109 Critical

When Xu Ji An returned to the palace, it was already late in the evening. After arriving, Xu Ji An immediately ordered his servants to bring him wine inside his inner room. After he woke up inside one of the prime minister's guest room, his drunkenness had already faded but right now, all he wanted was to drown himself with liquor and forget what happened inside the prime minister's residence.

"Leave."

After his servants brought a few small jars of luxurious wine, Xu Ji An waved his hand and ordered those servants to leave the room. After the servants placed the wine jars on the table, they curtsied and left, leaving Xu Ji An alone.

Xu Ji An stood up walked briskly towards the table. He angrily opened one of the wine jars and without using any wine cup, he directly lifted the whole small jar and drank the content.

His heart was burning with anger. He wished that he could turn back the time in order not to commit that grave mistake. A while ago, he had thought that the person he was with was none other than XuanRong. Because of his stupidity, one careless move made him lose a huge deal. He should have waited for XuanLi to finish his words before foolishly vowing that he would marry his daughter. When Xu Ji An heard that the woman he had taken was not XuanRong but rather, her younger sister, XuanFei, he felt that the heavens were secretly laughing at him. He had been cheated, and he hated it.

Although he was not reconciled in marrying XuanFei and making her his Crown Prince consort, he had already given his word. He would be deemed as a person without any moral integrity if he would suddenly retract his vow and escape from his responsibility. Besides, it was already too late for the both of them. Many people already witnessed the truth and he would rather sacrifice his happiness than his reputation.

Xu Ji An raised his hand and made a hand signal. In an instant, a silhouette suddenly emerged from the shadows. The silhouette kneeled in front of Xu Ji An who was standing as he held a small jar on his hand.

"Go to the Prime Minister's Residence and check what happened a while ago. This Prince wants to know everything."

The silhouette nodded and stood up. He jumped out of the window and disappeared.

While holding a small wine jar, Xu Ji An's eyes darkened. He did not believe that everything was only a coincidence. His intuition was telling him that what happened a while ago was planned by someone who was trying to harm him. Whoever set him up, he, Xu Ji An, would definitely make sure that he would make that person taste hell every day.

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The next day, the Empress was able to find out what happened inside the Prime Minister's residence. She angrily threw the tea cups that was on the table. One of the servants' head was hit but she could only bite her teeth to stop herself from screaming.

"Nonesense!! Bengong[1] is telling you, do not try and deceive Bengong! Why would the Crown Prince do that kind of thing? Obviously, someone was aiming for the Crown Prince and wanted to set him up for their own benefits! That cannot be! Bengong would never let those people spread rumors about it!"

Empress Wei's eyes had a glint of anger as she waved her hand and ordered one of her handmaids to call Xu Ji An.

"Go. Go and call the Crown Prince. Bengong wants to speak with him."

"Yes, this servant understands."

The servant bobbed and left the room.

It did not take too long before Xu Ji An arrived and went inside the Empress' inner bed chamber. Xu Ji An slowly entered the room and when he saw Empress Wei, he lowered his head and greeted his mother.

"This subject-child[2] greets MuHou[3]."

When Empress Wei saw Xu Ji An, she did not greet him lovingly like how she usually does. Her face went stern and her countenance darkened when she recalled the news about what happened inside the prime minister's residence.

"Kneel!!"

Empress Wei barked and slapped the table in front of her. Xu Ji An knew the reason why his Imperial Mother was angry at him. Thus, he did not say anything and obediently followed her order. He flicked his sleeves and kneeled on the ground.

"This subject-son is asking for forgiveness."

"Humpf! So, the Crown Prince knows that what you did was very foolish?"

"Yes, this subject-son knows that this subject-son's decision made Empress Mother angry."

"Indeed, Bengong is angry! Bengong never thought that the Crown Prince is very foolish. How can you allow those things to happen?!"

Empress Wei was already fuming mad. Her face was red due to anger.

"This subject-son knows but this subject-son did not have any choice but to take responsibility. This subject-son still needs the Left Prime Minister, Prime Minister Xuan's support and could only sacrifice the title of the Crown Prince's consort in order to appease him. This subject-son hopes that Imperial Mother will understand subject-son's decision. The Right Prime Minister, Prime Minister Jia is currently supporting Imperial Concubine Jin and her fraction. This subject-son knows that behind the scene, the Fifth Prince is trying to compete against this subject-son. This subject-son could not afford to lose the Xuan family's backing."

