The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 135

“Your Highness, Xiao Qiao stole and pawned the mistress’s belongings for money, so this servant escorted her to the front yard to receive punishment.” Head Momo quickly explained, noticing the wrong direction of the situation.

Zong Zheng Lin turned a blind eye to her and narrowed his eyes slightly, examining Chun Yu Yao carefully.

“Since you tied her up, do you have any proof?” Zong Zheng Ming shut the jade-handled fan in his hand with a snap. His long, narrow eyes were filled with a hint of ruthlessness.

The woman’s gaze was pure and innocent. Facing such a familiar face, Zong Zheng Ming found that he couldn’t let her go.

“If there’s a dispute, send her to local authorities for investigation.” Zong Zheng Lin wasn’t as gentle as Zong Zheng Ming. When he couldn’t stand something he resorted to severe measures.

“It, it is just that this servant saw her come out of the Young Miss’s chamber that day, and later it was reported that things were stolen, so this servant guessed….” A person behind the Head Momo was so scared she spoke the truth.

“What did you say? You’re just guessing? You’re just guessing? Weren’t you confidently telling me just now that you saw her take something and sneak out of the residence secretly?” Head Momo turned pale and looked with shock at the maidservant who dared to deceive her. Her back was covered in a cold sweat.

“Steward, is it necessary for Bendian to get involved in such a minor issue and help you sort it out?” Zong Zheng Lin was already displeased.

This Chun Yu Yao had a face that was strikingly similar to Mu Xi Yao’s, yet she knelt on the ground in an extremely humble manner. The sight greatly angered Zong Zheng Lin.

Zong Zheng Lin has lost his temper. Protecting Mu Xi Yao has become instinctive for him. Although he knew that the person in front of him was not the person he was thinking of, he couldn’t tolerate anyone offending this face.

“Yes, yes. This servant will immediately have someone to look into it, look into it.” The Chief Steward kept wiping his sweat. What’s the matter with this?! He glared at that momo. Acting without asking first and making a fool of herself in front of two Highnesses. In Their Highnesses’ eyes, it must be that their household disregarded any conduct.

And this maidservant called Xiao Qiao, who knew how many generations of good fortune she had cultivated to suddenly get into the two Highnesses’ graces? Both of them, one after another, began to admonish people for her.

“Get up.” Zong Zheng Lin coldly ordered the weak-looking woman at his feet with piercing phoenix eyes.

Chun Yu Yao was intimidated by the cold aura around him. As a girl who was not worldly-wise, she couldn’t withstand such pressure and her body involuntarily started to shudder. This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it’s been stolen!

Just as she was cowering with a lowered head to avoid the sharp gaze of the Sixth Highness, her shoulder was lightly tapped twice.

“Ah!” She exclaimed. A man’s gentle comfort came from above her head.

“Don’t be afraid. Get up first.” Zong Zheng Ming moved away the folding fan from her shoulder and took a closer look at the woman.

Upon closer inspection, their facial contours were somewhat similar, but not as refined as Mu Xi Yao’s. They had similarities in both appearance and name. How could such a coincidence exist in the world?

When Zong Zheng Lin saw him being gentle with the woman, how could he not know the reason behind it? There was a trace of coldness in his eyes. Zong Zheng Ming repeatedly showed concern for Mu Xi Yao.

“Your Highnesses, let this servant call people to deal with this bunch of unmindful people. As for Miss Xiao Qiao…” Upon seeing that their Highnesses had a different attitude toward Xiao Qiao, the Chief Steward was not sure if he should order people to take her away.

When Zong Zheng Ming saw him trying to gauge his motives, his expression instantly turned impassive. “She is a member of your household. Do you need Bendian to teach you what to do with her?”

These servants were used to flattering their masters. Did the Chief Steward think that he and Zong Zheng Lin would ask for this maidservant? Not to mention that she resembled only seven to eight parts to Mu Xi Yao, even if she looked exactly like her, they were not the same person.

Upon seeing the displeased look on His Highness’s face, the Chief Steward realized he had tried to be too clever and made a mistake. He quickly summoned people and instructed them to take the four individuals to the inner yard, while he led the way for the two lords.

