FBC -Chapter 298 Consort Yu

Zhao Luoxuan stared at Duan Qi for a long while before abruptly standing up. She walked to the writing desk, picked up a brush, and wrote a letter. After sealing it with red wax, she tucked it into her robe.

Then she turned and walked toward the courtyard where Qi Jun’s parents lived.

“Child, what brings you here?” Madam Qi asked in surprise.

Father Qi followed behind her.

Zhao Luoxuan suddenly knelt down, giving them a solemn kowtow.

Startled, Madam Qi hurriedly helped her up. “Good child, whatever it is, speak while standing. We can’t accept such a grand gesture.”

Zhao Luoxuan stood up with reddened eyes and supported Madam Qi. “Mother, Father, let’s talk inside.”

She repeated everything Duan Yu had told her, word for word. The couple’s expressions changed drastically.

Madam Qi grew tense. “Does this mean… war is coming?”

Father Qi was livid. “How could the Empress be like this? Too vicious!”

“Nonsense!”

Madam Qi quickly tugged at him.

Father Qi suddenly realized he had spoken out of turn—after all, the Empress was Zhao Luoxuan’s mother.

Zhao Luoxuan sighed. “My mother has always valued the throne above all. For my elder brother, the crown prince, to ascend and firmly hold power has been her lifelong wish. But my brother is gentle and not good at fighting for power—Mother knows this well. So she secretly seized control of various forces to protect him and ensure he becomes a true emperor.”

“As for what exactly is happening in the capital now, I’m not too clear. But from the current situation, Mother must think the Mu family army threatens both her and my brother. Unless the Mu army submits, or is handed over to someone she trusts, she will act.”

Madam Qi’s face turned pale. She didn’t understand politics, but even she sensed something was wrong.

Father Qi asked anxiously, “Then what do you plan to do?”

If Zhao Luoxuan wished to help her mother and brother out of familial affection, he couldn’t fault her. But that would place the Mu army in grave danger, and he and his wife would need to hurry back to Ju Prefecture to warn them.

He could not be foolish enough to let the Mu army suffer because of her.

Zhao Luoxuan said softly, “I want the two of you to return to Ju Prefecture, using homesickness as an excuse. I will write a letter for you to deliver to Prince Yong and my sister to warn them early.”

Father Qi finally relaxed and nodded repeatedly. “Good, good. We’ll request leave from Prince Duan immediately.”

Madam Qi shook her head. “You go back. I’ll stay with Luoxuan.”

“Mother, you should go too.”

If war really broke out, Zhao Luoxuan didn’t want the couple stuck in a dilemma.

Madam Qi held her hand tightly. “I must take care of you. If we leave, you’ll have no one.”

Zhao Luoxuan hugged her, grateful. After nearly two years together, their bond was strong—stronger even than with her own mother and brother.

“Mother, Father, I’ll only feel at ease if you return to Ju Prefecture. As for me and Duan Yu… I may have to remain his princess consort forever.”

Madam Qi understood instantly. She glanced at her husband, her expression turning dim.

Though they wished for Luoxuan’s happiness, and hoped she could bear her own child someday, when the moment truly arrived, they felt only heartache.

Since Luoxuan intended to continue being the true consort, they could no longer stay here—they would make her uncomfortable.

After discussing everything, Zhao Luoxuan handed the letter to Father Qi.

Duan Yu was in the hall discussing matters with his ministers when an attendant entered to report that the princess consort requested to see him.

Duan Yu raised an eyebrow. She never came to the main hall at this time, nor would she interrupt his official business.

“Tell her to return first. I will visit her later.”

The message was delivered, and Zhao Luoxuan had no choice but to leave.

“Oh my, Princess Consort is here. What a rare guest,” came a delicate voice.

Zhao Luoxuan turned with an expressionless face.

Consort Yu—dressed flamboyantly—approached with her maid carrying a round food container.

With a flirtatious smile, Consort Yu glanced toward the main hall. “What’s this? His Highness didn’t let you in?”

Zhao Luoxuan didn’t bother with her. “His Highness is busy. I’ll return first.”

She turned to leave, but Consort Yu stepped forward and blocked her path.

“I can go in anytime. His Highness never refuses me. If you have something to say, why not tell me? I can pass the message.”

Zhao Luoxuan had seen women like her countless times in her father’s palace. As the most noble princess, she had never cared about those concubines buzzing around.

But to see such a woman acting arrogant in front of her now…

Zhao Luoxuan smiled coldly. “Whatever I wish to say to His Highness—is Consort Yu qualified to hear it?”

Consort Yu giggled. “His Highness tells me everything.”

She gestured to the round box. “These are tribute crystal jade grapes—very rare. His Highness slept in my chambers last night, and they were delivered then. Since there were so few, I didn’t dare keep them all. I brought them to His Highness to taste.”

Then she feigned sudden realization. “Ah, Princess Consort, you didn’t get any? My fault entirely. I’ll have someone send you a portion.”

Zhao Luoxuan had no patience for her theatrics. “I’m busy. Do as you like.”

She moved to walk around her, but Consort Yu blocked her again.

“Princess Consort, is my son doing well with you? I miss my own child so much. May I visit him?”

Zhao Luoxuan gave her a mocking smile. “Your son? That is my legitimate son. If you think he’s yours, by all means—ask His Highness to take him back.”

Consort Yu’s expression froze.

Zhao Luoxuan shoved her aside. “A good dog doesn’t block the road.”

Consort Yu stared at her back, her smile disappearing.

Through clenched teeth she hissed, “The hatred of having one’s child taken… cannot coexist under the same sky.”

Duan Yu observed everything through the carved window. Seeing Zhao Luoxuan leave, he said nothing and returned to discussing matters.

An attendant then reported that Consort Yu requested an audience.

Duan Yu replied, “Have her personally deliver the crystal jade grapes to the princess consort. I will eat them later in the princess consort’s hall.”

The attendant froze.

How did His Highness know Consort Yu brought grapes?

Consort Yu’s expression darkened when she heard the message. “Are you sure you didn’t relay it wrong?”

The attendant bowed. “I would never dare misquote His Highness.”

Consort Yu was furious but could not disobey.

Zhao Luoxuan had barely returned to her residence when Consort Yu arrived.

Hearing from an attendant that she had come to deliver grapes, Zhao Luoxuan was surprised.

“She must want to see the child.”

Duan Qi was not her biological child—Duan Yu had entrusted him to Zhao Luoxuan to raise, as he was Ji Xuanyu’s posthumous son. As for Consort Yu, Zhao Luoxuan could care less about her feelings.

Just as she was about to order someone to dismiss Consort Yu—she didn’t care for grapes—someone entered.

“Your Highness, His Highness ordered that he will come tonight to dine with you and taste the crystal jade grapes together.”

Zhao Luoxuan froze.

So… Duan Yu wanted Consort Yu to bring the grapes?

A smile tugged at her lips. “Then have Consort Yu leave the grapes and go.”

Women naturally have their jealousies.

Zhao Luoxuan was no different.

A mere side consort trying to strut on her head every day—it was fine to make her suffer a little.

When Duan Yu heard Zhao Luoxuan had accepted the grapes but refused to let Consort Yu inside, he smirked.

Good. She had a temper. And jealousy.