After Marrying the Disabled, I Became the Prime Minister’s Wife

Chapter 432

On the outskirts of the capital.

Madam Li scrambled to her feet, utterly embarrassed, as the crowd quickly gathered around her.

"Second Madam, are you alright?"

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"It is all our fault. Had we known, we shouldn't have taken this path..."

Because Yan Zheng had ascended the throne, the first branch of the Yan family had skyrocketed in status. Even a widow like Madam Li was heavily flattered.

Mortified, she pulled the blanket handed to her by her maid tighter around her shoulders. "Thank you all for your concern. I... I am fine."

The wife of Minister Xu grasped her hands, ignoring the mud and dirt. "Second Madam, when your carriage overturned just now, we were all worried sick. Thank goodness Prefect Pei happened to pass by and came to your rescue, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable."

The underlying meaning of her words was to excuse her, clarifying that the state the two of them were in was solely the result of a rescue.

Everyone present was shrewd; they immediately chimed in one after another with praises.

"Madam Xu is right, all thanks to Prefect Pei!"

"When Prefect Pei leaped down without regard for his own safety just now, it gave us all quite a fright!"

"Yes, indeed..."

Madam Li lowered her eyes, her fingers gripping the blanket even tighter.

At this moment, the servants of the Pei family supported Pei Yu as they walked over. Aside from the mud covering him, his forehead and elbows were bruised and scraped. Yet, his eyes remained fixed on Madam Li, never straying for even a second.

"Are you..."

He hesitated, swallowing his words, but still could not help asking, "Are you alright?"

Madam Li's hands trembled, and she buried her head even lower. The maid beside her quickly stepped forward to block his view. "Prefect Pei, men and women should keep their distance. Our Madam's affairs do not require your concern!"

Pei Yu was taken aback, while his servant scolded, "Hey, you little brat! Our lord was only showing good intentions..."

"Enough, let us go."

Pei Yu interrupted and turned his tall figure away to leave. The maid spat out, "Pretending to be a gentleman! Back then—"

Before she could finish, Madam Li glared her into silence. "Huan'er! Hold your tongue!"

After getting into the carriage, Huan'er was still indignant. Holding her mistress's arm, she said, "Madam, it was because of that hypocrite that you suffered so much in the past! You were mocked, ridiculed, and nearly had your face ruined! Have you forgotten all of that?"

A look of pain crossed Madam Li's face. "Stop talking..."

Huan'er stomped her foot in frustration.

They made their way back to the palace. After Madam Li had been seen by the imperial physician and had freshened up, the Emperor and Empress arrived.

Madam Li hurriedly tried to curtsy, but was stopped by Chu Ruoyan, whose face was full of concern. "Second Sister-in-law, are you alright?"

Madam Li shook her head. Yan Zheng asked, "Were you targeted by someone?"

She froze slightly. Recalling the situation at the time, she lowered her eyes. "No... no..."

At these words, the Emperor and Empress exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

Chu Ruoyan stepped forward and sat beside her. "Second Sister-in-law, is that really the truth?"

A flicker of panic flashed in Madam Li's eyes, and Huan'er could not hold back anymore. "Your Majesty, Your Grace, thinking back carefully, the carriages in front of us were all traveling perfectly fine. But when it was our turn, the driver suddenly sped up. That was why the carriage overturned and caused our Madam to fall into the mud!"

If even a maid could see through it, how could Madam Li not?

Yet ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‍she refused to speak of it. Who was she trying to protect?

Chu Ruoyan looked at Yan Zheng, who nodded. She then said, "Second Sister-in-law, the Emperor has already had his men investigate. Before your departure today, your driver accepted silver from the Pei family."

Madam Li's body trembled slightly. Huan'er's eyes widened. "It really was..." Saying this, she suddenly dropped to her knees before the Emperor and Empress. "I beg Your Majesty and Your Grace to seek justice for our Madam!"

Chu Ruoyan raised an eyebrow as she listened to the little maid spill everything out like pouring beans. "Back in Yuzhou, this hypo... this Prefect Pei was childhood friends with our Madam. The two families were practically discussing marriage. But when the day actually came, he suddenly pulled a disappearing act. He ran off to the capital without a word, using the beautiful excuse that he wanted to achieve official honors before returning to marry our Madam. But he completely disregarded what the outside world would say!"

