Inside the palace.
Marquis Zhongyong recounted the events to the emperor.
"I was worried that those who were unaware of the situation might spread rumors in front of you, so I came to apologize to you first."
That Wang family really went too far. The trouble caused by Liu and Fu Jiang has made Chen and the Marquis's mansion a laughing stock.
She even fabricated such vicious rumors that she turned Chen from a turtle into a beast.
If it weren't for my unwavering resolve, I would have no face to live on.
"I no longer wish to be related to such people by marriage. Seeing how poorly they treat my daughter-in-law, I've decided to persuade her to sever ties with them, so we can avoid seeing them again."
He took responsibility for Ye Zhen's severing of ties with his family.
The emperor tapped his fingers on his knees.
The Marquis's mansion has indeed been embroiled in many affairs lately, to the point that even the loyal and brave Marquis, a great general on the battlefield, has become deeply involved in matters of the inner quarters.
“You’ve always been afraid of trouble, yet Ye Zhen actually managed to get you to personally go to the General’s Mansion to demand someone back.”
The emperor did not want his trusted ministers to have their will worn down and their energy diverted by mundane affairs of the inner quarters.
Having served the emperor for many years, the Marquis of Zhongyong understood the emperor and realized that the emperor's misunderstanding stemmed from Ye Zhen's instigation.
The emperor was most annoyed by women's troubles, so he kept his harem clean. Unexpectedly, the emperor had a bad impression of Ye Zhen.
Marquis Zhongyong replied, "She manages the Marquis's residence well, so I don't have to worry about household matters. She is a good girl, and I truly value her."
However, my visit to the General's residence was not for her.
Wang's cruelty towards Ye Zhen reminded me of my mother. I cannot be unfilial; can't I at least vent my anger on Wang?"
The emperor remained calm, his expression unreadable, but he said nothing more.
The Marquis of Zhongyong understood that warning, and that was enough.
Marquis Zhongyong added, “Speaking of which, I wonder how Fu Jiang’s apology is coming along? When can I carry out castration on him?”
When I walk outside now, I feel like people are looking at me as if I have the word "turtle" etched on my forehead.
If this gets back to the enemy country, I fear they will laugh me to death.
To some extent, the head coach also represents the face of a country.
Imagine two armies facing off, and the enemy country uses these matters concerning the Marquis's residence to attack the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery.
If the emperor still cannot give the Marquis of Zhongyong justice, the soldiers of Dayuan, who were scolded before the battle and had no power to retaliate, will only blame the emperor for being unfair.
When one is disheartened, it is easy to lose the will to fight.
The emperor knew very well that Fu Jiang deserved to die.
However, the fact that the Grand Princess sent her royal guards with Kang Le to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence shows that she wanted to protect Fu Jiang.
Emperor Renzhao also left a will stating that the royal descendants should respect the eldest son of the royal family.
If the emperor ignores the Grand Princess, he will be violating Emperor Renzhao's last words and failing in his filial duty.
Another headache-inducing problem, the emperor rubbed his temples.
"The Grand Princess has returned to the capital. She just sent someone into the palace to take Fu Jiang back to the Princess's residence for treatment, but I have temporarily turned her away."
She will likely enter the palace in person tomorrow, and I will have her give you an explanation then, but it may not be as you wish.”
At least the castration punishment would probably be something the Grand Princess wouldn't agree to.
When can you set off to suppress the bandits?
The emperor asked the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery.
Some things require a catalyst, but even more so, solid evidence.
If it can be proven that Fu Jiang is not a grandson of the Grand Princess, this matter can be easily resolved.
Marquis Zhongyong knew he couldn't force the emperor, but fortunately the matter of the General's Mansion was over.
He took the opportunity to ask the emperor for female officials and to help Cui Yihuan get a dowry.
The emperor frowned slightly. Why was it always about matters of the inner quarters?
