Lu Song never thought that the always calm and natural Yao Shu would present this sort of attitude.
This was not all, as he heard Yao Shu say: “If this case is resolved within three days, and Lu Yao is innocent, my Yao family will conduct the funeral normally. If Lu Yao is guilty, a divorce filing will be presented to the government office. From there, the Yao and Lu family will have no further relations.” These words had the exact same attitude as Feng Yu Heng.
Lu Song knew that he would not be able to gain even the slightest bit of benefit from the Yao family, thus he did not continue to stay and suffer this humiliation. In addition to this, the Yao family had never allowed him to enter. They just remained outside the entrance while discussing these matters. Although night had fallen, it was inevitable that there would be people that had nothing better to do and wanted to see something entertaining. He did not want to lose too much face and could only gloomily bid farewell then leave.
Feng Yu Heng watched the Lu family’s carriage get further away and could not help but snort coldly. At the same time, she said to Yao Jing Jun and Yao Shu: “Eldest uncle, there’s no need to understand the Lu family. Our Yao manor should do what it needs to do. I trust that the Yao family’s attitude is also one that my grandfather came up with, right?”
Yao Jing Jun nodded, “A-Heng is correct, and it was father that wanted to us to answer the Lu family in this way.”
Feng Yu Heng asked Yao Shu: “Then eldest cousin has already completely given up on Lu Yao?”
Yao Shu nodded, “Younger Sister Heng, don’t worry. Your eldest cousin still is not a foolish person. I said it before. If it was just me that was suffering a bit, I could endure it all, but if she turned her wicked intentions on others, the Yao family would not tolerate this sort of person.”
“Good.” Feng Yu Heng was very satisfied with the Yao family’s attitude. With Yao Xian’s added support, she trusted that the Yao family would not suffer a loss on this matter. But she still gave the Yao family a reassuring promise: “You can be at ease. Regardless of what the Lu family does, and regardless of how big this matter gets, the Yao family has a niece like me supporting it from the back. A-Heng will naturally support the Yao family. The Lu family’s happy days should be coming to an end. We just need to wait and see precisely what the Lu family’s next plans are.”
That night, the Lu family had lost face; however, the people of the Yao family and the imperial daughter’s manor enjoyed sweet dreams. The mourning hall that had been set up temporarily had its lights put out. Not even the servants were left to stand vigil. Either way, there was no corpse in the casket, and there was not much to guard. Everyone slept peacefully.
Early the next morning, it was the usual morning court session. The left prime minister Lu Song did not immediately leave the palace after the court session had ended. Instead, he made a turn and passed off a message then quickly headed toward the inner palace.
Inside Cun Shan Palace, Imperial Concubine Yuan was sitting in the outer hall and eating some bird nest. Lu Song sat on a chair to the side with an eager expression.
Imperial Concubine Yuan, however, did not even pay much attention to him. She just continued to eat the bird nest. From time to time, she would look up but would not speak.
Lu Song also felt awkward, but he had taken the initiative to request an audience. Imperial Concubine was also his master’s mother. Since the master would not speak, he could only try and break the awkward silence.
Thus he laughed hollowly a couple times then said to Imperial Concubine Yuan: “Speaking of my visit, this official has not seen His Highness the Eighth Prince in many years. I wonder if everything is well in the South?”
Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu nodded, “It should be good! But who knows. Either way, the letters will only report joyous matters and won’t report any concerns. Precisely how he is, this One also does not know.”
“This official heard yesterday from the officials in the South that His Highness the Eighth Prince is very popular in the South and has a large number of troops under his control. He is also very favored among the citizens. Imperial Concubine can definitely be at ease.” Lu Song smiled and occasionally glanced in the direction of Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. Gritting his teeth, he frankly said: “Imperial Concubine, back when this official became the left prime minister, imperial concubine once mentioned to this official something about wanting to have one of the Lu family’s daughters be at His Highness’ side. I wonder if this matter…”
Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu sneered internally and thought that Lu Song still ended up mentioning this matter. It was a pity that today could not be compared to the past. In the past, the eighth prince’s influence was weak, especially when it came to the government officials, where he had even less influence. It also happened that the Lu family and her maternal family had a bit of a relationship. She had also heard that the Emperor had intended to place Lu Song in the position of the left prime minister, which caused her to come up with that idea, but now…
“The Lu family’s daughter?” She finally put down the supplement in her hand and spoke properly with Lu Song, “After yesterday’s matters, the Lu family only has one daughter left, right?”
Lu Song helplessly nodded, “Although there are two living, Ping’er’s face has already been ruined. Even if she had an extremely beautiful appearance, she is now a good-for-nothing. How could she be worthy of being at His Highness’ side. But this official’s third daughter is still alive. She is the proper daughter of the first wife. If Imperial Concubine remembers the words from that time, how about…”
“How about bringing it up to Mo’er?” Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu laughed and said: “I fear that if this One brings up this matter, I would have no choice but to help the Lu family out with the governor’s side. This One can’t just allow our future relatives by marriage to be dragged through the dust so clearly, right?”
Lu Song was shocked and quickly stood up to kneel on the ground, repeatedly saying: “This official does not dare. This official does not dare!”
Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu did not say much, only saying: “This One will write a letter to His Highness the Eighth Prince. This matter will also be brought up. But the governor’s side, you also know, is not someone within this One’s powers. That Imperial Daughter Ji An is also not someone to be offended lightly. Lu Song, as a person, you must not be too greedy. This One will agree to one matter. You should not expect this One to agree to a second, otherwise…”
“This official understand!” Lu Song quickly spoke, “This official just wants to get a good future for my daughter and also hope to help His Highness the Eighth Prince plan for the future. I also hope that Imperial Concubine will support it.” In the end, he made two requests, but he only had hope that Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu would agree to this one. Thus he did not have any further hopes. He quickly expressed his thanks to Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. Having received an agreement from Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu to quickly send another letter to the eighth prince, he finally left Cun Shan Palace in satisfaction.
But just as he left, the smile of agreement that had lingered on Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s face immediately disappeared.
The palace servant Yue Xiu quietly asked her: “Does imperial concubine really plan on writing a letter to His Highness?”
Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu nodded: “Of course, this One has not written a letter to Mo’er in a long time and should ask how he is.”
“Then what about Prime Minister’s Lu’s matters?”
“Hmph!” She shrugged, “The Lu family’s daughter? What sort of thing is that? In the past, this One thought that there might be a chance of using Lu Song’s position as left prime minister to open up a path with the officials in the capital, but it’s different now. This One really did not think that the Lu family would actually be so lacking. Not long after assuming the position of left prime minister, they actually ended up as Imperial Daughter Ji An’s enemy? It’s not this One raising the imperial daughter’s ambition while lowering my own prestige. Rather, although I remain in the palace, the things that can be heard and seen are no less than the people on the outside. I fear that the Lu family is running out of steam.”
Yue Xiu nodded. She had been in the palace for many years, and she had been at Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s side for that long. How could she not understand what sizing up the situation meant? Now that the Lu family was about to lose power, the imperial concubine’s attention has also been turned elsewhere. It was just unknown just where that attention was turned. What exactly was right or wrong?
“Imperial concubine.” Yue Xiu was a bit worried, “That girl, can she be propped up?”
Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu curled up the corners of her lips, “Whether or not she can be will only be known after trying. But as this One sees it, having that person in hand is not a bad thing. Rong Zhen,” She called for the eunuch serving in her palace, “Go and prepare a brush and ink. This One will personally write a letter to His Highness the Eighth Prince.”
On the 16th of the eighth month, the Yao family spoke up. For the matter with Lu Yao, the Yao family would not accept any visitors wanting to pay respects. Everything was waiting for the result of the governor’s trial. At the same time, the Yao family also reported the case of Xu shi being deliberately pulled into the water by Lu Yao as a catalyst for a confrontation between the Lu family’s sisters.
The governor officially received the case and announced that he would definitely uncover the truth, which infuriated the whole of the Lu family. But the Yao manor carried on with what it needed to do. They did not close their gates to all guests. Yao Shu continued to attend court as necessary, while Yao Xian continued to visit Hundred Herb Hall. Even the servants chatted and laughed. There was not the slightest hint of a funeral being conducted.
In the Feng residence, Feng Xiang Rong slept until noon. Her maidservant Shan Cha told her: “Concubine mother An has already gone to the shop. It seems that the shop’s business has been quite good. She has also received a few more payments. Young miss,” Shan Cha handed a cup of tea to Xiang Rong, who was still seated in bed and told her: “Young miss, quickly drink some to relieve the alcohol. Right before leaving, concubine mother specifically instructed this servant to prepare some for young miss. It’s already been heated three times, but young miss actually only just woke up.”
Xiang Rong rubbed her head with a bitter expression. Sobering tea, huh, it seemed that she really did get drunk? It turned out that it was not a dream? No wonder her head hurt so much. But… how did she get back the previous night? Why could she not remember in the slightest?
Xiang Rong repeatedly tapped her head; however, Shan Cha dispelled any doubts, “Why did third young miss need to drink that much wine last night? Not to mention the smell of alcohol surrounding you, but you were also spouting nonsense. Also, does young miss know? Last night, it was His Highness the Seventh Prince that personally helped you into the residence. Even Master was emotional. He came out and kneeled in the yard for a long time. He only dared stand up once His Highness left.”
“What?” Xiang Rong was shocked and nearly leaped up from bed. She grabbed Shan Cha and continued to ask: “What did you say? Who brought me back?”
Shan Cha was shaken helplessly and could only repeat herself: “His Highness the Seventh Prince, it was His Highness the Seventh Prince that personally brought third young miss back.” After saying this, she did not forget to add: “But Third Young Miss, what did you say last night? The person supporting you was clearly His Highness the Seventh Prince, but you kept saying Xuan Tian Yi this and Xuan Tian Yi that. Third young miss, how can that be fine. That’s His Highness the Fourth Prince’s name! Didn’t you like His Highness the Seventh Prince?” The servant’s final words were very quiet. By the end, she was a bit muddled. Precisely which prince did her young miss like?
Xiang Rong fell back down in bed and covered her face with both hands.
She had nothing left to live for. She truly had nothing left to live for! She had drank too much and was helped back by His Highness the Seventh Prince. This was already shameful enough, but even more troublesome was that she actually called that scoundrel Xuan Tian Yi’s name in front of him. What exactly had she done? From this moment onward, what face did she have left to see His Highness the Seventh Prince?
Sitting up in bed, she did not pay attention to what Shan Cha said to her. She just received the sobering tea from the servant and downed it in one gulp.
Shan Cha was given a fright by her young miss’ sudden action; however, she then saw her young miss sit on the bed and begin to cry. While crying, she said: “There’s nothing left. The path ahead has been blocked by myself. It clearly should have been a clear path, but I ended up going toward the dead end. Your Highness the Seventh Prince, in this life, Xiang Rong no longer has the face to see you…”