Xuan Zhan, Come Here

Noble Lady Li had been rather introverted ever since she was young. In the palace, she did not have any friends, and she even kept her own elder sister at a distance. Regardless of what she kept inside, she did not interact with others. It was such that many of the members of the imperial harem with high pride began to bully her for fun. Even when she was bullied quite severely, the only thing that she could come up with was stabbing little straw figures to have fun on her own. Now that she had been confined to Jing Si Palace, her introverted personality became even more pronounced, as she did not want to see anyone. She even spoke very little with the palace maids. She was even quite happy that the Emperor did not let her out or let other people in. This would make sure that fewer people disturbed her.

But today was different. She used one of her gold hairpins to bribe the imperial guard standing guard outside to allow her palace maid to go out and invite Feng Yuheng. As for how Feng Yuheng would get in, this was something that she did not need to worry about. She knew that Feng Yuheng was very capable, and there was probably no place in the Imperial Palace that she could not go.

Seeing Feng Yuheng arrive, the joy on Noble Lady Li’s face was hard to conceal and there was still some nervousness remaining. She took the initiative and went forward, doing her best to look inviting. She personally invited her into the side hall then had Zuo’er prepare the best tea in Jing Si Palace. Only after seeing Feng Yuheng take a sip did she tentatively say: “Please do not dislike it. This place of mine does not have many nice things. This tea is already the best that can be brought out.”

Feng Yuheng smiled at Noble Lady Li and said: “It’s fine. I never minded such things.” An apologetic look appeared on her face, as she continued: “Speaking of, it was A-Heng who was careless and should have come to visit Noble Lady earlier. Sixth brother has helped me quite a great deal in Yu Zhou. Now, he is staying there and helping me take care of the situation in the prefecture; however, I have not been able to help him take care of Noble Lady. It’s truly A-Heng’s mistake.”

Hearing her say this, not only did Noble Lady Li not blame her, but her smile became even brighter. Her entire person even became joyous. She even took the initiative to grab Feng Yuheng’s hand and warmly said: “It’s good if you have this sort of heart. There’s no need to pay too much attention to my side. Either way, His Majesty does not allow people to come and visit me, nor does he let me leave this palace. It would not do to cause you any trouble.” While she spoke, she patted the back of Feng Yuheng’s hand and repeatedly praised: “You really are a good and understanding child. To be able to think of me even when you are so busy. Just with your words, my heart feels much warmer.”

Feng Yuheng slightly raised an eyebrow, as she continued to feel that Noble Lady Li was being overly nice. After thinking about the wedding gift that she had sent, a very awkward feeling suddenly sprung up inside her chest.

Yet Noble Lady Li did not seem to notice the uncomfortable look that had already begun to creep onto her face, as she continued to express her feelings. While having her eat pastries, she personally poured her some tea then brought up the sixth prince’s matter, saying: “I heard that Feng’er is living with you in Ji An Prefecture?”

Feng Yuheng frowned. What sort of phrasing was that? “Noble Lady must not say it like this. There are some things that the speaker might say without any thought but the listener might object to it. Sixth brother is just living in my manor in Ji An Prefecture. That residence is very large and is many times larger than the imperial daughter’s manor in the capital. We do enter through the same door, but the living quarters are very far apart. Because of this, even if we are living in the same residence, sixth brother and I very rarely saw each other.” She made things very clear and continued by telling Noble Lady Li: “You have been in the palace for a few decades and should understand that misspeaking is something that must be avoided. I hope that noble lady will be able to think carefully before speaking.”

Noble Lady Li did not get upset and immediately nodded to admit her mistake. Her attitude was very good: “Yes, yes, yes, it was my mistake. I had said it without thinking. You must not misunderstand me. Then let’s not speak about this. You’re now married to His Highness the ninth prince, then… is His Highness the ninth prince treating you well?” Her tone was filled with concern, and her gaze was earnest. She looked just like an elder concerned with someone from the younger generation. It was very kind.

