Chapter 749 The Most Ruthless Thing is the Imperial Family
"It's all been resolved, it was all a misunderstanding..." Xie Shang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Actually, before entering the palace, Mother had a childhood sweetheart, her cousin. They must have been in love. Later, Father found out, and that man committed suicide to protect Mother. So, Father and Mother have been estranged all these years."
He briefly recounted the events.
Jiang Fenghua said, "So even the Empress Dowager has people who like her! I thought everyone would hate her because of her bad temper, but I didn't expect there would be people who would risk their lives to protect her."
She also became gossipy: "The Empress Dowager doesn't like anyone. I wonder if she's very gentle with that cousin. After all, she doesn't get along with your father either, and they're always arguing. A woman should be very gentle when she's with a man she likes!"
In Xie Shang's memory, his mother was never gentle and harbored deep resentment towards his father. Everyone in the palace knew that his mother had a bad temper and could not control her emotions.
"We can try to find out what the relationship is between Vice Minister Shu and Consort Chang." She already had a plan in mind. Consort Chang was not ugly, and if she wanted to compete for the emperor's favor, she still had a chance. However, it was indeed suspicious that she had moved into the West Palace at such a young age.
Shu Xue's death is inextricably linked to Minister Shu. She was his own niece. What kind of relationship could make Minister Shu turn a blind eye to his niece's death?
Xie Shang never imagined that Consort Chang would be involved with court officials.
At this moment, Xie Yang suddenly walked towards them, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty and Empress."
Jiang Fenghua said, "Didn't the Fourth Prince leave the palace? How come he's here?"
"I have returned to see my mother, hoping to ask her to take care of Yi'er. Yu Rou is currently imprisoned, and after much thought, I can only ask my mother to leave the palace to help take care of Yi'er." He couldn't leave his mother alone in the palace, so he used this excuse. Empress Dowager Cheng is not a friendly person.
Jiang Fenghua deliberately said, "Consort Chang has lived in the palace her whole life. She probably doesn't want to leave the palace. She's already used to palace life. If the Fourth Prince is comfortable with this, he can send Princess Yi to the West Palace. Anyway, she studies with everyone every day, so it's not too much trouble for the Prince to send her back and forth. Also, what the Fourth Princess said in the Golden Palace not only affected the adults but also caused considerable harm to the children."
Xie Yang paused for a moment, then said, "So I have to ask my mother. If she is unwilling to leave the palace, this is the only way."
Xie Shang said, "Go ahead and get busy. I still have state affairs to attend to."
"Your subject takes his leave."
Xie Shang stared at Xie Yang's departing figure and said to Jiang Fenghua, "I'm going to have a chat with Fourth Brother. You should go back first!"
Jiang Fenghua knew that Xie Shang had always been unwilling to admit that Xie Yang was the mastermind, but all the suspicions pointed to Xie Yang.
She hadn't expected Xie Shang to value brotherhood so much; she had always thought that the imperial family was the most ruthless.
In fact, Xie Shang knew that the Great Zhou Dynasty had once faced destruction, and that the Xie clan members were all incompetent, which was why the Great Zhou Dynasty perished.
-
Upon returning to Kunning Palace, Jiang Fenghua instructed Granny Wang to have the Imperial Household Department arrange a family banquet. Given that she had been back in the palace for so long, it was perfectly reasonable for her to host a banquet while the Empress Dowager and Prince Kang were both present.
Granny Wang said, "Since it's a family banquet, shouldn't we also invite the Empress Dowager?"
Jiang Fenghua said, "Of course we should invite them. We should also invite Consort Chang from the West Palace, and all the concubines from the harem. It's more lively with more people."
Granny Wang said, "Yes, this servant will arrange it right away."
"Thank you for your hard work, Granny Wang," Jiang Fenghua said with a smile.
"Your Majesty is too kind. It is all what this servant should do."
Just as Granny Wang reached the door, she saw Ao Xue and Lin Yu arrive. "Miss Lin, you're back?"
Lin Yu said, "Granny Wang, it's been a long time."
Granny Wang glanced at Aoxue, thinking of how the Empress had been taken out of the palace by her and had forgotten everything after returning. She said, "It's been almost a year since we last met. Is Miss Lin Yu doing well?"
"All is well." Lin Yu felt that Granny Wang seemed to have something to say, and added, "I brought a gift for Granny Wang, and I will personally deliver it to her room in a little while."
"Miss Lin Yu has gone to great lengths."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Granny Wang left.
Lin Yu was popular, beautiful, and had a sweet tongue. She got along well with the palace maids and eunuchs. As soon as she returned, everyone gathered around her to chat.
Jiang Fenghua said, "Everyone misses Miss Lin Yu, right?"
The palace maids said, "Yes, when Miss Lin Yu was here, the palace was always filled with laughter and joy. Now that Miss Lin has returned, things can go back to how they were before."
"I brought gifts for everyone, and there is one for each person."
Upon hearing this, everyone was even happier. "Thank you, Miss Lin."
She added, "Could you help distribute them, Lianye?"
Lianye said, "Where is my gift?"
"I'll give you and Hongxiu yours separately."
Lianye left happily. Jiang Fenghua had never seen everyone so happy before. Lin Yu had her own way of dealing with people.
Ao Xue stood aside, feeling sullen. She knew it must be because there was still no news from Ye Ying.
Lin Yu knew what had happened at Kunning Palace and also knew her sister's thoughts. She regarded Ye Ying as family. "Ye Ying is highly skilled in martial arts. I believe he will be alright. Sister, don't worry too much." Actually, Lin Yu didn't like Ao Xue and Ye Ying being together. She hoped they could just be friends. She hoped Ao Xue wouldn't have to live a life of constant danger.
This was the first time Lin Yu had called Aoxue "sister". She usually seemed carefree and unrestrained, but she was actually very thoughtful. "I came back this time because I have some news to tell you, sister".
"What news?"
"I'm dating Guo Xiao, that silly playboy," Lin Yu said directly.
Jiang Fenghua was stunned. "You and Guard Guo are really together... you two..."
“Nothing happened between us, we’re completely innocent. He’s been following me, but he hasn’t dared to cross the line. I’ve decided to give him a chance. I came back because I wanted to find some time to meet his parents, but I reckon they won’t agree to him marrying a woman like me,” Lin Yu said.
“My sister is not only beautiful, but also exceptionally capable. Why would the Guo family look down on her? Guo Xiao is just born into a better family. What is there for you to like about him? He's neither good at literature nor martial arts; he's a complete waste.” She wouldn't stand for anyone looking down on her sister.
"Don't worry, I've got the Guo family's son under my control, so naturally I can get his parents under my control too. Don't you believe in my abilities?" Lin Yu said.
Lin Yu knew that her young master Ruan would never return, and that being able to live happily in the palace was more important than anything else.
Xie Shang had just spoken to her. He didn't want her to mention her past life in front of Jiang Fenghua. Their greatest wish was for her to live a good life in this one.
Having forgotten her hatred, Jiang Fenghua's eyes were devoid of any hostility. Since that was the case, let her clear away all the obstacles in her place!
Lin Yu's voice was cold and deep: "I didn't know so many things had happened after you returned to the palace. Someone wants to deal with the Jiang family, and I won't let them get away with it."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
