Chapter 773: Chapter 735: The Wedding After the New Year (2 Updates)
"Perhaps he considered her as his intended concubine?" Wen Wan said, "Today, Yuanbao came home first thing to find Wei Qian, saying he wanted to save the Crown Prince. I asked him how he got out, but he didnât say. Seeing he was busy, I didnât press further."
Song Wei didnât respond, so Wen Wan circled back to the earlier topic, "You still havenât said, did Yuanbao really hurt you? How did it happen?"
"Someone pushed him at the time." Song Weiâs tone was understated, clearly having long put the matter aside. He reached out to gently rub Wen Wanâs head, his eyes showing increasing affection, "Youâve lost weight. Havenât been eating or sleeping well these days?"
"Iâve been worried sick, how could I eat?" Wen Wan muttered, then recalled what Zhao Xunyin had said before dinner, "By the way, husband, with this upcoming war with Bei Yan, is my father going?"
Song Wei nodded, "Your father is the lead general."
"No wonder." No wonder this time the Emperor Uncle suggested letting my parents stay in the Capital and no one objected. It turns out itâs not just because of the merits in saving the emperor, but also because the northern war requires fatherâs leadership.
Wen Wan slightly turned her body and hugged Song Weiâs waist, "Husband, Iâm very conflicted right now."
Song Weiâs voice was deep and soothing, "Whatâs troubling you?" carrying a hint of comfort.
"I both want the foreboding to appear so as to be prepared, and I donât want it to appear, so at least it would mean my father will return unscathed from the northern expedition."
Song Wei gently palmed the back of her head, "Although itâs quite harsh, thatâs just how life is; life and death are fated, you donât need to overthink."
With Song Wei saying this, Wen Wan reflected even more, "Husband, do you think I might not have any foreboding about my parents?"
"You are overly tired." Song Wei looked down, his gentle gaze fixed on her weary little face, "Get some sleep and rest. When daylight comes, you can tell me whateverâs on your mind."
Wen Wan obediently nodded.
Song Wei carried Wen Wan to the bed, personally covered her with a duvet, and only went to the west wing after she fell asleep.
Compared to Wen Wanâs exhaustion from worry over several days, the now fully recovered Qi Bao was much more lively, just like Jinbao back in the day. The nursemaid took her eyes off for a moment, and she was crawling everywhere, dismantling the house while at it, not wanting to sleep even late at night.
When Song Wei entered, the nursemaid was squatting on the floor tidying embroidery threads.
The embroidery threads that had just been separated and put on the embroidery frame were now scattered everywhere by her.
Watching the nursemaid clean up, the little girl sat nearby giggling continuously.
The nursemaid couldnât help but chuckle and looked up at her, teasing, "Laughing, huh? This is all your doing..."
Before she could finish saying "good job," she saw the young master staring at the bedroom door, so she quickly turned her head to see it was Song Wei. She hastily stood up to greet him, "Master."
Song Weiâs gaze fell on Qi Bao, and he casually asked the nursemaid, "Still not asleep at this late hour?"
The nursemaid cheerfully replied, "Looks like she knows Master is back. The young lady is so happy, nothing we do can coax her to sleep, just playing!"
Song Wei chuckled softly.
Qi Bao was sitting cross-legged on the small couch, sucking her fingers, her eyes blinking curiously at Song Wei, as if wondering who the person was.
Song Wei approached his daughter, squatted slightly, and pulled out her saliva-covered little hand to wipe it with a handkerchief, asking her, "Does Qi Bao know who I am?"
The little girl babbled a few incomprehensible sounds.
Song Wei chuckled, rubbing her little head with his big hand, "To withstand such a severe fever, sheâs truly blessed."
The nursemaid agreed, "Thatâs right, Master. At the time, the young ladyâs fever was so high that even our household doctor didnât dare to treat her. Eventually, we had to send the servant with a horse carriage to invite Doctor Li to see her."
Song Wei had inquired about Qi Baoâs high fever before dinner from Wen Wan.
Presumably to avoid worrying him, Wen Wan hadnât told the truth, glossing over the situation with a few words. Now learning from the nursemaid about the urgency of that time, Song Wei couldnât help but feel a tug at his heart.
The nursemaid continued, "Thankfully, everything is fine now. The young lady is blessed and destined for a long, healthy life without worries."
Song Wei smiled gently, "Iâll take your words as auspicious."
...
The next day, Song Wei went to see Song Yuanbao to ask about Dong Han.
Song Yuanbao hesitated at first, then frowned and said, "Miss Dong belongs to the Emperor. At that time, she held the Emperorâs token. How dare the Ministry of Justice not release her? If Iâm not mistaken, after this incident, she will ultimately become the Crown Princeâs main wife."
