“Old Eight, don’t be rash. Father will give you justice.” Emperor Zongwen let out a sigh as he looked at his son with guilt. He had thought that this son was too stubborn, but now he realized that he was the one who had been blinded. Consort Zhao had been clearly hidden a malicious intent.
“What are you going to do, Father?” As Feng Yuran saw how tired Emperor Zongwen was, the anger in the corners of his eyes faded slightly and he asked with a gloomy expression.
Even though he wanted to destroy the He family completely, he knew that he couldn’t do it. No matter what, the He family was Consort Xian’s parents’ home. He couldn’t do something like this because of filial piety. Even if he didn’t mind his reputation, he still had to think it for Mo Xuetong. He couldn’t let her bear the reputation of marrying a bloodthirsty husband and be pointed at by others.
Moreover, he had another goal, and he couldn’t have a fierce reputation at this time.
“You do it. Remember to be careful and don’t be accused of doing anything wrong.” Emperor Zongwen waved his hand and looked up at his beloved son as a hint of sadness appeared on his face. This was the son of the woman he loved, but as the Emperor, not only could he not protect his beloved woman, he could not even protect his son.
“Father, I will properly settle it.” Feng Yuran nodded. The anger in his eyes had already turned into coldness. He would not spare the He family easily.
“Have a seat. How is your manor? I heard that it has been in chaos for the past few days,” Emperor Zongwen asked after he suppressed his anger and gave a little cough. The envoys of the Southern Barbarian Lands had moved into King Xuan’s Manor. Then, Princess Caifeng had an accident, and created a mess. If he had not always believed in his youngest son’s abilities, he would have gotten her out of King Xuan’s Manor.
At the mention of the envoys of the Southern Barbarian Lands, Feng Yuran’s expression changed. He sat down on a chair by the side and answered, “Father, Princess Caifeng of the Southern Barbarian Lands is a very independent person. There seems to be an agreement between her and Third Brother. However, she has been doing well with Eldest Brother and King Ning these few days. She is a tactful woman who usually talks and laughs with them. She looks very comfortable.”
Emperor Zongwen frowned. “Does she usually meet your brothers directly?”
This was definitely not what a woman who obeyed womanly rules should do.
“Father, why are you so worried? Third Brother didn’t say anything about it. Actually, Consort Yan was also there that day, and the two of them hugged each other when their clothes were in disarray. According to your opinion, they should be put in a pig cage and drown in a river. Father, the Southern Barbarian Lands has a different ethos from us,” Feng Yuran explained meaningfully. He tilted his head and cast a glance at Emperor Zongwen, saying directly, “Father, now that that woman has been acting like that, you can’t order me to accept the rubbish that Third Brother left behind. Otherwise, perhaps one day, she will stab me in the heart!”
His words were a little harsh, and Emperor Zongwen glared at him angrily. “What are you talking about? Was this what a prince should say?”
“Of course, it was not what a prince should say, but it was not what a princess should do. Look, what is it? Everyone knows that the woman and Third Brother have an affair. However, Eldest Brother and King Ning are still circling around her all day long. It seems that they don’t care about her reputation. Anyway, no matter whether they care about it or not, I don’t want her. So don’t try to ask me to marry her.”
Feng Yuran had long known that the Emperor had asked the Southern Barbarian Lands’ envoys to live in King Xuan’s Manor, partly because his eldest brother, Feng Yuxuan, had played a dirty trick, and partly because his father wanted him to take advantage of being in a favored position and have an affair with Princess Caifeng so that he could get support from the Southern Barbarian Lands.
It was a pity that he really didn’t need it!
This princess of the Southern Barbarian Lands misconducted herself and was vicious. She was destined to be a useless p.a.w.n.
Emperor Zongwen really wanted to find a helper for his son. Although Crown Prince Xieyue did not look powerful, he was not an ordinary person. If Feng Yuran could form an alliance with Crown Prince Xieyue, it would be good for him. Originally, the Emperor wanted to promote the He family when he favored Consort Zhao, so that Feng Yuran would get a powerful relative of maternal side. However, he did not expect that the He family was the one who killed Consort Xian.
Feng Yuran’s plans and methods were all approved by Emperor Zongwen. Besides, he had been secretly helping Feng Yuran do some things. Otherwise, even if Emperor Zongwen doted on Feng Yuran, it would not be enough as the young man had no support.
He had his eyes on Princess Caifeng and was about to order her to marry Feng Yuran as his co-wife. Anyway, Feng Yuran’s little wife was often ill, and was young, so she could not have children in a short time. Unexpectedly, Princess Caifeng would have an affair with Feng Yulei and even hooked up with Feng Yuxuan. Emperor Zongwen did not want Feng Yuran to suffer.
Immediately, his face darkened and he asked, “Is the princess from the Southern Barbarian Lands really so unruly?”
“Father, if you don’t believe me, let Liu Xi go and have a look. When I came here just now, Eldest Brother was having tea with her. Fortunately, when I arranged their accommodation, I settled her near the outer yard. Otherwise, it would really disturb Tong’er. Tong’er is getting well these days, but she doesn’t even dare to go to the garden because she is afraid of b.u.mping into another man.”
Feng Yuran kept praising Mo Xuetong when he tried to denigrate Princess Caifeng.
One of them did not know how to behave properly and had tea with a man; the other stayed in her room and did not even dare to take a wrong step. Given Emperor Zongwen’s emphasis on formality, it was clear that who was a good girl and who was a bad one.
