The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 166

“Why is there no joy on jiejie’s face despite narrowly escaping a great disaster?” 

Without outsiders around, the two sisters from the He Lian House gathered in a corner of the waterside pavilion. Onlookers have thought it was a rare reunion between sisters and they were engaging in affectionate private conversations, but little did they know that these two seldom saw eye to eye. Even if they did meet, they often parted ways on bad terms. 

“Why, then, does meimei still exude so much confidence even though your plans failed?” He Lian Min Min, upon seeing He Lian Wei Rui’s attire today, knew that she wouldn’t easily give up. This woman was never willing to admit defeat, and she had never lost to anyone. This time, her scheme to enter the household was almost about to succeed, but it was thwarted by the sudden appearance of an unknown person. Now that she could no longer enter the Sixth Highness’s inner yard, how did she plan to turn the situation around?

“Jiejie must be jesting. The selection of a consort has just begun; how can the daughters of the He Lian House retreat without a fight?” He Lian Wei Rui’s tone was cold and proud, starkly different from her usual pretentious demeanor. 

Did she realize there wouldn’t be many opportunities to be under the same roof in the future and thus she finally restrained that nauseating attitude of hers? He Lian Min Min snorted coldly. 

Selection? She actually had the audacity to bring it up. Was she planning to change person and seek another wealth and glory? Did this woman have any sense of shame? She had just suffered a setback with Zong Zheng Lin and was now trying to dive into the arms of another man. With a daughter like her, the He Lian House had long lost its face. 

“Mistress, the Crown Princess, and the Fourth Princess Consort have arrived.” Just as He Lian Min Min was unwilling to continue the conversation with He Lian Wei Rui, coincidentally, Liu Qing came in with a message. She stood up and left without even exchanging pleasantries.

“Take care, jiejie. If, in the future, you don’t want meimei to visit your residence every now and then, causing a bother to your eyes, meimei hopes that jiejie can offer convenience to the plans meimei will carry out next.” 

He Lian Min Min’s departing footsteps suddenly paused. She slowly turned around with a frosty expression in her eyes. 

“What are you going to do? Are you perhaps still harboring thoughts of carrying out coercion in the prince’s residence? Or have you not fully grasped your current situation and think you’re still the darling that the He Lian House cradles and cares for in the palm of their hands?” 

Ignoring the sarcastic mockery in He Lian Min Min’s words, He Lian Wei Rui gently faced the cloud patterns carved on the table, and a smile finally appeared on her face. Since entering the residence, this was the first time she broke her icy facade, smiling just like usual. Although it was a smile, there was no sense of genuine delight; instead, there was a chilling and eerie feeling that sent shivers down one’s spine. 

“Jiejie, weren’t you the one who was most eager for meimei to marry off? How is that now meimei is willing,  jiejie refuses to lend a hand? Moreover, if this matter comes to fruition, it may not be without benefits for jiejie. That Mu’shi in your residence, does jiejie think you alone can keep her in check?” 

He Lian Wei Rui leisurely finished her words and raised her head only to see visible disgust in the other’s eyes. 

“Do as you please; don’t try to drag others down.” He Lian Min Min, accompanied by Liu Qing, turned and left without hesitation. If she were to look at He Lian Wei Rui’s annoying face again, she would feel nauseous in her stomach. 

“Mistress, the Eldest Miss, she….seems unwilling to help?” Xue Qin felt that the Mistress had put in a lot of scheming for today, and it might end up in vain once again. Without the Eldest Miss’s helping, how could they freely roam in the residence? 

“Xue Qin, you are mistaken.” He Lian Wei Rui smiled coldly. Today’s choice of attire was perfectly matched. 

“This Eldest Miss of the He Lian House has never been the one aligned in the thoughts and words. Although she speaks with righteousness and reason, it doesn’t mean her heart doesn’t harbor thoughts that are best kept hidden from others. He Lian Min Min is just a woman who can’t win a man’s favor. No matter how she pretends to be indifferent, Mu’shi will always be a thorn in her heart. Say, with the possibility of us joining forces against Mu’shi in the future, and it doesn’t affect her interests, how could she possibly block my path?” 

