Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C118

Wushuang was left in the palace for three days, spending each day accompanying the Emperor in his bed.

Thankfully, these three days were not without their gains. At the very least, His Majesty seemed to have no interest in her body, allowing her to preserve her purity.

Aside from that, this Majesty was a man of few words, with strange behavior and a volatile temper. She suspected it might be related to his headaches? This she deduced from the fact that he often asked her to stroke his head, but sometimes he would deny everything and resist her touch.

This left Wushuang feeling exhausted, unable to understand His Majesty's thoughts. At this moment, she had no idea that the outside world was on the verge of chaos because she had been kept in Chenhui Hall for three days.

First and foremost was the Duke Zhao's Mansion.

Although Chen shi had ordered that no one should privately discuss the Second Madam's summons to the palace, the commotion caused by the palace servants that day was too great, and too many people in the mansion knew about it. The matter eventually reached Chen Yunshang's ears.

Chen Yunshang came from Marquis Xuanping's Mansion, the legitimate daughter of the third branch of the Chen family. Although not from Marquis Xuanping's direct line, her father and the Madam of Duke Zhao's Mansion were born of the same mother. Her father himself was also exceptionally capable, having served as an official for many years, and had married the legitimate daughter of the powerful Bao family of Hebei, who was Chen Yunshang's mother.

Chen Yunshang and Zhao Jianzhi had been childhood sweethearts, and she had long regarded Zhao Jianzhi as her only choice for a husband. Never would she have imagined that while she was away at her maternal family's mourning rites, a concubine-born daughter from Marquis Changyang's Mansion would appear out of nowhere and take her cousin's place as his legitimate wife.

Although she later married into the Zhao family against the wishes of her elders, it was as a concubine. How could she not hate Mei Wushuang? So, when she heard that Mei Wushuang had been forcibly summoned to the palace, she immediately and impatiently told Zhao Jianzhi about it.

She thought that this time she had finally caught this woman's weakness, and her husband would surely be furious and divorce her. But in reality, the subsequent developments completely exceeded her expectations.

Zhao Jianzhi was indeed quite angry, but he was not a woman confined to the inner chambers. He naturally knew that such a thing could not have happened without a reason.

He first had his attendants inquire secretly, and then he sought out his elder brother, Zhao Jianqi. Zhao Jianqi knew that this matter could not be concealed for long, so he did not hide anything and told him the whole story.

When Zhao Jianzhi heard that Wushuang's entry into the palace was intentionally arranged by his parents, and that the family had not stopped the palace servants from taking her, he did not know what to say.

Since his family had lost power, he had tasted the bitterness of human relationships. In the past, his poems and lyrics were mostly about romance and nature, but after the changes in his family, the poems and lyrics he wrote became more profound, but no one paid attention to them. Only now did he understand that without the aura of the Duke Zhao's Mansion, without the praise of the crowd, he was nothing.

The various changes in his state of mind need not be described. Zhao Jianzhi was indeed depressed for a while, but later he picked up the classics and historical texts that he had previously disdained to read, and began to study these proper books.

His elder brother had once told him that even if he memorized these books perfectly and wrote brilliant eight-legged essays, no one in the court would dare to choose him because he carried the name of Duke Zhao's Mansion. The Zhao family was finished.

He knew this clearly, but pretended to be indifferent and said he was just passing the time.

The experiences of the past two years had gradually made Zhao Jianzhi mature and steady. He felt that even if something happened to his family again, he would not be afraid, but he never expected that his family would do such a thing.

"You shouldn't blame Mother either, she also..." Zhao Jianqi sighed and said vaguely, "She was just grasping at straws in her desperation."

Zhao Jianzhi's handsome face was utterly cold. "Eldest Brother, do you know what others will think of the Zhao family if this matter becomes known?"

Of course Zhao Jianqi knew, but what use was knowing?

