Chapter 101 - 100: The Substitute Eldest Miss 16

Chapter 101: Chapter 100: The Substitute Eldest Miss 16

Someone couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

At that, everyone else began to look at Mr. Ji and Mother Ji, whispering amongst themselves.

"They threw away a watermelon for a sesame seed. I wonder if Prime Minister Ji regrets it now."

"What good would regret do? The Crown Princess Consort just disowned the Ji family."

"My daughter has always been put down by the Second Miss Ji. She targeted my girl in countless ways, both openly and in secret, all because my daughter took first place at a poetry gathering. Tomorrow, I’m going to make a special trip with my dear daughter to the Ji family’s home just to mock them. Only then will I feel vindicated."

"They handed over the guaranteed position of Crown Princess Consort. The Second Miss Ji is probably hiding under her covers and crying her eyes out right now. If you go and mock her on top of that, she’ll likely be driven mad with rage."

"So what if she goes mad? What’s it to me?"

...

Everyone loves to kick a man when he’s down. No one wanted to see their rivals at court get a leg up on them.

The Ji family hadn’t collapsed yet, but it was clear their prospects for the future were dim.

The two sons of the Ji family were still mere scholars, and it was hard to say if they would ever advance further.

Now that they had lost the Crown Princess Consort as their backer, what future could they possibly have once Prime Minister Ji retired?

Listening to the crowd’s whispers, Mother Ji’s eyes immediately reddened.

She wanted to scream at them, but she didn’t know who to direct her anger at.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t learned the art of household intrigue over the years, but no amount of scheming could stand against absolute power.

Mr. Ji closed his eyes. After a long moment, he shakily knelt down again and kowtowed to the Emperor and Empress.

"Your Majesty, I congratulate the Crown Prince on his new lease on life. I wish... the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess Consort a long and harmonious marriage. I have matters to attend to at home. Might I be permitted to take my leave first?"

Having achieved his goal, the Emperor didn’t make things any more difficult for him.

"Since you have matters to attend to at home, my dear minister, you should return at once."

Mr. Ji expressed his gratitude and rose. Staggering slightly, he pulled Mother Ji along as they retreated from the hall.

Once their figures had disappeared from the palace hall, the Empress spoke coolly, "Regardless of what has happened, the Ji family was once the Crown Princess Consort’s maiden family. All of you, remember to watch what you say and do. Do not involve innocent people."

Everyone bowed their heads in assent. The hall fell silent. The Empress’s gaze swept over the crowd as she continued, "The Crown Princess Consort is now a member of the Royal Family. Her dignity is the Royal Family’s dignity. From now on, during all palace banquets and festivals, all rules of etiquette must be followed to the letter. There can be no mistakes."

"We shall obey Her Majesty the Empress’s teachings."

"Very well. The Emperor and I are tired for today. You are all dismissed."

Everyone bowed and took their leave, their footsteps impossibly light, as if afraid the slightest sound might disturb the Empress and His Majesty.

Ji Xiaosong wiped away her tears, her face bright with joy.

"Thank you, Imperial Father, Imperial Mother."

The Empress, with a look of fond exasperation, gently poked Ji Xiaosong’s forehead and said with a smile, "Oh, you! Don’t you go crying like that in the future."

’The dignified Crown Princess Consort of the nation, crying like a little hooligan... Wouldn’t people laugh their heads off?’

*

The Empress’s admonition in the palace proved effective. When the officials returned home that day, they didn’t speak a single ill word of Ji Xiaosong. Instead, their conversations were filled with pity for her and condemnation for how deplorably the members of the Ji Mansion had behaved.

They especially delighted in describing the priceless look on Prime Minister Ji’s face when he learned not only that the Crown Prince’s legs were healed, but also that Ji Xiaosong was a disciple of Master Xuan Yuan.

Some officials who originally had ties to the Ji Mansion began to reassess the situation, secretly distancing themselves from Prime Minister Ji for fear of being dragged down by his fall from grace.

