Chapter 100 Feng Qingqianqiu: Many Daughters Bring Great Fortune; May a Noble Daughter Be Born Soon
If a person has gone through so many things and still doesn't understand how to cut ties with the root of the troubles, then they are beyond redemption.
However, it seems that Lu Lingyue still has some sense, preventing things from escalating to this point. Yuan Yan thought to himself.
Just then, someone came to report.
"Your Highness, Zhang, the advisor, requests an audience."
"Let her in," Yuan Yan said.
Zhang Xiaoju was here to deliver a message to Yuan Yan. She was one of the subordinates who knew that Yuan Yan was feigning a coma, and she volunteered to take on the responsibility of gathering information in the capital during this period.
"Your Highness, just as we predicted. Only a few days have passed, and some people have already stepped forward," Zhang Xiaoju said.
The person she mentioned who couldn't help but jump out to speak was, somewhat unexpectedly, Yuan Wen, the sixth princess of Yuan Yan.
Yuan Yan's younger sisters, excluding Yuan Xiao who has already been eliminated, include the fourth princess Yuan Ke, the sixth princess Yuan Wen, and the toddler seventh princess Yuan Shu.
The reason there is no fifth princess is that she died of illness not long after her birth.
The fourth princess, Yuan Ke, who was about the same age as Yuan Yan and Yuan Jing, preferred to live a carefree life and never participated in court affairs. Even when Yuan Yan was seriously injured, she did not make any unusual moves.
The sixth princess, Yuan Wen, was born to the beautiful and favored Min Shaoqing.
She was still young, only of child age, and not yet of age to attend court.
However, at this sensitive juncture when Yuan Yan was "unconscious," Yuan Wen, encouraged by Min Shaoqing, stepped forward and pleaded with his mother, the Empress, to begin engaging in state affairs.
Coincidentally, a rumor suddenly spread like wildfire in the capital, claiming that the assassination attempt on His Highness the Prince of Qin was carried out by the Prince of Qi in collusion with assassins from the Kingdom of Wu. The rumor was so detailed and convincing that it quickly spread throughout the capital.
“Yuan Yan has just achieved great military merit and is currently in the emperor’s favor. Even if I were to take action, I would not choose this time.”
"Those who spread rumors are truly hateful; they are trying to ruin my reputation."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Jing's face darkened, and he spoke to his subordinates.
"Your Highness, this plan, though crude, is vicious in its intent. It aims to frame you and sow suspicion in His Majesty's heart. Your Highness's most urgent task is to go to the palace immediately and clarify this matter to His Majesty," the official advised.
"I know, and I will go to the palace to see the Empress Dowager." Yuan Jing said as he ordered someone to investigate the source of the rumor.
"I found it strange, so I investigated further, and guess what... this rumor was actually spread by the Sixth Princess's people."
Zhang Xiaoju continued his investigation, and unexpectedly, he ended up tracing the trail back to the Sixth Princess.
“My sixth sister is quite ambitious,” Yuan Yan said upon hearing this.
Seeing that she had collapsed, Yuan Xiao had been imprisoned, and only Yuan Jing remained, Yuan Wen felt that she also had a chance and mustered up her courage to compete with Yuan Jing.
The fact that she dared to do this is probably due to the encouragement of her father, Min Shaoqing.
“That’s what I think too. Although the Sixth Princess has only recently become involved in politics, judging from her behavior, Your Highness should be wary of her,” Zhang Xiaoju reminded him.
"So, Sixth Princess wants to compete for that seat. But if you want to sit at the table, just hiding behind and making underhanded moves won't do."
“Advisor Zhang, have someone tell Yuan Jing what the Sixth Princess has done. It’s a good opportunity for my eldest sister to test her skills first,” Yuan Yan said.
"Your Highness is absolutely right; that is what I think as well."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoju was delighted, a look of satisfaction on her face. She couldn't be happier to stir up the situation in the capital even more, so that Yuan Jing and Yuan Wen would fight to the death before Yuan Yan "awakened."
...
