0p0 Chapter 753 Comforting Sun Ruoxiang!
Chapter 753 Comforting Sun Ruoxiang!
Led by someone, Mu Xinnuan first went to see Sun Ruoxiang.
Now that the titles of Princess Consort and Concubine no longer exist, people in the palace simply call them Madam and Concubine.
Mu Xin Nuan and Wang Xin Yan didn't have much of a relationship, so it was understandable that she wouldn't visit her.
Upon seeing Sun Ruoxiang, I noticed her slightly protruding belly and her sallow complexion.
Mu Xin Nuan felt a pang of pain in her heart. "How can you be so incapable of taking care of yourself? Look at your face, can you even look at yourself?"
Sun Ruoxiang gave a bitter smile, "I really didn't expect to see you again."
“What’s there to be surprised about? We’re all alive and well, aren’t we? The Emperor has only stripped Duanmu Chen of his title; he hasn’t punished him for anything else. At this point, it’s clear he won’t die. And the child in your womb won’t be without a father.”
"Ah Nuan, why am I so unlucky?"
Sun Ruoxiang had endured so much hardship for so many days. Although the Empress had shown mercy and allowed her to see Madam Sun once, Madam Sun was extremely cautious in the palace, and naturally, she couldn't say many things.
After holding it in for so long, I finally dared to speak up now that I've seen Mu Xin Nuan.
Whether it's complaining or crying, the point is to vent one's anger first.
And so, listening to Sun Ruoxiang cry and talk, Mu Xinnuan roughly understood what she meant.
In short, Duanmu Chen is really not a good man!
Fortunately, the Sun family didn't get involved this time; otherwise, she might have been too ashamed to live in the world.
In fact, Mu Xin Nuan really wanted to tell her that the Sun family hadn't been completely uninvolved, but they hadn't made it too obvious. And it just so happened that she was pregnant at that time, and since her father hadn't directly participated, they had managed to avoid this disaster.
However, as a result, Lord Sun's official rank was demoted by one level.
Moreover, the original substantive position has now been replaced by a nominal one, with only the rank but no real power.
This is already the best possible outcome.
The Sun family is not like the Wang family; they do not have a reigning empress.
"Ruoxiang, listen to me. So what if you've lost your title and your former status? What's the big deal? You're still Sun Ruoxiang. You're still my friend, Mu Xinnuan. Whether you're the concubine of Prince An or the concubine of Duanmu Chen, a commoner, it makes no difference to me. Do you understand?"
Sun Ruoxiang looked at Mu Xinnuan with sobs, and nodded, "I knew it, I didn't misjudge you, you really are my best friend in this life."
"Ruoxiang, none of us can be sure what the future holds, but we are friends. Don't worry, I'm here. I will definitely find a way to help you protect your younger siblings. Besides, although the Sun family is somewhat down on its luck now, the Emperor has already shown leniency by not punishing them severely. Don't be afraid, everything will be alright."
"Really? Duanmu Chen has committed such a heinous act, can he really recover?"
"Ruoxiang, why don't you understand? Even if he is forever barred from the throne and power, so what? Wouldn't it be better to live a peaceful life like an ordinary citizen? Although the Emperor has temporarily placed Duanmu Chen under house arrest, one day he will understand."
Sun Ruoxiang wiped away her tears, then slowly sat up straight. Mu Xinnuan glanced around the hall; everything was well-furnished. Sun Ruoxiang's attire was also acceptable.
Aside from being a bit plain, there's nothing that's been shortchanged.
"Ruoxiang, you can't stay in the palace forever. You'll have to leave sooner or later. Don't worry, even if you lose the Empress's protection, you still have me. My friend, no one can bully you."
"Yes, thank you, Nuan."
The two talked for a while longer, and Sun Ruoxiang finally spoke out about the things she had been holding back for so long. She felt a little relieved, and although her complexion was still sallow, a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes.
"Give birth to your baby safely. Whether it's a boy or a girl, it will always be someone you can rely on. Think about it, you've been through something this big. Who could possibly hurt you again?"
Upon closer examination, this statement does indeed make sense.
Even if the days ahead are difficult, how much more difficult can they get?
When Mu Xin Nuan returned to the Chang Le Prince's Mansion, both Madam Li and Madam Liu had been waiting for her for a long time.
"Mother, Aunt, what brings you here? I thought I was here to pay my respects to you."
Madam Li grabbed her and pulled her into the house, saying, "You silly girl, I heard you went to the palace?"
"Yes, the Empress Dowager is not in good health and is depressed all day long. Aze is worried about her, so he sent me to the palace to comfort her."
Liu held Xiao Zonghua in her arms, and said with some worry, "I heard that the Prince is going to war this time, and the target is very clear: the third prince of the Turks, Keli?"
"Indeed, my aunt is very well-informed!"
Madam Li sighed, "It's because the Emperor issued an edict ordering your uncle and your eldest cousin to go on the expedition together."
Mu Xin Nuan was stunned for a moment. She hadn't heard that her older cousin was going too.
"Your older cousin went back to Beijing a long time ago, didn't you know?"
Mu Xin Nuan shook her head, "Is this A Ze's idea, or the Emperor's idea?"
"I heard that it was the prince who transferred him back."
Mu Xin Nuan thought of the 100,000 troops mentioned in the imperial decree. Then, her eldest cousin should have returned to the capital with those 100,000 troops.
"Mother, please sit down first."
After a few simple words, Mu Xin Nuan understood that it was Fang Shi, her eldest cousin's wife, who was now pregnant and did not want her eldest cousin to go to the border.
There's been quite a commotion at the manor these past two days.
The 100,000 troops returned a few days before them, but Mu Xin Nuan didn't expect that Fang Shi would also return.
"What's she making a fuss about? To be sent on a military expedition is such an honor for a general!" Mu Xin Nuan's face turned slightly cold. "If we let her have her way, does that mean our Prince won't have to go? Does that mean we won't have to avenge the Crown Prince? Does that mean we'll just let those Turks trample on the prestige of our Great Yong? It's utterly unreasonable!"
These words were spoken with righteous indignation. Neither Liu nor Li had ever seen Mu Xin Nuan with such a commanding presence, and they were momentarily speechless at her words.
After a long pause, Madam Li broke the awkward silence. "Anuan, we didn't come here for that reason. It's your eldest cousin's business how she makes a fuss. We came to ask whether the arrangements for the Li family are the Prince's or the Emperor's decision?"
Mu Xin Nuan asked, puzzled, "Is there a difference?"