The once-bustling traffic of carriages before the Ji Mansion gradually dwindled to nothing. Only a few uninformed visitors still came by, but they too would hastily depart after seeing the long, sorrowful faces of the family members.

The next day, during the morning court session, an Imperial Censor did indeed submit a memorial impeaching Prime Minister Ji.

The Emperor unrolled the memorial and glanced over it, his expression calm. He then raised his eyes to look at Mr. Ji. After a moment of silence, he sighed and said slowly, "Ji Aiqing, I know you have served the court tirelessly for many years, and I should not be saying this at a time like this. However, the chaos in your household has become the talk of the court, and it truly damages the court’s reputation."

The Emperor paused, his gaze turning scrutinizing. "In light of your many years of meritorious service, I am reluctant to be too harsh. Why don’t you return home for now and put your household affairs in order. Set aside your duties at court for the time being. I will make other arrangements."

Mr. Ji’s heart sank. He understood the Emperor’s meaning perfectly and hurriedly knelt to kowtow. "Your Majesty is wise. I will obey the imperial decree."

The Emperor nodded and continued, "There is one more matter. The mansion you currently reside in was a personal gift from me, bestowed to honor a meritorious minister and display his glory. But I’m afraid your family’s current situation is no longer in keeping with the symbolism of this residence. I think it best that you vacate the mansion for now. I will make other arrangements. Once your household affairs have stabilized, I will make a new decision."

A bitter taste filled Mr. Ji’s mouth, but he dared not voice the slightest objection. He could only kowtow once more. "I accept your decree and offer my thanks."

After the court session was dismissed, Mr. Ji walked out of the hall with heavy steps.

As soon as he returned to the mansion, Mr. Ji changed out of his official robes and stood silently in the ancestral hall.

A steward from the Prince Wu Mansion arrived. Mother Ji invited him into the main hall and was just about to ask about the wedding date when the steward from King Wu’s household spoke first:

"Mrs. Ji, the Prince and the Second Miss Ji had previously set a wedding date, but Lord Ji’s current situation is a matter of great concern for His Highness. Our Prince has always been unfailingly loyal to His Majesty, dedicated to maintaining the stability of the court and the dignity of the Royal Family. Now that His Majesty has made arrangements concerning the affairs of the Ji Mansion, the Prince understands the profound meaning behind this decision. His Majesty has acted to allow Lord Ji to focus on rectifying his household’s internal affairs and restoring his family’s moral standing. This will be of great benefit to both the court and the Ji family."

The steward from King Wu’s household picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and continued in a softer tone, "His Highness has given this much thought. The marriage between the Second Miss Ji and the Prince must also adapt to the current situation. If he were to marry her with the rites befitting a main wife at a time like this, it would inevitably lead people to believe that the Prince is disregarding His Majesty’s intentions. It would also complicate how others view the Ji family. Therefore, the Prince has decided to change the Second Miss Ji’s position to that of a concubine."

He raised his eyes to look at Mother Ji, his gaze admitting no argument. "This is not a sign of the Prince’s heartlessness, but a decision made for the greater good. This way, the Second Miss Ji can still marry into the Prince’s mansion, continuing the friendly relations between our two families, while also demonstrating the Prince’s support for His Majesty. I trust that Mrs. Ji can understand the Prince’s difficult position, and I am confident that the Second Miss Ji is a sensible young woman who understands her duty and will not object."

Mother Ji’s face instantly turned deathly pale. Her lips trembled as if she wanted to argue, but she knew she had no power to change anything in this situation. Forcing back her tears, she said with great difficulty, "S-since this is the Prince’s wish, and it is to comply with His Majesty’s arrangements... I... I will of course inform my daughter and tell her to obey."

The steward from King Wu’s household nodded in satisfaction and rose to his feet. "Excellent. Since she is only entering the mansion as a concubine, the rites for a concubine will suffice. There will be no need to select an auspicious date. In seven days, a single sedan chair will carry her into the Prince’s mansion. That will be all."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ji Yan arrived.