Chapter 98 Offering tea to the Princess, six months late.
At the same time, Xie Shang returned directly to the Prince's Mansion after receiving the news. He saw Jiang Fenghua waiting in the front hall and asked, "What happened?"
Jiang Fenghua explained the reason, and then said, "I have already sent someone to take Old Madam Su to see Consort Su. The two of them have not seen each other for a long time, and I'm sure they have a lot to say to each other."
Xie Shang said, "Madam Su has always been on the frontier, and she is a heroine among women. She was also granted an imperial title by the Emperor. Now that she has returned, I should treat her well. Tell the kitchen to prepare a meal!"
"Your Majesty, I have already had people prepare. We are just waiting for Your Highness to return. We must not neglect our distinguished guest," Jiang Fenghua said considerately.
Just then, Madam Su also came out of the Sandalwood Courtyard. She walked up to Xie Shang and said, "This old woman greets His Highness Prince Heng."
"Madam Su, please excuse the formalities. I have been busy with official duties and only came here after hearing that you had returned to the capital," Xie Shang explained.
Madam Su glanced at Jiang Fenghua. "I have just returned to the capital and have come uninvited. Please forgive me, Your Highness. I only learned that Wanwan has been confined to her quarters for three months after I arrived at the Prince's residence."
Xie Shang frowned slightly. "Wanwan made a mistake because she was instigated by the servants. Madam, there is no need to blame yourself. Wanwan should know she was wrong now. I will send someone to call her out."
“Princess Heng’s words have touched my heart. As the saying goes, every family has its rules, and every army has its regulations. Since Wanwan has made a mistake, she should be punished. There’s no need to call her out. The Prince’s punishment of confining her to her quarters for three months is what she deserves.”
Before Xie Shang could respond, Old Madam Su said sarcastically, "Wanwan grew up on the frontier. Her father was busy with official duties, and her mother was a coarse woman. She is not like her daughters who were pampered in the capital. I am ashamed that I have not raised my granddaughter well."
What she meant was that the entire Su family was guarding the border for the Xie clan, yet they were punishing her daughter for a small mistake. Naturally, the old lady Su was very dissatisfied.
Xie Shang glanced at Jiang Fenghua, noticing her dignified and gentle demeanor, neither humble nor arrogant, and paid no attention to how she would speak.
Xie Shang was somewhat displeased that Old Madam Su had interfered in the affairs of the Prince Heng's residence. He felt that the Su family's support for Su Tingwan was a way of putting Xie Shang in a difficult position.
During this period, the emperor summoned Xie Shang more and more frequently, and even suddenly ordered Xie Shang to audit the national treasury accounts.
The Emperor's sudden change of heart surprised and delighted Xie Shang. He knew that the Xie family had never mistreated the border soldiers in the slightest. Every year, the national treasury would allocate a large sum of silver to the Su family as a reward for their meritorious service in guarding the border.
Since the Great Zhou's great victory over the Hu people ten years ago, the Hu people have become much more docile and have not continued to invade the Great Zhou's borders, so the Su family has been living a relatively comfortable life. The emperor also told him that the Su family was originally supposed to be recalled, but General Su volunteered to guard the border and was unwilling to return, so the entire Su family moved to the border to settle down.
Xie Shang was moved by the Su family's hard work and selflessness in sacrificing their own family for the greater good. However, the Emperor personally handed Xie Shang a letter of denunciation from the border, which was against the Su family.
The whistleblower also pointed out that General Su had many wives and concubines and lived a carefree life, which he guessed might be the reason why the Su family was unwilling to return to the capital.
Xie Shang didn't think it was a big deal after reading it, but ever since he discovered that the silver allocated from the national treasury to the border had been embezzled by the Su family, he seemed to know the reason.
The national treasury allocates a considerable amount of money to the border regions every year, so why are there still soldiers reporting this?
Whether the Su family truly embezzled the silver or were framed remains to be seen, but since someone has sent a letter of accusation to the emperor, the matter must be investigated.
Xie Shang remained calm until Su Tingwan was led to the front hall, at which point his gaze fell upon her.
She was dressed in a plain silk dress, with minimal jewelry in her hair and light makeup, looking like a girl from a modest family. Her usual liveliness and cheerfulness seemed to have never appeared on her before.
Xie Shang looked at her and felt that she seemed like a completely different person.
Su Tingwan respectfully bowed to Xie Shang and Jiang Fenghua, saying, "This concubine greets Your Highness and Your Highness."
Xie Shang said calmly, "Get up!"
"Yes." Su Ting stood up gracefully, her eyes not on Xie Shang, but glancing at Old Madam Su. "Grandmother."
"The Princess Consort is the daughter of the Junior Tutor and is extremely learned. Wanwan should learn more from the Princess Consort and must not be as unruly as before." Old Madam Su came to rescue her. Once she is released from confinement, things will be much easier.
Su Tingwan suddenly knelt down in front of Jiang Fenghua again and kowtowed to her, "I was ignorant of etiquette before, and I know I was wrong. I have already had my maid sell those clothes and jewelry, and the money has been donated to Jishantang. I hope Your Highness can forgive me. I will definitely be more careful in my words and deeds in the future."
Jiang Fenghua remained calm and composed, her expression unchanged. "It's good that the concubine has such a kind heart. Get up, there's no need to kneel. Now that Madam Su has returned to the capital, you should spend these few days with her. What do you think, Your Highness?"
"If Wanwan wants to return to the Su residence for a few days, just have Steward Cheng arrange it," Xie Shang said.
At this moment, Yunfang took the initiative to step forward and offer a cup of tea to Su Tingwan. Su Tingwan then handed it to Jiang Fenghua and said respectfully, "I didn't realize that I should have offered tea to the Princess on the day I entered the manor. I feel very guilty for being so late. Please drink this cup of tea, Princess."
Jiang Fenghua sat steadily on the soft chair at the head of the table. Just as she stretched out her slender fingers to take the tea, Hongxiu stepped forward and took the teacup from Su Tingwan's hand. "Your Highness's skin is delicate. Be careful not to burn yourself."
The princess is currently trying to conceive, and this pot of tea was brought by Yunfang from the Sandalwood Courtyard. Yunfang's mind is full of filthy thoughts, and they are just being cautious, not afraid of the worst-case scenario.
Xie Shang had long known that Yun Fang was cunning and scheming, and he didn't punish her so that Wan Wan could see for herself and not be easily swayed by the servants' instigation.
Suddenly, Xie Shang took the tea, saying, "It's a bit too hot, let's get a warmer cup." He was protecting her.
Lianye was quick as well, carrying the teapot and pouring a cup of tea for Jiang Fenghua, saying, "Your Highness is so kind to the Princess, so please drink this cup!"
In the past two months, Lianye had secretly visited Su Tingwan and knew that she had been practicing etiquette. She didn't expect that Su Tingwan would be completely different this time. She was like a different person, and she felt disgusted no matter how she looked at her.
Jiang Fenghua smiled gently at Xie Shang, took a sip of tea, and then took off a jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on Su Tingwan's wrist. "This princess has also been negligent. This bracelet is six months late. Please rise, Consort!"
Xie Shang knew why the delivery was six months late; it was all Su Tingwan's doing. She ran away from the city, and they were at the local temple...
Xie Shang felt ashamed when he thought about it.
Madam Su was also carefully observing Jiang Fenghua. Such a gentle and frail woman was so calm and composed, even handling things with ease.
Just as Qingqing said in her letter, the Su family really is in big trouble.
After leaving the Prince Heng's residence, Madam Su went straight into the palace.
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