Ever since the rebellious Prince was executed, on the surface, it seemed the Zhao family had not been purged. Only he and Father had been suspended from their duties, but in reality, no one dared to associate with the Zhao family anymore.

When they encountered acquaintances, people either avoided them like the plague or offered sarcastic remarks.

In these past two years, it seemed Emperor Qianwu had done nothing to the Zhao family, but those below were perceptive. Suppression, ostracism, and fawning upon the powerful came from all directions, gradually and silently swallowing the Zhao family. He knew the Zhao family's end was ahead, but what use was knowing?

Zhao Jianqi also wanted to shout, also wanted to vent, but he could do nothing. He was the eldest son and the heir, and after Father, it was his turn. They had to persevere, or else the entire household would have long been unable to survive.

He watched helplessly as his younger brother stormed out, and only after a moment did he drag his weary steps to leave.

***

Zhao Jianzhi vented his frustrations fiercely on his parents, but what good did venting do?

Just like his Eldest Brother said, it served no purpose other than hurting his family's feelings.

"I'm not asking you to forgive Mother; I only hope you can face the family's situation squarely." Zhao Jianqi said with a face full of bitterness, "Not to mention the distant future, but in the past, the family had more than a dozen shops and restaurants. Now, most of these restaurants and shops have closed, and even the estates are not peaceful..."

A phoenix fallen into the water is worse than a chicken; knowing you're down on your luck, everyone will come to trample you.

In the capital, which business that could be considered large or prosperous didn't have someone powerful behind it? In the past, knowing these were businesses of Duke Zhao's Mansion, no one dared to provoke them. Now that everyone knew Duke Zhao's Mansion was in decline, hungry wolves and wild dogs were all coming to the door.

People wouldn't use overly obvious methods, but they would use all sorts of humiliation and suppression, forcing you to be unable to continue your business, either closing your doors or transferring the business.

The estates were the same. Most of the estates of princes, dukes, and meritorious officials were near the capital, but there was only so much land near the capital, and it was all occupied by the powerful and influential. Those without money or power naturally could only buy land elsewhere.

Once the powerful and influential fell into decline, the troubles would come. They would always force you to sell your estates and good land, bullying you because they could.

This directly affected their livelihood. Being suppressed to this extent, the Zhao family's situation was imaginable.

This was also why Zhao Jianqi knew Chen shi had done wrong, but simply couldn't bring himself to blame her.

In this situation, it was the result of desperately clinging to any lifeline offered. Did the Duke Zhao and his Madam not know the consequences of agreeing to help Consort Chen? Whether this matter succeeded or not, the Zhao family would not fare well; they simply had no choice, truly no choice.

Zhao Jianzhi gave a desolate smile, said nothing, and turned away with faltering steps.

Behind him, Chen shi's sobs echoed.

Chen Yunshang looked left and right, finding the situation quite different from what she had anticipated. Shouldn't that slut be divorced? Was she just going to swallow her anger?

The Duke Zhao's Mansion fell into an eerie silence, and just then, Wushuang returned.

Wushuang's return was quite the spectacle.

Early in the morning, the palace sent a carriage to bring her back, along with a considerable number of rewards.

Seeing that the Second Madam had returned, the gatekeeper opened the side gate, while hastily ordering someone to send a message inside.

"You blind, dog-like thing, daring to make the Madam use the side gate?!"

Little Quanzi kicked the gatekeeper aside with one foot. His sudden ferocity not only frightened the gatekeeper but also startled Wushuang, who was about to get out of the carriage.

Little Quanzi turned back to the carriage and said, "Madam, you mustn't use this side gate; you must use the main gate."

Seeming to sense the doubt in Wushuang's eyes, Little Quanzi lowered his voice and added, "This servant speaks from the heart, and it is for your own good. Some people just like to take advantage of those with gentle natures who are easy to talk to. They have many ways to manipulate people, using every nook and cranny, doing it silently and invisibly, making it difficult for one to notice. Once they get a hold of you, they will prescribe medicine one dose after another, even if you realize it later, it will be too late to recover."

