Chapter 332 : Designating A Crown Prince

That evening, Mama Li told Qiu Shi what she had just heard. “Old Lady, that Concubine Song of the Marquis Taining Residence is gone.” Qiu Shi was mainly interested in this matter. So the first thing she reported was this matter.

When Qiu Shi was clear that the woman was truly gone, she asked, “How did it happen?”

Mama Li replied, “It is said that she lost her life because of a strange disease. Song Guifei had also dispatched an Imperial Physician to check up on her. However, the result was, she still could not be saved either.”

Qiu Shi sighed and said, “Fortunately, Yuxi did not marry into the Marquis Taining Residence.” Even a person like Yu Xixian, who already had such a hard backer, could also suffer such anger. If her position was replaced by Yuxi, Qiu Shi did not know how Yuxi’s day would be! Although Yuxi was now married to the notoriously disreputable Yun Qing, and her life in the border city was bitter, it was not as bad as this.

Mama Li nodded and said, “Who said it wasn’t? Thanks to you, Master, who had made a prompt decision to back out from the marriage with the Chen family.”

The master and servant talked enthusiastically when they heard the maid come in and announce that Concubine Jia was expecting. How could Qiu Shi not be happy when she heard such a piece of good news upon her return to the residence! She immediately took Mama Li to visit Concubine Jia at the Guihua Courtyard.

When Qiu Shi arrived at Guihua Courtyard, Ye Shi was already there. She was delighted to see Ye Shi was currently appeasing Concubine Jia.

Ye Shi showed enough favourable gestures before going back to the Main Courtyard. As soon as she returned to her room, her face fell. “It’s been more than two months, and I didn’t even notice this? How in the world did those servants do their work?” They were all a bunch of trash.

Ye Shi didn’t mind if Concubine Jia was alive. Still, if Concubine Jia had another son, it would be a significant threat to her.

Mama Hua’s expression wasn’t good either. “Didn’t Concubine Jia change her clothes last month? When I look at it now, it seems like it was a cover-up on her part.” After a pause, she suggested, “My Lady, do you think we should privately get rid of it?”

Ye Shi glared at Old Woman Hua and said, “That’s easy for you to say. Both Mother-in-law and the Duke of the State value their heirs. If something happens to this child, the first one to be suspected is me.” If this news didn’t come out and they got rid of the child during that time, it would have been fine. Now, since the word about this had spread out, it would be her responsibility if they suddenly lost the child.

Old Woman Hua didn’t know what to do at this point.

After thinking for a while, Ye Shi said, “Let’s put this aside for a while. In addition, go and ask a physician to take a look at Concubine Guan and the others. Why is there no movement from them for so long?” Since the birth of Big Boy Chang, Ye Shi had stopped giving contraceptive medicine to the concubines. But after such a long time, there was still no movement from them. On the other hand, she already had people tempered with Concubine Jia’s side. However, somehow, she still managed to get herself pregnant.

Old Woman Hua hesitated. “My Lady, this is not appropriate, right?”

Ye Shi did not want to explain this time as she instructed, “Go!” With more concubine sons, even if Concubine Jia had another one, hers wouldn’t be so conspicuous anymore.

In the Marquis Taining Residence, the Marquis was gloomy as he ordered his attendant, “Go and call the Second Master over.”

Chen Ran had not long ago sought a sixth-ranking official position in the state capital of Jilin. His original intention was to stay at Hanlin Academy for three years. Although the incident with his noble concubine did not cause any substantial harm to his career, it still made him unspeakably sick. Therefore, he wanted to be posted outside and have a peaceful life far from the capital. When he came back after a few years, he estimated that the poisonous woman wouldn’t hold on to what happened before.

It was good for him to be posted out of the capital, but another problem somehow arose. Yu Xixian was pregnant and couldn’t go along with him. To show her consideration, she was willing to give one of her close maids to be Chen Ran’s concubine and let her follow him in his appointment.

Chen Ran was not keen on this kind of thing and said to Yu Xixian, “It’s up to you.” He had never cared about his household’s internal affairs anyway.

A page boy came from outside and said, “Second Master, the Lord Marquis asks you to go to his study.”

Once Marquis Taining saw his youngest son, he informed him, “Your commission has changed. It is not possible for you to go to Jilin. However, there is a vacancy for a local magistrate in a government office situated in Shandong. If you think it’s good, I’ll go and request it for you.” If his son didn’t find it suitable, he had to look around again.

Chen Ran’s face changed and asked, “Is this the work of that poisonous woman again?” His commission was already set, and then that poisonous woman had come up with this. What exactly was she trying to do?

Marquis Taining shook his head and answered, “No, it’s my idea.”

Chen Ran did not quite understand and asked, “What happened?” He thought it was a dirty trick done by the Song family, and he didn’t expect it to be his own father’s intention.

Marquis Taining’s face was cold as he said, “The Emperor has decided to make the 9th Prince as the Crown Prince. It is estimated that the decree will be issued in a while.” As to whose side should everyone stand on, this was no longer a matter of debate. One should not look at the way where the Song family and the Yu family were currently fighting privately like a flock of crows. They still shared a common interest. Unless the 9th Prince died, they couldn’t change their shared benefit.

Chen Ran became even more confused. “Father, shouldn’t it be a happy event for the 9th Prince to be established as the Crown Prince? Why does Father look worried?” Intuition told him something that he feared, which was something had changed.

Marquis Taining looked at Chen Ran and told him, “The details of the group of people who tried to assassinate the 9th Prince have clearly been found out. It is Yan Wushuang.”