——

Mu Xi Yao was still unaware that after the Sixth Highness in Qi City saw someone resembling her, and made a comparison, his thoughts on the matter of correspondence deepened. To the point he felt that the letter he had just sent out through Yan Cheng Zhou was written a bit lightly. He should have made that woman reflect on herself, and if she dared to make him wait for a long time to only receive an ostentatious letter, Zong Zheng Lin wouldn’t mind dispatching people to oversee her writing a reply.

Ever since Wei Zhen saw how impressively Mu Xi Yao captured the spy, he became more dedicated to carrying out Mu Xi Yao’s orders. In the past, he ingratiated himself with this “favored concubine” because of her relationship with His Highness, but now he admired Mu Xi Yao for her capabilities and was willing to be commanded by her.

On this day, Mu Xi Yao summoned Wei Zhen to Dan Ruo Courtyard. She kept staring at him fiercely without saying a word. That gaze, no matter how one looked at it, was fussy. It was as if she was picking a cabbage and had to choose the most visually appealing one.

“Sir Wei…” Just as Wei Zhen was reaching his limit, Mu Xi Yao finally called out to him. This tone alone startled Wei Zhen and made the hairs on his body stand on end.

This wasn’t right. When Mistress Yao called His Highness with this tone, it usually meant she had something to ask for and it was often a troublesome matter. Now that she was calling him with this tone, could it be she was bored and wanted to fuss about going out?

Wei Zhen felt the need to be on high alert, as Mistress Yao was skilled at manipulating people. With just a few words, she could confuse you and make you comply with her requests without thinking them through. Afterward, if you dared to go back on your words, she would label you as “untrustworthy” and “taking advantage of the weak”. Such an accusation was a disgrace for any man. If she then threw you a displeased and aggrieved glance, you would have to grit your teeth and complete the task, even if your face burned with shame. Wei Zhen had found himself in such an unfavorable situation many times.

“Mistress, before leaving the capital, His Highness left strict orders. Regardless of how brave his subordinate is, this subordinate wouldn’t dare let you out of this gate.” Wei Zhen has become astute. He immediately cried in aggrievement, not wanting Mistress Yao to speak first and take the lead.

“What are you talking about? Is your Mistress such a reckless person? Qie naturally has to obey His Highness’s orders.”

Not only Wei Zhen, but even Zhao Momo felt embarrassed for her. Nobody dared to believe Cefei’s words….

“Sir Wei, don’t be anxious. This time, Qie summoned you to discuss an important matter.” Mu Xi Yao straightened her posture, appearing much more cautious. “ Sir Wei, what is your age this year?”

Mu Xi Yao’s sudden and unexpected question made Wei Zhen’s eyes flicker with surprise.

“This subordinate is twenty years old by nominal year of age¹ this year.”

“Twenty? Great!” Mu Xi Yao happily praised, appearing very satisfied. Twenty, young and promising, a just matured tender melon.

What’s good about it? Wei Zhen didn’t understand.

“Are you promised to someone?”

Cough cough cough, Zhao Momo choked and coughed continuously, looking extremely awkward. She looked at Sir Wei who was standing there with a face twisted with shame and indignation as if he were about to argue with his Mistress and seek justice.

“Mistress, this is a question for an unmarried woman. For a man, it should be said, ‘Is someone betrothed to you?’” Zhao Momo whispered to her, feeling helpless. She had some understanding of Cefei’s intentions. But Mistress, aren’t you afraid of ruining the other person’s marriage prospects with your unruly meddling? Just like Sir Wei in front of her, in her opinion, Mistress’s matchmaking was truly….a bit counterproductive.

Mu Xi Yao was a little embarrassed. Well, it was her first time doing matchmaking, so she was bound to be inexperienced. Everyone should be understanding of each other. It shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Feeling guilty, Mu Xi Yao looked at Wei Zhen’s purplish face and rubbed the tip of her nose awkwardly.

Zhao Momo suppressed the urge to go forward and slap down her hand. Closing her eyes, she pretended not to have seen it.

“Err, Sir Wei, Qie made a mistake earlier. Qie’s question was inappropriate. Let’s start again and don’t take it to heart.

“Sir Wei, have you made a marriage arrangement?” Mu Xi Yao smiled and this time her question was appropriate. Only that her eyes were fixed on the person and wouldn’t look away.

Translation notes:

[1] Nominal year of age is a Chinese concept that refers to a person’s age in a lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon and is typically one or two years behind the Gregorian calendar. In this context, Wei Zhen should be 18-19 years old.

Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)

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