Chapter 600: Chapter 600
During the latter half of the banquet, even Third Madam Li fell silent.
The Marchioness quietly said to Su Yuejiao, "Ayu has managed to offend all the society matrons in the Capital City." Latest content publıshed on novel·fire·net
"Let her be. I only hope Ayu can live in peace and happiness. Whatever way she chooses to live her life, I’ll support her. Even if she faces difficulties or disappointment in the future, the Su Family’s Trading House will always be her safety net. I refuse to see my daughter bow and scrape, suffering compromises for the sake of the bigger picture." Feng Shu had been a lifelong source of unrelenting sorrow for Su Yuejiao.
She only wanted Ayu to live freely. Whether it be her reputation or the resentment of others—it didn’t matter.
The Marchioness sighed and looked at Fengyu and Xue Lan. "I actually envy Ayu. If Xue Lan had even a fraction of Ayu’s strength, I wouldn’t be worried about her future."
"What’s wrong with Xue Lan?"
"She’s too soft. She listens to Zhang Boxi’s every word. I truly fear she’ll suffer injustices in the future."
A woman’s standing in the world often depended on her husband’s conscience if she were too obedient to him. Yet, for this, the Marchioness couldn’t say much; one step at a time was all she could hope for. When planning this birthday banquet, she’d forewarned Su Yuejiao and Fengyu that some of the matrons might stir up trouble. Su Yuejiao had still brought Fengyu, clearly mentally prepared for it. However, the Marchioness never expected Fengyu to be so assertive.
After all, Fengyu was now the Empress. These aristocratic matrons needed to rely on her—why would they suppress her? But Fengyu wasn’t someone who would tolerate suppression. Ultimately, they simply did not understand her.
Fengyu had almost completely disconnected herself from the aristocratic circles in the Capital City, rarely socializing with the young ladies and hardly attending banquets. Others knew very little about her, far too little. After today, every matron would likely need to reassess how they interacted and networked with Fengyu.
Once the banquet was over, Fengyu returned home with Su Yuejiao. After playing with Ruyi for a while, she relaxed in the bath to unwind. Qiuxiang angrily muttered, "Those matrons—seeking favors but still pressuring the young lady—is just absurd! Once the young lady enters the palace in the future, she should give them a proper cold shoulder. If they can’t attend the imperial New Year banquet, their lives in their husband’s households would take a downward turn."
"Exactly, it’d be enough to sober them up," Chunlu sneered coldly.
This logic was something Chunlu and Qiuxiang understood well; how could that group of matrons not understand it?
Fengyu lay in the bath, her eyes closed as she quietly enjoyed herself, chuckling. "They surely understand the stakes. They simply think me too young, born of a merchant family without brothers to back me, and my maternal family lacks the strength to protect me. Besides, these aristocratic clans have endured for centuries, deeply rooted, and they pride themselves excessively. To them, the palace Empress deserves only surface respect—not genuine reverence. After this incident, they won’t dare act recklessly again. When my mother mingles socially, they won’t dare show her any hostility either."
"It’s truly infuriating."
"No need to be upset. Second Mrs. Zhang’s remarks weren’t entirely unreasonable. My health is frail, and if it comes to expanding the lineage for Zhixu, children born to other women may need to be raised under my name, separated from their birth mothers. To those matrons, it’s simply routine—sending someone to the Ghost Gate for me. In their eyes, it’s just a commonplace affair." Fengyu remained calm, unbothered by the matter itself. This was the upbringing expected of aristocratic daughters, and it was precisely how they conducted themselves.
Families with upright values rarely mistreated concubines or illegitimate children. On the contrary, concubines were ensured adequate food and clothing, while illegitimate offspring were attentively nurtured to become indispensable allies for the legitimate heir.
What benefit was there in mistreating illegitimate children? Only when all children thrived would the family prosper. Illegitimate offspring were often the most powerful aides to the legitimate ones. Instead of infighting, it was far wiser to unite in concerted effort and focus outward, expanding the family’s influence.
Only shortsighted families engaged in mistreatment of concubines and illegitimate children.
Xie Xun was now twenty-one, with no one in the harem, leaving the court in inevitable unrest. Coupled with Fengyu’s frail health and the uncertainty around her ability to bear children—how could others not harbor ambitions?
"Miss, don’t let them worry you. No matter what, His Majesty will certainly protect you," Qiuxiang expressed unwavering confidence in Xie Xun.
Fengyu laughed lightly; the path she had walked to today had never relied on Xie Xun’s protection.
"Why did Zhou Xuejia decide to attend the Marchioness’s birthday banquet out of the blue?"
At the mention, Chunlu’s interest visibly sparked.
"Miss, the guards investigated. Li Si was originally the eldest grandson of the Li Family and deeply valued. However, due to a marriage dispute, he offended the Fang Family and the Princess. When Miss Fang was forced to leave the Capital City and head to Zhongzhou, the Li Family didn’t take it seriously at the time, believing they had the Noble Consort and the Second Prince to back them. But now, things are different. Li Si was penalized to reflect on his actions, and Zhou Xuejia’s children were relocated to Old Madam Li’s rooms for upbringing. The Grand Marshal is campaigning in Jiangnan, and the Yuwen Royal Family has been nearly eradicated, leaving only the Princess unscathed. The Li Family must have sensed something amiss and is now desperately trying to reconcile with the Fang Family. Zhou Xuejia, meanwhile, is panicked about the Li Family abandoning her children while keeping them. That’s likely why she sneakily attended the Marchioness’s birthday banquet—to beg for Marquis An Yuan Mansion to intercede on her behalf." Chunlu knew Fengyu would find this intriguing, so she had already instructed the guards to dig into it.
Fengyu scoffed coldly, "She might be dreaming fantastical dreams."
"Miss, you don’t like her, do you?" Qiuxiang asked. She recalled that Fengyu had no direct conflicts or connections with Miss Zhou.
"She humiliated Junjun and caused a rift with Xue Lan. She’s only reaping what she sowed now. Marquis An Yuan Mansion would never support her unless they’re utterly foolish," Fengyu replied, though she did worry about the Princely Heir of Marquis An Yuan and his younger brother losing their sense. These two continuously reminisced about old sibling ties and possessed little favor for Xue Lan’s meek demeanor—always treating Zhou Xuejia like a dear sister. Without these sentiments, Zhou Xuejia wouldn’t have dared appear at the birthday banquet.
"Miss, do you intend to interfere in this matter?"
"That’s not necessary!" Fengyu’s expression darkened. "Junjun’s fate in Zhongzhou is still uncertain. I have no interest in bickering with them. Once she returns safely, we’ll settle accounts slowly. Li Si may not be an ideal match, but I won’t tolerate him bullying Junjun. When they forced Junjun away, how gleeful they were! What was then will no longer be now—they’ll pay in the end."
Li Si’s political career wouldn’t achieve much, that much she was sure.
"The Li Family is evidently considering replacing their heir. Beyond Li Si, the main branch has two other legitimate sons," Chunlu remarked gleefully. "Miss doesn’t need to lift a finger—just sit back and enjoy the spectacle."
"This period is indeed perfect for watching things unfold."
With Xie Xun campaigning outside, whether regarding the implementation of new policies, the social circles among the matrons, or the restructuring of power among the aristocrats—there was certainly a compelling drama to be witnessed.