The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 152

Has His Highness returned? He Lian Min Min was suddenly startled. Her first reaction was not joy but panic. 

“Mistress, why do you look so troubled? Isn’t His Highness’s return something to be happy for? Now that there is a pillar in the residence, you don’t have to endure gossip and criticism from others, do you?” Feng Momo didn’t understand He Lian Min Min’s worries, so she comforted her based on her own perspective. 

He Lian Min Min gave a bitter smile and sighed helplessly at Feng Momo with a pale face. “His Highness can indeed stand up for me. But, if the imperial physician truly diagnoses me, the Principal Consort, as infertile, how would His Highness treat me then?” 

By then, the tiny bit of affection Zong Zheng Lin harbored toward her would probably also disappear. 

Feng Momo panicked, “No. How could there be anything wrong with Mistress? The healthcare momo and imperial physicians have found no health issues, haven’t they?” Her words sounded very unconfident and had a hint of self-deception.

“The Sir Administrative Assistant declined to comment on the diagnosis and has set a date for further examination. This is already not a small matter.” He Lian Min Min said while becoming even more fearful. 

Connecting the dots, the indifferent attitude of He Lian House and also their frantic efforts behind the scene, overwhelmed by their own affairs, it was evident in every aspect that He Lian House was already anticipating the worst possible outcome. Did this mean that He Lian House has already received news about her condition? 

He Lian Min Min tightly clasped her nails. Her mind has never been so clear before. That’s right, how could she just sit there and do nothing while waiting for her fate? If it was really…He Lian Min Min closed her eyes in agony. Perhaps being honest with His Highness was her only way out.

Her condition had become the most important matter and a complete mystery. She had thought about hiding it, but in the end, she didn’t have the courage to face the punishment of the Yuancheng Emperor all by herself. Besides, the medicine that could hide her condition would be easily detected by the Imperial Academy of Medicine upon examination. It was better to confess to His Highness early instead of being taken care of by the Yuancheng Emperor later. Perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope.

———

In the main house of Danruo Courtyard, Zhao Momo bowed her head and reported to the two Masters inside through the screen, “Your Highness, He Lian Principal Consort is outside and wishes to see you.” Normally, there would be a quick response, but this time there was no reply for a long time.

Inside, Mu Xi Yao’s cheeks were rosy, and her beautiful and misty eyes were dazed as she gasped for breath. Hearing Zhao Momo’s voice, she softly pulled at Zong Zheng Lin’s hair, pushing his head away from her chest. 

Seeing that the man was completely ignoring her and busy with his own affairs, Mu Xi Yao was embarrassed and displeased with him, “Your Highness! The Principal Consort has arrived.” 

This man had been celibate for nearly a month. He impatiently showed her dudou¹ away like a beast that was reluctant to leave after having tasted the blood.  

Zong Zheng Lin’s phoenix eyes were as deep as ink, and he grew increasingly dissatisfied as Mu Xi Yao repeatedly interrupted his intimacy with her. In his frustration, he grabbed and kneaded her softness as he pleased, causing the little woman to collapse softly in his arms and moan at him in a sweet voice. 

“No, stop, there’s someone outside,” Mu Xi Yao’s beautiful face was flushed, and her originally pink lips were now as red as if she had applied lipstick.

“Does Jiao Jiao remember the promise in the letter?” 

Mu Xi Yao was greatly embarrassed. Boss, do you need to have such a good memory? Can’t you take Qie’s promise as a courtesy? 

A faint smile played on Zong Zheng Lin’s handsome face, but his gaze burned with fiery intensity. “Don’t try to fool Bendian, Jiao Jiao. When Bendian returns, Bendian won’t let you go for the second time.” The Sixth Highness closed his eyes for a moment, using his internal force to suppress the throbbing in his lower abdomen. When he opened his eyes again, they were already clear and devoid of any desire. 

“Behave and take an afternoon nap.” Zong Zheng Lin patted her head, settled her down, and kissed her misty eyes with satisfaction. He then stood up and straightened his robe before leaving quickly. 

Once Zong Zheng Lin was gone, Mu Xi Yao suddenly opened her eyes. 

Hmph! Great Boss’s presence was always so overpowering, and it was really vexing. However, that military uniform of his made him look dashing and full of spirit, giving him quite a stern aura. 

