They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 480 Mutual Restraint
The Emperor understood. So it was Marquis Wuxuan. No wonder!
"I will summon Minister Liang to inquire about the reason for this matter. Minister Liang is not an unreasonable or domineering person."

"Does His Majesty mean that the Rong'an Marquis's residence is at fault?"

"I didn't say that. Perhaps there's some misunderstanding."

"Humph!"

No matter how the Empress Dowager threatened him, even with a cold face and angry outbursts, and with increasingly aggressive and unpleasant words, the Emperor still refused to agree, repeatedly saying only that the Empress Dowager should rest assured that she would definitely find out the truth.

The Empress Dowager was so angry that she clutched her chest and gasped for breath.

The Emperor was also very frustrated, but was forced to back down. He promised to mediate the matter and not let the Rong'an Marquis's residence look too bad.

The Empress Dowager was not satisfied.

But she also knew in her heart that the emperor had already retreated to this point and would never retreat any further, so even if she was dissatisfied, it was useless.

"Consort Xue is a filial child, and she is very worried about this matter. She dared not ask you for help, so she came to me for help. Since Your Majesty has already made up your mind, please go and see her and comfort her so that she can rest assured."

The Emperor nodded. "Mother, rest assured, I will have someone inform her once the results are available."

After all that talk, he still refused to go to Consort Xue's place.

The Empress Dowager was enraged and sneered, "It's still because the Empress is not virtuous enough. Otherwise, I wouldn't have to worry about such matters of the harem, which require equal distribution of favors."

Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, the Emperor realized that if he refused to obey her, she would find another way to torment the Empress. His gaze turned cold. "The Empress is virtuous, praised by everyone in the palace and by the people. Your Majesty, please rest assured. Your Majesty is getting old; it would be best for you to enjoy your retirement."

"Is Your Majesty blaming me for meddling in other people's business?"

"I am concerned for the Empress Dowager. The child is always making a fuss and there is never a quiet moment. I wonder if the Empress Dowager is tired from taking care of Yulang? Should I find a tutor for Yulang? Yulang should be properly disciplined."

"No need! I have my own arrangements for Yulang's matter, Your Majesty need not worry about it. Your Majesty should concern yourself more with state affairs."

The Empress Dowager was furious and spoke in a stern tone, almost arguing with the Emperor.

"Yes, Mother, please rest. I will take my leave."

"Humph!"

As soon as the Emperor left, the Empress Dowager grabbed a teacup and smashed it on the ground. She was so angry that she trembled all over and her breathing became rapid.

How dare the Emperor speak to her like that? She is his birth mother! How could he dare!

The Empress Dowager knew he was warning her that if she dared to torment the Empress under any pretext or in any way, he would make a move on Yulang.

She had to admit that she could no longer control him!

Even if he pretended to be sick, he couldn't summon the Empress to attend to him.

The Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with tears. If her Chang'er were still alive, things would not have come to this.

The Emperor summoned Liang Minglang the next day and inquired about his entanglement with the Rong'an Marquis's mansion. Liang Minglang told the truth, but concealed Xu Zhichun's identity.

The couple, Lu Yin, and Ji Yingxuan would never reveal Xu Zhichun's identity.

Xu Zhichun had no intention of acknowledging them back at all—how disgusting! The Emperor was also disgusted upon hearing this, "They are merely relatives of the Marquis's family, yet they are so arrogant! Fortunately, it was Madam Liang that day and not someone else, otherwise, wouldn't we have been bullied by them and had nowhere to seek justice? Uh, I didn't mean anything by it, I just think they are really too hateful! It is right for you to teach them a lesson."

Liang Minglang: "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."

The Emperor sighed, "But Consort Xue has pleaded with the Empress Dowager. If I don't do something, she might not let things rest. I've summoned Marquis Rong'an and his wife. My dear minister, you should also summon your wife. Let's all talk things out face to face. Apologize where necessary and make compensation where appropriate. You are the aggrieved parties, and we must ensure you are not wronged. As for exile, let's leave those who have already set off for it and those who haven't yet.

Since the Empress Dowager had spoken, the Emperor would have to back down a little, and Liang Minglang was already very grateful that he had said that.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"

Xu Zhichun was startled by this. "This—I'm going too? Really?"

Liang Minglang put his arm around her and laughed, "Don't worry, the Emperor is very kind and is on our side. Zhichun, you can say whatever you want. If you have any requests for the Rong'an Marquis's Mansion, just make them. Don't be shy."

In short, his wife has to be satisfied.

Xu Zhichun seemed to understand. After all, her family's Minglang was a marquis, so it wasn't appropriate to take it too seriously. There were some things that were actually difficult to say.

But she's different; she's the victim, so whatever she says is perfectly justified.

The Rong'an Marquis's mansion has gone too far. She refuses to believe that they won't be dealt a severe blow if they don't take a piece of their flesh!

"Okay, I understand!"

When the Marquis of Rong'an and his wife were summoned by the Emperor, they breathed a sigh of relief, as the situation had finally taken a turn for the better.

Although he knew that his wife had secretly gone to see Consort Xue without his knowledge, and was very angry, and had given her a good scolding, what could he do now that she had already gone?
If there is no news from the palace and no sign of improvement, then things will be truly terrible!
That means that Consort Xue was having a very bad time in the palace.

Fortunately, Heaven has eyes! The Emperor summoned them. It seems that the Emperor still values ​​their Consort Xue very much.

This gave the Rong'an Marquis and his wife, who had been feeling unlucky lately, a much-needed boost of spirits.

The two originally thought that the emperor's summons was just a formality, a reprimand and a lesson. They believed that as long as they sincerely expressed their "guilt" and "mistake," the emperor would naturally forgive them and let the matter rest.

Unexpectedly, they saw Liang Minglang and Xu Zhichun in front of the Emperor!
The Marquis of Rong'an and his wife were so shocked that their eyes widened and they almost cried out.

Why are they here?
Especially when they saw Xu Zhichun's smile, his cunning eyes, and his half-smile as he glanced at them, it was clear that he had ill intentions.

Lady Rong'an was both angry and resentful: Did this little wretch think she could ask the Emperor to grant her permission to return to the Marquis's mansion? Absolutely not!

Marquis Rong'an's feelings were much more complicated. He thought to himself that if Madam Xu truly wanted to be recognized as a member of the family, and if she was sincere, then he might reluctantly agree.
However, no matter what they thought, they couldn't change Xu Zhichun's mind.

Xu Zhichun didn't even glance at them again.

The Emperor said, “You have probably guessed why I summoned you. I already know the matter. Marquis Rong’an, if you continue to be so lax in managing your household, go home and reflect on your actions. Don’t bother pleading for mercy. Even I feel ashamed, if you don’t.”

Marquis Rong'an, his face full of shame, bowed and said, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty, I will obey your teachings."

"Hmph, then you'd better remember this well."

Yes, yes.

"I won't say anything more. You are all my subjects, and I must be fair and just. You can discuss how to handle this matter yourselves. Madam Liang, please feel free to make any requests you may have."