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Chapter 123.2
Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine Ch 123 Pt. 2
Translated by gingercat
Edited by gingercat
As soon as her voice fell, came a peal of laughter from outside the door, followed by the tinkling of waist ornaments. Together, the women swept into the room like the wind.
“How fortunate to give birth to two sons in a row for fifth brother-in-law. We all came to visit you. There’s no need to get off the bed, after all, you’re still in confinement.” Consort An said with a smile.
“Indeed, no need to get off the bed. One can tell at first glance that Side Consort Su is a fortunate one. It’s no wonder you could give birth to two young masters in a row.”
Compliments and praises followed one after another until Yaoniang couldn’t help but turn red. Besides smiling, she had no idea what else to say.
“Oh right, why isn’t the fifth sister-in-law here today? I heard Consort Qing say that the fifth sister-in-law seems to have gotten sick?” Consort Lu asked with a curious look on her face.
Consort Qing nodded her head with a look of sympathy. “Indeed. It just so happened that the fifth sister-in-law fell ill. The doctor said she mustn’t be exposed to the wind. You’re all aware of the temperament that fifth brother-in-law has, pristine with few desires. Since there was no one else in the manor that was suitable to take on the position of the hostess, I was asked to take on this job. Because of my thick skin, I’m not treated as an outsider.”
She wore a smile as she spoke. Since she had already explained everything so explicitly, the others weren’t interested in poking a hole through her words.
Tsk, illness? It’s more like a case of a stifled heart from seeing the favoured side consort give birth to another son.
This Jin Wang sure was cold and ruthless, through and through. His main wife was upset, but instead of coaxing her, he asked his younger sister-in-law to come and help. This face slapping was indeed a bit hard, but fortunately, it was only the female members of the other princes’ households that came to visit today. Otherwise, the Consort Jin would have completely lost all her face.
After taking another look at Yaoniang, the consort all felt as if they were facing a fox spirit. The main consort and the side consorts were always in a constant state of hostility. Don’t look at how Consort Jin and the others are always digging potholes for each other or building stumbling blocks. In situations when the west wind overwhelms the east wind, without exception, they would all hate the west wind.
But they were only here to take a look at Yaoniang. On top of that, Consort Qing was afraid that these people would stay here and say something to irritate Yaoniang, so she led everyone out to enjoy tea elsewhere. The guests who came to celebrate Xisan had to sit through a banquet before they could leave.
As soon as they left the courtyard, Consort Yong suggested that they visit Consort Jin. Although Consort Jin couldn’t be exposed to the wind, it shouldn’t be a problem for them to go visit her.
Consort Qing knew more inside information than others. Although the details weren’t clear, she was aware that her fifth brother-in-law was deliberately leaving fifth sister-in-law to hang. It was obvious that her fifth sister-in-law must’ve done something unforgivable, angering her fifth brother-in-law.
Entrusted with this position as the hostess, she was naturally not going to allow them to do as they wish. But Qing Wang’s ranking among the princes was already low. Besides Consort Wu, everyone else here was her older sister-in-law, so she could only watch them go towards the residence of Consort Jin.
Reluctantly, she could only hurriedly let people pass a message to Jin Wang, before following after them herself.
When they arrived at the main courtyard, it seemed no different from the past.
Once everyone was there, a maid came out to greet them.
“Her Highness can’t be exposed to the wind because of her illness and asks to be excused. But if you don’t mind, you’re all welcome to come inside to have some tea. Once Her Highness’s health improves, she will personally make a visit to your residences to make up for this.”
“We are all already sister-in-laws, what’s the need for all this courtesy? Tea isn’t necessary. We’ll go inside to take a look at her instead. Since she can’t be exposed to the wind, there’s no reason we can’t go inside to visit her.”
“This— ” The maid didn’t hesitate for too long and made a gesture to invite them in. “Then please, come on in.”
The room was dim and gloomy. Although it was a sunny day in the middle of June, none of the windows were open and were instead all covered with heavy curtains.
There were lights on the table and the cabinet, so it wasn’t completely dark inside. But it was a bit weird to suddenly enter a room like this in the middle of the day. Especially with the bucket of ice in the corner of the room, exuding a chill, everything seemed even more strange.
A person was lying on the bed.
She was covered with a thick quilt, her complexion was pale, and there were heavy shadows under her eye sockets. It was obvious at first glance that she was quite ill.
“Aiya, fifth sister-in-law, how did you become like this?”
Consort Jin slowly opened her eyes and looked at everyone with a calm expression. She sat up and leaned against a soft pillow with the help of her maid. Then with a small smile on her mouth said, “This is an old ailment of mine and it happens a couple of times throughout the year. Truly sorry for you all to see me like this.”
“From what I can see, fifth sister-in-law isn’t sick. Is there someone in your way, obstructing you?”  asked Consort Wu, the youngest out of all of them, straightforwardly.
No one answered her but their eyes were all on Consort Jin, expressing the same question.
Consort Jin didn’t speak but only smiled at them, making those who were here to see her make a fool of herself feel embarrassed.
Consort Wu forced a smile then slapped herself on the mouth. “Aiya, this mouth of mine doesn’t think before speaking. Fifth sister-in-law, don’t take my words to heart.”
Consort An looked at Consort Wu with a smile. “No need to say anymore. Seventh sister-in-law, take care of your mouth in the future. Otherwise, if you continue to spout nonsense in the future, others will think you’re delirious.”
Consort Wu made a sheepish smile before saying in a coquettish voice, “Second sister-in-law, I already know my wrongs. It’s all my fault. I was speaking nonsense. Fellow sister-in-laws, don’t take my words to heart.”
After such a fiasco, no one dared to mention the previous matter again. The consorts asked about Consort Jin’s health and made a few more comments of concern before leaving. They also invited Consort Jin to their places for tea once she recovers.
Before leaving, Consort Yong took one last glance at Consort Jin, but Consort Jin didn’t even look at her.
The room was finally quiet again. It was unknown when all the other maids retreated, leaving only Zi Yan left.
Now, Consort Jin only had Zi Yan by her side, everyone else was gone. Mommy Zhou was sent back to Duke Xuguo Manor. Consort Jin didn’t know the specifics as to how Jin Wang negotiated with them, but she also didn’t want to know. Since Li Dequan had already witnessed all that, she knew everything was over.
She doesn’t want to think about anything now, let alone what others think of her.
This was also good. This was more suitable for her.
Quietly, Fucheng walked in from outside. This was also how he entered the room earlier to pass on Jin Wang’s message. Consort Jin was a smart person and understood that it wouldn’t do her any good to make things too ugly, so this was why she didn’t say or do anything rash.
“His Highness said that since Your Highness is not in good health, it wouldn’t be good to remain cooped up inside. There is a small villa outside the city where there are singing birds and fragrant flowers. The scenery is also gorgeous. This servant was asked to escort Your Highness there to recuperate.”
“He isn’t deposing me?” Only then did Consort Jin turn her head to look at Fucheng.
Fucheng smiled and remained silent.
Consort Jin said, “Let’s go then.”