Chapter 374 Consort Yu Heads to the Banquet and Causes More Trouble

Many people came to the wedding of King Ning’s since it was important to the Empress Dowager.

Even though the Empress Dowager and the Empress did not turn up personally, they sent Consort Yu over with their gifts.

Mo Xuetong had come early and had intended to just hang around for a while before leaving. After all, she could use Feng Yuran’s injury and her having to care for him as an excuse to leave. Someone would let her know what kind of trouble happened in King Ning’s Manor in the end. She really did not wish to be involved in it lest someone grow suspicious. It was difficult for her to be active outside since Feng Yuran was still “injured”.

Yet, she did not manage to leave just because she wanted to!

Mo Xuetong had not reached the entrance before someone yelled shrilly, “Consort Yu is here!”

Consort Yu’s arrival represented the palace’s arrival. No one would be able to leave before Consort Yu did! Consort Yu had arrived at a very coincidental timing, just when Mo Xuetong was about to leave.

“My Lady, should I send word to get His Highness to pick you up?” Mo Ye asked uneasily as she realized that something was up.

She was aware of the turbulent relations.h.i.+p between Consort Yu and the Mo Manor, and she also knew that Consort Yu had ill intentions towards Mo Xuetong. Consort Yu was sent to the Cold Palace in the past because of the Mo Manor. She might make things difficult for Mo Xuetong when she saw her later.

“It’s alright. His Highness is hurt, let him have more rest!” Mo Xuetong said lightly. Since someone did not want her to leave, she would not. She would not only be impolite if she left now, but it would also make her look guilty. Consort Yu would not do anything overboard in front of so many people here. No matter what had happened, Mo Xuetong was King Xuan’s Consort and was once Princess Anping. Her rank was higher than Consort Yu’s.

The procession had already entered. Consort Yu sat on the palanquin. She had used an uncovered palanquin. d.u.c.h.ess Ding’s expression changed slightly. She looked at Consort Yu with unfriendly eyes. The palanquin was meant specifically for the Empress. Even though Consort Yu used an uncovered palanquin, the significance behind it was distasteful.

No matter what, the Empress was from the Ding General Manor. Consort Yu was behaving too flamboyantly by using the Empress’ palanquin, especially with this procession.

The procession stopped and Consort Yu appeared at the entrance, holding a palace maid’s hand. She was dressed in a blue dress and her hair was held up to the side with a pin. Pearls draped down the pin and hung in front of her face, adding to her charms. It even gave off a sense of licentiousness. If not for the obvious rise of her stomach, it was difficult for one to believe that the woman was pregnant.

Consort Yu moved carefully and slowly with the help of the palace maid, not daring to be the slightest bit clumsy.

The young ladies and madam had all dressed in bright colors for King Ning’s wedding. However, compared to Consort Yu, Consort Yu seemed more charming and beautiful. She was indeed the favored consort of the Emperor. She was still beautiful and charming under such circ.u.mstances.

“Welcome, My Lady!” No matter how unwilling d.u.c.h.ess Ding was, she still went up to greet the consort with a smile. She curtsied deeply. Consort Yu now represented the palace and no one was her match.

“It has been hard on you, d.u.c.h.ess Ding. I am only here on taking a look on behalf of the Empress Dowager. King Ning’s wedding banquet is indeed bustling and I’ve managed to catch it.” Consort Yu enjoyed the gazes of everyone upon her. Her eyes roved over the many faces and she smiled lightly.

Consort Yu seemed calm but Mo Xuetong could still feel the consort’s gaze settling on her face for slightly longer than the others. The other person who enjoyed this treatment was King Ning, Feng Yuzhen!

Mo Xuetong could understand why Consort Yu’s gaze was on her for slightly longer. Consort Yu had never liked her and it was normal for her to take a longer look at Mo Xuetong. But what about King Ning? Consort Yu visited the Empress Dowager’s Cining Palace often and was familiar with King Ning. She would like King Ning, even if it was just because of the Empress Dowager.

