Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 83: A Change in Perspective

Xie Ping had knelt in the ancestral hall for an entire night.

Yun Chu forbade anyone from sending food, not even a single sip of water was delivered.

He Shi peered through the small window into the ancestral hall and saw Xie Ping kneeling weakly on the ground, her heart aching unbearably.

She stuffed most of the silver she had earned from embroidery work these days into the hands of the gatekeeper, then entered carrying a food box and whispered, "Ping Jie'er, Mother is here. Eat something quickly."

Xie Ping looked up, grabbed He Shi's hand, and asked urgently, "How is it? Is there any movement yet?"

He Shi advised, "The day has just dawned. Even if there is movement, it wouldn't be this fast. Eat something first, don't ruin your health."

Xie Ping had no appetite. Her entire body was uncomfortable and in pain. The current discomfort was temporary; what she feared was that this matter would not have a good outcome.

At that moment, the woman outside the door suddenly spoke: "He Yiniang, it seems there are guests in the residence. You must leave quickly!"

A glimmer of hope appeared in Xie Ping's eyes: "It must be the Anjing Prince sending someone. Yiniang, go out quickly and gather information."

After a few words of caution, He Shi immediately left the ancestral hall and headed toward the front courtyard.

Guests had indeed arrived in the front courtyard—it was Madam Tang, a trusted confidante of Consort De, one of the four consorts of the inner palace.

Madam Tang bowed to each member of the Xie family in turn. As a favored figure by Consort De's side, the Xie family dared not accept her courtesy and hurriedly offered her a seat and served tea.

"Our prince is at Qing'an Temple to pray for the Crown Prince's recovery. During this time, he has been copying Buddhist scriptures daily, purifying his mind and desires. It is absolutely impossible for him to commit such an absurd act," Madam Tang's voice carried a chill. "Lord Xie went to the Censorate last night, and Young Master Xie lingered outside the Court of Judicial Review with his men all night. What is the meaning of this?"

Although Old Madam was the undisputed authority in the Xie family, faced with the haughty demeanor of the palace maid, she was left speechless.

Yun Chu smiled and said, "Is Madam Tang implying that the responsibility for the Anjing Prince's actions at the feet of the Buddha lies entirely with my daughter? Originally, our Xie family was considering whether to ask the Chief of the Court of Judicial Review to uphold justice. Now it seems it is quite necessary."

Madam Tang's expression stiffened.

She had intended to assert her authority and intimidate the Xie family first, but she hadn't expected this Madam Xie to show no regard for Consort De's face.

However, upon reflection, it was understandable. This Madam Xie was the legitimate eldest daughter of the General's Manor. General Yun commanded heavy troops, and with the Yun family backing her, why would she fear a mere consort?

Madam Tang pulled a mutton-fat white jade pendant from her sleeve and softened her tone, saying, "This is a jade pendant that Consort De has worn for over twenty years. She specially asked me to bring it and bestow it upon Miss Xie. Once the Crown Prince has fully recovered, our lady will have the Ministry of Rites arrange for Miss Xie to be accepted as the Anjing Prince's Side Princess Consort."

Old Madam was overjoyed. It seemed the position of Side Princess Consort was secured.

Although Ping Jie'er's future life would be difficult, at least the Xie family had connected with the Anjing Prince's Manor, and the predicament facing Jingyu would be resolved.

Xie Jingyu frowned deeply.

Last night, he had gone to the Censorate, An Ge'er had headed to the Court of Judicial Review, and Yun Chu had visited the Yun family—all in an effort to use the influence of these three parties to pressure Consort De.

Consort De had made concessions, but at most, she could only offer the position of Side Princess Consort.

In truth, he could understand Consort De's position. Given Ping Jie'er's status, she truly was not fit for the position of Princess Consort."This jade pendant is far too precious; my Xie family dare not accept it." While he was lost in thought, Yun Chu spoke up. "Could I trouble Nanny Tang to request that Consort De send a royal physician to examine my daughter? Since returning home yesterday, she has refused all food and water, repeatedly attempting to take her own life. Now, she breathes more out than in..."

