Chapter 17 The Wedding Can't Be a Big Event
Who among them dared to gossip about the Prince's residence? Could they possibly ask the couple who had just entered the Prince's residence after their wedding ceremony at the local temple who they were? Even if they were the Prince, with his wife present, they remained calm and composed, their demeanor dignified. Who would dare to question them? And so, silence reigned once more.
Jiang Fenghua waited for a moment, and seeing that no one answered, she said again, "Steward Cheng, please have pen, ink, paper and inkstone ready. For all those who report, please register them in detail, including their name, residence, address, and the number of people in their household. Record everything in the register."
She's using imperial power to intimidate people. The records are so detailed; if anyone were to curse or speak recklessly, what would happen if they were investigated afterwards? Nobody's stupid.
Butler Cheng, with practiced ease, quickly brought over a table and prepared writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
Jiang Fenghua pointed with her jade-like hand to an empty space outside the huge Hengwang Mansion, "If we put the desks and tables there, it will take a while for so many people to finish their business."
Butler Cheng seemed to understand the princess's intention as well. "This way, the entrance and exit of the palace won't be blocked. The princess is very thoughtful."
Jiang Fenghua moved gracefully and stood there, saying, “Everyone must have heard that my lord has been appointed as the Prefect of the Capital and come to find out if it is true or not. Or perhaps you have a case to report. You can all present your case now or prepare a petition. Now that the lord has been appointed to an important position, he will never show favoritism or protect anyone. He will handle the matter impartially.”
She found an excuse for everyone to gather in front of the Prince's Mansion, giving them a slap followed by a sweet treat.
No one wanted to get involved in gossip about royalty, so they started leaving. "So the current Prefect of the Capital is His Highness Prince Heng."
"The Princess Consort of Heng before me is so beautiful, she is simply breathtakingly gorgeous, a beauty that could topple kingdoms..."
The implication is that he can no longer remember what the woman in red who just entered the Prince Heng's mansion looked like.
If that person is indeed His Highness Prince Heng, then His Highness is truly blind. He has such a beautiful and dignified princess in his own residence, yet he insists on going to the local temple to do such improper things with other women.
That person is definitely not His Highness Prince Heng. Prince Heng is not stupid; any man would know how to choose.
With their doubts somewhat dispelled and no case needing clarification, everyone naturally dispersed.
Seeing that everyone had dispersed, Jiang Fenghua said to the steward, "Don't remove the tables yet. The Prince will be taking up his post in the Jingzhao Prefecture soon. Perhaps we can use this opportunity to build momentum for the Prince."
Butler Cheng's eyes lit up, and he admired the young and beautiful princess even more. She hadn't said anything, but it seemed like she had said everything. The phrase "my prince" made the mistress of the manor even more prestigious. The princess was not just a beautiful woman; she also knew how to plan for the prince.
Xie Shang had seen everything Jiang Fenghua had just done.
He had to admit that her approach was somewhat forceful and coercive, and while it might not be the best solution at the moment, it was the most appropriate and suitable one. Moreover, her status as a princess seemed to give her more credibility.
Jiang Fenghua returned to the main hall, looked at Xie Shang with some apology in her eyes, and said softly, "I'm afraid the Prince and Miss Su's wedding can't be held in a grand manner. The Prince is about to take up the post of Prefect of Jingzhao, so this matter will probably have to be handled discreetly. If the Prince were a young master from an ordinary family, it wouldn't be a problem for the Prince and Miss Su to hold their wedding ceremony outside the city. But the Prince's status is different, and the proper etiquette must still be observed. This matter is very unfavorable to the Prince, and even more unfavorable to the Heng Prince's Mansion."
Butler Cheng quickly explained on Jiang Fenghua's behalf, "Originally, the Princess Consort had already ordered me to compile the guest list, as well as the betrothal gifts for the Prince's marriage to his concubine, and even ordered me to order the best wedding dress and phoenix crown for the concubine from Mingyi Shop... But with this incident today, it is probably not appropriate for the concubine to appear at this juncture. If we insist on holding the wedding, it will probably have to be postponed again."
Butler Cheng had already received Xie Shang's instructions, so he naturally obeyed his master and did whatever his master said.
Before Xie Shang could say anything, Su Tingwan suddenly stood in front of them and said, "It doesn't matter, since A Shang and I are already husband and wife anyway."
This means that even the formalities of entering the mansion can be waived, let alone offering tea to the mistress.
