Chapter 715: Chapter 714: 714: Living as a Widow?

Jiang Ning was stunned.

It seemed the Emperor was deliberately trying to make the Prince of Kang County uncomfortable.

Since it was a mistake from the start, it should have been promptly remedied after finding out about the pregnancy.

The best solution would have been to abort the baby and pretend nothing had happened. Alternatively, they could have allowed the Prince and the Princess Consort to divorce, and then brought the Princess Consort into the palace.

At least that would give everyone the proper title and responsibility towards the child.

What on earth was the Emperor thinking?

But who could blame him? After all, he had the luxury of being capricious as the Emperor.

No matter how upset the Prince of Kang County was, he had to accept it.

Thinking about what kind of life the Prince of Kang County had been leading these years, Jiang Ning felt deeply sorry for him.

Instead of feeling ashamed, the Emperor was rather pleased: “As the child grows, he looks more and more like me. I had a paternity test done, so there’s nothing to doubt.”

Jiang Ning, while nursing a kernel of melon seed, smiled and said, “A blood test is not exactly scientific.”

“What do you mean by scientific?”

“Your Majesty, I have another question.” Jiang Ning continued snacking on her melon seeds. “As the ruler of the world, the Princess Consort of Kang County is now your woman, and she has bore you a child as well. After all these years, don’t you feel uncomfortable that she is still living with the Prince of Kang County as his wife?”

He chuckled, “Do you think the Prince of Kang County would dare to touch her?”

“…”

Jiang Ning was stunned again.

Indeed, even though the Princess Consort of Kang County was the Prince’s legitimate wife, the Prince wouldn’t dare touch her after she had slept with the Emperor.

For the Prince of Kang County, he could still take other concubines into his bed if he didn’t touch his Princess Consort.

However, didn’t this mean for all these years the Princess Consort of Kang County had effectively been a living widow?

How could she bear it?

Jiang Ning asked, “Your Majesty, have you seen the Princess Consort of Kang County over these years?”

The Emperor shot her a glance, “You have a sharp tongue today. Have you heard of the saying ‘out of the mouth comes evil’?”

The implication struck Jiang Ning like a bolt.

Could it be that the Emperor had been having an affair with the Princess Consort all these years?

The Prince of Kang County was lucky not to succumb to fury.

She was genuinely impressed.

Jiang Ning felt both satiated and nauseated from all the gossip.

And she ended up being threatened in the end.

Jiang Ning quickly put away the melon seeds, stood up, and said: “I blame the fermented rice dumplings for breakfast, I must have become drunk and impudent in your presence.”

Drunk?

The Emperor scoffed, “Then go back and sleep it off. Remember your identity as the Princess Consort and don’t act like those common gossipy women who chatter while chewing melon seeds!”

Promptly, Jiang Ning responded, “Your child obeys. I shall take my leave.”

She took two steps, and the Emperor’s voice chimed in from behind, “Take note, the marriage between your illegitimate sister and the Prince of Zhao is well arranged. In a few days, I will issue a decree, endorsing their wedding.”

Jiang Ning sweetly replied: “It’s indeed a blessing for the Jiang family that Sixth Sister has found such a good match.”

The Emperor added, “Tomorrow is the second day of the new month, a common day for women to visit their parents. I grant you a day off to be with your family.”

“Thank you for your grace.”

Jiang Ning expressed her gratitude and left.

Li Hongyuan stood in the courtyard, lost in thought while watching a plum blossom.

He was waiting for her.

Jiang Ning walked up to him: “Your Highness.”

Li Hongyuan glanced at her and asked, “What did the Emperor say to you?”

“Just some small talk.”

“Is that so.”

“By the way, has the Princess Consort of Kang County been coming to the palace often these last few years?” Jiang Ning’s appetite for gossip was not doused by the Emperor’s threats.

Li Hongyuan casually answered, “The Princess Consort of Kang County and the Empress are sisters-in-law. They have a warm relationship and naturally visit each other often.”

Jiang Ning was stunned yet again.

Could it be that every time the Emperor and the Princess Consort of Kang County had an encounter, the Empress played cover?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Whoever heard of this would have to praise the Empress for her wisdom and magnanimity?