Chapter 32 Min Yuexi's Attitude
Min Rong frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and quickly figured out the key to it.
"By spreading this news, we can firstly divert everyone's attention, and secondly, we can help Seele gain everyone's sympathy. Perhaps we can even salvage some of the reputation that Seele has suffered because of the broken engagement."
Madam Min nodded and added, "There's another crucial point: using this news to vouch for Xi'er's health. The poisoning affected her ability to have children, and there's nothing we can do about it. Outsiders can't really say anything if they find out."
"No! Absolutely not! How will Xi'er ever get married if we do that?" Madam Wu strongly objected. She had initially thought Min Rong's suggestion was feasible, but after hearing Min Qiao's words, she couldn't sit still any longer.
Judging from the old lady's words, she's not going to hide the fact that Xi'er is injured.
How is Xi'er supposed to find a husband or get married in the future?
Ignoring Wu, Madam Min Qiao looked at Min Rong and asked, "What do you say?"
Min Rong hesitated for a moment, then tentatively said, "How about we don't tell anyone that Xi'er is injured? It really is affecting Xi'er's marriage prospects."
Madam Min sneered, "It's an undeniable fact that Xi'er is now injured. Even if we keep it a secret, once she marries into a wealthy family, if she can't have children for a long time, do you think her life will be any better?"
"If we investigate today's events at that time, do you think the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion will gain anything by deliberately concealing the truth?"
"It would be better to tell outsiders openly now, so that they will feel more sorry for Xi'er. Although it may be difficult to find a husband, it is also a good opportunity to screen out potential partners and find Xi'er a family with noble character who can truly treat her well. Even if she doesn't marry into a wealthy family, Xi'er may still have a good life."
Min Rong was extremely ashamed by what the old lady said.
The old lady was genuinely thinking of her granddaughter's happiness and the long-term well-being of the Marquis's family. He, however, was only concerned with the present, only with using his daughter to climb the social ladder. Even now, he was still trying to hide the fact that his daughter had injured her body, hoping to marry her off to a wealthy and powerful family…
If he hadn't had the idea of using his daughter for a marriage alliance and hadn't broken off the engagement with the Lu family, would all of this have been avoided?
At this moment, Min Rong was filled with regret.
"I disagree!" Ms. Wu insisted on her opposition.
"Grandma, no matter what you say, I absolutely disagree! Poverty makes life miserable for couples. If Xi'er can't marry into a wealthy family, what hope does she have for the rest of her life? She was raised in luxury and pamperedness; how can she endure such hardship?"
"Mother, please stop talking!"
Just as the group was talking, Min Yuexi woke up at some point. She was wearing a cloak and slippers, and stood gracefully at the side entrance of the main room.
"Father, let's do as Grandmother says. I trust that Grandmother wouldn't harm me!"
Min Yuexi seemed to have grown up overnight, and said earnestly, "Father should also believe in Grandmother!"
With Min Yuexi's statement, the matter was settled.
Wu wanted to say something, but Min Yuexi pretended to be weak and said she wasn't feeling well.
Worried about her daughter, Mrs. Wu hurriedly helped her back into the house.
Min Qiao also stood up, reached out to Wei Jia for support, and prepared to leave.
Min Rong, standing behind her, hesitated and said, "Mother, why don't you take over the management of the Marquis's mansion? We can continue as before, with you making the decisions."
Min Rong's tone carried a hint of sincerity, but more than that, it was filled with hesitation and probing.
Madam Min Qiao glanced coldly at Min Rong with an expressionless face. "I've already said, I will no longer interfere in anything concerning the Marquis's residence. I was only giving you a suggestion out of consideration for Xi'er's innocent suffering. Whether you do as I say or not is up to you. I will not meddle."
“From now on, I will still not concern myself with the affairs of the Marquis’s residence.”
"But let me remind you again, even though I'm no longer in charge, don't treat me like a useless old woman. I won't let you mold me however you want."
Min Rong's expression turned solemn, and he said earnestly, "I remember this. This kind of thing will never happen again!"
Madam Min glanced at Min Rong, said nothing more, and led the people back to Songhe Hall.
***
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace.
