Chapter 073: A Dog Eat Dog Fight (Part One)

Because it concerned the lifelong happiness of Princess Lin’an, Consort Xian could hardly contain her impatience.

But how could Princess Qingyang, a seasoned veteran of palace intrigues, be cowed by such matters? In fact, Consort Xian’s eagerness to seize every advantage played right into her hands.

“Sister-in-law greets Your Majesty and Her Majesty!” Princess Qingyang approached, offering the proper courtesies to the emperor and empress. Yet, without waiting for the emperor to bid her rise, she turned sharply, facing Consort Xian head-on. “Consort Xian, I truly cannot understand your words just now. Even if the Marquis of Dingyuan’s household refused my proposal, it is a matter between my own estate and theirs. What business is it of yours or Lin’an’s? Isn’t it a stretch for you to involve yourself so wantonly?”

When it came to verbal sparring, Consort Xian was no match for Princess Qingyang and was left momentarily speechless.

But this was not the time for concern over appearances. Some things could not be pressed openly in front of the Wu family, so she had to seize the initiative with the emperor before they arrived. Taking a steadying breath, she retorted, “Since you have cast aside all decorum, why should I preserve it for you? You brought Lady Changping to the Marquis’s residence, trying to force a marriage, and were refused by Madam Wu, resulting in a most unpleasant scene. You then held a grudge…”

So fierce was the quarrel erupting within the hall that those outside found themselves unable to interject.

The matron standing by the main entrance glanced at Wu Qinglin and his sister, her expression embarrassed and awkward.

Sensing the escalation inside, Wu Tan knew they could wait no longer. She raised her voice and called out, “Wu Qinglin and Wu Tan of the Marquis of Dingyuan’s household, summoned by imperial command, humbly request an audience with Her Majesty the Empress!”

Her clear, ringing voice carried straight into the inner hall.

Consort Xian’s tirade was abruptly interrupted, and she shuddered involuntarily.

Princess Qingyang’s eyes glinted with malicious delight.

She had been uncertain where the Wu family’s loyalties lay regarding Consort Xian. Even as she entered the palace, she was plotting how best to sow discord between them, driving their relationship to ruin. Yet, just as the curtain was rising on this drama, Consort Xian seemed determined to dig her own grave.

Days ago, she would not have dared to openly drive a wedge between Consort Xian and the Wu family. But after certain clandestine maneuvers, Princess Lin’an’s reputation was now in tatters. Even if the Wu family had initially considered an alliance, they would now avoid the princess as one might a plague.

Yet Consort Xian, hoping to act before the Wu family could respond, was desperately trying to force the stain upon them. How could the Wu family allow this?

This was exactly what Consort Xian feared, pushing her to make a last-ditch effort to secure the emperor’s blessing for the marriage before the Wu family could intervene.

At this critical moment, Wu Tan’s sudden announcement—just as Consort Xian was about to speak of the marriage—made her heart pound with anxiety, her palms slick with nervous sweat.

Had the Wu siblings overheard her just now? She fervently hoped not, lest her plans be ruined. Her eyes darted about, betraying her unease.

The Empress Jiang felt her own dignity threatened, but she maintained a composed and graceful demeanor as she turned to the emperor. “Your Majesty?”

With a sigh, the emperor replied, “Summon them in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Aunt Fang personally went to the door and soon led Wu Qinglin and Wu Tan inside.

Because the empress had summoned them privately, Wu Qinglin wore only a simple indigo robe with gold embroidery. His hair was bound with a jade pin, and apart from a jade pendant and a sachet at his waist, his attire was otherwise unadorned.

He stood tall and straight, his bearing calm and self-assured—a man who, though plainly dressed, radiated an inescapable presence, like a concealed sword whose edge could not be ignored.

Beside him, Wu Tan wore a brightly colored high-waisted skirt and blouse that accentuated her vivid features, making her stand out brilliantly.

