Chapter 371 Worries Aplenty, King Ning Takes a Consort
The Lady of Xian had always been close to the Empress Dowager. If there was anything that troubled her, she would tell the Empress Dowager. However, she did not go to the Empress Dowager whom she was close to. Instead, she was alone with a grave expression. Her niece’s marriage had something to do with the Empress Dowager and she was not too pleased with that. A prince who was related to the Empress would be none other than King Ning, who caused a huge furor.
The Empress Dowager wanted the Lady of Xian’s niece to marry Feng Yuzhen? Mo Xuetong was worried.
This was not a suitable marriage. Given the Empress Dowager’s expertise in plotting, this should not have happened.
No matter whether it was in status or position, it was not a suitable match. Lady of Xian’s family did not have a high position in court. At most, the young lady was just a daughter of a fourth or fifth-grade official. At the most, a title like that would make her a second consort of Feng Yuzhen. Did the Empress Dowager want to find Feng Yuzhen a second consort? Even so, that girl was already considered to be marrying up. Why did Lady of Xian not agree to it?
Even though Mo Xuetong felt anxious, she did not reveal it at all. A faint smile appeared on her soft cheeks. She asked gently, “Lady, please do not worry. I already heard that your niece is virtuous and gentle. When will you bring her over for me to look at? Even though I want to go out, I can’t since His Highness is still injured. It would be great if there is someone who can come and chat with me.”
“I want to bring her along too but the Empress Dowager says she likes that the girl is gentle and sensible. She was summoned into court this morning. Rou’er has never been to the palace and I am worried that something will happen to her in the palace. She just turned 15 and her character is weak. It is so worrisome.” Lady of Xian frowned and she could not hide how worried she felt.
The Empress Dowager had summoned the legitimate daughter of a lowly official to her. She was being too obvious! She did not even allow Lady of Xian, the girl’s aunt to come along, which meant that the Empress Dowager was certain that the marriage would happen. While the Empress Dowager thought highly of King Ning, he did not have to come personally to take a look at an insignificant second consort! What did the Empress Dowager mean!
“Lady, rest assured, the Empress Dowager likes your niece and will definitely protect her. The ladies in the palace are usually kind and friendly, they will not allow your niece to get into trouble.” Mo Xuetong smiled and comforted the woman as she tended to the tassels running down the table.
“Sigh, I can only think of it this way. I do have something to trouble you with, Lady. I heard that you own Xiuning Workshop and that the embroidered goods in there are amazing. I have something I need your help with.” Lady of Xian changed the topic to what she came to the manor for, realizing that she wouldn’t be able to get anything out of Mo Xuetong.
“Please speak, My Lady.”
“If my niece’s marriage is settled, she will get married here in the capital. His Highness wants me to prepare what she needs and I have chosen your Xiuning Workshop for the embroidered goods. His Highness and I have always wanted a daughter but we did not have any more children after having a few sons. I treat this niece of mine like my daughter and His Highness dotes on her very much. I am afraid that the embroidered goods will not be prepared well or fast enough, so I hope that you will be able to rush the work for us and see if our stuff can be done first.”
An embroidery workshop like Mo Xuetong’s Xiuning Workshop had embroidery maids groomed especially in embroidery. They also bought goods from outside and sold them in the shop. However, most of what they sold was bespoke items. Even though Mo Xuetong’s Xiuning Workshop was not considered to be the best in the capital, it was one of the best workshops. They were many customers and it would be a little troublesome if the customers made a rush order. The orders were all lined up according to when they came in.
Lady of Xian was right to find Mo Xuetong to talk about this matter. However, no matter what would happen, Mo Xuetong felt that it was a little odd.
She smiled and asked, “When does the King’s Manor require these goods then?”
Was the Empress Dowager rushing them so?
