Chapter 6: Thunderous Rage and Speculation

“Consort?” A shrill voice suddenly rang out, sounding extremely discordant with the quiet surroundings.

Li Yanshang frowned slightly; even without turning around, she knew it was Hongling approaching.

Hongling was still dressed in her usual bright peach-pink makeup, her face covered in a thick layer of powder. Holding Qiaoyu’s hand, she walked over slowly and performed a slow bow. “Consort, are you... heading to An Academy? And the Heir Apparent?”

Baoping took up the conversation. “The Heir Apparent is not here.”

Hongling cast a sidelong glance at Baoping. “Do you have a place to speak here?”

Baoping’s face flushed red with anger, yet she had nothing to retort with. After all, Hongling was currently considered a half-mistress.

Li Yanshang gave Hongling a cold look. “There is no need for a servant to lose her temper.”

Seeing that Li Yanshang was speaking on her behalf, Hongling’s face lit up with joy, and she blurted out, “This servant was merely teaching her a lesson on behalf of the Consort. In front of the Consort, she truly has become lawless.”

Li Yanshang calmly picked up the thread. “It was all this servant’s fault; there is no need to be angry.”

Hongling froze on the spot, instantly understanding the implication of that sentence. Her face turned a mottled shade of green and red, and she bit her lip, unable to speak.

Li Yanshang took Baoping’s hand and said lazily, “It is getting late. Let us head back.”

Baoping almost couldn't help but burst into laughter. The Consort’s retort was simply too brilliant; seeing how angry that ungrateful girl was made her feel incredibly satisfied.

Not far after walking out, the corners of Li Yanshang’s mouth twitched with a hint of a smile. “You little girl, if you want to laugh, just laugh. Look at how you're holding it in; your little face is turning red.”

Only then did Baoping start to giggle softly. “Consort, you truly spoke up for me.”

Li Yanshang gently squeezed her hand. “Baoping, no matter when the time comes, you must remember to protect yourself. Only by protecting yourself will you have the chance to trip up those who harbor ill intentions toward us.”

Baoping understood immediately and said, “This servant understands. I will not be impulsive again.”

As the two were whispering, they saw from a distance that the Princess Consort of Yinghe, Lady Wan, was walking hurriedly toward them from another path.

Seeing them, Lady Wan rushed forward to greet them. “Sister-in-law, I heard something happened in the manor and Mother fainted from anger? You were the last to leave just now; did Mother say anything?”

Matters like this could not be hidden; Lady Wan would find out sooner or later, so Li Yanshang gave a brief explanation.

Lady Wan immediately grew angry. “Third Brother is truly something, causing such a mess out of nowhere, and even making Eldest Brother suffer the consequences. Tomorrow is such a grand day; I don't know what those gossips will be saying.”

After a pause, Lady Wan suddenly lowered her voice and leaned close to Li Yanshang. “If you ask me, it’s because this Side Consort is unlucky. Just as she was about to enter the door, she brought such filthy business with her.”

Li Yanshang did not wish to say much about this matter. Saying too much might only provide ammunition for certain people. In this grand Prince’s Manor, who was truly transparent and without ulterior motives?

Furthermore, the old Li Yanshang’s social standing hadn't been good enough for even Lady Wan to come and flatter her. Li Yanshang simply smiled. “Let us go see Mother.”

Seeing that she did not follow her lead, Lady Wan felt a bit embarrassed. As she walked toward Jingwu Courtyard, she added, “Sister-in-law, I saw that maidservant who was with you just now. She was certainly dressed quite flamboyantly.”

That maidservant was, of course, Hongling. Li Yanshang gave a faint "oh."

Lady Wan continued, “Sister-in-law, I’m not one to criticize, but she truly is a lowly wench who betrays her master. It’s a good thing that back then...” Lady Wan looked at Li Yanshang’s face; seeing no unusual expression, she continued, “On the day you miscarried, I saw her talking to you for a while. Who knew that you would have an accident that very night? It was most likely because she provoked you.”

