Chapter 978 - 980: Marriage Proposal (8)
Consort Huo felt a deep sense of unease and laughed, "Sister Zhao Yi, your words are hardly credible. If you said my younger brother gifted someone a house, perhaps my cousin could know about it, but how would he know if my younger brother gifted someone clothes and trinkets? Clearly, the rumors are not to be believed!"
Ji Zhaoyi said triumphantly, "It’s not a rumor. A few days ago, my cousin accidentally obtained a concubine who turned out to be the runaway eldest daughter from the mansion of Duke An. The mother of the Wife of King Qin is a lady from the Duke’s family, and just then the family of the Wife of King Qin was staying at Duke An’s mansion as guests. Young Master Huo brazenly sent the gifts directly there. Everyone in Duke An’s mansion knows these things; it’s no secret at all!"
Consort Huo turned pale, and so did Empress Mo. Previously, she knew about Huo Yuan’s affair with Mu Caiwei, thinking it was simply because Mu Caiwei’s beauty had momentarily dazzled him, leading him to act so irrationally. She hadn’t expected there was such a connection between Mu Caiwei and Huo Yuan. A woman’s virtue is considered more important than heaven; had she known this earlier, she would never have agreed to this marriage. But now that the bridal price had been paid and the wedding date set, what was she to do?
How could such a vain and reckless woman be worthy of her son, who is both extraordinarily graceful and peerlessly distinguished?
However, as alarming as it was, she still needed to maintain the face of the Empress. She set her face and said, "Consort Li Shu, Ji Zhaoyi, palace concubines should avoid gossiping about others behind their backs. You’ve talked too much. Go back and copy ’The Virtuous Woman’ once, and submit it to Jade Palace tomorrow morning. It’s getting late; I’m tired, let’s all disperse!"
"Yes, the concubines retire!"
The concubines stood up, bowed, and left in small, delicate steps.
At the unoccupied palace gate, Ji Zhaoyi whispered to Consort Li Shu, "Sister Li, for your sake, I’ve even offended the Empress about my brother’s issues..."
Consort Li Shu whispered back, "Don’t worry, I’ll tell my brother when I return. It’s just about promoting a Fifth-Rank Military General; it’s a simple matter for him. By the way, what else does your cousin’s concubine know? Let her spill everything. Once my niece becomes the Wife of King Qin, you’ll be the first contributor, and your brother and father will also fully support you!"