The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 746 - 708: Imperial Marriage Decree (Second Update)

Chapter 746: Chapter 708: Imperial Marriage Decree (Second Update)

The Old Madam asked, "How is Miss Qi doing?"

Peipei looked at her own mistress, then at the Old Madam, hesitating to speak.

Originally, it was something to be grateful for that her mistress was saved by someone from the Yang Family after falling into the water, but because the rescuer was a man, her mistress’s reputation was now tainted.

Peipei didn’t know whether to be thankful or resentful, only clenching her fingers, her small face looking distressed.

The Old Madam walked over and sat down, softly asking again, "Miss Qi, are you feeling better?"

Qi Xuan listened, biting her teeth bitterly.

Among the three prospective concubines, Qi Xuan knew the Crown Prince the best. Although she hadn’t met the Crown Prince many times, she visited the Imperial Palace often and had already inquired about the Crown Prince’s preferences and daily routines from the Empress. Knowing the Prince had obsessions with cleanliness, someone so particular about attire and usage could not possibly accept a woman with a tarnished reputation as a concubine.

The more she thought, the more unfair Qi Xuan felt, raising her head in anger, "What does your Yang family plan to do to give me an explanation?"

Explanation, my foot!

The Old Madam secretly spat.

She also wanted someone to give her an explanation. Obviously, the area had been cleared in advance, not allowing anyone near the lotus pond, yet this little girl didn’t listen and insisted on approaching the edge of the pond, stepping into a trap and falling in, and who could be blamed for that?

But the Old Madam couldn’t shout these things at her, only gently replied, "The situation was urgent at that time. Huan, considering safety, jumped in without hesitation. He wasn’t aware of your identity beforehand."

It was exactly for this reason that made Qi Xuan furious!

If Yang Huan hadn’t saved her, she might have drowned in the lotus pond, but since Yang Huan saved her and so many people saw it, her reputation was utterly ruined.

Whom should she blame?

Thinking that she might be removed from the list of prospective concubines, Qi Xuan felt entirely aggrieved and covered her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

Yang Xueru was so upset by her that she looked at the Old Madam, "Grandmother, what should we do?"

How could the Old Madam know what to do?

She even considered having Yang Huan take full responsibility by marrying Qi Xuan directly, but doing so would be like competing with the Crown Prince for a woman.

If they didn’t marry her, the Qi family could escalate the issue to the Empress, and then the Yang family would still be punished.

It’s truly a calamity!

The Old Madam secretly spat again, drawing Yang Xueru outside.

Yang Xueru was fully preoccupied with the fear of losing her position as Crown Princess Consort, anxious beyond measure, "There were too many people present at the time, even Princess Yong’an saw it. There’s no hiding it. Why not let elder brother marry her? Let’s find a suitable reason to try and quell the anger of the Empress and Crown Prince."

"What kind of reason?" The Old Madam appeared worried.

Yang Xueru thought for a moment and said, "The Crown Prince’s previous concubine had her engagement annulled due to incompatible birth charts. Perhaps we could use birth charts for Miss Qi’s issue?"

The Old Madam disagreed, "The Royal Family stated that Xue Yinhuan and the Crown Prince had incompatible birth charts, but who knows if it was true. But Miss Qi was selected by the Empress herself. Can we claim her birth chart is incompatible? Wouldn’t that be a slap in the face to the Empress?"

Upon hearing the Old Madam’s words, Yang Xueru felt even more dispirited, "This doesn’t work, that doesn’t work, just think of a solution, Grandmother!"

After pondering back and forth, the Old Madam decided to bring Yang Huan and Qi Xuan into the palace directly and present the facts to the Empress without any tricks. The Empress is not an unreasonable person. Huan did save Qi Xuan, after all, how could they possibly convict him directly?

Having made up her mind, the Old Madam returned to the room and shared her plan with Qi Xuan.

Qi Xuan flatly refused to go, "You’ve tarnished my reputation, and now you want me to meet the Empress. When she blames me, won’t I be the one left without any dignity?"

The Old Madam, hearing this, became angry and said, "Our Huan is also unmarried. He risked his reputation to save you, and his reputation isn’t exactly wonderful either!"

Qi Xuan’s face froze, looking up at the Old Madam, too angry to speak.

After much negotiation, Qi Xuan finally agreed to accompany the Old Madam to the palace.

Wen Wan and the other guests were dismissed by the servants.

With such a significant incident occurring, everyone lost the mood for a gathering and soon left the Yang Mansion in small groups.

——

Imperial City, Kunning Palace.

Qi Xuan kneeled on the ground, crying inconsolably, "Empress, there’s nothing between this subject and Young Master Yang. This subject is innocent."

Yang Huan, full of helplessness, kneeled next to her.

Old Madam Yang was granted a special exemption, so she didn’t need to kneel and stood aside with a grim expression.

