Free Web NovelChapter 1298: Chapter 1287: Illegitimate Son
"What does he mean by this? He finds even looking at me annoying?" Princess Kang’s face was twisted. "He actually treats me this way for that woman; does he have any conscience left? I’m the Princess Consort he officially married!"
"Lady..." the housekeeper spoke fearfully, "Perhaps we should quell our anger and see Lady Rong; otherwise, Your Highness will be even angrier."
"Smack!" Princess Kang turned around and slapped her. "You’re actually asking me to appease that woman?"
"Lady, I absolutely did not mean that," the housekeeper quickly knelt down. "I simply don’t want any more misunderstandings between the Lady and Your Highness."
"Forget it, get up. Considering your loyalty over the years, I’ll let it go this time."
The housekeeper breathed a sigh of relief, and the other people around were also silent as if facing a formidable threat. Princess Kang had no idea that the people around her were different from before. Due to her twisted personality, no one was willing to tell her the truth, leaving her living in self-deception.
She always felt that Prince Kang had wronged her back then, so whatever she did, Prince Kang should not mind. However, she forgot that his attitude towards her had changed even before he went to Nanyue. If it weren’t for her intentional actions back then, how could none of Prince Kang’s children have been spared? Certainly, there were other people’s schemes, but she had done her fair share too.
The pain of having no sons, the annoyance of her unconditional support for her maternal family, and her jealousy and twisted nature had already consumed the feelings they used to have as childhood sweethearts.
Now she punishes Ye Jing for no reason, which makes him feel even more that she is unreasonable.
Though Ye Jing is a concubine, she accompanied him in Nanyue for nearly twenty years, managing many affairs for him. Despite that, Ye Jing has her brother Ye Qiu, who holds military power, behind her, as well as her son who has been made the Princely Heir. How could she be so reckless?
Every time he thought of his son’s shocked and angry expression, Prince Kang knew this matter couldn’t be easily settled.
What annoyed him further was that if this matter couldn’t be resolved smoothly, wouldn’t it make others mock them? He just arrived in the capital and caused this turmoil; how would others perceive him? Would they think he’s as incompetent as he was back then?
The Liang Family had the nerve to bring up achievements and struggles, but they didn’t even question what they’ve been doing in the capital all these years. Without asking, they married off his two daughters to their maternal family. Even though they are concubine daughters, as daughters of a Prince, they actually all married into a declining Liang Family. What does that make of his daughters?
"What did the Imperial Physician say?" Prince Kang felt he couldn’t face his own son.
Xiao Rui’s face looked very unpleasant; he couldn’t imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t returned home timely. What would have become of his mother?
"The Imperial Physician said Mother fainted from heatstroke and needs to rest properly." Xiao Rui looked at his father, "Father, I’ve asked the servants, and Mother didn’t disrespect the Princess Consort in any way; why would she do this? The Imperial Physician said if someone kneels for too long in the scorching heat, it’s easy to suffer from heatstroke and die. If Grandpa hadn’t kindly let me come home to check, today could have been... In this matter, I hope Father will give Mother an explanation."
"Today your mother indeed suffered grievances, and the Princess Consort lost her virtue. I’ll take away her rights to manage the household and let her reflect. In the future, your mother won’t need to pay respects to her." Prince Kang promised his son.
Xiao Rui felt it wasn’t enough: "Is that it?"
"Ruirui, let it go." Ye Jing weakly opened her eyes. "Don’t press your father anymore. We’ve just come to the capital; if family matters make others laugh, it will be detrimental to your father. Don’t concern yourself with the matter between me and the Princess Consort; just stay with your Grandpa in the palace."
Seeing her speak in such a manner, Prince Kang was deeply moved, feeling even more guilty toward her.
"If only the Princess Consort could be a fraction as reasonable as you!" he said, holding her hand.
"So you’re displeased with me? I knew you were blinded by that fox, foolishly believing you’d adhere to your old promise to treat me well for a lifetime. You’ve indeed changed your heart, Xiao Hong, do you think you’ve treated me rightly? I will tell Aunt Empress, she will surely punish that woman for me!" Liang Family accused, pointing at Prince Kang, unaware of his increasingly cold gaze.
Perhaps she forgot, though the Empress loved her niece, she cared more for her son. Back then, she turned a blind eye to what was done for her maternal family. When Prince Kang went to Nanyue, leaving her in the capital, the Empress could show some compassionate care.
But now that Prince Kang is back and competes for that position, the Empress, having endured for years, will not tolerate any slip-ups. Now she’s crossed the line.
Ye Jing and Xiao Rui’s significance should be clear, yet the Liang Family foolishly acted at this moment. Can she be allowed to continue causing trouble, giving opportunities to others?
"Send word that the Princess Consort should reflect in Zhilan Court, aside from meals, without my permission, no one is allowed to visit." Prince Kang felt utter disappointment toward the Princess Consort; he looked at her coldly, with no trace of affection, only repulsion.
Liang Family seemed deeply hurt, looking at him in disbelief: "You dare confine me? How can you treat me like this? I will appeal to the imperial court; I’ll have Father Emperor personally uphold justice for me!"
Prince Kang grew more impatient: "Take her away; don’t allow anyone to release her."
"Ah! How dare you; let go of me, Xiao Hong, you deceiver, you heartless traitor, I won’t forgive you..." As Princess Kang was dragged away, she shouted, resembling someone out of their mind.
Upon hearing she was confined, everyone in the Prince Wang Mansion breathed a sigh of relief. Living under her tyranny all these years, they truly had trouble bearing it.
She would occasionally go mad, treating the servants like they were nothing, they were truly fed up.
"Isn’t this too harsh? What if Your Majesty and the Empress Mother ask?" Ye Jing frowned, "And I just arrived, and the Princess Consort got confined; how will others perceive me? Will they accuse me of being arrogant due to favoritism, of not considering the Princess Consort due to my son?"
"Liang Family was personally dealt with by me, and she’s gone too far over the years; no one will discuss it. Even if Father Emperor and Empress Mother ask, say she’s ill and not fit to see people." Prince Kang’s face showed displeasure; this was the woman he once longed to marry, now compared to one placed through a deal, it’s indeed ironic.
The woman he wanted to marry turned out to be less than the one forced into the relationship through arrangement; it’s truly a mockery.