At this point, Little Quanzi's words became vague.

"If you are manipulated this time, your future days will probably not be easy. Even if you don't bully others, you can't let others bully you..."

Wushuang understood his meaning.

Wasn't that how Mei Wuxia's family had manipulated her in the past? By the time she realized it, it was too late to recover. And that day, when Chen shi sent Granny Huang to call her, it was also a form of subtle manipulation. She didn't want to bear the blame and be humiliated, so she resisted. And this time...

Just then, the main gate was opened.

It was impossible for the gatekeeper to be so quick in receiving instructions and acting on them, so it was indeed as Little Quanzi said, this group of people was subtly trying to manipulate her.

They had actually made two preparations. First, they had the gatekeeper open the side gate. If she silently used the side gate, it would mean she lacked confidence and was still the weak and easily bullied Second Madam. A trip to the palace had not brought about any substantial change in her, and they would have their own ways to manipulate her afterward.

If she was unwilling to use the side gate, it wasn't as if the main gate couldn't be opened.

Wushuang didn't know whether to cry or laugh. She only felt that she had lived for so many years and was still not as good as Little Quanzi.

"Thank you."

Little Quanzi smiled shyly and said, "There's no need to thank me; this is all this servant should do."

***

Wushuang walked through the main gate.

As she entered, the path was deserted, but she could feel countless gazes watching her from the shadows.

She was not accustomed to such scenes. These gazes were like thorns in her back, making her want to run and escape, but she desperately restrained herself. She thought of the face Chen shi wore when she brought her into the palace, the face of Granny Huang as she came to manipulate her, and the weeping, hypocritical face of Chen shi, and gradually calmed down.

Rewards, like flowing water, followed Wushuang into the small courtyard where she lived.

Meifang, who hadn't seen her for several days, took her hand and looked her up and down. Little Quanzi, after instructing his people to put down the items, bid farewell to Wushuang and left.

Once outside the small courtyard, Little Quanzi displayed the arrogance and haughtiness of the palace people to the fullest.

Although he didn't say much, his two contrasting attitudes—so respectful towards the Second Madam, yet so imperious towards the servants of the Duke's Mansion—truly made the servants realize that the Second Madam was no longer the same as before.

The gatekeeper respectfully saw Little Quanzi onto the carriage.

Just before getting into the carriage, Little Quanzi turned back and glanced at him: "This one doesn't think you're a fool. You're quite clever, so how could you have done such a stupid thing just now?"

The gatekeeper chuckled dryly, unable to say anything.

"Is the Madam someone you can slight? Could it be that someone instructed you to do so?"

"How could that be, Lord Chamberlain? This humble one is just a blockhead..."

"Alright, get lost. This one is too lazy to say more. Go back and tell your master that if they treat the Madam poorly, they know what will happen!"

Having said that, Little Quanzi left in a swagger, while the gatekeeper wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurried inside to report.

***

Inside the small courtyard...

Old women and servant girls, whom she rarely saw before, all came out, their words and actions revealing their obsequiousness.

Meifang didn't dare to ask Wushuang what she had encountered in the palace, acting cautiously. Her appearance amused Wushuang, but she didn't know how to tell Meifang.

Could it be that her entry into the palace was not a disgrace after all? That she merely slept for three days, and was otherwise provided with good food and drink?

Would anyone believe that?

Wushuang glanced at the several maids bustling about in her room; clearly, no one believed it.

***

Chen shi also received a report from the gatekeeper.

After hearing the gatekeeper repeat the words verbatim, Chen shi was so enraged that she nearly fell backward. Trembling, she cursed, "What does she mean by this? Does she mean that I have to support her from now on? She..."

Granny Huang quickly held her, saying, "Madam, please don't ruin your health with anger. This is no time for a disturbance, absolutely not. If someone overhears and spreads these words into the palace... We've already kowtowed ninety-nine times; don't let us fail on this final bow..."