CWTGD Chapter 50 - Acting a Play

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, ten days had gone by.

The injuries on Song Tangning's face gradually healed, and after resting for several days, the leg she had injured was now able to walk freely. The Princess Consort of Cheng would visit Tangning every two days in Jiyun Alley, but her complexion worsened with each visit. Although she didn’t share the details of what was happening at the Prince’s residence, Tangning could sense that the Princess Consort was speaking less and less about the Prince. Even when he was mentioned, there was no longer the same tenderness and affection in her eyes as before.

The Prince's men returned to the capital several days earlier than Xiao Yan had anticipated. Once the Prince received the things they brought back, he immediately came to Jiyun Alley with a helpless expression.

"I told you that you were overthinking. How could the Song family confuse their own bloodline with outsiders? The official family registry clearly records everything."

The Prince looked at the Princess Consort as she examined the documents and cast a reproachful glance at Tangning.

"And you, too. I know you're upset with your brother and others, but how could you make such baseless accusations? If word got out that you were speculating without evidence, it would ruin your reputation for slandering your elders, and even worse, destroy the Song family’s standing. You’re also making your aunt worry about you day and night."

Tangning’s hand, which had healed considerably, held the stack of documents the Prince brought. On the papers, it clearly stated: "Li Shi's daughter, registered in Anzhou."

"Did Uncle’s people discover this?"

"If not me, then who else? This is not something that can be trusted to outsiders."

Seeing Tangning’s dark eyes staring at him, the Prince frowned.

"What’s the matter? You don’t even trust me? If you don’t believe me, I can call the people I sent to Anzhou here, and you can ask them directly. They thoroughly investigated Song Shulan’s past. Her mother, Li Shi, indeed had some connection with your father."

"Seventeen years ago, there was a flood in Wuzhou, and your father was sent by imperial decree to manage the disaster. Li Shi was originally from Wuzhou, and during that time, she met your father. When your father was injured while managing the disaster, he disappeared in Wuzhou for nearly three months. During that period, he was cared for by Li Shi, and they spent a lot of time together."

"How they fell in love, I can’t say for sure. But before your father returned to the capital, he made special arrangements to relocate a group of disaster victims to Anzhou, including Li Shi."

The Prince looked at the pale-faced Princess Consort and the silent Tangning, his voice softening.

"I know you don't want to believe that your father had feelings for someone other than your mother, but Song Shulan's identity is real. Li Shi became pregnant only after moving to Anzhou, and after giving birth to Song Shulan, she remained a widow. She has letters your father wrote to her and even pawned a jade pendant due to financial hardship. My people worked hard to redeem it."

He handed a bamboo-patterned jade pendant to Tangning.

"This jade pendant was your father’s most treasured item. Your aunt must have seen it before. If you still don’t believe me, there are witnesses who can confirm your father’s disappearance in Wuzhou and the arrangements he made for Li Shi. There are also people in the capital who can verify your father’s handwriting. But if it comes to that, your father’s reputation may be tarnished..."

Listening to the Prince’s concerned words, Tangning suddenly felt a chill in her heart.

This was her uncle, who had doted on her since she was a child, the same man who had shared a bed with her aunt for years in love and affection. How could he lie so smoothly in front of them, helping the Song family perfect their precarious fabrications?

He knew full well that she wouldn’t take those items to be publicly verified, ruining the reputations of both her father and mother.

Tangning glanced at the Princess Consort, who was gripping the documents tightly in her hands, her fingertips pale as she struggled to contain her anger. Tangning lowered her gaze, hiding the coldness in her eyes: "Of course, I trust you, Uncle. I was simply overthinking..."

"It was indeed just you overthinking."

The Prince’s tone was filled with disapproval. "This matter has dragged on long enough. The old madam of the Song family has been bedridden for a long time, and her hand is completely ruined. Everyone outside is talking about the Song family’s affairs, and the reputation of the Song family is in shambles. Your brother’s future has been largely ruined, and even you have been criticized for being too heartless."

He spoke with an earnest tone, trying to persuade her.

"Tangning, I know you’re angry about what happened at Qingshan, but the Song family has already paid the price. If they fall, it won’t be good for you either."

"You may be under Xiao Yan’s protection now, and no one dares to touch you. But who knows if his support is just a whim or driven by other motives? Associating with a eunuch will ultimately damage your own reputation."

"The Empress and the Lu family are already displeased. Please take your uncle’s advice and put an end to this."

Tangning listened to the Prince’s earnest counsel and found it laughable. She looked up with an indifferent expression, as if hesitant: "But I’ve already caused so much trouble with Grandmother and the others. Even if I want to stop, I’m afraid they won’t let it go..."

"Tangning is right," the Princess Consort said coldly from the side. "The Song family brought this on themselves. If they think they can force Tangning to apologize and submit, they are dreaming!"

Hearing the shift in their tone, the Prince, sensing that Tangning was willing to reconcile with the Song family, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come now, I’m looking out for Tangning. How could I let her apologize to the Song family? If we want to repair things, the Song family will need to approach her properly. With the Shangsi Festival approaching, why not host a spring banquet at the residence and invite the Song family?"

"Tangning’s injuries have mostly healed. Take this opportunity to move back to the palace for a few days. Invite other noble ladies or perhaps some gentlemen as well. At the banquet, we’ll have the Song family show their remorse, and Tangning can return to the family without anyone gossiping."

The Princess Consort frowned but did not object.

The Prince said gently, "Yue’er, I know you’re upset with the Song family, but you need to think about Tangning’s future."

Unhappy as she was, the Princess Consort finally relented: "I suppose you have a point. Tangning, what do you think?"

"I’ll follow Uncle’s suggestion."

"Good, then I’ll send out invitations later."

The Prince smiled, pleased that both had agreed. "Shall Tangning come back with us today?"

"Come back for what?"

Before Tangning could respond, the Princess Consort spoke up. "If we’re hosting a spring banquet, it must be grand."

"When I return, I’ll be busy with invitations and preparations for the banquet. The house will be in chaos, with people coming and going. Tangning hasn’t fully recovered yet. Let her stay here in Jiyun Alley for now, and I’ll send someone to bring her on the day."

The Prince didn’t insist. "Alright, then let her stay here for now."

Having achieved his goal, the Prince’s smile grew wider. After chatting with Tangning for a while, he prepared to leave.

Knowing that the Princess Consort wanted to stay behind and speak with Tangning for a while, he playfully pretended to be jealous, complaining that she now cared only for Tangning and no longer for him.

The Princess Consort playfully pushed him away and sent him out of the courtyard. But when she returned, she suddenly leaned against the wall and started vomiting, retching so violently her eyes turned red. As she wiped her face furiously, she couldn’t stop cleaning the spots where the Prince had touched her with affection.


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T/N: The Prince is so fake i’m disgusted