Just as He Lian Wei Rui guessed, He Lian Min Min, who went straight to the second gate to greet guests after leaving, did not reject the proposal she had just made. 

“Why bother refusing?” Supported by Liu Qing, He Lian Min Min walked with grace and elegance. “If she wants a comeback, her only option is to enter the Eighth Prince’s residence. Regardless of her efforts, she would get nothing more than a cefei position.” 

Dishu¹-wise, He Lian Wei Rui has been always inferior to her. With this marriage, there’s even less of a possibility for her to surpass her in terms of status. Since it’s like this, why drive her over the edge and develop a deadly feud with that hard-to-deal-with woman?

“Whatever she does, as long as it’s not crossing the line, just turn a blind eye.” If she opened the door wide for her convenience in such a way, and she still doesn’t consider it as lending a hand, then He Lian Wei Rui deserved not to enjoy a life of luxury and prosperity! 

Elsewhere, Di Wu Yu Ying was sitting with female students from the literary society, discussing the continued absence of the renowned Lady Mu, Mu Cefei. 

“Yu Ying, didn’t you say that Cefei would definitely show up today? Why is there no sign of her?” 

The court ladies and madams chattered over tea. The young ladies from prominent families, already well-acquainted from their time in the literary society, couldn’t wait to come together at the prince’s residence, join in the fun, and have a good time. 

Being in the Sixth Highness’s inner yard at this moment, it was only natural everyone was eager to catch a glimpse of Mu Cefei’s true appearance. These noble ladies were quite intrigued about the appearance of the woman who shared equal fame with Miss Zhu Ge, who was well-known in every Shengjing household, and the Second Miss of He Lian House, who hailed from a distinguished background. 

Unfortunately, among them, only Di Wu Yu Ying, due to Di Wu Yi Zhao pledging allegiance to the Sixth Highness and getting acquainted with the Cefei early on, had formed with Cefei a friendship so tight that calling them confidantes would not be an exaggeration.

“Cefei is about to give birth and must be feeling somewhat fatigued. Besides, considering the heaviness of carrying a child, she must move with care; thus she’s a bit slower than others. She’ll surely arrive later. Why the rush?” Di Wu Yu Ying found it amusing. It was Mu Xi Yao’s son’s Draw Lots Ceremony so how could she not be there? She had confirmed in her letter. Today, she also needs to send her a gift. This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it’s been stolen!

Ever since she accidentally dropped a letter from Mu Xi Yao that was tucked into a book, and it was seen by others, it had caused a stir for several days. Why hadn’t the enthusiasm died down? She never noticed before that Mu Xi Yao was so popular among the female students. 

“Are you so interested in her just because Cefei shares equal fame with Zhu Ge Li and He Lian Wei Rui?

“You can exchange letters with Cefei and have become familiar with her so it’s not surprising for you. That’s easy for you to say. You just mentioned one point; besides that, who wouldn’t want to take a look at the owner of Jiayi Workshop and carefully observe the woman who could make the Sixth Highness fall in love with her?” 

Zong Zheng Lin was highly admired by young ladies from prestigious families in Shengjing. 

The Sixth Highness not only possessed an impressive appearance and outstanding abilities but was also highly regarded by His Majesty, carrying himself with great dignity. Whenever he went out, he inevitably attracted the attention of young ladies.

During Zong Zheng Lin’s grand wedding, countless young ladies dampened their handkerchiefs with tears, feeling a sense of melancholy. Now that they had the opportunity to see the person favored by His Highness, how could they remain calm?

“If I could see His Highness up close, I would have no regrets after today.”

Di Wu Yu Ying chuckled, leaving everyone puzzled. Only she knew that if these delicate young ladies faced that one’s icy and intimidating appearance, they might not have the mind for fanciful thoughts anymore. Moreover, why would that person come to the inner yard today? The gathering place for womenfolk was not a suitable place. 

Translation notes:

[1] Dishu here refers to He Lian Min Min being di (born of a legitimate wife) and shu to He Lian Wei Rui (born to a concubine)

Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)

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