Chapter 72: Taking Advantage of the Chaos—The Shamelessness of the Virtuous Consort
The rear hall of Huayang Palace was undergoing reconstruction, making it inconvenient for the constant flow of people. Empress Jiang therefore allotted the adjacent Moyang Palace for Consort Xian Zhao and her daughter to temporarily reside.
For the past two days, Consort Xian Zhao had been busy not only with the move but also with her daughter's future, so overwhelmed by tasks that she barely had a moment to spare.
She was personally directing the palace staff to arrange the bedchamber according to her preferences when she saw Aunt Qi return, her face ashen, as if the sky had collapsed, a far cry from her usual calm and composure.
All the palace attendants paused their work, turning to look at her in surprise.
Consort Xian Zhao immediately sensed something had happened and dismissed everyone: “You may all leave for now.”
Aunt Qi realized her panic had caused her to lose her usual composure, but her mind was still unsettled; she kept her head down, wringing her hands in distress.
Once the attendants had left and only the mistress and servant remained, Aunt Qi hurried to Consort Xian Zhao, anxious: “Your Grace, a terrible thing has happened, the Princess—”
She faltered, finding it hard to speak, sighing heavily.
Consort Xian Zhao frowned, suspecting that the Wu family had rejected her marriage proposal. “Didn’t I send you to the Marquis of Dingyuan’s residence? Why are you back so soon? Is it the Wu family—”
“It’s not the Wu family!” Aunt Qi quickly clarified, but still found the matter difficult to utter, her anxious gaze darting about, before finally steeling herself and presenting the truth: “I followed your instructions and was on my way to the Marquis’s residence, but overheard people in the streets discussing—”
Finding it impossible to say more, she simply pulled out a roll of paper from her sleeve and handed it over: “See for yourself, Your Grace!”
Aunt Qi was usually decisive and efficient, so her current hesitation only made Consort Xian Zhao increasingly uneasy.
She took the paper, scanning it briefly: “Lewd verses? Where did you get such filth? Why show this to me? You’re sullying my eyes.”
Aunt Qi, on the verge of tears, hurried to explain: “Your Grace, the incident involving the Princess a few days ago has somehow leaked. We are locked away in the palace, unaware, but outside, the streets are abuzz. These poems have been transcribed; the rumor is that they were exchanged between the Princess and that scoundrel from the Huo family.”
“Nonsense!” Consort Xian Zhao was furious, throwing the papers onto the table as though afraid to dirty her hands, wiping her fingers with a handkerchief as she cursed, “Are they mad? How dare they gossip about such baseless things!”
“Your Grace!” Aunt Qi, having seen the situation herself, understood its gravity even more than Consort Xian Zhao. She interrupted urgently: “Now is not the time for blame. I’ve inquired—the rumors are rampant, with theatre troupes composing plays about star-crossed lovers, singing these verses as drama. The brothels and pleasure houses have their courtesans copying these poems to attract clients. Though we know it’s false, public opinion is powerful; the Princess’s reputation has been ruined. You must act quickly to clear her name.”
“Wh—what? Brothels?” Not having seen it herself, Consort Xian Zhao had maintained a lofty detachment, but hearing words like “plays” and “brothels” shattered her composure. She raged, “Those wretches! Are they insane? Who gave them the courage to mock Lin’an like this? Do they wish for death?”
She staggered, her body trembling.
Aunt Qi quickly stepped forward, helping her to a chair, soothing her chest, sighing, “The law cannot punish everyone! That’s what makes this so troublesome.”
With so many in the capital spreading rumors, making a joke of the Princess’s misfortune, it was impossible to punish them all.
Consort Xian Zhao understood this.
But what of her daughter’s reputation?
She could not think of a way to salvage it. In her frustration, she slammed the table: “There must be a source. Only a few knew of the incident—who? Who is harming Lin’an?”
Aunt Qi had pondered this on her way back, and replied, “It could only be the Huo family.”
“The Huo family?” Consort Xian Zhao’s mind was in chaos, slow to react.
Aunt Qi analyzed: “Apart from His Majesty and Her Majesty, only the Huo family, the Wu family, and Princess Qingyang knew. And but for the Huo family, who else could produce such love letters?”
“The Huo family?” Consort Xian Zhao considered, wringing her handkerchief, “Would they dare? Given their current predicament, Huo Yunhua’s fortune is hard-won—they should be keeping a low profile. Even if Lin’an’s involvement made them resentful, would they risk their only chance at redemption for revenge?”
“That...your reasoning is sound.” Aunt Qi was less certain after hearing her analysis.
