CHAPTER 227: THE 224TH CHAPTER: HE ACTUALLY PAINTED HER PORTRAIT

In this dynasty, all the Chamberlains of the Chamberlain’s Office are held concurrently by ministers of the Six Ministries. Minister Lin of the Ministry of Rites also held this position, and with his retirement, the position naturally became vacant.

Two years ago, people suggested Xu Yin take over as the Minister of Rites, but he declined. Now that Minister Lin has stepped down, even if he doesn’t become a minister, the position of Chamberlain would be more than sufficient.

Prince Rong was even more surprised, "He Huan is speaking for him?"

"Father. The Wei Kingdom’s Great General speaking up for the Prince Consort, isn’t that a good thing?"

At this moment, Yongping arrived, pouting, "With the Pei family making such a commotion, those few families will definitely start to distance themselves from our Prince Manor. The He family has not been as close with the other four families in recent years, and they even have grudges with the Liang Family.

"We can’t miss the chance to win over such a formidable force!

"Besides, Father, don’t you want the opportunity to properly teach Pei Zhan and Fu Zhen a lesson in the future, to let brother vent his anger?

"Once we’ve secured He Huan, what do we have to fear from them?"

Prince Rong snorted coldly, "What I fear is him garnering power for himself!"

"Father!" Yongping lengthened her voice, "For years, Zixiu has been making connections for the Prince Manor while outside. Father should have absolute trust in him. Why do you still speak of him like this?"

Prince Rong snorted coldly, "You mean to say, my treatment of him isn’t good enough? I’ve even married off my daughter to him, yet it still doesn’t count as trusting him? But you, foolish as you are, you believe anything he says, and you’d probably be happy even if he sold you out!"

With that, he swept his sleeve and strode back into the mansion.

Left behind, Yongping stomped her foot, refusing to go inside, and turned to go back to her own house.

Just as she stepped inside the door, a house servant informed her that her husband had returned.

Yongping went to greet him at the door, only to see Xu Yin get out of the sedan chair with a gloomy face.

She paused and approached him, "What’s happened? Why do you look like this?"

Xu Yin threw his official hat to Lian Rong, "It’s your brother’s fault! He got me reprimanded by the Emperor today!"

Yongping was stunned, then followed him inside, "What did the Emperor say?"

"The Emperor said that there is now a great call for me to become the Minister of Rites, and advised me not to be only concerned about myself, but to also persuade your father to behave well and be a role model for ministers! The implication is that he has displeasure with me as well? I’m telling you, if my career is hindered, Prince Rong’s Mansion won’t benefit at all!"

Yongping’s chest heaved, "How can this be blamed on father? This is clearly Pei Zhan and Fu Zhen pushing too far!"

Xu Yin laughed coldly, pulling open his robe, "If your brother didn’t let himself be caught, how could others have an opening to bully him? Last time at the Baihe Temple dining hall, Fu Zhen already reached out to slap you, and your sister-in-law even stood up for her. Knowing that Fu Zhen married Pei Zhan, your brother still fawned over and invited them to the mansion. Isn’t it obvious that you have something to ask of them and dare not offend them, willing to swallow this humiliation? If that’s the case, what reason would they have to hold back? Naturally, they will pounce on any opportunity!"

Yongping was speechless.

She couldn’t deny that Xu Yin’s words were true.

After being slapped by Fu Zhen that day, she had gritted her teeth and vowed to deal with Fu Zhen, but Prince Rong and Yang Zhan along with Mrs. Zhang suppressed her, not wanting her to offend Pei Zhan. Later, Mrs. Zhang invited Pei Zhan and Fu Zhen to visit, making her attend as a companion guest. Heaven knows how aggrieved she felt! But Prince Rong and Yang Zhan still wouldn’t let her act!

Now, the result of her swallowing her anger is continued humiliation and loss of face! Moreover, despite clearly being at fault, the Pei family wasn’t reprimanded by the Emperor, but Prince Rong’s Mansion was instead reprimanded, and even Xu Yin, completely unrelated to the matter, was scolded!

In recent days, Xu Yin had been in a peaceful mood at home due to his smooth administrative affairs, but unexpectedly, with the Pei family causing trouble, he returned home once again with a stern look!

"Commandery Princess, the Princess sent someone to ask why the Commandery Princess hasn’t yet come to the manor?"

The voice of the maidservant in front of her brought back Yongping’s worried thoughts. Looking around the room, she realized Xu Yin was already gone.

"Where is the master?"

"He... he went to attend General He’s banquet. General He even invited General Pei..."

Invited Pei Zhan?

At this time, he’s still in contact with Pei Zhan?!

A nameless fire flared in Yongping’s heart, and she kicked over a large flower vase half as tall as a person!

"In his eyes, where am I? Whoever opposes me, he gets along with them! Where does he ever see me?"

"...Commandery Princess!"

The servant at the door turned pale with fright!

"Get out!"

The servant hastily ran away.

Yongping, with a cold face, was about to step out the door.

But just as she was about to step out, she turned back inside—

She saw the helmet she kicked over had toppled a porcelain jar mounted with many scrolls under the curtain. Two of the scrolls had partially unfurled, revealing the face of a woman.

Yongping abruptly squatted down and opened the scroll, seeing a woman of breathtaking beauty with bright eyes and a pretty smile...

This was not her, Yongping!

Not only was it not her, but it wasn’t Liang Ning either!

It was Fu Zhen!

Yongping’s blood surged, flinging the painting, and then opened another one. After seeing it, she unrolled all the remaining ten or so paintings!

"Call him back for me!"

The servant was called back.

Yongping held up these scattered paintings and asked him, "When were these painted?"

Where did the servant dare to lie? He hurriedly kowtowed and said, "These were all painted recently, since returning from Baihe Temple, the master began painting them!"

Yongping bit her lip, blood seeping from between her teeth!

Xu Yin was a gifted scholar, celebrated in the court! His skill in calligraphy and painting absolutely ranked him among the top ten experts in the entire court!

So, it was impossible for these paintings to be mistaken; he painted Fu Zhen, he indeed painted Fu Zhen! He drew so many of them!!

He had a wife, yet he drew so many paintings of another woman, and she was also a married woman!

What intentions was he harboring??

"Why did I not know about this?" Her voice was hoarse, and her angry eyes had blood vessels appearing. "You were at his side, and he did such things, yet you didn’t report to me?"

She thought Xu Yin only had Liang Ning in his heart, but even having Liang Ning in mind made it unbearable! Why did he now also think of Fu Zhen?

Don’t tell her this was a misunderstanding!

No man would secretly paint so many portraits of another woman without hidden motives!

The servant was speechless, shrinking back in fear.

"Commandery Princess!"

Just then, Lian Rong entered the room, stunned by the chaos before him, "What happened? Why did you touch the master’s paintings?"

"Am I not allowed to touch them?" Yongping glared coldly at him, "I am his lawful wife, I have the authority over everything in this house, am I not allowed to touch these mediocre paintings?

"Are you saying I can’t touch my own husband’s belongings?"