“If the engagement is set in a hurry, it would be in the next few days. They might require us to complete the wedding ceremony in one month and to have all the betrothal gifts ready. As such, if we order the gifts then, I hope that My Lady would be able to have the workshop complete the embroidery for the wedding gown and other embroidered items this month lest we embarrass ourselves in the capital.” Lady of Xian sighed. There was not a hint of joy on her face.
They would choose the helpers necessary for the wedding and the couple would be wed within the month. Even the betrothal gifting would be done within the month. It was rather rushed for a Prince taking a consort. Of course, Mo Xuetong’s wedding was rushed as well, but it was because Feng Yuran was “gravely injured”, and could not wait. The Empress Dowager rushed the matter so much there wasn’t enough time to breathe. Was she trying to build a reputation for Feng Yuzhen, or was she trying to find Feng Yuzhen powerful partners?
Mo Xuetong could not think of an answer at the moment. When she saw Lady of Xian glancing at her from time to time, she thought for a moment and then looked up. She said, “My Lady, this is not a problem. If you need it, I will have the servants tell the shop to work on your job first. Even though it is a little rushed, I will have them work a little harder at night. It should be possible.”
“Then, thank you very much, My Lady!”
“Lady of Xian, you are too kind. You speak so politely to me even though I am younger than you are.”
They chatted with smiles on their faces about the matter as if they were really talking about embroidery products. Then, they even discussed the most fashionable styles then. One of them seemed as if she were truly sincere about marrying her daughter off while the other seemed to be promoting her business. They also chatted about other matters. Then, Lady of Xian left with a smile an hour later.
Mo Xuetong sent her to the door and watched as the lady’s horse carriage drew away slowly!
Inside the horse carriage, Lady of Xian wrung her handkerchief and sighed. She could see Mo Xuetong’s young and innocent face as the curtains swung. She felt that she was wrong to visit. However, it was King of Xian’s orders, and she had thus visited. She did not want her niece to become King Ning’s second consort.
Disregarding the status of being King Ning’s second consort, just King Ning’s current status made Lady of Xian feel miffed.
The Empress Dowager liking King Ning was no secret in the capital. King Ning was the Empress Dowager’s biological grandson. He was unlike King Ning and King Yan. He was also the legitimate son of the deceased Crown Prince. It sounded like the throne was going to be his. How could the Emperor not be guarded against him in this situation?
While the girl would be a legitimate consort after she entered King Ning’s Manor, Lady of Xian felt that it was not very suitable. She truly hoped that the Empress Dowager would change her mind about this.
However, judging by the Empress Dowager’s actions, she seemed to be trying her best to make the match successful. She even summoned Rou’er into the palace today. Even though the Empress Dowager would not do anything impolite, Lady of Xian was still worried.
She was from a family of warriors and generals and always spoke her mind. She did not mind marrying the King of Xian and was loyal only to the Emperor. It did not matter who the Emperor was for they all needed a loyal general. As such, even when they entered the capital, they did not interact with other officials lest the Emperor started to suspect them. They would not be involved in this matter where the princes tried to be the next in line of succession.
However, while she did not wish to be involved in the matter, the Empress Dowager was not of the same mind. The Empress Dowager had implied in all ways, openly or not, that she was interested in Lady of Xian’s niece. She had even summoned the girl away and not allowed the girl’s aunt to accompany her. Lady of Xian was worried and could only use the method King of Xian had sent in a letter a few days ago and tried to seek out the King Xuan’s Manor for help.
Even though she did not believe that the wild and unrestrained King Ning would have any ideas, much less the young and immature consort would know anything, she was at the end of her tether. She could only listen to her husband. After all, just like what King of Xian said, there would be a way out. She wondered if the little consort understood that she did not want to marry her niece to King Ning!
It was so worrisome!
Mo Xuetong watched as the horse carriage drew away before she entered the manor holding on to Mo Lan’s hand. As she walked, she instructed Mo Ye, “Go and see who the young ladies the Empress Dowager invited today are.” The Empress Dowager was finding people for Feng Yuzhen!