After Zhang Xiaoju left, Yuan Yan summoned Yang Lingyi.
These past few days have been Feng Qing's birthday, and a grand celebration should have been held.
However, because Yuan Yan was assassinated and was still unconscious, Yuan Hao was grieving and worried, and it was not appropriate to hold a banquet at this time.
Therefore, Feng Qing took the initiative to suggest to Yuan Hao that this year's celebration should not be grand, but rather the ceremony should be scaled back and the banquet canceled, with only the husbands of the officials coming to offer their congratulations.
"It's good that you have such good intentions, but I'm sorry to have troubled Zitong." Upon hearing this, Yuan Hao's expression softened considerably.
"The assassination of the King of Qin has caused your grief and sorrow just as much as Your Majesty's. At present, it is merely a matter of reducing the scale of the ceremony, and your servant is not aggrieved." Feng Qing smiled.
After the news spread from the palace.
When Yuan Yan learned that the Thousand Autumns Banquet had been changed to a court celebration for husbands, he discussed it with Yang Lingyi.
“Yi’er, based on my understanding of Feng Qing, he will definitely try to find out about me when you go to the palace to offer congratulations this time.”
“Just tell him this when the time comes…” Yuan Yan personally instructed Yang Lingyi on the wording.
"Yes, sister, don't worry. I know how to handle this. I won't arouse Feng Qing's suspicion." Yang Lingyi listened attentively and nodded in agreement.
"I won't be by your side tonight, and you'll have to deal with those people again. You must be exhausted, Yi'er." Seeing his obedient response, Yuan Yan couldn't help but pull him into his arms.
Yang Lingyi hugged her waist back and leaned against Yuan Yan's chest, revealing a tender and affectionate expression.
“These are nothing. For my sister’s sake, Yi’er doesn’t feel bitter.”
...
When it was time for her husband to pay homage at court.
Yang Lingyi and her husbands waited outside the hall. Guided by their attendants, they entered the hall, knelt in unison, and offered their blessings to Feng Qing.
"May Feng Qing live a thousand years! Wishing Feng Qing a long and prosperous life, with blessings that will last forever."
"Rise," Feng Qing instructed his attendants to offer seats to Yang Lingyi and the others.
He first spoke a few words with several old men, and then inquired about the situation of Lady Liu, the chief minister of Yuanjing.
"Eldest daughter, how have you been lately? You look much better than when you first entered the palace," Feng Qing said with a kind smile, looking at Liu Shi.
Upon hearing the voice from above, Liu Huaiyue paused for a moment and hurriedly bowed, "...Thank you for your concern, Father. I am well."
"You've always been a steady and dignified child, which I like very much. But it's been almost a year since you married into the Prince's mansion, and there's still no good news." Feng Qing praised Liu Huaiyue, but her tone carried a slight hint of reproach.
Liu Huaiyue understood, and involuntarily clenched her fingers, feeling a bitter taste in her mouth.
His Highness disliked him and rarely stayed overnight in the main courtyard; this was common knowledge both inside and outside the Prince's residence.
Even though Yuan Jing had moved into the courtyard to live with him for a while because of the rumors, he quickly reverted to his old ways after the rumors subsided. He often favored Lady Lu, Lady Xu, and the beautiful maids in the Prince's mansion, and rarely thought of him, the chief minister.
Even though Liu Huaiyue longed for a daughter, he, being a man, was unable to conceive one.
His Highness disliked his ordinary appearance and refused to let him stay overnight. What could Liu Huaiyue do if he couldn't conceive a daughter on his own?
Feng Qing: "As I grow older, I have no other wishes but to hope that Jing'er will have many daughters and a prosperous family."
Many daughters, many blessings... Yes, what does it matter if he can't have daughters? There are plenty of women in the palace to give birth to for His Highness.
Liu Huaiyue was so ashamed that she couldn't lift her head at all.
As Feng Qing spoke, she noticed Liu Huaiyue's increasingly gloomy expression. As if she could see through his thoughts, she paused slightly and then changed her tone.