She then said generously to Jiang Fenghua, "I should thank you for thinking of us so much. And I'm really sorry, if it weren't for the Emperor's bestowal of this marriage on Miss Jiang, she wouldn't have to marry someone she doesn't like."
Jiang Fenghua remained calm and clear-eyed, showing no jealousy whatsoever. Even her gaze towards Xie Shang seemed devoid of affection. She said gently, "As long as you are all well, that's all that matters. In that case, Steward Cheng, please arrange for Consort Su... to move in!"
She had drunk the mistress's tea in her past life, so it didn't matter whether she drank it in this life or not, since she found that tea hard to swallow anyway.
With her large eyes unblinking, she asked Xie Shang, "What does Your Highness think?"
Xie Shang felt like he was being roasted on a fire. He had promised Wanwan that he would marry her in a grand and glorious way, and it was because of his impulsiveness that he secretly married Wanwan at the local temple.
Meanwhile, Jiang Fenghua was preparing to hold a wedding for them at her residence.
Looking at Jiang Fenghua, he felt only guilt. It was really unfair to drag Jiang Fenghua into his affair with Wanwan.
That's all we can do for now.
Consort Su had been observing the situation closely, and she was utterly shocked by Jiang Fenghua's performance just now. She never expected that Jiang Fenghua could resolve the situation so easily.
If she really doesn't compete or fight for anything, Wanwan still has a chance.
If she... Wanwan's position in the Heng Prince's Mansion is likely to be in grave danger.
Consort Su remembered Jiang Fenghua and had already designated her as her number one rival.
Having resolved the matter outside the mansion, Xie Shang felt completely relieved and asked Consort Su, "I wonder what imperial decree Father has to issue?"
"His Majesty has already granted Wanwan permission to marry the Prince as a concubine and has ordered me to attend the ceremony. However, if the wedding is to be held in a grand manner now... Princess Heng has considered everything carefully, and it is indeed not advisable to hold a grand wedding under the current circumstances." She was furious inside, but she still had to smile and greet Jiang Fenghua in agreement.
Su Tingwan was also dumbfounded. "The Emperor has issued an edict? How could this be?" If I had known, I wouldn't have run out of the city. Now I'm all disheveled and being pointed at by people.
Xie Shang frowned deeply. His father's attitude had been so firm yesterday. He clenched his fingers, feeling extremely annoyed.
"The Empress's decree has arrived."
The eunuch delivering the imperial edict was Chief Eunuch Cao, who was close to the emperor. However, the empress's edict was delivered by someone from the emperor's side. The meaning was self-evident: the emperor already knew about what was happening outside the palace. Two palace maids who had come to supervise the emperor were also present.
Xie Shang led everyone to kneel down to receive the imperial decree. Chief Steward Cao announced loudly, "Consort Su's demeanor is poor and her behavior is improper. Therefore, two supervising matrons are hereby appointed to assist Granny Wang in staying at Prince Heng's residence to teach Consort Su etiquette. I will conduct regular inspections."
Su Tingwan knew that the Empress disliked her. She glanced at Consort Su, who was trembling when she saw that the person who came was Chief Eunuch Cao. She had no time to care about her.
"Consort Su, why haven't you accepted the imperial decree yet?"
Chief Steward Cao's voice was high-pitched, which startled her. "I... Your Majesty, I accept the decree."
Steward Cao shook his head and advised, "Since she is the prince's concubine, she should refer to herself as a concubine. It seems that Granny Wang, Steward Li, and Steward Zhang will have to put in a lot more effort!"
The group nodded in agreement.
Chief Steward Cao then announced loudly, "By order of the Emperor, Consort Su shall return to the palace immediately."
Consort Su respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I obey the decree." Wanwan really should learn some manners; otherwise, with her carefree and unrestrained nature, she is not suited to survive in Shengjing City.
Immediately afterwards, Consort Su turned and left without looking back. Originally, as Su Tingwan's aunt, she should have come to drink a cup of wedding wine, but she did not expect it to turn out like this.
The fact that the emperor had just bestowed Su Tingwan upon Prince Heng as a concubine, and then came to discipline her, indicates that the emperor and empress were already aware of the matter at the land temple ten miles outside the city.
Jiang Fenghua had no idea who had sent the message to the palace, because she had not done it.
She was, after all, the Princess Consort of Heng, and she should have protected Heng's face from beginning to end. Protecting Xie Shang's face was protecting her own face, and she was well aware of this.
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