Chapter 119: Extra 4
Nanny Yan sighed. "This truly is a serious matter... the Second Young Mistress has gotten someone killed."
Princess Consort of Lingnan was startled. "What do you mean! Call her in at once... what on earth happened..."
Nanny Yan regretted being so blunt and quickly tried to appease her. "Your Highness, please don't worry. There's no need to summon the Second Young Mistress in—she certainly wouldn't tell you the truth anyway. It would be better if I told you what happened..."
Nanny Yan helped Princess Consort of Lingnan sit down and explained slowly. "Didn't the main wife in the Second Young Mistress's household introduce several attractive concubines to Young Master Li to steal the Second Young Mistress's favor?"
Princess Consort of Lingnan nodded. Nanny Yan continued with irritation, "This kind of 'fighting poison with poison' never works out well. Among those concubines, there was one who was especially favored—something like... Zhen'er. Normally our Second Young Mistress liked to compete with her, but it was always minor skirmishes, nothing serious. However, a few days ago... Zhen'er was found to be with child."
Princess Consort of Lingnan was aghast. "Kang Tai..."
Nanny Yan nodded wearily. "The Second Young Mistress had been trying for half a year with no luck, and now this latecomer had overtaken her—how could she tolerate it? But she was clever enough not to do anything openly. Instead, she slipped the medicine into the prenatal tonic that the main wife gave to Zhen'er. Zhen'er drank that tonic for several days without precaution, and she drank it... less than half an hour later, she started hemorrhaging. The Li family sent for a doctor that very night, but it was far too late. After struggling through the entire night, she still lost the child."
Princess Consort of Lingnan frowned deeply. Nanny Yan went on, "When they investigated, it was that bowl of prenatal tonic that was the problem. Young Master Li is no spring chicken, and there had finally been some activity in his household only to have it end like this—how could the Li family let it go? Madam Li flew into a rage and demanded that Young Master Li divorce his wife. But the Li family's young mistress wasn't one to be bullied. She genuinely knew nothing about this—in fact, she had been hoping Zhen'er would give birth to a son! After all, she herself had been unable to conceive after so many years in the household and knew there was little hope for her. Zhen'er had been selected from her natal family, and her parents and brothers were all under her complete control—she could trust her completely. Raising a child brought to her side by Zhen'er would be so much more reassuring than anything from the Second Young Mistress! The young mistress explained herself endlessly but couldn't clear her name. The Li family was determined to divorce her. She, too, had a fierce temper. She immediately had her dowry inventoried and left with her people and belongings."
Princess Consort of Lingnan was speechless. "This..."
Nanny Yan shook her head with a rueful smile. "Before this, I thought that Li young mistress was too jealous and quick-tempered. But now I see she's actually quite admirable—women need that kind of fire to keep from being bullied! When she returned to her parents' home, she knelt before them and told them how the Li family had wronged her. When she reached the part about how the Li family wanted to divorce her, she flew into such a rage that she stood up and threw herself against the pillar in the entrance hall!"
Princess Consort of Lingnan gasped. Nanny Yan smiled reassuringly. "Fortunately, she only cracked her head open—she wasn't seriously hurt... Her family saw this and were all incensed. They sent someone to the Li family to demand an explanation. The Li family was furious too, and in a fit of pique, conducted a thorough investigation right in front of them... And that's when our Second Young Mistress was discovered."
Nanny Yan苦笑ed. "It was destined to happen... The Second Young Mistress's heart was too venomous. She had actually kept several packets of abortifacient in her room, prepared to use them on other concubines later... Once this was discovered, everything that came before was dragged out as well. With both witness and physical evidence, there was no way to deny it. The young mistress's family now had solid grounds for their accusations and directly confronted Old Madam Li and Madam Li, demanding to know if it was really their daughter who had drugged Zhen'er. The Li family was so ashamed they hastily offered apologies and补偿. But the young mistress's family wouldn't hear of it—they made a public spectacle of berating them, then left. They wouldn't let the young mistress return, and the matter remains at an impasse... The Li family lost a child and made enemies of their in-laws. They were beside themselves with anger, and now they want to punish our Second Young Mistress. That's why... she's terrified and came running back for help."