Princess Lin’an, seated nearby, glanced at Wu Qinglin, then, recalling her own disgrace, felt a wave of shame wash over her. She bit her lip and lowered her head.

“Your humble servants greet Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress! Salutations to Consort Xian, to Princess Qingyang, and to the princess.”

The siblings stepped forward and paid their respects.

The emperor nodded slightly. “You may rise.”

He said no more, glancing at the empress to take the lead.

“There’s no need for alarm. I summoned you here only to clarify a certain matter.” As the empress had called them, she addressed the siblings with a mild smile. “You were present the night of His Majesty’s birthday when that incident occurred. In recent days, troubling rumors have been circulating, apparently related to that event. Consort Xian appealed to me, requesting that you both come to the palace as witnesses.”

At first, she had believed Consort Xian’s agitation arose from outrage over Princess Lin’an’s victimization and had wanted all involved summoned for questioning.

But the heated exchange between Consort Xian and Princess Qingyang had revealed ulterior motives.

The empress would not let herself be used as a pawn. Had everything been openly discussed from the start, it might have been settled amicably. But witnessing Consort Xian’s attempt to trick the Wu family into a marriage, using her as a tool—

Empress Jiang was known for her graciousness toward the well-behaved consorts of the palace, but she was by no means weak-willed. She would not shoulder the blame for Consort Xian’s schemes. With a serene smile, she looked back at Consort Xian, awaiting her response. “Consort Xian?”

Consort Xian felt her heart leap to her throat, panic overtaking her as she turned toward the empress.

Though Empress Jiang smiled, her eyes flashed with unmistakable coldness as their gazes met.

“My lady—” Consort Xian opened her mouth to explain.

But Wu Tan did not intend to give her a chance to seize the initiative. She spoke at once, “Just now, standing outside, I overheard your dispute with Princess Qingyang, and it seemed to concern my family. Was it about Her Highness’s recent visit to our residence?”

Her tone was measured and composed, her demeanor strictly proper, betraying no undue emotion.

Consort Xian’s expression stiffened, ready to brush the matter aside, but Wu Tan pressed on, calm and unhurried. “Although none of our elders received a summons today, if Consort Xian has any questions, I am authorized to answer on their behalf. That day, when Princess Qingyang and Lady Changping visited, my brother was not at home, but I accompanied them throughout. Hearing Consort Xian refer to the incident—”

She paused and glanced openly at Princess Qingyang.

The princess glared back and snorted coldly.

Wu Tan was unfazed, continuing, “Consort Xian, it’s true that there was some unpleasantness during Princess Qingyang’s visit. Your remarks just now were well-intentioned, for which our household is grateful. However, it was merely a private matter between our two families. We would not wish to trouble you further or cause a rift between you and the princess.”

Her words, though courteous, drew a clear line: she would not allow any further association between her family and Consort Xian.

Having already offended the empress over this affair, Consort Xian now found herself publicly rebuffed by a mere girl from the Wu family. Her anger smoldered.

Her gaze toward Wu Tan grew sharp and threatening, but Wu Tan ignored her. Turning to Princess Qingyang, she curtsied again and spoke with dignity, “Your Highness, if you bear any resentment over that day, direct it toward our household alone. Please do not implicate the innocent or involve unrelated parties.”

She deliberately stressed the words “unrelated parties.”

Princess Lin’an and her mother felt their faces burn with embarrassment.

Princess Qingyang, unexpectedly relieved, felt a burden lift from her heart. These past days, the Wu and Xian families had been silent, and she had feared the Wu family truly wished for Wu Qinglin to wed Princess Lin’an. Now, Wu Tan had made it plain—even at the cost of open enmity, she would not permit Consort Xian to force a connection.

Clearly, Consort Xian’s hopes for this marriage were entirely one-sided.

