At the Prime Minister’s Residence
In the study, Prime Minister Liu watched his daughter sitting to one side with an indifferent expression, his graying brows furrowed deeply. He paced back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back, and after a long while, he turned to stare at Noble Consort Liu: “Daughter, what exactly are you trying to do?”
Noble Consort Liu raised her head, asking somewhat displeased: “What’s wrong?”
Prime Minister Liu responded irritably: “What’s wrong? You’re asking what’s wrong. We had already planned everything out properly before, so why are you provoking Mo Xiuyao at this time?”
Noble Consort Liu’s fine brows furrowed slightly. “How have I provoked Mo Xiuyao?”
Prime Minister Liu had a headache. Having a beautiful, intelligent daughter who was deeply favored by the emperor was a good thing, but having a disobedient daughter was extremely troublesome. Rubbing his forehead, Prime Minister Liu took a breath before saying calmly: “We agreed to resolve the burial matter first. This issue isn’t settled yet, but you’ve provoked Mo Xiuyao. If he suddenly intervenes… you should know that your father and Prince Li are still keeping this matter suppressed under pressure from scholars and old academics. If Prince Ding says just one word, those people will cause trouble again.”
Noble Consort Liu rested her chin on her hand, looking coolly at Prime Minister Liu: “Then what do you want to do?”
“No matter what, release Feng Zhiyao first. He’s Mo Xiuyao’s man. Since Mo Xiuyao has already indicated he has no intention of interfering in the capital’s affairs, we shouldn’t provoke him for now.”
Noble Consort Liu said displeasedly: “Prince Ding captured Tan Jizhi. Father… don’t you know what Feng Zhiyao did?”
“It doesn’t matter what he did!” Prime Minister Liu said decisively. “So what if he kidnapped the Empress? This doesn’t harm us at all. If the Empress were still here when the new Emperor ascended the throne, she would become Empress Dowager, and then the Hua family could openly interfere in state affairs to assist the new Emperor. Isn’t this better? The new Emperor is young, and if his birth mother passes away early, then you, as the late Emperor’s Noble Consort, would naturally become the most powerful person in the palace. Moreover, with such leverage over the Hua family in our hands, then…”
Thinking of the prospect of the Hua family being under the Liu family’s control, Prime Minister Liu revealed a satisfied smile.
Noble Consort Liu lowered her eyes, a flash of contempt crossing them. The most powerful person in the palace? So what? Even the position of Empress Dowager – without that person, what use were these noble positions to her?
Prime Minister Liu turned back to see the cold smile and contempt not yet faded from Noble Consort Liu’s lips. His heart skipped a beat as he frowned and asked: “Don’t tell me you still haven’t given up on Prince Ding?!”
Seeing Noble Consort Liu’s determined gaze, Prime Minister Liu felt a surge of frustration threatening to burst forth. What sin had he committed to have such an unworthy daughter? This was truly karmic retribution!
“How many years has it been? If Prince Ding were ever going to favor you, it wouldn’t have taken until now. How can you still…” Prime Minister Liu advised earnestly.
“Shut up!” These words had touched Noble Consort Liu’s sore spot, and her exquisite face instantly flushed with anger. She glared at her father before her, gritting her teeth: “I don’t believe it. He can’t not like me. He just hasn’t noticed me yet!”
Prime Minister Liu was momentarily speechless. He truly didn’t understand where the Liu family’s education had failed to produce such a stubborn daughter. A woman already in her thirties – in ordinary families, she would be a grandmother by now. Even if she hadn’t entered the palace initially, she should have been the matriarch of a noble family by now. What woman of this age would still be so fixated on a man? Especially one who showed nothing but disdain for her!
“Such misfortune! What misfortune…” Prime Minister Liu sighed deeply, stamping his foot.
Noble Consort Liu paid no attention to her father’s anxiety. A faint but sweet smile curled her lips. “Yes, that’s right. He just hasn’t noticed me yet. Tomorrow I’ll go to Prince Ding’s mansion to see him. He’ll surely understand my feelings for him.”
