Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 161

Xia Ying? Was that not the primary consort of this Imperial Prince’s residence?

Gu Yu Qi stared at her simple attire in astonishment.

She was wearing a pale lilac dress with embroidered buttons and a cross-collared design, an outfit that was modest to the point of austerity. Her hair was still styled like that of a young girl, and perhaps due to poor rest the night before, there were shadows beneath her eyes, giving her a fragile and frail appearance.

Why was she still dressed like a young girl? Gu Yu Qi could not help but feel a little puzzled. If she were to appear like this at court, it would surely incite unpleasant rumours, accusations that Gu Yu Qi was domineering, so much so that even the primary consort could not wear ceremonial robes in accordance with ancestral tradition.

Well, troubles were already piling up. One more would not make a difference. If Yun Ke wanted her to play the role of a favoured and wilful consort in this life, then she would act the part to perfection.

“Let’s go. It’s almost time. We must enter the palace to offer our thanks,” Yun Ke pulled Gu Yu Qi forward by the hand, walking ahead.

Trailing behind, Xia Ying lowered her head slightly, but her eyes glinted with resentment.

How could she not be resentful? She was originally a daughter of a marquis’ household, worthy of marrying the best man in the empire. But the Gengzi Rebellion had cost her her chastity, and though she had finally entered the Prince’s household, even the things that rightfully belonged to her had been stripped away.

Yun Ke, you are too cruel. She had never harboured great ambitions. All she wanted was a place to settle down. As long as she had a foothold in the Prince’s palace, no matter if you favoured someone else or loved another, she would have turned a blind eye.

Why must he force her to this extent? If they were to enter the palace today and His Majesty discovered that she had lost her chastity, not only would their marriage be annulled, but the Marquis’ household would also be charged with concealing the truth. That was a serious offence. It was an act of deceiving the emperor, of dishonesty against the imperial family.

And as for her younger brother’s injury, she was certain it was Yun Ke’s doing. How could it have been such a coincidence that just before the wedding, someone stabbed her brother? All this talk of bad omens and inauspicious bloodshed was utter nonsense. It was clearly Yun Ke making excuses.

She wondered if her father received the letter she had sent yesterday. Following behind them, Xia Ying’s heart grew increasingly anxious.

Even though Gu Yu Qi had walked this road to the palace in her previous life, now, retracing those steps again, her emotions stirred nonetheless. Surrounded by sights both familiar and strange, she felt as though she had returned from another world.

Yun Ke had just gotten married, so naturally there was no need for him to attend the morning court meeting. Instead, he simply took Gu Yu Qi on a slow stroll through the palace grounds.

Not only Gu Yu Qi, but even Yun Ke himself, despite being all too familiar with this place, felt his heart surging with complex emotions. Subconsciously, he tightened his grip on Gu Yu Qi’s hand. As they approached the Tai Ye Pond, he practically dragged Gu Yu Qi away.

Across from Tai Ye Pond stood the Shui Yue Pavilion. This was the very place where Gu Yu Qi had died in their previous life. Yun Ke had long made up his mind that if he ascended the throne in this lifetime, the first thing he would do was completely erase the Shui Yue Pavilion from the palace grounds. He would see it wiped clean, with not a trace left behind.

Yet he still did not feel at ease. As they passed by the Shui Yue Pavilion, he thought Gu Yu Qi spared it a few extra glances and at that, his heart began to panic.

The Virtuous Consort had already adorned herself in her best attire and was seated inside her palace chambers. Today, her niece was entering the palace to express her gratitude after the wedding. Naturally, their first stop would be here, as the Emperor was still in Qin Zheng Hall. Even Yun Yi had brought along Zhang Wan Yi to arrive early.

Intent on competing against Gu Yu Qi, Zhang Wan Yi was dressed today in the full ceremonial attire of a primary consort, her phoenix coronet neatly placed atop her head, gleaming under the morning sun. Her makeup had been done with meticulous care and was flawless.

“Reporting to Your Ladyship, His Highness Prince An has arrived with Consort Rou and Miss Xia to pay their respects,” announced the palace maid at the door.

At that, the Virtuous Consort’s brow furrowed. “Miss Xia? What does Yun Ke mean by that?” she asked Yun Yi with feigned confusion.

“I don’t know,” Yun Yi replied, lowering his head with a snort. He had been brooding all of yesterday, to the point of losing sleep. Why should Yun Ke be the one to marry Gu Yu Qi? Gu Yu Qi should have belonged to him, to him!

“Perhaps His Highness is simply too enamoured with Concubine Gu,” Zhang Wan Yi said, lifting her sleeve to cover her mouth in mock modesty. “He must be afraid that Concubine Gu would be displeased, so he has completely dismissed the primary consort from his mind. Oh dear, could it be that His Highness even spent the wedding night in Consort Gu’s quarters? That would be quite unfair to Xia Ying. Mother Consort must reprimand Prince An properly. After all, Xia Ying is the bride bestowed upon him by His Majesty himself. And now that the wedding has passed, still addressing her as Miss, what is that supposed to mean? Is he trying to defy the imperial will?”

Though she was smiling, Zhang Wan Yi’s heart was seething with envy and hatred. Her long fingernails nearly dug into her palm. The man she could not have, why could Gu Yu Qi get so easily?! What was so good about that vixen? Not only did she capture Yun Ke’s heart, but even her own husband was now utterly devastated. Just wait, one day she would tear apart Gu Yu Qi’s face. Let her see what happens when she keeps seducing men everywhere!

The beaded curtain swayed as Yun Ke led Gu Yu Qi inside slowly, Xia Ying following behind them.

