Chapter 113: Volume 1, Chapter 113: Bestowed Marriage

The repercussions brought by Xiao Shen came in a chain, catching Consort Ming and her son completely off guard.

First, Di Yue Nu's disappearance nearly drove Consort Ming mad with frustration, but fortunately Rong Dai and her brother were still around, so there was no fear that Di Yue Nu wouldn't come back. Then came the matter of Liu Yingying, but fortunately Consort Ming had served the emperor for many years and could still handle it.

Now the first two matters hadn't even been resolved, and then Xiao Shen popped up out of nowhere—Consort Ming was utterly flustered, flying into a rage in Guanju Palace.

Han Yifeng also didn't know how things had come to this point. Clearly, he used to have smooth sailing and had never suffered setbacks at every turn like now, as if mountains were blocking his path one after another.

"The matter of taking a wife cannot be delayed any longer. I have already spoken with Chancellor Yun, and I will ask your imperial father to issue an edict for a bestowed marriage. Your marriage to Yun Shizhuang must be arranged as quickly as possible." Consort Ming had made up her mind. She had originally wanted to wait and see, but now they couldn't afford to wait.

Yun Shizhuang?

Han Yifeng didn't have much impression of her and only looked at his mother, asking, "Must I marry at a time like this?"

Consort Ming looked at her son. "What, you're still worried that Rong Dai will be unhappy? Di Yue Nu has already run off—how much use is that Rong Dai now? Compared with her, how much support can Chancellor Yun bring you? Feng'er, this is no time for willfulness."

Han Yifeng fell silent for a long while before saying, "Fine, I'll listen to Mother Consort."

Consort Ming then smiled with satisfaction. "Once you marry Yun Shizhuang, Chancellor Yun will certainly give you his full support. That Xiao Shen is only trying to win your imperial father's trust for now. As long as he doesn't stand with the Crown Prince, given time, there will always be a way to pull him over to our side."

"When will you ask Imperial Father to issue the edict?" Han Yifeng still had feelings for Rong Dai and wanted to soothe her before the edict was issued. "I have another matter, Mother Consort. Dai'er has already been with me, and right now things are improper without a proper status. I want to bring her into the residence before the Yun family's daughter enters."

Consort Ming was about to refuse when she heard her son continue, "Di Yue Nu's escape—I think it may not necessarily be an escape. What if she returned to Qingxuan Kingdom? If she restores her status and comes back, and sees that we've wronged Dai'er, I'm afraid it won't be easy to explain ourselves then. It's just the position of a side consort—Mother Consort only needs to raise a hand and it's done."

Consort Ming knew what her son was thinking—he simply didn't want Yun Shizhuang to embarrass Rong Dai after entering the residence. And true enough, it was only the position of a side consort. If it could keep Di Yue Nu steady, it would be a worthwhile trade.

"This matter is doable, but it must not be made known. You bring her into the residence quietly, without making a fuss. Even after the edict for the side consort position is issued, you must not let Rong Dai go around broadcasting it. If this displeases Chancellor Yun, won't she be the one to suffer in the end?" Consort Ming looked at her son and instructed.

Han Yifeng nodded, knowing this was already the best outcome. At least the status would be settled first, and they could deal with the rest later.

Setting aside how Han Yifeng would go about telling Rong Dai about this matter, the Yun household was likewise in an uproar at this time.

Yun Shizhuang had always dreamed of becoming the Crown Prince's consort, wanting to marry the Crown Prince, but now her father wanted her to marry Prince Qi—she was so furious she fell ill on the spot.

In the past, a bit of coaxing would always earn her father's indulgence, but this time it was completely useless. Fearing she would cause trouble, he even had people confine her. Yun Shizhuang was practically going mad.

The emperor hadn't yet loosened his lips regarding the secret edict, but when it came to Consort Ming's wish to have Chancellor Yun's daughter as her daughter-in-law, the emperor granted it with a wave of his brush, and along the way also bestowed the position of side consort upon Rong Dai.