Hearing Xu Ji An's explanation, Empress Wei could only sigh.

Indeed, what her son said was correct. The Jin family and Imperial Concubine Jin were the biggest thorn in their life. They were threatening Xu Ji An's status as the Crown Prince and her status as the Empress.

"Since it was already too late, we could only minimize the damage. Immediately send betrothal to the Prime Minister's residence."

"Imperial Mother.."

"Follow Imperial Mother's words. That Third Young Miss of the Xuan Family is still young, many things can still happen before she reaches the marriageable age. We can do something about your betrothal later but once your reputation take a hit, it would definitely affect your future. Imperial Mother has been fighting with schemes and betrayals inside the Imperial Palace for years. Without thinking deeply, Imperial Mother knows who would mostly benefit the scandal."

The two continued talking when a servant entered the room.

"Empress Niang Niang, gentleman Liu from Flower Jade Jewelry Shop sent someone to inform Empress Niang Niang that the Golden Phoenix head ornament is already done."

When Empress Wei heard the servant's words, her eyes sparkled. Happiness could be seen inside her eyes.

"Go! Invite that person inside."

"Yes, this servant understands."

When Xu Ji An noticed his Imperial Mother's delighted reaction, he could not help but wonder.

"Imperial Mother, this subject-child is very curious. What is this Flower Jade Jewelry Shop Imperial Mother is talking about?"

"It is a newly built Jewelry shop. Although it is new, it has many wonderful and unique pieces. Imperial Mother saw a very beautiful unfinished head ornament and decided to buy it. Imperial Concubine Jin also wanted it but how could I allow that vixen to wear such a beautiful ornament? Humpf!"

Xu Ji An only listened to his Imperial Mother's words before bidding goodbye.

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Inside XuanRong's courtyard, an awkward air surrounded the entire room. XuanRong was acting normal but her three maidservants, especially YuYing and YuShen, were feeling anxious. Although An Wei did not say anything, they could feel that something was wrong. Even though XuanRong was still acting like before, there was a hint of aloofness in her actions, as if they had returned to the time where XuanRong was unable to stand their skinship. It made YuYing and YuShen worried. YuShang knew that it was because of her but although she felt guilty as she stared at her sisters' faces, she did not regret telling XuanRong the truth.

"X-XiaoJie.."

"En?"

"Is there something wrong?"

"Wrong? Nothing. Why?"

"N-Nothing. Please do not mind this servant."

YuShen tried but she could not bring herself to ask.

After what happened yesterday, no investigation took place in the prime minister's residence. It was treated as if nothing happened at the Thousand Li pavilion. XuanRong knew that XuanLi had already realized that everything was planned by Xiao Lou and XuanFei.

XuanRong did not care. She had long accepted the fact that her father would never treat her like how he treated XuanFei. Her heart was already numb to feel the pain.

XuanRong stared at the window. She could not help but remember her benefactor. She started counting the days from the latest full moon up to yesterday's date.

'Ah? isn't it the twenty-fifth of the month?'

XuanRong suddenly thought that in her previous lifetime, it was this time that the Emperor announced an Imperial statement, saying that a prince from Jing would stay at Qian Zou for five years. That Prince humiliated her at the Emperor's banquet.

"Da XiaoJie! Someone from the Chen family is here!"

XuanRong abruptly stood up. Her thoughts were disturbed by the sudden call.

"What's wrong?"

The servant was breathing heavily. While trying to catch her breath, the servant opened her mouth to speak.

"This servant was told to inform Da XiaoJie that Second Chen Furen is currently in a critical condition. Da XiaoJie, Old Master Chen is requesting Da XiaoJie's presence in the ChenFu."

Hearing the grieve news, XuanRong's face paled.

'What went wrong?!'

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[1]. "I" used by the females in the imperial palace. (Princesses, Consorts, Imperial Concubines and the Empress)

[2]. 'Er Chen'- What imperial princes use to call themselves in front of their parents (Emperor and Empress/Imperial Concubine)

[3]. 'Imperial Mother/Empress Mother' while MuFei is 'Imperial Concubine Mother'

[Unedited Chapter]