Chapter 92 Mother and Daughter's Nighttime Talk
Dongling Pavilion.
The place was dilapidated and uninhabited for many years. It was covered in dust and cobwebs, and it was almost impossible to step inside when I first entered.
Apart from Prince Anshun, Meng Lingge and her entourage consisted entirely of delicate women who had never lifted a finger. It took them until almost dark to finally manage to tidy up four relatively clean rooms.
The original plan was for Prince Anshun and his wife to share a room, Meng Lingge to share a room, Consort Lu to share a room, and Consort Jiang and Wen Weizhu to share a room for the time being.
I'll clean out another room when I have time tomorrow.
However, Wen Weizhu insisted that she was used to living alone and did not want to live with her mother. Fortunately, Consort Lu felt guilty about Wen Kehao's matter and took the initiative to invite Consort Jiang to live with her, which solved the problem.
Dinner was served by palace maids. Although it was simple food, it was neither spoiled nor bad, and the portion was sufficient, much better than they had expected.
She didn't feel too bad when she was busy during the day, but when she sat alone in her room at night, a dull ache began to ache in her heart.
She was extremely worried about Wen Zhiming.
My husband was so panicked today. He will definitely be worried when he wakes up and doesn't see her. It would be good if he was so heartbroken that he forced out the Gu worm. But what if he couldn't force out the Gu worm and it hurt him instead?
The news about the Prince of Anshun's mansion must have spread throughout the capital by now. I wonder how my parents will react when they find out? My younger brother, Meng Qingyu, will definitely cry.
And her four maids, and those elderly nannies in the Prince's mansion, they are all to be exiled to the frontier. I wonder if their bodies can withstand it, and when they will set off.
She had too many worries in her heart, but there was nothing she could do here in Dongling Pavilion. She wanted to go and discuss it with her father and mother, but she thought about how they had suffered a great blow and were exhausted after half a day. After thinking about it, she decided to talk about it tomorrow.
My mind was in turmoil. I had just forced myself to lie down when I heard a knock on the door.
"Lingge, are you asleep?"
Meng Lingge went over to open the door and saw that it was Princess Anshun.
"Mother, I haven't gone to sleep yet. Is something the matter?"
Princess Anshun closed the door for her, walked to her bedside, took off her clothes and lay down, saying, "Mother will sleep with you tonight."
Meng Lingge was feeling restless and couldn't sleep, so she was happy to have someone keep her company. She lay down next to Princess Anshun, still wearing her undergarments.
The window was drafty, and the blankets were thin; having an extra person made it a little warmer.
After she lay down, Princess Anshun whispered, "There are people eavesdropping outside, so I can only talk to you like this so they won't hear us."
Meng Lingge nodded. It seemed they were all under house arrest here, and the Emperor was still worried.
“I just discussed this with your father. You can’t be trapped here. The Emperor wants the lives of everyone in the Anshun Prince’s Mansion. You’ve only been married here for a few months. If the Emperor can make him think that you’re not on our side, he might release you. Besides, your father is the Prime Minister and has a certain influence in the court. He has no hope of protecting the Anshun Prince’s Mansion, but it’s not difficult for him to protect you. Especially after he finds out that the Prince and I have treated you cruelly and coldly.”
Princess Anshun spoke softly, but every word was resolute, clearly a decision made after careful consideration.
Meng Lingge knew that Princess Anshun was right, but now that she, her father, and her mother were all under house arrest in the deep palace, it would be too heartless of her to let her father and mother have another reputation for mistreating their daughter-in-law in order to escape.
Wen Weizhu was being lazy and slacking off, and the two concubines were too busy taking care of themselves to leave their father and mother here, which was really worrying.
But if she doesn't leave, she can't do anything except take care of her father and mother.
Moreover, if she doesn't fall out with her father and mother, and if her parents insist on saving her, it will make the emperor suspect that the Meng family and the Anshun Prince's family are colluding. If such a big accusation is put on her, her family will be implicated.
And her husband, Wen Zhiming, was even more of a worry for her.
Meng Lingge's mind raced with a thousand thoughts. Princess Anshun, knowing her worries, covered Meng Lingge with her own coat. "If it weren't for the circumstances, your mother wouldn't want to leave you. The prince has never intended to rebel, but he commands a large army and is quite popular. The emperor can no longer tolerate him. Now is not the time to be loyal or filial. Every life counts. Your mother wants you to live."
This time, it wasn't a discussion with Meng Lingge, but rather a command.
Meng Lingge's eyes welled up with tears, and her eyes shone brightly in the darkness.
“After I married into the family, my mother treated me like her own daughter, and my husband and I were also deeply in love. The Emperor knew all of this, so he might not believe it if there were any sudden discord.”
Princess Anshun said firmly, “Times have changed. There are many couples in the world who abandon each other when disaster strikes. You and Mo’er have only been married for a few months. Too many people would do this to avoid harm and seek benefit, and the Emperor, who thinks he understands people’s hearts, would think even more so. Besides, this is what he is happy to see. The more people who distance themselves from the Prince, the happier the Emperor will be. You must seize this opportunity.”
Meng Lingge remained silent for a long time before finally making up her mind.
"Alright, I'll listen to my mother."
“I will listen to my mother, and my mother will listen to me. Since the Emperor is concerned about Father’s status and ability, then Father has no choice but to give up on himself and live a muddled life. Only in this way might he be able to save his life. As long as the Emperor thinks that Father poses no threat to him, he will not insist on taking his life.”
The emperor cherishes his reputation.
If he was certain that Prince Anshun would not pose a threat, there was no need for him to risk criticism from his ministers by killing him. If Prince Anshun could live, then his wife and daughters certainly did not need to die.
Princess Anshun's heart stirred, and she sighed, "But the Prince has been heartbroken by the Emperor. He has spent his life on the battlefield, loyal and courageous, but in the end, he is doubted by the person he trusts most. Now he is depressed and melancholy. Isn't this a sign of giving up on himself?"
“It doesn’t quite count in the Emperor’s eyes yet,” Meng Lingge said gently. “Starting tomorrow, Father will have the servants bring in more wine with them. They will ask the Emperor for permission, and he should agree. Father is addicted to drinking every day. When he’s drunk, he smashes things and argues with Mother and the other concubines. Even if the imperial physician comes to examine him, he will find that Father’s drinking has damaged his health. Such excessive drinking is indeed harmful to his health, but it is the most appropriate way to protect himself at present.”
“You’re right, I’ll try to persuade the prince tomorrow.”
Princess Anshun also thought it was feasible. She had already decided that as long as Meng Lingge could be rescued, she would die with the prince if the emperor really wanted to kill them.
But now that she has a chance to live, she still wants to give it a try.
"As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood. My mother urged my father to think more about my mother, my husband, and the two concubines. As long as we're alive, there's hope. If I can get out, I'll find my husband, and if my husband's health can improve..."
Before Meng Lingge could finish speaking, Princess Anshun squeezed her hand and interrupted, "Good child, your mother was just about to talk to you about this. It won't be difficult for you to leave, but you absolutely must not contact Mo'er again. Otherwise, it will harm both you and Mo'er. Remember, as long as you can leave, you must agree to whatever the Emperor asks. Whether it's being divorced or getting a divorce..."
Meng Lingge asked in surprise, "Didn't the Emperor release my husband? Why can't I see him after I leave? Could it be..."
Princess Anshun nodded. "Mo'er is mentally challenged, which is why the Emperor released him. But you are the daughter of a high-ranking official, so he will be wary of you. Therefore, even if he lets you leave, he will sever all ties with us."
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