Rich Peasant Girl: The General's Wife Has Space

Seeing Fu's expression, the Imperial Concubine recalled hearing about Li Ruyi's reputation before and understood.

Li Ruyi rarely approached the Imperial Concubine to speak, because the Imperial Concubine was respectful to superiors, approachable to inferiors, and extremely upright in character.

Although Li Ruyi was the emperor's niece, she disliked Li Ruyi's behavior somewhat.

It was also because she had accidentally witnessed Li Ruyi's two-faced behavior that she was all flattery and obsequious when facing the third prince born to the empress, but turned her back on her own son and showed him no respect.

Especially after she lost power and then regained favor, he was not very courteous when he saw her.

Although it was only for a moment, the Imperial Concubine couldn't help but scoff inwardly when she saw it.

He didn't really care about her. She was just a member of the royal family, not even the emperor's niece. No matter what, his son was still a prince. How could he allow a mere member of the royal family to look down on him?

Having heard much about Li Ruyi's behavior before, the Imperial Concubine remained silent, knowing that even if she was a member of the imperial family, her self-destructive actions would not last long.

It was only because the Emperor cared about family ties, or rather, it was to keep Prince Li around to temporarily appease the imperial relatives and nobles.

As for Xiao Wan, the Imperial Concubine had previously lived in the Xiao family and greatly admired their warm and welcoming atmosphere. Moreover, Xiao Wan had saved her son and discovered food that could feed the people of the Great Yuan Dynasty.

He was usually low-key and humble, and did not change his attitude after becoming a county magistrate. On the contrary, he took good care of the villagers, which was truly rare.

Aside from her status, what else does Li Ruyi have that can compare to Xiao Wan? She's nothing more than a parasite clinging to the royal family.

Xiao Wan's cooking was unforgettable, especially the sauerkraut fish and boiled fish. Oh my, I can't even look at them anymore, or my mouth will start watering.

Coming to her senses, the Imperial Concubine saw that Lady Fu was anxious and quickly spoke to comfort her.

"Don't worry, Madam Fu, Wan'er will be fine." Influenced by Madam Fu, the Imperial Concubine also began to call Xiao Wan "Wan'er".

Fu looked at the Imperial Concubine with suspicion. The Imperial Concubine smiled and said, "Don't worry, that girl is not only unharmed, she also fought off Li Ruyi. Not only that, she even outmaneuvered Li Ruyi."

After she finished speaking, the old woman beside the imperial concubine recounted in detail what she had heard about what had happened at the city gate.

Fu was both surprised and delighted as she listened, and finally breathed a sigh of relief at the end.

Because of the crowds coming and going at the city gate, some people who were temporarily deceived told the Emperor about it as a joke. The Imperial Concubine happened to be there and heard the whole thing.

When the Emperor heard that Li Ruyi was so cruel to the people, he was furious. But when he heard that Xiao Wan had driven her away and saved people, he smiled and nodded.

When Emperor Yuande heard Xiao Wan's words—that the common people are the people of the Great Yuan, the subjects of His Majesty, and that no one should bully His Majesty's subjects—he remained silent for a moment, then burst into laughter.

When Consort Gui saw that Emperor Yuande remained silent, she was worried for Xiao Wan. However, seeing the Emperor laughing so heartily, she breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that the Emperor was not angry about what Xiao Wan had said to Li Ruyi.

She glared at the Emperor, his panting and heaving attitude was making her anxious.

The Emperor gently patted the Consort's hand reassuringly.

Since the two of them talked things out and resolved their misunderstandings, their relationship has grown stronger. The Consort is no longer as distant from the Emperor as before, and the Emperor, noticing the change in his beloved's attitude, is naturally even more delighted.

On the surface, however, he treated the Imperial Concubine with indifference and summoned the Second Prince back from his fiefdom, assigning him a task.

These actions left the various factions in the palace bewildered. The return of the Second Prince was a major threat, but his post was one that would offend people, and his mother was not favored. They were unsure of the Emperor's true intentions and could only wait and see.

However, they didn't take the threat of the prince being temporarily deceived to heart. After all, if the emperor really valued him, why would he only assign him a task that offended people?

Returning to the story of Consort Gui and Madam Fu, Madam Fu breathed a sigh of relief after learning that Xiao Wan was alright. She was also afraid that Li Ruyi would harm Xiao Wan. Xiao Wan was already beautiful and dignified. If Li Ruyi were jealous of her and disfigured or even killed Xiao Wan, Madam Fu would never be able to get over it.

Not to mention Mingyuan, who would do anything to avenge Xiao Wan.

After hearing what the Imperial Concubine said, Madam Fu finally felt at ease.

However, Wan'er has offended Li Ruyi. Li Ruyi is the Emperor's niece, while Wan'er is only a county princess and of low birth. If the Emperor finds out, he will definitely have a problem with Wan'er.

The Imperial Concubine seemed to know what Fu was thinking, so she subtly conveyed the Emperor's attitude to Fu.

They were all intelligent people, and Lady Fu naturally understood what the Imperial Concubine meant. Knowing that the Emperor not only did not blame her, but also appreciated her, Lady Fu was completely relieved.

From now on, I'll just have to guard against Li Ruyi causing trouble behind my back. When I get back, I'll assign more guards to Wan'er and move her to my residence so I can protect her personally.

I doubt that Li Ruyi would dare to lay a hand on me, the wife of a general, since my husband and son are meritorious officials who guard the border!