Song Wei said, "The imperial decree has already been issued."
Song Yuanbao was stunned for a moment, then sighed, "What a pity."
"Whatâs a pity?"
"Of the Crown Princeâs five women, one was taken away by his own uncle, one was humiliated to death, one had to break off the engagement due to an accident, one was implicated by her family and lost any future with him, and the remaining one is arranged by the Emperor. I donât know if itâs that heâs destined to be lonely this life, or the destined person hasnât appeared yet. Regardless, seeing him like this, I feel quite sorry for him."
Song Wei replied, "It shows that the path of a king is not one that ordinary people can walk."
...
After the second trial, the leader of the Tongji Association confessed to obeying Yang Xiongâanâs orders to harm the people and frame the Crown Prince.
The Yang familyâs charges were confirmed, and after seeking Emperor Guangxiâs approval, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice issued a decree to confiscate the Yang familyâs property.
Except for Yang Xueru, who was protected by the Crown Prince, the other members of the Yang Mansion were exiled, the women were turned into official prostitutes, and all valuable items in the mansion were confiscated. The once-prosperous family instantly became a den of traitors despised by everyone.
The main gate was sealed, and Yang Xueru leaned against a large stone lion, looking up at the gray sky.
Snowflakes were falling from the sky, some landing in her reddened eyes, quickly melting into water and flowing out.
At some point, an oiled-paper umbrella covered her head. The hand holding the umbrella handle was slender and beautiful, fair and even.
Yang Xueru slowly shifted her gaze downward and met Dong Hanâs clear eyes.
She had heard about the Emperorâs decree regarding the Dong family, "From a concubine to the main wife, and in the future, the Empress who will rule the world. You must be very proud, right? Did you come today specifically to laugh at me?"
Dong Hanâs lips curled slightly, "I thought you would be grateful for my life-saving grace."
Indeed, without Dong Hanâs plan for her to go to the Imperial Clan Court to save the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince would not have protected her. But because of this, she watched as her position as Crown Princess Consort ended up with Dong Han.
This is the most ironic and hateful part.
Let alone gratitude, she wished she could personally tear apart this scheming woman!
"You are very courageous," Dong Han said, "To risk stealing the token to save His Highness amidst the enmity between the Yang family and the Crown Prince. Although it was to no avail, it shows that you still have some genuine feelings for His Highness. Unfortunately, with your temperament, you cannot survive in the harem."
Yang Xueru suddenly laughed twice, "Yes, I cannot survive because I am not as cunning as you, not as good at pretending as you. Usually acting innocent, but in the end, becoming the biggest beneficiary. I even have reason to suspect that when Qi Xuan fell into the water at my birthday banquet, it was your plan all along, Dong Han. I really underestimated you before."
Dong Han did not defend herself, merely said, "Itâs not about scheming or not, itâs about judging the situation and acting accordingly. You favor His Highness, and I favor His Highness, we start from the same point. However, I consider more than you do. I want to stay by his side, so I must ensure I have a life to live, rather than recklessly rushing forward. Thatâs the act of a fool."
Yang Xueru sneered, "Do you think defeating me makes you the biggest winner? Let me tell you, without me, Yang Xueru, there will be hundreds of Yang Xuerus in the future harem. I donât believe you wonât make a mistake one day!"
"Perhaps I will," Dong Han said, "but unfortunately, you wonât see it."
With that, she pointed to the carriage not far away, "His Highnessâs message, to send you out of the city."
Yang Xueru stood up, pushed aside her umbrella, took a few steps forward, and then turned back, her voice filled with jealousy and unwillingness, "One day, His Highness will see your true face, and by then, the more miserable your end will be, the more pleased I will be."
Dong Han looked at her and smiled gently, "Whether His Highness likes me this way, I donât know, but he certainly wonât like an airhead who constantly causes trouble and leaves him to clean up the mess. Compared to the latter, I would rather be a smart person."
...
After sending Yang Xueru away, Dong Han entered the Eastern Palace to see the Crown Prince.
The Princess Consort Duan was sent to the Cold Palace, and the Second Prince Zhao Nuo was entrusted to Consort Qingâs care. The court was also dealing with the remaining factions of Yang Xiongâan. Zhao Xi had been extremely busy these few days. Seeing Dong Han come in person, he remembered he had promised to visit her after matters were settled, and felt a bit embarrassed that he hadnât gone yet.
Dong Han said, "Your Highness, Miss Yang has left the city."
Zhao Xi nodded, pondering for a long time before telling her, "Since you are working for the Emperor, you should be aware of his health condition. The Emperorâs wish is for us to marry after the New Year, regardless of whether he is still with us or not."
"Ah?" The leap in the topic was too great, and Dong Han hadnât yet adjusted. "How did Your Highness know..."