The matters concerning the Fan Family outside the Palace spread like wildfire in Capital City, and the Palace had also gotten wind of it, more or less.
But whether inside the Palace walls or outside, the happiest were the Shih Family.
Upon hearing of the downfall of the Empressâs family, Noble Concubine Shih burst into joyous laughter right away.
"Good! A good defeat!"
"I want to see now, what the Empress can use to compete with me!"
After so many years of rivalry, there finally was a result.
How could Noble Concubine Shih not be pleased?
However, as she laughed, she started to cry.
"But... whatâs the use of toppling them?"
"Half my life is gone!"
The Empress still occupied a position, but what about herself?
Love is gone, status nonexistent. In the end, Iâm just an out-of-favor concubine. To control the Harem? Illegitimate and improper. To hope my cousin will establish me as Empress? Ha! How could that be possible! That wretched Lady Xia monopolizes the Emperorâs favor. Not only does she not advise the Emperor to spread his affection, but she also shows signs of exclusive favoritism. Back when she was a mere Honored Lady, the Empress obstructed me at every turn. Now that Lady Xia has risen, I can no longer lay a finger on her.
"Itâs all the Empress!"
If only the Empress had not kept intervening. A mere Lady Xia should have been dealt with by me long ago; how could things have come to this!
The more Noble Concubine Shih thought about it, the more she hated, her fists clenched and her eyes showing a dangerous glint.
"Ying Qiu!"
Ying Qiu hurried over upon hearing her.
"Your servant is here. Does Your Highness have any commands?!"
Noble Concubine Shih sneered coldly.
"Find a way to pass a message to my father, to take good care of Wanyue Nunnery!"
Ying Qiu paused for a moment, then quickly nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Watching Ying Qiuâs retreating figure as she hurried away, Noble Concubine Shihâs face showed a sinister smile.
The end of the year approached day by day.
Zhao Junyao was in high spirits.
He had dealt with the Fan Family, placated the Xia Family, and the Empress was not in the Palace.
The foul air that had been trapped in his chest was finally vented out completely.
Therefore, his gifts for this yearâs year-end celebrations were exceptionally generous.
For a time, the Ministers of the Imperial Court and members of the Royal Clan were all very satisfied.
ăThe Xia Family Marquis Mansion outside the Palace.ă
What used to be the deserted Marquis Zhongyongâs Mansion, due to the assassination attempt on the Emperor, had become bustling once again.
Every day, invitation after invitation for tea and poetry gatherings were sent to Ni Manxue.
At first, she checked each one. But as they became more and more numerous and she truly couldnât attend them all, she declined all of them.
Ni Manxue laughed helplessly.
"They werenât all that close before. Why are they all coming forward now..."
Xia Tingfeng didnât care much and said indifferently, "Theyâre asking you to go out in such cold weather; theyâre not necessarily true friends!"
Ni Manxue laughed as well.
"Theyâre just being courteous, Marquis. You need not take it to heart!"
Xia Tingfeng thought for a moment and then said, "Itâs probably because of Jingfengâs matter!"
No one cares during ten years of struggle, but with success overnight, the whole world knows.
Nobody expected that the Xia Family, which was on the verge of doom, would recover so quickly.
Commander Xia was wronged and released without charge, his position restored.
Xia Jingfeng, after enduring ten years of hard study, had ranked as Third Place Scholar in one fell swoop.
The Imperial Court officials delivering good news rode on horses, beating copper gongs. DONG, DONG, DONG, they went down the streets to spread the joy.
In less than half a morning, nearly the whole of Capital Cityâs markets and lanes knew about it. After all, there were only three top scholars.
So, the Xia Family, under everyoneâs incredulous gazes, bustled with activity once more.
Many who had broken off relations before were now reconnecting.
Lady Hou didnât respond to the invitations? Then these ladies came in person.
Some came in groups, others alone; they arrived and wouldnât leave, insisting on staying for meals and tea.
During the banquets, they insisted on meeting the Third Place Scholar, claiming they wanted to share in the good fortune.
Actually, Ni Manxue knew. Most of these families had daughters to marry off. She had some idea of the intentions behind these ladiesâ smiles.
But...
Ni Manxue didnât plan to accept this kind of arrangement.
Privately, she discussed it with Xia Tingfeng.
"My lord... although the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother, I shouldnât make decisions regarding the second brotherâs matters. What Iâm thinking is, we should let him choose for himself..."
She and Xia Tingfeng had taken a liking to each other and, subsequently, asked a matchmaker to propose marriage. This match was far better than those arranged by parents or solely by the matchmakerâs words. At the very least, she was living much better than her peers who were cloistered at home. Those young ladies might seem to have married into fine families, but with in-laws above, a husband in the middle, and concubines below, they were caught in the crossfire on all sides, their lives exhausting. Where would they find the freedom she enjoyed?
No in-laws to serve, and a husband who treats me with tenderness and consideration. Though we have no children yet, my husband hasnât said anything. Iâm not worriedâweâll have children eventually!
After listening, Xia Tingfeng pondered for a moment and then nodded.
"Yes!"
"We should not interfere in this matter; let him choose for himself!"
"When the time comes that he fancies a girl from a certain family, weâll simply go and propose!"
Ni Manxue beamed with a bright smile.
"My lord, you think just like me!"
With that, she laughed again.
"Such a joyous occasion for the second brother! I have already written to Father about it. As for Lady Xia in the Palace, Iâll speak of it when I enter the Palace on the second day of the new year!"
Xia Tingfeng laughed too.
"Sister must already know. The Emperor would surely tell her about such matters in advance!"
Ni Manxue thought for a moment, then smiled.
"Indeed, I had somehow forgotten Her Highness is always so highly favored!"
Xia Tingfeng replied with a faint smile.
"No harm done!"
"Youâve also had a tiring day; letâs retire early tonight!"
At his words, Manxueâs cheeks immediately flushed red.
"My lord!"
They had just been discussing serious matters; why did he suddenly change the topic!
Xia Tingfeng, coveting the sight of her shy demeanor, embraced her affectionately.
"What, youâre unwilling?"
He then leaned in to her ear, whispering in a voice meant only for them, "Arenât you going to hurry up and bear me children!"
Before Ni Manxue could react, he had already swept her onto the bed.
"How impudent!" Ni Manxue chided coquettishly.
The red gauze curtains fell, and the room was awash with the aura of spring.
Dongâer was standing guard outside, her face blushing at the sounds from within the room.
Fortunately, this wasnât her first time hearing such noises, so she wasnât much distracted.
She only hoped that Lady Hou would conceive soon.
To give birth to a Little Heir would secure her position! Lady Hou might be unaware, but I know all too well. How many maids are waiting to serve the Marquis. If the Marquisâs heart were to change in the future, Lady Hou could still maintain her positionâthat would be best!
Actually, Dongâer couldnât be blamed for thinking like this. It has always been this way in large households. A newly-wed woman could only secure her position by bearing a son; nothing else counted. If you didnât have children within two or three years, the in-laws would start to show their displeasure.
So... that was why Dongâer thought this way.
As she was musing, a maid named Chun Xing came over carrying two cups of tea.
Ignoring Dongâerâs presence, she went straight to push open the bedroom door.
Dongâer hurriedly stopped her.
"Hey, what are you doing! The Marquis and Lady Hou are inside. Are you not aware of the proper etiquette, barging in so recklessly?"
Chun Xing gave her a disdainful look and snorted.
"Oh, Dongâer sister, the Marquis spends every night in Lady Houâs room, how could I not know!"
"But we who serve the Marquis also follow rules, right? At this time, the Marquis needs his tea!"