“Are you sure he won’t throw you out?” Prime Minister Liu mercilessly poured cold water on her hopes. Noble Consort Liu had captured Prince Ding’s man; the most likely response from Prince Ding would be to detain Noble Consort Liu in return. Then they would still have to exchange people to get her back, possibly at an even greater cost. In his heart, Prime Minister Liu had no confidence that Mo Xiuyao would pay any significant price for Feng Zhiyao – after all, he was just a subordinate. If Prince Ding became angry, it would more likely be because his authority had been challenged. Prime Minister Liu could hardly acknowledge that this daughter was raised under his guidance.
Noble Consort Liu smiled confidently, “He won’t, unless… he doesn’t care about Feng San’s life.”
Prime Minister Liu sneered, “What are you going to see him for? Hoping he’ll take you as his wife? Don’t tell me you don’t know how deeply Prince Ding loves his Princess Consort. All these years, he’s only had the Princess Consort by his side. Do you think Prince Ding would betray his wife for someone like Feng San?”
It wasn’t just that. Prime Minister Liu was a man himself. Even from a man’s perspective, it would be impossible to abandon a wife like Princess Consort Ding – who was equally outstanding in both beauty and ability and had shared life’s hardships with him – for a woman who had already been married and borne children for another man, no matter how celestially beautiful she might be. Abandoning a loyal wife for mere beauty was beneath contempt. Prime Minister Liu wasn’t a good person, but he wasn’t that despicable. If even he wouldn’t do such a thing, how could Prince Ding?
Noble Consort Liu looked at Prime Minister Liu strangely: “Father, I don’t understand. You must see that neither the new Emperor nor Mo Jingli compared to Prince Ding. If Mo Xiuyao wanted to, what he could obtain would be no less than Great Chu. If I succeed with him, the Liu family will naturally prosper too. Why are you so opposed to this?”
Prime Minister Liu smiled bitterly inside, once again confirming the failure of educating this daughter. It seemed… it was time to give up. Fortunately, he still had two granddaughters approaching marriageable age. Though their beauty and talents were slightly inferior to his daughter’s, they were still considered excellent. He would have to carefully balance matters with Prince Li and Prince Qin. As for Prince Ding… Prime Minister Liu had never considered the possibility of allying with Prince Ding. Not only because of the past unpleasantness between the Liu family and Prince Ding’s mansion but more importantly, because Mo Xiuyao’s way of doing things was completely different from the Liu family’s. Even if Prince Ding were to take Noble Consort Liu, the Liu family would gain absolutely nothing from it.
Waving his hand somewhat wearily, Prime Minister Liu said flatly: “Enough. Since you won’t listen to what I say, do as you please. Only… I hope you won’t implicate the Liu family. From now on… don’t come back here. After all, as the late Emperor’s consort, it’s inappropriate to frequently venture outside the palace.” Noble Consort Liu was stunned, looking at Prime Minister Liu in confusion. In all these years, her father had never spoken to her in such a tone. It wasn’t anger or coldness, just a kind of faint disappointment and detachment. Noble Consort Liu instinctively disliked this feeling.
“Father…”
“Enough, you may go. Oh, I plan to betroth Xian’er to Prince Li as a secondary consort,” Prime Minister Liu announced his intentions.
Noble Consort Liu was stunned for a moment before rising to leave slowly. She wasn’t stupid; she naturally understood what her father’s actions meant. This indicated that the Liu family would be placing their bets on Prince Li, meaning the Liu family had decided to abandon her and Prince Qin. At least from now on, Prince Qin would no longer be the most important to the Liu family. In this life, apart from her unrequited love for Mo Xiuyao, Noble Consort Liu had always been successful. She had never imagined there would come a day when she would be the one abandoned.
Father… Father… why can’t you understand me? I’m also pursuing my happiness – is there something wrong with that? Father, since you show no kindness, don’t blame me for being disloyal.
Looking back at Prime Minister Liu, who was lost in thought in his study, a flash of hatred crossed her face as she walked away steadily.
In the dark prison cell late at night, Feng Zhiyao, who had been sitting cross-legged in meditation, slowly opened his eyes. He glanced sideways at Feng Huaiting, who was sleeping nearby covered with a cloak, and a trace of worry crossed his face.
“Zhuo Jing?” Feng Zhiyao called out tentatively, looking toward the cell door.
A low laugh came from the cell door as Qin Feng appeared, looking at him with a relaxed expression: “Not Zhuo Jing, but Zhuo Jing asked me to pass on a message to you.”
