Chapter 70 – Rebirth: The Poisonous Concubine (11)
The Prime Minister’s wife broke out in a cold sweat, unsure of how to handle the situation. Since Wei Yuyan was a girl, the Prime Minister had rarely paid attention to her and thus did not immediately recognize the kneeling figure before him as his own daughter. He continued to speak righteously about severe punishment without the slightest hesitation.
The Censor and Minister Bai exchanged glances—what a grand performance by the Prime Minister. For the sake of his reputation, he was even willing to disown his own daughter.
The Emperor, his expression unreadable, addressed the kneeling woman. “Lift your head and let the Prime Minister see just who dares to impersonate his daughter.”
Wei Yuyan, still bowing her head, couldn’t suppress her trembling. There was no escaping today’s calamity.
Seeing no response from her, the Empress Dowager frowned in displeasure at the defiance of a royal decree. She signaled to the senior attendant beside her, who immediately stepped forward, grabbed Wei Yuyan by the hair, and forcibly lifted her head.
Since she was to appear before the Emperor, the attendants who had been ordered to bring her to the palace had roughly wiped her face with a damp cloth, stripping away any disguise. However, her complexion was far from presentable—after all, she had spent the entire night in fear and had barely slept in the prison cell.
As Wei Yuyan’s face was revealed, the Empress Dowager gasped in shock. “You—Yuyan?”
Fearing that her eyesight might be failing her, the Empress Dowager turned to the Prime Minister’s wife. “Go and see if that is Yuyan.”
The Prime Minister’s wife hesitated before rising from her seat, casting a furtive glance at her husband. Should she acknowledge it or not? If only he would give her a sign.
Had they been in private, she would have done everything in her power to protect her daughter. However, this was not her decision to make. Even if she wanted to acknowledge Yuyan, she had to consider the Prime Minister’s stance. He cared about his reputation above all else.
She stalled, scrutinizing Wei Yuyan for a long moment, but since her husband gave no indication, she dared not speak carelessly. Finally, she replied, “No, she is not.”
The Empress Dowager let out a sigh of relief. That was good—if the royal bride-to-be had ties to human traffickers, it would be a disgrace to the royal family.
But aside from the Empress Dowager, who was aging and prone to mistakes, everyone else in the room was sharp-witted. The Prime Minister’s wife’s hesitation and reluctance made it obvious—the captured woman was, without a doubt, her daughter.
The Emperor smiled. “This woman has committed grave crimes—collaborating with human traffickers to deceive the people and even impersonating the Prime Minister’s daughter. Guards, take her away. She is to be executed at noon at the Meridian Gate.”
“No! Father, Mother, save me…” As the guards stepped forward to drag Wei Yuyan away, her fear reached its peak. The pain of being killed by rebel soldiers in her past life was still vivid in her memory. She didn’t want to die—she couldn’t die.
Desperate to survive, Wei Yuyan no longer cared about exposing her identity and cried out for her parents. The Prime Minister showed little reaction, but his wife could no longer hold back. She rushed forward, embracing Wei Yuyan tightly as she cried out, “My daughter!”
The Empress Dowager was so enraged that she nearly fainted. Just moments ago, they had insisted she wasn’t Wei Yuyan—now, suddenly, the Prime Minister’s wife was clinging to her and calling her “daughter.”
“Husband, husband, you cannot abandon our daughter…” A mother’s child is like a piece of her own flesh. Though the Prime Minister’s wife had previously denied her, she could never stand by and watch her daughter be executed.
The Prime Minister was absolutely furious. Even if it was Yuyan, so what? The execution was scheduled for noon at the Meridian Gate—neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager would personally attend. He could have easily arranged for someone to switch Yuyan out in the prison. But now, thanks to this public outburst, the whole court knew, and his reputation was utterly disgraced.
“You just said she wasn’t Wei Yuyan. Now she suddenly is? Exactly how many daughters do you have?!” The Empress Dowager was livid—lying in front of both her and the Emperor? Unforgivable!
With his wife’s confession, the Prime Minister had no way to refute the claim and could only plead for the Emperor’s mercy.
The Emperor chuckled and said, “According to you, Wei Yuyan was the mastermind behind the abduction of Madam Yu. Since she wasn’t involved in other kidnappings, her crime isn’t too severe. However, why don’t you tell us—what exactly did Lady Yu do to offend you? Why did you have her kidnapped? Censor Yu is here as well. Take this opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings.”
Censor Yu stared coldly at Wei Yuyan, his expression devoid of emotion. Wei Yuyan stammered before hastily making up an excuse, claiming that the kidnappers had simply taken the wrong person.
