Chapter Fifty: Demoted to Concubine

  On the second day, as expected, Mrs. Xue used her pregnancy to try and prevent the concubine's child from entering the ancestral hall, and in front of Princess Jinglin, she spread rumors that the concubine's daughter was weak and frail, which immediately spread like wildfire throughout the city. Xu Mingjin's good character in repaying his stepmother's evil with kindness also became widely known. Many people praised Xu Mingjin without end. Moreover, the piece "A Laugh in the Cang Sea" played by Xu Mingjin on the guqin at the banquet instantly became a sensation throughout the capital city.

  Xu Shangshu was impeached by the speaking officials during the court session. Xu Shangshu's wife and daughter even lied in front of the princess, who represented the royal family, which was a crime of deceiving the emperor. Xu Ruoyi faced the condemning gazes of the many high-ranking officials on the platform, and the emperor's inquiry made him feel ashamed and humiliated. Of course, his anger towards Madam Xu and her daughter increased even more. He didn't hear what the emperor said at all, his mind was filled with Madam Xu's hateful face that made him grit his teeth.

  But when the Emperor ordered him to divorce his wife, Xu Ruoyi suddenly woke up from his dream. He clearly knew that now was not the time to turn against the Ye family, and he still needed to rely on the Ye family to suppress his political enemies. Therefore, Madam Xu could not be divorced yet. So he tearfully pleaded for his wife in the Golden Hall, saying that Madam Xu had no merits but only hardships, and the previous incident was just a momentary mistake. She would definitely reflect on her mistakes and reform herself in the future. He begged the Emperor not to separate them as husband and wife.

  The emperor was so amused by Xu Shangshu that he couldn't help but laugh. According to Xu Ruo's words, if he forced him to divorce his wife, he would be the one responsible for breaking up their marriage. Didn't Xu Ruo look at what his own wife had done?! The emperor thought for a long time and said: "Xu Ai has never thought that if it wasn't for the imperial physician discovering that Xu Ye was faking her pregnancy, after the ten-month gestation period passed, Xu Ye would have brought a newborn baby from somewhere else. Then Xu Ai's bloodline would be confused! You should know that even if Xu Ye gave birth to a child, it would still be his legitimate son! Even so, Xu Ai still wants to plead for Xu Ye?

  Xu Ruoyi's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he stuttered, unable to speak. The emperor took one look at him and knew that he must be reluctant to give up the Ye family's support. If he were to divorce his wife, he would no longer be able to rival Zhang Gonggong. The emperor shook his head, wondering if this person's brain was filled with brains or noodles. Oh well, since things had come to this, even if Xu Ye wasn't divorced, she wouldn't have a good life. Maybe staying in the Xu family would be even more difficult for her. Thinking this way, the emperor waved his hand and said: "Oh well, since Xu Shangshu's husband and wife are deeply in love, I won't do anything to break up their marriage. However, Xu Ye is still guilty, so let's demote her from being the official wife to a noble concubine!"

  Xu Ruoyi hastily knocked his head to thank him. To have such a result, it was also due to the emperor's extraordinary kindness. Besides, Mrs. Xu should be properly punished too.

  The Emperor said: "That Miss Xu Liu is indeed not bad, young and broad-minded. She's a kind-hearted person who repays grievances with virtue. Xu Ai Qing, you finally have a good daughter!" Xu Ruo Yi heard the Emperor praising Xu Ming Jin and knew that it was Princess Jing Lin whispering in his ear. He felt happy in his heart, and the feeling of being at a loss for words brought by Lady Xu finally faded a bit, but he said: "Your Majesty, my daughter is young and doesn't deserve such praise."

  The emperor said seriously: "Having such a daughter is Xu Ai-qing's pride. You don't need to be humble." He also said: "Who is the birth mother of this girl? I heard she also gave you a son?"

  Xu Ruoyi's heart skipped a beat, had the news of his concubine leaked out? He stole a glance at the emperor's expression and saw that there was no unusual color on his face. So the hanging heart finally fell back into his stomach. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Your Majesty, she is one of my noble concubines, and my only son is also her child. She passed away recently due to illness."

  The emperor sighed and said: "That's really a pity, originally she was going to be promoted as the empress, since she has passed away, then let's posthumously confer her as a first-rank lady!"

  Xu Ruoyi hastily knocked his head in gratitude, not daring to look at the expression on Xu Furen's brother Ye Shen's face. Anyway, for Xu Furen, he had already done what was right and just.

  The Emperor said: "Xu Aiqing has been diligent and conscientious in serving me, but now he doesn't even have a wife. How about this? Does Xu Aiqing have someone he likes? I will grant him a marriage."

  Xu Ruoyi immediately thought this was a good opportunity, and if things didn't go well, he could be promoted one level. However, he still felt that he needed to consider the matter carefully. The emperor's marriage gift wasn't urgent at this time. So he said: "Your Majesty, I currently don't have someone in mind."

  The Emperor nodded and said: "Very well, you can tell me when you have found the one you like."

  Xu Ruoyi hastily knocked his head to thank him.

  After withdrawing from court, Xu Ruoyi was thinking of sneaking away quietly, but fate had other plans. Just as he slipped out of the palace gates, he heard a calm voice behind him say: "Brother-in-law, please stay."

  Xu Ruoyi smiled wryly and turned back, saying: "I don't know what Uncle wants me for?"

  Ye Shen took a step forward and walked up to Xu Ruoyi: "Let's talk privately."

  ……

  Princess Jinglin came to the residence of the Grand Secretary as scheduled to teach Xu Mingjin guqin.

