Chapter 105 (1/2)

Chapter 105 Cloud Nine: “Di” That Rests With the Wind 1

Feng Luodi was greeted with the sight of her anxious parents the moment she entered the antechamber of the Feng household.

“Mother!” Feng Luodi could not hold it in anymore; she dashed into the open arms of her mother and bawled.

“Luodi.” The First Lady held Feng Luodi lovingly in her embrace and patted her head. “My poor girl; how did something like that happen to you?”

The Chamberlain was equally anxious. “How did it go? Was the decree made official?”

Feng Luodi shook her head, her voice thick with emotion. “No, it wasn't. I rejected the proposal on the grounds of fulfilling my filial duties for my grandmother.”

The First Lady heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank G.o.d you were witty enough to think of such an excuse back there. Otherwise, you'd have to be married off to a person I've never even heard about!”

The Chamberlain had other worries. “How did you even attract the attention of his Majesty? I worry that the matter wouldn't be resolved so easily, even after one year. The Second Lady is about to have a child; we can't afford to have anything happen to the household right now!”

The First Lady shot the Chamberlain a stern look and turned back to comforting Feng Luodi. “You did well today, Luodi. Even if his Majesty refuses to let the issue rest after a year, that is a year longer to think of a solution.”

“Yes, Mother.” Feng Luodi slowly got to her feet, holding onto her mother for support. She wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

The Chamberlain came up with an idea. “Why don't we look for a potential suitor for Luodi right now? They can get married once the year is up and the Emperor wouldn't be able to do anything about it then.”

The First Lady shook her head but before she could voice her disagreement, Feng Luodi rejected the idea vehemently. “Father, I do not wish to marry anytime soon. Our household had never needed for political marriages, and I hope the same goes for mine. Although my marriage does indeed lie in your hands, I'm sure you love me enough to let me find my true love myself, don't you?”  She needed a promise from her parents. The promise would be effective until she could return to her own world. Then she can stop worrying about the problem of marriage and focus solely on finding the 10 Guqin.

“Of course, Luodi. The path is yours to walk.” The First Lady held her hand rea.s.suringly. Feng Luodi nodded and turned her reddened eyes to the Chamberlain.

“What do you say, Father?”

The Chamberlain narrowed his eyes. “Are you still thinking about the Duke of Anping?”

Feng Luodi shook her head. “I'm not. I remember my promises to you, and I intend to stand by them.”

The Chamberlain fell silent for a while. Feeling the glares from the First Lady beside him, he finally relented. “You can decide for yourself. I just hope you that you don't ruin yourself with your stubbornness.”

“Thankyou, Father.” Feng Luodi bowed deeply.

The Chamberlain nodded, his mind a flurry of thoughts. He was a loyal man, and loyalty meant his allegiance to the Emperor.

It had been a few days since the incident, and Feng Luodi had not stepped out of the household. Cloud Nine had yet to be repaired: the strings that made up a crucial part of the Guqin's sound were broken, their materials rare and specific. Manpower had already been sent into the mountains to look for a replacement, but they had yet to return.

Looking at Feng Luodi in the middle of the courtyard, her fingers idly strumming notes on the zither before her, Jet could barely mask her concern. The only thing Feng Luodi had done was to send Fei on some unknown task, but Feng Luodi had been looking rather different as of late. Young miss looks…scary. Suddenly, Scarlet came das.h.i.+ng into the courtyard.

“Young miss, Master Jiang sends an invitation for you to meet him at Manchun Tang. He already has a dining room booked for you.”

“Elder brother?” Feng Luodi raised her head slowly, but her eyes were still lifeless and empty. She shook her head. “Scarlet, send an attendant to elder brother and tell him that I am not feeling well enough for a meeting today.”

“Young miss! Why didn't you say that you're sick today? I'll fetch the physician immediately.” Jet turned to leave the courtyard, her footsteps hurried and panicking.

Scarlet sighed. “Jet, can't you hear that it's just an excuse? There's no need for the physician.”

Jet scratched her head in confusion, backing away from the entrance of the courtyard. What is wrong with young miss recently? She would never have rejected an invitation from Master Jiang in the past!

Scarlet leaned closer to Feng Luodi. “Young miss, you haven't left the household in a while – what a waste of the perfect weather! You'll never know, you might feel better once you get out there!”

Feng Luodi was unmoved.

Scarlet continued. “The First Lady has been worried sick about you these few days, young miss. She'd wanted to come over a few times, but the other handmaidens advised her to give you some s.p.a.ce.”

Feng Luodi finally looked at Scarlet. She slowly stood up and walked towards the entrance of the courtyard. “I'll go myself. Both of you can stay here.”

“But-” Scarlet and Jet exchanged looks.