464 Competing for the Medicinal Primer (4)
The people of the Great Zhou were already considered superstitious. The people of Nanzhao were even better. Otherwise, they would not have believed in an illusory thing like the Gu God.
“Since it’s rumored that this garden is an ominous place, that rich merchant still dared to buy it?” Yu Wan asked.
Qing Yan smiled. “There are always a few bold and fearless people in the world.”
That was true. Moreover, no matter what, it was a royal garden. It was also a matter of pride to be able to hold it in his hands.
“Has anything ominous happened after he bought it?” Yu Wan asked curiously.
Qing Yan laughed again. “There are rumors, but no one knows if they’re true or not. However, many equally bold people came because of its reputation. If they have the guts to stay in the villa for a day, they can be called brave men when they go back.”
Yu Wan thought to herself, Did they develop the royal garden into a haunted house? The ancient people were actually so business-minded?
Yan Jiuchao’s head was resting on Yu Wan’s lap, his face facing Yu Wan’s stomach. One arm was tightly wrapped around her, as if he had fallen asleep from sucking cats.
Her hand naturally rested on Yan Jiuchao’s shoulder. On the one hand, she enjoyed their intimacy, and on the other hand, her heart ached for his suffering. If he wasn’t feeling uncomfortable, he wouldn’t be sticking to her in broad daylight.
The journey was long. Yu Wan also wanted to take a nap, but she realized that she could not sleep at all, so she continued to chat with Qing Yan.
Where were they just now? Oh yeah, the royal garden that Consort Yun had stayed in.
Consort Yun was the Eldest Princess’s biological mother. Yan Jiuchao had also mentioned her, but what he said was that she was ominous. Yu Wan only knew that she was not favored, but it was not because she had given birth to a jinx, but because she seemed to have been despised by the Emperor of Nanzhao since early on.
Why was that? Yu Wan voiced her doubts.
Qing Yan said, “There are also many rumors about Consort Yun. They say that she’s a demonic consort, a vixen who brings calamity to the country and the people. However, according to what I know, Consort Yun was a talented woman before she entered the palace, but because…”
“Because?” Yu Wan asked.
Qing Yan sighed and said, “Speaking of which, this Consort Yun is also a pitiful person. She had an engagement before, but her fiancé fell in love with her cousin and broke off the engagement with her. She’s the daughter of a concubine in the family and has no say. She can’t beat the legitimate daughter of the main family in terms of marriage. Her mother had never been able to give birth to a brother for her, causing her to have no one to rely on at home and was even more bullied. She herself was quite hard working and was chosen to be the Empress’s study companion when she was young. At that time, the Empress was not the Empress yet, but because she had been engaged to the Emperor since she was young, the late Emperor and Empress had always treated her as their future daughter-in-law and allowed her to study in the study room.
The Empress did not have only Consort Yun as her study companion, but Consort Yun was the only one who received the Empress’s favor. After the Empress’s wedding, she found out that Consort Yun’s fiancé had broken off the engagement with her. The Empress was furious because of this and scolded that man heavily. In the end, that man did not marry anyone and was exiled to a small county in Nanzhao. He could not return to the Capital for the rest of his life.”
This outcome… was simply a double loss.
It was not difficult for Yu Wan to imagine how the Empress stood up for Consort Yun back then. Yu Wan did not feel sad for that man. A scumbag should have the awareness that he would be tortured. However, what was wrong with this Consort Yun? The Empress had already done her best for her, so how did she become the Emperor’s concubine?
Qing Yan continued, “Although that matter ended with Consort Yun’s fiancé being exiled, Consort Yun was still heartbroken. She was bedridden for months in a row. After the Empress found out the news, she brought Consort Yun to the palace and called over good men of suitable age in the Capital to choose a husband for Consort Yun. However, she didn’t expect… Consort Yun to get together with the Emperor.”
This was very infuriating. I treat you as a sister, but you slept with my man! Yu Wan shook her head and asked, “But I still don’t understand. What does this have to do with the Emperor hating Consort Yun?”
Qing Yan said, “The Emperor drank more wine that day. He didn’t know that Consort Yun was in the Empress’s bedchamber and had mistaken her as the Empress. When the Emperor woke up, he realized that the woman in his arms was someone else. At that time, the Empress had already discovered them and left in a huff. Even if the Emperor wanted to hide it, he couldn’t. The Emperor loved the Empress deeply. If he wasn’t drunk, how could he have committed such a huge mistake? The Emperor vented his anger on Consort Yun and hated her since.”
Yu Wan said, “Then just execute her. Why did he include her in the harem?”
Qing Yan laughed. “The Empress did not have any children for three years after they got married. The entire court advised the Emperor to expand the harem. Consort Yun’s appearance was exactly what the ministers wanted. Some ministers pleaded for her. The Emperor is the Emperor, but he can’t do everything his own way. In the end, Consort Yun entered the harem and was diagnosed to be pregnant not long after.”