"Huan'er!" Madam Li tried to stop her, but the maid, with red eyes, cried out, "Madam! You have suffered in silence for so many years. Are you going to keep swallowing this grievance forever?"

Madam Li froze and stayed silent. Huan'er kowtowed respectfully to the Emperor and Empress and said, "At the time, everyone outside said that it was our Madam's wishful thinking to climb the social ladder and marry into a prominent family like the Pei clan of Yuzhou. They said Seventh Master Pei did not want to reject her to her face, so he used taking the imperial examinations as an excuse to slip away secretly. Pity our Madam, who was blamed by everyone. Even the elders in her family scolded her, saying she had humiliated them by making them propose a marriage that was never going to happen! She lost all face!"

As if recalling the past, Madam Li's nose tingled and her eyes grew wet.

Chu Ruoyan also frowned.

For a sheltered young lady to be abandoned on the day of her engagement by someone whose family background was far superior to hers, her reputation would be completely ruined...

Before she could speak, a cold sneer came from beside her. "Pushing a woman forward as a target. What a piece of trash!"

Yan Zheng's face was as cold as frost, exuding the full majesty of an Emperor, which made the little maid tremble in fear.

Chu Ruoyan had to ask, "And then? How did Second Sister-in-law and Second Brother meet?"

"This brings us to the Prefect of Yuzhou at the time. That Prefect had a daughter who greatly admired Pei Yu. After learning that Pei Yu had fled his marriage and gone to the capital, she repeatedly came to make trouble for our Madam. The most extreme incident happened at a restaurant. Our Madam couldn't help but talk back, and this Prefect's daughter pulled out her hairpin, wanting to ruin our Madam's face!"

"Fortunately, Second Young Master happened to be at the restaurant requisitioning grain and stepped in to save her. But the Prefect's daughter refused to let it go. Catching everyone off guard, she actually pushed our Madam out of the restaurant! It was over five stories high! Madam would have certainly died from the fall. Thanks to Second Young Master's rescue, she survived, but he broke his leg in the process and had to rest in bed for over half a month."

A look of realization dawned on Yan Zheng's face. No wonder when Yan Cheng went to Yuzhou to requisition grain that time, he stayed for over a month before returning.

He got married shortly after returning. So there was actually such a reason behind it.

Chu Ruoyan saw the expression on his face and felt a slight twinge of pain in her heart.

A beautiful tale of a hero saving a maiden and forging a good match—how could Yan Cheng not mention it upon his return? Yet Yan Zheng alone did not know. It could only mean that no one in the Yan family had bothered to tell him...

"As the Emperor and Your Grace can probably guess, Second Young Master proposed to our Madam. He married her properly with the three letters and six etiquettes. Our family was overjoyed. But right at that time, someone from the Pei family came!" Huan'er gritted her teeth at the mention of this. Madam Li seemed to recall an extremely painful memory, biting her lip until it bled.

"It was the First Madam of the Pei family. She claimed that Pei Yu had sent a letter to be given to our Madam, and even said that they originally intended for our Madam to marry into their family, but they didn't expect the incident at the restaurant to happen..."

Chu Ruoyan's expression changed slightly. "She said this at Second Brother's engagement banquet?"

"Yes! At the time, our Madam wished she could just die. Thankfully, Second Young Master didn't hold it against her and drove the woman away. Thank goodness the General's Manor is a reasonable and open-minded family. Otherwise, after such a scene, how could our Madam have gone on living?!"

Huan'er couldn't help but shed tears, and Madam Li's shoulders trembled with sobs.

How important is a woman's reputation? Pei Yu fleeing the marriage once had already condemned her to eternal damnation. For them to come and do this a second time, wasn't it intentionally forcing her to her death?

Chu Ruoyan also felt a surge of anger. "Second Sister-in-law! Are you really still going to protect a person like that?"