“Alright, alright. I know that your wife is good. How is she feeling now?” Emperor Zongwen was amused when he saw that Feng Yuran protected Mo Xuetong as if he was protecting food. He pointed at Feng Yuran and smiled helplessly.
Hearing the Emperor’s laughter, Liu Xi, who was waiting outside, was finally relieved after a long time. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and made two cups of tea in person.
“Father, my wife is in good health, but I’m afraid that someone will harm her. You know, those people go to my manor every day. If my wife is in good health, she has to go to receive them. And Princess Caifeng is unruly. If anything is wrong, she will create a mess. Father, why don’t you grant her a marriage? I don’t want my manor to be in chaos. If something bad happens, they might think that my manor is bad in geomancy.”
Feng Yuran complained on behalf of Mo Xuetong and himself with a bitter face. He also told Emperor Zongwen that Mo Xuetong was in good health because he did not want Emperor Zongwen to always use this as an excuse and send another woman to his manor. It was not easy for the manor to be cleaned up, leaving only two people, him and Tong’er. When they were having a good time, there were some people appearing.
Anyway, he still had a few concubines on the surface, so he was not afraid that his father would say that he was wronged.
When he heard that Mo Xuetong was in good health, and that it was an excuse, Emperor Zongwen felt relieved, but could not help feeling frustrated as well. He decided to give his son a warning. He could dote on women, but he could not refuse to take in an official concubine for the sake of a woman.
“Old Eight, the top three of the imperial examination are coming soon, and you can help them choose ladies. You can also see if there are any young ladies suitable for you. If there are any that you like, you can tell me and I will send them to your manor directly. As for the matter about Princess Caifeng, forget it. I will ask them to move out in a few days.”
Originally, he wanted Princess Caifeng to be close to Feng Yuran. However, Emperor Zongwen did not think that this woman was good enough for his son. Of course, he could not let his son suffer. Otherwise, Mo Xuetong in his manor would be spoiled, and it would not benefit Feng Yuran in the future.
“Okay, Father. If I see someone that I like later, I will ask Father for her,” Feng Yuran stated straightforwardly. Of course, he did not want anyone that he did not like. Anyway, he only liked Tong’er. No other women could catch his eyes.
The smile on Emperor Zongwen’s face grew bigger when he saw that Feng Yuran was not the least bit forced. He took a sip of tea with satisfaction and said to Liu Xi, who was standing by the side with a smile on his face, “Go and invite Consort Xuan to the banquet later. Just say that there are pills made by the imperial physicians in the palace. She can just have that if she doesn’t feel well.”
Granting a candy after a slap was commonly used by Emperor Zongwen. Anyway, since Mo Xuetong went to the palace to attend the banquet, she only needed an excuse. She was not really feeling unwell. The Emperor’s order would shut some people’s mouths. Otherwise, someone would accuse Consort Xuan of pretending to be sick at home but she had the strength to attend the banquet.
A bitter expression appeared on Feng Yuran’s face. Tong’er did not want to attend the banquet at all. Furthermore, his father wanted to send another woman into the manor. Of course, he would not say that in front of Emperor Zongwen. He rolled his eyes and there was a hint of joy on his handsome face. He nodded and said, “Then I shall thank Father first. Tong’er wanted to come in to greet you, but as I did not want to disturb the matters in the front courtyard, I told her to pretend. As a result, she has not visited Father for a long time.”
“Haha, your wife is filial. Treat her well. Don’t be so annoying and scare your wife.” Emperor Zongwen was completely satisfied with Mo Xuetong at the moment. Instead, he warned Feng Yuran, “You’re already so old and yet you’re still making such a fuss.”
“Father, if I don’t do something, others won’t be at ease,” Feng Yuran uttered indifferently.
Emperor Zongwen’s heart ached when he heard that. If Consort Xian were still alive, or if Consort Xian had a powerful family, her son would not have worked so hard. All of this was because of the He family. If it were not for the fact that the He family was really disappointing, Feng Yuran would not have pretended to be unreasonable in front of others. He thought about it and felt sorrier for Feng Yuran. He looked at Feng Yuran with gentler eyes.
“Father, what are you going to do with your Consort Yu now? The Empress Dowager…” Feng Yuran turned around to look at Emperor Zongwen and changed the topic. Consort Yu sent Concubine Xiang to his manor and wanted to take the opportunity to harm Tong’er. He had never forgotten this and was waiting for an opportunity. He did not want to be cuckolded even if his father did.
Emperor Zongwen’s face flushed red with embarra.s.sment when his son discovered that he had been cuckolded. Fortunately, he turned stern immediately. “I’ll get someone to keep an eye on the Empress Dowager and King Ning. Since Princess Caifeng wants to seduce someone so badly, what do you think of Feng Yuzhen?”
Emperor Zongwen had his own selfish motives. No matter how bad his son was, they were still his sons. He could not send a woman who was easy to have an affair with other men into his sons’ manor.
Of course, when she was sent to another manor, the value of Princess Caifeng carrying would be destroyed. He would not just watch the Empress Dowager and the Southern Barbarian Lands work together.
“Father, I will think of a way to deal with Crown Prince Xieyue.” Feng Yuran immediately understood what his father meant. The father and son laughed together, like two foxes.
It was up to Crown Prince Xieyue to destroy Princess Caifeng’s value!
