bestfiction Chapter 398 Demoted to Concubine
Chapter 398 Demoted to Concubine
Jiang Xiru clenched her palms and looked up in shock.
The Queen's forehead was throbbing with veins. She calmed down and spoke slowly, "If we divorce, it will only lead to unwarranted discussion and speculation. If any news leaks out, it will tarnish the reputation of the royal family."
"If the Emperor does not pursue this matter, then I will pretend that nothing ever happened. I will use your childlessness as an excuse to marry another prince consort to Cheng Qian, and you will be his concubine."
She was still uncomfortable with Jiang Xiru hanging around under her nose.
For now, Cheng Qian’s reputation comes first.
It won’t be too late to let go of Jiang Xi after this matter is over and no one remembers it.
Judging from the emperor's attitude tonight, he will probably not pursue the matter any further for the sake of the royal family's reputation.
Jiang Xiru's heart sank, and she could only lower her head and agree, "Yes."
……
It was dawn the next day.
Everything in the palace was calm, as if nothing had happened.
Jiang Ningwan went to have breakfast with her aunt early and asked about what happened last night.
Although she arranged all the plans and kept an eye on the whole process, she did not participate in the emperor's final decision.
No news came out.
"Aunt, how did the Emperor deal with the matter of Jiang Xiru and Xie Yongan?"
Concubine Rong picked up some food for her and said, "The Emperor and Xie Yongan have discussed this for a long time and should have agreed on compensation. The Emperor didn't make this public because he couldn't bring shame to the royal family."
"But the emperor is very angry about this. I guess he won't see Qin Chengqian again for a while."
After listening, Jiang Ningwan nodded thoughtfully.
This was also within her expectations. After all, it would be too embarrassing if this matter were to be spread.
"Ningwan, how did you find out about Xie Yongan and Jiang Xiru?" Concubine Rong asked curiously.
Jiang Ningwan then explained.
After listening to this, Concubine Rong still sighed: "You are a thoughtful child with a quick mind. If it were me, even if I knew about their affair, I wouldn't be able to come up with a solution so quickly."
"If you were a man, you would definitely achieve great things in the court!"
Jiang Ningwan smiled and said, "Just because I'm a woman doesn't prevent me from making a difference."
"Although there is no way for women to succeed in this world, I have done my best to help my cousin. When he inherits the throne, I believe he will be able to realize my wish."
Her words expressed both her loyalty and her wishes.
How could Concubine Rong not hear it? She patted her hands and said, "Of course!"
"Wen Li and I have both seen your help to you. Whatever you ask for will surely come true one day."
Jiang Ningwan felt relieved.
Then he added, "Qin Chengqian has fallen out of favor with the emperor, so this is a good opportunity for my cousin to show his abilities."
"If we compare everything with Qin Chengqian, the emperor will remember the good things about my cousin even more."
"The scale of succession will more or less tilt towards my cousin."
Concubine Rong nodded, "I understand."
……
Although Qin Chengqian's affair did not spread, the queen's condition worsened because of it.
After just one night, he was bedridden.
The emperor went to visit in person.
But on the road, he met Qin Wenli and Xie Lianyi, who were holding hands and chatting.
Xie Lianyi asked nervously, "I'm giving the Queen pigeon soup. Will she like it? It's not expensive, and I'm worried it might be embarrassing."
Qin Wenli smiled and said, "You cooked this yourself. Patients should eat this to nourish their bodies. Besides, I know your cooking skills are not inferior to those of the imperial kitchen. How can you not show it off?"
Then he held Xie Lianyi's hand tightly and said, "Don't be afraid!"
Seeing the loving and delicate actions of the two, the emperor felt much better.
It's rare that the two of them are so loving and harmonious.
"Wen Li."
Hearing the voice, Qin Wenli and Xie Lianyi turned around and saluted quickly.
"I didn't know your father was here. I apologize for being rude."
Seeing the two of them holding hands tightly as they saluted, the emperor said with relief, "Stand up."
"Are you going to visit the Queen? Then come with me."
Then the two of them went to visit the queen together.
The emperor sat aside and observed for a while. Wen Li and Xie Lianyi had a good relationship, and many of their natural little actions could not be faked.
Xie Lianyi's speech and behavior are gentle and generous. The princess's demeanor is indeed unmatched by everyone.
After visiting the empress, the emperor said in a deep voice: "Please follow me, Wen Li. I have something to ask you."
Returning to his room, the emperor slowly spoke, "You've been spending time with Xie Lianyi lately, and your martial arts skills have declined. You should stop indulging in romantic affairs."
Qin Wenli smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'm not indulging in romantic affairs. Recently, Lianyi has told me a lot about Dayan. She lives outside the palace and often visits the people. She knows about farming, building houses, and even has some experience in flood control."
"Hearing her talk about the past, I can truly understand the lives of the people of Dayan. I understand their farming, their fields, and even their medicinal herb cultivation. There is much we can learn from them!"
After hearing this, the emperor's eyes became bright, his slightly wrinkled brows relaxed, and his expression became gentle.
Besides being surprised that Xie Lianyi, as a princess, could understand the people's sentiments, he was even more surprised...
"She's even willing to tell you this?"
Qin Wenli nodded, "Lianyi is sensible and treats me sincerely."
This made the emperor very satisfied.
"So good!"
"She will be of some help to you, but you must always remember your status and never do anything that would bring shame upon the royal family."
Qin Wenli nodded in agreement.
On the same day, Qin Wenli and Xie Lianyi received rewards from the emperor.
They are the four treasures of the study.
Qin Wenli was extremely excited.
"Is it really worth being happy about?" Xie Lianyi was also infected by his emotions, with a smile on her lips.
"Lianyi, these are not ordinary four treasures of the study. These were once awarded to my father by the retired emperor, and now he has awarded them to me. It shows how much my father values me!"
As he spoke, he looked at the brocade box in front of him, "And this pair of cloud pattern Ruyi, they are also treasured by my father for a long time. Qin Chengqian didn't give them to him when he got married."
Xie Lianyi nodded, "I see."
Qin Wenli looked at her with deep eyes, "I can get these rewards thanks to you, you are my lucky star."
Xie Lianyi couldn't help but chuckle, "It's all thanks to Ning Wan's idea."
Qin Wenli nodded in agreement, "Yes, I should thank Ning Wan too. I'll pick out some gifts for her."
……
On the other side, Jiang Ningwan was already meeting Zhang Yunsong in a secluded place.
"Today, Imperial Physician Li went to check the Queen's pulse again and prescribed new medicine. I wrote down what he prescribed. Please take a look."
Zhang Yunsong handed her a prescription.
Jiang Ningwan opened it and took a look, her brows gradually furrowed. "What kind of prescription is this? It doesn't look like it can cure headaches."
She was also worried that her medical skills were not good enough.
But Zhang Yunsong also nodded and said, "Yes, I have the same doubt. Although this medicine is suitable for headaches, I have read many medical books and found no such prescription for treating headaches."
"I don't know how Doctor Li came up with this prescription."
Jiang Ningwan thought for a moment and said, "I still need to look at the medical records. Do you know where Doctor Li hid them?"
Zhang Yunsong pondered, "He was watching very closely, as if he was locked in his bedroom."
Jiang Ningwan narrowed her eyes slightly.
"It's just right. We still have a chance to do it in the palace. We won't have this chance when we go back."
"Find a way to get the medical records!"