CHAPTER 339: CHAPTER 333: I AM THE MARQUIS MANSION DOWAGER 22

Now Anning and Tang Pei have no idea where the other two concubines have married off to.

The two of them could only think about inquiring when they returned to Marquis Mansion.

After all, Tang Bai and Mrs. Li were there, and they surely knew.

Anning now thinks about those three illegitimate granddaughters, feeling quite pitiful for them.

From a young age, living under their legitimate mother, they were raised timid as mice, and it’s feared that Mrs. Song chose particularly undesirable families for them to marry into, making their days even more difficult than when at their maternal home.

But there was nothing that could be done.

After Anning arrived in this world, there were few days when she was well; afterward, she was bedridden, and then left the Capital. She genuinely had no means to look after them.

After Anning left, Tang Bai was suppressed by Mrs. Song and unable to turn the situation around, having the will but not the power.

Having walked a while, Anning remembered something.

She recalled a book resembling this world that she had seen in another world, which seemed to suggest that the youngest legitimate daughter in Duke Mansion was the last to die, preceding her, her three illegitimate sisters had all passed away.

Thus, in this world, those three concubines may have all deceased.

Thinking of this, Anning felt quite heavy-hearted.

No matter what, they were descendants of her original body and her successors; their all being gone was indeed lamentable.

By now, Anning and the others had entered Zhili, and after walking for a few more days, she entered the Capital.

As soon as Anning entered the Capital, the Emperor received a letter.

He immediately began to draft an imperial decree.

Meanwhile, Emperor Yong Guang, who had been paying close attention to the Emperor, also heard of this matter.

He hurried to the Emperor’s residence and, after paying his respects, asked, "I heard Father Emperor is taking in a new consort?"

The Emperor’s expression immediately worsened: "Who told you?"

Emperor Yong Guang smiled: "Father Emperor has already drafted the decree, your son naturally knows."

The Emperor nodded: "This time in Jiangnan, I indeed encountered a woman to my liking, but I am not taking her into the palace; I am properly marrying her."

Emperor Yong Guang was stunned.

His face bore a smile, but inside, he was cursing the Emperor for creating unnecessary troubles; having been the Emperor, he still wanted to take a wife, which was really unacceptable.

"Father Emperor, if you like her, taking her in should suffice, why the need for such a grand gesture."

The Emperor got angry at that moment, slammed the table, and stood up: "Nonsense, what do you mean by ’taking her in should suffice’? If I like her, I must properly marry her. I’m already one foot in the grave, so why can’t I marry a woman I like? Having restrained myself for half a life, can’t you let me have this one pleasure?"

Emperor Yong Guang was scolded until he was dumbfounded.

The Emperor didn’t care what he thought.

However he thought, the rule of filial piety and the hierarchy between sovereign and subject still constrained him; no matter an Emperor, he wouldn’t dare treat his own Emperor inappropriately.

"Let me make it clear to you, if she enters the palace, you must respect her. If she suffers the slightest grievance, see if I don’t deal with you."

Emperor Yong Guang really felt like cursing.

He was wondering which vixen from Jiangnan had bewitched his Father Emperor.

But seeing the Emperor truly angry, Emperor Yong Guang felt helpless and could only swallow his frustrations and said: "Yes, your son understands."

The Emperor waved his hand: "If there’s nothing else, hurry up and leave. I still need to draft the decree; I’ve waited many days for her to enter the palace, I must bring her here quickly, otherwise, if she changes her mind, I’ll have nowhere to cry."

Watching the Emperor, who seemed like he was experiencing his first awakening of love, Emperor Yong Guang left disheartened.

He had just left the Emperor when he was summoned to Shoukang Palace.

The Supreme Empress was crying at that moment.

Seeing Emperor Yong Guang enter, she cried even harder: "Emperor, what should I do now? Your Father Emperor wants to install a queen, and I... I will be neither legitimate nor proper, must I, after struggling like oil boiling for half my life and finally seeing you ascend the throne, still have to bow down to that woman?"

The Supreme Empress really couldn’t accept this, filled with a sense of injustice: "How could your Father Emperor do this? He is of such an old age and still wants to marry? Does he think he is like those common folk, where getting married is just that, a simple event? His marriage is a matter of national importance..."

Listening to the Supreme Empress’s ramblings, Emperor Yong Guang also grew impatient.

