good season

When the Emperor Emeritus returned to the capital, all the princesses who had already established their own residences came out of the city to greet him. However, princesses like Princess Huixin, who were not yet married, all came out of the city with their respective mothers. Those without mothers followed the Empress. But Princess Huixin was an exception. She lived outside the palace and had neither a mother nor the Empress. Therefore, she was unable to see the Emperor Emeritus, let alone Zhao Guanyue.

Twelve years ago, Princess Huixin could recognize three-year-old Zhao Yuan at a glance in the Princess's residence, but now, fifteen-year-old Zhao Yuan stands in front of her, yet he is a stranger to her.

However, Zhao Guanyue's appearance was so striking that the Emperor Taishang seemed almost invisible. Princess Huixin didn't notice the poor old Taoist priest following behind Zhao Guanyue at all, let alone take a closer look.

Meeting that gaze that seemed to look at a stranger, a hint of mockery flashed in Zhao Guanyue's eyes.

He had heard most of what Princess Huixin had said.

"I'm sorry to disappoint this young lady, but unfortunately, my grandfather and I happened to be there as well."

He spoke loudly to the crowd kneeling outside the door, who dared not come in: "My brother came here to rest, and my grandfather and I were reluctant to disturb him. Unexpectedly, this young lady came in and started saying some inexplicable things to my brother. This old lady, my grandfather and I are both here. My brother and this young lady are not exactly alone in a room, are they?"

Although Granny Ding had never met the Emperor Emeritus, what was there for her not to understand when Feng Jiahe addressed him as "Grandfather Emperor"?
She still hasn't figured out whether it's a genuine coincidence or a trap.

However, Zhao Guanyue's criticism was directed at her, so she could only bite the bullet and say, "No, no, of course not. This old servant has bad eyesight and misjudged for a moment. This old servant deserves to die."

Zhao Guanyue smiled and looked at Feng Jiahe: "Third sister-in-law, what do you think?"

Feng Jiahe hurriedly said, "Granny Ding is old and her eyesight is failing. She couldn't find Princess Huixin and was just talking nonsense in her anxiety."

Zhao Guanyue nodded and looked at the Emperor Emeritus: "What are your instructions, Grandfather?"

The Emperor Emeritus's gaze fell on Princess Huixin's face, and Princess Huixin felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

The retired emperor, this is the retired emperor!
So the handsome young man following the retired emperor was none other than the legendary Zhao Guanyue.

Her adopted brother!

In a flash, Princess Huixin realized that she had overlooked something very important.

Zhao Guanyue was her adopted brother. In any case, he was her brother in name only, and she had to find an opportunity to meet him so that everyone would know how close they were as siblings.

But these days, she has been preoccupied with Xiao Zhen. Although she knows that the Emperor Emeritus has chosen his adopted grandson to succeed his father, she has not taken it seriously.

Firstly, she knew that giving the heir to Emperor Xiaokang was not a good thing, and it was uncertain whether she would survive.

Secondly, this Zhao Guanyue was just an orphan picked up by the retired emperor in Tongzhou. He didn't even know his own surname. Such a person was not worthy of being her brother.

But at this moment, Princess Huixin regretted it.

The fact that Zhao Guanyue could make Feng Jiahe look so pathetic in front of the Emperor Emeritus shows what? It shows that in the Emperor Emeritus's heart, he was definitely more than just a godson!
She should try to win over her younger brother, who has such a brother.

Just as she was about to speak to deepen the bond between siblings, she heard the Emperor Emeritus's majestic voice rang out: "All of you step back, except Huixin!"

"Who are you?" refers to the people outside the door.

Feng Jiahe had wanted to leave for a long time, and upon hearing this, she quickly took her leave. Granny Ding glared fiercely at Princess Huixin and followed Feng Jiahe out of the bamboo forest.

This task was handled terribly, and Granny Ding still didn't know how to report it to Consort Qiao.

However, one thing is clear: Princess Huixin was blinded by lust and only cared about seducing Xiao Zhen, failing to notice that there were other people in the room. She had to complain to Consort Qiao, otherwise she would not be able to vent her anger.

Feng Jiahe was also in a real bind. Once she was out of the bamboo forest and could no longer see the Emperor Emeritus's guards, she breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to Granny Ding, "You little bastard, Granny Ding, you actually tried to use me as a pawn! Luckily, the Emperor Emeritus was merciful, otherwise I would have taken the blame for this today!"

Ding Mama also felt wronged. Even if she had the courage, she wouldn't dare to let the Third Prince's Consort take the blame. It was clearly the Third Prince's Consort who came here on her own, so what did it have to do with her?
But she dared not refute, and could only admit her mistakes repeatedly, pushing all the blame onto Princess Huixin, without mentioning that she was the one who told Princess Huixin that Xiao Zhen had come here alone.

