Chapter 168 How could this happen?
One sentence confuses right and wrong and turns an evil thing into a good thing.
Even Xi Qingtong paused at this sentence. She didn't expect her mother to be so calm.
This is because of the difference in status. Xi Qingtong is just a sister, and she is afraid that Qingwu will turn against her.
But Madam Zheng was her mother, and people in this world valued filial piety. Madam Zheng knew Qingwu would resent her. But could she resent her and take revenge on her?
Mother and daughter, mother and daughter, she had given birth to her and raised her, so what did it matter if she resented or was angry? Besides, what was there for her to be angry about now?
"Being able to go from a girl who grew up in the countryside to a concubine is like a sparrow turning into a phoenix, flying to a branch. Why should she be reluctant?"
Mrs. Zheng repeated it again, not knowing whether she was trying to convince others or herself.
The three people at the table were silent for a while. Xi Qingbai thought about it and still felt a little uneasy. "Mother, should we wait for the prince to leave the palace and visit him at his mansion to ease the relationship?"
The last time he went to the palace, it ended in a bad mood. At that time, he thought Qingwu would stay there for a long time, and the prince didn't like her... That's right, the prince didn't like her either.
Xi Qingbai recalled the last time he went to the palace. Prince Zhao had a cold face the whole time and didn't say a word. If the two of them had a bad relationship, then what was he afraid of?
Thinking of this, he finally smiled a little more and felt a lot more relaxed. He then told the story and concluded, "It should be fine. Since she is not favored by the prince, there is no need to worry about her whispering."
However, as soon as the words fell, the girl opposite froze.
Xi Qingtong's expression was so obvious that both Madam Zheng and Xi Qingbai noticed it and immediately asked in surprise, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong?"
Xi Qingtong's expression froze. After a moment of thought, she said, "Song Yunhe and I went there once before. Back then, my sister and the prince were clearly on good terms..."
Xi Qingtong's words brought a sudden silence to the room. Madam Zheng's chopsticks landed on the table with a clatter.
"You said," Xi Qingbai was also a little confused, "they have a good relationship?"
Meeting their gazes, Xi Qingtong hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently and recounted what she had seen that day, "They acted intimately, and it doesn't seem like they have any discord..."
Xi Qingbai's expression changed instantly, and he couldn't help but mutter, "When I went to the palace, the prince clearly ignored her..."
The two looked at each other, who was telling the truth?
But no matter who is real and who is fake, it shows that there is something fishy. The two people in the palace must be hiding something from them.
As the three of them pondered, they heard hurried footsteps outside. The housekeeper rushed in in a panic, "Madam! The Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Rites is here to announce the decree!"
"The Ministry of Rites announced an edict? What edict?"
Since Xi Jianan is not at home, what other orders can the Xi family receive?
The three of them hurriedly prepared their appearance and arrived at the main hall of the Xi family. The incense burner and the table were already set up, and Madam Zheng knelt with the two of them. Her heart was pounding, and she wanted to ask what was going on, but the official from the Ministry of Rites had already opened the imperial edict and was reading aloud the carefully drafted edict by Xu Zhuangyuan.
I believe that the foundation of a king's rule begins with the inner chambers of the house. The relationship between husband and wife is closely related to moral ethics.
The current Prince Zhao's concubine, Xi, comes from a distinguished family, well-versed in propriety. She possesses a gentle disposition and maintains a dignified and prudent conduct. When the prince was exiled, she remained at his side, sharing his hardships and hardships, a testament to her chastity and integrity.
Now that the Prince has been restored to his throne, I, especially mindful of his loyalty in times of hardship, request that he be restored to his former position. I commend his virtue and grant his request. I hereby appoint Xi as the Prince Zhao's principal consort, responsible for the internal affairs of the palace...]
When the Ministry of Rites official read out the name of Concubine Xi, the expressions of the three people had already changed. After hearing the words of praise that followed, their faces became even uglier, especially Xi Qingtong. Every word seemed like a mockery of her...
The resounding voice of the official announcing the decree echoed throughout the hall. Madam Zheng shuddered at the last few words. She looked up in disbelief. Xi Qingwu had become the prince's principal wife?
The daughter who was forced by her to exchange identities became the prince's wife?
Madam Zheng's mind went blank for a moment, but her body subconsciously tried to take the imperial edict from the official's hand, but he easily dodged it, "This imperial edict is for the princess. The princess has already received it in the palace. You don't need to take it again. You just need to carry this altar to the ancestral hall and worship it."
Looking at the bright yellow imperial edict that was placed on the incense table by the official from the Ministry of Rites, the smile on Mrs. Zheng's face became even more stiff.
She doesn't even have the qualifications to receive the imperial edict?
The official from the Ministry of Rites thought that Madam Zheng was overjoyed. His eyes fell on Xi Qingtong who was kneeling on the side. He had just seen the princess in the palace. Now seeing a girl who looked like the princess, he knew that this was the princess's twin sister.
However, looking at the trembling girl, the official from the Ministry of Rites shook his head imperceptibly. It was true that they had not grown up together. The princess was so calm and composed when she received the imperial edict, while this one was far inferior...
None of the three family members knew how the official from the Ministry of Rites left. When the last person in the scarlet robe left the Xi family's gate, Mrs. Zheng finally regained some consciousness. She opened her mouth but didn't know where to start.
But someone had already gotten there first. Xi Qingbai murmured softly, "How is that possible? Did I hear correctly?"
The sister he thought was down and out and not favored by her husband was actually made the principal wife by his husband who personally asked the emperor for permission?
There have been many concubines who have become queens in history, but there has never been one who has become the principal wife...
He was still muttering to himself in disbelief, while Xi Qingtong on the other side could no longer bear it and rushed to the table. Her fingers were trembling so much that she could hardly hold the scroll of the imperial edict, and she just opened it roughly and casually and spread it on the table.
She stared at the handwriting, reading each word carefully, but she felt as if she didn't recognize any of the words, and every stroke was distorted before her eyes.
Those compliments - "a gentle character" and "sharing weal and woe" - stabbed her heart like a knife.
Obviously, Xi Qingwu didn't do this voluntarily! She was forced! She didn't follow Xiao Ji voluntarily at all!
Xi Qingtong wanted to explain, wanted to shout, but she couldn't say anything. She didn't dare to say anything in front of so many people. But when she saw the last sentence "Xi is hereby canonized as the principal wife of Prince Zhao", she almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, a maid supported her.
But this didn't bother Xi Qingtong at all. Her eyes remained glued to the imperial edict, searching it for any flaws. However, the bright red imperial seal glaringly stamped at the end made the decree irrefutable.
"how so……"
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