Chapter 157: Fever Lu Bingzhi picked up the teacup in his hand and took a sip...
Second Prince's Mansion
Zheng Suining sat in front of the dressing table, looking at the row of jewelry in the jewelry box, and chose a hairpin made of pure gold inlaid with rubies.
The maid Fu Yue picked up the hairpin and helped her daughter put it in her hair, but her eyes were filled with tears, but she tried hard not to let them fall.
Seeing her like this in the mirror, Zheng Suining asked calmly, "Why are you crying? Your daughter is now the Second Prince's consort. She has a noble status and no longer has to suffer the bullying of those in the mansion. Aren't you happy for me?"
It would have been better if she hadn't said anything. As soon as she finished speaking, the tears that Fu Yue had been holding back instantly fell. She fell to her knees and said to Zheng Suining, "Miss, why don't we tell the old lady about all this and ask the Kangshou Marquisate to handle it for you? Your Highness, your Highness is too bullying."
It would have been bad enough that the Second Prince didn't come to the Kangshou Marquis's Mansion to welcome her on the wedding day, causing shame to her daughter. The daughter had also suffered a lot of grievances in the Kangshou Marquis's Mansion. But who would have thought that the girl didn't care about it, and His Highness actually left the bridal chamber after drinking the wedding wine with the girl, and stayed at Cui Linghui's place that night.
On the wedding night, His Highness stayed in a concubine's room. This was clearly a slap in the face to his own daughter and was intended to humiliate her.
Yesterday, several concubines came to serve tea, but Cui got up late. I heard that the prince had just come out of her room, so it was about an hour after Qiu Ning and Yu Lan served tea that Cui finally came. There was a purple kiss mark on her neck, which looked really unpleasant.
Cui knelt on the futon to serve tea to her daughter, the main wife, but the atmosphere in the room was extremely strange.
The girl's reputation as the principal wife was trampled under the feet of His Highness. Since His Highness was not satisfied with the girl, why didn't he reject this marriage? Even if it was granted by the Queen Mother, it was said that this marriage was requested by Concubine Shu herself and the Queen Mother. Who knew that this marriage would cause the girl to suffer such a great injustice.
Yesterday, His Highness brought the girl to the palace to pay respects. They didn't look like a newlywed couple at all and made everyone laugh at them.
Today is the second day after the wedding, and the girl still has to go to the palace to talk with Concubine Shu. Just now, His Highness sent someone over and told the girl to bring Cui into the palace with her.
Even a maidservant like her couldn't bear to see His Highness humiliating her own daughter like this. However, as a person of low status and with little influence, she could only feel sorry for the daughter in her heart, feeling really suffocated.
Zheng Suining listened to her words and shook her head bitterly. "No one else knew my situation in the mansion before. You were my maid, how could you not know? They would never make decisions for me. A daughter like me, if favored, would bring honor to the family. If not, I would just be a useless abandoned child."
"Don't forget, my second sister also said that I am the eldest daughter of a deceased mother, and marrying into the Second Prince's family is too high a status. She is also the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's family. If the Empress Dowager hadn't written the marriage decree for me, her eldest sister, she would have felt that she should be the Second Prince's consort. If my stepmother and second sister knew about my current situation, I would just be laughed at."
Hearing her say this, Fu Yue felt even more upset. However, she knew that the young lady was already upset, and as a maid, she should comfort her instead of making her feel worse. So she quickly wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said, "I only hope that His Highness will show some respect to the young lady when we return to the Marquis Kangshou's residence tomorrow. Otherwise, the young lady will be out of favor right after her marriage, and the stepmother and the second young lady will definitely say something harsh and unpleasant."
Zheng Suining said calmly, "It's already like this, so there's no need to worry about it getting any worse. After all, the Kangshou Marquisate had already lost face when His Highness didn't personally welcome him on the wedding day, so this isn't a big deal."
As they were talking, a maid came in and reported that Aunt Cui was coming.
Zheng Suining stood up from the dressing table, walked to the couch and sat down, then asked someone to bring Cui Linghui in.
Cui Linghui was wearing a Yang Fei-colored jacket embroidered with hibiscus flowers today, with her hair styled like flowing clouds. She wore a red gold hibiscus flower hairpin and two pearl flowers in her hair. She walked in slowly, without any trace of the humility and cowardice of a concubine.