However, he did not want Marquis Zhongyong to bring up the matter of Fujiang again, and ultimately agreed.
The emperor and his minister tacitly chatted about other things, and then the emperor dismissed them without mentioning Ye Wantang's background. Marquis Zhongyong knew that the emperor did not want to get involved in this matter.
As soon as he returned to the mansion, the old lady sent someone to invite him.
When mother and son met, they were no longer as affectionate as before.
"What does Mother want with me?"
The old lady maintained her composure as usual, "I heard you went to the palace. Does His Majesty blame you?"
Marquis Zhongyong did not sit down, intending to leave at any time.
“No matter what happened, I was the victim. His Majesty is a wise ruler. The blame should be placed on the perpetrators, not on me.”
The old lady almost blurted out, "Are you blaming your mother for being confused?" but she held it back with all her might.
In the past, the Marquis of Zhongyong was filial to her, and she always had the majesty of a high and mighty mother.
But now that the Marquis of Zhongyong is distant from her, it's not the time for mother and son to turn against each other. She has to regain her son's respect and trust.
He said earnestly, "Bang'er, His Majesty values the General's Mansion. Although you are currently favored, the emperor hates it most when his subjects become arrogant and domineering because of their favor. What you did today was really inappropriate."
Seeing that the Marquis of Zhongyong remained silent, she got up and walked to him. "Child, I know I have disappointed you."
But you don't know how tragically Fu Jiang's mother died. Her mother felt guilty for not being able to save her, so she wanted to make amends.
But I always favored my son; I just never expected Liu to be so outrageous.
She insisted on blaming everything on Liu.
Marquis Zhongyong decided to investigate himself and was unwilling to listen to the old lady's sophistry anymore. However, he could take the opportunity to ask about Fu Jiangniang's affairs and perhaps find some clues.
He then feigned anger, saying, "How miserable is she that her mother feels so guilty that she hurts her own son? Does your mother know how much pain her son is in?"
The willingness to complain, rather than remaining indifferent and distant, indicates that there is still room for reconciliation.
The old lady quickly considered the matter in her mind and decided to say something that was both true and false.
She wiped away her tears and said, "She's young and her body hasn't fully developed yet, but the baby is strong and healthy, so she just can't give birth."
Seeing that the baby was about to suffocate if it didn't come out soon, she took a hairpin and cut open the baby's abdomen herself.
She was in so much pain that she bit the cork in her mouth to pieces, blood soaking the sheets and flowing all over the floor. Her mother would never forget that horrific sight.
Marquis Zhongyong had seen many dead people, and he had seen plenty of battles where intestines spilled out of the ground, but for some reason, upon hearing these words, he suddenly felt a pang of pain in his heart.
He frowned. "But wasn't she trying to escape the butcher? Why would she sacrifice herself for the butcher's child?"
The old lady seized the opportunity to play the family card, saying, "This is a mother's nature. No matter what kind of man she marries, her children are all flesh and blood of a woman."
Bang'er, a mother has to be willing to give up everything for her child. Didn't I also sacrifice my own blood to feed you back then?
"Mother was wrong, please don't be angry with me, okay? Mother won't be confused again."
Marquis Zhongyong gave a few perfunctory replies, then asked, "Was that butcher really a scoundrel, just watching her die?"
“When a woman gives birth, the men, considering it bad luck, wait outside. By the time the butcher finds out, her stomach has already been cut open, and there are no good doctors. Either they both die, or the butcher has to cut the child out.”
"No wonder my father always taught me to be filial to my mother. It must have been difficult for her to give birth to me."
The Marquis of Zhongyong finally sat down and said, “Although you failed to help her leave, the disembowelment was her own choice. Mother, why should you feel so guilty?”
As if he had just thought of something, his brows furrowed even deeper. "If Mother couldn't be saved, didn't she ask Father for help?"
My father must have been a centurion by then; he should have been able to rescue her from the butcher, or at least help her deliver the token.
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