“What message?” Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow and asked: “Why are you here?” He remembered that Qin Feng hadn’t come to the capital with them.
Qin Feng strolled into the dungeon, smiling broadly: “Zhuo Jing said… His Highness is very angry. As for why I’m here, it’s quite a coincidence. I had just entered the capital when I heard that Young Master Feng San had been captured by a woman, so I rushed here to visit. After all, our camaraderie as colleagues runs deeper than with Zhuo Jing, doesn’t it?”
“This time was an accident.” Hearing the words ‘His Highness is very angry,’ Feng Zhiyao habitually shrank his neck before forcing himself to appear calm. This was an accident – how could he have known that woman would go to the Ministry of Justice at that time? Noble Consort Liu wasn’t Mo Jingli; if he had tried to escape, she really would have killed Feng Huaiting. Though he resented Feng Huaiting for neglecting him, he hadn’t reached the point of wanting him dead.
Qin Feng tilted his head and smiled at the person in the adjacent cell: “Uncle, I am Qin Feng. Consider me Feng San’s friend. How are you doing, Uncle?”
Feng Huaiting in the adjacent cell had awakened at their first words – a prison was hardly a place where one could sleep deeply. Feng Huaiting was startled, then nodded: “I am well, thank you, Young Master Qin.”
Qin Feng waved his hand: “This time it was all because Feng San acted rashly. When we return, our Prince will discipline him properly. Uncle, let’s go now.”
Feng Huaiting’s expression grew complex, a bitter taste forming on his lips. His son had acted rashly, yet others had to discipline him and apologize to him as the father. For the first time in his life, Feng Huaiting felt that perhaps he had truly wronged this son.
Qin Feng stepped forward, casually drew a gleaming dagger, and with one slash, the finger-thick iron chains and large copper lock on the cell broke apart. Qin Feng caught them as they fell, tossed them aside, and opened the cell. Standing at the doorway, he smiled at Feng Huaiting: “After you, Uncle.” Seeing Feng Huaiting’s hesitation, Qin Feng smiled: “Don’t worry, Uncle. Though the other Feng family members are in Prince Li’s hands, he won’t harm them.” Though the Feng family’s property was in jeopardy – unfortunately, Prince Ding, who had already amassed great wealth in Xiling last year, indicated he didn’t need money, and besides, it was somewhat awkward to take Feng San’s family property, otherwise they could have had a share too.
Only then did Feng Huaiting walk out, looking at Qin Feng: “Prince Ding’s subordinates are indeed extraordinary.”
Qin Feng smiled faintly, casually playing with the dagger in his hand: “Just a minor skill, Uncle is too kind. Please, Uncle, our people are waiting outside.”
Feng Huaiting thanked him and, after glancing at Feng Zhiyao, walked toward the door. Qin Feng grinned at Feng Zhiyao and followed. Feng Zhiyao, still in the cell, was dumbfounded. “Qin Feng! I haven’t gotten out yet!”
Qin Feng looked up at the sky innocently. “What? My orders were to rescue the Elder Feng who was implicated by Prince Ding’s subordinate. Is there someone else? I haven’t heard about that.”
“You!” Feng Zhiyao gritted his teeth as Qin Feng smiled with particular pleasure. “Feng San, you’d better stay put in prison. Maybe by the time you get out, His Highness’s anger will have subsided. Besides, don’t tell me you can’t break a small iron chain. Oh yes, and… His Highness ordered that since you like being in prison so much, stay there a few more days. Don’t worry, that woman won’t kill you – she wants His Highness too much.”
“Just you wait!” Feng Zhiyao glared at the departing figure. Though he knew Mo Xiuyao’s actions weren’t purely punishment, remembering Qin Feng’s smug, mocking expression, he couldn’t help but curse in his heart: “This young master curses you to have a rocky love life!”
Just as he walked out of the hidden prison, Qin Feng suddenly shivered and looked up at the sky. The weather in March was indeed still a bit cold.
Qin Feng encountered almost no resistance as he led Feng Huaiting out. Seeing such formidable capability from Prince Ding’s subordinates made Feng Huaiting’s heart waver even more and fall into deep thought.
