One Family Should Not Speak for Two Families
Feng Yu Heng’s words caused the two servants to laugh, as Huang Quan asked her: “Young Miss, you believe in such things? I thought that Young Miss was neither afraid of the heavens nor the earth nor the supernatural.”
Feng Yu Heng was helpless, “I’m just saying it is all. But today, my eye keeps twitching, and my heart feels uneasy. There’s a bit of a bad feeling; however, I don’t know where the problem will come from.”
Hearing her say this, Wang Chuan began to take it seriously, saying: “If Young Miss really feels that something will happen, let’s just not go into the palace! In a moment, this servant will go in on my own to tell His Highness the ninth prince and have Young Master Zi Rui brought out. How does that sound?”
Huang Quan also nodded along, “Right, since Young Miss believes that something will happen, that means that something will definitely happen. It’s not worth it for us to take that risk. As I see it, we should simply tell His Highness the ninth prince and His Highness the seventh prince to also have them leave the palace.”
Feng Yu Heng became speechless from hearing this, “There is a bit of a bad feeling, but it’s not as severe as you two are making it sound. Today is the first day of the new year. If I don’t go into the palace then drag out two princes, what would you have the Emperor think? Also, if there really is something that happens, and none of us are in the palace, would things not become even messier? Don’t think about it too hard. Perhaps I was just being overly sensitive. The twitching of an eyelid is indeed not something that should be believed haphazardly. Don’t think too much about it. We’ll just do what we should do.”
The imperial carriage headed straight to Rui Gate. This side was very lively, and the people were all joined together. The clothes that they wore were also very colorful, and they could occasionally hear the sounds of people wishing each other a happy new year. It sounded very amiable, unlike the jealous tones from the Mid-Autumn Festival.
With her imperial carriage arriving, the people automatically gave way. After all, those that were going into the palace were the family members of officials from the capital. There was practically nobody that would not recognize Feng Yu Heng’s imperial carriage, nor would anyone be so bored as to stand at odds with Feng Yu Heng. After two years of interacting, there were not many people left in the capital that would be so eager to provoke Feng Yu Heng as they would in the past. Even if there were still people that felt some unhappiness, they knew that they should stay at a distance to keep from causing themselves trouble.
The imperial carriage very quickly arrived at Rui Gate, and Feng Yu Heng suddenly recalled something, asking: “Today, His Majesty should be sanctioning a marriage between the eighth prince and the Lu family’s young miss, right?”
Wang Chuan nodded: “That’s right, if nothing goes wrong, the Lu family will be formally engaged to the eighth prince during today’s banquet. Thinking about the eighth prince, he has been wanting to find an official in court to serve as his pillar of support; however, who knew that his fate would lie with the Lu family.”
Huang Quan smiled and said: “The current Lu family is not like it was before. Although they have never been brilliant, in any case, they had some businesses to supplement them. Now, they are a poor family. For the eighth prince to have found this sort of assistance, his insides must be turning green with regret.”
While the two servants chatted and helped Feng Yu Heng out of the carriage, they found that there was someone already standing outside. With a look of distress on their face, they looked toward Feng Yu Heng.
She was startled, then managed to recognize them; however, she was puzzled and asked: “Madam Lu? Why are you here?”
The person that had come was Lu Yan’s mother, Ge shi. Seeing Feng Yu Heng get out of her carriage, she quickly kneeled to salute. Feng Yu Heng looked at Huang Quan to stop her before saying: “No need to be so courteous. Madam Lu, is something the matter?”
Ge shi repeatedly nodded and did not go around in circles, directly saying: “Not to hide it from Imperial Daughter, but my young daughter, Lu Yan, was extremely grateful ever since obtaining this engagement to His Highness the eighth prince during the Winter Hunt. Yan’er was saying that she would come and give her thanks to imperial daughter after the marriage was sanctioned, but who could have known that this sort of thing would happen?”