Consort Xian Zhao thought, then ordered: “I am confined to the palace—it's hard to investigate personally. Hurry to the Marquis’s residence, ask Mother and Brother to help look into it. If these verses are circulating, there must be an original source. Find it, trace the line, see where it originated.”
Even if Lin’an’s reputation could not be saved, the culprit must be found and punished.
Consort Xian Zhao was from the Marquis of Changning’s family, which, though a third-rank nobility without real power, was a well-rooted clan in the capital, not lacking in connections or means.
“Yes!” Aunt Qi agreed, about to leave when Consort Xian Zhao reminded, “Don’t let Lin’an hear of this.”
“I understand.” Aunt Qi promised again and hurried out.
Consort Xian Zhao sat alone in the vast palace, furious, her heart pounding, unable to calm herself even after draining a cup of cold tea.
She pressed her chest, trying to steady herself, then called, “Prepare my carriage. I must see His Majesty.”
Although unaware of who was behind Lin’an’s troubles, the harm was done; she had to seek the Emperor’s help. But when she reached the imperial study, she was reminded by a young eunuch that today was the day of the imperial examination, and the Emperor was presiding over it in the Hall of Harmony.
Having devoted much attention to the examinations during his reign, the Emperor would not be available for some time.
With no choice, Consort Xian Zhao returned to Moyang Palace.
She had lost interest in arranging her chambers. She expected news from her family to take a day or two, but Aunt Qi did not return until late afternoon, bringing with her Lady Zheng from the Marquis of Changning’s residence.
Consort Xian Zhao dismissed the attendants and ushered her mother into the bedchamber, wasting no time on pleasantries. “Mother, have you found any clues?”
Lady Zheng did not bother with formalities, sitting beside her and producing some papers from her sleeve. “Yesterday, your sister-in-law heard rumors while out socializing and told us at once. Your brother was furious, but since the Princess’s reputation is at stake—even if the story is false—it’s not suitable to involve the authorities. So your brother sent people to investigate, tracing the poems to a pleasure house and obtaining these two drafts.”
Lady Zheng handed over two pieces of letter paper.
Consort Xian Zhao unfolded them, one a letter of affection, the other containing two sentimental poems—two of the three poems Aunt Qi had brought that morning.
After reading, she trembled with rage, biting her teeth to control her emotions. “What happened?”
Lady Zheng explained: “A courtesan possessed three letters; one was swallowed during a scuffle. The woman is now in our custody. I personally questioned her. She said a patron left them behind a few days ago, and she thought the verses well-written, intending to copy them for display. At first, these poems circulated only among the girls and guests, but somehow, rumors spread that they were written by the Princess and... Ah! Such injustice!”
Lady Zheng, unwilling to utter her granddaughter’s name, stopped.
Consort Xian Zhao grew angrier, her mind clouded.
Aunt Qi caught the key point: “So, someone deliberately left these letters, used the courtesan to spread them, then manipulated things further to implicate the Princess?”
Consort Xian Zhao was stunned.
Lady Zheng nodded, looking at her daughter: “That’s your brother’s conclusion. According to the courtesan, the patron was a stranger, visiting for the first time and staying briefly. The signatures on the letters—how would they know it was the Princess’s maiden name? Clearly, this was a carefully laid trap, step by step, to frame her!”
“Such meticulous plotting? They wish to destroy Lin’an!” Consort Xian Zhao clenched her fists, grinding out her words, “What hatred could drive such scheming?”
“We cannot fathom it,” Lady Zheng replied. “You and your daughter have lived quietly in the palace, who could you have offended so deeply?” She glanced at Aunt Qi, “She told me of your suspicions towards the Huo family. Your brother went to test them; Huo Wenshan, upon hearing, was furious, vowing to find and punish the culprit. He seemed genuinely outraged. He had Huo Changyu copy the letter for comparison.”
Lady Zheng unfolded another paper. “The handwriting appears similar, but experts can see the imitation—both letters show deliberate mimicry. Whether the Huo family was involved, I cannot say for sure, but these were not written by Huo Changyu himself.”
Consort Xian Zhao compared the papers carefully.
Aunt Qi looked on as well.
They saw, as Lady Zheng said, the letters were not Huo Changyu’s own writing.
Aunt Qi said, “Perhaps it really wasn’t the Huo family, but someone who knew of that night’s incident took advantage?”
It wasn’t impossible for the Huo family to have someone imitate Huo Changyu’s handwriting, but as Consort Xian Zhao had reasoned—
The Huo family was on the brink, desperate for self-preservation; why would they risk everything for no gain?
Consort Xian Zhao’s mind raced: “Apart from the Huo family, only the Wu family and Princess Qingyang and her daughter knew...”
