Chapter 154 Favoring a Concubine Over the Wife: Madam Gu's Retribution Arrives
Within half a day, rumors spread like wildfire throughout the palace that the Crown Princess was personally applying medicine to the Crown Prince, displaying their deep affection. Some even said that Dou Wenyi, when she was the Crown Prince's sister-in-law, had actively seduced him, and that the two had been having an affair for a long time, and that she had used tricks to scheme for this marriage.
The Crown Prince was bewitched by her and wanted to break off the engagement, so he deliberately spread the rumor that his future Crown Princess Dou Mingyan had developed delusions and disappeared.
When Emperor Muzong learned of this, he was very disdainful. He knew the truth of the matter perfectly well. He quickly ordered Consort Zhang to take charge of the six palaces. She had several palace servants flogged in succession before the rumors were suppressed.
However, once the rumors spread, they had an indelible impact on Dou Wenyi's reputation.
Cuizhi naturally heard the rumors as well, and on that day, when she was doing Dou Wenyi's hair and makeup, she was still somewhat indignant.
"Are all those imperial physicians gossipy women? You and the Crown Prince are husband and wife, what's the big deal about applying some medicine? It was clearly the Third Miss who shamelessly climbed into the Emperor's bed."
"You've been dragged into this mess and made to take the blame for her, girl. There's definitely someone trying to smear you behind this!"
Dou Wenyi was stunned and lost in thought. This matter must not have been spread by the imperial physicians. Wasn't there also the Imperial Preceptor who was always at odds with her that day?
Dou Mingyan and Xuanming had a close relationship before, so the Imperial Preceptor naturally sided with her. However, since this matter involved Emperor Muzong, it would not escalate under any circumstances.
As Dou Wenyi walked to the palace gate, a biting, icy wind swept over her, sending shivers down her spine. Everywhere she looked, snowflakes swirled, the white snow reflecting off the vermilion walls, creating a solemn and magnificent scene, breathtakingly beautiful.
Did it snow again last night?
"It's been raining for several days in a row; this winter is too cold."
Cuizhi quickly picked up a bright red brocade cloak with gold trim and white fox fur lining and draped it over her shoulders. "Put this on quickly, girl, be careful not to catch a cold. You look so beautiful in red."
Pei Siyan ordered the Imperial Clothing Bureau to make dozens of new outfits for her, and this crane cloak did provide her with much more warmth. It's so cold; last time, Tianning City experienced a grain shortage in its granaries. Who knows how many more people will die in Tianning City this time?
"Cuizhi, take the token and go out of the palace later to see what the situation is like outside, especially whether the rice shops are in chaos?"
At this moment, a palace maid rushed over to report, "Your Highness, your mother, Lady Gu, requests an audience. She is already waiting at the palace gate."
Dou Wenyi's lips curled into a mocking smile. A noblewoman must present her nameplate before entering the palace. Madam Gu couldn't possibly be unaware of these rules, yet she came in such a hurry, which could only mean that she couldn't wait any longer.
If she insists on not seeing him, others will label her as unfilial, and she will once again be thrust into the spotlight.
Lady Gu was led into the Wutong Garden by palace servants. She looked worried and stared silently at her teacup, lost in thought.
For a moment, the atmosphere froze.
Dou Wenyi sat opposite her. After a while, she took the initiative to speak, "Mother, what brings you here today?"
Madam Gu's eyes were a little red and swollen. She subconsciously glanced at the palace servants around her. Dou Wenyi understood and raised her hand to dismiss the palace maids.
“These days, your father spends all his time in Aunt Xu's courtyard. He doesn't care about me or your brother at all. Yesterday, he even hit me because I said a few words too much…”
Madam Gu's eyes reddened, her voice choked with emotion, and she could no longer continue speaking.
Even though Dou Bochang was muddle-headed, he was by no means violent. It was only because Gu Shi touched a nerve that he was provoked.
