Chapter 923 Finding the Empress as a Backer
Upon arriving before Jiang Fenghua, Lianye hurriedly said, "This servant happened to meet Madam Peng on the road, and seeing that she was bored, I brought her here to keep Your Highness company."
"Your Majesty, I, Peng Wu, greet Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with longevity." Madam Peng performed a dignified and graceful bow.
Jiang Fenghua remained calm; she already knew that Song Qing's mother had angered Madam Peng and driven her away.
The Song family's ingrates infuriated Wu Shi. The Song family's wings are not strong enough yet, and she just wanted to let Peng Wu Shi see the true colors of the Song family sooner.
Madam Song's personality is like a firecracker, easily ignited and very easy to control.
"Madam, please don't stand on ceremony!" Jiang Fenghua said with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Madam Peng was still somewhat reserved, lowering her head slightly so that the Empress wouldn't see the disheveled look on her face.
"Please sit down, Madam!" Jiang Fenghua said again. "Hongxiu, please serve Madam Peng some tea."
Jiang Fenghua asked in confusion, "Madam Peng was just at the table, why did she leave?"
Madam Peng explained, "This humble woman came to visit Consort Shu, she..." She couldn't continue talking about what had just happened, and her voice grew softer and softer.
Jiang Fenghua chatted enthusiastically on her own: "I drank too much at the banquet and was thinking of going back to the palace to change my clothes. When I got here, I suddenly felt a little dizzy, so I sat down to sober up. What did you say just now, Madam?"
Lady Peng and Empress Jiang had no connection, and she was not good with words. She was still very aggrieved. Seeing that the Empress had not heard her clearly, she said again, "This subject did not say anything."
Empress Jiang was seen gently touching her forehead, her cheeks flushed, as if she were drunk.
Hongxiu quickly said, "Madam Peng, please have some tea."
Madam Peng raised her teacup, took a sip, and found the tea fragrant and delicious. She was quite pleased with it and, feeling a little thirsty, drank the tea in one gulp.
Jiang Fenghua asked, "Does Madam Peng like to drink tea?"
"I don't know much about tea, but it tastes quite good. I'm just a simple woman who doesn't know how to appreciate tea. Please forgive me, Your Majesty," Madam Peng quickly replied.
Jiang Fenghua personally poured her a cup, saying, "This is this year's new tea, a tribute tea from Junshan. I asked Hongxiu to take some back for you to drink."
"No need, I don't know anything about tea, let's not waste such delicious tea," Madam Peng said quickly.
"Whether you understand it or not doesn't matter; what matters most is that you like it yourself, Madam." Jiang Fenghua said very kindly, "Madam can tell that it's good tea, which means you understand tea."
Mrs. Peng was stunned, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes; she thought it tasted quite good.
Lianye also said, "Madam, please don't stand on ceremony with the Empress. This tea was specially reserved for Her Majesty by the Emperor. It is Her Majesty's favorite tea. The fact that Her Majesty gave it to you shows that Her Majesty likes you very much."
Madam Peng quickly replied, "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty the Empress for the tea."
Jiang Fenghua seemed to only notice her face now, and asked in confusion, "Why is there a red mark on Madam's face?"
Mrs. Peng lowered her head again, "No...nothing."
Lianye spoke her mind, "Once Madam Peng enters the palace, she is a guest of the Empress. If Madam suffers any grievances in the palace, she should tell the Empress, and the Empress will help her."
When Madam Peng was slapped by her sister-in-law, she felt wronged and tears welled up in her eyes. She had served her sister-in-law's family with all her heart, but she never expected that her sister-in-law would want to take a concubine for her husband. She was heartbroken.
Madam Peng didn't know how to say it. She didn't want her husband to take a concubine, but she knew her sister-in-law's temperament.
Jiang Fenghua said, "Did Consort Song upset you, Madam? She's getting more and more outrageous. I warned her not to play matchmaker for General Peng... General Peng told me that he and Madam have a very good relationship."
Upon hearing this, Madam Peng asked in surprise, "What does Your Majesty mean?"
She then thought of the things her sister-in-law and Consort Shu had said in the palace, "Could it be that Consort Shu also wants to take a concubine for her uncle?"
Hongxiu chimed in, "Given General Peng's current status, he should be taking several concubines. I've heard that many people are looking for Consort Shu... There are also daughters from wealthy families who want to marry into the General's mansion as concubines."
Mrs. Peng was agitated, and tears streamed down her face. "How could they do such a thing?"
Hongxiu quickly retorted, "Madam, please don't be angry. Consort Shu was just saying that, and it didn't work out, did it?"
Jiang Fenghua then had Hongxiu lower the curtains by the pavilion and advised, "Madam Peng, please calm down. I believe General Peng would not do anything to upset you. It's all their fault for being so talkative."
“It’s not the lady’s fault. I knew long ago that my sister-in-law wanted to take a concubine for her brother.” Madam Peng Wu continued, “I’m not stupid. The general has now gained the emperor’s favor, and my mother-in-law listens to her daughter. I will soon have no status in this family.”
Jiang Fenghua said, "A woman's status is something she has to fight for. No matter what, Madam is General Peng's wife. Even if the General wants to take a concubine, Madam still has to agree."
"With the Song family interfering in the Peng family's affairs, how could I possibly give my approval?" Madam Peng continued, "The eldest daughter suddenly became wealthy after arriving in Shengjing. Do they think this money came cleanly? It's all thanks to Consort Shu receiving favors..."
Jiang Fenghua asked in confusion, "What do you mean, Madam? Consort Shu's two brothers are suspected of plotting against His Majesty in the hunting grounds. His Majesty, out of respect for General Peng, investigated and found that they were also framed, so he released them. If the Song family really accepted bribes, it would be a big deal if there is evidence. Does General Peng know about these things?"
Madam Peng quickly replied, "My husband is in the military camp all day, how could he possibly know? I was also worried that my sister-in-law's actions might implicate my husband, so I've been keeping an eye on things. Your Majesty, please rest assured, my general has never accepted any bribes. Even if someone came to our door, my husband would drive them away."
Madam Peng didn't care anymore. Since they were so heartless, she wouldn't hesitate to expose their deeds to avoid implicating her husband in the future.
Consort Song had always wanted to promote members of the Song family and wanted her brothers to join the army, but her husband knew they weren't cut out for military service and refused.
“This matter could be a big deal or a small deal. If His Majesty summons you, would you dare to go before His Majesty and expose their practice of accepting bribes under the guise of royalty?”
Madam Peng nodded heavily. "This humble woman dares to go, but will the Song family's affairs implicate my general?"
"Don't worry, Madam. As long as General Peng is honest and upright and doesn't collude with them, His Majesty won't blame him," Jiang Fenghua assured. "If General Peng is impeached by the Censorate because of these things and the matter reaches the Golden Palace, it will be too late then."
"I know that my sister-in-law has a ledger hidden in..." Madam Peng was also angry, and took the opportunity to tell about Song Qing and her daughter.
She decided to seek the Empress's protection, since her husband had already told her to cultivate good relations with the Jiang family.
Song Qing gave a lot of money to the Song family. Where did this money come from? How much was her monthly allowance in the palace? It was easy to find out.
Meanwhile, Granny Yun was looking for an opportunity to get close to Empress Jiang, but unfortunately, her actions were all being watched, and she was like a clown running around without finding an opportunity.
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