Chapter 370: Chapter 365: Imperial Concubine
"Empress Mother, you have to stand up for me!" Princess Yuhua’s tears streamed down her face, showing none of the arrogance she had in Shandong when she wanted to have a concubine killed.
Today is New Year’s Eve, with all the imperial consorts watching, Empress Dowager Wang’s expression was not looking good: "Sit properly, what does it look like to be crying and wailing?"
"Empress Mother!" Princess Yuhua cooed petulantly, glancing at the spectators below, not feeling embarrassed at all. After all, her mother is now the most prestigious Empress Dowager in the world, she indeed has the confidence to be haughty.
Ye Qiu watched Princess Yuhua and remembered some things, following which she felt displeasure, naturally Princess Yuhua had no fondness for her as an Imperial Concubine either.
"What exactly is going on between you and the Prince Consort?" Back at Cining Palace, Empress Dowager Wang looked at her daughter both distressed and headache-ridden.
"The Prince Consort actually cheated on me with a maid, and that maid is even pregnant. The Wang family actually wants that maid to have the child!" Speaking of this, Princess Yuhua was furious, her expression fierce as if she wished to dismember the couple in her story.
"You are a princess, mind your words, do not casually throw around the word ’cheating’ every time you open your mouth," Empress Dowager Wang scolded her daughter with a frown.
Princess Yuhua was not satisfied, pulling on Empress Dowager Wang’s sleeve and acting coy: "Empress Mother, you’re blaming me? Why don’t you blame Wang Pang and that vile woman?"
Emperor Dowager Wang’s expression turned grim: "The imperial laws did not state that a Prince Consort cannot have a concubine. What do you want me to say?"
At this, her expression grew even more livid. Although the imperial laws did not prohibit a Prince Consort from having concubines, did the Wang family consider her, the Empress Dowager, too insignificant by having the concubine and her child anger her daughter back to the capital?
"I don’t care, unless the Wang family deals with that concubine and her unborn child, I will divorce him," Princess Yuhua declared righteously.
Her idea was very good; she herself was a Princess, her mother was the Empress Dowager, even if she divorced, couldn’t she find a better Prince Consort? If not, she could also keep a few concubines and living in the capital was much better than hiding away in that small place in Shandong.
However, Empress Dowager Wang did not quite agree with her daughter’s decision. Society generally imposes more restrictions on women than men, and even if her daughter was a Princess, she would still face criticism if divorced. Besides, the Wang family only wanted a child; couldn’t they just eliminate the concubine after the child was born and raise the child under her own care for future support?
But Princess Yuhua clearly did not think the same way; how could she raise another woman’s child? Just thinking of that child reminded her of the disgusting act between the Prince Consort and the maid, and who knows if the child would bear resentment towards her as they grew older?
"Didn’t I send two Imperial Physicians to treat your body? Why still haven’t I heard any news?" Empress Dowager Wang felt a headache coming on, her daughter’s inability to conceive, despite her high status, would make it difficult to remarry.
"The Imperial Physician said I was injured as a child, just told me to keep recuperating, and I’ve nearly vomited from all the medicine and still can’t conceive. What am I supposed to do?" Princess Yuhua almost shouted this out.
Listening, Empress Dowager Wang’s eyes slowly reddened: "It’s all my fault for not protecting you well back then, allowing that vile woman to succeed. My child, rest assured, your Empress Mother is your support, I will certainly stand up for you"
She only hated that she let that despicable woman die too easily, and at the same time, she utterly detested the late Emperor, as it was clearly she and Yuhua who were his Empress and legitimate daughter. Why did he favor another woman?
After New Year’s Eve, Empress Dowager Wang requested the Emperor to allow Princess Yuhua to stay in the palace with her for a few days. Ji Fei and she had always played the role of a loving mother and filial daughter; such grace would certainly not be denied her, and Princess Yuhua indeed had a good time over the New Year holidays.
Unfortunately, good times never last long. The Wang family came to the capital, summoned by Ji Fei. The Empress Dowager was now in league with Princess Yuhua, insisting on confronting the Wang family for an explanation, hence Ji Fei could only agree to their confrontation with the Wang family.
Although the Wang family had no one serving in court right now, each generation of the Wang family had several scholars who ran an academy in Shandong, which was highly reputable among scholars. Thus, it was not easy for Princess Yuhua to charge the Wang family with any crime.
"Wang Pang, you show contempt for the Imperial Family, contempt for the princess, do you admit your guilt?" This trial was internal, Ji Fei sat at the main seat, with Empress Dowager Wang and Princess Yuhua by his side, along with the Assistant Minister of Rites and the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
"I question myself as loyal to Your Majesty and to the court; I have always treated Princess Yuhua with respect and propriety. I do not know of any crimes I might have committed," said Wang Pang. Although he did not serve at the court, he was a Prince Consort, a Deputy Fifth-Rank position at court, which allowed him to address himself as a subject. His appearance was very handsome and he remained calm and composed while being accused, much like a gentleman from an aristocratic family.
Seeing him like this made Princess Yuhua both frustrated and resentful. She had been attracted by Wang Pang’s refined demeanor, which was why she had married him despite his lack of power and influence.
However, this man had always remained indifferent towards her. While it may sound polite to say he treated her with respect, it was unflattering to think he regarded her as just a superior. She poured her heart out to him, and yet he dared to favor a maid?
Ji Fei looked helplessly at Empress Dowager Wang; although he wanted to honor her dignity, it was really difficult to convict Wang Pang of any crime! With the Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the Assistant Minister of Rites present today, would not he become a confused ruler who cannot distinguish right from wrong if he unjustly convicted Wang Pang?
"Wang Pang, you still say you did not show contempt towards me, the princess? What about that maid and the child in her belly?" Princess Yuhua demanded angrily.
"Your Highness, I am a Prince Consort but not your slave. Although I was drunk and did have relations with Xing’er, which indeed I am sorry to you and Xing’er, it does not violate any laws," Wang Pang argued justly while kneeling on the ground.
"You still dare to defend her?" Princess Yuhua’s eyes widened in fury.
Seeing the Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the Assistant Minister of Rites frowning, Empress Dowager Wang whispered sternly, "Sit down, as a venerable Princess the Emperor is your support, and any issues will be resolved by the Emperor on your behalf."
This remark from Empress Dowager Wang was both a threat to Wang Pang and a reminder to Ji Fei. Ji Fei glanced at the mother and daughter, then asked the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, "Your Excellency, has Prince Consort Wang violated any national law?"
"To Your Majesty, he has not."
"Vice Minister Li, considering that Princess Yuhua and Prince Consort Wang have fallen out, may I ask if a divorce is possible?" Ji Fei got straight to the point, acting on the suggestion given to him yesterday by Qiao Qingyue. Since Princess Yuhua and Prince Consort Wang had no feelings left and divorce would neither harm nor benefit the situation, why not just fulfil their wishes and avoid daily disturbances from Empress Dowager Wang and Princess Yuhua?
Ji Fei thought it made sense; hence today’s scene unfolded.