readytorunbook Chapter 292 Begging for mercy
Chapter 292 Begging for mercy
This time, not only Concubine Jiang's face was stiff, but even the second and fourth wives' faces were stiff as well.
Empress Xu was a virtuous and kind queen. As a queen, she was always frugal and never extravagant. Normally, she would not hold a palace banquet once a year, and would only invite the wives of officials to the palace. However, when there was a severe drought in Xuzhou and Changzhou and the emperor was in a bad mood, she held a banquet. This was indeed not like Empress Xu's character. It was most likely, as the prince guessed, that she was calling on the wives of officials to donate money for disaster relief.
It's not for selecting a princess for Prince Yu, but for disaster relief. This palace banquet is not fun at all. When the ladies gather together, they are bound to compare with each other. They are the wives of Prince Jingyang's Mansion, so their donations must not be less than others. It will bring shame to Prince Jingyang's Mansion. Isn't this just rushing to the palace to spend money?
Concubine Jiang said, "Then I still won't enter the palace..."
Before she could finish her words, the princess glanced at her, and Concubine Jiang's mouth seemed to be blocked by something, and she couldn't utter a word.
She had just been clamoring to go to the palace, but now that she knew the reason for going there was to donate money, she didn't want to go anymore. As a concubine, she not only didn't take the princess seriously, but also had no sympathy for the disaster in Xuzhou and Changzhou.
The fourth wife said, "Nothing has been reported. Most people wouldn't carry money on their bodies when entering the palace. I'm afraid the prince is just being overly suspicious."
Shen Tang didn't say anything, but just touched the hairpin on her head. The Fourth Madam then realized that the lady didn't carry any money with her, so she might have a lot of things to exchange for money. Just a rough calculation of the jewelry she was wearing showed that it was worth at least two thousand taels. It would be fine if she donated one or two items, but if she donated all of them, it would be painful.
The fourth wife said, "Something happened in the North Courtyard. I'll go back first and go directly to the gate later."
After the fourth wife left, the second wife and Concubine Jiang also left.
When they enter the palace, they will know what they are going to do when they return.
Change jewelry.
Obviously, she felt that Xie Guimo's guess was reasonable. If she really had to donate money when entering the palace, she wouldn't feel so bad about donating jewelry she didn't like.
Shen Tang and the princess rode in a carriage, while Concubine Jiang and the second wife also rode in carriages with their daughters. The carriages entered the palace smoothly.
There was a banquet in the palace today, and there were a lot of people entering the palace. The horse farm was bustling and noisy. When Shen Tang got out of the carriage, he saw Princess Jinde and Shen Ran. Shen Ran waved to Shen Tang. Princess Roujia had also come, as well as the wife of the Minister of Works and Miss Zhao.
The princess was talking to Princess Duan, Princess Jinde and others, while Shen Tang, Shen Ran and Princess Roujia were walking towards the imperial garden, talking and laughing.
They arrived relatively late, so there were even more people in the Imperial Garden. It was already autumn, and the weather was not so hot, but the garden was just like midsummer, with clusters of flowers and no sign of autumn.
The ladies from wealthy families were having a great time, but they only saw Princess Cheng'an; Princess Gu'an was not there.
Princess Gu'an was not around in her previous life, and she was forced to do such a stupid thing. How could Empress Xu not punish her?
Shen Tang accompanied the princess to pay a visit to Queen Xu. Queen Xu was all smiles when she saw the princess and Shen Tang. A few days ago, Shen Tang entered the palace and helped Queen Xu avoid being plotted against by Concubine Ye. It was Xie Guimo who reminded her about the disaster relief so that she did not fall into the trap set by King Qi. He even reminded her about holding a palace banquet, but it was hard to guard against it.
Prince Jingyang spared no effort to help Prince Yu, but it was their own people who were holding them back. Queen Xu felt grateful and ashamed.
After Shen Tang bowed, he said, "I just came here and didn't see Princess Gu'an. Did the Queen punish her by confining her to her room?"
The question was asked so abruptly that not only did Empress Xu fail to react, but all the noble ladies were also looking at each other.
Didn’t we just say that Princess Gu’an was unwell and recuperating in her own palace, so she couldn’t attend the palace banquet? Why is she under house arrest?
Princess Gu'an was under house arrest, she must have done something wrong. Empress Xu couldn't have concealed it, so how could the Crown Prince's Consort of Jingyang be so stupid as to ask Empress Xu in front of so many people...
Empress Xu knew that Shen Tang and Xie Guimo were on her and Prince Yu's side, so they definitely didn't say this to humiliate her. They certainly weren't saying it casually. Empress Xu said, "Gu'an has been inconsiderate. I will ground her for half a month as a punishment."
Shen Tang said, "Princess Gu'an is kind-hearted, and this banquet was held for her, yet she is under house arrest and cannot attend. Isn't the Queen trying to erase her kindness?"
Empress Xu really couldn't figure out what Shen Tang was going to do. In front of so many people, she couldn't ask directly, so she could only look at Shen Tang. Shen Tang said bluntly, "Can I ask for a favor for Princess Gu'an?"
Everyone, "..."
Is the Princess Consort of Prince Jingyang too confused about her own identity?
The Queen punished her own daughter, and she pleaded for Princess Gu'an. She took herself too seriously.
Even the princess frowned and shook her head at Shen Tang. As a result, Queen Xu said, "I was too harsh. Since the Princess of Jingyang is pleading for mercy, let Gu'an go."
The noble ladies looked at each other in bewilderment.
Does the Princess Consort of Prince Jingyang have such a high status in front of Queen Xu?
Also, why is this banquet hosted by Princess Gu'an? Isn't it for selecting a concubine for Prince Yu?
And the Crown Princess of Jingyang also said that house arrest would erase Princess Gu'an's kindness. What is going on?
Those noble ladies felt like they were being scratched by a cat in their hearts.
Shen Tang paid his respects to Empress Xu and left the pavilion after only a few words. Shen Ran and Princess Roujia accompanied Shen Tang to appreciate the flowers. Princess Gu'an came over and looked at Shen Tang in confusion, "Why are you pleading for me and my mother?"
She already knew that she was doing something bad to her brother.
Her mother punished her by confining her to her house, but she had no complaints.
Shen Tang looked at Princess Gu'an, "Princess, don't you want to redeem yourself from your mistakes?"
How could she not think about it? She was regretting it so much.
Princess Gu'an asked, "Do you have a solution?"
Shen Tang motioned Princess Gu'an to come closer and whispered a few words. Princess Gu'an opened her eyes wide, and the clear stupidity in them gradually dissipated and shone with light.
No wonder the Queen Mother praised the Princess Consort of Prince Jingyang so highly and asked her to come to her, obviously to help her.
Today's palace banquet was for no other reason than that the ladies had not yet finished touring the Imperial Garden when the banquet began. Empress Xu invited everyone to take their seats.
When I arrived at the banquet, I looked at the pastries on the table and found them to be more shabby than ever before.
Those ladies from prominent families couldn't believe that this was a palace banquet hosted by the Queen.
Empress Xu said, "This palace banquet was held hastily and the preparations were inadequate. I apologize for the inconvenience. Once the disasters in Xuzhou and Changzhou are over, I will definitely hold a grand palace banquet and invite everyone to come into the palace to enjoy the atmosphere."
Concubine Ye said, "This palace banquet was indeed held in a hurry. I wonder why the Queen held this palace banquet?"
She planned it all behind the scenes, but pretended to be ignorant in public. Empress Xu's face turned visibly colder. She had no place to vent her anger. If someone dug a pit, her daughter would be stupid enough to jump into it.