Chapter 585 - If She Gave Birth to Children, They Would Be under His First Wifes Name (1/2)

Ling Rui’er had gone insane!

King Chu’s birthday banquet was also ruined. In less than an hour, under someone’s deliberate propaganda, everyone knew the whole story of the matter. Consort Chu’s body was seen by another man in the palace and she had a secret hatred of Consort Xuan, so she deliberately took this opportunity to plot against Consort Xuan. Unexpectedly, she racked her brains in scheming, but she lost her personal maidservant and descended into madness because of the maidservant’s death!

She was King Chu’s official consort. But, not only had she lost her reputation and integrity, but she had also gone mad!

After what happened, there was no way King Chu’s Manor could continue with the banquet. Everyone stood up and took their leave. After such a big incident had happened to the host, next they had to deal with it, and would not have the mood to do anything else. Furthermore, the culprit was the mistress of King Chu’s Manor.

Not long after, the Emperor in the palace learned about this matter. He felt a mixture of hatred and anger towards Ling Rui’er and wanted to sentence her to death. This time, not only the Empress, but even the Empress Dowager and Consort Su pleaded for Ling Rui’er. Even Feng Yuxuan immediately entered the palace and knelt in the imperial study to also plead for her. In the end, the Emperor did not sentence Ling Rui’er to death, or even punish her for the sake of her being mad. Only the brothers of Ding General Manor were fined one year’s salary.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress helped her because in their heart, the daughters of the Ling family could die of madness, fall to death, or be beaten to death, but could not be sentenced to death by the Emperor.

It represented the att.i.tude of the royal family. It meant that Ding General Manor’s daughters were not recognized by the royal family. How could the Empress Dowager and Empress allow the Emperor to decree the edict?

Feng Yuxuan and Consort Su represented another att.i.tude—they thought highly of Ling Rui’er. It was a hint to Ding General Manor, as well as Feng Yuxuan’s generous att.i.tude towards people. As for the maidservant who had been killed, no one paid any attention to her. She was just an unimportant person who had lost her virginity. She was rolled up in a mat and thrown into a ma.s.s grave outside the city.

Of course, no one would blame King Chu for being too vicious. He was still the gentle and gracious King Chu. Even though something like this had happened to his consort and she had gone mad, he did not blame her. Instead, he was willing to keep her position as Consort Chu. He would not pursue her loss of reputation and integrity, nor would he pursue what had happened later. Furthermore, he personally came to apologize to Consort Xuan!

Who wouldn’t praise such a decent, magnanimous and virtuous prince?

In every way, it was Ding General Manor bringing King Chu into trouble in this matter. However, King Chu had even generously spare Ling Rui’er’s life and even kept her as Consort Chu so as to avoid the biggest scandal and defeat of the n.o.ble family over several centuries. How could Duke Ding and his brother not be moved to tears?

They had prepared gifts and had come to seek forgiveness from King Chu!

In the palace, the Empress’ att.i.tude towards Consort Su also grew friendly. Even though the Empress was still in the Buddhist Temple, she had prepared a gift for Consort Su as a token of her grat.i.tude. Even the Empress Dowager had rewarded Consort Su. Consort Su’s status was immediately higher than that of Imperial n.o.ble Consort Wen.

With the scandal caused by Ling Rui’er, the capital slowly became quiet. Everyone thought that Consort Chu had gone mad and there was no need to blame her. Anyway, she had been a victim before, and she had done it because she could not bear the knot in her heart.

Inside the study of King Chu’s Manor.

Duke Ding and his brother sat together in the guest seats. Looking at King Chu, Feng Yuxuan, who was obviously a little tired, they felt guilty and uneasy.

“Father-in-law, Uncle, you don’t have to be so polite. Please have some tea.” Feng Yuxuan’s voice was slightly hoa.r.s.e. He waved his hand and the eunuch beside him brought them tea and then backed out respectfully.

“Your Highness, you do not have to address me like that. I, alas… I do not deserve it!” Ling Hai, the second master of Ding General Manor, stood up with embarra.s.sment and guilt and shook his head at Feng Yuxuan. He was too ashamed to be King Chu’s father-in-law after what happened to his daughter.

“Father-in-law, you don’t have to be so polite. No one would want that to happen. Rui’er is usually obedient. I didn’t expect that she would be so confused and cause so much trouble. Alas, my heart, now…” Feng Yuxuan frowned. A hint of pain flashed in his eyes. “Father-in-law, your two beautiful daughters have married me, but they all come to no good end. I can’t even protect my wife. My heart really hurts!”

“Your Highness, how can you say that? It is just that Yan’er and Rui’er are not lucky. One of them was killed by someone and the other is in such a state. I… Your Highness, my heart is in pain.” Hearing Feng Yuxuan’s words, Ling Hai thought of his eldest daughter who had died a terrible death, and his little daughter who had gone mad when he just saw her. He felt as if a knife were being twisted in his heart. He only had two daughters. How could he not feel bad for them?

His eyes immediately became red and were full of tears.

“Your Highness, it’s all Rui’er’s fault. Thank you for your kindness and not abandoning Rui’er. It’s good enough that she was still alive. Your Highness, let us take Rui’er back!” Duke Ding sighed and explained the purpose of their visit. A crazy daughter who had caused such a big trouble could only die if they took her back.

Ling Rui’er had to die in order to ensure that the reputation of girls in Ding General Manor would not be damaged in the future. When Ling Hai thought that his little daughter would not have a way out even if she went mad, he could not stand any longer. He fell onto the chair beside him, tears streaming down his face.

His eldest daughter was dead, and his youngest daughter would not be able to live for long. The fact that he had to bury his children made him feel quite painful.

“Your Highness, it is all my daughter’s fault… Thank you for begging for Rui’er’s mercy, I…” He sobbed and could not speak for a moment. Actually, he wanted Feng Yuxuan to keep Ling Rui’er. In that case, Rui’er would not have to die at least and would have a way out. However, he could not say that out loud. The Emperor had not sentenced Ling Rui’er to death after what happened to her, and he was already taking care of Ding General Manor’s reputation.