Impossible for a wife with 72 concubines? No way

  Inside Songhe Hall, the fragrance of the incense burner wafted through the air, filling everyone's heart with delight. The ladies of the Fang household sat in a row, while Old Lady Fang sat upright and expressionless at the front, staring fixedly at the mother and son from the Xiang family who were performing with great skill.

  Xiang Yunhan hung his head and stood under the hall, deeply burying his face, with a look of shame. He stood there without saying a word, not daring to move for half a day.

  "Madam, sitting across from Mrs. Li with a difficult expression and a downtrodden spirit, occasionally dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief, spoke in a low voice: '...I know that Cloud Han is entirely to blame for what happened, but Qingwen, an innocent and pure young woman, has had her reputation ruined. It's really unforgivable towards Master He and the Yu family... Left thinking and right thinking, I couldn't sit or stand still, turning over in my mind day and night, unable to come up with a solution. You're just looking at the Fang family losing power, so you've betrayed your trust and used your niece to stage a scene to force the Fang family to break off the engagement. Good idea, sister-in-law! This way, you can get rid of a potential wife who wouldn't bring much benefit to the Yu family, and marry in your niece instead. Now everyone in the capital knows that the reason why the Yu family's cousin was able to enter the household is because of the 100,000 dowry. Ha! For the sake of that bit of wealth, you're willing to put the Yu family on the chopping block without regard for consequences. What good eyesight indeed!' After a pause, she continued: 'Sister-in-law, watch out, although the Fang family has lost power now, the several brothers of the Fang family aren't pushovers either. You've offended them like this, they'll definitely take revenge. The eldest sister of the Fang family is married into the Pingyang Marquis's household, the second sister is already the wife of the Yuzhou Prince's heir, and the third sister will soon be marrying into the Qingchang Marquis's household... all of your siblings have powerful connections. If you openly offend them like this, I won't take responsibility for any consequences that may arise.'"

  The lady was spoken to and felt embarrassed, her face turned red. Last night, her husband also analyzed the pros and cons with her. In her heart, she didn't think it was a big deal, but seeing her younger sister's fierce attitude, all these years of swallowing her anger finally erupted. She coldly said: "I know, my sister is wholeheartedly thinking for our natal family. My sister is a noble princess, enjoying the best food and clothes, wearing gold and silver, yet she has never asked about her own brother's life or death, let alone her own nephew. In the future, even if Han'er has to beg for food, it won't be blamed on my sister's head."

  The Empress Dowager was completely unbelievable when she heard this, and she stared fiercely at her sister-in-law, the southern pearl on her hairpin trembling violently. "What are you talking about? Over the years, haven't I helped you enough? I helped my brother get a good job, and after Hansong was born, I gave him land and shops, and also invited Western guests for him. And as for Yuer, when she got married, I also gave two large gifts. Last year, my brother also rose to office under the Duke's patronage...and..."

  The queen dowager originally wanted to continue speaking, but seeing Madame Xiang's expression was not surprised or flustered, only her lips were slightly downturned, she looked up at the top beam of the house, and suddenly couldn't catch her breath, almost choking on the spot. Tears of heartache nearly burst forth from her eyes, she bit her lip tightly, rounded her eyes, making every effort not to let a hint of sadness show in the corners of her eyes. She took a deep breath, her peach-colored fingernails digging deeply into her flesh...

  "Ah, sister-in-law always speaks without thinking, don't take it to heart. You've been wholeheartedly devoted to our family and genuinely cared for Han Ge and Yu Jie. I was just momentarily rash and spoke thoughtlessly earlier, please don't mind it." Seeing the Empress Dowager staring at her, she also felt regretful and wished she could slap herself a few times. She personally poured tea for the Empress Dowager, "Come, come, the weather is getting hotter, let's have some tea. I was indeed wrong earlier, sister-in-law, please forgive me."

  The Empress Dowager had not even taken a sip of tea, but stared at her with an air of displeasure, making Madame feel uneasy. She forced a smile and said: "How is it, sister? Are our many years of sisterly affection to be ruined by just these few words? Good sister, if I am in the wrong, please forgive me for this trouble."

  The queen shook her head and said slowly, "It's getting late, I have to go back too." She got up and left, ignoring the lady's persuasion, and walked away tiredly.

  Back in the tranquil palace, the Empress Dowager lay on a brocade-covered couch with golden silk peonies, resting against a golden silk python pillow. Her trusted maid, Song Jiang's wife, gently massaged her temples and whispered, "The Empress is naturally cold-blooded, why bother to be angry with her? You've only harmed your own body."

  The queen consort shook her head, weak with anger. "How can I not be angry? All these years, I've been devoted to the imperial family, giving so much, but in return... She really thinks that being a queen is as glorious as people imagine?"

  Song Jiang's family said in a soft voice: "The empress is indeed not easy. Auntie also got too lucky. What does the empress plan to do now?"

  "What else can be done? Forget it, I don't want to get involved in Han Ge's marriage anymore. Let them deal with it themselves. If it really falls through, let the Fang family take revenge on them if they want, what does it have to do with me?" The words and expression she had just used on Madame were truly devastating, and Jing Tai Wangfei felt a chill run down her spine as she thought to herself, "If we're going to break off the engagement, then so be it. At worst, we'll just lose some face."

  Digression

  Here is the translation:

  "Arrived, and miss the fresh flower diamond bird of relatives ~"