The prefect of Luo Province kept his head down. With a helpless look, he had been called over by the fourth prince once more.
In regards to these princes, he really had had enough. With just one slap from his daughter, he had practically lost the entirety of his family’s foundation, and he had to endure this sort of psychological attack again and again. If possible, he really wanted to leave the banquet early and returned to the posthouse to cry. Unfortunately, before he could find an excuse to leave, he had been called over.
Mu Jiang knelt in front of Xuan Tian Yi but was told that there was no need to salute. Instead, he needed to kowtow to the Feng family’s third young miss and apologize. Mu Jiang nearly vomited a mouthful of blood!
The Feng family had fallen to such a degree, and this was just the daughter of a concubine, yet he had to kowtow and apologize? What sort of situation was this?
He subconsciously turned his head and looked up toward where the Emperor sat; however, he found that the Emperor was not even looking in this direction. He was in the middle of happily watching the dance performance.
He shifted his gaze once more and found that someone from the group of imperial concubines noticed him, but there was nobody that spoke up to remind the Emperor of what was happening. After all, it was rare that the Emperor would enjoy a dance performance. Nobody wanted to disturb the Emperor’s enjoyment.
On this side, before Mu Jiang could kowtow, a voice that was even more dazing than the fourth prince, Xuan Tian Yi, spoke up: “Oh? This is the prefect of Luo Province, Lord Mu? The one whose daughter hit this imperial daughter’s younger sister and ruined this imperial daughter’s pearl from the Eastern Sea?”
Mu Jiang’s body suddenly swayed, and he nearly fell headfirst into a table. He then heard Xuan Tian Ge say: “Lord Mu, be careful. Your daughter ruined Imperial Daughter Ji An’s pearl, and now you plan on flipping this table of great wine and ruining this palace princess’ dress?”
Mu Jiang’s arms supported him on the ground, as he finally managed to steady both his emotions and his body. He did not dare do anything anymore. He no longer dared to make a single mistake in front of these people. Everyone said that the people of the border region were barbaric and tyrannical, but who knew that the truly fierce and cruel people were in the capital! Compared to these princes, palace princess and imperial daughter, the people of the border region were nothing but little white rabbits. They could not cause even the slightest disturbance.
He gave up. He obediently kowtowed to Feng Xiang Rong and apologized, promising once more that the dowry would be sent to the capital quickly. He guaranteed that it would satisfy third Young Miss Feng.
Xuan Tian Yi nodded, “Since your attitude is accepted, you can go back!”
Mu Jiang finally managed to get away from those demons, and his back had been covered in a cold sweat.
Xiang Rong was puzzled and asked Xuan Tian Yi: “What dowry? Whose?”
As a result, Xuan Tian Yi did not pay any attention to her. He just got up and left. Xiang Rong was speechless. What sort of person was this? Looking up to look for Xuan Tian Yi, she ended up seeing a figure in white that was holding a cup of wine. Who knew what they were thinking of, as their expression was pure like water and refined like a deity.
Her cheeks immediately turned red, as a bit of warmth suddenly washed over her. What she thought of, however, was: The fourth prince had just come over to speak to her. Had that person seen it? Would there be a misunderstanding? But she then smiled bitterly, what misunderstanding could there be? That person did not have any feelings for her. What could possibly happen from someone speaking to her? She sighed internally. In the end, she forcefully suppressed those feelings then glared at the parting Xuan Tian Yi before beginning to silently eat some fruit.
Xuan Tian Ge saw all of this and quietly asked Feng Yu Heng: “I heard that fourth brother is interested in Xiang Rong. Now, it seems that it really is true.”
Feng Yu Heng smiled and replied: “As I see it, the two are quite well-suited for each other.”
“Are they?” Xuan Tian Ge did not agree, “Fourth brother is a prince that has been taken into custody. Although he is still allowed to live in the Ping Palace, he has already lost his position as a prince. He has been demoted to a common person. There isn’t much of a chance of a comeback for him.”
“What of it?” Feng Yu Heng asked her, “A high-ranking official with a good salary can provide you with a life without worry, but that is also a man that will take many wives. Or a common man that will truly love and protect you. Which one do you want?”
Xuan Tian Ge was startled and only replied after a long time: “If you say it like that, they really are quite suited to each other. It’s just unknown how long fourth brother’s zeal will last. What’s worrying is that he remains a commoner but still thinks of having many wives. A-Heng, you need to know that even if he is a commoner, his father is still the Emperor. In the end, he is still different from other people.”
“That’s right.” Feng Yu Heng also said: “What’s concerning is when you don’t have anything but still want to live a life of luxury. Xiang Rong is still young, and there are still three years before she becomes of age. Let’s just wait and see. I need to find a good family for my younger sister.” When she brought up her younger sister, she sighed, “In truth, the Feng family’s fourth daughter, Feng Fen Dai, has a good life. Although His Highness the fifth prince was quite absurd and was not liked by Father Emperor, ever since he had taken an interest in Fen Dai, his actions have become more respectable.”
“It’s just a shame that your younger sister does not know how to treasure it. I heard that fifth brother is taking care of the Feng residence. Even like that, Feng Fen Dai is not satisfied. When she becomes frustrated, she goes to the Li Palace to smash things. Fifth brother has been enduring it the entire time.”
Feng Yu Heng shrugged, “That’s life. After all that is said, it’s still in your own hands. Whatever sort of attitude you express will have that sort of return. The heavens really are fair.”
The two chatted for a little while longer before Feng Yu Heng stood up. Holding a cup of wine, she left the table. When she stopped, she had gone to the men’s side and was at Yao Shu’s side.