The moment Yun Yi caught sight of Gu Yu Qi’s face, his soul practically drifted away.

After a good night’s rest, Gu Yu Qi looked radiant this morning. With the help of the skilled palace maids Yun Ke had summoned, she had been dressed up like a celestial maiden descending to earth. The vermilion red of her dress, though less solemn than traditional crimson, made her eyes and brows appear strikingly vivid, adding a sense of liveliness and spirit. Her lips, tinged with a soft, glistening red, looked like they had been dipped in water and were irresistible. Her cheeks were gently brushed pink, which gave her a fresh and luminous glow. And her eyes, sparkling with a watery brilliance, reflected the autumn hues as they carried a bashful charm in every glance, naturally imbued with an alluring grace.

Zhang Wan Yi was livid watching her husband stare so dazedly at Gu Yu Qi. She stomped hard on Yun Yi’s foot secretly. Only then did Yun Yi snap out of it, and his heart filled with even deeper hatred for Yun Ke.

Such a beauty should have been standing by his side! Yun Ke, why can’t you just die? If you had died earlier, Gu Yu Qi would be in my arms by now!

Everyone harboured their own secret thoughts. Xia Ying, for her part, said not a word. As soon as she saw the Virtuous Consort, she rushed over without regard for etiquette and threw herself into her aunt’s arms, bursting into sobs.

The Virtuous Consort took one look at Xia Ying’s attire and already understood what had happened.

“Greetings to Your Ladyship, the Virtuous Consort. May Your Ladyship enjoy everlasting peace and good fortune,” Gu Yu Qi said, kneeling to perform a formal salute.

But the Virtuous Consort did not so much as glance in her direction. She completely ignored Gu Yu Qi, leaving her kneeling alone in silence.

Gu Yu Qi sighed inwardly and remained kneeling where she was. She had known from the beginning that today would not be easy.

“Ke’er! If you still consider this consort as the one who raised you, then kneel!” the Virtuous Consort barked with a stern voice and cold eyes. “And you!” she added, turning to Gu Yu Qi, “As a secondary consort, were you not taught proper etiquette before the wedding?”

Yun Ke merely bowed once in formality, then straightened his back and stood tall, refusing to give the Virtuous Consort any more face. As if that were not enough, he reached down and pulled the kneeling Gu Yu Qi to her feet without hesitation. Gu Yu Qi stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do. She could only step back and lower her eyes, hands folded demurely in front of her as she stood behind Yun Ke.

Damn, if you two want to fight, can you not drag me into it? Gu Yu Qi could not help cursing inwardly.

She truly had been pushed to the eye of the storm now. Just wait and see. Since the Virtuous Consort could not openly deal with Yun Ke, she would most certainly vent her anger on her instead.

The Virtuous Consort was momentarily stunned. Normally, Yun Ke still cared to maintain appearances and treated her with some courtesy. Was he truly preparing to tear off all pretences and fall out with her completely today?

Right on cue, Zhang Wan Yi stood up and said, “Mother Consort, please do not be angry. Cousin Yun Ke must have been bewitched by someone. He used to be very respectful towards you.” As she spoke, she walked to the Virtuous Consort’s side and gently smoothed her hand over her back.

She had seen clearly what was happening. The Virtuous Consort would definitely try to deal with Gu Yu Qi today. Yun Ke, as a prince, was beyond the full reach of a consort’s authority. But Gu Yu Qi was a different story, she was merely a secondary consort of the prince’s palace. She was newly married, born of a newly ennobled family with no powerful clan backing her. In short, someone the Virtuous Consort could easily manipulate.

“Cousin seems overly concerned,” Yun Ke smiled coldly, frosty as a sudden chill that froze the very air, “When did you gain the right to extend your reach into my Imperial Prince An’s residence?”

Zhang Wanyi’s gaze flashed, “Cousin Yun Ke, really now. It’s only the second day of your marriage and already you’ve displeased Mother Consort. Should you not apologise quickly? Mother Consort raised you after all. To treat her like this is unfilial,” she said.

“Filial or not is not for you to declare,” Yun Ke said bluntly. Then he turned his gaze towards Xia Ying. “Miss Xia, don’t just cry. This prince does indeed sympathise with your situation. Today I brought you here only out of respect for the Virtuous Consort who raised me. Otherwise, I would have taken you directly before His Majesty. And then, I fear your marquisate’s reputation would have nowhere to hide.”

Yun Ke paused slightly, then said, “If you have any grievances, you are welcome to voice them to your aunt. This prince will stand here and listen. But this prince offers one piece of advice. Heaven may forgive the sins of fate, but never those one brings upon oneself! Remember that well.”

The more the Virtuous Consort listened, the more uneasy she felt.

Yun Ke was defying imperial will and doing so with such confidence. Could it be… there was something more going on here?

She could not help but raise her hand to lift up Xia Ying, who was still collapsed in her lap. Her face was already stained with tears, and the Virtuous Consort felt both pity and annoyance.

What kind of leverage does Yun Ke have on her?!

“What happened?” the Virtuous Consort asked, softening her tone as she gently coaxed, “Ying’er, don’t be afraid. Your aunt is here. Just speak, your aunt will see that justice is done for you!”

Xia Ying’s heart was in utter turmoil. How could she possibly say anything? She could not even fabricate a lie.

The bedchamber fell into complete silence and the sound of Xia Ying’s quiet sobs echoed clearly. Even Gu Yu Qi perked up her ears, wanting to know what exactly was going on.

Yun Ke never acted without full confidence. If he had dared say what he had, then it meant that Xia Ying truly was in trouble.