Feng Yuheng smiled and said: “Very well. Ever since His Highness the ninth prince and I became engaged, our relationship has been quite good. Back then, he promised that he would marry me on the day that I became of age, but we were in the South at that time, and there had been a battle on top of that. I originally thought that this marriage would need to be delayed; however, who knew that His Highness the ninth prince would manage to keep that promise? A-Heng was very happy.” She deliberately sweetened her description of her relationship with Xuan Tianming then paid close attention to Noble Lady Li’s expression. Sure enough, she saw a bit of bitterness.

Noble Lady Li did not continue along with this topic and moved away from it once more. This time, she began speaking about the sixth prince. From when he was little until he was grown, she even spoke about some of the awkward things that the sixth prince had done when he was a child. This included the time when he was six years old and had told her about what sort of wife he wanted to find in the future. She spoke quite happily about these things, and it was such that Feng Yuheng began to feel as though she had been brought to Jing Si Palace to listen to Noble Lady Li reminisce.

Huang Quan’s lips twitched from listening, and she could not help but frown, as she gently tugged at Feng Yuheng’s sleeve.

As for Zuo’er, who was standing behind Noble Lady Li, when she saw Huang Quan move, she also slightly tugged Noble Lady Li’s sleeve to serve as a reminder, but Noble Lady Li had lost herself in speaking, and she even pushed Zuo’er away, saying: “I am currently speaking with Imperial Daughter. Don’t cause trouble here.”

Once these words came out, Feng Yuheng said: “Noble Lady should not call me imperial daughter.”

Noble Lady Li froze then managed to react: “Right, right! Because of the connection with Feng’er, we should be a little more intimate; moreover, you helped save my life during the winter hunt. Then I’ll call you A-Heng!”

Feng Yuheng did not know whether to laugh or cry: “Even with the connection through sixth brother, Noble Lady and I are only on speaking terms. It would be best if you called me Princess Yu.” After saying this, she emphasized: “The other imperial concubine mothers of the other princes also call me this.”

A look of embarrassment appeared on Noble Lady Li’s face, and she could only nod, dryly saying: “Alright then, then I will call you Princess Yu!”

“Un.” Feng Yuheng nodded then continued: “In the past, I very rarely heard about sixth brother. Hearing noble lady speak about him today, it was definitely fresh. Speaking of, sixth brother is a really good person.”

“So what if he’s a good person?” Noble Lady Li sighed, “I am still worried about his marriage. I still don’t know when the Xian Palace will have a proper female master.”

“I will help sixth brother look for a good girl. If there is someone suitable, I will bring them into the palace for you to take a look. How about it?”

“Hah!” Noble Lady Li went to grab her hand once more but was dodged without being noticed, as Noble Lady Li continued: “With Feng’er’s personality, he will not say anything that he wants to say. To speak of a good girl, where in the world is there any better than imperial dau… no, better than Princess Feng! Feng’er…”

“Noble lady is incorrect in your praise.” Feng Yuheng’s expression sank slightly, “There are many people out there who say that Imperial Daughter Ji An is arrogant and domineering!”

“That’s because they’re blind!” Noble Lady Li coldly snorted, “Where could such a good girl be found? Even arrogance requires a foundation! I think you are good. Really, the more I look, the better you are. Say, you and Feng’er…”

Seeing that Noble Lady Li was getting further and further from the main topic, Feng Yuheng helplessly interrupted: “Noble Lady! I already said it earlier His Highness the ninth prince and I are getting along very well. If Noble Lady really is thinking of sixth brother, you should not have said what you did today.” While she spoke, her small face became completely stern. When she looked at Noble Lady Li, it was filled with a force that could not be opposed. This caused Noble Lady Li to subconsciously shudder, as she felt as though this room that was being heated was rather cold. As for Feng Yuheng, she continued, bringing up another matter: “My fourth sister, Feng Fendai is young and does not understand things. Noble lady, it would be best not to muck about with her. It hasn’t been easy for sixth brother to reach where he is today. The situation in court is constantly changing, and nobody can say for certain what will happen tomorrow. As a mother, you should understand what is truly good for a child instead of pushing your own thoughts on your own child, who has some different thoughts. Noble Lady, this is all that I will say. Think about it carefully.” After saying this, she did not continue to stay, bringing Huang Quan and quickly leaving.