Having once felt wronged on her daughter’s behalf, Princess Qingyang now felt a measure of satisfaction. She snorted and raised her chin with disdain. “What a trivial matter! Marriage is, after all, a question of mutual consent. I merely mentioned it in passing to Madam Wu. Since the heir apparent has no plans to marry, who would insist otherwise? Is that really something to hold a grudge over? Some people are merely sowing discord.”

Consort Xian had not expected a junior from the Wu family to take charge of the heir’s marriage. Wu Tan’s quick tongue and deft maneuvering cut her off as deftly as one would avoid a plague.

She had been anxious over the Wu family’s silence, but comforted herself that her daughter was more than a worthy match for Wu Qinglin. Now she saw she had overestimated their standing; matters were not as hopeful as she had believed.

Still, Wu Tan had spoken with such tact that Consort Xian could not shamelessly press the issue. As she hesitated, Princess Qingyang seized the moment. “Consort Xian, was it not at your request that we were summoned? Is this not all about Lin’an? I’ve heard something of it these past days, but the rumors concern Lin’an and the illegitimate son of the Huo family. Why are you not seeking justice from the Huo family, but dragging us here instead?”

She and Li Xun’er had conspired in this from the start, hoping to sabotage any prospect of marriage between Wu Qinglin and Princess Lin’an. Today, she had come prepared to stoke discord, but before she could act, Consort Xian had already alienated the Wu family.

Yet, it made sense. A woman’s reputation was of utmost importance, and no matter how exalted Princess Lin’an’s status, the Wu family did not need her to advance. Even a poor scholar would rather forgo a promising future than accept such a disgrace.

Consort Xian’s throat tightened at the question.

Princess Lin’an, seeing things deteriorate, could not let matters spiral further. She bit her lip, stood, and said, “Aunt Qingyang, my mother was merely distraught over my situation and spoke rashly. She meant no harm in summoning both families. Please, forgive her. If anything in her words offended you, I beg your pardon on her behalf.”

She had not anticipated Consort Xian would try to force Wu Qinglin into accepting the marriage. Though she did harbor feelings for him, such underhanded means—especially in these circumstances—were unthinkable. It could only backfire.

Though she spoke thus, her heart was heavy with sorrow. She had suffered for no reason, and despite her grievances, not only did no one support her, she now had to abase herself and apologize to others. By the end, her voice quivered with emotion.

But Princess Qingyang was not one to show mercy; seeing her distress, she added fuel to the fire. “With such a tone, I hardly dare accept your apology. Others might think, as your elder, I’ve bullied you.”

Princess Lin’an, already sensitive, had summoned all her courage to speak. Now, at this cutting remark, her tears spilled forth.

The emperor, seeing the scene devolve into chaos, finally intervened. “Enough! Qingyang, if this is none of your concern, return to your residence. Why make a scene here? You are Lin’an’s elder; is this how an elder behaves?”

Princess Qingyang was notorious for her stubbornness and would not hesitate to escalate matters. The emperor wished to quell the situation, but the empress had already summoned both families before his arrival.

“If Your Majesty wishes me gone, I shall go.” Seeing the emperor’s intent to make peace, Princess Qingyang could not openly confront Consort Xian and her daughter. She bowed to the imperial couple, then muttered acidly, “Who knows what sort of company Lin’an keeps to invite such misfortune repeatedly? Consort Xian, rather than complain here, why not teach your daughter better? As they say, flies do not swarm to unbroken eggs. Of all the good girls in the world, why does trouble always find Lin’an?”

Her words dripped with malice.

Consort Xian’s face flushed with rage. She shrieked, “Xiao Qi! Are you even human? Lin’an is your own niece, yet you dare slander her before the emperor? I will not let this go!”

Completely losing control, she lunged forward and slapped Princess Qingyang across the face.

—End of Chapter—

Sigh, I can’t write anymore. My state these past few days has been poor; I’ve been staying up until three or four in the morning for three days straight and I’m a bit overwhelmed. I’ll have to split the chapter here and continue after some rest. I’ll try to update before noon. Love to you all~

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