Chapter 9
The Crown Prince’s Inquiry
“Greetings, Consort Dowager. I heard that Ninth Imperial Aunt is supposed to return to her maiden home today, but it was changed to a visit here instead. As such I took the opportunity to visit Ninth Imperial Uncle,” Feng Weizhou replied calmly. At the same time, he glanced at Yu Yunxi from the corner of her eyes, making her feel uncomfortable.
“You’re very thoughtful,” Consort Dowager Ning said with a forced smile before she invited everyone to take a seat. Then, she picked up a cup of tea and took a sip before she looked at Yu Wanrong and slowly said, “You’re the rightful daughter of the Yu family, right? As expected of the daughter of the legal wife. You indeed have the demeanor of a young lady from a noble family. I believe that with your upbringing, your husband’s family won’t have any worries.”
When Consort Dowager Ning’s voice fell, many people’s expressions changed slightly. She was clearly mocking Yu Yunxi for being the daughter of a concubine, for her lack of proper upbringing, and for making her husband’s family worry.
Yu Wanrong blushed slightly as she replied softly, “Consort Dowager, you’re too kind. I… I’m not married yet…”
After saying that, Yu Wanrong stole a glance at Feng Weizhou. She looked extremely shy as she clenched her handkerchief tightly.
Yu Zhongcheng coughed lightly. He hesitated for a moment before he said, “Consort Dowager Ning, Yunxi had always been unruly at home. She must have caused you a lot of trouble after marrying into the Prince Regent’s Residence.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that she caused a lot of trouble. After all, the Prince Regent’s Residence urgently needed a Princess Consort. In any case, it doesn’t matter if the Princess Consort is virtuous or not,” Consort Dowager Ning said coldly with a scoff.
The atmosphere froze again.
Yu Zhongcheng glared at Yu Yunxi, clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with her. He was clearly blaming her for embarrassing him.
Consort Dowager could not bother to be polite for too long. She said dismissively, “I heard that on the day of the wedding, you didn’t send her out. I believe you father and daughter must have a lot to talk about. You can chat. I’m tired.”
After that, Consort Dowager Ning walked toward Feng Weizhou. Her attitude eased immediately as she said, “Crown Prince, didn’t you say that you came to visit your Ninth Imperial Uncle? I’ll accompany you to see him.”
“Alright,” Feng Weizhou replied with a nod. Before he left, he glanced at Yu Yunxi again.
In just a moment, only three people were left in the hall.
Now that they were alone, Yu Zhongcheng no longer had any reservations. He was furious and berated Yu Yunxi loudly.
“Before you got married, were you not told to not bring shame to the Yu family? What exactly did you do in the Prince Regent’s Residence that made the Consort Dowager so angry?”
Yu Yunxi turned to meet Yu Zhongcheng’s gaze before she said icily, “Father, you’re so worried about what kind of trouble I caused in the Prince Regent’s Residence, but are you worried how I have been since I entered the Prince Regent’s Residence? Also, can you explain to me about the sacrificial burial?”
Yu Zhengchong grew even angrier upon hearing these words. He said gloomily, “Are you blaming me?”
At this time, Yu Wanrong walked over. She patted Yu Zhengchong’s back thoughtfully to calm him down as she said, “Father, don’t be angry. Sister must have encountered some things here so she spoke without thinking.”
Following that, Yu Wanrong turned to look at Yun Yunxi and said guiltily, “Sister, it’s all my fault. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have to suffer here.”
Yu Yunxi smiled coldly and said, “There are only three of us here. You can stop with your hypocritical act. I’m not in the mood to act with you.”
Yu Zhengchong’s expression turned gloomy again, and he reprimanded, “What kind of attitude is this? Do you know how worried Wanrong was about you? She was worried that you’d suffer in the Prince Regent’s Residence so she insisted on coming to see you today. You really don’t know what’s good for you.”
“Is that so? Since she’s worried about me, why didn’t she step forward when I was forced to marry?” Yu Yunxi retorted.
Yu Wanrong bit her lower lip as tears glistened in her eyes. She looked extremely pitiful as she said, “Sister, the Crown Prince and I are in love with each other. If I marry the Prince Regent, I’ll disappoint the Crown Prince. I thought you understood me.”
Yu Zhengchong felt distressed when he saw this. He said to Yu Yunxi angrily, “You unfilial daughter, you’re just like your mother! You’re jealous and extremely selfish!”
Then, Yu Zhengchong strode over and raised his hand, preparing to slap Yu Yunxi.
Yu Yunxi’s eyes glinted coldly. She quickly moved to the side and dodged the slap. Seeing that Yu Zhengchong was about to attack again, she said threateningly, “Father, do I need to remind you that this is the Prince Regent’s Residence, and I’m now the Princess Consort?”
“So what? If anything happens to the Prince Regent, you’ll only be buried along with him!” Yu Zhongcheng said angrily. He was likely the only father in the world who would curse his daughter to be buried along with her husband.
Yu Yunxi shrugged indifferently. Fortunately, she had long seen through her family’s true colors. As such, she was no longer saddened. She patted off the non-existent dust on her robe as she casually said, “Father, there was something I couldn’t figure out initially. It was said he needed to marry someone because something happened to him. However, why did it have to be a daughter of the Yu family? Was it really as simple as having a compatible birth date?”
Yu Zhengchong had been in court for many years, and he was like a sly old fox. Upon hearing Yu Yunxi’s words, he narrowed his eyes and asked frostily, “What do you mean?”
Yu Yunxi yawned before she replied, “No matter what, we’re still father and daughter. As such, I feel I have to remind you that if anything happens to the Prince Regent and me, the first to suffer the consequences will be the Yu family.”
After saying these words, Yu Yunxi turned around and left.
Three days ago, Yun Xi really thought this was just an ordinary marriage. However, after discovering Feng Yili’s poison, she understood that the Emperor or the Imperial Preceptor had to be among the people who wanted Feng Yili dead. As for why she was dragged into this mess, she could only blame her surname.
Although the Emperor had already appointed the Crown Prince, he was still in his prime. He naturally would not allow the Crown Prince’s power to continue to grow. The Yu family had held great power for many years, and the family was very close to the Crown Prince. As such, how could the Emperor feel at ease? Since ancient times, the methods of emperors used to deal with powerful ministers had always been ruthless.
If the Prince Regent died after Yu Yunxi married him, then the blame could be pushed onto the Yu family.
Yu Yunxi had already said so much. She no longer cared if her father understood the underlying meaning of her words. After all, whether the Yu family survived or not, she was just a chess piece that they could easily abandon. If she wanted to survive, she could only rely on herself.
Yu Yunxi wandered around the back garden until she heard the servants saying that the Consort Dowager had left. Only then did she feel relieved and returned to the courtyard.
Yu Yunxi, who had let down her guard, pushed the door open and saw Feng Weizhou, the Crown Prince, sitting in the room and drinking tea. Next to him was Feng Yili’s Cold Jade Coffin. Upon seeing this, she turned around and prepared to leave.
“I’m not a man-eating beast. Why are you afraid to see me?” Feng Weizhou asked stonily.
Yu Yunxi stopped in her tracks and said in a strained voice, “I apologize, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I… I’m not afraid of you, I just hate you.”