Nanny Tang's expression darkened.

This Madam Xie was clearly implying that if Consort De only offered the position of Side Princess Consort, then the Xie eldest young lady would choose death.

That cheap hussy who seduced the Anjing Prince deserved to die, but the Xie family didn't see it that way. If the Xie eldest young lady were to die, the Xie family would likely turn the world upside down.

She stood up and retrieved the jade pendant. "Our lady will definitely give the Xie family a proper resolution to this matter. I ask that Lord Xie refrain from spreading word of this. I shall now return to the palace to report."

Nanny Tang quickly departed from the Xie residence.

"Madam, this move will surely enrage Consort De," Xie Jingyu said with a furrowed brow. "Consort De gave birth to two princesses before finally having the Anjing Prince, and she has always doted on him. Not only has the Xie family schemed against the Anjing Prince, but we're also coveting the position of Princess Consort. Consort De likely won't let the Xie family off easily. I wonder if Madam has a backup plan?"

The gazes of the Xie family members all fell upon Yun Chu.

Yun Chu spoke calmly, "Husband, you should spend more time paying attention to court affairs. The Crown Prince is seriously ill, and the Emperor suspects the Anjing Prince is behind it. Only by voluntarily marrying a woman from a humble family can the Emperor's suspicions be cleared. Consort De surely understands this logic."

The Old Madam pressed further, "What if Consort De refuses?"

"Then we can only say Consort De is foolish and cannot see the situation clearly," Yun Chu said with a mocking laugh. "With such a foolish mother, the Anjing Prince won't achieve much in the future. In that case, it would be better for Ping Jie'er not to marry him at all."

Hearing this, the Old Madam didn't dare ask more questions, lest she appear foolish herself.

After leaving the Xie residence, Nanny Tang returned directly to the palace and reported everything in detail to Consort De.

Consort De was so furious she smashed all the teacups.

"How could my fourth son be so brainless!" she fumed, her head throbbing with anger. "To be outsmarted by some half-grown girl, and in a Buddhist temple no less, right when the Emperor has punished him to reflect on his mistakes! It wouldn't matter if he only angered me to death, but I fear he'll anger the Emperor into banishing him to his fiefdom. That place is so remote, so cold, so desolate—how could he endure such hardship!"

"Your Highness, please calm your anger," Nanny Tang said, bowing her head. "If we look at it from another perspective, this might actually be a way to break the deadlock."

Consort De asked sternly, "What do you mean?"

"Currently, the Emperor suspects our Prince of contending for the Crown Prince's position, which is why he punished the Prince by sending him to Qing'an Temple for prayer," Nanny Tang explained slowly. "Although our Prince was framed, as long as the Emperor and Empress believe it, they won't easily allow the Prince to leave Qing'an Temple. If Your Highness voluntarily requests a low-born girl as the official Princess Consort for the Prince, it would signal to the Emperor that our Prince has no ambition for the throne. Then, the Prince would naturally be released."

Consort De understood this reasoning but still couldn't accept it. "Even if it has to be a low-born girl, it can't be that cheap hussy!"

"That Madam Xie is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yun family. If she's determined to make this matter public, the Prince might never be allowed back to the capital," Nanny Tang advised. "Once that Xie eldest young lady becomes Princess Consort, she'll be completely at Your Highness's mercy. We can find a suitable excuse to strip her of her title later—it wouldn't be difficult."

Consort De gritted her teeth.If the Xie family were to escalate this matter, a simple investigation would reveal the countless innocent women in the rear courtyard of Anjing Prince's residence. The prince would likely be drowned in public scorn.

Though they did not contend for the throne, they could not afford to be a prince despised by the common people.

After much deliberation, it seemed there was only one path forward.

Consort De could only rise, change her attire, and proceed to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility where the Empress resided.