Mu Xi Yao patted her excited heart, and her lips curled up with a mischievous smile.

When he returns? Who will fix who was still uncertain! The Sixth Highness was unable to withstand seduction, so when the time comes, she only needed to do this…and that…Wicked ideas flashed through demoness Mu’s mind, and the more she thought about it, the more pleased she became. 

As for Lady He Lian, who was waiting outside to intercept Zong Zheng Lin, Mu Xi Yao generously expressed that she currently had no interest in fighting against a woman who was deeply trapped in the mud…Besides, since He Lian Min Min came to ask for the person at this time, did it mean that this woman finally realized that things were about to go wrong? 

Mu Xi Yao laid back with her eyes closed. If Lady He Lian took no action, she would have to seek her in Changruo Courtyard! This matter was truly, the emperor didn’t worry, but his eunuch did²…

However, Lady He Lian’s infertility and inability to bear a di son meant that she was considered to have gained all the advantages in the eyes of others. It made her feel deeply aggrieved. Zong Zheng Lin had never graced other women, so how could she benefit without doing anything? Wasn’t that bullshit? 

He Lian Min Min was anxiously waiting in the main hall when she suddenly saw a tall and handsome man stride out. He was clad in military attire that had not been changed yet, with a cold expression on his face that carried some signs of weariness. 

“Your Highness,” He Lian Min Min hesitated as she approached Zong Zheng Lin, her eyes turning red, “Your Highness, Qie is ashamed to see you.” 

Zong Zheng Lin was slightly surprised. He Lian’shi rarely showed such emotional outbursts. It seems that she was under a lot of pressure these few days. 

“Follow Bendian.” He soothingly patted her hands that were holding onto his arm and led her outside. The sedan chair was already prepared by the time they left the main hall. Zong Zheng Lin gently let go of her hands and helped her into the carriage, but he himself turned around and walked ahead. 

“Your Highness!” He Lian Min Min called out softly. “Your Highness has traveled for a long time. Why don’t you ride with Qie so that you can rest for a while?” After returning to the residence, Zong Zheng Lin immediately headed to Danruo Courtyard. Although He Lian Min Min was mostly focused on the current crisis, she still felt a little uncomfortable. 

“No need. Bendian wouldn’t want to soil your clothes from all the dust on the road.” The Sixth Highness turned solemn and strode away. 

Zong Zheng Lin was well aware of why He Lian Min Min had come here in such a hurry. This Principal Consort must have many things to say to him. Nevertheless, the intimacy during the ride would have been more enjoyable with the little woman next to him. 

The Sixth Highness’s thoughts were wicked, and the curve of his lips made Wei Zhen, who had not seen his Master for a long time, tremble suddenly. 

As He Lian Min Min watched Zong Zheng Lin walk away and recalled his excuses, her heart felt particularly bitter. 

Both of them were women from his inner yard. She needn’t think about what was going on between them in Mu Xi Yao’s chamber. Towards her, he was ever so polite and distant. Such clear distinctions, how could she not feel disheartened? 

How did Mu’shi come to be so favored? 

At this moment, He Lian Min Min was deeply jealous of Mu Xi Yao for being overly favored by Zong Zheng Lin, but little did she know that Mu Xi Yao had always envied her stable position, which was almost obtained without much effort. Compared to Mu Xi Yao’s deliberate efforts to compete for favor and grab onto a powerful thigh, He Lian Min Min had a relatively easy life! She just had to check account books and manage the inner yard. As long as she did not make any major mistakes, she would live well for the rest of her life. Mu Xi Yao felt that He Lian Min Min’s life couldn’t be more comfortable.

What a pity. With her modest family background, being a favored consort in this lifetime was the best she could hope for. Mu Xi Yao felt that the God of Transmigration didn’t seem to appreciate her very much. Otherwise, he wouldn’t let her start from scratch. Her life was truly inspiring, akin to The Great Wei Workplace Odyssey. She was stabbed every now and then, and if it wasn’t for her thick skin, her blood would have been drained long ago.

Therefore, Mu Xi Yao couldn’t stand He Lian Min Min’s grief and self-pity. As for whether the Sixth Highness would be receptive to her, it would depend on whether Lady He Lian was capable enough. 

They followed Zong Zheng Lin all the way back to Chanruo Courtyard. Once He Lian Min Min’s feet hit the ground, her gaze never turned away from him. 

