CHAPTER 327: CHAPTER 327: FATHER AND DAUGHTER ESTRANGED

Therefore, if this matter were to spread, the laughingstock would naturally be Prince Zhan Mansion.

Prince Zhan dislikes being the subject of ridicule, so he is determined to bring the Princess Consort and his daughter back.

Unfortunately, Feng Enhai by the Empress Dowager’s side is as stubborn as a mule and doesn’t care about any of this.

He calmly stated,

"Your Highness is a step too late. The Empress Dowager has already sent someone to escort the Princess Consort and them over. If we were to retrieve them now, it would be disrespectful to the Empress Dowager, so I urge Your Highness to reconsider."

The words were clear enough; if Prince Zhan were to persist, he would be bringing trouble upon himself.

In contrast, Prince Sang Deng seemed not surprised at all by the matter.

He smiled and said,

"When the Princess Consort was in Xidi, she longed for her mother every day. As expected, upon seeing her, she completely forgot about me, her husband. It truly is pitiful."

Spreading his hands helplessly, as if he had no choice.

With his attitude being like this, Prince Zhan had nothing more to add.

He could only smile awkwardly, suppress his dissatisfaction, and say to Feng Enhai,

"You are right, Your Honor. I was just too eager to see my daughter and thought the wrong way. I shall personally fetch the Princess Consort and Jie’er when they return."

After bowing to the Emperor, he left alone, guided by an eunuch towards the palace gate.

Only once he boarded the carriage and the curtain was lowered did his face fall.

"Return to the mansion!"

The anger in his voice was palpable to anyone who heard it.

The Fourth Prince stood beside the Emperor at the white jade steps, watching the carriage from Prince Zhan Mansion fade into the distance before speaking.

"The old fiend truly has a black heart. Luckily the one who proposed then was replaced by the Second Prince of Xidi, otherwise who knows what kind of life the Second Princess Consort would have now!"

Back then, Yu Wenjie was only seventeen, in the prime of youth.

Yet the King of Xidi was already in his fifties.

Such an age difference, he could easily be her grandfather.

Such a marriage, any somewhat humane father would avoid, but he was heartless, running to the palace to ’relieve’ the Emperor and Empress Dowager of their worries.

Pretending to be loyal and patriotic, forcing his daughter to marry for political reasons.

This makes the Fourth Prince feel disgusted every time the matter is brought up.

"Fourth Prince Uncle, there’s no need to be angry; Prince Zhan Mansion’s good days are nearly over."

"Yes, I understand, Your Majesty."

During the time Prince Zhan was in Taishan investigating Empress Xu’s death, the Emperor and Fourth Prince’s subordinates were not idle.

Now, a lot of evidence of his crimes has been gathered, but it’s only enough for serious harm, not total collapse.

So they are waiting, waiting for news from Qingzhou, the Cui Family’s news.

There’s bound to be more blood debt owed by Prince Zhan among them.

Then, when old and new grudges are combined, only then can they be eradicated completely.

As Prince Zhan hurried home, seeing the mansion festooned with red decorations only simmered his anger further.

Stepping into Consort Wei’s courtyard, he unleashed a great temper.

"Hmph, that daughter of Shunyi Earl Mansion truly is no good. She appears weak and fragile, but who would’ve thought she’d dare to take my daughter and grandson, and run off to the village estate that accompanied the Empress Dowager’s dowry, it’s simply outrageous."

He couldn’t help but smash a teacup as he spoke.

Consort Wei rarely saw Prince Zhan this angry.

Firstly, because age has tempered his temper compared to his youth.

Secondly, living a life of stability and wealth, there are few things left that can anger them.

Originally, thinking that the legitimate daughter of Prince Zhan Mansion returned home to visit, she would have to come home.

So Consort Wei had put a lot of effort into arrangements.

But now, listening to Prince Zhan’s intentions, it seems unlikely they plan to return home for a reunion?

Thinking of this, Consort Wei softened her tone to comfort him.

"Your Highness, don’t be angry. The Princess Consort has been confined at the mansion for years. Seeing the eldest young lady must’ve made her so happy she lost her head. That’s probably why she took them out to stay. No matter what, this Prince Zhan Mansion will always be their home; they will definitely come back to visit, right?"

Consort Wei always spoke gently; therefore, Prince Zhan was most susceptible to this.

Yet, this mild-mannered woman never missed a chance to undermine Princess Consort Zhan.

Otherwise, how would she have maintained control over the household affairs for so many years?

Without some skill, just relying on gentleness like water, one could never stand firm.

After hearing his beloved’s words, Prince Zhan’s anger subsided considerably.

After pulling her to sit by his side, he said,

"These years you have suffered, always being beneath that woman. If not for the face of Prince Mansion, I would have divorced Princess Consort Zhan and elevated you long ago. Now that she disgraces the face of Prince Zhan Mansion, just wait. After the Second Prince of Xidi brings them back, I will elevate you to equal wife!"

In the Imperial Family, the Imperial Concubine holds a position akin to the Empress.

But to have equal wives among the royal kin is unprecedented.

Previously, Prince Zhan mentioned this more than once, but Consort Wei never agreed.

The same was true today.

She had no ambitions beyond her station.

For her, with children and grandchildren, and great prospects,

The Prince was devoted to her, and she managed the inner household.

Whether as a Princess Consort or not made little difference; she didn’t want to invite endless debates over a title.

It’s not worth it.

Particularly with the Fourth Princess Consort, offending her equates to offending half of Shengjing City’s noble women’s circle.

It’s not worth it for just a hollow title.

So, as always, she began to comfort him once more,

"Your Highness, are you blinded by anger? The Princess Consort is also pitiful in this house; if not for meeting Princess Rongkang and that incident, she wouldn’t have ended up like this today. It’s better not to make things too final; after all, hasn’t the Princess Consort never troubled me?"

Every time she spoke like this, it seemed to quell his anger, but in reality, it stoked Prince Zhan’s fury, adding fuel to the flame.

"Ridiculous. How dare she trouble you? Doesn’t she think of what her family has done? Were it not for that, would my sister, with the noble status of Commandery Princess, end up marrying a widower as a second wife, sacrificing her bright future?"

"Thankfully, Lin Xiang has made something of himself; if he had remained a mere fifth-rank official, wouldn’t my sister have been held back by them all her life?"

At this point, the anger that had subsided in Prince Zhan surged once more.

Consort Wei handed him a cup of warm water and gently persuaded him.

"Alright, I won’t say anymore. Your Highness, don’t be angry. Since the Princess Consort took the eldest young lady out, be patient. They will eventually return to the Capital and visit the mansion. After all, you, her father, are still waiting for her to offer you tea, aren’t you?"