Chapter 883: Chapter 838: Enchantress Who Brings Calamity to the Nation (Third Update)

Seeing Zhao Xi staring at the national letter for a long time, Wen Wan asked, "What does Your Majesty plan to do?"

Zhao Xi put down the national letter and gently chuckled, "Since the Imperial Concubine has arrived, we must host her properly. Let’s first arrange an assassination."

Wen Wan: "..." Your Majesty, are you serious with that casual tone?

"It is said that when two countries are at war, emissaries should not be harmed. Does this action seem inappropriate, Your Majesty?"

Zhao Xi’s lips curled into a cold sneer, "When two countries are at war, they pit armies, morale, and tactics against each other. Bei Yan couldn’t match our mechanical beast and resorted to trickery, causing an epidemic in the Northern Border. This assassination gift is deserved by the Imperial Concubine."

Indeed, Your Majesty is imposing and majestic!

Wen Wan silently gave him a thumbs up.

Upon closer thought, Zhao Xi’s actions wouldn’t really change anything, as the two countries have long been at war, and Bei Yan isn’t sincere in seeking peace. With the Imperial Concubine returning safely or wounded, the war will continue. Why not choose the latter?

After all, it’s the Imperial Concubine who came knocking at our door. Why not make her suffer?

...

Returning to the Changning Marquis Mansion, Wen Wan relayed Zhao Xi’s words to Zhao Xunyin, who was nearly taken aback, "Did His Majesty really say that himself?"

"I was right there listening. How could it be false?" Wen Wan said, "I just realized today how imposing Your Majesty is!"

Zhao Xunyin doused her with cold water, "Imposing or not, it doesn’t concern a married woman with two kids."

He reminded her, "Don’t write these words to Ningzhou. I’m worried some people might turn sour from jealousy."

Wen Wan couldn’t help but twitch her mouth, "I never thought about entering the palace as a concubine. What nonsense is mother saying? Besides, His Majesty is much younger than me and a cousin. Who would foolishly desire to marry kin? Even if I wish, the other side wouldn’t agree!"

The Empress handles her pregnancy so coldly, like a block of ice. She doesn’t wish to marry him. The Third Son is kind and warm, caring for her thoughtfully.

Zhao Xunyin said, "Weren’t you appointed female official recently? Gossip is outside that Your Majesty was enamored by your beauty, hence breaking precedent to let you join the court. I’m merely worried these words might reach the Third Son’s ears, causing him to overthink."

Wen Wan felt even more speechless, "Could people really say I broke off with the Third Son just to become the Emperor’s concubine?"

Zhao Xunyin laughed, "You indeed guessed it right."

Wen Wan momentarily felt like vomiting blood, "What kind of nonsense is this?"

"Who made the Third Son so prominent?" Zhao Xunyin sighed, "He’s become the Imperial Tutor, and outside attention on him increases. With such an excellent spouse, there aren’t many like him globally, yet you decided to break off without hesitation, right at Old Mrs. Song’s memorial, proclaiming your independence. Then, you entered the court as an official, frequently summoned by His Majesty. Who else would the rumors link? However, discussing the Emperor isn’t something anyone can do lightly, so the rumors focused on you, claiming you use seductive charms to disrupt the rulers’ hearts."

Wen Wan: "I actually think their reasoning isn’t entirely wrong."

Indeed, Song Wei is already outstanding and perfect. If she still chooses to separate, there must be someone better waiting. Coupled with her current dealings, isn’t it a romance with the Emperor? Why else would Emperor Xuanjing allow a woman into the court? He must favor her excessively!

To let the Emperor spoil and indulge her that much, she can only be a nation’s siren.

"This situation you’ve made, it will be hard to resolve in future." Zhao Xunyin’s face revealed worry, "It’s better to consider how to explain things to the Third Son. Nowadays, there’s a big ’green hat’ over his head."

People even speculate, saying Old Mrs. Song passed so suddenly perhaps because she discovered Wen Wan’s affair with someone and died enraged.

As for that ’someone’, it could only be that unspeakable person from Qianqing Palace.

Zhao Xunyin thinks that the citizens of the Capital aren’t busy or impoverished enough. Daily overeating leads them to gossip idly, indulging more when restrained.

"I don’t worry about the Third Son." Nine years of marriage, no one understands Song Wei’s temperament better than Wen Wan, "He’s not one to be jealous without reason. Instead, I worry more about His Majesty and the Empress."

Although Wen Wan and Zhao Xi clearly know there’s nothing between them, they can’t resist external rumors. She’s concerned about tainting His Majesty’s reputation and more worried Empress Dong might take those rumors to heart. The Empress is currently pregnant, and if anxiety over this causes her distress, the consequences will be grave.

...

