CHAPTER 688: CHAPTER 688: ECTOPIC

The matters concerning the Fan Family outside the Palace spread like wildfire in Capital City, and the Palace had also gotten wind of it, more or less.

But whether inside the Palace walls or outside, the happiest were the Shih Family.

Upon hearing of the downfall of the Empress’s family, Noble Concubine Shih burst into joyous laughter right away.

"Good! A good defeat!"

"I want to see now, what the Empress can use to compete with me!"

After so many years of rivalry, there finally was a result.

How could Noble Concubine Shih not be pleased?

However, as she laughed, she started to cry.

"But... what’s the use of toppling them?"

"Half my life is gone!"

The Empress still occupied a position, but what about herself?

Love is gone, status nonexistent. In the end, I’m just an out-of-favor concubine. To control the Harem? Illegitimate and improper. To hope my cousin will establish me as Empress? Ha! How could that be possible! That wretched Lady Xia monopolizes the Emperor’s favor. Not only does she not advise the Emperor to spread his affection, but she also shows signs of exclusive favoritism. Back when she was a mere Honored Lady, the Empress obstructed me at every turn. Now that Lady Xia has risen, I can no longer lay a finger on her.

"It’s all the Empress!"

If only the Empress had not kept intervening. A mere Lady Xia should have been dealt with by me long ago; how could things have come to this!

The more Noble Concubine Shih thought about it, the more she hated, her fists clenched and her eyes showing a dangerous glint.

"Ying Qiu!"

Ying Qiu hurried over upon hearing her.

"Your servant is here. Does Your Highness have any commands?!"

Noble Concubine Shih sneered coldly.

"Find a way to pass a message to my father, to take good care of Wanyue Nunnery!"

Ying Qiu paused for a moment, then quickly nodded.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Watching Ying Qiu’s retreating figure as she hurried away, Noble Concubine Shih’s face showed a sinister smile.

The end of the year approached day by day.

Zhao Junyao was in high spirits.

He had dealt with the Fan Family, placated the Xia Family, and the Empress was not in the Palace.

The foul air that had been trapped in his chest was finally vented out completely.

Therefore, his gifts for this year’s year-end celebrations were exceptionally generous.

For a time, the Ministers of the Imperial Court and members of the Royal Clan were all very satisfied.

「The Xia Family Marquis Mansion outside the Palace.」

What used to be the deserted Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, due to the assassination attempt on the Emperor, had become bustling once again.

Every day, invitation after invitation for tea and poetry gatherings were sent to Ni Manxue.

At first, she checked each one. But as they became more and more numerous and she truly couldn’t attend them all, she declined all of them.

Ni Manxue laughed helplessly.

"They weren’t all that close before. Why are they all coming forward now..."

Xia Tingfeng didn’t care much and said indifferently, "They’re asking you to go out in such cold weather; they’re not necessarily true friends!"

Ni Manxue laughed as well.

"They’re just being courteous, Marquis. You need not take it to heart!"

Xia Tingfeng thought for a moment and then said, "It’s probably because of Jingfeng’s matter!"

No one cares during ten years of struggle, but with success overnight, the whole world knows.

Nobody expected that the Xia Family, which was on the verge of doom, would recover so quickly.

Commander Xia was wronged and released without charge, his position restored.

Xia Jingfeng, after enduring ten years of hard study, had ranked as Third Place Scholar in one fell swoop.

The Imperial Court officials delivering good news rode on horses, beating copper gongs. DONG, DONG, DONG, they went down the streets to spread the joy.

In less than half a morning, nearly the whole of Capital City’s markets and lanes knew about it. After all, there were only three top scholars.

So, the Xia Family, under everyone’s incredulous gazes, bustled with activity once more.

Many who had broken off relations before were now reconnecting.

Lady Hou didn’t respond to the invitations? Then these ladies came in person.

Some came in groups, others alone; they arrived and wouldn’t leave, insisting on staying for meals and tea.

During the banquets, they insisted on meeting the Third Place Scholar, claiming they wanted to share in the good fortune.

Actually, Ni Manxue knew. Most of these families had daughters to marry off. She had some idea of the intentions behind these ladies’ smiles.

But... Ni Manxue didn’t plan to accept this kind of arrangement.

Privately, she discussed it with Xia Tingfeng.

"My lord... although the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother, I shouldn’t make decisions regarding the second brother’s matters. What I’m thinking is, we should let him choose for himself..."

She and Xia Tingfeng had taken a liking to each other and, subsequently, asked a matchmaker to propose marriage. This match was far better than those arranged by parents or solely by the matchmaker’s words. At the very least, she was living much better than her peers who were cloistered at home. Those young ladies might seem to have married into fine families, but with in-laws above, a husband in the middle, and concubines below, they were caught in the crossfire on all sides, their lives exhausting. Where would they find the freedom she enjoyed?

No in-laws to serve, and a husband who treats me with tenderness and consideration. Though we have no children yet, my husband hasn’t said anything. I’m not worried—we’ll have children eventually!

After listening, Xia Tingfeng pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"Yes!"

"We should not interfere in this matter; let him choose for himself!"

"When the time comes that he fancies a girl from a certain family, we’ll simply go and propose!"

Ni Manxue beamed with a bright smile.

"My lord, you think just like me!"

With that, she laughed again.

"Such a joyous occasion for the second brother! I have already written to Father about it. As for Lady Xia in the Palace, I’ll speak of it when I enter the Palace on the second day of the new year!"

Xia Tingfeng laughed too.

"Sister must already know. The Emperor would surely tell her about such matters in advance!"

Ni Manxue thought for a moment, then smiled.

"Indeed, I had somehow forgotten Her Highness is always so highly favored!"

Xia Tingfeng replied with a faint smile.

"No harm done!"

"You’ve also had a tiring day; let’s retire early tonight!"

At his words, Manxue’s cheeks immediately flushed red.

"My lord!"

They had just been discussing serious matters; why did he suddenly change the topic!

Xia Tingfeng, coveting the sight of her shy demeanor, embraced her affectionately.

"What, you’re unwilling?"

He then leaned in to her ear, whispering in a voice meant only for them, "Aren’t you going to hurry up and bear me children!"

Before Ni Manxue could react, he had already swept her onto the bed.

"How impudent!" Ni Manxue chided coquettishly.

The red gauze curtains fell, and the room was awash with the aura of spring.

Dong’er was standing guard outside, her face blushing at the sounds from within the room.

Fortunately, this wasn’t her first time hearing such noises, so she wasn’t much distracted.

She only hoped that Lady Hou would conceive soon.

To give birth to a Little Heir would secure her position! Lady Hou might be unaware, but I know all too well. How many maids are waiting to serve the Marquis. If the Marquis’s heart were to change in the future, Lady Hou could still maintain her position—that would be best!

Actually, Dong’er couldn’t be blamed for thinking like this. It has always been this way in large households. A newly-wed woman could only secure her position by bearing a son; nothing else counted. If you didn’t have children within two or three years, the in-laws would start to show their displeasure.

So... that was why Dong’er thought this way.

As she was musing, a maid named Chun Xing came over carrying two cups of tea.

Ignoring Dong’er’s presence, she went straight to push open the bedroom door.

Dong’er hurriedly stopped her.

"Hey, what are you doing! The Marquis and Lady Hou are inside. Are you not aware of the proper etiquette, barging in so recklessly?"

Chun Xing gave her a disdainful look and snorted.

"Oh, Dong’er sister, the Marquis spends every night in Lady Hou’s room, how could I not know!"

"But we who serve the Marquis also follow rules, right? At this time, the Marquis needs his tea!"