Was this also a reason for her to take a longer look at King Ning?

Mo Xuetong did not think so!

But why did Mo Xuetong feel that the smile on the consort’s face when she looked at King Ning was different from the cold smirk she had when she looked at Mo Xuetong? The Emperor’s favored consort had a small, gentle smile on her face when she looked at the Emperor’s nephew. Mo Xuetong had a sudden epiphany. She lowered her head slightly and avoided Consort Yu’s glance when she looked over again.

“Your Highness, you are too kind. Please!” d.u.c.h.ess Ding smiled and extended her arm to welcome her guest. King Ning went to the front courtyard. He would receive the male guests there.

He turned around to say something to d.u.c.h.ess Ding, who nodded with a smile. King Ning bowed deeply and politely to Duke Ding. Then, he looked up and saw Consort Yu’s smile and bright eyes. The two looked at each other. Consort Yu smiled gently while Feng Yuzhen’s lips tugged upwards slightly. He smiled politely and turned around, flicking his wide sleeves.

It was a very normal scene. However, Mo Xuetong felt that the two were very close to each other.

An understanding pa.s.sed through both of them with a single glance. This was something that could not be cultivated in a short period of time!

“Consort Xuan, long time no see. The Empress Dowager asked about you not long ago. Shall we visit the Empress Dowager together? She wants to know how King Xuan’s injuries are.” Consort Yu approached Mo Xuetong, holding on to the palace maid’s hand. She pushed the palace maid away and reached out to hold Mo Xuetong’s hand in a friendly manner.

“Consort Yu, you are too kind. Please greet the Empress Dowager on my behalf. I do not have time to go and chat with her right now. When His Highness is completely healed, we will go and kowtow to the Empress Dowager together.” Mo Xuetong smiled gently. Her lively eyes flickered as she answered Consort Yu.

News out there was that Feng Yuran’s injuries were very serious. As his consort, it would not be justified if Mo Xuetong had the time to go out and walk around leisurely.

“Oh, then forget it. The Empress Dowager has been missing King Xuan recently. If the Emperor had not stopped her, the Empress Dowager would have visited King Xuan personally. How did he hurt his leg? He is so young but managed to do something like that.” Consort Yu smiled and held Mo Xuetong’s hand as they walked into the building. She seemed friendly as they spoke in detail.

However, she suddenly shook and seemed to collapse before she could finish her sentence. She leaned slightly into Mo Xuetong and panted. Her face was a little pale.

“Your Highness, what’s the matter?” A palace maid approached and asked anxiously. She pushed away the hand of the other palace maid who was holding Consort Yu.

“I’m fine… Just a little tired and dizzy…” Consort Yu shook her head. She looked unwell and her voice sounded as if it was squeezed out in her throat. Her face was pale and she seemed like she would fall if Mo Xuetong released her.

Everyone present knew that Consort Yu was very unwell.

“Your Highness, why don’t you rest in the parlor?” d.u.c.h.ess Ding was not willing to take responsibility for this. She said anxiously, “Consort Xuan, please hold Consort Yu!”

She did not dare to let anything happen to Consort Yu here since the Emperor looked forward to another son.

Many heard the commotion and they all looked over!

“Alright, then many thanks, Consort Xuan!” Consort Yu said softly, extremely unwell. She shut her eyes and frowned. She definitely wanted Mo Xuetong to hold her.

“Madam, Her Highness is pregnant and I am afraid that something might go wrong if I help her. Why don’t you get a few other maids to come over so that they’ll hold Her Highness in a more stable way?” Mo Xuetong looked at Consort Yu awkwardly as she discussed the matter with d.u.c.h.ess Ding softly.

“Consort Xuan, it will be fine. Just hold on to me first!” Consort Yu said weakly before d.u.c.h.ess Ding could speak. The other madams immediately urged Mo Xuetong. “Consort Xuan, just help to hold Consort Yu. She is feeling unwell and we don’t know if it will affect the royal child in her belly. Something might happen if we delay this.”

