raknovel Chapter 1351 - 1349: Deeply Troubling Circumstances
Chapter 1351 - 1349: Deeply Troubling Circumstances
Since the day Tao Prince Consort left the Princess’s Mansion, he never returned.Initially, he dared not go, fearing the Princess might give birth to another daughter, fearing responsibility for the Princess’s premature birth, fearing that he couldn’t face any calamity that might occur to the Princess.
Later, he was unable to go.
Ever since the Emperor issued the decree to annul the marriage.
The guards and palace attendants surrounded the Princess’s Mansion completely.
He hadn’t yet approached before they pointed their blades at him without mercy.
He, a scholar who couldn’t even bind a chicken, dared not confront them directly.
Therefore...
After wandering outside the Princess’s Mansion for several days, he finally lost heart.
Honestly followed the Tao Residence to move away.
Meanwhile.
The Tao Residence was thoroughly turned upside down.
Old Master Tao fainted on receiving the decree of dismissal in anger.
Spent several days bedridden, sometimes unconscious, sometimes lucid, his condition was worrying.
Lady Tao was not much better.
She couldn’t accept the transformation from a third-grade enjoin to a civilian at all.
She cried, made a scene, and threatened suicide at the gate of the Princess’s Mansion.
After a round of each, she finally realized that the once obedient, docile, and dutiful daughter-in-law no longer comforted her as usual.
Instead, avoided her.
No, not avoided, but she wasn’t allowed to approach at all.
She stood in disarray, pale at the imposing gate of the Princess’s Mansion, across the street, watching the guards switch shifts.
No matter who changed, that familiar big door never opened.
Her familiar, obedient, and dutiful daughter-in-law never came out.
Reality, like a sharp blade, shattered her last bit of hope completely.
She was devastated, unable to believe.
Yet... had no choice but to believe!
Lady Zhang could barely remember how she returned to the Tao Residence.
Also couldn’t remember how others pointed fingers at her along the way.
She didn’t want to know anything now.
The only concern was how her most obedient daughter-in-law became so heartless suddenly.
She couldn’t comprehend, couldn’t believe it.
"This is definitely not her own thought!"
"Someone must be behind her!"
She said indignantly.
The maid advised.
"Madam, you’d better start packing!"
"By the end of the month, we must move out according to the Emperor’s decree!"
Lady Zhang tightened her heart, glared.
"What nonsense are you talking? The decree never said that!"
The maid was somewhat speechless.
"Though the decree didn’t say it! The eunuch who announced the decree mentioned, the latest by month-end!"
"Otherwise... even the civilian house given by the Emperor could be gone!"
...
In fact, Zhao Junyao didn’t go to extremes.
Considering the past, as ’in-laws,’ he granted them a small house, preventing them from ending up on the streets.
If it were anyone else, truly ordered to sleep on the streets, could you dare defy the decree?
...
But the Tao Family didn’t appreciate such kindness.
Instead, they spent the whole month planning how to win back the heart of the Eldest Princess, how to turn their fate through her.
Never seriously considered bearing responsibility for their mistakes.
Inside the Princess’s Mansion.
The Eldest Princess was in confinement.
Consort Zheng sent wet nurse nannies and sisters, and several more maids to serve her.
With their help in caring for the child, she didn’t have to struggle, merely eat and sleep without worries daily.
After half a month, she grew plumper, and her previously withered body finally regained vitality.
As for the Tao Family’s matters...
Having gone through the premature birth and difficult labor, her last bit of sympathy had been worn away.
On the day Eunuch Li announced the decree, she showed no expression, felt no waves in her heart, even slightly exhaled in relief within.
’Finally ended!’
’Finally can lead a good life!’
’Only her, only the children, without parents-in-law, without serving the husband, without dealing with those concubines and maidservants!’
’Such days just sound relaxing!’
The maid Xiao Yun beside her smiled and congratulated.
"It’s the Emperor’s care for the Princess!"
She weakly smiled.
"Yes! Thanks to Father Emperor!!"
Though she couldn’t recall when she last saw that man called ’Father Emperor.’
But still felt grateful.
At the critical moment, he saved her from the fire pit, wonderful!
She first felt being an Imperial Princess was different from an ordinary civilian.
It’s also the only time she did not envy civilian girls!
’No matter how much their fathers spoil them, could they directly annul a marriage by decree?’
’If they faced such in-laws, they could only endure bitterly for life!’
’But she didn’t have to!’
She deeply exhaled.
Xiao Yun advised again.
"From now on, Princess, you needn’t worry about anything, needn’t manage anything, just focus on recovering!"
The Eldest Princess smiled.
"Don’t worry, I understand!"
...
The first month swiftly passed.
The Tao Family still didn’t move, but finally recognized reality.
That is... the Princess couldn’t possibly change her mind anymore.
Tao Yanzhen cursed angrily.
"She wants our family on the streets? What material is her heart made of?"
"I always knew she harbored someone else in her heart!"
"Otherwise, how could she stand by and watch us drown?"
Tao Shuhai lay in bed, anger making his eyes bulge, mouth crooked, cheeks puffed high, struggled without uttering a word.
Indeed, he was stroke-stricken.
Tao Yanzhen initially intended to send this news to the Princess’s Mansion, begged for the Eldest Princess’s compassion to save the Tao Family.
But they waited and waited only to find no stir from the Princess’s Mansion, not even a word sent out, still daily closed tight.
Those inside didn’t come out, and those outside couldn’t get in.
Hence, Tao Yanzhen was so distraught, out of desperation, he blurted such outrageous words.
Tao Shuhai was unbearably upset, but couldn’t say a word, merely stewed in anger.
Lady Zhang impatiently as she wiped his chin.
"What are you so anxious for?"
"Which sentence did our son say wrong?"
"She’s been married into our Tao Family for so many years without bearing a son, and we said nothing?"
"Now after just giving birth, her wings stiffened, she raised a separation at once, isn’t that heartless?"
Tao Shuhai’s eyes bulged larger, inner turmoil extreme.
’If not for this reckless mother-son duo’s vile acts, how could the Emperor dismiss his official!’
’If they usually did anything but fuss over petty backyard matters, how could the Eldest Princess suffer such grievances?’
’If not for the Princess’s plight, how would Consort Zheng intervene, how would the Emperor learn these things?’
Even blame himself for carelessness.
Other men don’t concern themselves with the backyard because they didn’t wed a Princess.
How could one ignore these within the family!
Had he only given Lady Zhang more pointers earlier!
Alas!