The inside of the palace was indeed a splendor to behold. Luxury at its finest, one can say. Thus, it was only natural for Mo Lijuan to look around. She had always dreamed of seeing the inside of the palace since she was a little girl. When she fell in love with Prince Miyojin, she thought it would be him who would take her here and show her around. However, that is not the case.
She and her father, Mo Yusheng, walked into the palace grounds with a fearful heart. They were being led by a eunuch. Palace guards surrounded them from all sides. It felt like they were being led to a death chamber.
She could have kept quiet, she told herself. She could have just waited for Miyojin to visit her again. She could have told him then the happy news. But, her family was not having it. The moment they found out that she was pregnant, they urged her to see Prince Miyojin immediately. They saw this as an opportunity for her to become his concubine.
Even though she told them that the prince had already promised her that, they weren’t pacified. They fear that her pregnancy might reach the ears of the Xias and the Chengs. It would be too easy for the two families to do away with her. That is when Mo Lijuan started to feel afraid. Eventually, she gave in. Because of that, she’s now in the palace minutes away from seeing Miyojin.
How will he react when he sees her? Will he get mad at her? Will he deny her and her child? She immediately felt dizzy. What would she do if he denied her? After all, she put him in a difficult position. She shouldn’t have just waited. But it is too late to regret now, right?
Their group stopped at a grand terrace. The eunuch asked them to wait for a bit. He was right. They didn’t need to wait long before they spotted a large group approaching them.
Both Mo Yusheng and Mo Lijuan felt their blood drained from their faces. That is because the emperor himself was the one leading the group. They immediately kneeled scrambling to their knees.
Miyojin had finally caught sight of Mo Lijuan. She was kneeling with her father at her side. Fear and uneasiness were taking over his body. He felt so cold despite the blazing heat of the early noon. What is he going to do? What will his father do? He already knew that he was doomed the moment the Imperial Council decided to join in. With them present, it would be a miracle if his father would let him off easy.
But the members of the Imperial Council were not the only ones who had arrived to observe. The empress herself was rushing her way to the palace grounds. Everyone can see the empress’ troubled face from a mile away. Following behind her are the imperial concubines and the other princes. They all came to see what kind of scandal the Second Prince had brought into the Imperial Palace.
Without any delay, all of these people had arrived at the scene. Looking at the ones kneeling, they commenced whispering their speculations. The noises only stopped when the emperor stepped forward and eyed the two on the ground.
“Speak! Why are you causing trouble at my palace gates!?!?!” the emperor’s voice boomed, scaring the two.
Though trembling in fear, Mo Yusheng raised his head and began to speak his plea.
“Y-your Ma-majesty… we didn’t mean to cause a commotion. We just wish to deliver the news to the Second Prince.” He began.
“My daughter and the Second Prince began a relationship almost two years ago. We kept it a secret as requested by the Second Prince. When we heard the news of His Highness’ marriage, we were very devastated for our daughter. But, we kept silent. However, we can’t remain silent now. My daughter is pregnant with the Second Prince’s child! We only wish to beg His Highness to take responsibility for our daughter.”
After saying what he needed to say, Mo Yusheng bowed his head before the emperor. Whispers once again erupted. Those who were oblivious were shocked. Those who were aware were disappointed.
It was indeed a humongous scandal. And Prince Miyojin couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped forward and went towards Mo Yusheng and Mo Lijuan. He gave them an apologetic smile. Then he faced his father and everyone else behind the emperor.
“What Scholar Mo said is all true!” Miyojin said, mustering all the courage he had.
“Lady Mo is indeed my lover. I know for a fact that the child she’s carrying is mine. I will not abandon her. I will take responsibility for her and our child!”
As soon as Miyojin finished his statement, he knelt before everyone and bowed his head.
“Please allow me to take Mo Lijuan as my concubine,” he begged his father.
His act surprised everyone. Who would have thought the Second Prince would beg for these low-status people? Some were pleased with his actions. Others were disappointed. The remaining didn’t know how to feel about this. However, the emperor was not having it at all.
“You disgraceful fool! How can you be so careless!?!?!!!!” the emperor burst into a rage as he pointed his finger at the kneeling prince.