Li Yanshang’s heart stirred, but she immediately said, “I merely turned a blind eye to her. She is just a servant; why bother getting angry with her?”

But in her mind, she kept wondering: what exactly had Hongling said to Li Yanshang? Could Li Yanshang’s refusal to take medicine be related to her?

Though she wanted to ask more, she feared Lady Wan’s suspicion, so she suppressed her doubts, intending to ask Baoping thoroughly once they returned.

When the two arrived at Jingwu Courtyard, they were blocked by a maid. “The Princess Consort has just fallen asleep. We request the Consort and the Princess Consort to return and rest first.”

The two asked a few questions about Lady Tong’s condition; it seemed she was fine. After giving a few instructions to the maid, they turned and left Jingwu Courtyard.

Upon returning to Nishang Courtyard, Li Yanshang asked about Hongling speaking to her on the day of the miscarriage, but Baoping actually knew nothing about it. She found it even more strange; there was definitely something suspicious about this.

“Consort, Chen Wang’s wife has come to see you,” Yicui entered to report.

Li Yanshang looked at Baoping in confusion. Baoping immediately explained, “Consort, Chen Wang is Chunmian’s father. He is a manager in charge of procurement in the outer courtyard and is considered someone of some standing, but his wife works in the laundry room and is a very honest, simple person. They only have one daughter, Chunmian, and they treasure her dearly.”

Li Yanshang understood the meaning immediately. “Let her in.”

Chen Wang’s wife, wearing a somewhat worn-out grey short-sleeved padded jacket, entered with her head slightly lowered. After taking a few steps, she knelt on the ground and began to kowtow vigorously. “Our whole family is grateful to the Consort for saving our lives. If the Consort has any orders, our family will naturally work ourselves to death to serve you.”

Li Yanshang’s eyes flickered as she noticed the door curtain move slightly. She smiled faintly. “You need not thank me. You should thank the Princess Consort. Your daughter committed a mistake, and it was only through the Princess Consort’s magnanimity that she was pardoned; otherwise, she wouldn't have her life.”

Baoping also noticed the swaying of the curtain. She walked slowly to the door and lifted the curtain, indeed seeing Taogui hurriedly dodging to the side. Baoping said nothing and instead turned toward the adjacent side room, pretending to go fetch something else.

Taogui did not dare to linger by the door any longer and moved into the courtyard to do other work.

Chen Wang’s wife continued to kowtow. “Our family is deeply grateful for the great kindness of the Princess Consort and the Consort.”

She was indeed an honest person, not one to use flattering words.

Li Yanshang sighed softly. “You need not take it to heart. It was just a few words of mine. Being able to save a life is a blessing; in this world, living well is not easy. I am not asking for anything in return; I just feel that being alive is better than being dead.”

Chen Wang’s wife was momentarily stunned. In the past, which master had not demanded a hundredfold return for a small favor? This Consort was so indifferent. People said her current life was worse than death, yet she was struggling so hard to live, and to live well at that.

Li Yanshang waved her hand. “That is enough. I accept your thanks. Go back and work hard; that is your duty.”

Chen Wang’s wife did not dare to say more. She kowtowed a few more times before lowering her head and walking out the door.

On this day, the Jin Prince’s Manor was in a state of panic. Everyone was trembling with fear, dreading that they might accidentally offend the Princess Consort of Jin. Those guarding the second gate and the outer courtyard were even more cautious; whenever news from the outside arrived, they wished they had wings to report it to the Princess Consort immediately.

By evening, news finally arrived: the Emperor had sent the best imperial physician from the Imperial Academy of Medicine to treat the Second Master of the Fan family. Fortunately, it was only external injuries, and his life was not in danger.

Another piece of news arrived: the Emperor was in a great rage and had ordered Yuwen Hengyuan to copy the Classic of Filial Piety in the academy.

Waves of news came in, but there was no news regarding Yuwen Ye.