Due to external rumors, Wen Wan felt awkward to see Zhao Xi. She took sick leave for a few days to spend time at home with Lu Yanli.

Until one day, Eunuch Sanbao personally drove a carriage to the entrance of Changning Marquis Mansion, saying he came to invite the Commandery Princess to the palace.

Wen Wan knew that she couldn’t avoid this. In truth, she hadn’t planned to dodge, just felt too exhausted and wished to rest at home for a few days.

Upon hearing from Dou Kou that Eunuch Sanbao had arrived, Wen Wan quickly changed clothes and went to the gate.

Eunuch Sanbao saw her and respectfully called her Commandery Princess.

Wen Wan smiled politely, "Did Your Majesty send you, Eunuch?"

Eunuch Sanbao nodded, "His Majesty said that the Commandery Princess has been ill for some time and should be well by now."

The Emperor really knew how to undermine her perfectly, without giving her any face at all.

Wen Wan stepped onto a small stool to get into the carriage. Eunuch Sanbao flicked the whip, and the horse raised its hooves, galloping towards the Imperial City.

Upon arriving at Qianqing Palace, as soon as she entered the hall, she saw Zhao Xi standing tall before the desk, one hand holding his wide sleeve, the other holding a brush, coloring a painting on the table.

Wen Wan lifted the corners of her lips, "It’s rare to see Your Majesty with such refined interests."

Zhao Xi did not respond to this, nor did he even look at her, "Have you been avoiding me these past few days?"

"How could I? I’ve truly been ill." Wen Wan showed not the slightest guilt and forcefully steered the conversation back to the painting, "Your Majesty paints beautifully."

"I’ve heard the rumors from outside."

Wen Wan was extremely embarrassed, coughed twice, "It’s my fault for implicating Your Majesty."

"Nothing of the sort, how could there be any implication?"

Wen Wan smiled, "Your Majesty is indeed correct."

Inwardly, she chuckled, thinking, Your Majesty, can’t you express your thoughts clearly in one go?

Alas, the emperor’s heart is hard to fathom, and the Emperor would obviously not let the ministers below guess his thoughts. So, Zhao Xi’s headless question had no conclusion and directly shifted to the matter at hand, "The Sky Eagle Guard lurking in the Beiyang Imperial City has sent back a portrait of the Imperial Concubine. Do you want to take a look?"

Wen Wan nodded, "Might as well take a look."

Zhao Xi put down the brush, took a scroll from the painting tube behind him, and slowly unfurled it. Then Wen Wan saw a stunningly beautiful woman; even though it was just a portrait, her expressive eyebrows were irresistibly alluring.

A femme fatale, nothing less.

Wen Wan suddenly felt that, compared to her, she was ashamed of her reputation as a "beauty that causes turmoil" among the common folk.

"So the Jiuli Clan women are this beautiful," Wen Wan couldn’t help but marvel, "No wonder Emperor Yan has been infatuated with her for decades."

Zhao Xi did not quite understand the mentality of an emperor who would hand over great power for mere beauty. At least for now, he had no such thoughts.

"Remember her, it will make future actions much easier," Zhao Xi said.

Wen Wan nodded earnestly, "I will remember."

"I summoned you today for another matter," Zhao Xi seemed a bit hesitant with his words.

Wen Wan carefully rolled up the painting scroll, "Your Majesty, please speak."

"Concerning the integration of the Jiuli Clan and Han Culture, the various government offices have made significant sacrifices, the Ministry of Revenue most of all, and it’s already affecting the National Treasury. This isn’t a long-term plan. I intend to set an example by bringing a few Jiuli Clan women into the palace. With this relationship, the Jiuli Clan’s submission will be more sincere."

An emperor taking concubines is quite normal, isn’t it? Wen Wan didn’t think much of it, "In matters like this, Your Majesty should decide as you see fit."

"I have already sent orders to the Western Border, instructing Su Qing to assist in the selection. Candidates will be brought to the Capital before the birthday banquet, but the Empress is currently pregnant, and I am a bit concerned."

Wen Wan understood; Emperor Xuanjing wanted her to act as a mediator.

This was akin to Zhao Xi wanting to take a concubine and expecting her to persuade his wife to be more understanding.

"..." Wen Wan wanted to refuse outright, but considering she was the one asking for someone else’s favor, she couldn’t waver and had to offer Zhao Xi a way out, "If Your Majesty feels it’s difficult, then I will try to persuade the Empress."

Zhao Xi appreciated her astuteness, "Much obliged."

"It’s the least I can do, the least I can do, haha."

On the way to Yikun Palace, Wen Wan sighed incessantly.

She was, after all, a "femme fatale", and not only did she not receive the Emperor’s favor, but she also had to take on every responsibility herself. What kind of misfortune was this?