Chapter 866: Chapter 18: Concubine Turmoil
Seeing Yun Sheng being belittled, Dugu Xiu couldnât help but get angry.
"Second brother, Shengâer is my woman; she doesnât need to know magic or martial arts. Or do you think that I, the Crown Prince, cannot protect my own woman?"
"Crown Prince, donât misunderstand. Iâm merely curious for a moment. With the Crown Prince around, the Crown Princess Consort naturally doesnât need to learn anything. However, compared to the women brought into the mansion by the Crown Prince earlier, the Crown Princess Consort is indeed different."
Dugu Qian smiled slightly, saying no more.
Standing aside, Dugu Xiu frowned.
Dugu Qianâs intentions were truly malicious.
Though he spoke without confrontation, with just a few words, he discerned the origins of this Crown Prince Consort.
With her adoptive parents both deceased, she has no ties or backing to worry about.
Unable in martial arts or magic, sheâs the number one failure.
Furthermore, Dugu Qian pointed out the matter of how Dugu Xiuâs mansion is filled with many women.
Being women, they naturally have an innate jealous disposition.
As the Crown Prince of Hou Qin, there really are quite a few women in Dugu Xiuâs mansion, many of whom were snatched from Dugu Qian and other princes and ministers.
Though these women donât hold much importance, to the princes they are akin to family assets for flaunting; Dugu Xiuâs tyranny and woman-snatching, Dugu Qian has long harbored resentment, taking the chance this time to exact his revenge.
However, Yun Sheng was as if understanding, as if not, never interjecting in the two menâs conversation, leisurely enjoying pastries and tea, only pausing when she heard Dugu Qianâs last words.
"Dugu Xiu, you have many women?" Yun Shengâs eyes sparkled like a shining lake; her voice was soft yet unexpectedly pleasant.
But hearing this, Dugu Xiu felt a chill run down his spine.
He couldnât help but grow uneasy, his speech stiffening: "They were all gifted by others. Rest assured, I, the Crown Prince, will deal with them."
Dugu Xiu didnât forget that Yun Shengâs first reason for rejecting marriage back then was that the man she wanted must have no other woman in his heart, staying faithful to her alone.
Many of those women in the Crown Prince Mansion are tied to Dugu Xiu by interests, and handling them would indeed pose a challenge.
Dugu Xiuâs intention was to first settle Yun Sheng in one of his separate residences and bring her to the mansion once he had dealt with the women there.
"Oh, the Crown Prince considering the Crown Princess Consort this way is truly her fortune. However, Crown Princess Consort, as the future Crown Prince of Hou Qin, the Crown Princeâs mansion holds women with status and background; it would be best for the Crown Princess Consort to get along well," Dugu Qian fanned the flames, fearing chaos.
"As the Second Prince mentioned, why not introduce them, to avoid me inadvertently offending them and losing the Crown Princeâs face," Yun Sheng decisively put down the pastries, her bright eyes circulating as if seeking advice.
One must admit, Yun Shengâs feminine side was truly lethal, even making Dugu Qianâs soul sway.
Secretly, he thought, little temptress, once I defeat Dugu Xiu, Iâll seize you to vent my anger.
The wicked glint in Dugu Qianâs eyes was seen by Dugu Xiu, his expression growing cold.
"As the future mistress of the Crown Prince Mansion, the Crown Princess Consort should be knowledgeable about her sisters. There are over two hundred maids and concubines within the mansion, among whom ten are titled, and among these, three hold the most importance," Dugu Qian explained calmly.
Speaking on the beauties within Dugu Xiuâs mansion, Dugu Qian could not help but feel a bit envious.
"Brother is really familiar with the matters of the mansion, even I forget that I have taken in over two hundred concubines," Dugu Xiuâs tone was icy, enough to freeze one dead.
Dugu Qian felt a chill rise within.
Just women, was it worth Dugu Xiu getting so riled up?
"The Second Prince being a male guest, these matters within the Crown Prince Mansion should be explained by the servant. Apologies for the servantâs busy schedule, unable to brief the Princess," Lady Chi Bi said as she gently poured a warm drink for Dugu Xiu and the others.
While speaking, Lady Chi Bi sensually leaned close to Dugu Xiu.
Dugu Xiu, although managed to bring Yun Sheng back as desired, could only look, not touch.
Such a vibrant and alluring beauty, merely watching stirred frustration, leading him to find an outlet.
Though Lady Chi Bi was willing to please, she resented how Dugu Xiu during moments of passion called Yun Shengâs name, her heart long harboring hatred towards Yun Sheng.
But Lady Chi Bi never revealed such petty schemes, outwardly still respectful towards Yun Sheng.
The moment Lady Chi Bi appeared, Second Prince Dugu Qianâs gaze shifted.
Earlier mentioned, among the three women in the Crown Princeâs mansion to pay attention to, one was Lady Chi Bi.
Though her background was unclear, her alluring demeanor was undeniable, both in the hall and in the bedroom, a rare treasure.
Nominally gifted to Crown Prince Dugu Xiu by the East Capital Left Minister, she was in fact a liaison between Dugu Xiu and the Left Minister.
Were it not for the Left Ministerâs mediation, Dugu Xiu couldnât have married the Donghuang Dynastyâs princess.
This marriage of Dugu Xiu undoubtedly solidified his Crown Prince status.
With Lady Chi Biâs introduction, Yun Sheng gained a general understanding of the women in the Crown Prince Mansion.
Earlier Second Princeâs details on the number of women in the mansion were roughly correct.
Dugu Xiu has a total of two hundred and thirty-eight concubines and maids, all under twenty-three years old, each of remarkable beauty and distinguished family.
Regarding the three women to particularly note, besides Lady Chi Bi, there are two others, being Dugu Xiuâs concubines, Lady Li and Lady Qing.
Concubine one, Lady Li, belongs to the Tang Yuan royal family, technically, she is Second Prince Li Shaoâs half-sister.
Lady Liâs biological mother was Li Shaoâs wet nurse, serving Li Shaoâs mother and child for years.
Due to an indiscretion by Emperor Tangyuan, Lady Li was born after he favored her biological mother.
Though born to a palace maid, she was raised under Li Shaoâs mother consort, enjoying princess treatment; her marriage was under the name of Princess Tang Yuan into Hou Qin.
As for Lady Qing, her status is even higher than Lady Li, because her surname is Qing, and her aunt is Dugu Xiuâs biological mother, Empress Qingâs niece.
These two, in terms of status, surpass Lady Chi Bi, with Lady Qing having entered the mansion earlier and bearing a son, while Lady Li married into the Crown Prince Mansion half a year ago, favored for her youth and beauty.