CHAPTER 326: CHAPTER 326: UNWILLING TO RETURN TO THE MANSION

He immediately spoke with self-reproach, tinged with a bit of worry.

"You were only seventeen when you left, and now your child is almost seventeen. How have these years been in Xidi? Has the Second Prince been good to you? Has anyone in the royal family over there given you a hard time?"

She spoke in a rush, her face filled with anxiety.

After so many years, the Princess Consort Zhan still blamed herself as before.

She always felt that if it weren’t for her family’s affairs, the children wouldn’t have suffered such hardships.

So she often felt self-reproach.

Seeing her mother like this, Yu Wenjie couldn’t help but feel saddened.

Although her mother was the same age as the Fourth Prince Consort, now she seemed to look ten years older.

It must be because she constantly worried about her and her younger brother.

Back then, when she was at home, she knew how Prince Zhan treated her mother and them with indifference.

So she also knew that her mother’s days must not have been easy.

She felt sad for not being able to fulfill her filial duties.

Thus she spoke to comfort her.

"Mother, don’t worry. The Second Prince treats me very well, and the royal family in Xidi is courteous and kind. I haven’t suffered at all. Just look at my complexion and appearance now, it’s much better than when I was at the Prince Mansion."

This was true; Yu Wenjie’s complexion was indeed very good.

The Princess Consort Zhan felt slightly relieved seeing this.

She quickly said,

"That’s good, that’s good."

When the Princess Consort Zhan was in her maiden home, she was never good with words.

Now, seeing her daughter, besides crying and asking questions, she had nothing else to say.

After all, so many years had passed, and not to mention a lack of common language, even the things they knew were probably different.

The Fourth Prince Consort noticed the atmosphere had gone cold, so she asked,

"You’ll be staying in the Capital City for two months this time. Are you planning to stay with the Second Prince at the post station the whole time? Do you want to go back to the Prince Zhan Mansion for a look?"

This question had been brought up in court earlier, but Yu Wenjie had ignored it.

She didn’t want to be forced into anything now.

So she didn’t look pleased.

Obviously, she didn’t want to step into that nightmare place again.

She wasn’t afraid of being ridiculed by the Empress Dowager, so she directly refused, saying,

"The two children can’t be without me, especially Haji, as he’s still young. So I’ll stay at the post station. It’s not far anyway. I can bring you and my brother over to play."

Not a word about wanting to return to the Prince Zhan Mansion.

Everyone present understood Yu Wenjie’s inner struggle, so they didn’t push.

Such a father, truth be told, did not deserve his daughter’s forgiveness, let alone wish to bask in her glory.

The Empress Dowager had been silent because it wasn’t her place to interfere in the affairs of the Prince Zhan Mansion.

But she made a suggestion at this moment.

"Before I entered the palace, I had a piece of good land under Xun Mountain, with several hot springs. They’re most comfortable for bathing in during winter. The Princess Consort Zhan has been reclusive for years, so why not let Jie’er take the children to play for ten days or so; it’s no trouble."

Given that it’s the Empress Dowager’s dowry property, it’s naturally well-guarded.

Even if Prince Zhan had thoughts, it’s hard to oppose the Empress Dowager’s intention.

Yu Wenjie understood the Empress Dowager’s kindness, thus feeling very grateful to her for providing a place away from the Capital City’s disputes.

Compared to the Prince Mansion and the post station, the Empress Dowager’s dowry estate was undoubtedly the most suitable place.

Mother and daughter could longingly express their thoughts.

So both bowed gracefully, saying, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."

"You may rise now."

After all, it was in the Empress Dowager’s Palace, so it wasn’t appropriate for them to keep crying.

The Fourth Prince Consort intended to adjust the atmosphere, so soon they were all in good spirits and laughter.

Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince and Prince Zhan, who were accompanying the Emperor and the Second Prince Xi Di to watch a play, once again crossed swords.

"In the end, it’s my misfortune that I’ve only had sons and no daughters. Otherwise, my son-in-law would be back to pay homage to the court now. Alas, how envious I am that you are so blessed, truly envious, truly envious."

These words, filled with barbed comments, left Prince Zhan feeling thoroughly embarrassed.

Back then, to consolidate his position, Prince Zhan mercilessly sent his only daughter to the palace to marry in place of a princess.

At that time, he was not concerned at all about father-daughter feeling.

Amongst it all, there was his selfishness in sacrificing his daughter’s happiness for power and favoritism towards concubines over the legitimate wife.

So the Fourth Prince always looked down on him.

Thus today’s words were intentionally meant to provoke Prince Zhan.

Prince Zhan originally thought that his daughter and son-in-law’s triumphant return would be a grand event, and therefore specially instructed Consort Wei to meticulously arrange the entire Prince Mansion.

But unexpectedly, he was stung by the Fourth Prince instead.

So with a forced smile, he said,

"What the Fourth Prince says is true. It’s indeed my fortune to have such a daughter. It’s a pity the Fourth Prince Consort is so virtuous and renowned in the back house, otherwise, your household wouldn’t just consist of sons now."

With one sentence, he promptly insinuated the Fourth Prince Consort’s jealousy in not allowing other women in the Fourth Prince’s back house.

The Fourth Prince, already protective of his wife, couldn’t tolerate such remarks.

So he retaliated, saying,

"Speaking of this matter, I’m quite worried myself. I haven’t experienced the joy of having a full house of concubines, let alone legitimate or illegitimate children to grace my knees. It’s just that I’m very afraid of my wife, unlike your vast blessings of sons and grandsons, Prince Zhan."

Those words were robustly enunciated.

Combined with his expression, filled with satire, it nearly infuriated Prince Zhan to the point of upturning the table and leaving.

But due to the current circumstances, he could only swallow his anger.

With a cold snort, he stopped speaking further with the Fourth Prince.

Seeing him so thwarted, the Fourth Prince also curbed his antics, pretending to seriously watch the play, with others unaware of the situation.

The Emperor cast a sidelong glance, not even batting an eyelid.

Uncertain what he was mulling over in his mind.

On the contrary, the Second Prince Sang Deng of Xidi was thoroughly engrossed in watching the play.

Completely oblivious to his father-in-law being utterly fuming with rage.

Once the play finished, it was time to return to the mansion.

They say good things come in pairs, but for Prince Zhan, misfortunes seemed to come in succession.

Having already suffered grievances with the Fourth Prince, soon more news came.

It was said that the Princess Consort Zhan, along with her daughter, son, and grandson, had all gone to the Empress Dowager’s dowry estate, and wouldn’t return for ten days or half a month. Prince Zhan’s face turned dark.

Truly, even the pretense of cordiality wasn’t maintained.

"Isn’t this nonsense from the Princess Consort? Everything in the mansion is prepared, just waiting for Jie’er to return. At this time, how can we trouble the Empress Dowager’s dowry estate? Please ask the Duke to inform the Princess Consort to promptly bring the daughter and grandson back to the mansion with me."

Then, fearing the Princess Consort might be unwilling, he added,

"Whatever needs to be discussed can be done so back in the mansion. I won’t deny anything."

In Shengjing City, who didn’t know about the old affairs within the Prince Zhan Mansion?