CHAPTER 328: CHAPTER 328: BRINGING UP THE PAST AGAIN

Listening to Consort Wei’s comforting words, Prince Zhan couldn’t be bothered to say anything further.

"Hmph, you’re just kind-hearted, always speaking well of them, seeking favors, yet I haven’t seen you gaining much good from it."

"Prince, all the good I have is on you and the children. For this, I’m willing to continue doing good deeds."

Consort Wei displayed an expression of profound affection that greatly satisfied Prince Zhan.

The great resentment she bore had almost dissipated.

This method was used each time, yet it ensnared Prince Zhan for decades.

The matter Consort Wei referred to happened decades ago.

Back then, Prince Zhan Mansion was at its peak.

Old Prince Zhan saved the late Emperor’s life, thus receiving special regard.

Plus, his son and daughter had reached the age for marriage, so all the Duke Mansion and Earl Mansion families in the Capital City became the treasure in Old Prince Zhan’s eyes.

Families like theirs needed to find equally matched partners.

After much selection, they chose Rongchang Marquis Mansion and Shunyi Earl Mansion.

They were blood brothers born of the same mother.

Since both achieved outstanding military merits, after the family split, the late Emperor specially granted them two Earl Mansions.

This feat of dual excellence was unique in Shengjing City.

It was hardly inferior to Prince Zhan Mansion.

The daughter, Princess Rongkang, was proud and ambitious, never finding anyone to her liking over the years. Old Prince Zhan loved her dearly, so her marriage age was slightly delayed, but there was no urgency.

On the contrary, the then Princely Heir, now Prince Zhan, needed to ensure the continuation of the line, so Old Prince Zhan arranged the marriage with Shunyi Earl Mansion’s eldest legitimate daughter for his son.

Her character was gentle, her appearance charming, her family background outstanding, and their ages were similar.

Such a good marriage was akin to a match made in heaven.

After entering the household, the Heir’s Consort dutifully showed respect, and the Princely Heir couple experienced some loving days.

Unexpectedly, at a family banquet, Old Prince Zhan favored the legitimate son from Rongchang Marquis Mansion who came as a guest.

Insisting on marrying his daughter, Princess Rongkang, over to him.

The two Earl Mansions were blood kin bonded deeply, naturally welcoming the union.

Especially Shunyi Earl Mansion aided a lot in the match-making.

Finally, Princess Rongkang indeed sealed a betrothal with the legitimate son of Rongchang Marquis.

This became a good tale in Shengjing City.

It was a strong alliance with the best prospects.

Yet, who could foresee such a huge blunder arising within?

The favored legitimate son from Rongchang Marquis Mansion was caught consorting with a chamber concubine during the mourning period, which infuriated Old Prince Zhan so much that he spat blood several times.

Already physically depleted due to saving the late Emperor, Old Prince Zhan now was at death’s door.

Rongchang Marquis Mansion wanted to hush the matter, speaking highly to appease Prince Zhan Mansion.

Unfortunately, Princess Rongkang wouldn’t abide deceit, thus making the affair known throughout the realm.

Infuriated, Old Prince Zhan not only terminated the engagement but vowed Rongchang Marquis Mansion should not rise for three generations.

The event turned a good affair into a disastrous one.

Even the relationship with Shunyi Earl Mansion was strained.

Poor Heir’s Consort, already married into Prince Zhan Mansion, naturally suffered because of it.

Her daily tears couldn’t bind her husband’s heart.

Plus, Princess Rongkang also shared grievances with her brother, causing the Princely Heir to resent the Heir’s Consort.

The appearance of Consort Wei led this originally harmonious marriage to become a resentful discord.

Shunyi Earl Mansion pitied their daughter’s suffering in Prince Zhan Mansion, leading to a proposal for separation.

Prince Zhan Mansion initially agreed, only to discover she was two months pregnant.

The Heir’s Consort, unwilling to abort the child, could only swallow her anger and remain in Prince Zhan Mansion.

Her family suffered decline due to Rongchang Marquis Mansion’s downfall.

Decades passed, though not as desolate as Rongchang Marquis Mansion, no outstanding figures emerged from the descendants.

Her family lost its prestige, and she faced cold treatment within the mansion.

During her pregnancy, the Heir completely ignored the Heir’s Consort.

Later, he pampered Consort Wei excessively, and the legitimate eldest daughter, Yu Wenjie, was born thereafter.

From birth, she did not receive kindness from her father or anyone at Prince Mansion.

The Heir’s Consort found the affairs of her cousin distasteful, thus excessively concealing.

She didn’t wish for worsening relations.

Thus raising Yu Wenjie into a gentle and modest character lacking much courage for resistance.

Later, she was sent by her father to the palace as a proxy bride, and aside from crying, she showed no other defiance.

Yet Shunyi Earl Mansion’s tolerance and the Heir’s Consort’s retreat made people in Prince Mansion increasingly unscrupulous.

Since then, the Princely Heir no longer cared to visit his wife’s quarters.

Instead, he stayed in Consort Wei’s quarters and fathered three robust sons successively.

Until Old Prince Zhan passed away, rumors spread accusing him of favoring concubines over his wife.

Seeing his good reputation tarnished, only then did Prince Zhan come to compel his wife to submit.

The purpose was nothing other than to have a legitimate son to restore the reputation.

This later led to the birth of this so-called legitimate son of Prince Zhan Mansion, Yu Wen Jia.

Thus, neither sibling was ever treated sincerely by Prince Zhan.

This means no familial affection between father and child.

Despite the legitimate son’s reputation as a playboy, Prince Zhan turned a blind eye.

Instead considering it highlighted the distinction between Consort Wei’s sons being more accomplished.

Utterly ridiculous.

Now, this old story, with the arrival of Prince Sang Deng and Yu Wenjie, was brought up again.

Many past affairs resurfaced.

Inside Prince Zhan Mansion, Prince Zhan was thoroughly entranced by Consort Wei.

While in the Imperial Palace, the Emperor busied himself with the beauty’s gratitude.

Inside Qian’an Hall, Dong Yuzhong walked in.

"Emperor, Chief of the Imperial Household Quan Fu has arrived."

"Hmm, let him come in."

"Yes."

The Chief of the Imperial Household, Quan Fu, immediately knelt upon seeing the Emperor.

"Servant Quan Fu, greets Your Majesty."

"Rise."

"Yes."

"What has the Emperor summoned the servant for?"

The Emperor glanced at Quan Fu, then his mood lightened, he said.

"Xidi has sent tributes as gifts, I’ve looked over them, they seem quite exquisite. Pick a few fine pieces and distribute them to all the palaces."

"Yes, the servant obeys."

Such matters are naturally the responsibility of the Inner Court Department, but without the Emperor’s orders, no one dared to move those tribute gifts.

Now, with this command, he was happy to please the harem with this task.

His thoughts hadn’t settled when he heard the Emperor continue commanding.

"Among this tribute, there is a ruby, most dazzling, I remember the Inner Court Department has many skillful artisans, think well on how to use this gem to make an exceptional phoenix crown."

When the word ’phoenix crown’ was spoken, not just Quan Fu, even Dong Yuzhong was somewhat surprised.