Under the Emperor of Beichu’s meaningful gaze, everyone else withdrew, leaving only Song Yue behind. Song Yue ignored the warning from the Duke of Jing’s Mansion.
“Yue’er, you have suffered all these years.” The Emperor of Beichu was both angry and filled with self-reproach, regretting why he had not brought Song Yue back sooner.
She would not have had to endure so much hardship.
“Yue’er, I will confer upon you the title of princess. Would you like to move into the palace?” The Emperor of Beichu feared she might suffer any further grievances.
Song Yue shook her head: “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am quite content living in Yuehua Pavilion now. If Your Majesty misses me, I can visit you frequently.”
The Emperor of Beichu did not wish to force her. After keeping her for lunch,
Eunuch Li kept urging him to leave.
“Your Majesty!” Song Yue suddenly called out to him, hesitating over how to advise him to stop recruiting more soldiers.
As conscription increased, regions unable to meet their quotas would resort to press-ganging able-bodied men, causing widespread discontent among the people.
The Emperor of Beichu looked at her in confusion.
Yet she could not directly say that her mother was no longer in Nanjiang.
She had sent Ling Er, Ling San… up to Ling Ba—seven brothers in total—to search for her mother along the road to Nanjiang, but so far, there had been no news of her mother.
Whether she was alive or dead remained unknown.
“Your Majesty is diligent and dedicated to governance, a good emperor. However, many people exploit Your Majesty’s orders to falsely issue commands, causing countless families to be torn apart. Having grown up without a mother’s love, I deeply sympathize with those who have lost the protection of their families.”
Song Yue mustered her courage to admonish him, already prepared for severe punishment.
The Emperor of Beichu stiffened, his face indeed showing anger.
If it were anyone else, they would have been dragged out and executed long ago.
But facing such a countenance, the Emperor of Beichu instead explained gently: “I have my reasons for doing this.”
“I know Your Majesty wishes to bring my mother back, but has Your Majesty considered that once war breaks out, Nanjiang will immediately take its anger out on my mother? Before Your Majesty even sends troops, my mother might be secretly executed.” Song Yue laid it all out.
The Emperor of Beichu’s eyes turned cold, and the air around him grew frigid.
Song Yue was also frightened by this imperial wrath, her palms sweating slightly. She hurriedly said: “Your Majesty, I too long for my mother’s return, but Your Majesty must be patient and wait a little longer. Proceed step by step, consolidate the rule of Beichu. Only when Beichu is strong will Nanjiang have reason to hesitate. First, pacify internal troubles, then resolve external threats.”
The Emperor of Beichu’s tense expression suddenly relaxed. He smiled with relief: “Long ago, your mother said similar words to Emperor Taizong. Your courage is just like your mother’s, little girl. You may return now. I know what to do.”
Finally, the Emperor of Beichu arranged for a carriage to escort Song Yue back, not forgetting to bestow a large quantity of gold, silver, jewels, clothing, and accessories.
Song Yue sighed, hoping the Emperor of Beichu would remain rational.
And not be manipulated, needlessly risking lives.
As she boarded the carriage and exited the palace gates, she noticed the Duke of Jing’s carriage still parked by the roadside. Seeing her emerge, the Duke of Jing glanced at the entire carriage full of imperial gifts, his eyes filled with disdain, though he remarked on the emperor’s boundless generosity.
Indeed, her esteemed father had always looked down upon the Emperor of Beichu, privately cursing him countless times as a usurper, a treacherous rebel.
Returning to the Duke of Jing’s Mansion, after the palace attendants had left, the Duke of Jing’s face darkened: “What did the Emperor say to you?”
Song Yue said, “The Emperor said that Fu Qin is shortsighted, elevating such a worthless thing to a high position. He said Fu Qin is unworthy of being a father, allowing his legitimate daughter to be bullied in the villa. He also mentioned that Fu Qin has been getting too close to Prince Zhennan, intending to arrange a marriage alliance, which is why my reputation was ruined.”
With each word she spoke, the Duke of Jing’s expression darkened further.