The Zhao family could not produce a genuine letter from Huo Changyu, and even if he recognized the letters as those he had written at Huo Yunhua’s urging and sent into the palace, he would never admit it.
Thus, Consort Xian Zhao and her family suspected someone knew of the palace incident and forged new letters in Huo Changyu’s handwriting to ruin Lin’an’s reputation.
The Marquis of Dingyuan and Princess Qingyang—
The Wu family had always been upright and had no quarrel with them; as for Princess Qingyang—
Consort Xian Zhao suddenly stood, about to rush out, then paused and asked Lady Zheng, “Mother, what about the courtesan? Did you bring her?”
Aunt Qi replied, “She’s outside the palace. Without your token, it was difficult to bring her in.”
“Take my token and fetch her. Mother and I will go to Zhengyang Palace to see the Empress. Bring her there to us.”
“Yes, Your Grace!” Aunt Qi curtsied and hurried out.
Lady Zheng rose, and together with Consort Xian Zhao, moved towards the door. Unexpectedly, Aunt Qi opened the door to find Princess Lin’an standing outside.
Her face was pale, her eyes anxious—she had clearly heard the conversation inside.
“Princess...” Aunt Qi shuddered, turning to Consort Xian Zhao for help.
Consort Xian Zhao was caught completely off guard, quickly approaching in alarm, “Lin’an? Why are you here? When did you arrive?”
Though the Princess’s expression spoke volumes, Consort Xian Zhao clung to hope that she hadn’t heard anything.
“I heard Grandmother was here...” the Princess replied instinctively, but tears began to flow uncontrollably.
Consort Xian Zhao’s heart ached, rushing to wipe her tears, “Don’t cry! Don’t worry, your uncle and grandmother have found clues, I’ll go see the Empress and have her find the culprit and clear your name.”
She tried to comfort the Princess, though she knew—
Once a rumor about reputation spread, the Princess was already a laughingstock. Finding the culprit would not erase what had happened.
This stain would haunt Lin’an for life.
Consort Xian Zhao understood, and so did the Princess.
“Mother!” She threw herself into her mother’s arms, sobbing bitterly.
She had thought the night of the Emperor’s birthday was the hardest moment of her life, but now her situation was a hundred times worse.
Seeing her daughter suffer, Consort Xian Zhao was heartbroken and, fearing their words would reach the attendants, quickly brought the Princess inside, comforting her until she calmed, then wiped her tears and said, “Stay here. Your grandmother and I will see the Empress. We must resolve this and restore your honor.”
She sighed, patting Lin’an’s hand, signaling Lady Zheng.
Lady Zheng nodded.
They started out, but Lin’an suddenly rose and followed, “Mother, I want to go with you!”
Consort Xian Zhao and Lady Zheng exchanged worried glances.
Even if it was only rumor, confronting it would be painful—if Lin’an heard it all firsthand, she might not bear it.
The Princess bit her lip, determined: “I must go! Since this concerns me, I have the right to know the truth. Even if I am framed, I want to understand, not die in ignorance.”
Lady Zheng agreed, “The Princess is right. It’s better for her to hear it directly than from others later.”
Though the palace had not yet heard the rumors, they could not be concealed for long; sooner or later, she would have to face them.
Consort Xian Zhao was reluctant but finally agreed, “Very well...”
The three women, accompanied by attendants, proceeded to Zhengyang Palace.
Empress Jiang was pleased to see Consort Xian Zhao, “I thought you were busy moving—didn’t expect you so soon...”
She noticed Lady Zheng and paused, “Lady Zheng, you’re here?”
“Your Majesty, blessings!” Lady Zheng curtsied.
“Your Majesty!”
“Mother!”
Consort Xian Zhao and her daughter also bowed.
Empress Jiang waved, “Sit, all of you!”
She guessed Consort Xian Zhao had brought her mother for a reason. “Is there something you wish to discuss?”
Consort Xian Zhao did not sit, instead wiping her tears, knelt, and cried, “Your Majesty, my daughter and I have suffered a great injustice and beseech your intervention!”
Seeing this, Lin’an and Lady Zheng also knelt.
Empress Jiang was startled, “What’s happening? Help Consort Xian Zhao up!”
A maid assisted her, and Consort Xian Zhao, accustomed to cordial relations with the Empress, rose and said, “Could you dismiss the others? I have something to report.”
Empress Jiang saw her tears and guessed it was serious, so sent the attendants away, leaving only Aunt Fang.
Consort Xian Zhao wept as she told the story.
Empress Jiang’s brows furrowed ever deeper as she listened, finally gasping, “Is this true?”