Many of the other madams spoke in agreement.

Listening to them, they meant to say that if Mo Xuetong did not help Consort Yu in to rest, the blame would be on her if something were to happen to the unborn child.

Mo Xuetong nodded in agreement with a light smile on her lips. Together with Consort Yu’s palace maid, they helped Consort Yu into a parlor beside the bridal chamber to rest. A few other little palace maids followed.

Consort Yu went to rest and did not need the procession. Everyone stood by the side and allowed them to pa.s.s.

In the room, the lead palace maid removed Consort Yu’s cloak and helped her to lie down on a couch by the side. She asked Consort Yu softly, “Your Highness, are you feeling better?”

“I’m alright. I might have gotten off the palanquin too quickly earlier.” Consort Yu said, opening her eyes slightly.

“I will get someone to bring some hot water. We brought some medicinal cream from the palace we can use after dissolving.” The lead palace maid pulled a blanket over Consort Yu as she spoke softly.

Consort Yu nodded. The lead palace maid left, leaving a few other junior palace maids outside the room.

Mo Xuetong approached Consort Yu with a slight smile and said, “Consort Yu, just rest here. I have to return to take care of His Highness and won’t stay here to accompany you.”

Even though she did not know what Consort Yu was planning, it was definitely not something good. What was coincidental was that Consort Yu felt dizzy while she was holding on to Mo Xuetong and speaking with her.

“I will be left alone here if you leave.” Consort Yu looked at Mo Xuetong with a smile. However, her smile did not reach her eyes. Instead, hatred colored her eyes.

Consort Yu did not like Mo Xuetong! Of course, Mo Xuetong did not like Consort Yu who was determined to plot against her.

“Your Highness, would you like to speak with me?” Mo Xuetong smiled lightly with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. No matter whether it was Yu Mingyong’s incident or what happened in Yu Manor, it was destined that the two would not be on friendly terms. Why was there a need to pretend? Since Consort Yu wanted to hurt her, would she let Mo Xuetong off if Mo Xuetong became gentle?

Consort Yu did not expect Mo Xuetong to be so forthright and not want to hide anything. Shock appeared in her eyes. She then sat up slightly. Her expression was no longer weak as she looked at Mo Xuetong. She said coldly, “You hurt my younger brother and caused me to be sent to the Cold Palace. You planned all of that. Do you think n.o.body would find out what you did?”

There was a flash of light in Mo Xuetong’s eyes as she looked at Consort Yu. She was not afraid of Consort Yu’s sharpness. She smiled gently and said, “Your Highness, you are in the palace and do not have anything to do with me. You were sent to the Cold Palace, but how could it be because of a daughter of an official not in the inner cabinet? As for Sir Yu, I do not know what that has to do with me. I have never seen him, so how could I have caused him harm?”

Consort Yu looked at Mo Xuetong hatefully with coldness in her eyes that could not be hidden. There was not a hint of weakness in her at all any longer. She had only pretended to be ill earlier. Was she just trying to spar verbally with Mo Xuetong? If so, Consort Yu was really petty!

“Mo Xuetong, you bullied your concubine-mother and threw her out. That’s not enough. You even spread rumors and tried to kill her. All that must be true, right?”

“Even if that’s true, I do not know what it has to do with Consort Yu. Are you very free in the palace that you are now taking charge of private matters of court officials?” Mo Xuetong smiled faintly. She turned around to sit down on a chair by the side. She was the first consort of King Xuan and was ranked slightly higher than Consort Yu. Consort Yu was not one of the four first consorts. If they were to follow etiquette, Consort Yu had to curtsy when she saw Mo Xuetong.

Meddling with the matters concerning court officials meant having private dealings with those from the court. When Consort Yu thought of how the Emperor set up signs in front of her palace stating that the women of the palace should not interfere in politics, she felt a chill run down her spine. She pulled the sheets beneath her viciously and her hand croaked throatily.