Chapter 14: The Events of Those Years

Late at night, within the imperial palace.

Xiao Jingxian was utterly unable to sleep, pacing back and forth in his bedchamber until Zhou Dahai entered with a report and handed over a secret dispatch.

Instantly alert, Xiao Jingxian hurriedly opened and read it.

After finishing, he let out a deep sigh of relief.

The Ding Prince’s residence was in chaos; his nephew had been disrespectful toward Lin Yue, and even a mere wet nurse arrogantly claimed Lin Yue was only a secondary consort.

But one thing was certain: Xiao Huaqing could not hear Lin Yue’s true feelings; otherwise, he would never have acted against her so blatantly!

If Xiao Huaqing could not, then what about the Fourth Prince? Could he hear her? Could he truly understand?

Xiao Jingxian furrowed his brow, clutching the secret report as he said to Zhou Dahai, “Tomorrow, go to the Empress’s palace and have her pay attention to the situation of the Ding Princess. If anyone disrespects her, punish them without mercy.”

Zhou Dahai suddenly felt a parched throat, as if a fire were about to ignite within it.

Anxious, he remained silent.

Xiao Jingxian frowned and said displeased, “I’m speaking to you.”

Zhou Dahai quickly knelt, “Your Majesty… Perhaps someone else should go instead. How about this old servant? What if the Empress misinterprets…”

Hearing this, Xiao Jingxian immediately understood Zhou Dahai’s concern; enraged, he lifted his foot and kicked, shouting, “You scoundrel! Do you think I’m such a beast that I would even harm my own brother’s wife?”

“If I send you to the Empress, she’ll be the one to misunderstand. You shameless dog, get out of here!”

“Yes, yes, I’m a dog, I’ll leave right now!” Zhou Dahai fled in terror, disappearing from the inner chamber.

Xiao Jingxian was furious to madness; all he wanted was to save his own life and the fate of the Wei dynasty—how could he be mistaken for someone who’d harm his sister-in-law?

Zhou Dahai was a worthless relic, hardly worth pity!

Next time, he vowed to bring Zhou Dahai before Lin Yue, to hear firsthand how Zhou Dahai truly deserved to die!

Hmph!

…

Lin Yue’s grandmother, the Empress Dowager, lived within the palace. Lin Yue thought she could sleep naturally until waking.

Yet at dawn, voices drifted softly from the banquet room—deliberately hushed but still reaching her ears intermittently.

Just as she restlessly tried to turn over and sleep more, Nurse Qin entered quietly: “Princess Consort, it’s time to rise. The Heir Apparent’s wife has arrived.”

“Let her wait,” Lin Yue yawned, turning over to continue sleeping.

Then Nurse Qin added, “Madam Jiang from the Duke of Zhen Guo’s household is here as well.”

Lin Yue immediately woke. Madam Jiang was Xiao Jingyun’s former mother-in-law and also Lin Yue’s grandaunt. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have met Xiao Huaqing at the Duke’s residence, sparking her affection for him.

Such an early visit—it must have come from Su Yingyue’s report; Lin Yue wouldn’t otherwise believe it.

She had intended to give Su Yingyue some dignity, but since Su Yingyue declined, she need not be blamed.

After freshening up, Lin Yue walked out.

Sure enough, Madam Jiang sat coldly sipping tea.

Su Yingyue stood and bowed, “Daughter-in-law pays respects to Mother.”

Lin Yue nodded and said, “Since you and Madam Jiang are both here, stay for the main meal in the principal chamber.”

Then she prepared to move to the flower hall.

Madam Jiang glared and scolded, “You’re becoming more unruly. Was this how I taught you back at the Duke’s residence?”

Lin Yue smiled, “I grew up in Jinling and only accompanied my parents to the capital at thirteen to visit my grandaunt. I stayed at your residence for just three days before leaving.”

“You taught me?”

Madam Jiang’s face darkened further, sneering, “Since when did you get such a sharp tongue? I heard you even had someone beat Huaqing?”

Lin Yue nodded, “Yes, I did.”

Madam Jiang suddenly rose, furious, “How dare you strike Huaqing? You’re nothing but his stepmother, and he’s the heir apparent. What right do you have to hit him?”

“Lin Yue, without our Duke’s household, could you even become the Ding Princess? You’ve grown bold, not respecting us. But I still hold a card over you. Don’t think I won’t report you to the Empress Dowager and ruin your reputation!”

Hearing this, Su Yingyue looked at Madam Jiang with curiosity about the so-called leverage.

At that moment, Lin Yue glanced out the window and saw Xiao Huaqing arriving with Luo Qingyu to pay respects. Her eyes flickered, and she quickly sat down.

Madam Jiang, believing her threat had succeeded, continued, “Remember your place. I married you into the Ding Prince’s household to take care of Huaqing. Now that Yingyue is here, once they bear you grandchildren, your family will be lively. When you grow old, they will honor you.”

“But if you stubbornly continue to obstruct their union and secretly use your dowry to torment Yingyue, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

[You’re not being ruthless to me; you’re clearly cruel to your own grandson and his wife.]

Lin Yue sneered, “Isn’t that just your excuse to bring up the past?”

Outside the curtain, heavy footsteps suddenly halted.

Madam Jiang did not expect Lin Yue to dare mention it and shouted angrily, “Lin Yue, have you no shame?”

Lin Yue retorted, “Is it me who has no shame or you? At the longevity banquet, you knew Huaqing had mistaken the embroidery. The character ‘Yue’ was embroidered by me, not Su Yingyue, yet you didn’t set him straight but misled him.”

“You thought since my father joined the Ministry of Revenue, I might just become Huaqing’s concubine. But unexpectedly, my parents were tougher than you and refused to let me enter the Prince’s residence as a concubine.”

“You lied, telling me he cared for me but was bound by an engagement and couldn’t step forward. You asked me to write him a letter to plead with the Empress Dowager, hoping I might become the principal consort.”

“Is your so-called leverage that letter?”

“Don’t say I was naive and manipulated by you back then. Now I’m married. You threaten me with this again—are you sure you can bear the consequences of dragging others into this?”

“You…” Madam Jiang was shocked, standing up flushed with anger.

Lin Yue ignored her and turned to Su Yingyue, “Do you think she genuinely cares for you? She told me your Su family were mere civil officials with nothing but a little reputation—unable to bring a dowry even close to one hundred and twenty taels. She looked down on you from the start and schemed behind your back. Yet now you actually seek her support!”

Su Yingyue stared at Madam Jiang, curious about the truth.

Madam Jiang hurried to explain, “Don’t listen to her nonsense. She’s stirring trouble. If I disliked you, would I have invited you to live at the Duke’s residence?”

Lin Yue smirked, “Then why didn’t you tell Huaqing he was mistaken? Why did you want me to write to him? You claim it was for me, for Huaqing, for Su Yingyue—but really, it was all for yourself!”

“You cling tightly to your grandson, afraid one day he’ll turn against you, neglect the Duke’s household, and stop supporting your prodigal, bottomless son.”

“Shut up! Shut up!” Madam Jiang shouted in fury.

At that moment, Xiao Huaqing suddenly swept aside the curtain and entered.