Тhе Sеventh Prinсе, drеssеd in mоurning clothes, knеlt bеfore Мinister Chеn аnd his wifе, kоwtоwing sеveral timеs with resounding thuds. "Grandfather, Grandmоthеr, now thаt Mоthеr is gоnе, Xiао Qi will surеlу fulfill Мothеr Consort's filiаl dutiеs towаrd you both аnd will never disаppоint hеr." Маdаm Сhеn raised hеr hеad, lооking аt her grаndson bеfоre her, whоsе feаtures bore а striking resemblanсе tо her dаughter. Seeing his rеddеnеd eуеs аnd sоrrоwful еxрrеssion, hеr heаrt achеd, and shе рullеd the Sеvеnth Рrinсe tightly into hеr embrace. "Mу poor grаndson."
Thе mournеrs gаtherеd around could not help but sigh with emotion. One of them patted the Seventh Prince's shoulder consolingly. "The dead cannot be brought back to life. Your Highness, please restrain your grief."
The Seventh Prince lifted his head and exchanged a glance with Wei Rufeng. Wei Rufeng's face wore an appropriately sorrowful and sympathetic expression. Without saying another word, he turned and walked back into the main hall of the Chen residence to converse with others.
The woman accompanying Wei Rufeng, though dressed in plain attire, exuded an unmistakable air of wealth and nobility. Her delicate face was filled with pride—this was Zhuangshan. By now, it was widely known that she had become Wei Rufeng's most favored concubine, and it was said that her status in Prince Wei's residence was high, and she was most cherished by Wei Rufeng. "My lord," she spoke with some confusion, "why is Prince Xuanqing not here to offer condolences?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell into silence. Rumors had recently circulated in the palace that Consort Chen's alleged adultery had been a frame-up, and the mastermind behind it was none other than Fu Yunxi. Now that Consort Chen had taken her own life, Fu Yunxi had become the focus of everyone's attention. If he came, facing the person he had indirectly caused the death of would hardly be a good thing. If he did not come, it would prove his guilt. Whether he came or not, it seemed like a mistake, and Wei Rufeng's concubine had, quite coincidentally, brought it up.
Wei Rufeng smiled and comforted her, "Perhaps the Prince Consort and the Prince were delayed by some matter and could not make it." These words only fueled further speculation. Among those serving in the same court, the Seventh Prince's affair was considered significant. As the Seventh Prince's royal uncle, Prince Xuanqing naturally should have come to pay his respects. Now that Wei Rufeng mentioned they were delayed, it made people recall the previous rumors of discord between Consort Chen and the Xuan Qing Prince Consort. Could it be that Prince Xuanqing dared not come out of guilt?
"Prince Xuanqing has arrived..." Coincidentally, a servant's announcement came from outside. Everyone looked up to see Prince Xuanqing striding in, his expression cold and emanating a faint chill. The voices in the hall gradually faded away.
Wei Rufeng had not expected him to arrive in such a manner. Collecting himself, he stepped forward with a smile. "Your Highness has come to offer condolences. Why did you not bring the Prince Consort?" Not seeing Han Yan, Wei Rufeng could not tell whether he felt disappointment or relief. He did not wish to see her standing beside Fu Yunxi, yet he longed to see her. Between love and hatred, Wei Rufeng himself could not clarify his feelings. Only toward the man before him did he feel an unwilling jealousy and envy.
Seeing this, Zhuangshan spoke with a clever smile, "Indeed, why is Fourth Sister not here? I was hoping to have a word with her. When I returned to the Zhuang residence the other day, I didn't even catch a glimpse of her."This statement implied that Han Yan had not been living at the Zhuang residence for a long time. Where else could she be staying if not the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion? For an unmarried woman, even with a betrothal, it was improper to simply move into her future husband's home. Those who had come to offer condolences began to form their own speculations. Zhuangshan smiled sincerely, yet her gaze was as sharp as a blade.