  Xu Mingjin originally thought she was joking, and she didn't take it seriously herself. The princess would condescend to come to her own home to teach her how to play the guqin, which was too unrealistic, Xu Mingjin thought that perhaps Princess Jinglin would order someone to bring her into the palace to teach her? In the Shangshu Mansion, this group of people with strange thoughts who all wanted to curry favor with the royal family, how could the princess possibly be willing to see them? So she just sat at home waiting for Princess Jinglin to send someone to take her into the palace. Waiting and waiting, but instead, she received news that Princess Jinglin herself had ridden a horse to the gate of Shangshu Mansion.

  After the last time Princess Jinglin rode a horse to Pingxi Wangfu, Xu Mingjin was no longer surprised by Princess Jinglin's horse riding. However, the people of the Xu family were shocked: How could a princess not ride in a carriage but instead ride a horse? How could a princess be so reckless and expose herself like this? Everyone was puzzled and couldn't understand.

  Xu Mingjin heard that Jinglin Princess was coming on horseback, and she was both surprised and delighted. She only noticed the first half of the sentence, which was "Jinglin Princess has arrived." The part about arriving on horseback didn't even occur to her. In a flurry, she got up and rushed out of the courtyard, exiting through the second gate and heading towards the main gate. Along the way, Xu Mingjin saw Xu Mingying, who was also in a hurry, walking in the same direction. Xu Mingying lived in Jingxin Garden, which was closer to Xu Mingjin's Feicui Garden, so it wasn't unusual for them to be on the same path. What was strange was that Xu Mingying was heading towards the main gate of the Shangshu Mansion as well. This didn't make sense to Xu Mingjin - the princess was supposed to meet with her, not Xu Mingying! Why was she rushing over to join in on the commotion? Xu Mingjin thought to herself.

  When Xujing arrived at the gate of the Shangshu Mansion, he realized that he had been making a big fuss over nothing. The old lady Xu, Xu Mingyu, Xu Mingfang... everyone in the Shangshu Mansion who could move was present, except for Mrs. Xu and Xu Mingxia who were under house arrest. They were packed tightly at the gate, blocking Xujing's view, and he couldn't even see where Princess Jinglin was.

  Everyone knelt down to pay their respects to Princess Jinglin, except for Xuming Jin. It was only when she saw Princess Jinglin riding on horseback that she noticed her. She was still wearing a red dress, but had a veil covering her head, partially concealing her beautiful face. If one didn't know her, they would definitely not be able to recognize her. Xuming Jin herself naturally recognized Princess Jinglin at a glance, but the people of Xu Manor only recognized her when she showed them her waist card. Princess Jinglin waved at her and smiled slightly. Xuming Jin hastily struggled to make her way out from among the kneeling crowd on tiptoe. She finally managed to reach Princess Jinglin's side, just as she was about to pay her respects, Princess Jinglin stretched out her hand towards her.

  Xu Mingjin was stunned for a moment before handing over his hand to Princess Jinglin. Immediately, he felt himself being lifted into the air and a great force swept him onto Princess Jinglin's horse, sitting in front of her. Xu Mingjin exclaimed: What a strong grip! The people of the Xu household were all stunned by this scene, but before they could react, Princess Jinglin took out an identical veil and put it on Xu Mingjin's head. She freed up her hand to whip the horse, which galloped away, and in the blink of an eye, Xu Mingjin and Princess Jinglin's figures disappeared from everyone's sight.

  Mrs. Xu was the first to react, she stood up from the ground, looked in the direction where the two disappeared, her expression was inscrutable.

  Xu Mingying and others stood up with some regret, Princess Jinglin had not even glanced at them, let alone their eyes. They had been kneeling on the bluestone floor for a while. As for Xu Mingjin, she didn't even bow, but as soon as the princess saw her, she smiled with joy. The treatment was truly worlds apart. When would they be able to gain the princess's favor and marry a suitable husband through her influence? This was what everyone was thinking in their hearts.

  The princess and Xu Mingjin have left, and the crowd, even if they are unwilling, can only reluctantly turn back to the Shangshu Mansion. Looking forward to the next time when Princess Jinglin comes, they can show their faces.

  As for Xu Mingjin, this was the first time in her life that she sat on the back of a speeding horse. The whistling wind in her ears, the rapidly passing scenery before her eyes, and the faint voice behind her all brought her an unprecedented sense of novelty. She opened her eyes wide with excitement, like a child who had never been outside before, finding everything new and amazing.

  Princess Jinglin led Xu Mingjin through the bustling streets, coming to a secluded alley before slowing down the horse's pace. Xu Mingjin knew that Princess Jinglin had stopped because she didn't want her to feel uncomfortable, and indeed, she was feeling a bit dizzy and uncomfortable. However, she could sense that Princess Jinglin behind her was still in a good mood, seemingly unaffected by the rapid ride. As a high-ranking princess, being able to ride horses wasn't anything special, nor was being able to wield a sword. But for a delicate princess like her to possess such extraordinary physical strength was quite unbelievable. Moreover, she had just lifted Xu Mingjin onto the horseback with one hand! Xu Mingjin was extremely curious - Princess Jinglin was unlike any other princess.

  "Princess, are we going out of the city?" Xu Mingjin asked as he looked at the tall and majestic city gate that was now close in front of them after walking for a while.

  "Ah." Princess Jinglin said nothing more after uttering this single word.

  Xu Mingjin didn't ask anymore.

  Before long, they arrived at the city gate. Xu Mingjin was thinking that this time the gatekeeper should not ask them any questions. Just then, Princess Jinglin casually pulled out a token and flashed it, and the gatekeeper immediately stepped aside to let them pass. Princess Jinglin rode her horse straight out of the city gate.