"It was I and Yunzhi who were in the same room and tarnished her reputation, so I must take responsibility."
Prince An Nan spoke earnestly, "Yunzhe, from now on she will be your concubine."
Xie Yunzhe’s face turned red then pale, the absurdity nearly made him grit his teeth to pieces.
"How amusing indeed."
Yu Nianzhao observed Pei Yunzhi’s expression and quietly asked, "Jiu, can you tell what has contaminated her?"
[Master, she has a sinister aura, but it’s not ordinary. Besides the evil presence, there’s something ghostly about her.]
[I can’t get close, there seems to be a barrier protecting her.]
[That thing feels familiar yet foreign, as if... it also belongs to the Netherworld.]
The Netherworld’s possession?
Yu Nianzhao furrowed his brow, murmuring, "Could it be a magic artifact?"
"Your Majesty, in order to stop the royal rumors, Yunzhi must be taken in, Mrs. Pei is selfish and heartless, but Yunzhi is innocent, she was just a child then; the disaster should not affect the children."
Since Prince An Nan had decided to take Pei Yunzhi, he naturally spoke on her behalf.
Emperor Anqing said disdainfully, "You really can stomach anything, and say it so boldly, I feel ashamed for you."
Prince An Nan replied indifferently, "Desire is human nature, it’s an old saying!"
Emperor Anqing waved his hand impatiently, "Since you both consent, I won’t interfere, take her as your concubine if you wish!"
In terms of status, Prince An Nan was Emperor Anqing’s elder brother.
Prince An Nan spent his life entrapped by beauty; the late emperor instructed him to care for his brother before passing, and Emperor Anqing always turned a blind eye towards him.
The position of the legitimate daughter stolen from the Pei Family, now willingly becoming Prince An Nan’s concubine, was considered a punishment for her.
Emperor Anqing thought this way, even the Empress couldn’t contradict the two brothers, but felt Pei Yunzhi’s demeanor today was indeed odd.
"Let this matter end here, take the people away."
With Mrs. Pei’s cries echoing in his ears, Emperor Anqing felt truly vexed, waved his hand, and had her removed. Only when Mrs. Pei’s voice disappeared did he feel much more at ease.
"Unfilial daughter, truly unfilial, a well-bred young lady, marrying as a concubine to Prince An Nan, not even counted as a secondary wife, it’s truly a waste of our years of guidance."
Pei Yuanzheng was angered, beating his chest and stamping his feet, feeling humiliated.
Prince An Nan, being thick-skinned, held Pei Yunzhi’s hand intending to leave this place of contention.
As Pei Yunzhi passed by Yu Nianzhao, she curved her lips and lowered her voice, "Yu Nianzhao, this doesn’t mean you’ve won, let’s see what happens."
[Master, this person’s arrogance is overwhelming!]
[Master, I smell a familiar scent on her!]
[A kindred spirit from the Netherworld?]
[No, it could be the malicious ghost that escaped from the Netherworld?] ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ NoveI-Fire.ɴet
[If it’s a malicious ghost, I surely would detect it!]
Yu Nianzhao furrowed her brow and released a golden bug from her palm, which flew towards Pei Yunzhi.
Ms. Lien called cautiously, her eyes red and swollen from crying, unable to escape her sorrow.
"Zhaozhao, it’s my fault for failing to discern people, it’s my fault, won’t you return home?"
Having lost a daughter, Pei Yuanzheng started to act pitiful, hoping Yu Nianzhao would reconsider.
Yu Nianzhao tilted her head to look at them, chuckling lightly, "I am not a dog, I don’t like eating such filth, I can’t even bear the smell. You better not waste your efforts."
"How are you talking, child?"
Pei Yuanzheng tugged at his lips, forced by the presence of Emperor Anqing and Prince Su, he swallowed his reprimands back, "I have already admitted my mistakes, Yunzhi and Mrs. Pei have both left, what else do you want?"
"Or you can leave too? Empty the Pei Mansion, hand over the land agreement to me? Perhaps I might consider going back to sell a house."
Yu Nianzhao spoke lazily, her words infuriating Pei Yuanzheng to death.
"Zhaozhao, you really know how to joke."
"Words have already been made clear to you long ago, now you just see Ms. Pei’s true self and start eating humble pie, ugh, don’t involve me in your future conversations; you and Mrs. Pei are no different!"
Yu Nianzhao turned to Emperor Anqing, frankly stating, "You see, Your Majesty, my relationship with the Pei Family is truly not good."
Xie Jiuxiao chimed in, "That’s right, brother, it’s best not to have Zhaozhao marry from the Pei Mansion, it’s really bad luck."
The Pei Family members listened, with expressions hard to bear.
The Empress smiled dotingly, "Zhaozhao indeed has suffered too much grievance, if I had such a daughter, I would be overjoyed, offering everything! Since the Pei Family’s relationship is so chaotic, and Zhaozhao is unwilling to return there, then that’s settled. I grant Zhaozhao a residence, and from now it will be your parental home. You will marry from there."
Not just the Pei Family was shocked, even Xie Jiuxiao had an unpleasant expression.
Zhaozhao having her own home isn’t a bad thing, but Xie Jiuxiao worried whether Yu Nianzhao would not return to Prince Su Mansion in the future.
Emperor Anqing questioned in surprise, "Which residence does the Empress intend to grant?"
The Empress smiled, "It’s the residence left to me by my maternal family, and it’s not far from Prince Su Mansion. Though not large, it’s complete with essentials. I feel a kinship with Zhaozhao, very fond of her, and sooner or later we’ll be like family. I’m willing to act as Zhaozhao’s maternal family, to provide the residence, and gift dowry generously."
"Thank you, Empress!"
The Empress showed her affection and goodwill without reservation, warming Yu Nianzhao’s heart; such warmth makes one linger.
Ms. Lien felt an overwhelming jealousy within, but dared not voice a rebuttal, anxiously covering her mouth, fearful her sobbing might escape.
Even the Empress could be so comfortably kind to Zhaozhao, proving how wonderful her Zhaozhao is.
Yet such a wonderful child is forcibly cast aside by her.
Ms. Lien’s face streamed with tears, unable to reach out to draw Yu Nianzhao close.
Pei Yunqing, empathetic, supported Ms. Lien, sighing softly, "Mother, it’s all too late."
Emperor Anqing waved his hand, saying, "Given the Empress’s decree, I have no objections; as she said, granting Zhaozhao a residence, then from where she marries is entirely up to Zhaozhao’s mood."
These words from Emperor Anqing completely shattered Pei Yuanzheng’s plan to retrieve his daughter.
He suddenly felt decades older, standing there in despair.
"Zhaozhao..." Pei Yuncheng called out with difficulty, but Yu Nianzhao didn’t even bother to give him a glance.
"Zhaozhao, come take a walk in the Imperial Garden with me."
The Empress had been seated too long and tired, she discerned Yu Nianzhao’s wish not to engage further with the Pei Family, so she stepped forward to take her hand and leave.
Neither looked back, treating them as nonexistent.
"I want to mediate, but alas, some people don’t strive, and regret comes too late."
Emperor Anqing mimicked concern, "Mr. Pei, you must reflect too, surely the Pei Family needs restructuring."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."
Pei Yuanzheng swallowed bitterly, clasped his hands in salute, then staggered away.