Chapter 38 (1/2)

The night got later and the noise from outside faded away. Qing Feng send the people beside her away to rest while she alone stood in the dark courtyard, with her hands wrapped around her. Her head was filled with the impact of the Princess attempted suicide in the Imperial Palace, what is the Empress Dowager’s and Yan Hong Tian’s reaction, what will the next unfavourable plight will they, three sisters, face. The more Qing Feng thought, the more alarmed she got. In the late summer night, the stuffy air made it hard for her to breathe.

The doors of the hall lightly sounded and Qing Feng looked up. Fu Ling’s lean figure quickly entered the hall sideways and shut the doors lightly. Qing Feng jogged up to her and asked urgently, “How is the Princess?”

The voice suddenly sounded behind Fu Ling’s back and she jumped up in shock. She could not see Qing Feng’s expression in the depth of the night but in that soft hoarse voice was anxious which mean that during the time when she was inquiring, Qing Feng’s heart was languishing. Fu Ling soft voice said the news that she heard, “Mistress do not need to worry. After the Imperial Doctors treatments, the Princess is out of danger.”

That’s all? Fu Ling is discreet and attentive, how could she only enquire about these? Knowing that she was anxiously waiting, if she only enquire about those news why would she only come back at such a time? Qing Feng’s heart jumped faster as she asked, “Is it that there are more things that happened?”

Her health just got better and she was thinking of letting her rest well tonight and elaborate tomorrow, but it would seems that it cannot be concealed as she was so keen about it. Fu Ling sighed, “The night is late, its better to speak in the house.”

Once the two of them entered the inner chambers, Qing Feng immediately grabbed Fu Ling’s hands and anxiously spoke, “Quickly say what exactly happened.”

Qing Feng slender fingers were a little cold when Fu Ling supported her to the bed to sit and replied, “After the Imperial Physicians have determined that the Princess is not in danger, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor summoned Prime Minister Lou to enter the Palace at night.”

Summon Lou Xi Yan to the Palace at this hour? Qing Feng’s face darken and a cold voice scoffed, “They want to force a marriage?”

Qing Feng’s hand which was holding hers tightened making Fu Ling slightly lowering her head as she kept quiet and not answer. She started to pull the thin quilts to cover Qing Feng feet.

Taking a deep breath, Qing Feng asked, “Lou Xi Yan… Agreed?”

Seeing Qing Feng anxious eyes and pretending to be calm, Fu Ling shook her head and replied, “This servant only heard that the Princess will recuperate at the Prime Minister Mansion tomorrow morning.”

“Enter the Lou family house?” Qing Feng lightly laughed, that atmosphere that she exceeded made Fu Ling’s brow furrowed and she could not help but whisper an advise, “Mistress, there are some things that cannot be rushed.”

Some things cannot be rushed. Qing Feng gave a self-deprecating smile, ever since she knew that her sisters were still alive, she was like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow. Just a little wind or movement by the grass will make her panic-stricken. After dying once, she did not care for this life of hers one bit but especially cherished her sisters’ lives. For them to be still alive, heavens have given her a chance. Even though she know that its useless to panic, Qing Feng still could not control the jittery feeling in her heart. Seeing that the skies outside the window has turned from pale grey dur to the morning light, Qing Feng tiredly said, “It is almost dawn, you can go and rest.”

“Yes.” Saying more will not be beneficial thus Fu Ling quietly backed out.

The doors were gently closed and there was only the sound of her light breathing that could be heard. Qing Feng felt a chill coming and pulled up the thin quilts to wrap herself tightly. Her eyes unconsciously stayed on the ink-black umbrella and for a long time it did not stray.

*****

Imperial Study

After the morning court, Yan Hong Tian came to the Imperial Study and two eunuch placed the minister’s reports from the morning court and the different reports from all over the states on the study table, arranging it by order of urgency. The female officer, Xiao Yu, served his favourite spring tea and everything was as is it was usual. But the people who served for many years by the Emperor’s side could see the difference. The Emperor is always diligent and would normally immediately start to read the reports when he comes into the Imperial Study but today, he instead took the time to slowly appreciate his tea?

Xiao Yu questioningly looked at Gao Jing, who was standing at the side, and Gao Jing gently shook his head. Xiao Yu curled her lips and sent the palace maids to bring some refreshments over and silently retreated to Gao Jing’s side. She secretly suspected that the Emperor’s current expression seems to be like he was waiting for someone. Sure enough after a short while, Lou Xi Yan’s figure appeared outside the Imperial Study.

Xiao Yu’s face showed a sign of delight, she guessed correctly! But… Why is Prime Minister Lou expression abnormal?

Gao Jing lightly coughed and whispered to Yan Hong Tian, “Emperor, Prime Minister Lou seek an audience.”

With the corners of his lips raised, Yan Hong Tian lightly sip a mouthful of hot tea and without even looking up as he unhurriedly replied, “Announce.”

Lou Xi Yan walked into the hall and Yan Hong Tian briskly commented with a smile, “So quickly handled the issues at home?” Early this morning, his Empress Mother personally sent Xuan-er to the Prime Minister manor. The course of events would indeed be interesting else Xi Yan will not put up such a face.

Lou Xi Yan eyes shimmered but he did not answer. That perpetual faint smile of his also faded.

Really started to be angry? Yan Hong Tian put down the teacup and said in a clear voice, “All of you withdraw.”

“Yes.” In a blink of an eye, there was only the both of them looking at one another in the Imperial Study. One side was grave and stern, the other side was profound and reserved. After a long time, Lou Xi Yan said softly, “What the Emperor did, the person who will feel hurt will only be the Princess.”

He is here to attack him with condemnations? Yan Hong Tian face sobered and reply seriously, “What do you want Zhen to do? The ceremony for prayers is about to start and the envoys from the different countries are arriving. You still think that there are not enough things to do and purposely choose this timing to marry Qing Ling, moreover as an official wife! You and Xuan-er marriage has been unspoken for so many years and Xuan-er has already set her mind on you. Now she wants to kill herself, how will the Empress Dowager let it go?”

“Besides…” Lou Xi Yan was silent throughout thus Yan Hong Tian changed the topic and lightly humph and laugh out, “Qing Ling originally belong to Zhen but now you took the opportunity and secured her. Do you think it is easy to keep a beauty in your hands? You have created such an issue, of course you will need to resolve it yourself. Else you still need Zhen to help you to clean up the mess.” Yan Hong Tian felt a sense of fun in his heart. After all these years, Xi Yan’s face always showed an expression of everything is under his control but now one Qing Feng is able to change his expression, then it is actually a correct thing that Hao Yue sent the wrong person over!

Slowly performing a bow to the Emperor, Lou Xi Yan coolly and brightly smiled, replying, “That being the case, this official will deal with it himself and not trouble the Emperor.”

Damn it. It’s that confident smile again. Yan Hong Tian felt a new trace of worry in his heart as he lowly sighed, “Xuan-er is after all Zhen’s blood sister. You do as you deem fit.”

Didn’t he said that he should deal with the matter and now he start to feel heartache for his younger sister? Lou Xi Yan mouth still maintained that smile and the more Yan Hong Tian see it the more angry he got. He coldly scoffed, “Zhen see that you are too free lately.” And have time to be concern about all the emotions and relations.

Lou Xi Yan found it funny, this is also considered lashing out?

“Emperor, Official Dan request an audience, saying that it is of importance.” Fortunately at this time, Gao Jing announced from the other side of the door and broke the silent competition in the room.