Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine

Chapter114，Part1: Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine Ch 114 Pt. 1

Translated by gingercat

Edited by gingercat

“Before coming to Changyin Pavilion, Mother Empress asked about eldest sister-in-law. Daughter-in-law recalled that she was a bit pale when leaving the banquet, so wanted to check on her then come here to Changyin Pavilion together. There were several other women with me at the time so we went to the Eastern Palace together. Yet when we arrived, we ran into something we shouldn’t have… It was all this daughter-in-law’s fault. If only I didn’t let those other women accompany me…”

Consort Yong covered her face with her sleeves and started to sob. She also seemed to have realized that this matter wasn’t small. It was all because of herself that this matter was exposed to others, so how could she not feel anxious? If it was only the insiders that knew of it, it wouldn’t have been such a big deal. But now all the guests present were aware of it.

For the crown princess to commit adultery, this was simply the greatest shame of the Zhao Family.

A cry of exclamation suddenly sounded, “Niangniang1…”

Empress Wei couldn’t stand the stimulation and had fainted.

The scene turned chaotic extremely fast. Emperor Hongjing had no time to care for other things and immediately ordered for the imperial physician’s arrival. He also gave orders for the servants to carry the empress back to Kunning Palace. Before leaving, he ordered Li Dequan to take all the relevant people into custody and wait for interrogation.

With such a big commotion happening in Yueshu Building, the people in the surrounding viewing areas all gave a sidelong glance.

Soon, news spread that Empress Wei’s old disease started acting up again. His Majesty was no longer in the mood for entertainment and had already returned to Kunning Palace with her.

Now that such an incident had happened, no one was in the mood anymore to watch the play on the stage. Following the eunuchs and palace attendants’ directions, the crown of dukes, ministers and titled women all left the palace one by one.

The play that was being performed in the other theatres also came to an abrupt end.

Today was supposed to be a day for joyous celebration, yet before the curtains fell, something like this happened. It was inevitable for people to feel a little strange in their hearts.

But what exactly happened to the imperial family? No one dared to guess. Even if they had their own suspicions, they kept as silent as cicadas in late autumn. Of these people, only a few families had an inkling as to what was going on. It was because their own family members were being detained in the palace and didn’t return with them.

Yaoniang and other women of the imperial family also went to Kunning Palace. After all, Empress Wei was still regarded as their nominal mother-in-law. Now that the mother-in-law had fallen ill, the daughter-in-laws naturally had to express their filial piety. But they were all at a loss since they didn’t know what had happened, but in their hearts, they had a vague feeling that things weren’t as simple as they appeared.

Before entering Kunning Palace, Yu Chan stopped Yaoniang and whispered a few words to her. Yaoniang hid the shock in her heart and nodded to her before following the rest of the women inside.

It was already xushi2 by the time Emperor Hongjing came back from Kunning Palace.

Empress Wei had no major problems and was only overstimulated. But this fainting spell did trigger her old disease of chronic headaches, which was in line with what was announced to the outsiders.

After this period of time that allowed for things to settle in, Emperor Hongjing recovered his usual calm. When he walked in, his face was tranquil but his eyes were burning, seemingly able to penetrate people’s hearts.

He approached the throne and sat down.

“You evil creature!”

With a plop, the crown prince knelt down in front of Emperor Hongjing, prostrating before him.

Standing at the side were An Wang, Dai Wang, Yong Wang, Jin Wang, and the others. The grown-up sons of Emperor Hongjing were all here, a total of eight people.

“Father Emperor, please have mercy on erchen! Erchen just had a moment of confusion and was muddled from lust. It was that concubine who seduced erchen, so erchen couldn’t hold back…”

With a kick from Emperor Hongjing, the crown prince landed on his back with all his limbs in the air.

Despite the crown prince’s obesity, he had landed in such a sorry state so it was obvious how much strength was behind Emperor Hongjing’s kick. He must’ve been furious beyond belief.