Although Li Yanshang appeared calm and composed, her mind was constantly calculating. Logically speaking, at most, Yuwen Ye would be charged with aiding a criminal brother, yet he had gone silent, which was truly strange.

However, tomorrow was the day of Yuwen Ye’s wedding. For the sake of the imperial family's dignity, the Emperor would certainly not refuse to let him return, not to mention he had an Empress aunt who had always doted on him.

Thus, Li Yanshang was not worried; what gave her a bit of a headache was tomorrow's wedding banquet.

She frowned slightly and instructed Baoping, “Go to the Princess Consort of Yingping and get a guest list for tomorrow’s banquet. Tell her that I do not usually enjoy banquets and do not know the ladies and wives of the various households, so I do not wish to lose face for the Prince’s Manor.”

Baoping froze, her lips moving, before she finally spoke. “Consort, the Heir Apparent has not returned even now. How can you still have the heart to look at these things...”

Instead of being angry, Li Yanshang countered, “Then tell me, should I barge into the Palace to see the Heir Apparent? Or should I run to the Princess Consort and wail for a while?”

Baoping was left speechless.

Li Yanshang smiled slightly. “So, isn't it better that we prepare everything for tomorrow, so we can bring honor to the Heir Apparent’s face, right?”

As expected, Baoping’s expression changed, gaining a hint of pleasant surprise. She immediately said, “This servant will go at once.”

After a long while, Baoping returned with two booklets. She reported, “Consort, the Princess Consort was afraid you might not remember everything, so she made some markings in the booklets.”

Li Yanshang took the booklets. One contained the names of the wives and ladies of the various households, while the other contained the gift lists from each household.

Lady Wan was indeed meticulous. Not only had she noted the official titles and names of the masters of each house, but she had even made simple notes on the preferences of the ladies and wives. Seeing such attention to detail, Li Yanshang could not help but look at her in a new light.

Since Yuwen Ye was marrying a Side Consort, although the Emperor and Empress had personally acted as matchmakers, the various Princess Consorts only sent representatives to offer congratulations rather than attending the banquet themselves. Most of those attending the banquet were the ladies and wives of the various households.

After going through the list, Li Yanshang had already memorized most of it. The most striking names were Shen Yu, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke of Wei, and Lei Xinyu, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Xuanwu. It was said that both were as beautiful as celestial beings and equally aloof and proud, but the former was sharp-tongued and acerbic, while the latter rarely interacted with others.

Li Yanshang looked through the long gift list once more and couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement. Just these items alone would be enough for her to use and eat for several lifetimes.

Night fell, and the hour of the Rat had passed. Li Yanshang put down the long list of gifts, rubbed her aching eyes, and slowly stood up, her legs feeling somewhat numb.

Baoping rushed in from outside, breathless from exhaustion. “Consort, the Heir Apparent has returned.”

Li Yanshang nodded. “What did the Palace say?”

Baoping was slightly stunned. She had only heard that the Heir Apparent had returned and had rushed to report the news; she hadn't had time to find out anything else. “Consort, won't you go and see him?”

Li Yanshang slowly shook her head. “The Heir Apparent is likely very frustrated right now. It is enough that he is back. Instruct someone to make a bowl of yam and millet porridge and send it to him. After all the turmoil today, he must be exhausted. He should rest early; there are even more important matters tomorrow.”

Baoping knew that saying more would be useless. Since the Consort had said so, she would do as told.

It took a long time before Baoping returned. She reported, “Consort, after the Heir Apparent returned, he didn't say a single word. He just washed up and went straight to bed. Even those who followed him don't know what happened.”

Li Yanshang thought for a moment and said, “Let us rest as well. There is much to do tomorrow.”

Baoping couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself. At this moment, the Heir Apparent and the Consort were very much alike—one was calm and composed, and the other fell straight to sleep, both acting as if nothing had happened. It was only the group of anxious maids and old servants who were suffering.

But she also understood in her heart that tomorrow was the most important day. At a time like this, who knew what else might happen?