Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C078 pt1

It had to be said, the cold did not discriminate between the noble and the lowly; it was a shared experience.

Even the Eighth Prince's Consort, Wan Chun'er, could suffer from the cold due to insufficient preparation, let alone those concubines who usually vied to outshine each other.

Perhaps His Majesty would arrive shortly, or summon someone to attend to them? Wearing too many layers would obscure their figures. Had they not seen how so-and-so always emphasized their figure? It was not important if they themselves looked ugly, but losing to others was the most crucial thing.

Thus, within the tent, more than half of the people were suffering from the cold, but they endured it for the sake of their dignity.

At this moment, hearing Wushuang speak thus, though no one voiced it, they believed it in their hearts.

Princess Consort Jin, having been rebuffed, did not look pleased.

Another with a displeased expression was Pure Consort Zhou. Logically, as the Eighth Prince's mother-in-law, she should not be like this, but for some reason, she was frowning at Wan Chun'er.

Wushuang observed this, noted it in her heart, and remained silent.

At this moment, Princess Changhe stood up and said, "The Princess Consort of Prince Wei speaks truly. This Majesty feels that she is wearing too little. If I were to fall ill from the cold, my Imperial Brother would likely be displeased that I am holding him back. You may sit. This Majesty will go add another layer of clothing."

Since Princess Changhe had gone to add clothing, others followed suit, leaving to add layers. Before long, when they returned, they were all wearing thicker clothes than before. However, Princess Changhe was not seen returning. Given her status and her usual willful behavior, no one dared to inquire about her whereabouts.

From this point on, there was a constant stream of noble ladies coming to pay their respects to the various Consorts. They would pay their respects and leave, rarely lingering, until the arrival of the Madam of Marquis Wuxiang.

She had brought Mei Wuxia with her, which surprised Wushuang.

After Madam of Marquis Wuxiang paid her respects to Noble Consort Sun and the three Consorts, she ceased moving, pretending to converse with the Consorts to avoid the Princess Consorts present, who were younger than her in age and generation, but higher in status. Everyone was familiar with her personality, so no one said anything.

Mei Wuxia, being young, of a lower generation, and of lower status, could not avoid it and could only bow to everyone.

When it was her turn to bow to the Princess Consorts, the Princess Consort of Prince Qin, who had been silent all along, suddenly said, "The surname Mei is rather uncommon. If I remember correctly, their ancestors were from Mei County in Shanxi. Originally, they were surnamed Mei, but later changed it to Mei*?"

TN: different Chinese characters

Throughout the dynasties, there were many who created their own surnames, and all had a certain origin and meaning, not listed in the Hundred Family Surnames.

The Princess Consort of Prince Jin smiled and said, "Our Princess Consort of Prince Qin is indeed from a prestigious family. She can quote classics with ease and even knows about such matters. You only know that she is surnamed Mei, but do you not know that there is another here who is also surnamed Mei?"

The Princess Consort of Prince Qin was taken aback and did not speak.

At this moment, Concubine Tian hesitantly chimed in, "Is not the Princess Consort of Prince Wei also surnamed Mei? Could there be some connection between the two?"

Thus, everyone's gaze fell upon Wushuang.

Wushuang knew that this would happen. This Princess Consort of Prince Jin truly never forgot to drag her into things. If it were not for Prince Jin's scheming nature, she would truly suspect that this Princess Consort of Prince Jin was simply too foolish.

However, there was no avoiding it, so she spoke, "The Madam of Marquis Wuxiang's shizi is the daughter of my second uncle, and we are cousins."

"So that is the case," everyone said.

"Madam of the shizi? Has His Majesty issued an imperial decree to bestow the title of shizi's madam recently?" The one who spoke was the Princess Consort of Prince Han. She was delicate and frail, and spoke in a soft voice, but her words were not polite.

It should be known that the madam of the shizi, like the shizi, needed to be petitioned for the title. Only after the imperial decree was issued could she be considered a proper madam of the shizi. If there was no bestowal, she could only be vaguely referred to as madam.

In ordinary families, to appease the in-laws, they would submit a memorial to petition for the title after their son's marriage. At most, the imperial decree would be issued within a month or so. However, everyone in the capital knew that the Madam of Marquis Wuxiang did not like this daughter-in-law. The Sun family had never submitted a memorial to petition for the title, so naturally, there was no imperial decree.

Therefore, there were many people in the marketplace who were betting on when the Sun family's daughter-in-law would be divorced, as many people knew about the woman who had previously caused a scene at their door with a large belly.

Such a well-known matter was tacitly understood by everyone. Had they not seen that everyone knew that Wushuang was also surnamed Mei, but after her explanation, they had all said, 'So that is the case'? This was to be agreeable and to give face. Yet, this Princess Consort of Prince Han had to suddenly say such a thing.

In just a moment, many people had seen that the Princess Consorts were not harmonious with each other either, and their infighting was no less than that of the palace concubines.

Mei Wuxia's face turned pale.

She was already thin, and after more than two months of marriage, she had suffered a severe illness, leaving her now with little more than skin and bones.

Among the noble figures filling the tent, all were seated high above, while she alone bowed to each one in turn.

If her mother-in-law disliked her so much, why bring her to such an occasion?