Madam Li bit her lip, wanting to say something, but just then Yin Shun scurried in: Your Majesty, the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture requests an audience. He says Prefect Pei got into a conflict with someone on the street and nearly beat them to death. He begs you to go take a look!

Yan Zheng was already suppressing a bellyful of anger. He gave a cold snort and said, You two chat first. I will go and return shortly.

After the Emperor left, Madam Li glanced at Huan'er: You should step out first as well.

The little maid complied and retreated, leaving only the two of them in the palace room.

Madam Li took a deep breath to calm her emotions and said softly, Your Majesty the Empress, Huan'er was just voicing her grievances on my behalf, but there are some things she doesn't know... I knew that Prefect Pei was going to leave.

Chu Ruoyan raised her eyebrows in surprise, only to see her smile bitterly: The night before our engagement, he told me that due to the civil service examination reforms this year, he had to leave for the capital immediately to visit his mentor. He also said that his family would arrange the engagement properly and wouldn't put me in any difficult position. But the next day, coming from First Madam Pei's mouth, it became that the engagement was temporarily suspended until he achieved official rank...

A trace of understanding flashed in Chu Ruoyan's eyes.

It was another case of a family stirring up trouble!

Madam Li said hoarsely, I couldn't figure it out at first, but later I understood. The Pei family is a prominent and noble clan; they looked down on our merchant background. I... I patiently waited, one year, two years... But he was gone for far too long with no news at all. It wasn't until my engagement banquet with Second Young Master that a letter arrived from him. But it was already too late. I couldn't let Second Young Master down!

Saying this, she bent her knees and knelt down. Your Majesty, Second Young Master is the best man in this world. Being able to marry him is a blessing I earned over three lifetimes. But Pei Yu isn't some heinous villain either. He was just... just forced by circumstances, I know that... When I fell from my horse today, he rushed over desperately to save me and was almost trampled to death by the hooves. I will not ask for a divorce letter; I only beg Your Majesty to plead with the Emperor on my behalf, so he doesn't take his anger out on Pei Yu!

Chu Ruoyan's heart sank, and she asked slowly, Second Sister-in-law, do you still have him in your heart?

Madam Li trembled violently, her eyes revealing the fear and helplessness of being seen through.

Chu Ruoyan closed her eyes. I understand. You should get some good rest first.

Returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yan Zheng had also returned.

Holding a memorial in his hand, he handed it over with interest: Ayan, take a look.

Chu Ruoyan took it and saw that it was about Pei Yu's fight just now. It turned out that the female family members of officials who went out for a spring outing were gossiping, saying that Madam Li had been a widow for too long and had deliberately orchestrated today's incident because she wanted to marry Pei Yu... That was what caused him to start a fight!

Chu Ruoyan sighed and repeated what Madam Li had just told her.

Yan Zheng raised his sword-like eyebrows. What a fool.

Chu Ruoyan sighed, The most crucial part is that I can tell Second Sister-in-law still seems to have feelings for him...

So what if she has feelings? The Pei family is a den of wolves and tigers. How is marrying into it any different from asking a tiger for its skin? Ayan, advise her to stop thinking about it. We can talk about it again when she meets a good family.

Yan Zheng had never thought of forbidding his second sister-in-law from remarrying; otherwise, he wouldn't have given each of them a divorce letter back then.

It was just that as relatives, he couldn't simply watch her jump into a fire pit.

Chu Ruoyan also nodded. Yes. Back then, the Pei family looked down on Second Sister-in-law and used all sorts of tricks to ruin the marriage. Now that they see she has gained power and status, they are doing everything possible to facilitate it. With such a lack of bottom line, it's hard to guarantee they won't do other things in the future. Moreover...

She paused, not wanting to continue.

The Emperor saw through her thoughts and said, You want to mention your cousin and Xie Zhizhou, right?

Chu Ruoyan gave him a reproachful look. Nothing can be hidden from you. Yes, didn't my cousin and cousin-in-law end up in this state precisely because of their family's meddling? If Second Sister-in-law marries into that family, I'm afraid she will just repeat the same mistakes.

Yan Zheng wrapped his arm around her shoulder and patted her. Suddenly he said, Do you want me to issue a transfer order and send Xie Zhizhou to guard a temple?