“How dare you beg to take a concubine at a time like this!?!?!! You just got married merely a month ago! Did you not know how damaging this is? What would your wife think? What would her family think of you and the Imperial Family!!?!”
Miyojin couldn’t do anything but accept his father’s angry remarks. Speaking of his wife, it is such horrible timing that she’s nowhere near the palace. She was permitted to visit her parents today.
She was the one who told him to get Mo Lijuan pregnant as soon as possible. He already knew that this would happen and yet he chose to trust Xia Yu. He should have asked the details of her plan. But now, it is too late. The only thing he can do now is face the consequences of this failed plan.
“I will not accept this woman into the Imperial Family. I will not accept a bastard child as my grandchild!”
“Father! Please-” Miyojin uttered in panic.
“Nothing you say will change my mind! Someone call a physician and have that woman’s pregnancy aborted at once!”
A gasp erupted from all those who heard the emperor’s command.
“But Father-” Prince Jinyi began to say. But Prince Zhujin stopped him.
With pleading eyes, the older prince begged the younger prince to stay out of this. Seeing the look Zhujin was giving him, Prince Jinyi held his tongue. He could only turn a gaze of pity to the three kneeling on the ground.
The three, in question, could not hide the shock on their faces. Mo Lijuan began bursting into tears. She clutched her abdomen with both of her hands in a gesture to protect her baby. Mo Yusheng looked like all the color of his face had drained out. He couldn’t believe that such an outcome would occur.
“Eunuch Dong, prepare a generous amount to compensate their family for the damages.” The emperor said to the eunuch near him. He then brought his attention back to the spectating crowd.
“This will be the last time I will hear about this. Those who will bring it up again will be beaten until paralyzed.” The emperor warned in finality.
Because of this, no one uttered an objection. Who would even dare? So, it took everyone by surprise when someone shouted.
“Your Majesty!!! Please wait!”
Everyone including those who were kneeling turned to the one who called His Majesty. Their astonishment only amplified to see her approaching form. Everyone felt uneasy, especially since her expression was as blank as paper. Nevertheless, her very timely arrival could make this scene more entertaining.
Xia Yu briskly walked her away towards the emperor. She only made eye contact with the monarch. She didn’t spare a glance at anyone, not even those who were kneeling. She walked past them and faced the emperor. Everyone was on edge, impatiently waiting for what she would do next.
Without any warning, Xia Yu dropped to her knees. She bowed her head so low that she nearly touched the ground.
“Your Majesty! Please forgive me for my boldness. I heard you already made a decision. But, I, your daughter-in-law, would like to request you to hear what I have to say regarding this matter.”
Xia Yu might be the one who’s begging. Yet, the Imperial Council felt a burden crashing on them. Her immediate return from her family visit only proved that they already knew what was going on. The emperor’s decision was made to avoid conflict with her family. But it seems that isn’t the case. What will the daughter of the Xias say?
“You may speak.” the emperor permitted eyeing Xia Yu with curiosity.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Xia Yu said as she raised her head.
She adjusted herself to a more comfortable kneeling position. After that, she continued to speak.
“When my grandmother married my grandfather, the late emperor was devastated. Since he couldn’t be with his love, he instead made an edict as an alternative inhibition of his desire. The edict states that a female descendant of Cheng Ting Yu must marry a male descendant of the late Emperor Zhang Chao Zhu.”
Everyone already knew of this story. But upon hearing this, it reminded everyone of the importance of her marriage to the Imperial Family.
“My aunt, Xia Liu Ning, was supposed to be the one to fulfill this edict, But she died of an illness at the age of 17. My other aunt had already sworn her oath to be a nun. Thus, as the last female descendant of Cheng Ting Yu, I, Xia Yu, had to fulfill this. As my family had always been loyal to the Imperial Family, obeying the edict is an honor.”
Xia Yu paused a bit and sighed before continuing her speech.
“On the day my husband and I first met, he had always been completely honest with me. He told me then that he was already in love with someone else. And that is Miss Mo.”
Everyone’s jaw dropped including the immediate members of the Imperial Family. So the Second Princess Consort was aware of this! Mo Yusheng was beyond surprised while Mo Lijuan and Miyojin were startled.
What is she doing?