Princess Consort of Lingnan's heart sank. "If she lacked food or clothing, I could help her. But she's taken a life and caused a married couple to turn against each other. How could I possibly help her? Use our Prince's manor to intimidate them? By the time I said a single word, the censors would have already written their memorials. His Highness has worked so hard at court—how could I trouble him with such things?"
Nanny Yan had been worried that Princess Consort of Lingnan would relapse into her old soft-hearted ways, but seeing that she understood the situation clearly, she felt relieved. She nodded. "Precisely. Honestly, she brought this on herself. Back then, Princess Dusù was perfectly clear—she said Kang Tai could be married off to a steward on the estates, paired with an honest, prosperous man and live a comfortable life无忧. But she had grand ambitions and chose to be a concubine instead... And back then, His Highness clearly stated that after she married, she was not to represent herself as part of the Prince's manor, and he would no longer speak on her behalf. She agreed to this herself! She hasn't even been married a full year yet, and look at how many major and minor incidents have occurred? If Your Highness opens this door and speaks for her, what then..."
Princess Consort of Lingnan knew Kang Tian's temperament too well. She sighed. "It would never end... The Li family would have another layer of顾虑 to consider and wouldn't dare act further. But in the long run, she'll inevitably cause a major disaster."
Nanny Yan nodded. "That's exactly it. As long as Your Highness understands, that's enough. When His Highness returns, Your Highness needn't mention it to him. As for the Second Young Mistress... I'll go speak to her and send her on her way."
Princess Consort of Lingnan hesitated. "Then... what will the Li family do to her?"
Nanny Yan smiled and shook her head. "Please rest assured, Your Highness. What could they do? She's still a properly married concubine, and after all, she's connected to His Highness by marriage. They wouldn't dare kill or harm her. You can see that even now, after all these days, they still haven't disciplined the Second Young Mistress and still allowed her to leave the house—that alone tells you the Li family has some顾虑. If you ask me... the worst they'll do is confine her to the ancestral hall for reflection, or have some stern nannies teach her a lesson. Hmph... Our Second Young Mistress deserves to be taught a lesson."
Princess Consort of Lingnan had never been one to make decisions independently, and in the past year or two, she had deferred to Bai Ren in everything. She nodded at Nanny Yan's words, waved her hand, and sighed as she let Nanny Yan go.
To turn to other matters—while Nanny Yan was at the Prince's manor sternly warning Kang Tai not to make trouble or seek out Bai Ren, someone else had cornered him at the palace gates...
"Good day, King of Lingnan." Prince Kang smiled. "We haven't seen you in several days. Today you look... considerably thinner."
Bai Ren lowered his eyes and offered a perfunctory greeting. "Your Highness is well. Thank you for your concern."
Prince Kang walked alongside Bai Ren respectfully. "I'm just on my way to pay respects to His Majesty. Is King of Lingnan also going to see the Emperor?"
Bai Ren gave a slight nod. Prince Kang smiled. "What a coincidence... King of Lingnan, there's something I need to ask of His Majesty. I wonder if you might put in a good word for me?"
Bai Ren was startled. Since Qi Xiao ascended the throne, all manner of people had come seeking his help with petitions and connections. But to be so direct about it... he truly had never encountered this before.
Prince Kang's mother had been a palace maid with little见识. During Qi Jing's reign, he had never been noticed. Madam Feng of the empress was the type to fawn over the high and step on the low, so she had never paid him any mind either. As a result, this former Fourth Prince had never amounted to much growing up. Coupled with his young age, he had always spoken so carelessly. Bai Ren didn't think much of it. He pressed his lips together and said, "Matters concerning His Majesty—I dare not speak carelessly."
Prince Kang grinned. "King of Lingnan is too modest. Everyone knows that your word carries more weight than an imperial decree at His Majesty's side! I heard that the other day, a palace maid was careless. When she was changing the coals in your handwarmer, a spark flew out and landed on your sleeve, nearly burning your flesh. Is that true?"
