Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 137 Forced to Endure

Xie Jiu's heart-wrenching cries pierced the silent night sky of the Xie mansion.

Hearing the commotion, Xie Mingshen, who was standing on the porch outside, immediately pushed open the door and rushed into the inner room.

Then Xie Jiu was seen lying on Yang Shi's body, crying uncontrollably. Yang Shi on the bed had her hands hanging limply at her sides, and the blood that had spilled from the corner of her mouth was a stark contrast to her plain white nightgown.

At that moment, he naturally knew what had happened.

He paused for a moment, then, trembling, asked in a low voice, "What happened to your mother?"

Xie Jiu didn't want to respond to him, but Chun Rong knelt down crying.

"Madam, she's gone!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Mingshen immediately stumbled and fell to the ground, his face filled with disbelief, tears streaming down his face.

The housekeeper followed him into the room and, seeing the scene, immediately knelt down beside him, wiping away tears.

"Yunwen, how could you just leave me and our two children like this!" Xie Mingshen clutched his chest and wept bitterly.

The name he was referring to was Yang's maiden name.

Hearing the voice behind him, Xie Jiu's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

"Jieyu." Chunrong stepped forward, helped her up, and gently shook her head, her eyes full of condolence, "Please accept my condolences."

Chunrong was genuinely worried that Xie Jiu might be traumatized by Yang's death and do something irreversible.

Having spent these days by Xie Jiu's side, she knew very well the source of Xie Jiu's favor.

Of course, in the current situation, if Xie Jiu could suddenly strike and kill Xie Mingshen, that would be exactly what Zhao Xingjin wanted. He could get rid of the person quickly and cleanly without Zhao Xingjin having to lift a finger, without any further detours.

But Xie Jiu, who has been branded as the murderer of her father, has lost her usefulness to Zhao Xingjin. How will she survive from now on?
Xie Jiu was already criticized by the world for entering the palace as a concubine after her second marriage. Now, because she is favored, no one dares to offend her openly. If she were to fall out of favor and be tasked with killing her father, who knows what kind of situation she would be in.

Chunrong didn't want to see Xie Jiu's desperate gamble backfire, so at this moment, she had to step forward and remind Xie Jiu to be patient and restrained.

We cannot jeopardize our long-term plan.

Xie Jiu understood the warning in Chun Rong's eyes, choked back tears, closed her eyes, and hid her true emotions.

She understands what she wants better than Chunrong, so even now, she cannot act impulsively.

Having been given a second chance at life, Xie Jiu cherishes her life and wants revenge, but she cannot put herself in danger again.

"Consort, it's almost time to return to the palace," Qingdong said softly as he entered the room.

He didn't want to speak at this time, but Xie Jiu had left the palace secretly, and the Emperor was responsible. If this was discovered, not only would the Empress Dowager question him, but the censors of the previous dynasty would also be spitting everywhere.

Another reason is for Xie Jiu's own good, to get back as soon as possible, so that things don't get complicated and things don't go wrong.

Xie Jiu nodded slightly, "I understand. Please wait a moment, Father-in-law, while I kowtow to my mother."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will wait outside. Please accept my condolences." Qingdong said respectfully.

After he left, Xie Jiu knelt down properly beside Yang's bed and kowtowed four times before Chunrong helped him up.

Xie Mingshen was also being helped to stand to the side by the housekeeper.

Seeing her turn around and walk over, he also took a few steps forward.

"Father, take care of yourself." Xie Jiu lowered her eyes and did not look at him, her voice was also cold. "Mother's funeral must be handled properly. Mother worked hard to manage the household affairs all her life. If her funeral is not handled properly, I will not be at peace."

“That’s only right. Your mother and I have been married for many years, and naturally I can’t bear to see her suffer the slightest grievance.” Xie Mingshen choked up.

They assumed Xie Jiu was simply too heartbroken to care and had become numb, and didn't think there was anything wrong with her coldness.

Xie Jiu found Xie Mingshen's hypocritical words unbearable to hear.

If she stayed any longer, Xie Jiu was afraid she would lose control of her emotions, so she said nothing more and used the excuse that she needed to hurry back to the palace to leave the Xie residence. As the carriage entered the palace, she didn't shed a single tear; the sorrow in her heart had long been replaced by hatred, burning her eyes.

Qingdong personally escorted Xie Jiu back to Anqing Hall before returning to Chengming Hall to report back.

When Zhao Xingjin learned of Yang's passing, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He never expected it to be such a coincidence; letting Xie Jiu leave the palace would allow her to see her mother off on her final journey.

But the feeling of being separated by life and death must be unbearable.

After a long pause, he asked, "How is Consort Xie?"

"Heartbroken." Qingdong used these four words.

In his view, this was indeed the case, because when a person is extremely sad, they can no longer cry, as if all their tears have dried up. This was exactly what he saw when he escorted Xie Jiu back to Anqing Hall.

People who were once vibrant and alive now seemed to have lost their souls and become walking corpses.

After listening, Zhao Xingjin pondered for a moment and then said, "You may leave. I will go see her after court tomorrow."

Qing Dong responded and immediately left the main hall.

Anqing Hall.

Xie Jiu didn't sleep a wink all night.

Qingfang and Chunrong stayed with her all night.

Meanwhile, at the Xie residence outside the palace, white was hung up that very night, a mourning hall was set up, and funeral arrangements were made for Madam Yang.

However, the news of Lady Yang's death was only reported to the palace the next morning after the palace gates opened.

Soon, those with good connections all learned of Xie Jiu's mother's death. The Empress had just gotten up and was doing her makeup when she heard the news and sneered.

"This is a debt owed by children, which the parents have paid. Her father suffers from a persistent cough, and her mother died unexpectedly. It's all retribution. Back then, she climbed onto the Emperor's bed behind the back of the Wu family and caused the destruction of the entire Marquis of Weiyuan's mansion. She probably never thought that this day would come."

Tingyun also curled her lips, "That's right, those who do many evil deeds will surely perish."

"Alright, let's stop making sarcastic remarks. Consort Xie must be heartbroken. She probably won't be able to serve the Emperor during this time. Let Consort Chen seize this opportunity for me," the Empress ordered in a deep voice.

"Yes." Tingyun nodded, then said, "Your Majesty, Consort Xie must be preoccupied with her deceased mother's affairs, and she may lack the energy to manage the six palaces. Why don't you take this opportunity to reclaim your power?"

The Empress shook her head at Tingyun's suggestion.

"The task of assisting in the management of the six palaces was entrusted to her by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. How could I possibly ask for it? I believe that Consort Xie is intelligent and capable of arranging everything properly. If any trouble arises, it will have nothing to do with me."

Upon hearing her say this, Tingyun understood what she meant and stopped speaking.

Before long, the morning greetings at Weiyang Palace began.

After everyone arrived, they all secretly observed Xie Jiu's expression.

The Empress spoke first, her tone concerned, "Consort Xie, I have heard about your mother's situation. Life is unpredictable. I hope you can take care of yourself and not let excessive grief harm your health, otherwise your mother will not rest in peace."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," Xie Jiu said calmly, not wanting to say more.

Her fatigue and haggardness were very obvious, but she also exuded a sharp coldness that made people dare not provoke her.

Fortunately, there are no longer any people in the harem who are as wicked or as daring as Xie Jiu, so this morning greeting went smoothly.

It didn't cause Xie Jiu any trouble.

After leaving Weiyang Palace, Consort Liu quickened her pace to catch up with Xie Jiu.

"Please accept my condolences."