Chapter 179: Return to the Capital

Chapter 179

Return to the Capital

Xian Fei did not hide the news of her daughter-in-law’s pregnancy from the Emperor. Not only did the Emperor not reprimand Kang Wang, but he also expressed sympathy for him, as this was only his first child after all this time. Furthermore, while the consort was beautiful, she came from a merchant family, so the Emperor decreed a generous dowry for her.

Although it was only a secondary consort wedding, Kang Wang arranged a grand ceremony. Some people, upon seeing the extravagant bridal sedan procession, even thought it was a procession for the wedding of a primary consort. The bride-price train stretched so long it seemed endless, and there were over a hundred tables set up for the banquet. Many officials from Huangjing City attended, and local wealthy merchants who were familiar with Xiangyun Tea House came to offer their blessings. Since Young Miss Nie had no elder relatives in Huangjing City, Master He represented the bride’s family.

The Emperor and Xian Fei presided over the ceremony from behind a curtain. When it came time for Kang Wang and Mu Rongying to bow in respect to their parents, they turned towards where the two sat. Mu Zhao Yi, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but feel smug.

Even though the Emperor and Xian Fei were attending the event, they did not make a public appearance. What did this mean? She had once thought Mu Rongying would become the primary consort, given how serious Kang Wang seemed about her. However, because of her status as the daughter of a merchant family, Mu Rongying was only a Liang Di. In the future, Mu Rongying would still have to bow to her...

After the wedding, Mu Rongying moved in with Kang Wang at the palace but continued overseeing the accounts from her residence. Kang Wang, worried she might overexert herself, brought his own work to sit beside her. The two sat together, happily immersed in their tasks, with only the sounds of pages turning, ink brushing paper, and the occasional abacus clattering. From time to time, they would glance at each other, and Kang Wang couldn’t resist kissing her often—sometimes on the cheek, sometimes on the lips. Mu Rongying had to gently scold him.

Kiss...

"Your Highness, don’t be so mischievous. I can’t get any work done."

Kiss...

Kang Wang kissed her lips again, stopping her chatter.

"You’ve been working for quite a while already, haven’t you? Why don’t you take a break and have some tea with me?"

Now that the tea house was running smoothly, with many skilled servants, the work was no longer as urgent. Mu Rongying didn’t need to manage it every day like before, so she often sent Chunmei to help Wang Dongpo instead.

Kang Wang selected trusted attendants to care for her and continued his daily routine of attending court and dining with the Emperor and Xian Fei every evening. One day, the Emperor mentioned the upcoming wedding of Princess An Le and announced his plan to return to the capital after the new year.

"Wuqian, you should come to the capital for An Le’s wedding."

Kang Wang gladly accepted the decree. It had been a long time since he returned to the capital, his home, and he hadn’t seen many relatives and friends in years. Since becoming a Wang and governing his province, he had never violated the rule of staying within his jurisdiction. If not for the Emperor’s command, who knew when he’d get another chance? The wedding of Princess An Le would take place in early spring, by which time Mu Rongying’s pregnancy would be stable enough for travel. He also wished to take her to visit Nie Shuang. The two sworn sisters were closer than many who shared the same blood.

That night, when he shared the news with Mu Rongying, she was overjoyed. Seeing her face light up made him laugh.

"Look at you. When I told you I’d take you to visit Shuang Shuang, you seemed even happier than when we got married."

Mu Rongying giggled and reassured her husband, who was acting like a sulking child.

"Didn’t I tell you, Your Highness? As long as I have you by my side, I’m already content. Whether there’s a wedding or not, it doesn’t matter. But as for Sister Nie, she has done so much for me. And besides, by now her children must have grown up quite a bit. I wonder if they’ll still remember their Aunt Yingying."

"That’s true. Now that you mention it, I miss them. My goddaughter, Xiao Hua Hua, must be growing up even more adorable. Yingying, I’d love to have a cute daughter just like Xiao Hua Hua. It would be wonderful if this child you’re carrying is a girl."

Mu Rongying let out a relieved sigh.

"I thought you wanted triplets like Sister Nie. I don’t think I could handle that. She’s incredibly lucky to have had triplets twice, isn’t she? Such a talent is really hard to imitate."

Kang Wang smiled at his wife.

"One at a time, no need to rush. However many children you wish to have, I’ll gladly cooperate."

Mu Rongying blushed and playfully glared at him. Now that she was officially his secondary consort, their relationship no longer had to be hidden. Kang Wang became even more affectionate, often teasing her to the point of embarrassment. Whenever he saw her flustered, he would laugh happily. The servants at the palace all knew how much Kang Wang adored his secondary consort. He even issued an order for her to be called Wang Fei and gave her full authority over all matters in the palace. Thus, the servants treated her with utmost respect and care.

Mu Rongying’s radiant happiness was evident to anyone who saw her. On the day the Emperor and Xian Fei were set to return to the capital, she accompanied Kang Wang to see them off. Mu Zhao Yi, observing her younger cousin’s expressions, felt the satisfaction she once had from seeing Mu Rongying as just a secondary consort turn into bitterness.

Mu Rongying was glowing with vitality, and Kang Wang openly showered her with affection. If things continued this way, it wouldn’t be surprising if she was elevated to the position of primary consort. Kang Wang had already promised his parents that Mu Rongying would only be his primary consort , and there was a possibility that once she bore him a child, he would make her his primary consort. Mu Zhao Yi couldn’t help but compare herself to Mu Rongying. She not only had an aging husband to share with countless other concubines, but her womb was still empty. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t help but feel resentful.It was so unfair! Mu Rongying was selfish! She avoided entering the palace as a concubine and ended up with a wonderful husband, leaving the burden for her family to bear. Life behind the palace walls, despite the power, was full of constant battles with enemies at every turn—there was no happiness to be found. Even now, as Mu Rongying married Kang Wang as a secondary consort, she brought no benefits to the Mu family. It was the Nie family that gained everything from this union. Mu Zhao Yi resolved that once she returned to the capital, she would raise this issue with the elders of the family!