Chu Ruoyan's eyelids twitched. Don't. Let them handle their own affairs. By the way, where is Wenjing?

Yan Zheng reached out and stroked the back of her neck. He is practicing martial arts with Sixth Yan. If you want to see him, I'll have Meng Yang call him over.

Chu Ruoyan murmured, No need for now. Um... Yan Zheng, I have something I want to discuss with you.

The Emperor said, Speak. I will agree to whatever it is.

The little lady laughed, You agree without even asking?

When it comes to you, asking or not asking is all the same.

Seeing him so indulgent, a smile curled on Chu Ruoyan's lips. Then I'll just say it straight. With my body's condition, I'm afraid it will be very difficult for me to bear another child. So I want Wenjing to enter the palace and start learning how to handle state affairs from you...

The Emperor's hand, which was resting on her neck, paused. You want Wenjing to be the Crown Prince?

As soon as these words came out, the servants in the palace trembled in fear.

The Empress was far too bold. How could she dare to interfere in such a major national affair as establishing an heir?

However, the Emperor didn't seem to mind, though his expression was a bit strange. Why bring this up all of a sudden?

Chu Ruoyan looked at him with amusement. Who is the one being nagged by the imperial censors every day recently, saying that the heir's position is vacant and the foundation of the state is unstable? Aren't I just trying to share the Emperor's burdens? With Wenjing here, it will at least give you some peace and quiet.

Yan Zheng still didn't speak, so she continued, Of course, I'm not saying you absolutely must make him the heir. If one day you have a better candidate... Mmph!

Before she could finish her sentence, the Emperor suddenly kissed her and bit her lower lip fiercely.

She pushed him away in pain. What are you doing?

What do you mean by a better candidate! Yan Zheng frowned tightly and stared at her. Are you suspecting that I would have children with anyone other than you?

Chu Ruoyan glared at him. If not, then why were you hesitating just now?

Yan Zheng choked, finally realizing that having a wife who was too sharp was not necessarily a good thing.

But there was still no news from the Western Frontier, and he didn't know if the twins had been saved or not.

He could only say, It's not like you don't know Wenjing's temperament. He would be fine as a trusted and capable minister, but as an emperor, his sensitive and suspicious nature would only exhaust both himself and others. However, if you want to use him as a shield, that's fine too. Recently, Xue Baiqing has been studying classics and history with the Chief Grand Secretary, and Wenjing has been clamoring to enter the palace to play with him. This will grant his wish!

The Pei Manor.

After Pei Yu walked through the door, Pei Ji and his wife greeted him warmly. Seventh Brother, you're finally back!

He reached out to pat Pei Yu's shoulder as he spoke, but the latter took a half step back and said, Big Brother, did you arrange today's incident?

Pei Ji frowned, then smiled. What incident? The Ministry of War has so many matters to handle, I can't recall at the moment...

The matter regarding Wanxin!

Wanxin was Madam Li's maiden name.

Pei Ji's expression darkened. So what if I did? I was only doing it for your own good!

Is that so? A mocking sneer appeared on Pei Yu's face. Back in Yuzhou, I urged you repeatedly, begging Sister-in-law to secure this marriage for me. How did you two handle it? Now that you see the Yan family gaining power, you're eagerly trying to latch onto them. Big Brother, aren't you ashamed? I'll lay it out right here today: I was the one who let her down back then, and I have no face to beg her to return. If any of you dare to scheme against her again, don't blame me for disregarding our brotherly bond!

After saying that, he didn't even give Pei Ji a chance to get angry and strode away, leaving the latter flying into a rage.

Two days later, Yan Wenjing entered the palace.

Although the Emperor had not issued a formal edict, keeping him in the Imperial Study to serve clearly indicated that he was being groomed as the future Crown Prince.

The royal court had grown much quieter of late, and Chu Ruoyan felt a heavy weight lift from her shoulders. "Fewer people have been coming to me for favors recently, it seems..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Shopkeeper Du burst into the room, his face deathly pale. "Third Miss! There is trouble in the Western Frontier!"