Consort Zhao, the close friend of the Earl of Annam, is helping the current Emperor Xiaozhao undress and prepare for bed.
"Your Majesty, I heard that a great show was staged at the gate of the Prince of Chang'an's mansion today! It's a pity that I was unable to witness it in person."
Emperor Xiaozhao looked down at the woman who was half-squatting down to untie his belt, his eyes dark and unfathomable.
"You're quite well-informed."
Consort Zhao seemed oblivious to the deeper meaning in Emperor Xiaozhao's words. Without even raising her head, she said in a relaxed tone, "Your Majesty is joking. It's not that I'm well-informed. Everyone in the palace knows about this now."
Emperor Xiaozhao frowned almost imperceptibly. "You know everything?"
"you do not say."
Consort Zhao said seemingly casually, "Princess Jiaoyang attended the birthday banquet of the Dowager Consort of the Prince of Chang'an's residence on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress today, and only returned to the palace in the late afternoon. As soon as she returned, Princess Jiaoyang made it known to everyone that Madam Qiao of the Marquis of Xuanping's residence had caused a scene at the gate of the Prince of Chang'an's residence."
Emperor Xiaozhao did not respond, but simply looked at Consort Xian quietly, his eyes filled with a deep sense of inquiry.
Is Consort Xian trying to sow discord between him and Princess Jiaoyang, saying that Princess Jiaoyang is a big mouth and has lost her dignity as a princess?
Or is it that the Dowager Lady of the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion acted arrogantly and challenged the majesty of the royal family?
Consort Zhao stood up and helped Emperor Xiaozhao change into his nightgown while giving him a reproachful look. "Why is Your Majesty looking at me like that? I was just chatting with Your Majesty out of boredom."
Consort Zhao spoke in a casual tone, just like an ordinary wife speaking to her husband.
Emperor Xiaozhao softened his expression, but still advised, "The Empress is looking after Jiaoyang, so don't focus your attention on her. Take better care of Sixth Sister. I heard she hasn't been feeling well these past few days?"
The "sixth girl" mentioned by Emperor Xiaozhao was none other than Princess Li Jingyue, the sixth daughter of Consort Zhao.
Consort Zhao replied with a smile, "Jingyue caught a cold the other day, so we had the imperial physician examine her. She's much better today."
"Hmm." Emperor Xiaozhao clearly had no intention of continuing the topic.
Compared to the lively and adorable seventh princess Li Sanqi, the sixth princess Li Jingyue, who was sickly since childhood, did not win the favor of Emperor Xiaozhao.
"Furthermore, the affairs of the Marquis of Xuanping's residence involve court politics, and it is not something you can discuss recklessly."
Emperor Xiaozhao's tone was full of warning.
He had witnessed the recent commotion at the Xuanping Marquis's residence. However, he considered these matters minor. He still needed the Xuanping Marquis's residence, so he would not allow anyone from the inner palace to take advantage of the situation and cause trouble.
"Your Majesty, I merely mentioned what I overheard during the day, and Your Majesty has already given me so many admonitions! Your Majesty, please visit my Qing'an Palace less often in the future, lest I speak inappropriately and displease Your Majesty. If Your Majesty doesn't come, I'll be happy to have some peace and quiet."
Consort Zhao was not intimidated by Emperor Xiaozhao's serious tone at all. Instead, she acted like a couple having a petulant argument.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. I was just reminding you. Why are you getting angry?" Emperor Xiaozhao softened his tone, coaxing Consort Zhao, "How old are you? Why are you still acting like a child, getting angry so easily?"
Consort Zhao continued to whine and complain, "Does Your Majesty think I'm too old? Humph, there are plenty of young concubines in the palace. Your Majesty can go find them. Why bother coming here to me?"
Emperor Xiaozhao, slightly impatient, unleashed his ultimate weapon: "If you continue to persist, I may truly leave."
Consort Zhao immediately surrendered, embracing Emperor Xiaozhao tightly, saying, "Your Majesty, I was wrong, please don't go."
"Hahaha! You think I can't handle you?" Emperor Xiaozhao laughed as he embraced Consort Zhao.
Consort Zhao nestled in Emperor Xiaozhao's arms, a smile on her face, but her lowered eyes were filled with resentment.
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