The next day, despite his reluctance, Nangong Yi had no choice but to visit Consort De’s palace to discuss his marriage with Xiao Ling.
Upon hearing this, Consort De showed no outward emotion, but her eyes grew cold. "You wish to marry Xiao Ling as your consort?"
"Yes."
"For what reason?" Consort De asked softly, not rushing to scold him. She knew her son well; his fondness for beauty was common knowledge, but when it came to marrying a consort, he would never be perfunctory. Moreover, he had always been close to Xiao Man. She had assumed that if her son were to marry a young lady from the Xiao family, it would be Xiao Man, not Xiao Ling.
"I lost control after drinking and forced myself upon the third young lady of the Xiao family."
Consort De's expression changed. If this matter were Prince Qi's fault, then the General's Mansion could seize this mistake and hold Prince Qi accountable. However, Xiao Ling had a mother who had been divorced, and while outsiders did not know the full story, they were well aware of it! The third young lady of the Xiao family, Xiao Ling, was the one they looked down upon the most!
"Did the Xiao family demand you marry her as your consort?"
"Mm."
"A side consort," Consort De said softly. "That is the limit. No more. If the Xiao family disagrees, this mother has ways to make them agree."
"Xiao Ling attempted suicide. Although she was rescued, she is still lying in bed."
Consort De's breath hitched. "Is she using her death to threaten you?"
Nangong Yi remained silent. He couldn't investigate this matter himself, but that didn't mean he would be manipulated so inexplicably. The maid who delivered the wine had died mysteriously, but it didn't stop him from discovering her identity. She was Xiao Ling's personal maid. This misfortune was his to bear, because Xiao Ling's scheme was likely aimed at Prince Qin, not him!
"You don't need to worry about this matter. This consort will personally visit the General's Mansion."
"Mother, your child has caused you trouble."
"Silly child, you are the one this mother painstakingly bore for ten months. Naturally, this mother dotes on you. How is this trouble? However, you must still make this mother proud and not spend all your days surrounded by women. Then, this mother will be satisfied."
Nangong Yi leaned in and massaged Consort De's shoulders. "Child understands. Child will change."
"You are quick to admit your mistakes with your mouth, but I haven't seen you change even once," Consort De poked Nangong Yi's forehead. "I heard that Xiao Man is currently in charge of the General's Mansion. Is that true?"
"Don't mention her to me. I'm still angry with her!" Nangong Yi replied irritably.
Consort De heard this and immediately understood. She suspected Xiao Man had forced her son to marry Xiao Ling as a consort!
Consort De, disguised, visited the General's Mansion. Since there was no lady of the house at the moment, and the old madam was absent, Xiao Man naturally took it upon herself to host.
"Greetings, Consort De."
Consort De quickly took Xiao Man's hand. "Rise quickly. I am here unofficially today, so there's no need for so much formality."
"Please, Your Highness."
Consort De led Xiao Man along. "Xiao Man, Yi'er has made a mistake, and I am aware of this matter. I have come to your mansion today, firstly, to apologize on behalf of my unworthy son, and secondly, to discuss the marriage."
Xiao Man understood that Consort De's intentions were not solely for this. "Previously, His Highness Prince Qi had already agreed..."
"We will not renege on this marriage. Your third young lady, Yi'er will marry her," Consort De said with a beaming smile, holding Xiao Man's hand and scrutinizing her. What an unworthy thing! Xiao Man was so much better than Xiao Ling, yet why had he set his sights on Xiao Ling? If it were Xiao Man, she would immediately order her son to marry Xiao Man with full pomp and ceremony, without a second thought.
"In that case, this humble subject thanks Consort De on behalf of my younger sister."
"Don't thank me just yet," Consort De patted Xiao Man's hand and said softly. "What I mean is, let Yi'er marry Xiao Ling as a side consort."
Xiao Man's expression shifted slightly. "Consort De, this is not what we agreed upon earlier."
Consort De did not get angry, continuing to walk slowly. "Xiao Man, you are a sensible person. You and I both know what kind of person Xiao Ling's birth mother is. If it weren't for Yi'er's mistake, even as a concubine, Prince Qi's mansion would not have taken her. Do you understand my meaning?"
"But His Highness Prince Qi had agreed to this."
Consort De's smile became even more amiable. "If it were you, this consort would not hesitate to have my son marry you with a grand procession. But Xiao Ling, she is not worthy."
Xiao Man remained silent.
Consort De did not expect Xiao Man to answer. "I am well aware of what kind of person my son is, and you should be too. After all, you two were childhood sweethearts and grew up together. He indeed likes beauty, but he also knows propriety. In all these years, though he has been frivolous, has he ever forced anyone?"
Xiao Man continued to remain silent. She had spent more time with Nangong Yi than with the ladies in her own household. How could she not know what kind of person Prince Qi was?
"He has never been a person who likes to force others, let alone force a young lady," Consort De said gently. "You are a sensible person, but that doesn't mean everyone else is. Regardless of how this matter truly unfolded, it is ultimately my son who benefited. We are not irresponsible people. The position of Prince Qi's side consort, I believe, is sufficient. What do you say?"
"What if this humble subject does not agree?" Xiao Man asked softly.
Consort De patted Xiao Man's hand. "You will agree. After all, if this matter gets out, my son will only be mocked as a philanderer, perhaps even praised for his boldness in daring to force a young lady from the General's Mansion. But you are different. You are still unmarried. If this matter gets out, the reputation of the young ladies of the Xiao family will be completely ruined."
"Your Highness is threatening this humble subject?"
"Look at you, child, what are you saying? I am looking out for your best interests," Consort De said with a pleasant expression. "It is for your sake that I am willing to give her the position of a side consort. It is because you are kind and protective of her. In other mansions, if such a thing happened to a young lady, they would have been strangled in private. You have known Yi'er for many years, and you know his character. You take a step back, we take a step back, and mutually fulfill each other. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Xiao Man knew there was no room for her to refuse. If she pushed Consort De too hard, Consort De might publicize the matter of Xiao Ling and her mother, and the ultimate victim would still be the General's Mansion.
"This humble subject understands. Thank you, Consort De." Xiao Man's tone remained gentle. "A side consort it is, then. As long as His Highness Prince Qi treats my sister well, that is all that matters." Su Dan Fiction Network
"Then it's settled. Although she is a side consort, all the proper courtesies will be observed. Rest assured, she will not be wronged."
"With Your Highness's words, this humble subject is reassured."
Consort De departed, satisfied. She had expected to spend considerable time persuading her, but she hadn't expected Xiao Man to be so pragmatic. "What a pity."
"Your Highness, what is a pity?"
"If Yi'er had forced Xiao Man, this consort would have clapped my hands in approval and married her to him at all costs. But he happened to force a lowly-born, wretched creature."
"Your Highness, it is merely a side consort. Once she enters Prince Qi's mansion, whether she lives or dies is entirely up to your word."
"That is true. Let's go. We shall return to the palace."