Feng Yu Heng was stunned and asked in confusion: “What happened?” Before the new year, Zi Rui had come back, and she was busy with accompanying Zi Rui. She had also gone to the residence outside the city, and she did not have time to check up on other matters. She had heard Qing Yu mention that the Lu family had invited a doctor from Hundred Herb Hall for an examination; however, she did not ask too much. Now that she heard Ge shi say this, she recalled this matter.
Ge shi heard her ask and hurriedly said: “Imperial Daughter originally had kind intent, supporting Yan’er and her infatuation for His Highness the eighth prince. But Yan’er does not have that fortune. Right before the marriage was sanctioned, she fell ill and could not get out of bed. I fear that Imperial Daughter’s kind intentions will be wasted.”
Feng Yu Heng furrowed her brow from hearing this. Ignoring Lu Yan’s matters at first, she coldly said to Ge shi: “The marriage between the Lu family and His Highness the eighth prince was facilitated by Noble Lady Yuan. It’s unrelated to this imperial daughter. It would be best if you did not thank the wrong person.”
Ge shi was a smart person. She and Lu Song had guessed that there was some sort of trick involved. It was possible that Feng Yu Heng had used some methods to force Noble Lady Yuan to do such a thing. Now that she heard Feng Yu Heng say this, she understood the underlying reasoning, thus she quickly nodded and said: “Imperial Daughter is right. This wife misspoke.”
Feng Yu Heng nodded and finally asked about Lu Yan’s illness. Hearing Ge shi give a simple explanation of the situation, she also became puzzled. But now was not the time or place to check on the illness, thus she said: “Do not panic. When this Imperial Daughter has time tomorrow, I will personally go and take a look.”
After speaking, she moved to head into the palace. The eunuchs at the entrance bowed and gestured for her to enter. Ge shi saw that she was about to enter, thus she quickly chased a little then quietly said: “Imperial Daughter, the doctor said that my young daughter was poisoned, and even the doctor from Hundred Herb Hall said so.”
Feng Yu Heng heard this but did not stop. Although Ge shi had the right to enter the palace, she did not plan to enter. She just wanted to stand near the entrance and say a few words to Feng Yu Heng. Now that she had said all that she had wanted to say, she did not continue to hold onto her and respectfully backed out.
Long before coming, Lu Song had told her that since Imperial Daughter Ji An had personally worked on this matter, she would not let it go so easily. Regardless of who did the poisoning, as long as Imperial Daughter Ji An was willing to investigate, it would definitely be discovered. At that time, there would be no need for them to seek them out for revenge. Imperial Daughter Ji An would naturally have her response. Only then did Ge shi come to this Rui Gate to wait. Seeing now that Feng Yu Heng was indeed taking this matter to heart, even promising to visit the Lu manor the next day to take a look, she knew that Lu Song’s analysis was correct. Her heart also felt more at ease. After all, she was a mother. Compared to a bright future, her daughter’s life was more important. Feng Yu Heng was a divine doctor. With her going, Lu Yan might be able to live on.
When Feng Yu Heng entered the palace, the sky was already beginning to turn dark. All of the lanterns in the palace were lit, and it was very festive.
Today, all of the palace servants had changed into new clothes. The eunuchs wore a purplish blue, and the palace maids wore a light pink, and the palace maids had their makeup done beautifully. Wearing some nice jewelry, from a distance, it looked as if the imperial maids of heaven had descended to this world. Walking all around, it was quite a sight to behold. Huang Quan tugged at the green clothes that she wore and said in irritation: “If I knew earlier that the palace maids would be dressing so beautifully, I would have listened to young miss and put in some more work.”
Wang Chuan did not have any desire to laugh at her and just said to Feng Yu Heng: “It was this servant’s fault for being neglectful and should have kept a closer eye on the Lu family’s side.”
Feng Yu Heng waved her hand: “You can’t be blamed. I fear that someone may be meddling in this. Let’s just wait and see before speaking.”
