Chapter 347: Chapter 347: The Suffering Wife VS The Mistress (Part Thirty-Three) Chapter 347: Chapter 347: The Suffering Wife VS The Mistress (Part Thirty-Three) Gu Shengyin had always been paying attention to the Zhang Mingshu and Qin Yuanzheng’s situation.
She watched as the relationship between Zhang Mingshu and Qin Yuanzheng no longer held the deep affection of the past, observed Zhang Mingshu’s ineptitude with domestic affairs, and saw how the entire household of the Prince of Zhenbei’s Mansion became a laughingstock in the eyes of others.
At first, Zhang Mingshu still enjoyed the favor of the Princess Consort, but as Qin Shao found excuses to deal with the Prince of Zhenbei’s Mansion, and they found themselves without help, the Princess Consort realized how important it was for families of their standing to have reliable in-laws who could speak for them at the Imperial Court.
Moreover, with some discord between Zhang Mingshu and her son, the heart of a mother, regardless of how much she liked Zhang Mingshu, naturally leaned towards her own son. Thus, Zhang Mingshu gradually lost favor with the Princess Consort.
Qin Yuanzheng, growing increasingly disappointed with her as his career struggled, began to linger among other women.
During the first entry of a concubine, a fierce argument erupted between Zhang Mingshu and Qin Yuanzheng.
Zhang Mingshu felt that her cousin had changed–he had promised to be wholly devoted to her, yet now he was bringing other women into the household!
She had entirely forgotten that when Qin Yuanzheng was still betrothed to Gu Shengyin, she herself had harbored similar intentions.
Everyone knew that the Crown Princess, who had not been in the Prince of Zhenbei’s Mansion for half a year, was not favored. Without the backing of her parental family, her only support was her husband’s family, and if she was not favored there, she would truly be nothing.
Gu Shengyin soon had no leisure to pay attention to the two of them anymore, for her grand wedding was approaching.
An Emperor’s wedding was naturally extravagant and exceedingly complicated.
Even though Gu Shengyin had been through it once, she still felt utterly exhausted by the ordeal.
The bridal procession, worshipping at the ancestral temple, saluting heaven and earth, taking residence in Kunyi Palace, followed by a grand feast…
By the time everything ended, Gu Shengyin was so tired she did not wish to lift even a finger.
Unfortunately, there was still the nuptial wine to drink and the wedding night to fulfill.
The Emperor, having drunk happily because of his joy, was almost impatient as he lifted his wife’s head covering.
Yes, wife. Qin Shao gently rolled the word on his lips, feeling utterly content.
He looked at the little woman beneath the red candles, her exquisite Empress attire showcasing her unparalleled beauty magnificently; she was now slightly bowing her head, apparently a bit shy, her long, curled eyelashes gently trembling, causing the Emperor’s heart to tremble along with them.
The bridal chamber was overwhelmed with red, and upon the bed was the woman he loved the most.
Qin Shao felt that the wine he had drunk earlier now seemed even more intoxicating.
Completing all the required rituals without omission, Qin Shao waved his hand to dismiss all the superfluous people.
He slowly approached his wife and scooped her up with a bend at the waist.
From now on, she belongs to me, he thought proudly and sweetly.
The bridal chamber was filled with a night of passion, and the candles in Kunyi Palace burned until dawn.
The entire Imperial Palace knew that the Empress was favored; since the wedding day, His Majesty spent every night in the Empress’s Kunyi Palace. Besides attending to court affairs during the day, His Majesty, with no other concubines in the palace for the time being, had no advice from short-sighted ministers about taking in new wives so soon after the wedding, which made Gu Shengyin’s days quite comfortable.
The Empress Dowager was also very kind, but…
But every time Gu Shengyin went to pay her respects, the old lady would stare at her belly and laugh with a meaningful look.