novelden Chapter 136 Doting on concubines and destroying wives
Chapter 136 Doting on concubines and destroying wives
Ling Mohui felt a warm current in her heart when she heard this. She held Yuan Fangfang's hand and said gently but firmly: "I believe you, Fangfang. I know your character best."
In a blink of an eye, the banquet was about to begin. Ling Mohui tidied her clothes and arrived on time.
As soon as she entered the banquet hall, she saw Ling Zhiyun looking sad in a secluded corner, while Fu Yansheng was beside her, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Ling Mohui walked forward slowly and warned softly but sternly: "You are also a flower carefully cultivated by the family. How could you not understand the taboo of crying on a big day? If the host family sees you, I'm afraid there will be trouble."
Fu Yansheng's voice was steady and reproachful, echoing in the quiet hall: "Ling Mohui, you still have the nerve to bring this up? If you hadn't ignored Zhiyun, how could she have been treated lightly by those ladies, and suffered contemptuous looks and cold words?"
His tone was filled with anger and disappointment that was difficult to conceal.
Ling Mohui's response was calm and pointed, as if he had expected everything: "After all, she chose her own path. She should have foreseen the consequences when she took that step. Isn't it too late for her to realize it now?"
"Ling Mohui, Zhiyun is your biological sister. How can you be so complacent and feel no shame at all?" Fu Yansheng's voice raised a few notches, full of questioning and confusion.
Just when the atmosphere was tense, the eunuch's shrill and solemn announcement sounded outside the door, breaking the solemn atmosphere in the room: "The Queen has arrived!"
The sound was like spring thunder, shocking everyone present.
The Jin family is the Queen's maiden family, and Jin Chengyuan is the Queen's brother. It is undoubtedly a great honor for the Queen to personally attend the Jin family's wedding, adding a bit of dignity and joy.
Upon hearing the voice, everyone quickly straightened their clothes and lined up to kneel down to greet him.
As the prime minister of the court, Fu Yansheng naturally led the way and walked in the front with steady and majestic steps.
Although Ling Mohui was extremely reluctant, she had to follow closely to avoid being rude.
"May Her Majesty live a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!" Everyone's voices merged into a torrent, respectful and solemn.
The queen smiled slightly, her voice gentle and majestic: "Everyone, please stand up. No need to be polite."
The arrival of the Queen was like a spring breeze and all the previous private discussions and speculations disappeared in an instant.
The fact that the Queen personally presided over the wedding was undoubtedly a great affirmation of the marriage. No one dared to go against the royal family's wishes, and naturally no one mentioned the gossip about Yuan Fangfang anymore.
The queen's sharp eyes easily caught sight of Fu Yansheng's figure, as well as Ling Mohui who looked a little embarrassed beside him.
"Oh, the Prime Minister and his wife are here too! This is..."
Ling Zhiyun took a few steps forward swiftly, bowed respectfully, and said humbly, "I, Ling Zhiyun, pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen."
The queen's gaze lingered on her, her expression subtle: "So you are Ling Zhiyun."
Recalling the past, the emperor once wanted to take her into the palace as a concubine to enjoy the music of the zither together, but unexpectedly she chose to let her brother-in-law Fu Yansheng come to the palace to propose marriage.
This incident left the queen with a bad impression of her.
"Since you are a concubine, you should be aware of your position. Attending such an important occasion as a concubine is really against etiquette!"
The Queen's words were like ice, causing Ling Zhiyun to tremble all over. She prostrated herself on the ground, not daring to look up: "I know I was wrong, and I beg the Queen to forgive me!"
Fu Yansheng was about to speak up to defend Ling Zhiyun, but was interrupted by the Queen: "Fu Shoufu, I understand your concern for Aunt Yun, but the laws of the country and the rules of the family cannot be violated. The Prime Minister is the pillar of the country, and his every move is in the eyes of the people. It is not wise to favor a concubine and neglect the wife."
Being accused of "favoring his concubine and neglecting his wife", even Fu Yansheng, who was extremely powerful, was speechless for a moment.
In the Great Qi State, the boundaries between wives and concubines were clear and could not be confused.
After this incident, Ling Zhiyun's face was filled with shame. She quietly stepped aside and then left sadly.
Fu Yansheng also showed a hint of displeasure on his face. After a brief greeting with the queen, he hurriedly said goodbye and left.
Ling Mohui knew in her heart that he must be going to find Ling Zhiyun to give her comfort.
Ling Mohui stayed at the banquet, chatting and laughing with the ladies. She seemed a little drunk as she drank, and finally left the Jin Mansion slowly, still a little tipsy.
Before leaving, she inadvertently glanced at the groom Jin Chengyuan again. He looked gentle and elegant, but his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was not very satisfied with this marriage. There was an indescribable worry and helplessness between his brows.
Ling Mohui sighed softly, as if a thousand thoughts were hidden in her chest. She felt a little relieved about Yuan Fangfang's marriage to the Jin family, but she couldn't help feeling a little worried.
Compared with the regrettable Zeng family marriage in the previous life, the Jin family undoubtedly provided Yuan Fangfang with a safe haven, allowing her to escape from the hardships of life and enjoy wealth and glory.
Thinking of this, Ling Mohui's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a faint smile inadvertently climbed up the corners of her mouth.
She walked with a slightly shaky step towards the gorgeous carriage parked nearby, stepping on the scattered sunlight. Her figure cast a long slanted shadow on the ground, appearing both fragile and determined.
"Miss, the son-in-law and concubine Yun have been waiting in the car for a long time." The maid Mo Qi's voice was a little anxious.
A hint of surprise flashed across Ling Mohui's brows. She thought Fu Yansheng would leave early after hitting a wall in front of the Queen, but unexpectedly he stayed.
Seeing this, Mo Qi added, "It was Aunt Yun who suggested leaving, but the son-in-law was worried about the young lady being alone here, so he insisted on waiting for the young lady to leave together."
"Miss, you see, my uncle still has you in his heart, doesn't he?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Mo Hua next to him tapped Mo Qi's forehead in annoyance. Mo Qi covered his head, pouted innocently, and asked himself in confusion whether he had exaggerated.
Different from Mo Hua's resolute opposition, Mo Qi's idea is closer to the secular norm. After all, which servant does not hope that his master can have a harmonious relationship with his wife and a prosperous family business?
Mo Hua snorted disdainfully, saying sarcastically, "I'm hitting you to wake you up! On the one hand, he's coaxing Aunt Yun, and on the other hand, he's talking about our young lady. How could our young lady be interested in such a fickle man?"
After listening to Ling Mo, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. She gave Mo Hua a thumbs up, her eyes full of approval.
Mo Hua scratched his nose proudly, looking very playful.
Mo Qi seemed to understand something, but nodded in confusion, as if he was pondering the deep meaning of Mo Hua's words, "But, don't all the ladies out there make do with this?"
"Silly Moqi, who doesn't want to monopolize her husband's love? It's just that reality often forces people to compromise. A woman's path is never easy, but our lady has the determination and strength to live a wonderful life without a man!"
Mo Hua's words, every word of which was precious, deeply touched Ling Mohui's heart.