The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 265 - Stirring the Waters

Pei Yao had already executed King Ming and many court officials. Sparing the Third Princess was not an act of mercy, but a display of benevolence.

In the eyes of the public, the Third Princess was an innocent, naive lady of the inner court. Eliminating her would tarnish Pei Yao's reputation.

Leaving one alive could enhance his good name.

Understanding this, Fang Yun smiled and asked,

"When do you plan to have them married, Your Highness?"

"With my uncle ill, their marriage could bring some joy. I've already instructed the Ministry of Rites to arrange it. It will be three days before the New Year's Eve banquet. Her three-day return home will coincide with the palace banquet, where she can introduce her husband to the royal relatives." Pei Yao peeled an orange calmly.

He spoke as if truly planning his cousin's wedding with care.

But could the Third Princess really be happy?

Her mother's and brother's bodies were not yet cold, and she would have to marry with red gowns and fanfare. It would surely be more suffocating for her.

However, since King Ming had been reduced to a commoner before his execution, and Empress Li shared the same fate, they were no longer considered part of the royal family by law and ritual.

Emperor Chengjing, though ill, remained her father. As a princess, using her marriage to bring joy to the emperor would be seen as filial.

No matter how angry and frustrated the Third Princess felt, she dared not show it. With her mother and brother dead, she wanted to live well.

Hearing Pei Yao's plans, Fang Yun's smile grew.

"Your Highness's thorough arrangements are so considerate of the Third Princess. I'm sure she and her husband will understand your good intentions and live well."

"They love each other and will naturally live well."

Pei Yao smiled, handing half of the peeled orange to Fang Yun.

She accepted it, eating slowly and leisurely talking about other matters.

Having nothing pressing to attend to, Pei Yao stayed at Biluo Pavilion the entire day.

The fact that he stayed with a pregnant consort naturally stirred jealousy in the harem.

After dinner, in Weiyang Pavilion.

Yang Cefei was holding her son when her head maid, Si Qi, quickly came in and whispered,

"The Crown Prince is staying at Biluo Pavilion tonight."

"Still with Fang Cefei?" Yang Cefei frowned, handing her son to the wet nurse. "Didn't Hu Liangdi run into him today? And didn't He Liangdi join in? Neither managed to get His Highness to leave."

Si Qi approached, "Cefei may not know, but Hu Liangdi didn't fare well and was outmaneuvered by Fang Cefei. He Liangdi was supposed to go but ran into Hu Liangdi, argued, and was reminded of her family's disgrace. She didn't go to the garden."

Hearing this, Yang Cefei tapped her fingers irritably on the table.

How had Fang Yun managed to drive one away and accidentally block another?

While she hadn't expected He Liangdi to actually succeed, she had hoped she would at least annoy Fang Yun.

An unhappy pregnant woman might affect her child.

But it hadn't worked out.

"His Highness likely remembers the hardship he shared with Fang Cefei. It will fade over time," Yun Qian suggested softly.

Yang Cefei shook her head. "I doubt it. He can't bear to leave now. Once her child is born, with two children at her side, His Highness will visit often. She'll also be able to serve him again, a perfect situation for her."

"But if you don't step in, only Hu Liangdi can compete with Biluo Pavilion, and she isn't willing," Yun Qian said, looking troubled.

Yang Cefei seemed more relaxed, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"If Hu Liangdi won't, there's still the more compliant Xie Shuren, or even Xu Shuren. The Crown Princess might not like others gaining favor, but would she object to her own cousin?"

Yun Qian voiced her concern, "Xu Shuren may be attractive, but her entry into the palace displeased His Highness. Would he favor her?"

"Who says His Highness must favor her?" Yang Cefei smiled faintly. "I just want to stir up trouble in the harem and unsettle Fang Yun. None of the others are as significant as this thorn."

Understanding, Yun Qian quickly inquired about the plan.

As night fell, everyone in the palace harbored their own thoughts.

The next day, He Liangdi acted quickly.

After paying her respects to the Crown Princess, she returned, removed her jewelry and fine clothes, donned plain white garments, and knelt outside Pei Yao's residence.

The news quickly spread through the harem, but no one intervened.

Since the Crown Princess hadn't acted, no one else had the authority to.

The He family had erred, and as a daughter, pleading for her family was normal. Whether pleading or confessing, she couldn't be denied the chance to seek forgiveness.

The timing of this response...

Fang Yun couldn't understand who advised He Liangdi on this strategy.

Given that the He family had been reprimanded some time ago, the matter wasn't fresh but not entirely stale either. To kneel in penance, it would have been most effective and sincere at the outset.

Waiting until now, though not wrong, seemed ill-timed. It would have been better to wait a bit longer for the matter to blow over before showing vulnerability to regain favor.

By making this gesture now, Pei Yao would forgive her, but it would also remind him of the He family's corruption, reinforcing the negative association.

Moreover, it was December, bitterly cold. Wearing thin clothes and kneeling in such weather was self-punishing.

However, Fang Yun could predict that Pei Yao, despite being reminded of past grievances, would likely forgive her without expressing his displeasure openly.

To Pei Yao, this issue was almost in the past.

So, He Liangdi's slow reaction might be due to her own delayed realization or bad advice from someone.

But it was none of Fang Yun's concern, so she watched as a spectator, not intervening.

As expected, when Pei Yao returned and saw He Liangdi in her plain, thin garments kneeling outside his quarters for hours, he was speechless.

But since she had made the gesture, and the He family still served him in court, he had to respond appropriately. He personally helped her up, draped his cloak over her, and spoke a few comforting words.

Regardless of what Pei Yao truly felt, to He Liangdi, this was forgiveness and regained favor.

She was overjoyed, preparing to serve him again that night.

But her excitement was short-lived. The day's cold left her with a high fever by nightfall.

In the middle of the night, the imperial physician was summoned and diagnosed He Liangdi with a cold from the exposure. She would need about seven or eight days to recover.

This incident led to some covert snickering in the harem, but He Liangdi remained blissfully unaware. She was quite pleased, as Pei Yao visited her twice during her illness.

Meanwhile, the intrigues continued elsewhere.

Thanks to Yang Cefei's recommendation, Xie Shuren came into Pei Yao's favor, staying overnight and dining with him on several occasions.