“…I have always valued rules. The sons of those concubines and other nobles are not counted in my eyes. Only your daughter with Feng Qing is the good granddaughter I long for.” Feng Qing’s words were reassuring.
This statement implies to Liu Huaiyue that he does not value his illegitimate grandsons. The only important thing now is for Liu Huaiyue to work harder to ensure Yuan Jing gives birth to a legitimate daughter as soon as possible.
Feng Qing said this because Yuan Jing and Xu Qinghan had a son, which disappointed Feng Qing, the grandfather who wanted a granddaughter, and made him keep a closer eye on Liu Huaiyue.
The position of Crown Princess has remained undecided for some time. The fact that Jing'er has a legitimate daughter may prompt His Majesty to make a decision sooner.
"Your subject has remembered, and thanks you for your teachings, Father," Liu Huaiyue replied hesitantly.
One of the men, trying to flatter the king, said, “Your Majesty, there’s no rush. A son can bring a daughter. Your Majesty already has a son, so your daughter’s time to be with you will be coming soon.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Qing's smile finally became more genuine.
"Rovran's daughter is very experienced, so I'll take your kind words."
The topic was changed, and Liu Huaiyue sat back down.
However, just as he sat down, Yang Lingyi next to him was called up again.
"Second son's wife, come forward."
Yang Lingyi stepped forward and knelt down.
"Rise, let me take a look." Feng Qing took Yang Lingyi's hand with concern and examined him closely.
"Oh, my child, you've really lost a lot of weight since I last saw you. These bruises must be from taking care of you day and night... It must have been so hard on you."
"These are all things I should do. As long as Your Highness's injuries can gradually improve, my little bit of hardship is nothing."
Yang Lingyi did not show any sorrow, and answered calmly and evenly. Her unexpected behavior left Feng Qing somewhat unsure of what to do.
This is what Yuan Yan instructed Yang Lingyi at the time.
"Yi'er, remember this: Feng Qing is a suspicious person, more difficult to deal with than Prince Qi and others."
“If you tell him directly that my condition is bad, he probably won’t believe you. You should tell him that my injuries are improving and that you are trying your best to support the Prince’s Mansion. Feng Qing will then suspect that you are hiding something and think that I haven’t actually woken up yet.”
Yang Lingyi kept Yuan Yan's words in mind and did everything according to Yuan Yan's instructions.
As expected, Feng Qing couldn't see through his performance. Observing Yang Lingyi's expression, she asked her in detail again.
"How is the second prince's injury now? What do the imperial physicians say? If there is any shortage of medicinal materials, just tell me and I will have someone find them."
Yang Lingyi recounted the pulse diagnosis conducted by the Imperial Medical Bureau that day, and her responses revealed no suspicious points, which gradually convinced Feng Qing of her judgment.
"Good child, don't worry anymore. With such a virtuous husband like you taking such good care of him, the second child will probably wake up soon."
Having achieved his goal, Feng Qing said a few polite words to comfort Yang Lingyi before letting him leave.
Liu Huaiyue looked at Yang Lingyi, who had returned to her side, with a hint of sympathy in her eyes.
Neither he nor Yang Lingyi were fortunate men. The difference was that he never won his wife's favor.
Although Yang Lingyi married the King of Qin, a man of both literary and martial talents who loved and cherished his husband, and they enjoyed a harmonious and loving relationship, a sudden tragedy struck, leaving her only able to stay by his side, watching her fall into a coma, severely injured…
Compared to the other person, Liu Huaiyue had no idea who was suffering more.
At this moment, after testing Yang Lingyi, Feng Qing, who was at the head of the table, spoke for a while, bestowed rewards upon the noblemen according to their ranks, and ended the court ceremony.
Yang Lingyi and the others received their rewards and kowtowed to express their gratitude.
After everyone had left, Feng Qing changed into casual clothes with the help of the palace servants.
He said to his attendant, "Go and invite His Majesty over."
Inside the warm pavilion, several dishes and a cup of warm wine were placed on the table.
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