As a noblewoman of the Marquisate and the eldest legitimate daughter of the eldest son, Cui Linghui and Zheng Suining were of equal status. Xiao Ze's wedding night spent in Cui Linghui's room made everyone in the Second Prince's household look up to her a little more. This gave Cui Linghui a sense of confidence when she met Zheng Suining, the mistress, and she was less deferential. She simply bowed and said, "I pay my respects to you, sister. Today, His Highness has ordered you and me to come to the palace to speak with His Majesty. I think it's time to go out. It would be a shame to keep His Majesty waiting for us."
Fu Yue was really indignant seeing Cui Linghui like this, but this was ordered by His Highness, so she didn't dare to say anything, lest the words get to His Highness' ears and His Highness become even more displeased with his young lady as his wife.
Compared to the ugly expression on the maid Fu Yue's face, Zheng Suining didn't take it to heart at all when she saw that Cui Linghui didn't behave like a concubine at all.
Xiao Ze was known for his reckless behavior, not being a gentleman. He wasn't kind to his wife, so his favor towards his concubines was just a favor. Zheng Suining even thought that Xiao Ze's actions might be a result of a deep-seated desire to sabotage everything, hoping to see her, his wife, and Cui Linghui fight to the death over a man like him.
Zheng Suining didn't spend much time with Xiao Ze, and they didn't even have a wedding night together. But because she had been burdened with the sin of killing her mother since childhood and was not liked by her father and grandmother, Zheng Suining had seen the warmth and coldness of human nature since childhood, so that she could glimpse the darkness in Xiao Ze's heart from his actions.
Therefore, Zheng Suining wasn't actually angry at Cui Linghui; she was simply a pawn in the hands of His Highness. For example, today, when Cui Linghui accompanied her to the palace to pay her respects to Concubine Shu, Funing felt that Xiao Ze was humiliating her as a wife and slapping her in the face. But Zheng Suining saw Xiao Ze's intentions as genuine, and it was also true that he had Cui Linghui by his side, embarrassing her.
After all, Cui Linghui came from a noble family and almost became the wife of the prince of Weiguo. She was once envied and jealous by others. Now she is with her, the second prince's consort. Even if she, the second prince's consort, is not favored and was ignored by Xiao Ze on the wedding day, it cannot change the fact that Cui Linghui is now just a concubine.
If her guess was true, Xiao Ze's character was indeed sinister and vicious, and it would be a good thing for her if Xiao Ze left on the wedding night.
"I've packed everything too. Since my sister said so, let's go to the palace quickly so as not to keep the Empress waiting." Zheng Suining said with a smile without any annoyance.
Cui Linghui felt that her reaction was just a forced smile. She didn't want to lose face as the mistress, so she said, "Yes, please take me to the palace with you, sister. You and His Highness have just been married, so I shouldn't follow you into the palace. However, it's His Highness's order, and I dare not disobey. I hope you won't blame me."
Cui Linghui directly tore this layer of window paper, making people feel even more embarrassed about Zheng's face.
Fu Ning's eyes showed a hint of resentment. Just as she was about to speak, she heard her master say with a smile, "How could I blame my sister? Let alone the royal family, even ordinary people, as long as they have money, who wouldn't take a concubine? Your Highness is willing to give you respect, and you have earned it yourself. I only admire you, how could I blame you?"
"To be honest, I'm actually hoping my sister gets pregnant soon so she can give birth to more children for the royal family."
Zheng Suining's words made Cui Linghui feel like he had punched cotton, and he felt an indescribable sense of frustration.
Zheng Suining stood up and walked outside with Fu Ning without waiting for her to continue. Cui Linghui was stunned for a moment. Although he wanted to criticize Zheng Suining a few more times, he had no choice but to follow them.
The carriage slowly drove out of the alley where the Second Prince's residence was located and headed towards the Imperial Palace.
At the gate of Weiguo Mansion
Cui Lingyan held Lu Bingzhi's arm and entered the carriage. Seeing Lu Bingzhi coming up to lower the curtain, she hid to the side of the carriage, away from Lu Bingzhi, and looked down at her neck.
