Chapter 58 The Empress Scheme (1/2)

Where did the blood come from?

The eunuch sprawled on the ground started to shake. He had already cleaned the traces of blood by his lips when he entered. He thought about how he was going to get through this. If the Empress found out that it was his blood that had been sprayed on her favorite niece's painting, he would definitely die. However, he dared not lie to the Empress. The Empress looked like she was going to get into an argument with King Xuan. There was not just one person who had seen him spitting blood on the painting after being hit by the guards. If they found out that he had sowed discord between the Empress and King Xuan, then he would definitely die.

”What is it? Is it difficult for you to speak?” The Empress glared at him and her already stern face looked even sharper.

”No, no, that's not it. It is your servant. I was. .h.i.t earlier and I accidentally spat blood... on it.” The eunuch shuddered and did not dare to speak again. He did not dare to mention that he had been hit by the guard because he was dazzled by King Xuan.

It was rumored that there was once a man who had been mesmerized by King Xuan and looked at him in a daze. That man was stomped and beaten to death. King Xuan hated it most when men were dazzled by his beauty. He did not know what was wrong with himself. He had dared to stare at the extremely handsome face. It was a charming face that was second to none. Then, he had been dazzled and had gotten into trouble.

It was the eunuch's blood?

The Empress frowned and commanded sharply, ”Tell me everything that happened in detail.”

The eunuch wanted to hide some things, but when he heard the anger in the Empress' words, he did not dare to do so. He shook as he recounted the matter in detail.

There was a clatter as the jade-pattered carved teacup was smashed down heavily, the boiling hot tea in the cup covered the eunuch's face. The eunuch started to bleed heavily. The Empress's expression was dark with rage. She was so furious that she could not speak. She could not control her temper and threw the teacup onto the floor.

”Take him away and beat him to death!”

The servants who came up ignored the eunuch's struggle and dragged him away.

”Your Majesty, it is all the fault of that stupid servant. It looks like King Xuan did not even see Second Miss' face clearly. How can King Xuan bear to part with such a beauty with his willpower?” Eunuch Liu was the Empress' lead eunuch. He did not dare to say anything else when he saw how furious the Empress looked. He changed the topic and spoke carefully, trying to say things that would please the Empress. ”Second Miss is so beautiful. King Xuan would not do something like this if he saw her.”

Ling Fengyan was the second child of the Ding General Manor. Ling Mingyan was the first miss of the family. She was the daughter of the second sir of the Ding General Manor. Her father was Ling Mingyan's father's brother. They were both the main young misses of the Ding General Manor. As such, she was also considered n.o.bility. She was also gentler and kinder than Ling Mingyan. Even though she rarely appeared before others, she was known to be gentle and gracious. She had always been the biggest triumph card in the Empress' hand.

”Hurmph, since he doesn't like her, then I don't need to keep sending her to him.” The Empress was angry. Her beautiful niece was not some second-rate goods. Why would she keep sending her to King Xuan? It would just be an insult to her status. Since Feng Yuran had not seen her, then it was just him being unlucky that he could not get such a ravis.h.i.+ng beauty.

”Your Majesty, you want to...” Eunuch Liu was the Empress' confidant and naturally knew what the Empress meant. He asked her about what she wanted softly.

”Naturally, Fengyan is a good girl. Not anyone who wants to marry her can marry her. We will see who can marry her based on their capabilities!” The Empress leaned backward, her face softened and her smile cold.

No matter whether Feng Yuran had seen Fengyan's picture or not, it would not be appropriate to send her picture to him again. If no one wants the gift, then they would see who can get it and fight for it. The Empress Dowager's birthday was happening in a few months. There would be a grand banquet in the palace. The Emperor would host it outside while the Empress would host it inside. She would have Fengyan appear in front of everyone and stun them. Feng Yuran would not be the only one who would want her. The other two would definitely be interested... She smiled when she thought of that.

If she released the news then that she had originally intended to marry Fengyan to King Xuan...

”Your Majesty, the painting?” Eunuch Liu presented the ruined picture when he saw that the Empress' mood was pretty good.

The Empress did not even look at it before throwing it into the heater beside her. The picture immediately turned into ashes. Then, she turned around and brought her servants into the inside hall. The wind blew through the windows and a few pieces of blood-tainted paper flew out from the heating stove, landing in front of a person wearing a light brown robe. He picked up the paper to see Ling Fengyan's lively eyes which were tainted by filth.

He looked at it carefully and blew away the ashes on the edges of the paper and kept it in his s.h.i.+rt before walking in.

The guard at the doors saw him approaching and knelt down, crying loudly, ”His Highness, King Yan, is here!”

In General Manor.

The etiquette nannies were both very strict, this was especially so for Nanny Li, who was sent to teach Mo Xuetong. Even though there was a smile on her round face at all times, she would never allow Mo Xuetong to pa.s.s easily. She would point out her mistakes immediately and get her to fix them immediately. Fortunately, even though she was strict, she did not intentionally make things difficult for Mo Xuetong. She was fair and business-like. She had an imposing natural aura and everything she did make Mo Xuetong feel that she was not just an ordinary etiquette nanny but someone of status.

In her past life, Mo Xuetong had not undergone strict etiquette training. Auntie Fang had never intended to make her a good lady and her father ignored matters of the inner courtyard. He treated her coldly since her return from Cloud City and they rarely saw each other. Mo Xuemin had an etiquette nanny but she did not. After that, she went to Sima Lingyun's duke manor and Sima Lingyun's mother picked on her all the time. She was busy serving her mother-in-law day in and day out and did not have time to study etiquette.

Sima Lingyun's mother was in charge of all matters regarding the family outside. She was just a wife who stayed deep inside the household. She was not even in charge of household matters, much less anything else. Her etiquette was just to carefully take care of Sima Lingyun and her mother. She had only been in charge of the house for a few days during a difficult period before Madam Hou took the rights from her.

Furthermore, she had, at that time, thought that it was because Sima Lingyun loved her and did not want her to take care of these matters and also did not get anyone to make things difficult for her and teach her.