He just got scolded, and now being nagged again, he was genuinely feeling annoyed: "Queen Mother, as long as your son is here, your position as Supreme Empress is secure. Just ignore that woman who entered the palace. Why should you trouble yourself like this with her? Besides Father Emperor, there are also various Imperial Concubines. Just think of her as one of these women."

Emperor Yong Guang thought to himself that his Queen Mother had never been particularly favored anyway, so why bother about such trivial matters.

Yet the Supreme Empress felt a deep resentful energy, feeling truly aggrieved.

She cried continuously, causing Emperor Yong Guang to develop a headache: "Queen Mother, I have many state affairs to attend to, I shall take my leave first."

Emperor Yong Guang, regardless of whether others agreed, had already given orders to draft the decree, and commanded the Imperial Household Department to quickly prepare the phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, for he intended to grandly welcome Anning into the family.

It should be noted, if Anning enters the palace, she would be the first woman in the whole Dajing Dynasty to be carried in through the front gates.

When the Grand Ancestor ascended the throne, his Empress had already passed away, and later, the Grand Ancestor did not establish a new Empress. When Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he already had many wives and concubines. Although he did establish an Empress, she wasn’t someone he married after entering the palace, hence she didn’t enter through the main gate either.

Both the current Emperor Yong Guang and the previous Emperor followed this protocol.

Thinking about it, Emperor Yong Guang felt joyful, thinking that he had given Anning a unique honor.

Once the imperial decree was drafted, Emperor Yong Guang had his men keep an eye on Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion, waiting for Anning to settle down there before immediately sending the decree.

After Anning and Tang Pei entered the Capital, Anning asked The Wus siblings if they would like to enter Marquis Mansion with them.

The Wus siblings were somewhat reluctant.

Their mother, when she was alive, had told them about Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion.

Both siblings were very astute and knew that the current head of the household was their mother’s legitimate mother, Mrs. Song, who did not look favorably upon their mother.

If they rashly went there, they would not be treated well and might even suffer harassment. It would be better to rent a house outside.

Anning actually admired the siblings’ pride. After inquiring and learning that they had taken some money with them when they left home, he had Zhuzi help them find a house. After they settled down, Anning and Tang Pei then went to Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion.

Anning had previously sent a message to Tang Bai, who knew they were coming back today and had naturally prepared early.

That day, Mrs. Song was having two female storytellers recount tales when she saw her head maid Jade rush in anxiously: "Old Madam, the Old Master has ordered the central gate to be opened today."

Eh?

Mrs. Song frowned: "Open the central gate? Which noble is coming?"

Ms. Zhang, sitting below, heard Mrs. Song’s question and repeatedly indicated she did not know.

Mrs. Song then told Jade, "Go call the Old Master here."

Jade quickly sent a young maid to find him.

After searching for a long time and not finding him, they eventually located Tang Bai at the front gate.

At the moment, Tang Bai was peeking in the distance, and the young maid suddenly appeared: "Old Master, Old Madam summons you."

Tang Bai waved his hand: "Can’t you see the Old Master is busy? Tell Old Madam I’m not available."

The young maid was taken aback and repeated her message inviting Tang Bai again, but Tang Bai, unwilling to go, stared at the young maid and cursed: "Brainless dog thing, already said I’m busy, what else do you want, do you still want to boss this old master around?"

The young maid, now in tears, ran back to report to Mrs. Song.

After the young maid left, Tang Bai then saw several carriages approaching from afar.

He hurried forward with a smile.

When the carriages stopped, indeed, the first person to jump out was a young and handsome gentleman in a long robe. Upon seeing him, Tang Bai felt like crying.

He walked over, trembling: "Pei’er, is it really Pei’er?"

The young gentleman knelt down in front of Tang Bai: "Father, your unfilial son has returned."

Tang Bai’s tears instantly fell.

Just as he was about to cry, a cold voice came from inside the carriage: "Hold back your tears. How old are you, still crying like a child, so disgraceful."

Tang Bai, frightened, immediately held back his tears.

He respectfully stood by the carriage, extending his hand to help Anning down from the carriage.

Seeing Anning, Tang Bai was momentarily stunned, then broke into a smile: "Grandmother."

Anning nodded: "Yes, it’s me."

After being happy for a moment, Tang Bai grew indignant as he assisted Anning inside: "Grandmother, I’ve missed you terribly these years you were gone. You have no idea, ever since you left, Mrs. Song has been tormenting me daily, tormenting your granddaughter-in-law, and even spoiled my son. Our whole family had nowhere to seek justice. It’s really great that you’ve returned, you must stand up for me, otherwise..."