Feng Jiahe was in no mood for anything, and didn't even bother to exchange pleasantries with Granny Zhao. She returned to the garden dejectedly.

In the garden, a young lady was dancing. Feng Jiahe sneered inwardly, thinking, "This is another one who's trying to get into the palace and climb into the emperor's bed."

Those who can come here today are at least the daughters of officials of the fourth rank. In such high-ranking families, the girls learn music, chess, calligraphy and painting, needlework and weaving, and manage accounts and households. The more willful ones, like Zhao Shiqing, learn some martial arts. But what else could they be doing diligently practicing singing and dancing?
"Whose daughter is that?" Feng Jiahe asked casually.

"Your Highness, this young lady is named Wei Pinpin, and she recently arrived in the capital."

Feng Jiahe raised her eyebrows: "Wei Pinpin? What is her relationship with Consort Wei in the palace?"

"Your Highness, Miss Wei is Consort Wei's cousin."

Feng Jiahe nodded. The Wei family was eager to send all their daughters into the palace.

First, Old Madam Wei stayed in the palace and refused to come out. Then she brought two girls into the palace. Later, Wei Ya'er, a daughter of the main wife, came. After Wei Ya'er died, more girls were sent.
Surely it wouldn't be an aunt and niece serving the emperor together; this Wei Pinpin is most likely prepared for the princes.

Of the several adult princes, Prince Jing was enfeoffed, Prince Fuling died, the fourth prince was imprisoned, the fifth prince was imprisoned in the prince's residence, and now only the third prince remains.

Thinking of this, Feng Jiahe's gaze toward Wei Pinpin turned venomous.

Just then, a palace attendant hurried over, walked to Princess Jiayi's side, and whispered a few words in her ear. Princess Jiayi subconsciously looked at Feng Jiahe, her expression somewhat strange.

Feng Jiahe was taken aback. Why was Princess Jiayi looking at her?
Did Xiao Zhen say something?
Or did the retired emperor say something?
As she was wondering, another eunuch arrived, this time running over, his lack of manners practically written all over his face.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, it's terrible! That person has broken in and is heading this way!"

The eunuch's shrill voice drowned out the music in the arena, and the music stopped abruptly. Wei Pinpin, who was dancing gracefully, was caught off guard and almost fell.

All eyes were on the eunuch, who then realized his rudeness and became even more flustered.

Princess Jiayi showed no anger whatsoever and said calmly, "What's the panic? I'm here. Tell me what's going on slowly."

The eunuch, having composed himself, said, "Your Highness, a woman just arrived outside the garden. She claims to be a palace lady-in-waiting, having suffered an injustice, and seeks justice from the Third Prince's Consort. She also requests the presence of all the noble ladies present to uphold fairness. The guards at the gate naturally refused to let her in, so she feigned fainting and, taking advantage of their momentary lapse in attention, burst in. Since we are all women here, the guards, fearing a disturbance, dared not enter, and thus sent me to rush here to report. If she hadn't gotten lost, she would likely be here by now!"

Before the eunuch could finish speaking, a hoarse female voice rang out: "Your Highness, please do justice for me!"

The women present had not yet recovered from the shock brought by the eunuch when they heard this voice. Then, they saw a woman staggering over, but before she could get close, she was stopped by the maids.

Princess Jiayi said, "Bring her here so I can see her."

Before the maids could reach out to grab her, the woman swayed and fell to the ground.

The women: How could the guards not stop or catch up with someone so frail?
The ladies present were all seasoned veterans. Although they didn't know who this woman was, they had a good idea that she was after the Third Prince's wife, Feng Jiahe. Princess Jiayi, the mistress of Yunzhong Garden, was obviously eager to see this spectacle.

They want to see it too!
Fan Qiuyun was dragged over, and Granny Bai came over, pulled out the hairpin from her hair, and stabbed it hard into her philtrum. Fan Qiuyun groaned and woke up. She had just miscarried and had already given her all to get here.

Feeling the gazes from all directions, Fan Qiuyun bit her tongue, struggling to keep herself from fainting again.

She struggled to kneel down and said to Princess Jiayi, who was sitting at the head of the table, "I am Fan Qiuyun, a female official of the Shangyi Bureau, but I usually stay in Jingyu Palace."

Princess Jiayi looked on with curiosity. She had just received an "order" from her eldest son to let a female official in, just to watch the show and not get involved.

"Jingyu Palace? You can serve in Jingyu Palace, so you must be very much liked by the Imperial Noble Consort, otherwise she wouldn't have taken you from the Shangyi Bureau."

Fan Qiuyun smiled bitterly: "Your Highness is mistaken. I come from the Fan family, and my maternal family is the Nie family of Wu. I am from a prestigious family. Before coming to the capital, I never thought of becoming a female official."

At this moment, some of the young ladies present recognized her.

Fan Qiuyun, isn't that the former servant of the Qingchuan County Princess?

