Jinyi Spring

Chapter 218 Pleading for Mercy

Hearing this, Princess Yanghe also took out her handkerchief to wipe away her tears.

Shangguan Ruyu felt a chill run down his spine. He had known Wang Tu's identity for a long time, but Ming Shanyue forbade him to say it, threatening to sever their brotherhood if he dared to reveal it.

His father forbade him to say it.

Although Ming Shanyue and his father didn't say it outright, he knew they both suspected that Empress Dowager Xue was secretly helping the Xue family.

He didn't believe his maternal grandmother was that kind of person, yet he couldn't help but have his doubts. Seeing his maternal grandmother crying like this now, he felt extremely guilty for his suspicions.

Like Empress Shengde and Princess Changning, his maternal grandmother was an extraordinary woman who devoted herself to the Great Yan Dynasty. How could he doubt her? Not even in the slightest?

But he couldn't betray Ming Shanyue and his father.

He clutched her collar tightly and said with shame, "Grandmother, please don't be angry. I was staying at the suburban villa the whole time and didn't even have time to return to the capital. If I could have returned to the capital, I would have come to ask you to save Qingxin Fagu immediately."

He dared not say that he had returned to the capital, much less that he had spent those two days at the Feng residence.

Empress Xue looked at him for a moment, her tears slowly receding. She pulled him up and sat him down beside her, her tone softening.

"Monkey, I know your filial piety. From now on, you must not hide anything from your maternal grandmother."

"Yes, my grandson will never dare to do it again."

Princess Yanghe laughed from the side, "Mother, I didn't lie to you, did I? You've doted on him since he was a child, and he has always put you first."

Empress Dowager Xue nodded, a coldness returning to her face. "Yu'er is a good child who remembers affection. Unlike Heng'er, who I have doted on for eighteen years, yet he listens to Xiao Henian's words and distances himself from me."

She picked up her teacup, her tone casual, as if she were speaking offhand, but the weight in her words was clear to everyone in the hall.

She glanced at Shangguan Ruyu and said, "Yong'an is a good child. I heard that you two are very close?"

Shangguan Ruyu didn't hide anything and said with a smile, "She is my grandson's good teacher and friend. Many of my grandson's medical skills were taught to him by her."

Empress Dowager Xue nodded, her eyes filled with even more affection. "You are first cousins, and she has suffered a lot in the past. You must get along well. As the elder brother, you must be more accommodating to her and not throw tantrums at her..."

She also recounted the fight between the two sisters, and how both she and the Emperor sided with Yong'an.

Hearing these words, Shangguan Ruyu felt even more enlightened and smiled, "My grandson has always been good to my cousin Yong'an. After Grandmother Empress Dowager takes her afternoon nap, my grandson will go to the Princess's residence to see her."

He spoke in a lighthearted tone, as if he had finally found a legitimate opportunity to visit someone.

Empress Dowager Xue smiled without saying a word, which was taken as tacit approval.

After a short while, Empress Dowager Xue asked Princess Yanghe, "How is the Xue family doing now?"

Yang He sighed, his tone indifferent, "They moved out of the Minister's mansion, and the house they live in now, though smaller, is still a four-courtyard house. Although they were dismissed from their posts and their property was confiscated, they secretly hid a lot of money. Their married daughters and relatives also sent them a lot of money, and their daughter also sent a thousand taels of silver. As long as they don't live extravagantly, it's enough for them."

"Fortunately, none of the children's marriages have been called off. With you, sir, protecting them, they won't suffer any more injustice." She paused, a hint of disdain in her voice. "Xue Qinghe is really something. The Emperor, Empress, and Emperor have all made it clear that the Crown Prince cannot have any more Xue family blood. Prince Zhao is also frail; what's wrong with him living a peaceful and wealthy life as a prince? He insisted on taking a gamble. Now look what's happened; not only is he dead, but the entire Xue family has been ruined."

Empress Dowager Xue's eyes reddened, and tears welled up in her old eyes.

After a long pause, she finally said in a hoarse voice, "That's right. I don't know how many times I've told her, but she just won't listen. She even used me. It has implicated the entire Xue family, including relatives, numbering in the hundreds."

“Rao Fu is reckless and ignorant. She cursed Empress Xiaoxian and Yong'an without thinking. The Emperor and I have no choice but to punish her.”

Princess Yanghe understood; though the old woman was stubborn, she still cared for Shui Raofu. Because of the Xue family's affair, she had been ill for many days and was extremely unhappy with Consort Shangguan…

Thinking of all this, she said, "Mother, you know that Rao Fu never thinks before she speaks. She just lost her birth mother, and her maternal family has lost power. If we lock her up now, what if she does something rash?"

Shangguan Ruyu rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "She doesn't use her brain. I've never seen her scold the Emperor's uncle."

Princess Yanghe glared at him, then took the Empress Dowager's arm and softened her voice, "Mother, she has already learned her lesson and won't dare to do it again. I'll plead for her and reduce her confinement to half a month, so she can occasionally come out for some fresh air and feel better."

A hint of relief flashed in Empress Dowager Xue's eyes, but she still insisted, "If you're wrong, you should be punished. How can you change your mind so easily? Besides, this is also His Majesty's will."

Princess Yanghe laughed and said, "My brother is coming to have lunch with Mother today. I'm going to swallow my pride and plead for Rao Fu. How could my brother refuse?"

Empress Dowager Xue gave her a reproachful look, saying, "You spoil her so much."

Princess Yanghe tugged at the Empress Dowager's sleeve and said coquettishly, "She is both my niece and my maternal niece. If I don't dote on her, who will I dote on?"

Shangguan Ruyu strongly disapproved of her mother's actions. At home, she often complained about Shui Raofu's willfulness and domineering ways, but in order to please her grandmother, she had to plead for Shui Raofu against her will.

Empress Dowager Xue patted the back of her hand, thinking to herself, of all her descendants, this daughter is the one who gives her the least worry.

Princess Yanghe then asked with a smile, "Mother, regarding the matter of Young Master Sun, do you intend to tell Yong'an or Raofu?"

Empress Dowager Xue said, "Everyone has their selfish desires. No matter how disappointing Raofu is, she is still closer to me and to your bloodline. From the bottom of my heart, I would rather leave such a good young lady to her."

She sighed, her brows furrowing even more. "General Sun is twenty years old and still unmarried, which shows his family is very selective. Rao Fu is willful, irritable, and lacks shrewdness; marriage is not about making enemies. If the Sun family is willing, I would naturally like to arrange for Fu'er to marry him."

"If the Sun family hesitates, then tell Yong'an. Yong'an is a pitiful child; such a fine young man shouldn't be given away to another family."

Granny Xia smiled and flattered, "This old servant didn't see any ulterior motives from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. You love and protect all your grandchildren equally."

Shangguan Ruyu rolled her eyes in anger and said defiantly, "What's so great about Sun Chengyu?"

Empress Dowager Xue poked his forehead with her finger and smiled indulgently, "That child can't compare to you in looks, nor to Shan Yue in future prospects and martial arts. But he excels in everything, which is rare. Although he's the second son, if he marries the princess, his position as heir apparent will be secure." (End of Chapter)