“Yes, I will go immediately,” Mo Ye answered before leaving through the side doors. She was just a maid and would not be able to leave through the maid doors if she was trying to buy some daily necessities for her mistress.
Mo Ye was very fast and she returned to the manor in less than two hours.
Mo Xuetong sat in her chair, pondering for a while after she heard the news that Mo Ye brought back. Then, she brought Mo Ye to Jinwei Pavilion. She had only entered when she saw a eunuch leaving. The eunuch was sweating profusely and when he saw Mo Xuetong, it was as if he had seen his savior. He stammered and ran up to Mo Xuetong with a brilliant smile.
“My Lady, you are here. His Highness was making a fuss, looking for you. He had only just woken up and he had not even taken his medicine before he started getting angry.”
The eunuch felt very anxious. When he entered the pavilion earlier, he heard that the first thing King Xuan asked for when he woke up was for his consort. They knew that the consort had gone out but did not know where. After that, the prince had kicked them. He did not even dare to wipe the mark off before he ran out hurriedly. How could he not feel as if he had seen his savior when he saw Mo Xuetong then?
Mo Xuetong’s gaze landed on the shoe print on the front of the eunuch’s robe, and then, looked at his bitter expression. Her lips curved slightly. She really did not know what to do with the man. He had managed to do something like that after speaking with his subordinates. It was as if he was afraid that others would not know that he was in a bad mood.
“You all can leave. I will serve His Highness medicine.”
“Alright, I will get all of them to come out.” The eunuch was relieved and excited. He turned around and yelled, “The Lady is here!”
His back was ramrod straight and he did not look at all like the lost and flustered man earlier.
The eunuchs inside hurriedly dealt with the prince. They all had shoe prints on their robes. The prince, whose leg was still extended, was not satisfied. He looked at them through his charming eyes, making them go all around the room to do his bidding. The prince found the pottery ugly, the curtains disgusting, the placement of the flowers wrong. He was so difficult to please!
…
When they heard “The Lady is here!”, they all heaved a sigh of relief. They backed away respectfully and made way for the lady. The charming man lying on the bed lost all his frustration when he heard that Mo Xuetong was coming. He leaned backward and his beautiful eyes shone. His handsome lips curled up, expressing his joy. He did not look like he was upset and trying to make trouble anymore.
The people in King Xuan’s Manor had to admit that the new consort was really a good treatment for the prince who liked to make trouble. No matter what kind of mood the prince was in, he would feel happy and pleased whenever he saw the consort. It was an expression that the servants of King Xuan’s Manor had never seen before.
“What’s the matter? You’re making trouble again after just waking up. When will your injuries heal?” Mo Xuetong said, gently, pretending to be angry as she entered and glared at Feng Yuran. She looked at the medicine on the table that was still piping hot.
“I didn’t want to drink it when I woke up and didn’t see you!” Feng Yuran said glumly. He waved his hand and gestured for the eunuchs to leave.
The eunuchs were smart enough to understand and left. The last eunuch to leave even helped them to close the doors. They all knew that His Highness cared about this consort! The consort would coax the prince into drinking the medicine. The prince would not even drink a single drop of the medicine without the consort now.
Who would have thought that the scene playing out in the room was completely different from what they imagined?
The virtuous and gracious consort was throwing a tantrum. She did not want to take the medicine!
“Tong’er, quick, come here. It’s time to take your medicine!” Feng Yuran waved her over with a smile.
“No! It’s bitter!” Mo Xuetong pouted her pink lips, standing just out of Feng Yuran’s grasp. She looked at the piping hot medicine and sniffed at it. She refused to move and said despondently, “Yuran, I’m really not ill. I am very healthy. I don’t want to take the medicine!”
She was truly upset. She had been taking the medicine for so long. There was nothing wrong with her. Why did she have to drink it every day?!