Princess Qingchuan was a follower of the Third Prince's wife, Feng Jiahe. So, roughly speaking, Fan Qiuyun could also be considered a follower of Feng Jiahe.

What did that eunuch just say?
Fan Qiuyun wants to seek justice from Feng Jiahe.
There's some gossip going on here. Today's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet wasn't a waste of time. Former follower has turned on her and is determined to expose Feng Jiahe's true colors in public.

Indeed, Feng Jiahe is known as the Pearl of Beijing, with unparalleled talent. On occasions like today, she is always the most eye-catching one.

Moreover, she married into the Third Prince's household and became a prince's consort.

It's easy to imagine how many people secretly envied, were jealous of, and hated her.

The crowd looked at Fan Qiuyun with even greater eagerness. "Tell us! Tell us!"

Zhao Shiqing stayed in Yunzhong Garden the whole time. She had to protect Wan Ruyi and talk to these noble ladies from time to time. She was completely unaware of what was happening outside the garden, and she didn't know why Fan Qiuyun was there.

However, she did know that Fan Qiuyun was pregnant.

Just as Fan Qiuyun claimed that her maternal family was the Nie family of Wu, Madam Yu quietly asked her, "She is a relative of the Liang Prince's Mansion. Did you know her before?"

Zhao Shiqing shook her head: "I don't know him."

She wasn't lying; she genuinely didn't know him. She only knew that Fan Qiuyun wanted to marry her elder brother and become the Princess Consort of Liang, but failed. In a fit of anger, she came to the capital, hoping to become a prince's consort, but failed again. In a fit of anger, she entered the palace, hoping to become a lady-in-waiting and indirectly enter the palace, but it seemed hopeless.

Fan Qiuyun continued, "I originally had no intention of entering the palace. However, after coming to the capital, I met the Third Prince's Consort, and through her, I also met His Highness the Third Prince."

Feng Jiahe's face turned pale. That bitch Fan Qiuyun not only came here, but also shamelessly mentioned the Third Prince.

Isn't she afraid of death?
Fan Qiuyun was truly unafraid of death. She was going to die either way; the only difference was whether she died alone or dragged her whole family down with her.

"Shut up! Men, drag this slut out and beat her to death!" Feng Jiahe couldn't help but shout.

Princess Jiayi looked at her coldly: "This garden was bestowed upon me by the Emperor Emeritus. I am still alive. Apart from the Emperor Emeritus, the Emperor, and the Empress, no one else has the right to give orders in this garden!"

Feng Jiahe was shocked. Princess Jiayi didn't give her any face at all. Wasn't she afraid that the Third Prince would ascend the throne and give her, his aunt, a white silk ribbon?
And Xiao Zhen, doesn't she care about her son's future either?

Princess Jiayi ignored her and asked Fan Qiuyun, "Go on, you know the Third Prince, and then what?"

Princess Jia'an urged, "Let me guess, have you and the Third Prince had an affair?"

Everyone: No wonder Princess Jia'an could keep twenty or thirty male concubines. This lady is really shameless, talking about her nephew's romantic affairs in front of so many people.

Fan Qiuyun showed no embarrassment: "Yes, His Highness fell in love with me at first sight."

"No, she's talking nonsense!" Feng Jiahe roared.

Princess Jiayi: "Shut up!"

Princess Jia'an: "If the third prince takes a liking to you, he can simply bring you into the manor. Why did you choose to become a lady-in-waiting?"

Fan Qiuyun smiled bitterly: "Because the Third Prince's wife is jealous, she has no children and does not want other women to give birth to the Third Prince's eldest son before her. The Third Prince's wife comes from a prestigious family, and the Chief Minister Feng is a high-ranking official with great power. Even the Third Prince has to be inferior to her. Therefore, there is only the Third Prince's wife in the Third Prince's residence. There are no concubines or secondary wives."

Everyone exclaimed "Ah!" in unison. Wasn't it said that the Third Prince and Feng Jiahe were deeply in love? Wasn't it said that of all the beautiful women in the world, he would only choose one? Wasn't it said that he only had eyes for her?
It turned out to be nothing more than a woman's jealousy and the power of her husband's family.

But that's the emperor's most beloved third prince, the future crown prince!
The atmosphere changed the moment Fan Qiuyun uttered the words "Chief Minister Feng".

The nature of this matter has also changed!
Feng Jiahe's face grew increasingly grim. That bitch Fan Qiuyun wanted to put the Feng family on the spot before she died, and even worse, she wanted to accuse the Feng family of deceiving the emperor!

But this time, Feng Jiahe didn't speak. She pursed her lips and clenched her fists into her hands, which were hidden in her sleeves.

Fan Qiuyun continued speaking, saying that in order to be with the Third Prince forever, she entered the palace as a lady-in-waiting, and even secretly met with the Third Prince in Jingyu Palace, and that she was pregnant with the Third Prince's child! (End of this chapter)