Chapter 016: Sending A Girl To Be A Concubine
"Yes! I heard that the Crown Prince is returning to the capital today, and has specifically come back to receive him." Zeng Guan said with a very humble and respectful attitude, and then seemed to casually mention, "At this moment, he is talking to Concubine Fang in Jinxiu Building."
Chu Youyang didn't say anything else, just saying: "Father has gone into the palace and won't be back for sure when, Zeng Guanjia you don't have to wait either, first move your luggage in."
As she spoke, she walked quickly towards the backyard with a light step.
Zeng Guanjia watched her back, seemingly sighing, and directed the servants to move things into the house with swift hands and feet.
Chu Youyang returned to his own courtyard, and after passing through the corridor of the front yard, he cut off the line of sight of the people behind him. He slightly narrowed his eyes and instructed, "Qingteng, go and find out what the mother and daughter of the Lei family are up to. It's clear that Father has been annoyed with her since that incident, and now she's running back at this critical moment. I'm afraid she's come up with some new crooked idea."
The two girls were taken aback, and Qingteng readily responded and left.
Qing Lian couldn't help but purse her lips and smile, puzzled: "Young Master, what's gotten into you today? Over the years, I've hinted to you many times, hoping you'd take charge and discipline those people in the back courtyard. You've always kept a distance, so why are you suddenly interested in their affairs?"
"It's just a few shallow women, I'm too lazy to bother with them." Chu Yu Yang said, his eyes deepening slightly as he spoke. "The Emperor is suspicious, and every step Father took in the previous dynasty was not easy. If those women were just ordinary troublemakers, I wouldn't have intervened this time either. But if they dare to play any tricks that would hinder Father's progress, then I absolutely cannot tolerate it."
Chu Qi Hui never took those people seriously, but in her past life, it was precisely because of her carelessness and disdain that she let others take advantage of her, resulting in the downfall of her entire family.
So this time, even if it's just to prevent trouble before it happens, she will take the lead in restricting those who harbor evil intentions.
Qing Luan didn't say anything else, but in her heart, she let out a sigh of relief.
Chu Yi'an and Chu Qi Feng both have the means and intimidation, but as men, it is inconvenient for them to intervene in these household chores, so it's best for Chu Jianyang to take action.
The two of them walked ahead, returning to the Jin Hua Tang. Qing Luan promptly and efficiently attended to Chu Yu Yang's needs as she washed up and changed into a traditional outfit befitting her status, just as Qing Teng was entering from outside the door.
"How is it?" Qing Luan asked, while helping Chu Xiangyang adjust the silk belt around his waist.
"Lei Ce Fei's courtyard, I don't dare to enter openly to ask questions, but it's probably not good news." Qing Tong walked up to help and pouted, "I walked around her courtyard just now, and heard a group of women laughing happily inside, as if there was some great joyous event. Oh, right, the second madam and County Princess Yue Xing are also there."
"Are your second sister and the others also here?" Chu Nanyang asked in surprise.
"Isn't Le Cifei always looking down on those few madams? How did they end up getting mixed together?" Qing Luan also couldn't help but secretly hold her breath, subconsciously stopping the movement of her hands.
Chu Liuyang's eyes flashed with a hint of coolness, she brushed aside her hand and tidied up her clothes herself before taking steps to walk outside, "I'll go take a look."
Qing Luan and Qing Teng were both startled, quickly following closely behind.
Because Zhu Yi'an didn't return together, Zeng Guanjia didn't rush to deliver the news to the backyard. When Zhu Mo Yang passed by, Lei Ce Fei's courtyard still hadn't received the news that she had returned to the manor.
"Here comes the young mistress!" The gatekeeper's wife was startled and hastily curtsied to pay her respects, then rushed to report inside the courtyard.
"There's no need for formalities, we're all family. I just came to visit my elder sister." Chu Jiu Yang spoke up first, interrupting her thoughts.
The relationship between Chu Nanyang's brother and sister and Lei Ce's wife was distant, and they hadn't visited each other for years. This time, they suddenly came to visit, even a fool could see that something was going to happen.
That old woman was still trying to put on a strong front, but Qing Luan had already shot her a sharp and fierce glance, coldly warning her, "Get out of the way, do you dare block the county lord's path as well?"
The lord of Junyang is the apple of the crown prince's eye, and his influence in the mansion is unmatched even by the imperial grandson and the Duke of Kang. The woman was glared at by Qing Luan with a fierce gaze, instantly losing her courage, she could only swallow her words and shut up.
Chu Youyang walked into the courtyard with her eyes cast down, and as expected, the flower hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere of laughter and conversation.
"Yao'er and Xiner are close sisters, once they enter the Guo Gong Fu, they will naturally help each other. Although it's said that she is only a concubine now, which isn't very dignified, in a few years, when the heir inherits the title, he will become a first-class noble, the Guo Gong Ye. If Xiner gives birth to another son, I'll let Yao'er take charge and promote her to be the legitimate wife, then this life's honor, wealth, and nobility will all be complete." Lei Ce Fei sat proudly in the main seat, elegantly sipping tea with a refined demeanor, her large purple peony embroidered dress further highlighting her exceptional temperament.
These words were spoken to Second Mistress Lian, who was sitting below.
Lian's face showed a pleased expression, and she nodded repeatedly, chiming in, "This is only natural. Xiner's temperament is gentle, and with the eldest princess looking out for her, it's her good fortune. I am at ease."
Beside Chu Yue Xing was like sitting on pins and needles, secretly having pulled her sleeves several times, but the second madam was still basking in self-satisfaction, not noticing at all.
Chu Yuexin was on the verge of tears, especially when she was stared at by Chu Yuexiao sitting opposite her. Although his eyes were subtle, they still made her feel like there were several holes being poked in her body.
Qing Luan's face sank as soon as she heard this, and she looked at Chu Sunyang, "What does it mean that Le Ce Fei and the second madam are sending Er Guniang to Ping Guo Gong Fu to be a concubine?"
Chu Youyang didn't say a word, but simply turned his head and gave Qingteng an inquiring look.
For the women in the inner courtyard, Qingteng needs to be more familiar with their thoughts.
"The eldest young lady has been married for two years, but there's no movement in her belly. Before leaving the capital a few days ago, I heard some rumors that Rui Ce Fei was planning to let her become the concubine of the Jun Ma, but I didn't expect that she would set her sights on the second young lady instead." Qing Tong said with a curl of her lip.
"It's a good thing they thought of it! Even if it's a bastard, it's still the bloodline of the Crown Prince, isn't this clearly slapping the Crown Prince in the face?" Qing Luan's eyes flashed with cold murderous intent.
"It's not just that, don't forget, Pingguo Gong is the maternal family of the Queen of Henan, and Chu Qiyan's uncle. Didn't Chu Yuexiang herself once...not count? Now she dares to come back and plot against her father's backyard? Simply doesn't know life or death!" Chu Jinyang's lips curled up in a cold arc, speaking as he quickly walked several steps into the door.
Digression
The palace fight is intense, okay, the thunderous side concubine is just a drag on the hind legs of an idiot.
