Chapter 27: "A woman's jealousy is something even a king cannot guard against..."
Willow branches droop down, creating a misty, ink-wash effect across half the city.
Xue Xianzhu lived in a mansion in Jiangnan. The letter was sent to the Prime Minister's residence by the servants of the mansion, inviting the Prime Minister and his wife to visit.
Cui Yuerong and Xue Haoting were stunned when they got out of the sedan chair. Servants were coming and going in the mansion, and the plaque at the gate clearly read "Song Mansion".
No wonder the assassins from the Prime Minister's mansion couldn't find him anywhere in the countryside; it turns out he went to a wealthy and powerful family.
Upon entering the mansion, several clumps of weeds sprouted from the cracks in the blue bricks, birdcages hung under the eaves, and the mahogany tables and chairs were polished to a shine. Sunlight slanted through the window lattices and fell into the room.
As Xue Haoting helped Cui Yuerong step into the hall, Xue Xianzhu took a few steps forward and knelt down in front of them with a thud.
"I deserve to die for causing my mother so much worry and fear."
"My darling, why bring this up now?" Cui Yuerong quickly helped her up.
She was both happy and excited to see her daughter after a long separation, and she was relieved to see that her daughter was doing well.
“Your father and I have missed you terribly since you left, but…” Cui Yuerong’s words were on the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t know how to begin.
Cui Yuerong didn't know how to explain to her daughter that the name Xue Run and the identity she held no longer belonged to her.
But Xue Xianzhu seemed to have seen through her mother's thoughts and took the initiative to say, "I have heard that the Crown Princess Xue married the Crown Prince as usual and that the couple is loving. I understand that someone in the household is marrying in my place. Since she is willing to risk the death penalty of deceiving the emperor to marry in my place, I should naturally live up to her expectations. Mother, I only want that from now on, she is Xue Run and I am Xue Qing."
Cui Yuerong remained calm, and after a moment's thought, she replied with satisfaction, "That's what I thought too, but after all, it's your name. I'm afraid you'll be unhappy if she takes it."
“Mother.” Xue Xianzhu’s eyes suddenly became firm. “I don’t like names like Xue Run and Yingyue. She is the Crown Princess, the daughter of the Prime Minister, and the glory of the entire Xue family, but not me. I like the name Xue Qing. She has freedom and can do whatever she wants. Besides, that woman was willing to risk the crime of deceiving the emperor to die for me. Let alone a name, I would give her anything I have.”
"It's so good that you think that way. You've really grown up and become sensible."
“Then Mother, you can call me Xianzhu from now on. It’s a name I chose myself. Doesn’t it sound nice?” Xue Xianzhu smiled, her meaning clear.
"It sounds nice, it sounds nice, whatever you say." Cui Yuerong naturally understood her daughter's heart and agreed.
Cui Yuerong, who was originally in a good mood, suddenly became worried again when she thought about how she had mistreated Ling Zhenli. Her originally cheerful face turned gloomy.
"What's wrong, Mother? Why are you suddenly unhappy?"
Seeing that her mother was unhappy, Xue Xianzhu also stopped smiling.
“Alas… The woman who married in your place, her father used to work under your father. But the ways of the officialdom are unpredictable. Your father framed her father, causing her entire family to be ruined. I always worry that if she ever finds out the truth, she will turn against my Prime Minister’s mansion…”
Upon hearing this, the light in Xue Xianzhu's eyes dimmed, and she looked at her brother Xue Haoting, who had been standing silently to the side.
The moment Xue Haoting avoided her gaze, Xue Xianzhu knew that this matter was not so simple, and that it was definitely related to her brother.
*
After lunch, Xue Xianzhu asked Song Zhaoye to stay in the room and talk with Cui Yuerong for a while, while he took Xue Haoting to the garden to question him.
Xue Haoting then confessed the whole story to her.
“Since you like her, you shouldn’t treat her badly.” Xue Xianzhu shook her head. “Fate is fleeting and can disappear in the blink of an eye if you’re not careful. But you are.”
“Qingqing, she has no feelings for me at all, she even loathes and hates me.”
Xue Haoting is heartbroken and wants to seek advice from his sister.
