TSWRLM -Chapter 204 The Envoy Was a Defeated Subordinate of Wei Lingze

“Your Majesty, I—your humble servant—come from a lowly background and have limited knowledge. I dare not speak presumptuously about Young Master Wei.”

Chun Xi knelt respectfully, unwilling to take the lead in speaking.

“Madam Shen, there’s no need to be so nervous. I only asked casually. Just speak from your own experience. Moreover, now that you are He’er’s little aunt, you are also a senior figure to Wei Lingze. Offering your opinion about him is nothing to worry about.”

The Empress’s tone was gentle, yet firm—leaving no room for Chun Xi to refuse.

Chun Xi pressed her lips together and fell silent.

Seeing this, the Empress added, “Whatever you say today, I guarantee no word will leak out, and you shall bear no guilt.”

With the Empress speaking this way, Princess Hengyang immediately said, “Empress’s words are golden and true, never false. And I’m here as well—A-Xi, just speak freely.”

At this point, any further hesitation from Chun Xi would appear awkward.

Chun Xi lowered her head to the floor and said clearly, “Your humble servant has limited insight and dares not casually comment on Young Master Wei’s character or abilities. Over the years as a servant, the Wei family has treated me kindly, and by rights I should feel grateful and harbor no complaints. But since marrying Master Shen, I have learned many lessons. I dare say this: the current Young Master Wei is not even one-thousandth of what he used to be.”

The Empress’s curiosity was piqued. “Madam Shen, why do you say this?”

“Before his injury, Young Master Wei was gentle and courteous, even to the household servants. But after his injury, he became a completely different person. After I left the Wei household, he constantly found fault with me. When he learned that I married, he even grew hostile toward my husband, as if someone like me, related by marriage, was an insult to him.”

By the end, Chun Xi’s tone carried a trace of grievance.

Princess Hengyang, having witnessed Wei Lingze’s attitude toward Chun Xi and having heard of his conflict with Shen Qingyuan, nodded and said, “Sister-in-law, I can testify that what A-Xi said is true. Wei Lingze looked down on her and showed no respect at all to his little aunt. Many people even saw him clash with Shen Qingyuan.”

The Empress’s gaze flickered. She asked more directly, “So Wei Lingze is indeed hot-tempered and capricious now?”

How could Chun Xi answer this directly?

Lowering her head, she replied with some distress, “Your Majesty, I don’t know how Young Master Wei treats others, but he shows no kindness to me. My humble origins make it natural that I might be looked down upon, but I worry for my husband, who has been affected by Young Master Wei’s temper. Your Majesty may not know, but last time when you decreed my supplemental wedding ceremony, Young Master Wei even wanted people from Wuyou Pavilion to disrupt it…”

Once she started, the words poured out without stopping.

After listening for a while and finding nothing urgent, the Empress interrupted, “It’s getting late. Since this is your first time in the palace, why not go with the princess to the Imperial Garden and enjoy a walk?”

Chun Xi immediately realized and apologized, “Your Majesty, I spoke too much. Please forgive me.”

The Empress did not mind and had attendants escort Chun Xi and Princess Hengyang away.

After they left, palace maids immediately stepped forward to continue massaging the Empress’s head.

Closing her eyes, the Empress recalled Chun Xi’s responses and smiled, “This Madam Shen is indeed clever. No wonder even Hengyang enjoys spending time with her.”

Not long after, Madam Yun arrived at the Kunning Palace with Xiao Qinghe.

The Empress dismissed the palace attendants and greeted them with a composed smile.

After some small talk, she said to Xiao Qinghe, “Sister Xianfei misses her family. Since He’er rarely enters the palace, go visit her.”

Xiao Qinghe thanked her and left. The Empress then asked Madam Yun, “How is your son recovering? I hope the suspension hasn’t affected him too badly?”

Madam Yun tightened her silk handkerchief and calmly replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Even after being paralyzed for three years, Ze’er endured it. This minor setback is nothing to him. And in the past three years, I may have spoiled him too much—his temperament indeed needs to be tempered.”

Madam Yun had no intention of pleading for Wei Lingze. The Empress sighed instead, “This child is pitiful, but Prince Ying’s guard was seriously injured and Hengyang was frightened. If the Emperor does not issue punishment, neither of them will let it go easily.”

Previously, Wei Lingze had gone to apologize while injured, but neither Princess Hengyang nor Prince Ying accepted it, so he had yet to be forgiven.

Madam Yun quickly added, “Ze’er has already been punished at home. The Princess and Prince could not bear to punish him further. Once he recovers fully, he will go to apologize properly.”

The Empress nodded and spoke with Madam Yun a while longer before letting her leave.

Soon after, Xianfei sent word: “Lady Xianfei reports that Young Master Wei’s temperament has indeed changed drastically. In the months since his marriage, he has hurt Lady Wei several times, though she, out of consideration for the families, has not publicized it.”

The Empress’s gaze flickered as she made a decision. She rewarded the messenger and then said solemnly, “Attendants, prepare to change clothes.”

With that, a group of palace maids escorted the Empress toward the inner hall.

Madam Yun left Kunning Palace and went straight to the Imperial Garden.

Princess Hengyang had been entertaining a group of noble ladies there for some time. Seeing Madam Yun, she immediately approached, “Sister, why are you alone? Where’s He’er?”

“The Empress, concerned for Xianfei missing her family, sent He’er to visit Xianfei in her palace.”

“The Empress is truly kind.”

Princess Hengyang praised sincerely and helped Madam Yun sit. “Did the Empress ask about Ze’er?”

“She did. The Empress is also concerned for Ze’er. But since he caused this incident, he must rest and reflect at home.”

Madam Yun’s eyes brimmed with tears. Ze’er had already lost three years; if he couldn’t return to his position soon, he might never recover.

If not for Princess Hengyang repeatedly reminding her not to plead with the Empress, Madam Yun might still have been crying in Kunning Palace.

Seeing Madam Yun anxious, Princess Hengyang gently held her hand and reassured her: “Sister, if he could recover from three years of severe injury, the Emperor will surely reinstate him soon.”

Princess Hengyang spoke confidently. Madam Yun, though still worried, controlled her emotions.

The Imperial Garden was vast. Princess Hengyang and Chun Xi toured it before the palace banquet began.

At the banquet, Chun Xi sat next to Princess Hengyang.

Only when the Emperor and Empress arrived did everyone rise to greet them with cries of “Long live the Emperor.” Chun Xi, standing so close to the Son of Heaven for the first time, dared not even glance up, seeing only a corner of the bright yellow dragon robe behind Princess Hengyang’s luxurious phoenix robe.

After the Emperor and Empress were seated, everyone else was allowed to sit.

The banquet had originally been arranged to welcome the envoy group. Since the envoys did not arrive, Yun Wantang, who had interacted with them, naturally became the focus of attention.

Shortly after the banquet began, the Empress spoke with Yun Wantang.

When discussing the envoy group, Yun Wantang suddenly said, “Actually, everyone should know a certain minister in the envoy group. Four years ago, he was unhorsed and lost an arm to General Wei Xiao.”

Her words silenced the hall. Chun Xi’s eyelid twitched slightly.