Dou Wenyi raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes seemingly able to see through everything, and softly uttered two words, "Why?"
Madam Gu choked. Her daughter was incredibly intelligent and insightful; nothing could be hidden from her.
There were countless rumors about Dou Wenyi, and she was extremely anxious. She only asked a few more questions about Dou Mingyan, but Dou Bochang became very impatient. He threw down his chopsticks at dinner and stormed off.
She was furious, so she pretended to be sick and asked Aunt Xu to come and take care of her. Aunt Xu obediently came, but after being punished by standing for half an hour, Dou Bochang stormed into the main courtyard and slapped her twice in front of that bitch Aunt Xu.
He even shamelessly declared that the Dou family's fortune would be left to Dou Ruzhang, that illegitimate son.
She's not dead yet!
Dou Mingxiu was clearly the legitimate son, and besides, his own daughter Dou Wenyi was already the Crown Princess.
What right does he have to favor his concubine over his wife and mistreat them and their child?
Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, Dou Wenyi lost all patience and said, "If Mother does not want to talk, please go back."
Madam Gu burst into tears and, omitting the beginning and the end, gave a general account of Dou Bochang's actions.
“That wretched woman, Aunt Xu, is provoking us everywhere because she has a good son. Do you know that Dou Ruzhang has been promoted to the position of Deputy Transport Commissioner of Jianghuai? That’s a really lucrative post. Your father is so proud that he’s lost his mind. He thinks we’re in his way, looks down on me, and doesn’t like your brother anymore.”
"Could you help your older brother? Try to get him a promotion, okay? He really knows he was wrong."
Dou Wenyi almost laughed in anger. "Forgive me, but I can't help you. You show no concern whatsoever for His Highness the Crown Prince's illness, yet you dare to ask for a demotion. Mother, how dare you?"
Given Dou Mingxiu's character, it would be quite good if he could be content to remain a Hanlin Compiler for life, at least he wouldn't cause trouble for his family!
Madam Gu's anger surged. "Yi'er, are you just going to stand by and watch Aunt Xu trample on my head? Can't you understand your mother's difficulties? What will you do if Sheng Xiyue's child is more outstanding than yours after she enters the family?"
"If Mingyan were the Crown Princess, she would definitely help us. Aren't you still my daughter?"
Dou Wenyi looked at her coldly, "When has Mother ever treated me like a daughter? Dou Mingyan is your daughter, why don't you go and beg her?"
Even when Gu asked something of her, she still maintained a superior attitude and even took the opportunity to mock her. She truly deserves to be called her good mother.
Madam Gu clenched her fists tightly, her chest heaving with anger. "Where is she? What happened?"
"Didn't Father tell you? After leaving the Dou family that night, she went to Prince Rui's residence. What could a future Crown Princess be doing at Prince Rui's residence in the middle of the night? And somehow she even ended up in the Emperor's bed."
"In the future, she might even be called 'Your Majesty,' she has finally brought you honor."
"No, that's impossible!"
Madam Gu could easily sense the sarcasm in her words. Her face turned pale with disbelief, and she could no longer maintain her composure. With a "clatter," the teacup in her hand fell to the ground.
No wonder Dou Bochang was ashamed to mention her!
Madam Gu felt a sudden, sharp pain, as if countless needles were piercing her heart simultaneously. It wasn't her who wanted to adopt Dou Mingyan in the first place; she had simply placed high hopes on her and given her much care...
Dou Mingyan got into trouble; was it her fault?
Dou Wenyi stood up. "Someone, escort Madam back."
——
Not long after Madam Gu left, Cuizhi returned.
“Young lady, all the major rice shops have started selling in limited quantities. There are so many people queuing up. In just the last few days, the price of grain has soared from fifty coins per dou to one hundred and twenty coins.”
Dou Wenyi's mind was immediately filled with the tragedy of her previous life: several days of heavy snow in Tianning, several feet deep, unscrupulous merchants colluding with officials to amass wealth, and countless people freezing to death...
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