"Isn't this the proper thing to do?"
Xue Xianzhu felt disdain, but because Xue Haoting was her loving brother, she still explained the cause and effect to him.
"She was heartbroken after being abandoned by the Duke of Yan, but you kept reopening her wounds, reminding her again and again that she was not the real Miss Xue. She was just a drifting duckweed with no one to rely on, and yet you still had to bully her. People don't know how much it hurts until they are hit on the head."
"I already know I was wrong, Qingqing. You're a girl too, help me think of a way to change her opinion of me."
"Did you read all those books and then wasted them?" Xue Xianzhu said angrily. "Do you expect me to come up with a plan for you when you make a mistake in your official career? Since you know what pain is, go tell her and beg for her forgiveness. Don't wait until she hates you more and more before you come here asking me for advice."
"I'm just afraid she won't forgive me."
"If she refuses, you just won't say anything?"
No, tell me.
“Then let’s go.” Xue Xianzhu frowned. “Go tell her, be good to her, let her know that the Prime Minister’s Mansion is her support, and that Yang Hong knows she is not the real Miss Xue. Don’t let her have something to say about this, and don’t let her find out the truth one day and confiscate the Xue family’s property.”
After speaking, Xue Xianzhu glanced at Xue Haoting's reaction, and Xue Haoting's gaze became much firmer.
This finally suited her wishes, and Xue Haoting listened to her advice.
The brother and sister took turns torturing each other. After Xue Haoting was defeated, it was Xue Xianzhu's turn.
“That Song Zhaoye is the illegitimate son of a wealthy man in Jiangnan. You just run away with him like that, without even knowing what kind of person he is. You are too bold.”
Xue Xianzhu was unhappy: "Brother, you don't understand. He's different from other men. Our relationship is a destiny ordained by heaven. We're about the same age and share common interests. There are so many men in the world, why did I have to meet him..."
"Stop, stop." Xue Haoting didn't want to listen to her rambling on. "Anyway, you're doomed with Father. Xue Run is the only daughter in the Xue family, and she definitely doesn't want another older sister. You can just stay outside and freeload for the rest of your life."
"Hey, that's not what you said before I left home!"
"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. Are you coming back to the capital with me and Mother or not? Your father may not say it, but he still misses you." Xue Haoting said seriously, "Even though you found him a hitman from the martial arts world as his son-in-law."
Xue Xianzhu replied without hesitation: "I won't go back. Yang Chengxiu is just hoping I'll go back and give him something to talk about. He's plotting to harm the three virtuous men, and I won't let him have his way."
Xue Haoting sighed, respecting his sister's choice.
"Okay, you've grown up, it's time for you to make your own way in the world."
***
Princess Jin'an suffered a difficult childbirth.
Under Emperor Shizong Yang Mingkong's harsh treatment, Pei Chang'er became extremely thin, practically just a skeleton. In addition, her poor appetite after becoming pregnant made her unable to bear it any longer, as she would vomit whatever she ate.
That morning, Pei Shang'er only drank a bowl of porridge before feeling persistent abdominal pain. The Empress quickly ordered all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to come to the Liangyi Palace to attend to the princess during childbirth.
The incident happened suddenly. Yang Chengxiu, the imperial son-in-law, was busy with official duties outside, dozens of miles away from the capital. Upon hearing the news, he disregarded everything else and immediately rushed to the palace.
Inside the Liangyi Hall, Pei Chang'er was in excruciating pain.
"Mother...Mother...Am I going to die? Why does it hurt so much?"
The fetus was only eight months old, and there was a folk saying that the fetus lived at seven months and died at eight months. Pei Chang'er was already suffering from unbearable abdominal pain, and the thought of these rumors made her even more frightened, and she couldn't muster any strength.
"Don't be afraid, my child, don't be afraid. The imperial physicians are all here, and Chengxiu is on his way back. Child, please don't fall asleep. Hold on a little longer, Chengxiu will be back soon."
"Mother... will my child be alright... Mother, I beg you, it doesn't matter if I die, you must let my child live..."
Pei Shang'er's tears of fear mingled with her sweat of pain, falling into the Empress's eyes like needles piercing her heart.