All six members of the Yao family had come, and they were all seated in one place. Seeing that Feng Yu Heng had come, they were all very happy. The group surrounded their darling younger cousin and were very welcoming. Feng Yu Heng had a relatively good impression of these cousins, especially the youngest. He was not many years older than her, and he still had a bit of a youth’s aura; however, he was also the best looking among the six Yao family children.
She chatted with this group for a while. She lifted her cup and leaned close to Yao Shu. She then suddenly asked in a quiet voice: “Eldest brother, if your wife had the intention of harming me, say, what should I, as your cousin, do?”
Yao Shu was startled. He did not think that Feng Yu Heng would suddenly say this. When she said this, she was even smiling. Nobody could have thought that a smiling girl would be able to let out such a murderous intent with those words.
But Yao Shu was a person with a brain. He trusted that Feng Yu Heng would not speak aimlessly. If she was able to say such a thing, there would definitely be a reason and a goal. As for himself, he also had his own position, which was: “Younger Sister Heng, if it’s a matter between husband and wife, I will allow her to act as she pleases as consideration of happier times. That is something a man should do. But the Yao family is kind, and its feelings for its family are not fake, it will not tolerate being bullied by anyone. If she has the heart to harm others, especially the heart to harm someone of the Yao family, younger cousin, if you take action, eldest brother definitely will not mind.”
When Yao Shu said this, his gaze was resolute. He also did not lower his voice, such that when he said these words, the other members of the Yao family were all able to hear very clearly. They could not help but freeze and look toward Yao Shu. Their gazes contained an inquisitive look, but there was even more approval. The second eldest, Yao Sen even chimed in: “Grandfather has taught us to have good intentions toward others, but starting this year, grandfather has said even more that we must not be blind with our goodwill. Instead, we need to consider things first. Look first to see if the person is worthy of our goodwill. If they are not worthy and are even less virtuous, there is no need to be kind. Just treat them as they have acted.”
Yao Shu nodded then looked at Feng Yu Heng, “Heng Heng, although eldest brother does not know what exactly caused you to say such a thing, eldest brother trusts younger sister Heng. On the contrary, I don’t trust Lu Yao. That’s why, if Lu Yao does anything to harm others, prior to the day of the wedding, eldest brother will bring her to ask younger sister for forgiveness and ask that younger sister let her off; however, if her actions after that were no good, then younger sister Heng, eldest brother will say it once more. You may do as you please.”
The Yao family, with the exception of Yao Shu, disliked Lu Yao. Even Yao Shu himself carried a bit of distaste for Lu Yao. It was just that they were kind hearted, and they always thought of reducing the size of conflicts. As long as Lu Yao could peacefully live on, the earlier matters would be forgiven. However, who knew that Lu Yao did not have any intention of being peaceful.
Feng Yu Heng smiled and said to Yao Shu: “Eldest brother saying this is good. As for what Lu Yao did, I will clearly tell eldest aunty after we get back.”
After she finished speaking, she stood up and left. On the other side of the banquet, Lu Yao was looking toward this side with a look of concern. Feng Yu Heng made a turn and headed straight toward Lu Yao.
Lu Yao began to tremble upon seeing her suddenly come over. Xu shi, who had been sitting next to her frowned and asked: “What’s wrong with you?”
Lu Yao quickly replied: “It’s nothing. Mother, perhaps it was the sound of the music suddenly getting louder that gave me a fright.”
Xu shi slightly frowned but did not say anything; however, she saw that Feng Yu Heng had arrived at their table. A warm smile immediately appeared on her face, as she reached out: “A-Heng, quickly come and sit.”
Lu Yao saw her, and her heart filled with hatred. She had married into the Yao family but could not obtain the love of her mother-in-law. Although she was never treated poorly, there was always some sort of barrier between the two, and it was always awkward. But when Feng Yu Heng came, Xu shi became like a loving mother, as she smiled brightly. Her hands became fists inside her sleeves, and the hatred caused even the roots of her teeth to itch. Seeing that Feng Yu Heng had already changed out of her clothes, she hated even more that she could not choke her to death on the spot.
Unfortunately, even though she had a criminal’s heart, she did not have that courage. As for Feng Yu Heng, while she was chatting and smiling, she had already said something that sent a chill through her body, “There are some people that don’t have brains. Their methods are too low-level. This imperial daughter did not want to trouble you, yet there are people that refuse to let go. Even if this imperial daughter is a tasty piece of meat, it should not be enough to have you follow me around like a dog. Lu Yao, look to yourself for happiness.”
After she finished speaking, she greeted her other aunts then turned and left. Lu Yao’s complexion was frighteningly pale. Xu shi saw this and could not help but ask: “What’s wrong with you now?”
Lu Yao was so frightened that she did not even hear what Xu shi had asked. Her mind was filled with what Feng Yu Heng had told her about finding her own happiness. Her hands trembled uncontrollably, as she stared at Feng Yu Heng. It was as though she had become a wolf.
Xu shi was very shocked and immediately grabbed Lu Yao’s wrist, coldly shouting: “Lu Yao!” This shout finally managed to help Lu Yao regain her senses. Xu shi’s words, however, did not end there: “If you want to be a daughter-in-law of the Yao family, you need to first be a proper person. If you aren’t even able to be a good person, do not blame my son for casting you out!”
Lu Yao was extremely shocked.
At the same time, Feng Yu Heng also stopped moving about the banquet. She saw a palace servant lean close to Princess Wen Xuan and whisper something into her ear. Princess Wen Xuan’s bearing became imposing…