bookrandom Chapter 156 An Unexpected Encounter with My "Father-in-Law"
Chapter 156 An Unexpected Encounter with My "Father-in-Law"
Among the guests were many civil and military officials from the court, some of whom were on good terms with Li Mao, and others of whom were not. Li Mao greeted them all with a smile; after all, these people were there to give wedding gifts, so he accepted everyone without hesitation!
"Congratulations, Your Highness, on the addition of a new lady to your household!"
"Congratulations, Your Highness! We wish you a speedy delivery of a son!"
Li Mao responded to each of these auspicious words with great courtesy.
The auspicious time has arrived. The newlyweds ascend the stage to perform the ceremony, and the master of ceremonies loudly announces that the ceremony is complete.
The guests rose to their feet, raised their glasses in toasts, and voices of blessing rose and fell.
Wei Qiongying is now nominally Li Mao's concubine. In a few days, Li Mao will hand over Wei Qiongying's identity information to Li Longji and request a formal title for her. Only with Li Longji's personal approval in vermilion ink can Wei Qiongying truly enjoy the treatment befitting a concubine of Prince Shou.
That night, night fell.
The new house was filled with red candles, creating a hazy and romantic atmosphere.
At this moment, Wei Qiongying was sitting on the bed with a shy smile on her face.
Not long after, Li Mao entered the room and gently lifted the red veil on her head, revealing her beautiful face: "From now on, you will be one of my concubines. As you are in the Prince's mansion, you will have to pay attention to many things and help Wang Shi to manage the affairs of the inner quarters."
Wei Qiongying blushed and replied, "Your Highness's instructions are correct. I will certainly do as you say and work with Sister Wang to manage the Prince's residence even better, so that Your Highness will not have to worry."
Li Mao blew out the candle and slept with Wei Qiongying.
The boudoir is warm, the red candles weep, and a night of passionate love unfolds.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the Prince's Mansion—
In the courtyard where Consort Wang lived, the lights remained dimly lit for a long time.
She tossed and turned on the couch, unable to fall asleep, her heart filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment: "Why can she do it, but I can't? A woman who has barely even met the prince, why can she be made a concubine, and why does she receive the prince's favor?"
It's important to know that since Yang Yuhuan left the Prince's residence, Li Mao has rarely visited the inner quarters. He's barely spoken a few words to Wang Shi, let alone shown her any favor. This has resulted in her not conceiving to this day; without children, she has no one to rely on.
Now that this little vixen Wei Qiongying has arrived, my days are probably going to be even more difficult.
“Your Highness, don’t be sad,” said the maid who had served Lady Wang for many years and had a deep bond with her. “The Prince has just returned to Chang’an and probably won’t be leaving anytime soon. Why don’t you take this opportunity to find a way to get the Prince to come to your room more often? As long as you have a son or daughter, how can Lady Wei shake your position?”
Upon hearing this, Wang's expression became even more complicated.
She clenched her fists and made a silent resolution.
The maid is right, we absolutely cannot give up now...
However, Wang is not the only one who is heartbroken tonight.
Inside the Taizhen Temple, Yang Yuhuan sat alone, silently shedding tears.
Even in seclusion here, he couldn't stop the news of Li Mao's marriage from reaching his ears.
Although he knew long ago that such a day might come after he left the palace, the prince, though affectionate, was still a man after all, and what man doesn't have three wives and four concubines?
Although I understand the reasoning, I still can't hide my sadness when faced with the reality.
"He is, after all, just an ordinary man, a prince of Chang'an, the emperor's son. He will marry others, have children, and one day he may even make another woman his princess. As for me, I am just an outsider."
She murmured to herself, tears streaming down her cheeks...
Two or three more days passed, and Li Mao, without taking his wedding leave, attended the morning court session as usual.
He noticed that Li Longji seemed to be in a good mood today, chatting and laughing with several ministers with a smile on his face.
After the court session, Li Mao immediately went to the Imperial Study to request an audience with Li Longji.
"Father, I have a favor to ask of you."
Li Longji looked up at Li Mao and nodded: "What is it?"
Li Mao bowed respectfully and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I have already married Lady Wei Qiongying a few days ago. However, her status is only mentioned verbally and has not yet been officially confirmed. Now I wish to formally confer upon her the title of Consort. I beg Your Majesty's permission."
Li Longji was indeed in a good mood and did not leave Li Mao hanging.
Instead, he quickly replied, "Taking a concubine is a good thing, and I will naturally agree. I will have the official documents for the investiture prepared, and the investiture ceremony will be held on a chosen date. You may return to your residence and await further news."
In fact, Li Longji thought that now that Li Mao had Lady Wei as a concubine, he should have forgotten about Yang Guifei.
After receiving the reply, Li Mao bowed and thanked them before leaving the study.
Just as I was about to leave the palace, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind me.
"Your Highness Prince Shou, please wait!"
Li Mao turned around and found that it was actually Wei Zhaoxun.
He quickly stopped and went to greet him, bowing respectfully: "Father-in-law, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
In reality, Lady Wei was only a secondary consort, which could be considered a concubine. However, Li Mao still treated Lady Wei with the utmost respect, calling her "father-in-law" and bowing to her.
Wei Zhaoxun was flattered and quickly stepped forward, saying respectfully, "Your Highness is too modest. This old minister has come to apologize to Your Highness. I was unable to attend your wedding with Qiongying last time due to some matters in the palace, and I am truly ashamed. Thank you, Your Highness, for giving Qiongying such a wonderful opportunity to serve by your side!"
Li Mao waved his hand and said politely, "Father-in-law, you are too kind. Qiongying is also someone I admire. Moreover, her father is a virtuous minister like you. It is an honor for me to have you as my father-in-law."
After a few pleasantries, the two exchanged a few words.
Thinking that there was no time like the present, Li Mao quickly steered the conversation to serious matters: "Father-in-law, I have a request to make..."
Now that Xianglan has been transferred away from Daming Palace, Li Mao has lost her source of intelligence within the palace, so naturally he wants to ask me, Wei Zhaoxun, if it would be convenient for me to pass on messages within the palace. He brought up the matter tactfully, and Wei Zhaoxun immediately understood.
“Good, good!” Wei Zhaoxun nodded, indicating his understanding: “This is easy to discuss, this old minister will do his best. In addition, this old minister can also take care of Xianglan’s safety from being bullied, or find an opportunity to send her out of the palace safely.”
"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them." When Li Mao asked Wei Zhaoxun to do something for him, he naturally revealed some details about Xianglan.
Upon hearing this, Li Mao knew that Wei Zhaoxun was sincere and bowed again, saying, "Then I will trouble you, Father-in-law."
That evening, Li Mao returned to the palace in high spirits.
As soon as he entered the inner courtyard, a servant reported, "Your Highness, Consort Wang requests an audience, saying she would like to have a couple of drinks with you."
Li Mao was slightly taken aback, but then agreed: "Let her come over."
Before long, Wang, dressed in her finest attire, entered the room carrying a wine pot and several small dishes. Upon seeing Li Mao sitting at the table, she gave a slight bow: "Your Highness, you have worked hard. Let me offer you some wine and dishes."