"My dear child, don't say such things to scare your mother. You will be safe and sound."
The Empress was so anxious that she not only summoned all the imperial physicians to attend to her, but also ordered the monks of Ci'en Temple to chant sutras and pray for blessings in the main hall. All the noblewomen of the imperial family knelt outside the hall to pray for Princess Jin'an's safety.
As the Crown Princess, Ling Zhenli did not kneel outside the Liangyi Hall, but instead stayed with Pei Xuanlin in the Taiji Hall to pray for blessings and await Princess Jin'an's delivery.
In stark contrast to the Emperor and Empress's tension, Pei Xuanlin was not concerned about whether Princess Jin'an would be in danger.
“Ah Li, if you’re bored, I’ll go for a walk in the garden with you,” Pei Xuanlin offered.
Ling Zhenli glanced at the high monks and Buddhist masters kneeling on the ground outside the door and broke out in a cold sweat: "Forget it, Sanlang, let's stay here. I'm quite curious about whether the child is a boy or a girl, and what it looks like."
“As you say, I’m also curious about whether it’s a boy or a girl.” Pei Xuanlin’s expression softened considerably as he spoke. “I’m wondering what our child will be like, a boy or a girl.”
Ling Zhenli smiled sweetly: "Does Sanlang like children?"
"I only like being with your children."
Pei Xuanlin's words were a declaration of love, and they were also from the bottom of his heart. But Ling Zhenli didn't care whether they were true or not; she just loved hearing these kinds of declarations of love.
"Sanlang is so glib. I'm afraid he won't even remember who I am when there are more women in the palace."
Ling Zhenli always liked to act coy with Pei Xuanlin, and Pei Xuanlin was used to it. He smiled and took her hand to amuse her.
"Even a king cannot escape the jealousy of women."
They had been joking around, but as soon as Pei Xuanlin said this, Ling Zhenli's joy vanished, and she became unhappy, her face turning cold. These words implied that she was extremely jealous.
As soon as he saw her get angry, Pei Xuanlin knew he had gone too far.
"I was just kidding. How could I dare to have other women? I'll only serve you for the rest of my life. Don't be angry with me."
"Hmph." Ling Zhenli turned her head away.
Pei Xuanlin pouted: "How can you be like this? You're allowed to joke around with me, but when I make a joke, you ignore me."
Oh, so she's saying she can't take a joke? Ling Zhenli was even angrier.
"Then Your Highness can just ignore me."
“Hey, we’re a loving couple, how could I ignore you? Here’s what I’m going to do: I’ll apologize to you. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you with both hands. How about it? Can you forgive me this time?”
Hearing this, Ling Zhenli smiled and then turned to look at Pei Xuanlin.
"Let's wait until Princess Jin'an gives birth before we talk about it."
The imperial son-in-law, Yang Chengxiu, rushed back at noon and stayed by Pei Chang'er's bedside. It is said that after he returned, Pei Chang'er drank some ginseng soup and had the strength to give birth.
Before the sun had fully risen in the east, a newborn baby in the Liangyi Hall let out a loud cry.
The child, born with hope, has already had his fate paved with thorns.
The emperor was overjoyed and lifted his hard-won grandson high above his head, bestowing upon him the name Cong and the title of Duke of Pei.
The long labor had left Pei Shang'er exhausted. After looking after the baby, she fell asleep peacefully with Yang Chengxiu's gentle coaxing.
Some were overjoyed, while others were worried; Pei Xuanlin was among those who were worried.
Whether this child's surname is Pei or Yang, he is a strong competitor on his path to the throne.
It's ridiculous that the Crown Prince's position is so unstable that even a newborn baby can be easily affected.
Ling Zhenli stood behind Pei Xuanlin and silently held his hand tightly. He was nervous, and she wanted to share his burden.
For no other reason than that they are husband and wife, sharing both glory and misfortune.
Just a few days ago, the Prime Minister's wife asked Ling Zhenli to go back in a few days. Now that she thinks about it, it's time. After all, the Prime Minister's Mansion and the Crown Prince's Palace are related by marriage and are in the same boat. She needs to sound out their intentions so that they can help each other if anything happens.
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