Noble Lady Li sat there in a daze. Watching Feng Yuheng leave, she did not have the courage to ask her to stay. The courage and warmth that she had managed to summon with great effort had been extinguished in a matter of moments. Feng Yuheng had left her feeling quite cold. Zuo’er stepped forward and supported her, helplessly advising: “Noble lady, give it up! This servant advised you of it before that this will not work. Princess Yu is right. What the Feng family’s young miss said the previous time is already right. Not only can you not do this, but you also need to advise His Highness the sixth prince to give it up! What sort of person is His Highness the ninth prince? If there comes a day when word of this reaches his ears…” Zuo’er gritted her teeth and continued in a darker direction: “It’s very likely that it will cost His Highness the sixth prince his life!”

“He would dare!” A look of horror appeared on Noble Lady Li’s face, “They’re both princes. How could he kill anyone he wants?”

“But he’s the ninth prince!” Zuo’er stomped her foot anxiously, “What is there in this world that His Highness the ninth prince does not dare do? Master, think a bit for His Highness the sixth prince. You must not continue to do these things that should not be done!”

On this side, a palace maid was repeatedly warning Noble Lady Li. In Winter Moon Palace, not long after Feng Yuheng left, the Emperor had arrived. At this time, he was holding a bowl of food while sitting on the ground and watching Imperial Concubine Yun play with the caged white tiger.

Xiao Bai had grown up but not too much. Compared to a normal tiger, it was still small; however, it could no longer be carried around like a kitten by Feng Yuheng. Imperial Concubine Yun had a beautiful cage made of silver for it, and some bells had been hung around the cage. Xiao Bai frequently smacked the bells, creating a clear sound that would make Imperial Concubine Yun laugh.

The Emperor loved Imperial Concubine Yun’s laugh. It was as though they had returned to the mountain village from over 20 years earlier. It was so casual, joyful, and unrestrained. He held a large bowl in his hand that contained rice topped with half of a pork shoulder, some ribs and some large meatballs. He just sat on the ground and shoveled food into his mouth while watching his wife play with the tiger. From time to time, he would foolishly laugh a bit. This scene was very heartwarming.

But Zhang Yuan could not bear to continue watching. Seeing the Emperor shove nothing but meat into his mouth, he could not help but say: “Your Majesty, can we not eat like this?”

The Emperor was puzzled: “What’s wrong with eating like this? It tastes quite good! It’s better than alternating between rice and vegetables. Didn’t A-Heng also say that, what was it again… this was called a meat-vegetable-rice combination meal. Right, that was the name. It’s good.”

Imperial Concubine Yun rolled her eyes: “That was not the meaning. It was to tell you not to eat so much meat!”

Zhang Yuan nodded: “Right, it’s a matter of meat. It’s unrelated to how you’re eating.”

“Meat, huh!” The Emperor felt a little guilty, “This meat is quite good.”

“Quite good is it?” Imperial Concubine Yun raised an eyebrow, “I wonder which ignorant chef it was that made this meat for you. Later on, this One will have them executed to see who will dare to make it the next time around.”

“Don’t!” The Emperor became anxious. He had finally found two new chefs for the imperial kitchens. Unaware of the situation, they still did not know about Imperial Concubine Yun not letting him eat meat. It was because of this that he could happily enjoy a few meals with meat. If they were executed, could it be that he really would become like a rabbit and could only eat vegetables every day? “Just this one time. I won’t eat it anymore in the future.”

Imperial Concubine Yun then turned back around and beckoned to him, saying in a clear voice: “Xuan Zhan, come here.”

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