“I never intended to kidnap Madam Yu—it was originally my mistake…” Wei Yuyan recounted a fabricated story: A steward in her household had offended her, and her maid had suggested a prank—kidnapping the steward’s wife to give her a little scare before releasing her the next day.
However, she had no idea that her maid had hired actual human traffickers. When she later realized something was wrong, she followed the old woman they had hired, intending to rescue the steward’s wife—only for the woman to mistake Lady Yu for the intended target and kidnap her by accident.
Whether or not the Empress Dowager believed this story, the Prime Minister’s wife certainly did. She and Wei Yuyan knelt on the floor, pleading for mercy. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister subtly signaled to a young eunuch by the door. The eunuch quietly slipped away—to fabricate the necessary evidence to support Wei Yuyan’s claims.
“I acknowledge my mistake. I was momentarily blinded by my emotions. Lord Censor, I sincerely apologize,” Wei Yuyan said with a remorseful expression, her tone filled with sincerity.
The Prime Minister also cupped his hands in respect, offering an apology on his daughter’s behalf.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager’s expression softened considerably. There was a significant difference between punishing a servant and kidnapping an official’s wife. Wei Yuyan was still young, and her actions were simply a momentary lapse in judgment caused by frustration. Besides, she had felt guilty afterward and even attempted to rescue the victim, which led to her capture.
“Your Majesty, do as you see fit, but don’t be too harsh. You must also consider the Third Prince’s reputation…” the Empress Dowager advised the Emperor. A future royal consort being involved in such a scandal was embarrassing for both the imperial family and the court. However, since this marriage had been arranged by the late emperor, it would be difficult to annul unless Wei Yuyan committed an unforgivable crime.
The Emperor also recalled the late emperor’s decree. The imperial family’s dignity could not be tarnished, and this incident would have to be tolerated. However, the Prime Minister had now given him leverage—he could make a show of leniency this time, but next time, they wouldn’t be so fortunate.
“What is your opinion, Lord Yu?” the Emperor asked, as a mere formality. Since the higher authorities had no objections, the Censor had no choice but to put on a forced smile.
“Miss Wei was simply being playful. In the future, however, such methods should never be used to punish servants,” he said through gritted teeth, his outward smile masking his inward resentment. His wife had suffered in vain, left to endure a night of fear and uncertainty with no justice in sight.
With the Empress Dowager’s intervention, the matter was brushed aside. The main blame was placed on the human traffickers, and Wei Yuyan’s involvement was largely ignored. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister’s wife later brought generous gifts and personally escorted Wei Yuyan to apologize.
Initially, she had been unwilling to let Wei Yuyan apologize. After all, her daughter was to become the Third Prince’s consort. Once married, even Madam Yu would have to bow before her. Apologizing now would be beneath her dignity. Moreover, why should her daughter have to face the very person who had suffered because of her mistake?
However, Wei Yuyan thought differently. She had already missed one opportunity to establish a connection with Yu Chenyi and had left a negative impression on Madam Yu. If she didn’t mend the relationship now, her future days in the Yu household would be difficult.
Worn down by Wei Yuyan’s persistence, the Prime Minister’s wife reluctantly agreed. She also recalled how Censor Yu had left Cining Palace with a dark expression. Offending a Censor could lead to constant scrutiny, with every minor mistake being magnified. If the Prime Minister gained another political enemy in court, many of his plans could be hindered. With that in mind, allowing Wei Yuyan to apologize and resolve the matter seemed a small price to pay to maintain their political standing.
The Prime Minister’s wife agreed. Wei Yuyan then called her chief maid to apply a pitifully delicate makeup look—soft and vulnerable. She was certain that Madam Yu, being kind-hearted, would forgive her as long as she pleaded sincerely.
When the two of them arrived at the Censor’s residence, bearing generous gifts and traveling in a sedan chair, they happened to encounter a group of rescued noblewomen who had also come with presents to express their gratitude to Madam Yu. As women, it was inappropriate for them to thank Bai Mo directly at the Bai residence, so they chose an indirect approach—visiting Madam Yu instead. If not for Madam Yu’s calming presence and guidance, they wouldn’t even know where they would have ended up.
Madam Yu, understanding the deeper meaning behind this gesture, sent someone to invite Bai Mo over.
Since the two families were future in-laws, and both Bai Mo and Yu Chenyi were men, the usual restrictions placed on interactions between engaged couples didn’t apply. It was permissible for them to meet before the wedding.
Now dressed once again in men’s clothing, Bai Mo looked handsome and refined. When he smiled slightly, his crescent-shaped eyes curved like a new moon. Standing at a respectful distance from the young ladies, he gave a polite greeting, “Greetings, sisters~”
The noble ladies returned the courtesy and couldn’t help but develop a fondness for Bai Mo, who was not only good-looking but also their savior.
A gallant young man who had saved them—how could they not be moved? Their words were laced with subtle inquiries about Bai Mo’s preferences, trying to gauge his type.
The more people competing, the more valuable the prize seemed.
Madam Yu was no exception. She had always been pleased with Bai Mo as a future daughter-in-law. But seeing so many young ladies interested in Bai Mo only heightened her sense of urgency. To secure this wonderful daughter-in-law for her son, Yu Chenyi, and to ensure her own future benefits, Madam Yu ignored the subtle probing of the noblewomen and instead brought up the imminent wedding.
With a smile, she said, “Before, Chenyi was away studying at the academy, which delayed the wedding. Now that he’s back and of age, it’s time to put your marriage on the agenda.”
“I’ll have to report this to my mother first,” Bai Mo responded with a sly smile.
As the saying goes: a neglected field will be left barren, but once it is cultivated, others will come to claim it.
Outside, Wei Yuyan was still watching hungrily. Bai Mo also wanted to settle things with Yu Chenyi as soon as possible—no matter how shameless Wei Yuyan was, she couldn’t possibly lower herself to becoming a mere concubine, could she?
Xiao Bobao responded indifferently, “That’s not so certain.”
Bai Mo was stunned. “But she’s the Prime Minister’s daughter. Given her status, she wouldn’t settle for being a concubine, would she?”
Xiao Bobao, thoroughly disgusted by the female lead of this world, snapped its book shut and began analyzing Wei Yuyan’s mindset. “Mo Mo, have you ever heard of the term ‘social climbing’? In modern times, mistresses who knowingly enter relationships with married men aim to eliminate the legal wife and take her place. In an era where concubinage is socially acceptable, why should Wei Yuyan feel any shame in becoming a concubine? Given her status as the Prime Minister’s daughter, all she has to do is get rid of you. Once you’re out of the picture, her noble background will guarantee she’s promoted to the main wife. The Prime Minister certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to overshadow his daughter.”
The little snow ferret, having never encountered such a situation before, was utterly stunned. However, he still held onto a sliver of hope and argued, “Maybe it won’t happen.”
“Just watch. I think it will!”
As they were speaking, the Prime Minister’s wife arrived with Wei Yuyan. After exchanging pleasantries, Wei Yuyan began her performance.
She played the role of the pitiful victim, twisting the truth, admitting guilt with remorse, and even going so far as to “punish herself” with a symbolic gesture of repentance. With such a complete act, it was hard for anyone—whether kind-hearted or simply respectful of her status as the Prime Minister’s daughter—not to forgive her.
Bai Mo’s expression darkened as he watched. After offering her apology, Wei Yuyan shifted the conversation to Yu Cheniì, mentioning repeatedly how her momentary mistake had caused him to stay up all night searching for the missing person.
She even expressed concern about whether Yu Chenyi had been injured in the process. To show her sincerity, she had specially gone to a temple to pray for a safety talisman, which she now presented to both Yu Chenyi and Madam Yu, hoping Madam Yu wouldn’t reject it.
“What did I tell you?” Xiao Bobao sneered at Wei Yuyan’s act.
Bai Mo watched her performance with a blank expression. Her words were well-crafted, but unfortunately for her, Madam Yu wasn’t buying it.
Did she really think she could fool Madam Yu with such a flimsy excuse?
Maybe outsiders would believe her story about a mistaken identity, but Madam Yu wasn’t that easily deceived. To her, Wei Yuyan was spewing nonsense.
Madam Yu took the safety talisman with a forced smile and said, “Actually, the one who worked the hardest that night wasn’t Chenyi—it was our family’s dog, Wangcai. A dog’s nose is the sharpest, after all. Chenyi led Wangcai around all night searching for me, and Wangcai was truly the most deserving of merit. Servants, come! Thread a cord through this safety talisman and hang it around Wangcai’s neck. Our household’s security depends on him.”
Wei Yuyan’s face turned ghastly pale.
Madam Yu had just publicly humiliated her in front of more than a dozen people. As if that wasn’t enough, Fu Bo even personally led Wangcai out, making it crystal clear that they were comparing Wei Yuyan to a dog. The Prime Minister’s wife was so furious that her lips twisted in anger.