Madam Jiang sighed deeply and looked helplessly at Xinyi Zigu at the table. "Your Highness, I had already mentioned that the Marquisate had something to hide, and was about to reveal Songyi and Yuyao's true life story to you. Unfortunately, the Fourth Prince repeatedly interrupted me, insisting that no matter who she was engaged to or what her background was, he would marry her. He also expelled Songyi and me from Yikun Palace."
Yang Guifei's expression became increasingly ugly.
She still remembered this incident clearly, but she never expected that the life story that the Marquis' Mansion wanted to reveal was so crucial.
She originally thought that there was not much difference between Jiang Yuyao and the eldest daughter. Who could have expected that Jiang Yuyao was actually a fake!
Especially when she glanced at her son and found that Xinyi Zigu was still handing Jiang Yuyao a handkerchief to wipe her tears and whispering to comfort her, she became even more furious.
Her previous fondness for Jiang Yuyao, her future daughter-in-law, now turned into deep disgust. She felt that she was no different from those pretentious and charming women in the palace who tried to seduce the emperor.
"Your Highness, I didn't mean to deceive you. I simply couldn't contain my emotions and control myself." Jiang Yuyao's eyes were faintly flushed, like a shy lotus about to bloom, appearing even more delicate after the light rain. As she spoke, she glanced hesitantly at Xinyi Zigu, her eyes revealing endless attachment.
Xinyi Zigu was originally a little dissatisfied that Jiang Yuyao's identity could not provide him with more help, but at this moment, seeing her so charming and lovable, he couldn't help but feel tenderness in his heart, and his mind was full of thoughts about how to make her happy.
He cleverly used the table and his wide sleeves as a cover, and quietly held Jiang Yuyao's slender hand. "Yuyao, this prince knows the feelings in your heart."
Jiang Yuyao knew that the Old Madam and the Marquis of Yongding had already favored Jiang Songyi and were determined to return her status and engagement to her, leaving the Yongding Marquisate with no hope of support. Her father, the Duke of Huguo, was no longer able to support her. To preserve her engagement with the Fourth Prince, she had no choice but to rely on her own strength to secure his affections.
Jiang Yuyao bit her lip tightly and whispered, "I originally planned to tell His Highness the truth when I saw him again at the Lantern Festival banquet, but I didn't expect my sister and mother to..."
Xinyi Zigu glanced coldly at Jiang Songyi in the palace, further solidifying his belief that she was being despicable. "Jiang Songyi is simply trying to sabotage our engagement. This prince will never let her succeed."
After listening to the old lady's statement, the emperor turned his gaze to the fourth prince, "Is this really the case?"
Without hesitation, Xinyi Zigu took Jiang Yuyao by his side and stood up. Completely ignoring Concubine Yang's hints, he walked straight to the center of the hall and said frankly, "Father, what the old lady said is true. Yuyao and I have been together since childhood, and I have a special affection for her. Regardless of whether she is the biological daughter of the Marquis of Yongding or not, I am willing to spend the rest of my life with her."
Jiang Yuyao, standing aside, lowered her head, seemingly shy and speechless, but in fact she glanced at Jiang Songyi provocatively. When she noticed the envious gazes of the noble ladies around her, she was filled with pride.
However, Yang Guifei, who was sitting next to the emperor, stared coldly at Jiang Yuyao's sharp and slender armor. A small hole was poked in the handkerchief in her hand, and the anger in her heart was like a volcano ready to erupt.
The Empress Dowager twirled her Buddhist beads in her hands and spoke slowly, "Since Madam Jiang's account is correct, then the mystery of her life story cannot be blamed on the Yongding Marquisate. She is still the same person. Since the Yongding Marquisate is willing to recognize Jiang Yuyao as their daughter, and the Fourth Prince has a special liking for her, then let's fulfill their wish. Emperor, what do you think?"
The Empress Dowager and Yang Guifei both understood that the Yongding Marquisate's recognition of Jiang Yuyao at this moment was only to preserve their friendship.
After all, marrying off a daughter not only provides a generous dowry, but also earns the prime minister a reputation for being generous.
When Jiang Yuyao was married off in grand style by the Yongding Marquisate, the saying goes, "A daughter once married off is like spilled water." Without the ties of blood, how could the Yongding Marquisate spare no effort in supporting the Fourth Prince? After all, they still had a biological daughter, Jiang Songyi.
The Emperor laughed heartily and said gently, "Your Majesty, your mother is absolutely right. Zigu is loyal and kind, and I have watched Yuyao grow up with my own eyes. I really don't want to separate them. The so-called concealment of her background is nothing but a misunderstanding. Madam Sang and Madam Hou, you don't have to kneel any longer. Please take your seats."
"As you wish."
Hearing the emperor's words, the Prime Minister's wife couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. She had originally thought that she could take the opportunity to suppress the arrogance of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion, but unexpectedly, the emperor's favor for the Marquis' Mansion remained the same as before.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Mrs. Xu gently pulled Jiang Songyi to her feet and they returned to their seats together.
Xu Shixin hadn't expected the matter to be resolved so easily. She followed Xu's side, patted her chest exaggeratedly, and breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank God, the emperor didn't blame my sister, otherwise I would have caused a big disaster again."
Xu Shixin was very unhappy that her mother had not suffered any misfortune.
A hint of coldness flashed in Xu's eyes. She glanced at Xu Shixin coldly, but did not respond to her.
The dispute over the true and false daughter in the Marquis's mansion was a tumultuous one, but ultimately it was all just empty talk, a sparse response. This farce ultimately delighted the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, the Fourth Prince, Jiang Yuyao, and the entire Yongding Marquisate, but only left Yang Guifei brimming with resentment.
Her eyes were wide open, the corners of her eyes slightly raised, revealing a hint of anger, but her voice was like a spring nightingale, gentle yet sharp: "Your Majesty! This matter must not be hastily resolved!"
The Emperor had always doted on Concubine Yang and allowed her to be spoiled. Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of doting: "My beloved concubine, what is wrong with you?"
Yang Guifei felt a pang of frustration, feeling that she was being manipulated by that cunning old fox, Madam Jiang. She could not bear the anger. "Even though the Fourth Prince repeatedly interrupted Madam Jiang, preventing her from revealing the mystery of the two girls' origins in time, this matter involves the reputation of the royal family. How can the Yongding Marquisate be careless and perfunctory? They should report to me and His Majesty afterwards!"
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Sang Jingzhi immediately stood up and said solemnly, "Just as the Imperial Concubine said, the Marquis's Mansion is clearly concealing something. The Marquis of Yongding has failed to fulfill his responsibility to report this to the Emperor!"
Jiang Dinglian remained calm and composed, even taking a leisurely sip of his wine before answering. "Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine, I have no intention of concealing anything. Liao, suspected of exchanging the Marquis' daughter, has been detained by the authorities. All evidence has been handed over to the Jingzhao Prefect. Once Liao is convicted, the matter will be reported to the Emperor."
Before he finished speaking, he glanced at the Jingzhao Yin in feigned surprise and cleverly threw the question to him: "The evidence is conclusive and there is no need for a retrial. This matter has been delayed for many days. Hasn't the Jingzhao Yin made a judgment yet?"
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