"Mother, could you... spare his life one last time? After all, his mother is your own sister, and he is my elder brother... I..."
"Shut up." Bo Ji's eyes suddenly sharpened. She grabbed Yuan Chuhua's cheek, her fingertips digging into his flesh. "You want me to let him go? But will he let us go? Not only does Bo Rui know the truth about what happened back then, but he must also know the truth about his mother and maternal family's suffering. Under these circumstances, he hates us to the core. Do you think he's coming back this time to put on a show of brotherly love or to seek revenge?"
"Mother...I...I know I was wrong." Yuan Chuhua dared not resist and could only beg for mercy.
Bo Ji flung her away, her slender eyebrows arching. "If your brother hadn't been born weak and sickly, what threat do you think a mere Yuanxing Continent could pose? That old bastard probably has his eye on him now. Doesn't he realize that he's been a livid sinner all along, committing countless evils? Does his son not know what kind of person he is? Whether he wants to invite a wolf into the house or watch from the sidelines is fine; he's been planning this for a long time, just waiting..."
She ultimately held back some of her words. Bo Ji was a smart woman; she understood that even when things were completely settled, there were still many uncertainties.
Now, Yuanxingzhou is a variable, and the Yuwen Zheng family is also a variable.
To prevent the variables from becoming fixed, she had no choice but to find a way to completely eliminate them.
"Tonight you will attend the banquet with me."
Bo Ji flicked her phoenix robe and turned to walk into the room.
"And what about the prince's brother?"
When Yuan Xinglin was mentioned, a look of heartache flashed across Bo Ji's usually cold and indifferent face: "He has fallen ill again. Don't disturb him these next two days and let him rest well."
Yuan Chuhua lowered his eyes: "Your subject understands."
Bo Ji paused, turned her head and glanced at her sideways: "I told you to find a way to marry Yuwen Sheng, but you were useless. Now that he's dead, another woman has gotten a great deal. If she really is pregnant with Yuwen Sheng's child, even if that old man didn't approve the marriage contract, the laws of Ye Kingdom are on her side. No matter how unwilling the Yuwen family is, they can only acknowledge her. Her status as the wife of the General will be a sure thing."
Seeing that Bo Ji's mood was getting increasingly tense as she spoke, Yuan Chuhua pursed her lips and immediately said, "She's not pregnant..."
"What did you say?" Bo Ji suddenly looked at her.
According to information from Bo Ji's spies, the Yuwen clan members who went to demand Yuwen Sheng's inheritance returned empty-handed because Zheng Quchi was suspected of being pregnant.
“I rode in the same carriage with her. When the road was bumpy, she acted naturally and did not make any attempt to protect her pregnant belly. This was not like the unstable period of the first three months of pregnancy when the pregnancy was not yet showing. Therefore, I suspect that she is lying.” Yuan Chuhua’s words were reasonable and well-founded.
Upon hearing this, Bo Ji finally showed a hint of a cheerful smile: "If that's really the case, then Yuan Xingzhou has just found a useless ally."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Chuhua actually had a different thought in his heart.
She had met Zheng Quchi in person and knew a little about him. Zheng Quchi always gave her the feeling of being wise but foolish. Such a person is far more terrifying than someone who is sharp and outspoken. She also knew how important Zheng Quchi was to Wei Yao and Wang Zebang.
She is not "useless".
Countless thoughts raced through Yuan Chuhua's mind, but he ultimately remained silent and said nothing more.
"What Mother says is true."
——
Hundred Halls
The palace servants brought several sets of brand-new clothes, saying that they were specially prepared for Zheng Quchi by the palace. The dazzling array of gold, silver and jewels, along with the gorgeous dresses specially made by the palace, were enough to make a young girl from the countryside who had come to the city completely bewildered and lose herself.
After taking a look, Zheng (a young girl from the countryside who came to the city) did not show any signs of elation or greed. Instead, she fell into deep thought.
This was completely different from what the palace servants had imagined. Their previously subtle, disdainful, and amused gazes now turned into confusion.
A senior palace maid stepped forward, maintaining a respectful demeanor, and asked with a smile, "Madam General, what is wrong?"
"These clothes..."
"Um?"
"It's so ugly."
"..."
As if afraid she wouldn't believe him, Zheng Quchi presented evidence: "Look at this set, and this set, and this set. I really can't appreciate this color scheme of red and black, yellow and green, and purple and red. I'd rather wear the one I'm wearing."
Although she was telling the truth—they had indeed brought the ugliest clothes in the palace to humiliate this country girl—if she dared to refuse, it would be tantamount to giving them an excuse to manipulate her.
Upon hearing this, the head palace maid immediately mustered her emotions, preparing to launch an attack: "The General's wife may not know, but these were all bestowed by the Queen..."
"Oh, it was a gift from the Queen? Then I definitely can't wear it," Zheng Quchi thought to herself, but on the surface she said in surprise, "It was a gift from the Queen? Then I must accept it."
She walked over and quickly brought the things over and placed them in the room, but they were still standing there without moving.
"What's wrong? Is there anything else?"
Her doubts were so genuine.
The head palace maid's lips twitched: "The general's wife won't be replaced?"
"Did the Queen say that once a reward is given, I have to change it immediately?" Zheng Quchi asked curiously.
That's definitely not the case, but isn't that obvious?
The head palace maid gritted her teeth, about to reply, when she heard an indescribably cold voice from outside the door ask, "What is it?"
Turning around, he saw Yuan Xingzhou approaching.
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