Fierce Consort

Chapter 99.2

This was truly the case. Perhaps the reason people thought this young miss was unusual was not only because of her astonishing words, but also because she had struck some of Emperor Xi's hidden thoughts.

But how would such a young girl know these things? Although she appeared to be belittling herself, Emperor Xi had admired her more and more. No one believed a teenage girl came up with this.

During these days, many people guessed that it might be something the Zhenguo Duke came up with to protect himself. Senior Concubien Xu's group had the same thoughts.

"Is there perhaps a leak by the second prince's side? Otherwise, how could the Zhenguo Duke know ahead of time and make arrangements?" Yan Ting did his best to direct all of the second prince faction's anger onto the Zhenguo Duke.

"That father-in-law of mine is truly a stubborn old man! Regarding the second prince's intentions, I've mentioned it to him several times. He's always brushed them aside, and even said a few unpleasant words....heir has asked me in the past but it was never convenient for me to say anything. After all, how can I criticize my father-in-law..."

"Oh? What unpleasant words did the Zhenguo Duke say?" Xu Xiang Rong's interest was piqued.

Yan Ting sighed deeply and grumbled about the difficulties of being the Zhenguo Duke's son-in-law. He mentioned how he was firmly suppressed the whole time. He wasn't young anymore but the duke would always talk down to him. His tone was filled with resentment.

This wasn't false. Yan Ting only had to reveal a little of the resentment he felt inside to lend credibility to his words.

He then said the Zhenguo Duke had previously boldly stated that the Zhenguo Duke Estate has no need to show the second prince goodwill. No matter which prince ascended the throne, the Zhenguo Duke Estate would always be powerful. According to him, the Zhenguo Duke also said things like the Xu household who came from a common butcher's background wanting the throne were the ravings of lunatics.

The Zhenguo Duke Estate truly didn't need to show goodwill to Senior Concubine Xu's faction. The Shen household had maintained their position for so many years and were only loyal to the current emperor. Everyone was aware of this.

This was already clear during the early years of the previous emperor. No matter how the previous empress dowager tried to rope him in, the Zhenguo Duke never responded. He even remained at the distant border for over a decade without returning just to avoid getting involved in the princes' struggles.

After Emperor Xi succeeded the throne, the previous empress dowager and his two brothers caused chaos. The Zhenguo Duke returned to support Emperor Xi merely because he had been previously appointed the crown prince with the rights to the throne. The Zhenguo Duke Estate had always been loyal to the monarch.

The reason such libel was believable was because it contained some truths.

Yan Ting's words were seventy percent true and thirty percent false. It was precisely the false part that enraged Xu Xiang Rong.

Everyone knew the Xu household had a common background as a butcher's household. Even though they shed that layer of skin and became the Chengen Marquis Estate, it couldn't wipe away their past.

Senior Concubine Xu was favored and also gave birth to two princes. No one dared to gossip about their household in the capital.

Back when they first entered the capital, a noble descendent had once mocked them during an argument with Xu Xiang Rong. Xu Xiang Rong didn't react at the time. Afterwards, that person died while visiting a brothel. Everyone knew that person was young and vigorous. How could he die in the middle of doing the deed? However, all the investigations showed this was the case.