“If I had no evidence, I would not dare disturb Your Majesty, especially since it concerns Lin’an’s reputation. Here are the poems my brother found—the originals and Huo’s copy—and the courtesan who found them. I’ve sent Aunt Qi to fetch her; if you wish, she can be questioned directly.”
Empress Jiang examined the poems, her expression darkening.
Consort Xian Zhao continued, “I don’t know whether to trust the Huo family’s innocence, but after the incident at the Emperor’s birthday, thanks to Your Majesty’s prompt action, few knew. Now someone has seized the opportunity to harm Lin’an... Your Majesty, my daughter and I have always kept to ourselves in the palace. Who could hate us so much?”
With such an event, Empress Jiang was furious.
Princess Lin’an represented the royal family’s honor; her love poems were spreading in brothels and theatres, her story with Huo Changyu performed on stage—
“This is outrageous!” Empress Jiang slammed the table.
Lin’an had held back tears since entering, her eyes red but resolute.
Consort Xian Zhao, both genuinely angry and intent on gaining the Empress’s sympathy, wept profusely, “I know it’s my and my daughter’s uselessness that makes the Emperor and Your Majesty targets of ridicule, but living in the palace, I cannot control what happens outside. Please, Your Majesty, uphold justice for us!”
Empress Jiang pressed her lips, her expression grave. “You suspect one of those who knew of the incident?”
Consort Xian Zhao, prepared, knelt again, “Forgive my boldness, but I must suspect so.”
Empress Jiang pondered, then confirmed, “Consort, though the courtesan promised to recognize the letter’s owner, I can send her to each residence, but if someone is deliberately plotting, they wouldn’t use their own people. This method may not find the culprit.”
Investigating the Huo or Princess Qingyang’s residences was feasible; the Huo family was already at fault, and Princess Qingyang was royal, obliged to cooperate. But to search the Marquis of Dingyuan’s home for such a tenuous reason—
Wu Xun and his son were defending the borders. If such a search were misinterpreted, it could demoralize the soldiers.
Consort Xian Zhao understood, but was convinced the culprit was Princess Qingyang and her daughter, so the Empress’s hesitation was welcome. After a show of deliberation, she said, “I trust the Wu family’s integrity and bear them no ill will. Still, the matter must be thoroughly investigated. How will Lin’an’s marriage prospects recover otherwise?”
With such a scandal, Lin’an’s marriage became problematic.
Even if the Emperor decreed a marriage, who would willingly accept a bride with a tainted reputation? One could not simply use imperial power to force a match.
But tracing rumors to their source was very difficult.
Empress Jiang pressed her temples, then asked Aunt Fang, “What is the Emperor doing today?”
Aunt Fang replied, “The imperial examination...”
“Go see if he’s finished. If so, ask him to come. If not, don’t disturb him.”
“Yes!” Aunt Fang departed.
Empress Jiang helped Consort Xian Zhao to her seat.
Consort Xian Zhao sat, anxiously looking to the Empress, “Your Majesty, though I don’t wish to trouble you, even without evidence, could you at least summon those present at the time for questioning? My brother has already spoken to the Huo family; as for Princess Qingyang’s and the Wu family’s residences—”
Empress Jiang hesitated, glancing at Lin’an. “Even if we question them, it may not help, and might only bring Lin’an more pain.”
Empress Jiang spoke the truth, and Lin’an agreed—
If nothing could be gained from questioning, why put herself through it?
She looked at her mother, uncertain whether to speak; Consort Xian Zhao insisted, “The rumors are already so widespread, we cannot simply ignore them, Your Majesty...”
She meant: Lin’an’s reputation was already ruined, what more could be lost?
Empress Jiang understood her anger, thinking that after the Emperor’s birthday, all involved had already returned home with a scandal. One more would make little difference.
After weighing matters, she called, “Attend me!”
She summoned two senior matrons, instructing them to deliver her message to Princess Qingyang’s and the Marquis of Dingyuan’s residences.
Lin’an grew anxious, several times wanting to speak to her mother, but hesitated with the Empress present—
Her mother suspected Princess Qingyang, but why involve the Wu family? If she had to recount the scandal before Wu Qinglin, she would be mortified.
But with the Empress’s messengers dispatched, she could only endure.
At the Wu household, the matron’s message startled the lady of the house. The messenger was discreet, saying only that the Empress had invited the heir and second miss to the palace.
“Only the heir and second miss?” Madam Zhou grew wary.
The matron smiled, “Do not worry, madam. The Empress wishes to commend them for their recent heroics.”
After the Emperor’s birthday, the palace had sent gifts to reward Wu Qinglin.