“You! Very good! The court has repeatedly impeached you for misconduct and excessive indulgence. Zhen has always thought of you as my eldest son, so Zhen spoke up for you and covered for you. But you are very good! You even dared to steal what belongs to your Father Emperor! You still want to fool Zhen? The concubine has already confessed that this wasn’t only a once or twice occurrence and that the relationship between you two wasn’t a matter of a day or two…”

As Emperor Hongjing cursed, he stood up to kick the crown prince. The crown prince was kicked left and right until he resembled a dog disowned by its master.

An Wang stepped forward and said, “Father Emperor, please quell your anger.”

Dai Wang, Yong Wang, Jin King, Qing Wang, and Wu Wang also stepped forward and persuaded, “Father Emperor, please quell your anger.”

Only Lu Wang stood there and said, “Are you guys still Father Emperor’s biological sons? You even dare to ask Father Emperor to quell his anger after experiencing this kind of thing. The woman that eldest brother stole was Father Emperor’s own woman…”

“Shut up!” Emperor Hongjing scolded.

This kind of thing was indeed a shame for a man, especially for an older man. His own son stole his woman. This taste of double betrayal must be exceptionally uncomfortable. At the same time, because of Emperor Hongjing’s identity and age, he couldn’t help but wonder whether his concubine disdained him for being too old and weak. Lusting for the power of the crown prince, this must’ve been why she dared to have a secret tryst with him.

The number of women in his harem, even Emperor Hongjing himself doesn’t know.

Those he visited and those who he didn’t visit, those who he favoured and those who he didn’t favour. This concubine was indeed his new favourite, but she was nothing more than a toy for him. Yet it was this same toy that went behind his back and had an affair with his son.

Heh, she must’ve been scared of having no way out upon his death, so she went looking for a way out herself.

Most men in the world wouldn’t be able to bear this. Before entering this palace, Emperor Hongjing had already thought through all the pros and cons. But he still couldn’t’ refrain from losing his temper.

“You think your father doesn’t know what you’re up to? You think after dragging him down you can climb up yourself? Dream on!”

Emperor Hongjing’s words caused Lu Wang to instantly turn pale. He admitted that he didn’t have any good intentions and was taking pleasure in other’s misfortune, but the crown prince was simply not pleasing to the eyes. Based on what could he fail at everything yet still leave his brothers no choice but to submit to him?

If it was changed to An Wang, Dai Wang, Yong Wang, or even the most unpleasant Jin Wang, Lu Wang wouldn’t have felt so aggrieved. But the crown prince was different. The crown prince was stupid, incompetent and a good-for-nothing. He relied on his status as the eldest di son, so they had no choice but to bow before him, and even before his son.

However, Lu Wang didn’t dare to say this. No matter how dumb he was, he still knew that these words must not be said. He had no interest in losing his little life today.

Lu Wang’s face turned green then white but he remained standing at the side in silence.

Emperor Hongjing pointed his muzzle in another direction. “And you, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.” Before An Wang could defend himself, he continued, “Go and bring the adulterer up.”

Once these words were said, An Wang and the others’ hearts skipped a beat.

It was too much of a coincidence. First, it was the crown prince, then it was the crown princess. All these misfortunes fell onto the people from the Eastern Palace. If someone were to say that this wasn’t premeditated, no one would believe it.

But this method was too inferior. Even if one wanted to defeat the Eastern Palace, today’s incidents could be done separately. Why bother to put the two things together? Wasn’t that simply seeking trouble for yourself?

Regardless of what everyone thought, the adulterer was soon brought in.

This person had a handsome face, but now his eyes were closed and his complexion was terrible. His clothes were in tatters, and his body was covered with blood. It was obvious that he had undergone torture before arriving here.

Jin Wang’s face was dark, and it was impossible for one to discern the thoughts in his heart. Yong Wang looked towards him, whether by chance or design and was caught red-handed.

Actually, everyone was probing each other at this moment, trying to figure out whose good work this was.

Yong Wang thought of something and suddenly said, “Is this person not the orphan of the Meng Family, Meng Huoxian? Back then, when the Meng Family was exterminated, he was the only one spared.”