Consort Xian worriedly said, "Who on earth have you offended? Why did they send such a deadly assassin?"
"Son has not offended anyone," Yuwen Hao reassured her: "It's alright, the assassins have all been executed already, son will not be in danger again."
"The Empress is not a fool..." She looked up at Yuan Qingling, really angry, "What are you standing there for? Don't you know to order the servants to make some soup for the Prince? Is this how you serve people?"
Yuan Qingling looked at Yuwen Hao, "Does the Prince want to eat anything?"
Consort Xian angrily said: "You should have ordered it made, what's wrong with eating something? You even have to ask what an injured person should eat, unable to handle even small matters, it seems the affairs in this prince's manor are too much for you to handle alone, it would be better to find someone to share the burden."
Yuan Qingling sneered inwardly, so this was about taking a concubine was it? Afraid she would make trouble? Overestimating her, she could not make trouble.
Consort Xian slowly sat up straight, her expression dignified, "The Empress Mother came today not only to see your injury, but also to discuss something with you."
Yuwen Hao knew what she wanted to say, "Let's put it off for now, son's injury has not yet healed, it's not suitable to speak of it now."
"We must speak of it," Consort Xian insisted, "The Empress Mother has already discussed this with your Father Emperor, he did not object, only waiting to send someone to ask the Chu family, if the Chu family agrees, this matter will be settled, and if your Father Emperor speaks on your behalf, the Chu family will not possibly refuse. You just focus on recuperating, once you have recovered, it will be time to proceed."
"Enough, let's not speak of this now." Yuwen Hao was quite vexed, and did not want to bring this up at such a juncture.
Consort Xian sternly said, "There is no one else here, what can't be said? If not for the incident at the Princess mansion a year ago, you would have married Cui'er long ago, how could you have fallen to such dire straits? Not only neglected and looked down upon by your Father Emperor, but at the mercy of anyone to freely assassinate. Anyone with a conscience would no longer oppose you taking a concubine to consolidate your position."
These words were clearly meant for Yuan Qingling to hear.
Consort Xian deeply resented Yuan Qingling. All those years of hope dashed in an instant, caught completely off guard, had left her unable to let go this past year.
Her poor health this past year was also due to pent-up frustration.
She coldly glanced at Yuan Qingling, completely unaware that she was indifferent, her expression unchanged, only further stoking her anger, coldly saying: "This Empress warns you, you can either accept this matter willingly or not, but either way you must accept it. If you dare make any moves behind the scenes, this Empress will be the first to show you no mercy."
Yuan Qingling indifferently said: "Even if you dismiss me, I have no objections, let alone taking a concubine. I have already stated my position on this matter before His Majesty. You two talk slowly, excuse me."
After speaking, she turned and left.
Consort Xian had not expected Yuan Qingling to take this attitude with her. This was not a compromising attitude, but clearly an attitude of wanting to make trouble. It seemed she was opposed to the Fifth Prince taking a concubine.
Consort Xian's expression was gloomy as she glared coldly at Yuwen Hao, "Is this how you indulge her actions?"
Yuwen Hao glanced up, "She saved this son's life when even the imperial physicians had given up."
Consort Xian was startled, "Her? She knows medicine?"
Then she sneered, "Look at you in such sorry state. How reluctant were you to marry her back then? Yet now you make excuses for her. After just one year together you have feelings for her? Don't forget how she and Marquis Jing schemed against you. Besides, Marquis Jing is truly unworthy of your trust. You must win the Chu family's support to have a chance to turn things around."
Yuwen Hao was getting impatient, "Empress Mother, let's talk about these things later, shall we? I really am not in the mood to think about all these messy matters right now."
Consort Xian sighed, "The Empress Mother is doing this for your good. If you don't fight for this position, others won't let you off easily. Why not make an effort?"
Yuwen Hao suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of resentment in his gaze, "Make an effort? What does the Empress Mother want me to strive for? To stand up and fight for the Crown Prince's position?"
"Why are you shouting? Making sure others can hear right? " Consort Xian stood up and looked at him coldly, "The position of Crown Prince is rightfully yours. To fall to having to fight for it now is already so unfair to both you and the Empress Mother. Do you know how much effort my maternal clan has made for your sake? How can you fail them?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Hao was not angry but laughed, "How much effort have they made? But how much have they demanded from this Prince? This Prince never said I wanted them to do anything. They are Father Emperor's subjects, being loyal to Father Emperor and the court is enough. Father Emperor is still young, what's the point of those machinations?"
"You are simply unreasonable!" Consort Xian trembled with anger, "It's clear I came today in error. You are stubborn and unrepentant, unappreciative of good intentions. You will suffer for this attitude."
Tang Yang who was at the side quickly came over to smooth things over, "Consort Xian, the Prince is still recovering from heavy injuries, it's really not suitable to speak of these things. Why not wait until the Prince has recovered before making plans?"
"There are no plans to be made. Taking a concubine is imperative, it's rare your Father Emperor agrees, if you don't take one for fear of Yuan Qingling's objections, I will kill her first."
Yuwen Hao really had no heart to continue entanglement over this matter with her, indifferently said: "Then kill her, whatever makes the Empress Mother happy."
Consort Xian's eyes were icy cold, "Don't just casually speak of killing. When the time comes that the Empress Mother really takes action, you'll complain about the Empress Mother again."
Tang Yang smiled placatingly, "Your Ladyship, don't be angry. The Prince's wounds cause him pain, he really can't think of anything else. Why don't you go outside for some cakes and pastries, Qi Amah knew you were coming and made your favorites early on."
Consort Xian felt stifled with anger, coldly said: "I don't want any. Coming to my own son's home yet getting aggrieved, what is there to eat? You take good care of him and see to his recuperation. I'm leaving."
Consort Xian took one look at Yuwen Hao's expressionless face, increasingly disinclined, disheartened, and left.
Tang Yang hurriedly escorted her out. Qi Amah had just brought over cakes and pastries, "Your Ladyship, your servant has brought you..."
Consort Xian didn't even glance their way, and swept out a hand knocking the cakes to the ground. Qi Amah was frightened and immediately knelt down, "This old servant is guilty!"
Consort Xian did not linger, her skirt trailing over the stone steps as she coldly departed.