The lady felt there was no need for another summons, but couldn’t refuse the Empress. She ordered the maid to summon Wu Qinglin and Wu Tan.
Wu Tan and Wu Qinglin hurriedly changed and came.
The palace sent a carriage; the lady anxiously escorted them to the gate, telling Madam Zhou, “Prepare a carriage; we’ll wait outside the palace, so we can respond if needed.”
“Yes!” Madam Zhou hurried to arrange it.
Wu Qinglin and Wu Tan rode together; the matron wisely sat outside.
Wu Tan seemed relaxed, as if about to tour the palace.
Wu Qinglin was puzzled, “Do you know what this is about?”
Wu Tan tilted her head, “I didn’t at first, but seeing the Empress summon you and me, I can guess.”
Wu Qinglin frowned, waiting for her to continue.
Wu Tan asked, “You haven’t left the house these days?”
The Marquis of Dingyuan was a pillar of the court, so their family rarely socialized, except for the ladies. Wu Qinglin usually visited the Ministry of War to keep up with news from Yuanzhou.
But lately, after the incident with the Mengs, he hadn’t gone out.
“What’s happened?” Wu Qinglin asked.
Wu Tan replied, “Since you haven’t been out, you haven’t heard—something sensational has happened in the capital. Those love letters you found in Huayang Palace’s fire have surfaced, rumors about Princess Linchuan and Huo Changyu are rampant, even dramatized on stage. Few knew about those letters—except us two.”
Wu Qinglin understood, “So we’re suspects?”
“Or someone wants us to be,” Wu Tan emphasized, seeing her brother frown, and added, “Whatever happens, brother, say little in the palace. I’ll handle any arguments—after all, I’m good at it.”
Wu Qinglin eyed her, thinking she seemed ready for battle.
When she was younger, apart from charming the old lady, he hadn’t thought much of her, but after three years in the army, returning to find her grown, he realized—
She was quite unconventional.
“Wu Tan…” He was about to warn her to restrain herself, but she met his gaze, bright and spirited.
He suddenly thought, no lady of any great family had ever made such a vivid impression.
Yes! This was her best self—why force her to change?
Let her be as she wishes…
Wu Qinglin began seriously considering whether to welcome a brother-in-law into the family in the future.
If Consort Xian Zhao knew he was pondering this en route to the palace, she would surely die of embarrassment.
The carriage moved swiftly, the Empress’s special permission allowing it through all gates, stopping only at the last restriction in the inner palace.
The matron led them to Zhengyang Palace.
Princess Qingyang’s residence was closer, so she and her daughter arrived first.
The Emperor had just entered; Consort Xian Zhao was kneeling before him, clutching his robe and sobbing, “Your Majesty, Lin’an is your daughter—how can you let her be so wronged?”
The Emperor’s arrival showed his concern and anger; he remained grim-faced.
Empress Jiang, tired of Consort Xian Zhao’s tears, patiently reassured her, “I’ve summoned Princess Qingyang and the Wu siblings for you—please wait calmly…”
Before Consort Xian Zhao could speak, the Emperor frowned, “The Wu siblings? You summoned them?”
Empress Jiang was about to explain, but Consort Xian Zhao interjected, “Your Majesty, I do not suspect the Wu family of harming Lin’an—”
Just then, Princess Qingyang and her daughter arrived, overhearing, and Princess Qingyang strode in, mocking, “You don’t suspect the Wu family? Why not say you’ve tricked me here for punishment!”
Princess Qingyang was as fierce as ever, not yielding an inch.
Consort Xian Zhao, interrupted, took a moment to compose herself, then stood and confronted Princess Qingyang, retorting, “So you admit it? Just because the Wu family refused your daughter’s marriage, you begrudge Lin’an’s happiness?”
Wu Tan and Wu Qinglin had just arrived at the hall.
The hall was large, but the two women’s argument filled it, their exchanges sharp and unyielding.
Consort Xian Zhao and Princess Qingyang’s quarrel was something the Wu siblings wished to avoid, but Consort Xian Zhao had eagerly shifted the topic to marriage negotiations.
Clearly, she intended to drag the Wu family into the fray.
The siblings exchanged knowing glances—
On the surface, Consort Xian Zhao seemed to accuse Princess Qingyang, but in truth, she had other motives.
She was opportunistically exploiting the situation—truly shameless!
—Extra Notes—
Although Princess Lin’an is innocent and unlucky, Consort Xian Zhao, it is wrong to target my precious Lin’s brother instead of catching the real culprit~
So, big brother is about to cut off another wave of rotten peach blossoms, ah~
This book is an original; please do not repost!