But upon seeing Mei Wushuang, she understood. This was Prince Qin's attempt to make Prince Wei lose face, using her, this convenient elder sister-in-law, to humiliate Prince Wei's consort.

In any case, the Sun family wished nothing more than for her to request a divorce. Besides, everyone in the capital knew that this daughter-in-law of the Sun family was not favored; to humiliate her was simply to humiliate her.

Mei Wuxia was still squatting there. Princess Consort Qin looked at her and sighed silently.

She had not expected that a single word from her would cause such a consequence. She had always been of a proud and aloof nature, and for many years had been at odds with Prince Qin, living a secluded life, rarely venturing out. She was ignorant of the rights and wrongs of the various families outside, though she supposed no one would believe that.

"You may rise."

This command to rise did not attract anyone's attention, clearly indicating that what happened here was no longer important. Princess Consort Qin was unaware that even if she had not spoken these words, someone would have inevitably drawn the matter to Wushuang. From the moment Mei Wuxia appeared, this scene was destined.

Wushuang was also looking at Mei Wuxia.

She had not imagined that her eldest sister, who had been infinitely glorious and supremely privileged in her previous life, would fall to such a state. However, the path was one she had chosen herself, and the consequences were hers to taste.

It was just like now, when someone wanted to find fault with Prince Wei's mansion, she had to strike back.

"Listening to what Princess Consort Han has said, could it be that the Emperor has not yet issued the imperial decree of investiture? Or is the Sun family too busy, having forgotten to submit the memorial requesting investiture?"

Wushuang's appearance was inherently charming, with a hint of purity. Her large eyes blinked, making it seem as if what she said was indeed the case.

As she spoke, she smiled slightly, with a touch of shyness, and explained, "Perhaps the esteemed ladies are unaware, but before my marriage, I was busy with wedding preparations and rarely left my residence. After the wedding, because I had never learned household management, suddenly taking over the internal affairs of the Prince's mansion, I was truly in a flurry. It has been quite some time since I returned to my maiden home."

These words not only explained why she was unaware of the matter, but also blocked Princess Consort Jin's constant claims that Prince Wei was hiding her. She was busy managing the household, busy handling internal affairs; she had no time to go out, nor did she have time to know about these messy things.

Seeing that Wushuang did not ask the person involved, but instead asked her, Princess Consort Han's expression stiffened. "This matter... this matter, I also heard it from others."

"Heard it from others? From whom did you hear it?"

Just as Princess Consort Han's face changed, Wushuang seemed to realize that the person involved was right here. Why ask others? She then turned her attention to Mei Wuxia and the Madam of Marquis Wuxiang.

"Eldest Sister, is what Princess Consort Han said true? Madam of Marquis Wuxiang, could it be that your esteemed mansion is truly too busy, so busy that you have no time to submit the memorial requesting investiture, or is there some other reason?"

At this moment, the most uncomfortable person was the Madam of Marquis Wuxiang.

She had not expected the scene to turn out like this. She had thought that Prince Qin wanted to deal with Prince Wei, and her family just happened to have a ready-made tool, which would be foolish not to use. How could it be that with so many people talking at once, she was now the one being roasted on the fire?

Even if there were other reasons, could they be said openly? Noble people were particular about being subtle in their words and actions. This Princess Consort Wei, was she too young, or what? How could she be so unsubtle?

Fool!

Noble Consort Sun glared at her and smoothed things over, saying, "Actually, to speak of this matter, it is also my fault."

"How is this matter related to Your Majesty?"

Noble Consort Sun's lips twitched slightly. Was this Princess Consort Wei truly stupid, or was she pretending?

But looking at Wushuang's small face as she blinked her eyes at her, she could not lose her temper on the spot. She could only suppress her anger and say, "It's just that Shixian, that child, is truly ignorant. I was truly annoyed with him. Before, when the family submitted the memorial requesting investiture, I ignored it. It is probably because of this that it was delayed. In this light, it has indeed wronged Wuxia, this child."

The Madam of Marquis Wuxiang smiled awkwardly beside her, considering it an agreement with Noble Consort Sun's explanation.

"So that's how it is."

Wushuang concluded with a simple, "So that's how it is," yet there were others who did not wish for it to end.

It was rare to witness Noble Consort Sun in such a predicament. Several consorts who held grievances with her seized the opportunity to speak their minds. One said, "It's of no consequence if the Noble Consort is displeased with her nephew, but now that he's become her nephew's wife, she's implicated," while another added, "This matter must be dealt with swiftly, lest it cause gossip that might implicate the Noble Consort." These words caused Noble Consort Sun's face to grow increasingly rigid, and she glared at the Madam of Marquis Wuxiang more than once.

No one had anticipated such an ending. What was intended to embarrass Wushuang had instead brought about the success of Mei Wuxia.

In the midst of it all, Wushuang had gone out to change her clothes. Upon her return, she encountered Mei Wuxia outside.

In such cold weather, Mei Wuxia standing there was clearly waiting for her.

"You need not thank me. If I could, I would not have uttered a single word to help you. However, I am the Princess Consort of Prince Wei, and I represent my Prince's dignity. When someone dares to insult me to my face, I will naturally not let her off lightly."