“Fu Qin, what does the Emperor mean by saying this? I don’t understand,” Song Yue feigned confusion.
The Duke of Jing took a deep breath. “And how did you respond?”
“I said that Fu Qin treats me very well. Just this morning, he had Yuan Fuling vacate Yuehua Pavilion for me to live in, supporting me and standing up for me in every way.”
The Duke of Jing’s expression eased slightly, his mind racing over the Emperor of Beichu’s words. Could it be that the Emperor of Beichu had already sensed something?
At that moment, the steward approached. “Duke, Yuehua Pavilion has been properly arranged.”
The Duke of Jing nodded.
However, Song Yue doubted that Yuan Fuling would vacate the courtyard so willingly. She tugged at the Duke of Jing’s sleeve and led him to Yuehua Pavilion. “Fu Qin, I’d like to set up a swing in the courtyard. Which spot do you think would be best?”
Unable to refuse Song Yue, the Duke of Jing reluctantly followed.
The once-luxurious Yuehua Pavilion now looked as if it had been ransacked. The soil in the courtyard was churned up chaotically, the fence beneath the wall was twisted and crooked, and even the gravel path had been dug up, making it almost painful to walk on.
Song Yue glanced at the Duke of Jing’s expression, seeing his darkened face. She nearly couldn’t hold back her laughter and continued walking inside.
The interior was even worse.
The originally displayed shelves, vases, and even the tables, chairs, and stools had all been replaced, haphazardly scattered around the room.
Not a single decent item could be found in the entire place.
A concubine elevated to a higher position truly lacks refinement.
The Duke of Jing’s face turned ashen with suppressed anger.
“Fu Qin, it’s alright. I can display the gifts the Emperor gave me. If there aren’t enough to fill the space, when I enter the palace to see the Emperor next month, he might bestow more upon me. Eventually, it will all come together,” Song Yue said.
Hearing this, the Duke of Jing twitched at the corner of his mouth, veins bulging on his forehead. “Steward, what exactly is going on here?”
The steward broke out in a cold sweat.
This was all Yuan Fuling’s doing. She had taken everything she could carry, seemingly intent on destroying Yuehua Pavilion.
The Duke of Jing turned to Song Yue. “For the next couple of days, you may continue staying in Ning’an Tang. I will restore Yuehua Pavilion to its original state for you.”
“Thank you, Fu Qin.”
…
Qiangwei Courtyard
Yuan Fuling had ordered the roses to be transplanted. Gazing at the newly renovated courtyard and the furnishings inside the house, she finally let out a long sigh of relief.
“Mother, that little wretch Song Yue is becoming more and more insolent. She’s causing chaos in the household, even daring to compete with you for Yuehua Pavilion. It’s utterly ridiculous!”
Song Yao said smugly, “Even if Yuehua Pavilion is ruined, we won’t give it to her.”
A faint smile played on Yuan Fuling’s lips. “A woman with a tarnished reputation like her won’t last long in this mansion. Don’t be fooled by the Grand Madam’s patience—she’s long been disgusted by that face of hers.”
This was because the Grand Madam and Princess Jiahua had never gotten along.
“Mother, the Emperor summoned that wild girl. Could it be that he’s supporting her and standing up for her?” Song Yao asked uneasily.
Yuan Fuling couldn’t be sure either.
“The Emperor is shameless too. After all these years, he still pines for Princess Jiahua,” Song Yao scoffed.
With so many consorts in the harem, wasn’t that enough for the Emperor to dote on?
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
A furious voice erupted from the doorway.
Song Yao was so startled that she shuddered all over, immediately turning to look at the doorway. Seeing the Duke of Jing’s expression, she quickly stood up.
“The Duke has returned,” Yuan Fuling said with a smile as she rose, glancing at the maid by the door. She should have announced his arrival.
The Duke of Jing scowled. “Restore Yuehua Pavilion to its original state within a day.”
Yuan Fuling thought she had misheard and wanted to explain, but the Duke interrupted her. “Don’t think yourself too clever. If I find you troubling Song Yue again, don’t blame me for turning my back on you!”