Chen Ran froze for a moment. A person who had been dead for many years suddenly appeared. How could one not be surprised? “Marshal Yan’s son Yan Wushuang? Didn’t Father say he was dead?”

Marquis Taining explained, “It is estimated that the dead one was his double. Yan Wushuang hates the Song family and the 9th Prince to the bone. I’m afraid the crowning ceremony this time will not be as still as the wind and quiet as the waves (Chinese idiom: peaceful).” It was hard to say that there wouldn’t be a river of blood again.

Chen Ran was not stupid. Once he heard this, he knew that something must have happened. “Does Yan Wushuang have some leverage over the 9th Prince and the Song family in his hands?”

Marquis Taining responded, “I also only got the news today. Yan Wushuang has evidence of the 9th Prince and the Song family’s collusion with the Donghu people.” He really felt that the 9th Prince had lost his head for doing such a thing with the Song family. No matter how young you were, you should never commit any treason. From this incident, one could see that the 9th Prince had acted without any lower limit just for his profit. Unfortunately, they knew about this a bit too late. Marquis Taining Residence had been tied to the 9th Prince, and they had no way out of it.

Chen Ran’s face was full of shock. “Father, is this true?”

Marquis Taining gently nodded his head and said, “It’s true. The Yan family has been operating in Liaodong for several generations, so it is hazardous for you to go to your original commission location.” His eldest son was the 9th Prince’s trusted aide, and Marquis Taining was worried that it would be harmful to Chen Ran if he genuinely went to Jilin.

Chen Ran was a little worried and asked, “Father, if Yan Wushuang announces these things to the world, won’t the 9th Prince and the Song family be blamed by thousands of people?”

Marquis Taining shook his head and said, “You don’t have to worry about that.” With the support of the Song family and the Yu family, even if the evidence was actual, they would make sure that it would turn out false.

Chen Ran still had a sense of proportion in his heart and agreed to serve in Shandong at that moment.

When Chen Ran left, Marquis Taining’s face revealed his tiredness with the situation. The fact that Yan Wushuang was able to build such a large force under Tong Chunlin’s nose was proof of this man’s skill and ability. If it wasn’t for Lord Heshou, the 9th Prince would have died in his hands. Having such a ruthless enemy was really not a good thing.

The matter in the capital had nothing to do with Yuxi. This time, she was looking at the account books Huo Changqing gave her! She learned a lot from exploring these books. They were very general, as they only recorded how much money was spent every day and what things were bought. As for the price and quantity of these things, they were not jotted down.

There was nothing for Yuxi to complain about. It was already good enough that they kept track of the daily expenses. This was better than her Er Ge. When Er Ge spent all his money, he did not even know what things he had used them on. However, there was something special about these books. They only had records of expenditure but none on the income. Yuxi would not be stupid enough to ask why.

After reading all the accounts, Yuxi helplessly shook her head. Such record of accounts simply could not do. She had to rebuild all of them. Luckily, Huo Changqing didn’t just pay the bill; he also gave her the silver balance for safekeeping. It wasn’t much. It was more than 2,400 taels of silver. If this money was placed in the State Residence, it would be enough for two months’ expenses. But in Yu City, as long as one didn’t spend the money indiscriminately, it would be enough to use for a year.

When Yuxi left the house, she asked Mama Qu, “Are all the ingredients ready?” Yuxi was going to make dumplings for Yun Qing.

Mama Qu nodded and said, “Still kneading the dough, but it will be ready soon.” For Yuxi to prepare food for Yun Qing with her own hands, Mama Qu was very much in favour of it. The man could care less about the food, but he cared about how it was made with the thought for him.

It was half-past midnight when Yun Qing returned. Looking at Yuxi, who had not slept yet, he unhappily asked, “Didn’t I tell you to rest early?” If she did this once or twice, it would still be fine. But how could her body endure if she did this freaking more time?

Yuxi put down the book in her hand and responded with a smile, “When I was at home, I always went to sleep at the end of haishi. If it didn’t reach that time, I wouldn’t be able to sleep even when I forced myself to lie on the bed.”

Yun Qing did not quite believe Yuxi’s words. “How could you sleep so late at home?” If he remembered correctly, those girls in the capital usually go to bed at xushi hours.

Yuxi explained with a smile. “When I was studying, the teacher spoke quickly. So if I was not diligent, I could not keep up with the lessons. I’ve gotten used to it over the years and unable to change it.” Because of Yun Qing’s feud with the Song family and the 10th Prince being the Song family’s nephew, Yuxi had simply omitted Yuchen.

Yun Qing did not have a good feeling about this teacher who taught Yuxi. “Was this teacher of yours also strict with you?” As for being strict, how old was Yuxi when she attended school? She was just five to six years old!

Yuxi didn’t say anything terrible about Teacher Song but stated instead, “I can’t blame Teacher Song. I was too stupid, so I could only make up for my mistakes with hard work.”

Yun Qing did not like to hear this, as he admonished, “Who said you were stupid?”

Yuxi laughed and said, “It’s not that I was stupid, but I just began to learn, and I haven’t started anything yet. I was fine after studying for a while.” After a pause, she continued, “Go take a shower first, and I’ll make you some dumplings.”

Yun Qing held Yuxi’s hand and said, “Just let the maid do this menial work. Don’t get yourself tired.” He couldn’t bear to see Yuxi tired!

Hearing these words from him, Yuxi felt they were so sweet and said softly, “All the ingredients are already being prepared. I’m just putting them in the pot, and I’m not going to get tired. You should have your shower first. After that, you can eat.”

Looking at Yuxi’s face, even if Yun Qing was exhausted, he still felt it was worth it. Thus, he stopped persuading her and went to the cleanroom to take a bath.