Bai Ren frowned slightly. Prince Kang continued brazenly, "His Majesty ordered that clumsy maid dragged out for a severe beating right then and there. But you interceded for her, and His Majesty pardoned her punishment. Isn't that right?"
The incident was indeed true, but not as exaggerated as Prince Kang described. That day, Bai Ren had seen that the little maid was so young—only twelve or thirteen—and her hands were unsteady, so such a minor mistake was understandable. He had worried that the beating might kill her, so he had asked Qi Xiao for mercy. But...
Bai Ren looked at Prince Kang, his brow furrowed. What did Prince Kang care so much about a minor incident in his palace?
Seeing that Bai Ren had acknowledged it, Prince Kang smiled triumphantly. "There you have it... Your words are the most effective! Even His Majesty would retract his decree for you! I was thinking of petitioning His Majesty for a favor. Third Brother is about to take up his appanage, and I still have no prospects at all. After the new year, I'll be old enough, and I was hoping His Majesty might grant me a blessed territory as well. But there are complications... Third Brother's territory is far too barren. Just looking at it scares me. I was hoping Your Highness might speak well of me to His Majesty and get me a prosperous region... Ha ha..."
Bai Ren stopped walking and turned to look at Prince Kang. Prince Kang had been talking animatedly and stumbled when Bai Ren suddenly stopped. He forced a smile. "Your Highness has great abilities—this small matter, you wouldn't refuse to help, would you?"
Bai Ren stared steadily at Prince Kang and said coolly, "You're right. I won't help."
Jiang Deqing had been following behind Bai Ren the whole time. Upon hearing this, he nearly strained himself trying not to laugh. The little eunuchs behind him didn't have such good self-control. They burst out laughing. Prince Kang was first stunned, then his face flushed red with embarrassment. He awkwardly cupped his hands and walked away.
Jiang Deqing couldn't help but laugh. "Your Highness is truly formidable, refusing him so directly..."
Bai Ren's expression was dark. "He was the one who sent those two girls before, and I was the one who saw them married off. I lost my belongings on top of that, and now he wants me to help him petition? Is he out of his mind..."
Jiang Deqing laughed without stopping. So this one was still holding a grudge about Prince Kang's gift of girls to Qi Xiao.
In the private chambers, Jiang Deqing reported the incident from the walk to Qi Xiao before withdrawing. Qi Xiao turned to look at Bai Ren and smiled, lips curved. "How imposing, Your Highness."
Bai Ren said angrily, "Before, he only sent people to pay tribute to you. Now he actually dares to ask for a principality. Is someone putting him up to this?"
Qi Xiao shook his head and laughed lightly. "If he truly had someone behind him, he wouldn't come begging for favors so carelessly... He's just panicking now that he sees Qi Qi taking up his appanage."
After Qi Xiao ascended the throne, he followed old precedent to honor the former imperial princes. But because of the "improper circumstances" back then, led by the clan elders and joined by the ministers, all of Qi Jing's children had their princely titles stripped and demoted to dukes. Half a year had passed in peace. Qi Xiao, honoring his agreement with Noble Consort Xue, found a barren piece of land and sent her and her son away. As for the other princes, Qi Xiao had never intended to grant them appanages at all.
"He thinks Qi Qi's situation is something to envy?" Qi Xiao mocked with a smile. "Don't worry about this. I'll handle him myself."
Bai Ren nodded, then hesitated before saying, "I heard... a couple of days ago, Noble Consort Xue petitioned you. She wanted, before leaving, to see... that person one more time."
Qi Xiao made a neutral sound and said casually, "I didn't permit it. Noble Consort Xue is clever—she didn't press further."
Bai Ren pressed his lips together and asked softly, "Is he... still alive?"
"Of course he's alive." The faint smile faded from Qi Xiao's face. "But being alive is no different from being dead... He probably won't last much longer."
Bai Ren's heart tightened. Fearing that Bai Ren would be troubled, Qi Xiao quickly changed the subject. The two of them laughed and chatted as they had lunch together, and did not mention these unpleasant matters again.