The group spoke while heading toward Jing Ci Palace. Today, she had not arrived early, and she had been delayed outside of the palace entrance by speaking with Ge shi for a while. When she arrived at Jing Ci Palace, there were already quite a few females inside. They were gathered in small groups and chatting. Seeing her arrive, they all saluted and paid respects. On the first day of the new year, nobody wanted to be unpleasant, thus they all looked to be quite harmonious.
The Empress’ personal servant, Fang Yi, had been standing next to the entrance in wait. Seeing that Feng Yu Heng had come, she quickly stepped forward and paid respects with a smile then said: “Imperial Daughter, quickly come inside with this servant. Palace Princess Wu Yang came long ago and is currently chatting with Her Highness the Empress. The Empress already gave the order, saying that when you came, you could directly enter. There would be no need to wait outside.”
Once these words came out, everyone felt envious. To be able to be given face by the Empress to such an extent, and this was someone from outside the family. During these two years, Feng Yu Heng’s ability to mingle really was something of a legend!
Normally speaking, when faced with this sort of invitation, Feng Yu Heng would obey rather than decline courteously, but she waved her hand and said to Fang Yi with a smile: “Many thanks to Her Highness the Empress for her kind thoughts. I will trouble aunty with going ahead first. A-Heng will go in to pay respects to Her Highness in a while.” After speaking, she looked around then said: “Her Highness must have many intimate things to say with Palace Princess Wu Yang. A-Heng will not go in and disturb them and will speak with some of my good friends. I hope that aunty will understand.”
How could Fang Yi not understand what she meant. She just wanted to stay outside for a while and did not want to enter early. After all, it was restrictive inside. Although the Empress got along well with Feng Yu Heng, the person that Feng Yu Heng was closest to in the inner palace was still Imperial Concubine Yun. As long as this side expressed its feelings, it was good enough. They did not hope that she would be as intimate as if she was her daughter. Thus she did not continue to say anything. She just bowed and went inside to report.
Slowly, more and more people began to enter Jing Ci Palace. Xuan Tian Ge stayed in the hall to chat with the Empress, but Fung Tian Yu and Ren Xi Feng had already gathered around Feng Yu Heng. The group chatted and laughed quite happily.
Gradually, Xiang Rong and Fen Dai also entered the palace. Although the two sisters had come together, the two did not appear to interact much. Xiang Rong still shyly found a corner to stand in, while Fen Dai was not as arrogant as she had been in the past. With a cold expression, she stood off to the side and did not talk to anyone. Of course, neither one paid any heed to Feng Yu Heng, maintaining a distance that everyone believed to be normal. It was as though they were strangers.
After the three madams of the Yao family entered the Jing Ci Palace, they looked around and very quickly found where Feng Yu Heng was. Thus, under Xu shi’s lead, the three madams of the Yao family began to walk toward Feng Yu Heng. They then warmly held Feng Yu Heng’s hand, as Xu shi began to say: “A-Heng, aunty made the pastry that you love eating the most. Bring Zi Rui back home to eat.”
With these words coming out, all of the madams and young misses were dazed. Someone immediately began to ponder: “Didn’t Imperial Daughter Ji An and the Yao family sever ties?”
“That’s right, it’s been icy between them for many months now, but there hasn’t been any word of them reconciling.”
“Then what sort of play are they putting on now?”
Not to mention the madams and young misses feeling puzzled and confused, even Feng Yu Heng was a bit surprised. Casting an inquisitive look at Xu shi*, she saw Xu shi pat the back of her hand and raise her voice, ensuring that even more people would be able to hear her. Only then did she say: “There are times when the teeth will bump into the lips, but we can’t have our teeth pulled out just because they bit the lip. Even if a family has its bones broken, the muscles are still connected. How can one family speak for two families! A-Heng is the Yao family’s daughter and always will be. Nobody should think of tearing this child from the Yao family!”
*TN: In the raw, it says Yao shi, but that makes 0 sense. Went with Xu shi, since she was the one mentioned by name earlier.