This sudden turn of events caught the Shen siblings and Yin Xue completely off guard. All three of them looked dazed and fearful as they gazed at her.
Yin Xue even dared to plead, "Mother-in-law, are you really going to let my husband be locked up in jail?"
Qu Jingyun simply picked out a dish for her and calmly said, "One should not speak while eating or sleeping."
She had no choice but to shut up.
Qu Jingyun was well aware of the fears of those around her. But her eldest son had been raised to be completely out of character. Even a tree that has grown crooked must be pruned and allowed to grow again, let alone a person.
If we don't teach Shen Song a lesson this time, who knows what trouble he might cause in the future.
After the banquet ended, she left with her family as usual, but a young palace maid suddenly came up to her with a smile.
"Madam Shen, Consort Xian requests your presence at Funing Palace."
Everyone looked puzzled.
Consort Xian? Is she the one who came from the Prime Minister's family, had elegant taste, was known as a talented woman, and was named Consort Xian as soon as she entered the palace?
Why did she want to see Qu Jingyun?
The group looked even more dazed.
Qu Jingyun remained calm and said, "I would like to trouble you to escort them to the palace gate and wait for me."
After giving her instructions, she headed towards Funing Palace.
A moment later, she arrived at Funing Palace. As soon as she stepped inside, she heard Xiao Zhuyu's mocking voice.
"I truly envy Lady Shen. The general has been away from home for many years, yet Lady Shen has raised such a loving and devoted son."
Speaking of Xiao Zhuyu, she was quite a figure; back then, he was her number one rival in love.
However, the general did not like Xiao Zhuyu, and Xiao Zhuyu had no choice but to stay during the imperial concubine selection. She became a virtuous concubine in the palace. In secret, Xiao Zhuyu did a lot of things to trip her up.
At this moment, looking into those eyes that held the same mockery as they had five years ago, Qu Jingyun remained calm and smiled.
“Raising children is not a simple matter. Often, after a year of teaching, one will age ten years. Your Majesty has lived in the palace for so many years without any constraints and has no worries about raising children. Your Majesty envies me, but I envy Your Majesty.”
Xiao Zhuyu's expression changed drastically.
Everyone in the palace knew that Consort Xiao Zhuyu's inability to have children for many years was her sore spot, and no one dared to mention it in front of her. But it was Qu Jingyun who brought it up.
She came from a noble family, and her husband was guarding the frontier, so even the emperor could not easily touch her.
If it weren't for the fact that she married the general back then... Xiao Zhuyu gritted her teeth secretly, her heart filled with extreme hatred.
She gave a wry smile and made a few sarcastic remarks, but each time Qu Jingyun retorted with a mild retort.
Qu Jingyun smiled faintly, but she was almost driven mad with anger!
Later, Qu Jingyun glanced at the sky outside the window, already feeling impatient, and decisively said, "It's getting late, and the palace will soon be locked. If Your Majesty has nothing else to attend to, I will take my leave."
Thinking of her purpose, Xiao Zhuyu finally regained some rationality from the brink of rage and said with a smile, "I have summoned Madam Shen because of a very joyous occasion."
happy event?
Qu Jingyun's eyelids twitched, and she had a vague sense of unease, but she looked at her calmly.
Sure enough, the next moment, Xiao Zhuyu said with a smile, "I have heard that Madam Shen's daughter has long admired the Fifth Prince and once expressed her love for him in public at a poetry gathering. Why don't I take the liberty of giving Yue'er to the Fifth Prince?"
The Fifth Prince?
Who is this person? Qu Jingyun had no recollection of him, but... Na?
The smile on her face faded considerably in an instant, and she said indifferently, "Yue'er is the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion. Which noble family in the capital wouldn't she marry into? What is Your Majesty's intention in taking her as a concubine?"
Xiao Zhuyu covered her mouth in surprise: "You didn't know?"
She feigned shame and said apologetically, "You've been back for two days now. I thought you knew. Back then, when Yue'er publicly expressed her affection for the Fifth Prince, all the young masters of noble families in the capital..."
Qu Jingyun knew exactly what she meant. Her eyelids twitched twice, and a surge of anger welled up inside her.
She truly had no idea what Qi Yun'er had been doing all these years. A proper young lady from a prestigious family, her reputation had been completely ruined!
"Although the Fifth Prince is a bit irresponsible, he is still a prince of the imperial family. Yue'er has ruined her reputation, so making her his concubine is the best marriage for her now."
Xiao Zhuyu spoke with regret, but her eyes held a bright smile.
Is this not a provocation or what?
Qu Jingyun laughed, never expecting that her years-long battle with her would end in this matter.
She smiled and said, "The marriage is arranged by the parents and the matchmaker. Your Majesty need not worry about it. I will take my leave now."
After saying that, she turned and left without waiting for Xiao Zhuyu to speak.
Meanwhile, Shen Cong and his two companions, having arrived at the palace gate, boarded the carriage and finally came to their senses.
Shen Cong clenched his fists, his teeth clenched and his lips trembling: "I knew it! She's been putting on an act for us all these days. She's a cold-hearted and ruthless person who only cares about herself and the power she holds. How could she possibly care about us!"
The scene of Qu Jingyun putting righteousness before family ties in the palace today left a deep impression on them.
Shen Yue lowered her eyes, her fingertips gently rubbing her sleeves. This dress was newly made for her by her mother.
She thought everything would be better when her mother came back, but her older brother was going to be imprisoned, and she didn't care at all. If her older brother didn't care, how could she care about them?
A pang of pain welled up in her heart, and Shen Yue nodded silently.
Amidst the cursing, Yin Xue suddenly hesitated and whispered, "I don't think my mother-in-law is that kind of person..."
Shen Cong's eyes widened in surprise: "Sister-in-law, she's the one who harmed your husband!"
"Your husband is now in jail, isn't that the result of her putting righteousness before family? The Empress and the Imperial Concubine in the palace both invited her over. If she had said a word, my brother would definitely have been released from prison, but she didn't!"
"She only cares about the power she holds and doesn't care about her elder brother. How dare you speak up for her!"
Yin Xue was also conflicted.
The scene of her husband welcoming Lin Qingping as his second wife was still vivid in her mind, but her mother-in-law stood in front of her, making decisions for her.
Just now, when she was abandoned by her husband, it was her mother-in-law who ordered someone to bring her to the palace.
Throughout the entire general's mansion, her mother-in-law was the kindest person to her, but just now, she really hadn't paid attention to her husband...
She was extremely conflicted, and whispered, "My mother-in-law definitely has her own plans."
Shen Yue raised her head, her reddened eyes filled with mist, looking utterly pitiful.
“My aunt once said that my mother only cares about my father and not us. She didn’t even save my older brother and sister-in-law. Does she really not care about my older brother and want him to die? She’s so wicked!”
Shen Cong nodded in agreement, "This person is quite cunning and not someone we can handle."
Seeing the identical resentful looks in the eyes of the brother and sister, Yin Xue helplessly found a way to speak.
Shen Cong had already pulled Shen Yue aside to discuss: "My aunt said that Mother is determined to suppress my eldest brother and doesn't want him to stand out. This time it will definitely be the same. We must find someone to rescue my eldest brother."
As the two were discussing, a cold voice suddenly came from outside.
"What are you talking about?"
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