Empress Qi glanced at Qi Xuan, full of disappointment.

Originally thinking her maiden family held little power, she painstakingly chose a barely presentable candidate for the Eastern Palace, hoping the Qi Family could raise its head among the Imperial Family. Yet, this little wretch managed to lose her own reputation just by attending a banquet.

If not for Old Madam Yang being present and unable to disgrace her family, she would have liked to give Qi Xuan a couple of hefty slaps.

With a heavy heart, Empress Qi looked at Old Madam Yang, "Did everyone present see it?"

Reluctantly, Old Madam Yang nodded, "I didn’t expect such a thing to happen."

Since entering, she had merely paid respects and stated the fact that Qi Xuan fell into the water and was rescued by Yang Huan, without claiming any wrongdoing by the Yang Family or saying how the Yang Family should take responsibility.

Clearly, she wanted Empress Qi to decide.

Empress Qi could not afford to offend, recognizing their intention was only to rescue. After much struggle, she decided, "In that case, let me grant them a marriage right here and now; this way, there will be no rumors affecting the two henceforth."

Upon hearing this, Qi Xuan terrifiedly raised her head, her face a deathly pale and eyes brimming with tears, "Empress..."

She wanted to marry the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince!

How could Yang Huan compare to the Crown Prince? He couldn’t even match a strand of the Crown Prince’s hair.

Thinking about how her position as a concubine was rewritten, Qi Xuan could no longer hold back and cried aloud.

Empress Qi was utterly disappointed with her, said expressionlessly, "Let’s do it this way. The subsequent wedding arrangements you two families should discuss yourselves; I won’t interfere."

Unwillingly, Qi Xuan looked at Empress Qi with eyes full of plea, "Empress, I am truly innocent."

Empress Qi sneered, "What use is it to tell me? Did those present believe you? If the Crown Prince knew, would he still want you?"

Qi Xuan was filled with despair; if she couldn’t marry the Crown Prince, she might as well die.

Empress Qi noticed her intention to run into a pillar, and promptly gave Jingzhe a look.

Jingzhe walked over, and as Qi Xuan got up, supported her seemingly lightly but in fact restraining her from the possibility of running to the pillar to commit suicide.

Yang Huan thanked, rose up, and took out a handkerchief to offer Qi Xuan, "Miss Qi, please wipe your tears!"

Qi Xuan absolutely despised this man; not to mention accepting anything from him, even looking at him felt humiliating. She stubbornly turned her head aside, tears falling incessantly.

Empress Qi felt troubled and waved her hand, "I am tired. You all may leave."

Old Madam Yang and Yang Huan retreated after bowing ceremoniously.

Qi Xuan refused to leave; she did not want to marry Yang Huan, wishing fervently to beg the Empress again, hoping there would be a way.

Empress Qi had already gone into the inner hall.

Jingzhe helplessly looked at Qi Xuan, "Miss Qi, please don’t trouble our Empress. She wishes indeed for you to stay by His Highness’s side, but your reputation is tarnished, and the civil and military officials would never agree to let you into the palace. If you persist unreasonably, you’ll be forcing the Empress to confront all the officials, you’re endangering her!"

Qi Xuan’s face turned white again, "I..."

She simply adored the Crown Prince too much, to the extent that not being a concubine, even just a concubine was acceptable to her, but why did heaven treat her this way?

——

After Qi Xuan left, Empress Qi pondered and ultimately took the initiative to visit the Eastern Palace.

Zhao Xi had just returned from handling state affairs at Wenhua Hall and was drinking tea at Chengming Hall. Seeing the Empress visiting in person, he seemed surprised, "Mother, why have you come?"

Upon seeing him, Empress Qi sighed deeply, "Today, your future Crown Princess hosted a birthday banquet, and Xuan’er attended. She accidentally fell into the water and was rescued by their family’s eldest son."

Zhao Xi’s gaze shifted subtly, but he said nothing, quietly waiting for more.

Empress Qi walked over to sit down, her tone resigned, "There were too many witnesses, the reputation has already spread. Subsequently, Old Madam Yang brought the eldest son and Xuan’er to see me; I had no choice, and granted them marriage."

Zhao Xi’s expression remained very calm, as if this were just another ordinary matter.

Empress Qi took a look at him and continued, "The position of concubine has one less, I’ll choose someone else to supplement it for you!"

"No need." Zhao Xi directly refused, "One official wife and one concubine are quite sufficient."

Empress Qi was stunned for a moment and then chuckled, "Did this child become silly, one official wife and one concubine among two concubines and four concubinates, that’s the standard for the women in the Crown Prince’s back courtyard, how can one official wife and one concubine be sufficient?"

Zhao Xi did not elaborate further, "If Mother has nothing else, I will go busy myself."