special decree of the retired emperor.

The highest-ranking concubine was a descendant of the Duke of Rongguo, surnamed Jia, who was given the title of Virtuous Consort.

Because everyone else only passed by the door once, but she passed by three times.

Are you just bored and have nothing better to do?

The Emperor was speechless about this, but it was a minor matter, so he agreed to it as a way of fulfilling his filial duty.

Jia Yuanchun was also quite bewildered. She had thought that she was too old to take another step forward, but who knew that such a good thing would fall from the sky!

Although the Emperor Emeritus's decree was a joke, the necessary procedures still had to be followed.

It had been a long time since the Rongguo Mansion had received such a grand imperial edict, and the ladies of rank went to the palace to express their gratitude.

Wang Xifeng paced back and forth in the room, going around and around, making Jia Lian dizzy.

“The eldest daughter has become a virtuous consort, which is a joyous occasion. Why don’t you show any joy? If the old lady sees you like this, she’ll start nagging you again,” Jia Lian couldn’t help but say to her.

"What's there to be happy about! Do you know that disaster is about to strike?" Wang Xifeng clearly remembered what her sister Yuan had told her: after Yuan Chun was made a concubine, the Grand View Garden would be built, which would cost a lot of money. In the following years, the Rongguo Mansion would struggle to make ends meet, and even the old lady's antiques would be pawned. A few years later, the Rongguo Mansion would be raided.

The snow fell cleanly and completely.

Despite their tireless efforts over the past two years, why hasn't the situation changed at all?

Wang Xifeng slumped down, somewhat disheartened.

"How could that be? Our family has produced a virtuous concubine, and we are currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. What great disaster could there be? I think we should stop doing business. After all, it's the business of merchants, and it would only tarnish the Empress's reputation." Jia Lian didn't feel there was any crisis.

Wang Xifeng glanced at him and said coldly:

“Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together, even husband and wife. Jia Lian, don’t blame me. Now that you are going to be the emperor’s brother-in-law, I feel I am not fortunate enough to accept such wealth and honor. Why don’t you let my daughter and me go? I will go into business on my own.”

Having died once, she cherished her life and didn't want to suffer the Jia family's undeserved misfortune.

Her sister treated her well; if she were to divorce her, she would definitely live a more carefree life than she does now.

Jia Lian's expression changed. "Feng'er, what nonsense are you talking about? Why are you bringing this up again! Do you think I can't live without you?"

“Master Lian will not be unable to live without me. Then give me a divorce decree, and our marriage will end here.” Wang Xifeng was very calm. Since Jia Lian was stubborn and wanted to live the life he used to live, she had no desire to stop him anymore.

"Feng'er, is this how you see me? Don't you care at all about our years of marriage..." Jia Lian looked disappointed. Could it be that he still couldn't warm Feng'er's heart?

In the past two years, the couple worked together and managed to maintain the current situation, preventing the household from falling into deficit.

If all the shops are opened, it's not impossible for the Rongguo Mansion to regain its former prosperity.

The eldest daughter became a virtuous concubine, which should have been a boost to the family, so why is Feng'er acting as if she has lost her parents, as if a great calamity has befallen her?

"Feng'er, what's troubling you? This should be a joyous occasion for everyone, so why do you seem to be facing a major disaster?" Jia Lian couldn't hold back any longer and asked.

Wang Xifeng didn't know how to explain it to him, so she simply remained silent.

She had just told Yuan Hongqu a few days ago that she wanted to find a way to prevent Yuan Chun's rank from rising and to keep it as it was.

So quickly she was proven wrong. Was Jia Yuanchun destined to be a virtuous concubine? A great fire brought the retired emperor back to the palace, and Jia Yuanchun was elevated to the position of virtuous concubine.

It seemed as if everything was predetermined. Wang Xifeng felt powerless. Although she seemed to have changed many things, in reality, everything was still developing along the original trajectory.

"Come on, let's go find Mr. Yuan!" Jia Lian suddenly pulled Wang Xifeng up. "Let Mr. Yuan clear your head of all this nonsense, so you won't keep thinking about such outrageous things!" Jia Lian suddenly grabbed Wang Xifeng and headed for the door.

"Wang'er, tell someone to prepare the carriage. We're going to the Lin family!"

Wang Xifeng also wanted to find Yuan Hongqu to get to the bottom of things, and she shook off Jia Lian's hand, even moving a few steps faster than him.

At this time, Yuan Hongqu also learned about Jia Yuanchun's conferment of the title of Virtuous Consort. She was marveling at the power of fate when a maid came to deliver a message that the Second Master Lian and Second Mistress of Rongguo Mansion had arrived. They were very anxious and seemed to have had a fight, not even looking at each other.

The little girl's words were very clear, and Yuan Hongqu immediately knew why the two had come here.

Wang Xifeng's biggest worry was her life. Seeing things unfolding exactly as described in the original book, she was getting anxious.

Jia Lian probably couldn't understand Wang Xifeng's feelings and didn't understand what she was afraid of, which caused a rift between them.

“Mr. Yuan, Feng’er wants a divorce. I’ve been devoted to her all these years. Even when I had social engagements, I wouldn’t even glance at those other women, not even a hint of perfume. I would take three showers before I dared to see Feng’er. What more does she want from me…?”

Upon seeing Yuan Hongqu, Jia Lian began to complain before Wang Xifeng could even speak.

“Isn’t that what you should do? Your daughter gets a rash from smelling perfumes outside. As her father, what’s wrong with you keeping her pure?” Wang Xifeng said confidently, not feeling at all that Jia Lian was doing it for her sake.

Jia Lian was so angry he laughed. Qiao Jie had a wet nurse to take care of her, and her room was so far away from theirs, yet Wang Xifeng still thought he was doing it for Qiao Jie's sake.

"Second Master Lian, go play a few games of chess with Lord Lin first, and let Feng'er chat with me." Seeing that the couple were like firecrackers, Yuan Hongqu thought it best to separate them for the time being if they continued to be together, as they might explode at any moment.

Jia Lian stormed off to find Lin Ruhai, while Yuan Hongqu handed Wang Xifeng a cup of lemon tea.

"Quit the fire first."

Wang Xifeng took the cup and gulped it down in one go.

"Sister, I want to be a strong woman with you, I want to go into business with you, I'm not going to be a slave to the Jia family anymore!"