Seeing her movements, Lu Bingzhi chuckled and said, "Don't worry, the collar covers it so no one can see it."
As he spoke, he patted his side and said, "Why are you hiding so far away? What else can I do in the carriage?"
Cui Lingyan's cheeks flushed. She stepped forward and covered his mouth with her hand. She glared at him unhappily and said in a low voice, "Don't talk nonsense. What if someone outside hears us?"
Lu Bingzhi's eyebrows were full of smiles. He put his arm around her waist and asked her to lean on him. He stretched out his hand and pulled her hand away, holding it in his own. He smiled and replied, "I know. I'll listen to Yan'er."
Thinking of the shameless things Lu Bingzhi had tricked and coaxed her into doing last night, Cui Lingyan felt that these words were not credible at all. He obeyed her in everything, but it was obvious that this person did not listen to her at all.
The carriage slowly drove towards the gate of the palace and stopped at the gate after about half an hour.
Lu Bingzhi got off the carriage first, and then helped Cui Lingyan get off the carriage.
Cining Palace
When the Empress Dowager saw Lu Bingzhi and Cui Lingyan entering the palace, her eyes were full of smiles, and she asked Cui Lingyan to sit next to her with love. She looked very good, calm and gentle, and seemed to have gained some weight. She knew in her heart that the couple got along very well.
Only when life goes smoothly and one feels at ease can one develop such composure. In front of the Queen Mother, he even felt less restrained.
The Empress Dowager ordered someone to bring the Taiping Monkey King noodles sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and also asked someone to bring some snacks made in the palace, and then she started chatting with the two of them.
Cui Lingyan drank tea and ate snacks at the same time, and before she knew it, the snacks on her plate were gone.
The Empress Dowager looked at her with a smile, but was stunned for a moment by her good appetite. Subconsciously, she looked at Lu Bingzhi and asked, "Yan girl looks a little plumper and has a good appetite. Could she be pregnant? Has the imperial physician checked her pulse recently?"
The Queen Mother had lived in the palace for most of her life and had excellent eyesight. She had no need to hesitate when she had this guess in her mind, so she asked.
Cui Lingyan's cheeks flushed, and Lu Bingzhi beside her replied, "The imperial physician has examined her and diagnosed her with pregnancy, so her appetite has improved recently."
Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother couldn't hide her joy. She gave Cui Lingyan some instructions and then said to Lu Bingzhi, "A woman's pregnancy is a big deal. Not only should you pay attention to it, but the people who serve you should also be attentive and pay attention to what you eat and drink every day."
As the Empress Dowager spoke, she continued to give a few more instructions. Although she did not say it explicitly, she told Lu Bingzhi not to bully others.
Cui Lingyan was no longer the ignorant girl she was before she got married. How could she not understand what the empress dowager meant? Her cheeks turned red, and she thought that Lu Bingzhi was just a bully. Even if he didn't touch her for the sake of the child, he could still make her blush and coax her into doing shameful things.
Thinking about everything that happened last night, Cui Lingyan felt her cheeks getting hot. At this moment, she heard Lu Bingzhi's cool and pleasant voice in her ears: "My grandson knows the importance of things. How could he bully others?"
The Queen Mother had always known about her grandson's cold and reserved nature, and she knew even more that he was not the type to be attracted to women, so she was naturally relieved to hear him say that.
When Cui Lingyan heard what Lu Bingzhi said, she couldn't help but complain in her heart, but she didn't dare to expose Lu Bingzhi's lie. She just secretly glared at Lu Bingzhi when the empress dowager was not paying attention, and then quickly looked away.
Lu Bingzhi picked up the teacup in his hand and took a sip, with a faint smile in his eyes.
Anyang Palace
When Shupin saw Zheng bringing Cui Linghui into the palace, she frowned slightly.
Her son spent his wedding night at Cui's house, which made Concubine Shu dislike Cui even more. She felt that Cui had seduced her son so much that he had lost his sense of propriety and didn't even give his wife Zheng Suining a little face.
Even though she knew Xiao Ze's character, Shupin was a mother and always liked to blame others instead of her son for acting recklessly and ignoring rumors.
