Chapter 16 A World Apart
At the Prince Heng's residence, Jiang Fenghua tidied herself up, changed out of her soiled clothes, and put on a more dignified and luxurious set. Not long after, Consort Su came to visit.
The fact that Consort Su, as a concubine, could freely enter and leave the palace indicates that the emperor had a great deal of favor towards her.
However, Consort Su was still well-mannered and knew her place. Even when she left the palace, she would not run around or show herself in front of men. She always wore a thin veil on her face, was accompanied by female officials, and was protected by soldiers. She entered the Prince Heng's residence in a grand procession.
Jiang Fenghua bowed slightly to Consort Su with neither arrogance nor servility, saying, "Your Highness, it is an honor to have you grace us with your presence. I have failed to greet you properly."
Consort Su was beautifully made up, exuding charm and grace. Her waist was slender as a willow, and she radiated the allure of a mature woman. She was dressed in a noble and dignified manner. When she saw the elegant and beautiful Princess Heng, her heart skipped a beat. Then she sat down in the main seat.
Jiang Fenghua didn't mind and found a seat close to her. "Hongxiu, serve tea to the Imperial Concubine."
Although Su Qingqing was a Noble Consort, she couldn't put on airs in front of Jiang Fenghua, since the Empress was her proper mother-in-law. She said, "I have come here today with His Majesty's decree."
Jiang Fenghua calmly put down her teacup, rose gracefully to show respect, and said dignifiedly, "What decree has Your Majesty issued? The Prince is not at home at the moment. I will immediately send someone to fetch him and bring him back..."
Consort Su naturally knew what Prince Heng had gone to do; that was precisely why she had come—it concerned her daughter. She said, "There's no rush to find the Prince..."
Just then, a guard rushed in, shouting, "Your Highness, the Prince has returned!"
Jiang Fenghua stood steadily, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her face was gentle, and her demeanor composed, as if she were listening to the teachings of an elder.
Xie Shang entered the hall and saw Consort Su sitting in the main seat. He glanced at Jiang Fenghua and sat down in the main seat with an air of authority. Hongxiu quickly brought Prince Heng a bowl of tea that was neither too hot nor too cold.
Xie Shang took the bowl of tea and, as if he were extremely thirsty, drank it all in one gulp. The sound of the teacup hitting the tea table with a crisp "thud" seemed to resonate in the hearts of everyone present.
No one dared to speak and looked at him. What was happening?
At this moment, Su Tingwan walked in, her face pale. "A-Shang, what's wrong? People can say whatever they want, I don't care, let them say what they want..."
When Consort Su saw her in a bright red wedding dress, exuding joy, her pupils widened, and she seemed to lose her dignity. "Wanwan, why are you wearing a red wedding dress..."
"Aunt, what are you doing here? Has the Emperor allowed you to leave the palace?" Su Tingwan walked up to Consort Su, not bothering to bow, but instead taking Consort Su's arm and smiling sweetly, "Aunt, I'm married, I'm married to A Shang."
Upon hearing this, Consort Su was struck dumb, her beautiful face cracking with anger. "His Majesty's decree has not yet arrived, what nonsense are you spouting?" Without the Emperor's permission, a concubine is not allowed to wear a bright red wedding dress.
"If you don't believe me, ask A Shang..." She didn't look at Jiang Fenghua, but the woman she caught a glimpse of out of the corner of her eye was exceptionally beautiful. She became even more concerned, but her face was full of happiness.
Xie Shang was a prince, so he had no reason to pay his respects to Consort Su. At most, she was Su Tingwan's elder and the emperor's concubine. Even though she and the empress didn't get along, he still had to show her the respect due to her.
"I wonder what brings Your Highness out of the palace?" he asked casually.
The Emperor bestowed a favor, granting Wanwan the title of concubine in Prince Heng's residence. However, she had already married Prince Heng. At this moment, Consort Su did not know how to bring it up.
Jiang Fenghua also stared at Consort Su with expectant eyes, and said in a dignified and gentle manner, "Your Highness was just talking to me about this matter when the Prince returned. Your Highness said that he came with His Majesty's decree. May I ask what His Majesty's decree is?"
Xie Shang frowned, about to receive the imperial edict. He also stood up respectfully, cupped his hands, and asked, "What is Father Emperor's decree?"
Consort Su's face grew increasingly embarrassed. Steward Cheng rushed over and said, "Your Highness, a large number of people have gathered outside the gate."
Xie Shang was speechless. He knew why without even asking. When he arrived at the Prince's Mansion, he learned that rumors were circulating in the city that someone had gotten married at the local temple outside the city, and the rumors were quite nasty: a rich young master was keeping a mistress, and the neighbor's daughter had eloped with a man...
They entered the city wanting to see the excitement, but even more so, they wanted to know the truth.
Butler Cheng was at his wit's end; he couldn't drive the people away no matter what he did, so he recounted the scene outside the door in detail.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fenghua's eyes widened, and she whispered, "So the Prince and Miss Su got married at the Earth God Temple." Then she fell silent.
Xie Shang suddenly said, "Cheng Zhong, go and handle this."
Cheng Zhong was also in a real bind. How was he supposed to handle this? The prince had just married his princess two days ago, and today he brought a woman in a bright red wedding dress into the house and even held a private wedding ceremony at the local temple. If this matter got out of hand, the Prince of Heng would lose face. And if it reached the Emperor's ears, what would become of him?
Seeing that everyone's expressions were not good, Su Tingwan was about to say something when Consort Su grabbed her arm and gestured for her not to speak carelessly, as this was against etiquette and that the one in the wrong was Wanwan.
In Consort Su's eyes, Su Tingwan and Jiang Fenghua were worlds apart.
Jiang Fenghua suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, why don't I go instead? With my status, I should be able to persuade everyone to leave."
Cheng Zhong breathed a sigh of relief and quickly echoed, "The Princess Consort is the mistress of the Prince's mansion. Such a trivial matter as the Prince taking a concubine should naturally be decided by the Princess Consort. Outsiders are also confused and make wild accusations without knowing the truth. Now that the mistress of the mansion is stepping forward to explain, it will be more prestigious."
Xie Shang squinted at her. She was dressed appropriately, with a dignified demeanor. Every gesture she made exuded nobility. Her face was stunningly beautiful yet dignified and elegant. He immediately pictured the demeanor of the Princess Consort of Heng in his mind. He thought that Jiang Fenghua was probably just like that.
His anger subsided slightly, and his tone softened a bit. "Can you give them a reasonable explanation? Do you know what happened?" Su Tingwan and he were caught getting married at the local temple, and rumors even spread. If this matter is not handled properly, it will be no small thing.
Jiang Fenghua's eyes were clear and bright as she said gently, "Your Highness and Miss Su are in love, so everything they do is understandable. I think I know what to do."
She placed her hand on Hongxiu's arm, turned gracefully, straightened her back, and walked out of the mansion.
Xie Shang's gaze suddenly fell on her injured foot. She walked slowly and lightly, gracefully and swaying, exuding a dignified and noble aura.
Jiang Fenghua simply stood at the main gate of the Prince's Mansion. Her face was stunningly beautiful and dignified, her sleeves fluttering in the wind, and her eyes were cold and intimidating. Her gaze was filled with a faint luster, and the air instantly froze. The noisy sounds outside the door stopped abruptly.
Jiang Fenghua frowned and slowly spoke, "Today... what is the reason for everyone's gathering at the Prince Heng's residence, or is there any grievance you wish to report?"
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