By the time they returned to Prince Ding’s mansion, dawn was breaking. After being shown around and having some breakfast, Feng Huaiting was taken to see Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li weren’t in the study, but rather in a quiet garden deep within the Prince’s mansion. When Feng Huaiting was brought over, Mo Xiuyao was practicing with his sword, while Ye Li and the Empress sat talking at a stone table nearby. Not far from the table, two children were crouching on the ground, heads together, who knows what they were discussing. The morning light fell gently in the courtyard, the faint fragrance of orchids permeating the air, instantly making one feel refreshed.
“Is that Elder Feng? Please, come sit,” Ye Li was the first to notice Feng Huaiting and turned with a smile.
Feng Huaiting walked forward and cupped his hands: “Greetings to Princess Consort Ding. Greetings to… Your Majesty the Empress…” Almost instantly, the Empress sensed Feng Huaiting’s slight resentment toward her. She smiled faintly without speaking – she was merely a guest now and naturally couldn’t overshadow the hosts. Ye Li sighed inwardly with some helplessness; what the Empress could sense, she naturally couldn’t miss. They didn’t know if Feng Zhiyao would blame them for Mo Xiuyao bringing the Empress to meet Feng Huaiting. However, Ye Li understood Mo Xiuyao’s thinking – if the Empress was to be with Feng Zhiyao in the future, then Feng Huaiting was an obstacle they must overcome. If Feng Zhiyao truly didn’t care about Feng Huaiting, or if Feng Huaiting didn’t care about Feng Zhiyao, then it wouldn’t matter. But Feng Zhiyao’s behavior clearly showed otherwise. Feng Huaiting’s hostility toward the Empress was naturally because of Feng Zhiyao.
“Please sit, Elder Feng. Feng San acted rashly and implicated the Feng family. Please don’t blame him,” Ye Li said.
Hearing this, Feng Huaiting smiled bitterly, “Princess Consort is too kind. I am ashamed.” If he hadn’t always neglected this son and failed to guide him properly, perhaps Feng Zhiyao wouldn’t have placed such importance on the Empress, even to the point of rashly breaking into the palace to kidnap her. He knew of the Empress’s care for Feng Zhiyao in the past, so even now he had no right to blame her. Looking at the shy child in white who had buried himself in Princess Consort Ding’s embrace, and the solemn boy in black who walked over and climbed onto a nearby stool to sit properly, Feng Huaiting’s eyes flashed with regret. If… Zhiyao’s child would probably be older than these two children by now.
Nearby, Mo Xiuyao finished his sword practice and casually tossed the sword back into its scabbard hanging on a nearby tree before walking over. Ye Li handed him her handkerchief, and Mo Xiuyao wiped his barely sweating forehead before sitting down beside her.
“Your Highness…” Feng Huaiting tried to stand, but Mo Xiuyao waved for him to remain seated.
“No need for formalities. This time it was all due to Feng San’s carelessness. Did Elder Feng suffer any hardships?” Mo Xiuyao asked.
Feng Huaiting felt somewhat pained – this was the third person to say such words to him. This indicated that Prince Ding’s household truly treated Feng Zhiyao as a family rather than merely a dispensable subordinate. But at the same time, it was the greatest irony to him as a father. However, Feng Huaiting had no mood to dwell on these matters now, and asked with some worry: “Your Highness, Zhiyao, he…” He knew that Feng Zhiyao hadn’t come out of the dungeon with them, though Qin Feng had told him Feng Zhiyao had other tasks.
Mo Xiuyao casually brushed aside his white hair blown by the breeze, a faint smile curling his lips. “Rest assured, Elder Feng, Feng San will return today. However, his temperament needs some discipline – it’s good for him to learn a lesson, to prevent him from being so rash in the future.”
Hearing Mo Xiuyao say this, Feng Huaiting felt uneasy but could only accept it. At least he believed Prince Ding would not let Feng Zhiyao’s life be in danger. He cupped his hands to Mo Xiuyao and said: “I thank Your Highness for your help. If there is anything I can do to assist Your Highness in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Mo Xiuyao smiled: “No need for such formality, Elder Feng. It was merely a small matter. However…”
“?” Feng Huaiting calmly waited for Mo Xiuyao’s words.
“The Feng family’s assets… I’m afraid… According to my information, your two sons have already allied themselves with Prince Li. Before your return, I received news that the Feng family members have been released, at the cost of… seventy percent of the Feng family’s assets,” Mo Xiuyao said calmly as he lifted his teacup for a sip.