He was originally a prince, but somehow offended the crown prince and was demoted to a commoner. However, this chivalrous man was very capable and managed to make a fortune even among ordinary people. He saved the emperor once and was granted the title of marquis, and he also married Feng Wanwan.
Feng Wanwan's father held a high position of power in the court, but he was blocking Hua Shi's path. Hua Shi wanted her husband to become the Grand Tutor, but in reality, she wanted to be an official herself and felt that she was different from others.
However, Feng Wanwan was very clever and repeatedly saw through Hua Shi's intentions, even embarrassing the wife of a first-rank minister on the spot. This first-rank minister's wife was very capable and had even done free medical consultations, but for some reason, the late emperor's most favored Prince Yunjiu actually liked her.
It's unclear whether this first-rank lady was deliberately keeping the prince hanging or trying to enhance her own image. In any case, the prince was at odds with the court officials and couldn't get away with anything from her. She even tried to stop Li Zhaole's marriage alliance and was rumored to have been slapped by Li Zhaole.
Originally, this first-rank lady could have lived a good life in the court with the help of her husband, but later she had a portrait painted and circulated in the capital. At that time, she was known as the "Beautiful Woman of Muxi".
However, after seeing her in person, many officials' wives felt cheated, but the first-rank lady was very good at showing off. Two men around her were interested in her, and it was said that there were also admirers in the common people. Her romantic affairs were spread like wildfire, almost to the point that a memorial arch was erected to prove her deep love with this first-rank minister.
Feng Wanwan naturally disliked this kind of person. At a banquet, the First-Rank Lady made a grand entrance, appearing last. Feng Wanwan glanced at her and found her appearance vastly different from the rumors. The Marquis's wife held a title and had a large fiefdom, so she didn't give the First-Rank Lady any face.
That's when the feud started. A few months later, the First Rank Lady became famous in the capital for her two lifelike embroidered screens. She sent them to Consort Ji to celebrate her birthday, and it's said that they amazed everyone.
Feng Wanwan immediately spotted the problem, pointing out several details. The First-Rank Lady couldn't answer and was exposed on the spot as not having embroidered it. To quell their anger, Consort Ji kept it a secret, pretending not to know, which was a way of giving each other face.
However, the First-Rank Lady harbored deep resentment towards Feng Wanwan. Knowing that Madam Hua was intentionally targeting Feng Wanwan and Marquis Dingtang, she deliberately sabotaged the relationship, causing Feng Wanwan to fall into the clutches of thieves. Fortunately, these thieves had some conscience and didn't do anything too extreme to Feng Wanwan. Xie Yuancheng, having some connection with Marquis Dingtang, lent a helping hand.
Later, when the Hua family got into trouble, the First Rank Lady was also implicated, which harmed her high-ranking husband. It is said that all of her children were exiled to the frontier, and one of them died of illness on the way.
I thought it was just my imagination. Xie Yuancheng poked my face. "Ying'er, what's wrong with you again? We won't encounter people like that. They'll be reporting to the King of Hell before they even make a move on us."
"Feng Wanwan? I found her name interesting last time I saw it. What kind of person is she?"
"Stop asking around. She and Mingdu have a great relationship. You're my woman, and you're not allowed to ask about other women, especially men!"
"Yes, my good lord. I just want to say that this name is excellent. I've also heard my sister tell me about her deeds, and I admire her very much."
"Yes~ If she had been less assertive back then, neither of them would have been implicated. But it was still a hardship for them, so I want to prevent these things from happening in advance and keep you firmly in my arms."
Xie Yuancheng came over to hug me as he spoke, and I let him hug me. If he doesn't hug me two or three times a day, I feel uncomfortable. "Where is that first-rank lady? Is she with Madam Hua? I'm really worried that they'll make a comeback."
"Don't worry, after what they did was exposed, I heard that Prince Yunjiu had his title changed to the Sixth Prince and was sent to guard the frontier."
"Was this the place where the First-Rank Lady, whom he favored, was exiled?"
"Stop talking nonsense. He is a prince, a little older than me. He only makes mistakes occasionally. I heard him say before that he met a very outstanding girl in a very remote place. I wondered who it was, but it turns out she was a woman who used his reputation to elevate her husband's status."
"She's quite cunning. This Sixth Prince is really being pressured and has been used by her."
"This matter was only discovered after the Hua family was investigated and the first-rank minister was implicated. Their scheme was very ingenious, but it was built on the basis of framing people. Even if they had done good deeds in the past, this is a major matter involving the face of the royal family, and they will not let it go easily."
"Can their descendants participate in the imperial examinations? Won't they harbor some strange thoughts, using the guise of avenging their parents?"
"It's unlikely. There's no precedent in the Great Zhao for women to participate in the imperial examinations. You dressed as a man to impersonate the prince consort back then, and I was so nervous. If you had been exposed, the consequences would have been dire."
"Don't worry, Xiao Chengcheng will protect me, hehe~" I looked at him, Xie Yuancheng pinched my cheek and laughed. I can understand the painting of Taotie now, it was all ruined by the word "greed".
Their status is already quite high. If they know how to be content and don't try to grab everything, they can live a comfortable and dignified life without any problems.
"My lord, we've arrived." The carriage stopped, and Xie Yuancheng helped me put on my clothes before getting off.
I thought Marquis Dingtang was quite young; he actually has a beard and looks older than the wicked Crown Prince, though his features are alright. Feng Wanwan, on the other hand, is much prettier. She has a pleasing and agreeable appearance, and her eyes are innocent and unassuming, making her seem like someone I could get to know well.
"Yuancheng, is this your wife? I've heard many rumors about her." Marquis Dingtang spoke in a grand manner. He was the old emperor's son, and it wasn't easy for him to rise from commoner to commoner and then rise back to power.
"Ying'er, come and greet Brother Mingdu. This is Sister-in-law Feng," Xie Yuancheng introduced me. Talking with them felt really comfortable, like talking to old friends.
"Sister-in-law Feng, how did you end up in Linyang?" I thought they had already left and were living in anonymity.
“We’re going back to Dingtang. It’s getting cold, so we’d like to visit Linyang. If it weren’t for your help back then, I wouldn’t be alive today.”
"At that time." I remember the letter was very brief, and I was afraid that if I said it, she would care. Xie Yuancheng and Dingtang Hou were talking, with two stools between them.
"At that time, we were not close to Linyang. I thought that if I fell into their hands, I would never see the Marquis again. Fortunately, God had mercy on me. I hid in a cave in the mountain, and they could not find me."
"I'm not talking about them."
“Bandits have no sense of loyalty. It’s just that the Marquis said not to offend petty people and to take care of them when the opportunity arises. But the Emperor is wise and has cleared my Marquis’s name, so we can finally go home.”
"That's wonderful. You're all good people. You'll definitely have a good life." I felt that they had a very pure and clean aura. I asked the kingfisher to tell me if they would encounter any trouble on their journey.
"You really like to meddle in other people's business. I think it's just a bit of wind and snow along the way. If you wear thick clothes, you won't catch a cold."
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