Seeing her really embarrassed, Zong Zheng Lian softened his tone. It was normal for He Lian’shi to find it difficult to speak up when encountering such a matter. He wondered how the little woman would react in the same situation. The Sixth Highness was eager to learn about anything that would catch Mu Xi Yao off guard. 

“What did the imperial physician say?” After sitting down, Zong Zheng Lin picked up his teacup and broke the silence. 

He Lian Min Min managed to compose herself and set aside her embarrassment before responding, “Sir Administrative Assistant has told Qie to stop taking medicine for nourishing the body. He didn’t give a clear answer as to whether the situation was good or bad. He only said that he would come back for another examination in three to five days.” Her attitude had already shown her trust and dependence on Zong Zheng Lin. The fact that a woman revealed everything to her husband regarding this matter indicated that she was at the end of her rope.

How could Zong Zheng Lin not have thought that her situation would be difficult? He was fully aware of what kind of calculations He Lian Zhang, that old geezer, was making. Now that things have come to this point, it has to be said that the He Lian House brought this upon themselves; their greed caused trouble.

“Have you thought it through? Bendian will have someone examine you. If there is really something wrong, how will you deal with it?” Zong Zheng Lin looked at the woman sitting dignifiedly in front of him, a trace of contemplation crossing his phoenix eye. 

How would the meticulously groomed di daughter of He Lian House bring up this ‘last’ request? 

He Lian Min Min’s complexion turned pale. She took a deep breath and clenched her fist. Her voice was noticeably trembling, “Qie also knows that since the situation has escalated to such an extent, it won’t be easily resolved. If it becomes so bad that the imperial physician diagnoses that Qie cannot bear a di son for Your Highness, Qie asks Your Highness to send Qie to an ancestral temple. Qie doesn’t want to lose even the last shred of dignity and be humiliated by others.”

Sending her to the ancestral temple would at least preserve her status as an imperial clanswoman. Whoever enters the household afterward must kowtow to her as her successor and perform the ceremony of paying respect as a concubine. This could be regarded as the last dignity that He Lian Min Min fought for herself.

Zong Zheng Lin appreciated her bold and candid thoughts. Instead of waiting passively and ultimately being divorced and removed from the imperial register, it was better to soberly ask him for grace as she did. 

However, he could not grant her proposal to enter the ancestral temple. The little woman’s endless schemes weren’t supposed to end up like this. If the benefits Mu Xi Yao envisioned were spoilt by He Lian Min Min, that woman would definitely be furious. 

Zong Zheng Lin found Mu Xi Yao’s ‘careful planning’ quite amusing. Did this woman not trust his abilities and had to gild the lily, or did she deliberately seek trouble with He Lian House to vent her anger? Given her nitpicky temperament, it was probably the latter. Apart from that, the little woman must be determined not to let the person behind the scenes take any benefits. Her strong-willed personality was stubbornly adorable. This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it’s been stolen!

“The matter of entering the ancestral temple, there’s no need to mention it again.” Zong Zheng Lin directly rejected her proposal, leaving no room for further thoughts.

He Lian Min Min’s body trembled, her eyes full of despair.

“He Lian’shi, Bendian doesn’t care whether you can bear a child or not. However, this position of the Princess Consort, Bendian wants you to firmly hold onto it.” Zong Zheng Lin said coldly. 

Having one woman above Mu Xi Yao was already enough. If another appeared, Zong Zheng Lin wouldn’t be able to stand the idea of having Mu Xi Yao pay respect to the other woman and serve her tea! 

If he demoted He Lian’shi, Yuancheng Emperor would definitely appoint someone else to enter the household. Mu Xi Yao’s background was far from enough to bear the title of the principal consort. 

Even if it wasn’t for going along with Mu Xi Yao’s scheme, Zong Zheng Lin wouldn’t let a new princess consort into the household.  

He Lian Min Min had already given up hope and slumped down in despair. Suddenly hearing Zong Zheng Lin’s stern order, she stared blankly at the man towering over her, looking dazed.

Translation notes:

[1] Dudou is refers to a traditional Chinese form of the bodice, see here.

[2] The Emperor doesn’t worry, but his eunuch does refer to an idiom that means observers are more anxious than the person involved.

Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)

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