The Lucky Heiress

Chapter 543: Chapter 543: Wei Family Becomes New Nobility in Capital City_1

On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, a victory report arrived from Jiangzhe.

The Anti-Japanese Army of Taizhou Prefecture, led by Wei Mingting, fought a splendid counterattack.

This battle was more hard-fought and exhilarating than any previous one, with the warships newly constructed under the supervision of King Qin playing a vital role in the campaign.

Wei Mingting’s Anti-Japanese Army, aboard these new warships, sank more than half of the Japanese Pirates’ ships, directly driving them into panicked flight without letting them come ashore.

Due to the limited time, only three warships were constructed, each barely fitted with four divine warrior cannons. Even so, they demonstrated great effectiveness.

Given more time, the Ministry of Works can achieve even better results.

At that time, it wouldn’t be out of question to force the Japanese Pirates straight back to their homeland, or even chase them down and strike them in Japan.

The news of this great victory like a beam of dawn dispersed the lingering fog-blanketed atop the Daye Empire.

The Emperor was extremely delighted; the entire court celebrated.

With great pleasure, the Emperor issued a decree to reward Wei Mingting and other military personnel who contributed to the victory.

Among them, Wei Mingting was promoted to Deputy General, holding the title of General Guangwei.

Xu Zhengyong held his current position, but his title escalated to become General Zhaowu.

Additionally, both of them received amply generous rewards.

The Emperor also granted permission for certain soldiers from the Anti-Japanese Army to return home for a visit. Wei Mingting and Xu Zhengyong both received this privilege, with Wei Mingting allowed to return home for the New Year while Xu Zhengyong must wait until after the New Year.

This recent promotion had Wei Mingting dubbed as the fastest rising military general in recent years, threatening the past momentum of General Lu and Xu Guogong.

Wei Yichen and Wei Ruo both recently became popular figures in the Capital City.

For a moment, the Wei Family attained unparalleled momentum, instantly becoming the new elite of the Capital City.

Compared to that, the downfall of the Qi Family made a negligible impact on the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence, because it had connections with the eldest and second branches of the Wei Family, while the one receiving imperial favor was the third branch of the Wei Family.

People who the Wei family had sought audience with, but could not meet, were now, in turn, submitting their visiting cards to the Old Master Wei.

Marquis Xuanping residence, which previously had a canceled engagement with Wei Ruo, also sent gifts and congratulated, clearly trying to get on the good side of the Wei family.

The favoritism towards the Wei Family reminded the King Yu, Chu Heng, of his interest in Wei Qingwan.

On the very night the Emperor issued a decree promoting Wei Mingting, King Yu stayed over at Cuiting Pavilion for the first time, showing his favor towards Wei Qingwan.

Wei Qingwan could not believe that she would once again become a favored consort of King Yu.

Wei Qingwan’s heart was sweet as honey.

Regardless of whether King Yu still had a chance of becoming the Crown Prince, he was at least a Prince.

Being favored by a Prince, she could at least live a decent life, as envied by everyone, like the current consort of Prince Huai.

Wei Qingwan, with a beaming face, let Cuihe help her dress and put on makeup.

Qi Shijing entered without notice.

Upon seeing this, Wei Qingwan stood up to pay her respect, “Little sister pays respect to elder sister, the Queen.”

“Little sister, you must have been tired from receiving the royal favor last night, drink this bowl of soup as a tonic,” Qi Shijing said to Wei Qingwan with a smile.

Wei Qingwan looked dubiously at Qi Shijing and then at the black bowl of medicine held by the maid beside her, she frowned and said, “Thanks elder sister, the Queen, leave the medicine here, I will drink it later.”

“That may not be appropriate, the medicine should be taken while it’s hot for the best effect,” Qi Shijing said.

“Elder sister, is this really a tonic?” Wei Qingwan asked.

“Little sister, just consider it as a tonic and drink it,” Qi Shijing replied.

“Elder sister, I want the truth.”

“In that case, I’ll just speak straight with you.” Qi Shijing responded, “This is not a tonic, but chatelaine soup.”

Hearing this, Wei Qingwan’s expression turned cold, and she rejected firmly, “I’m afraid I cannot drink this medicine, sister.”

“What do you mean by this, little sister? Have you forgotten the rules of the King’s residence? While I have not yet had a child, no one else in the residence is allowed to be pregnant.”

This was the first time Qi Shijing had referred to herself as “the palace” when speaking to Wei Qingwan.

However, Wei Qingwan stood her ground: “Sister, I apologize. I know you’ll be angry with me, but I really wish to have children for the prince.”

Qi Shijing’s gaze instantly turned icy.

“Wei Qingwan, I’ve treated you kindly from the moment you entered the King’s residence, and this is how you repay me?”

“Sister, I dare not… I still hold you in high regard, but the matter of children is ultimately up to the prince. If the prince orders me to drink this chatelaine soup, then I would have nothing more to say.” Wei Qingwan replied.

Seeing Wei Qingwan’s demeanor, Qi Shijing laughed, “I really didn’t expect you to have such a scheming mind; I underestimated you.”

“I dare not.” Wei Qingwan lowered her head, appearing obedient.

“You will drink this chatelaine soup today, no matter what!” Saying this, Qi Shijing ordered Tingsnow to seize Wei Qingwan and force-feed her the medicine.

Wei Qingwan resisted with all her strength, and Cuihe rushed forward to assist.

However, Qi Shijing had brought more people, and they quickly subdued Wei Qingwan and Cuihe.

Just as Qi Shijing was about to force-feed Wei Qingwan the medicine, Chu Heng arrived upon hearing the commotion.

“What do you think you are doing?” Chu Heng’s face was filled with anger.

“Cousin, according to the rules of the King’s residence, Wei Qingwan, who served as a concubine last night, should drink chatelaine soup today.” Qi Shijing replied.

Chu Heng looked at Wei Qingwan, her eyes were red, she was teary as if about to cry, looking exceptionally pitiful.

Her gaze towards Chu Heng was filled with injustice.

Chu Heng spoke up, “The residence’s rule is that concubines are not allowed to be pregnant before you; however, Wanwan is a concubine; her status is different, this rule does not apply to her.”

Qi Shijing was stunned for a moment. Finally, under Chu Heng’s stern gaze, she saw the predicament she was in clearly.

Yes, the Qi Family has fallen, she can no longer offer support to her cousin.

On the other hand, Wei Qingwan was in the opposite situation; the Wei Family was on the rise, and her father and brothers were the new nobility at court.

As Qi Shijing processed this, she saw Chu Heng take Wei Qingwan into his arms, gently calming her down.

Qi Shijing watched them walk into the inner chamber, her face pale as a sheet.

Qi Shijing had no choice but to leave with her people from Cuiting Pavilion.

Later, Chu Heng arranged for a few more maids for Wei Qingwan, for her to command as she pleased.

Suddenly, the positions of Wei Qingwan and Qi Shijing in the King Yu Residence completely changed.

The King’s residence’s opportunistic servants began to ingratiate themselves with Wei Qingwan and cold-shouldered Qi Shijing instead.

This abrupt change made Wei Qingwan fully aware; she had always thought about relying on herself to climb up, but in reality, women also need the help of their natal family to hold their ground in the residence.

“Cuihe, prepare some gifts, let’s go back to the Wei Family.” Wei Qingwan decided.

“Miss, when are you going? Should this servant go early to notify the Duke Residence?”

“No need, it’s not that much trouble to return to my family.”

Wei Qingwan urged Cuihe and Nurse Li to prepare the gifts properly right after she finished speaking.

And then promptly set out for the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence.