Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine

Chapter 181.2

Emperor Hongjing personally made a visit to the prison, but nothing came out of it.

For a period of time, everyone in the capital would be startled by the mere rustling of leaves. It wasn’t until the thirty-third year of Hongjing that the vortex hidden beneath the water finally revealed its bloody claws.

Duke Xuguo’s body was soon brought back to the manor. Since no one dared to make his funeral a grand event, he was dragged away for burial after a while.

Duke Xuguo Manor, which was usually bustling with people, was now extremely still. Very few people mourned his death. Everyone in the manor was in a state of panic. No one knew whether the residence would be taken back by the court. If this happened, the household with hundreds of people would be left without a place to live.

However, there had been no movement from above. It seemed like they have completely forgotten about what had happened. In addition, after many inquiries, it seemed that because of Duke Xuguo’s death, Emperor Hongjing did not intend to pursue the matter any further. Because of this, it was inevitable for people to have ideas.

Before Duke Xuguo had even been buried for a week, another incident arose from Duke Xuguo Manor. Since Duke Xuguo had never established an heir, his various shu sons all started fighting for the title.

The household was full of smoke. The various masters and servants were all divided into several factions, and fights broke out often.

Among them, Xu Zhe, the eldest shu son, used the most ruthless methods. After finally suppressing the crowd, just when he thought he would be able to inherit the ducal title, His Majesty suddenly issued an imperial decree. According to this decree, he said that since Duchess Xuguo was still there, she should be in charge of establishing an heir to inherit Duke Xuguo’s title.

Duchess Xuguo, who had yet to appear in front of people, finally returned to the manor. She adopted a young child from a branch of the Xu Family to raise under her knee.

Xu Yanru came back with her. She was no longer Consort Jin. On the surface, it appeared that she had lost the position of consort because of her father’s wrongdoings. As for what really happened, everyone who should know about it knew.

Xu Yanru originally wanted to seek a clean start, but who would have thought that she would still be unable to get away from this household even after all those twists and turns? However, without Duke Xuguo, the life of the mother and daughter pair was much more pleasant. Raising a child and getting back for all the grieves they had suffered because of Lady Yulan. It seemed that such a life was not bad.

All this was thanks to Jin Wang, who had made a promise to Consort Jin after looking for her. Only then was she willing to expose her secret to help Jin Wang.

In fact, she was not only helping Jin Wang but also saving herself.

At first, Xu Yanru didn’t believe Jin Wang’s words, but soon everything happened according to Jin Wang’s prediction. When Jin Wang’s people came to take her into the palace to face His Majesty, she saw the eunuchs from Qianqing Palace next to her. She knew she would need to completely follow what he said to get this matter over with and hopefully get some breathing space.

Reality proved that Jin Wang always keeps his word.

In Qianqing Palace, Emperor Hongjing said angrily, “You really can remain calm!”

Jin Wang frowned slightly, “Erchen naturally must be able to remain calm.”

“You could’ve told Zhen! Zhen isn’t ignorant of what’s right and what’s wrong. Zhen will naturally get justice for you!”

But the problem was Jin Wang’s words alone were not enough. Unless he provided real evidence, who would believe his one-sided words? Regardless of what Emperor Hongjing was saying now, if Jin Wang had really come to complain to him, not to mention whether Emperor Hongjing would reevaluate his son, he would probably even suspect him of malicious intent.

Besides, these two incidents had been traumatizing experiences for Jin Wang. Jin Wang also didn’t have the habit of poking at his own wounds for others to see. He only did it because the opportunity arose and he wanted to use this as an opportunity to do something…

Unable to reply to what Emperor Hongjing said, Jin Wang could only change the topic. “Erchen is doing well now. Erchen has two sons, and there will be more in the future.”

Emperor Hongjing looked at the face below. After a while, he murmured, “You are just like your mother…”

His voice was very quiet, but it penetrated into Jin Wang’s ears. His eyes shifted, but he remained silent.

“Let Zhen think about it. You go back first.”

Jin Wang nodded and then withdrew.

The emperor on the throne didn’t return to his senses for a long time. Li Dequan and the other eunuchs and maids who served in the imperial court did not dare to disturb him. The hall was very quiet. After a while, or perhaps it was a long time, Emperor Hongjing finally let out a long breath.

“It’s so stuffy inside. Let’s go for a walk.”

Li Dequan hurriedly stepped forward to assist him. With Li Dequan supporting his arm, Emperor Hongjing stepped out of Qianqing Palace.

The entire Forbidden City was made of long corridors and towering red walls.

Emperor Hongjing wandered around for a while as if he didn’t have a place in mind to go to.

Besides him, Li Dequan suggested, “Your Majesty, if you’d like, why don’t you let this servant arrange for your carriage to be brought here?”

Emperor Hongjing waved his hand, “Since Zhen already said to walk, let’s just walk for a while.”

Li Dequan had no choice but to make a sound of agreement.

As they approached the eastern six palaces, Li Dequan wondered if His Majesty wanted to sit with one of his consorts. However, once he saw the palace not far away, he felt a little uncomfortable.

It was Jingren Palace.

Ever since that one was gone, this palace had been empty. There were a total of twelve masters, one from each of the western and eastern palaces. Two years ago, there was a favoured imperial concubine who begged Emperor Hongjing several times to grant her this palace because she was unwilling to live in a palace governed by another. However, His Majesty would rather leave it empty. He would rather it always be empty.

Emperor Hongjing stopped and looked at the palace with red walls and ceramic tiles from a distance. There were several magnolia trees planted in the courtyard. When the flowers bloomed, the scent of the flowers was strong and would waft everywhere.

“Alright. It is rare for him to speak up.”