So, when Concubine Shu saw Zheng and Cui Linghui paying their respects, she simply smiled and said to Zheng, "Sui Ning, get up and come and talk to me."
As he said this, he seemed not to notice Cui Linghui who was still bowing, and asked Zheng Suining to sit down in front of the couch.
Zheng Suining wasn't happy about Concubine Shu embarrassing Cui Linghui; these tactics only annoyed her. She slowly walked over and sat on the soft couch to chat with Concubine Shu for a while. Then she glanced at Cui Linghui, whose face had turned pale, and pleaded, "Ms. Cui worked hard serving His Highness last night. Your Majesty, for His Highness' sake, please ask her to get up, lest His Highness be upset if he finds out."
Zheng Suining's words were clearly a plea for Cui Linghui, and she brought up Xiao Ze in her words. Shupin had no reason to punish Cui Linghui, so after hearing her words, she said to Cui Linghui calmly, "Get up."
Cui Linghui stood up, his body swayed slightly, and his face turned pale.
Concubine Shu looked at her like this with disdain, thinking that Cui had seduced her son with this appearance. Originally, when she was in the palace, her son treated Cui as nothing more than a toy. But not long after, she didn't know how Cui had caught her son's eye and even stayed in her room on the day of the wedding.
Could it be that she has learned some seductive tricks and is good at seducing people in bed?
Thinking this way, Concubine Shu spoke out, "Cui, you are from a noble family. You should know your current status. As a concubine, you should abide by the duties of a concubine. Don't have any thoughts that shouldn't be there, and don't make Ze'er's backyard restless. Do you understand what I mean?"
Cui Linghui's eyes flashed with embarrassment, but she did not dare to show any grievance or unhappiness at this moment. She said respectfully, "Yes, I will follow your instructions."
Concubine Shu withdrew her gaze from her and said to Zheng Huining in a gentle voice, "Ze'er has treated you unfairly. Please be more considerate of him. No matter what, you are the legitimate consort of the emperor. Even if other concubines are favored and even give birth to children, they cannot surpass you, the principal wife."
These words were said by Concubine Shu when Xiao Ze brought Zheng Suining to the palace to pay her respects yesterday. Zheng Suining knew that Concubine Shu was afraid that the Kangshou Marquisate would have objections, and was trying to appease the Kangshou Marquisate and her daughter-in-law.
Zheng Suining felt more powerless than aggrieved, for she had long known that Xiao Ze was not a good man, and lacked even the proper character. Therefore, she remained unmoved by Concubine Shu's words, and felt even less that her efforts to criticize Cui Linghui on her behalf were of any use. However, she feigned gratitude, saying to Concubine Shu, "I understand your Majesty's intentions. Your Highness is a prince, and marrying into your family is already a privilege. I will get along well with your Highness, and I dare not complain."
After hearing what Zheng Suining said, Concubine Shu became more and more satisfied with her daughter-in-law. She thought that although Zheng was the eldest daughter who had lost her mother, she had been through hardships in the mansion and knew the ways of the world. Therefore, she did not have the arrogance and pretentiousness of ordinary noble ladies. She was very easy to control. She was not afraid that the conflict between Zheng and Zeger would spread to the palace, causing Zeger to lose the dignity of a prince and making the emperor unhappy.
As they were talking, a palace maid came in and reported, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Weiguo has brought Cui to the palace to pay his respects to the Queen Mother. They are now in the Cining Palace."
When Concubine Shu heard this, her brows furrowed, and she remembered that her maternal family had sent someone to deliver a message to the palace, saying how Cui had made the female relatives on Ze'er's wedding day speechless.
She said angrily, "Lu Bingzhi is only the Empress Dowager's grandson, not her biological grandson. What's his plan to keep coming into the palace? Why don't you consider your own status?"
She thought for a moment, then said to Zheng Suining, "Let's go over and pay our respects to the Queen Mother."
As she spoke, she glanced at Cui Linghui, who subconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand, and said calmly, "You should come along too. Your stepsister also went to the mansion on the day of Ze'er's wedding, but she didn't have the chance to see you, her sister. I am generous and will let you sisters meet today, so that the Marquis' Mansion won't feel that Ze'er treated you unfairly."
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