Chapter 310: To Live a Long and Prosperous Life
Chapter 310: To Live a Long and Prosperous Life
As the children created a ruckus, the adults were equally engaged in their own conversations.
King Qi shared a humorous tale with his wife, recounting something he had heard earlier that day: "I heard that Minister He gave your brother-in-law a hard time at the Court of Judicial Review today. Hahaha!"
This piqued the Queen's curiosity, and she gently inquired, "...What happened?"
After asking, she quickly realized what the matter might be, but she didn't avert her gaze from her husband.
King Qi explained with a smile, "Yesterday, your brother-in-law's concubine acted arrogantly and got into a confrontation with Princess Shunyang. After returning to the palace, the princess complained to Empress He, who then went straight to the Emperor to tattle on your brother-in-law. The Emperor, considering Grand Tutor Lao's reputation, didn't reprimand him directly at the court. However, he later passed the matter on to Minister He."
Minister He's father was the Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review, while Minister Lu held the position of Left Junior Judge—a slight difference in rank.
In simpler terms, Minister He was Minister Lu's direct superior, so making things difficult for him would be effortless.
Even though Minister Lu had the support of the Duke of Fuyang, who didn't have some form of backing?
Minister He had the backing of Empress He!
And so, he had made Minister Lu's life miserable that day, assigning him all sorts of menial and exhausting tasks, including personally overseeing the interrogation of the Cha family.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Minister Lu didn't dare to argue and obediently carried out the tasks.
Recalling the information he had obtained, King Qi couldn't contain his laughter. "Hahaha! Who would've thought your brother-in-law would face such a day? How interesting! I was actually thinking that if Empress He didn't give him a hard time, I would have to do something myself. After all, those concubines in his harem are nothing compared to me."
Queen of Qi: ...
Your Majesty, don't get too carried away and boast about the quality of your former concubines.
But perhaps it's best to leave that unsaid, as it might hurt his feelings.
The Queen had also inquired about yesterday's incident and learned that the aunt had merely made some ambiguous remarks without taking any further action. Moreover, her target had primarily been Minister Lu, so the Queen thought that a minor retaliation would suffice.
There was no need to lower herself to the level of a concubine to seek revenge.
Besides, Lady Lu wasn't foolish. How could she not respond to someone targeting her son?
Hearing her husband's account, the Queen couldn't help but find the situation amusing and a bit ironic.
She thought to herself that the aunt wasn't very clever. Why would she pick a fight with someone connected to Empress He?
Empress He had been in the palace for many years and had only given birth to one son, whom she cherished like the apple of her eye.
When the Emperor entrusted Princess Shunyang to her care, completing her family, Empress He was overjoyed and became extremely protective of the princess.
Who would dare provoke her?
Were they insane?
Empress He wouldn't give a concubine a second thought, so she had sent someone to trouble Minister Lu instead.
Minister Lu, feeling wronged, would undoubtedly return home and reprimand that concubine.
Thinking of this, Queen Qi gently shook her head. "Who would've thought that she was once someone your brother held dear?"
Her words carried a subtle hint of mockery.
Upon hearing this, King Qi scoffed dismissively. "Some things are just said to sound nice. How could anyone take them seriously?"
Fearing that his words might upset his wife, he quickly changed the subject and continued with a smile, "After all these years of trouble, I doubt any love or regard remains anyway."
After listening to her husband, Queen Qi lowered her eyes slightly and smiled gently without saying a word.
She thought to herself that the children raised by the Grand Princess certainly had their fair share of tricks and schemes.
The union between Minister Lu and Lady Lu had been one of mutual benefit, and Lady Lu had been well aware that her husband's heart belonged to another even before their marriage.
And back then, Bai Yueguang even resorted to a hunger strike, insisting on becoming Lu's concubine and following him into the Lu manor.
Madame Lu didn't stand in her way, as she understood the principle of 'out of sight, out of mind.' Once Bai Yueguang entered the manor, she went from being high and mighty to nothing more than a grain of rice on the table.
Lu's illusion about He Yin'niang had long been shattered.
However, He Yin'niang probably still couldn't see reality clearly. Relying on their past relationship, she kept causing trouble, thinking that it would bring her and Lu back to the way things were.
But was that possible?
A cold smile played on Princess Qi's lips, though her expression remained neutral.
Regarding the Prince's words, she quickly nodded in agreement. "You're right."
After a moment, Princess Qi asked, "I wonder how Brother plans to deal with He Yin'niang?"
This matter was still unresolved, so the Qi King hadn't found out yet.
He shook his head. "I don't know yet. The best outcome would be to send her away to a distant place."
After all, she had borne Lu children. So, while divorce and execution were out of the question, sending her away was a possibility.
At most, she would be sent to a remote estate or manor, where she would be kept for the time being.
If her children distinguished themselves, there might be a chance for her to be brought back to the main manor and honored.
But if they didn't, then that would be the end of it. She would simply remain in that distant estate until her dying breath.
Princess Qi didn't pass much judgment on her.
After all, she had chosen her own path, and she had no one to blame for the life she led.
Princess Qi thought of something else and spoke in a low voice to the Prince, "By the way, the Hou of Huaiyang sent their thanks at noon."
A slight frown appeared on Prince Qi's face as he listened. He didn't have a favorable impression of that manor's occupants.
However, they at least knew what was appropriate, even if their thanks were a bit late.
This displeased Prince Qi, as it meant that his wife and GuaiGuai would have to wait longer before they could bring their eldest son back.
On second thought, perhaps they were hoping for GuaiGuai to perish outside.
Thinking of this, Prince Qi rolled his eyes. "What a pair of stepfather and stepmother!
But then again, perhaps they're hoping for GuaiGuai to perish."
After saying this, Prince Qi turned his head to look at his wife, his expression filled with deep affection as he took her hand. "That's why we must live long and prosperous lives. We can't let GuaiGuai fall into the hands of his stepfather and stepmother; otherwise, his life would be miserable! I can't bear to think about it; it breaks my heart!"
He wouldn't have said anything if he hadn't brought it up, but now Princess Qi's heart was pounding wildly.
She had only thought about ensuring the Prince lived a few more years so he could protect the women and children in this manor.
But now, she realized she also had to live a long life!
Stepmother...
Absolutely not!
That was out of the question!
Thinking of this, Princess Qi nodded firmly. "You're right!"
Pleased that his words had resonated with his wife, Prince Qi proudly lifted his head.
SuiSui had come running over at this moment, presenting the wooden flower carving to Princess Qi. "Mother, this is for you. I wish for you to always be graceful and elegant, forever young!"
These two sentences were something she had just learned from LeLe.
On her way over, SuiSui had quietly muttered them to herself several times, afraid she might forget them.
Now that she had spoken them, SuiSui proudly bobbed her little head, asking the system, "LeLe, did I say it right?"
[You said it perfectly, my SuiSui, you're so smart, amazing!]
Hearing the system's praise, SuiSui was even happier, feeling like she could lift her little head straight to the heavens!
Second update at 7 PM.
(End of Chapter)
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