Fu Yunxi merely smiled faintly. "The Prince Consort caught a chill in the palace the day before yesterday. I was concerned about her health, so I brought her to the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion." After speaking, he cast a meaningful glance at Wei Rufeng. "Today's occasion for condolences is prone to attracting ill omens. Those who are unwell should not attend."
Everyone suddenly understood. No wonder the Xuan Qing Prince Consort had not come today. It turned out the Xuan Qing Prince had been so considerate. It seemed the two shared a deep affection. Previously, there had been talk that the Prince Consort was unworthy of the Prince, but now it appeared the Prince genuinely cared for her.
Zhuangshan gritted her teeth in frustration. Fu Yunxi's words had instead placed her in an awkward position. He had prevented Han Yan from leaving the mansion due to concerns about ill omens, yet Wei Rufeng had willingly brought her along. She had thought to seize the opportunity to humiliate Han Yan by highlighting her lack of favor, but now it seemed Wei Rufeng had not been concerned for her health and had not considered her well-being as thoroughly.
Wei Rufeng was momentarily stunned. He knew about the aphrodisiac poison Han Yan had been subjected to that night. Had he succeeded in being with Han Yan, today's scene would never have unfolded. But later, he learned that Han Yan had been rescued by Fu Yunxi. At the time, he was deeply distressed, knowing the potency of the aphrodisiac poison—once afflicted, one had to engage in intercourse to detoxify. Han Yan had been taken to the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion, so naturally, Fu Yunxi had helped her detoxify. The thought that the two had already consummated their relationship tormented him, filling him with such anguish that he wished he could tear Fu Yunxi to pieces. Later, when the Empress Dowager attempted to harm Han Yan by verifying her virginity, his spies in the palace reported that Han Yan was still a virgin. His emotions became a tangled mess—on one hand, he was relieved that Han Yan remained pure, but on the other, he was troubled by the missed opportunity to strike a blow against Fu Yunxi. Now, hearing Fu Yunxi say that Han Yan was still in the mansion, he felt a flicker of doubt. How was her health now? Although the aphrodisiac poison had been neutralized, it must have still taken a toll on her body.
The Seventh Prince stood up at an opportune moment and bowed to Fu Yunxi. "Uncle," he called out, his voice choked with emotion, then bowed deeply and remained in that position without rising.
Fu Yunxi asked, "What are you doing?"
The Seventh Prince shook his head. "I previously heard that my mother had a disagreement with you. Now that she has passed away, I, as her son, offer an apology on her behalf."
The Seventh Prince had always been filial and well-mannered. Now, having lost his mother at such a young age, it was truly moving that he remained so composed and understanding.
Fu Yunxi did not reach out to help him up, nor did he even glance his way. After a long pause, he said coldly, "There is no need. It was merely hearsay."
Having met with a gentle rebuff, the Seventh Prince said nothing. Instead, he lifted the hem of his robe and prepared to kneel before Fu Yunxi. "If Uncle says this, it means you do not forgive my mother. I have no choice but to kowtow to you on her behalf."A prince of the realm, yet forced to kneel before a mere prince—others found it hard to stomach. However, Prince Xuanqing held such sway over the court that no one dared offend him, leaving them to sigh inwardly. Just then, an indignant voice rang out: "Your Highness may hold high rank and great power, but must you torment a child so? The Seventh Prince is, after all, a son of the dragon—why must Your Highness press him so harshly?"
All turned to see that the speaker was Madam Chen. Having lost her daughter in old age, her grief was beyond words; her hair had turned noticeably whiter overnight. Seeing Madam Chen, the Seventh Prince called out, "Grandmother..." but could say no more.
The sight of grandmother and grandson embracing in shared anguish, to those unaware of the truth, truly made Fu Yunxi appear as a bully wielding his power. Zhuangshan spoke in a delicate, pitiful tone, "Ah, now that Her Ladyship has passed, only this elderly woman and child remain to suffer—how lamentable. Why does Your Highness not ease their pain and share their sorrow?"
Wei Rufeng also shook his head with a sigh. "Indeed, at this moment, the Seventh Prince is in unbearable agony—who can truly understand the bitterness in his heart?"
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