Who Rong Dai was, the emperor couldn't even recall at this point.

Once the imperial edict was issued, the capital was in an uproar.

Many young ladies of noble families knew that Yun Shizhuang had her heart set on His Highness the Crown Prince, and now she was to marry Prince Qi?

This was truly... unexpected.

By comparison, Rong Dai's appointment as side consort went by quietly and unnoticed.

After Rong Ling Shan received the news, she gloated endlessly, looking at her mother and saying, "She schemed and schemed, and in the end it's still the fate of a side consort. A person really has to accept their lot in life."

Back then, when the eldest sister married Prince Qi, Rong Dai insisted on making trouble, thinking Eldest Sister was easy to push around and drove her away.

Well now, is Yun Shizhuang someone easy to get along with?

Chu Ke looked at her daughter, unable to stop smiling, and was happy herself. "With Di Yue Nu's flight, Rong Dai naturally can't fly high anymore. If Prince Qi hadn't remembered old feelings, she wouldn't even have gotten the side consort position."

Chu Ke paused here and looked at her daughter, saying, "Don't go provoking her and kicking her while she's down. She's going to be gone anyway—no need to get yourself bitten by her."

If it had been before, Chu Ke would certainly have gone herself, but after so many things had happened, she had instead grown more clear-headed than ever.

"I know, I won't go." Rong Ling Shan nodded. "She's probably rejoicing in her heart right now—finally able to enter the Qi Wang Fu with proper status. Even though it's not the primary consort, side consort isn't bad either. But once Yun Shizhuang walks through the door, her good days will be over. Why would I need to kick her while she's down? I'll just sit back, drink tea, and watch the spectacle."

Chu Ke smiled. "That's right. How is your eldest brother doing lately?"

"Quite well. Right now in the Imperial Dragon Guard, he's been valued by Commander Xiao for his merit in presenting the map. As long as Eldest Brother stays grounded, things will surely get better and better." Rong Ling Shan brightened when speaking of this. "Eldest Brother even told me that once he receives his monthly salary, he'll bring it back to honor Mother, and buy me flowers to wear too."

Chu Ke chuckled softly. "Then I'll be waiting, to enjoy my son's filial offerings. Speaking of which, a couple of days ago I ran into Lady Lin. It was truly laughable—Lin Gao Xuan couldn't get into the Imperial Dragon Guard, and when she saw me she was so sour her teeth were about to fall out."

"Lin Gao Xuan harmed Eldest Brother, so of course he couldn't get into the Imperial Dragon Guard. Eldest Sister naturally had to help Eldest Brother." Rong Ling Shan felt she now had some confidence in saying this.

"Oh right, I've prepared some things for your eldest sister. When you go to the Dong Gong to visit her, bring them along." Chu Ke looked at her daughter and said.

"The Dong Gong lacks for nothing—why did you prepare these?" Rong Ling Shan asked.

"What do you know? Your eldest sister has helped us so much, and I didn't have anything good to give her. I prepared some wild game she used to love eating when she was at the estate. It's not worth much, but it's a gesture from her own family." Chu Ke truly regretted it now. If she had known it would be like this, she should have treated Rong Luoge well when she first returned.

There was no medicine for regret in this world—she could only try to make amends now.

Her greatest wish was her son's future and her daughter's marriage. Her youngest son was still studying, so there was no need to worry about him for now. But her eldest son's future and her daughter's marriage would inevitably require Rong Luoge's help in the future, and she couldn't wait until the last minute to burn incense.

If she did that, which family's Buddha would be willing to pay her any mind?

"Oh right, I also have a letter here from Ming Yuhua for your eldest sister. Remember to deliver it." Chu Ke suddenly recalled this and immediately added.

Rong Ling Shan said, "She actually sent a letter. When I saw her that day, I only mentioned it in passing."

This person really wasn't polite.