Chapter 418 - Consort Zhaos Gifts (1/2)

“I went to see Consort Zhao and was about to return to the manor.” Even though she did not like Feng Yuxuan, she still had to be polite. Mo Xuetong got up gracefully and replied. She lowered her long lashes to hide the coldness in her eyes. Feng Yuxuan had harmed her more than once and was still trying to trick her with his gentle exterior. It was a pity that she was not a stupid woman who could not learn from her mistakes.

“I am about to leave the palace as well. Let’s leave together!” Feng Yuxuan said softly.

“King Chu, please go ahead first. His Highness is still waiting for me in the palace. He asked me to wait in the gardens first and will leave with me once he is done.” Mo Xuetong’s voice was gentle and dulcet. Men and women should not be alone together. There was more than enough gossip in the palace. He was her husband’s brother while she was his brother’s wife. It was inappropriate for the two of them to travel together. Furthermore, Mo Xuetong did not think there was a need to go with Feng Yuxuan.

Ever since Feng Yuxuan plotted against Mo Xuetong, the two of them were on different sides.

“Eighth Brother has already left the palace. Does Consort Xuan not know?” Feng Yuxuan smiled softly. There was a glint of sharpness in his gentle eyes.

“He has something on and has left for a while. He will come to pick me up in the garden afterward.” Mo Xuetong covered her mouth and smiled lightly. Was he testing her? It was a pity, no matter whether Feng Yuran was in the palace or not, he would definitely pick her up once he found out that she was in the palace. As such, this lie would become truth later.

Feng Yuxuan smiled and moved forward without saying anything else. It meant that their conversation was over. Mo Xuetong smiled as well. She turned slightly and curtsied, maintaining the elegance that a consort had. The distance between the two was completely appropriate in terms of the royal family rules. There was not a hint of impoliteness.

Mo Xuetong did not really stay in the royal gardens to wait for Feng Yuran because she ran into him on her way there. He had rushed over, and when he saw that Mo Xuetong was fine, they left the palace together.

They returned to the palace and sat down. Before they could drink a sip of tea, Consort Zhao’s gifts arrived.

The eunuch who was delivering the gifts smiled even more respectfully when he saw that Feng Yuran was around. He put down the gifts and b.u.t.tered up to Feng Yuran, “King Xuan, Your Highness, this is the tea Consort Xuan asked from Consort Zhao. There’s not much in the palace and His Majesty gave it to Our Lady. She sent it all here. Your Highness, shall I leave this in your study or should I leave it at Consort Xuan’s for you to drink it there later?”

The little eunuch was too smart for his own good and dared to make decisions for Feng Yuran. He said that Mo Xuetong had intentionally asked for the tea leaves. Anyone would give it to her because of who she was. It was not right if he did not put it at her courtyard. Mo Xuetong looked at the eunuch quietly. Her eyes flashed as she looked at the tea canister that the eunuch was holding carefully. The look in her eyes grew turbulent.

“Someone, come and put this at Consort Xuan’s.” Feng Yuran smiled lazily and waved his hand. “Tell Consort Zhao that I like it very much! Thank you, Consort Zhao.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Consort Zhao told me to say that you are welcome. You are family and there is no need to be so polite. I hope that Your Highness can visit Consort Zhao when you are free. She is alone in the palace after all and doesn’t have any family. You are her only kin.” The little eunuch was glib.

He not only spoke of Consort Zhao’s kind intentions toward Feng Yuran, he even pointed out the aunt and nephew relations.h.i.+p between the two. A hint of sarcasm appeared in Mo Xuetong’s eyes. This Consort Zhao did not let go of any chance to get closer to Feng Yuran.

“Alright, then please thank Consort Zhao on behalf of me. She is my aunt; how could I forget her?” Feng Yuran’s smile grew even more brilliant. The charming smile lit up his handsome face. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, seeming a little impatient. Everyone knew how arrogant he was. The little eunuch knew that it was time to leave. He knew that more haste, less speed.

“Yes, yes, yes. I will let the lady know.” The little eunuch placed the tea leaves in Mo Lan’s hand. Then, he bowed deeply and led the palace maids who had sent the gifts here away.

“Do you want to return to my courtyard together and see the gifts from Consort Zhao?” Mo Xuetong smiled gently and said meaningfully. Her gaze landed on the tea leaves in Mo Lan’s hand.

“Yes, of course, I have to take a good look at Consort Zhao’s goodwill.” Feng Yuran said. His expression was unreadable. He looked to the side, his eyes flas.h.i.+ng.

“Your Highness, Minister Lian is here. He wants to ask you about the repairs to Qiming Pavilion.” A eunuch reported.

Qiming Pavilion was where a lot of lost cla.s.sics were stored. Paintings of the previous Emperors of Qin were all stored there. This needed a lot of attention. Previously, the Ministry of Industry suggested that Qiming Pavilion should be rebuilt and that the roof should be repaired so that the precious paintings and books inside would not be damaged in wet weather.

Emperor Zongwen had handed this matter to Feng Yuran. It was understandable that the minister of the Ministry of Industry, Lian An, had come to find Feng Yuran to discuss this matter.

“Minister Lian is here only now?” Feng Yuran asked lazily as he tapped his fingers on the table.

“Yes, the minister just got off his carriage. He looks like he is in a rush.” The eunuch replied.

“Since Minister Lian is in such a hurry, I shall see what the rush is about.” Feng Yuran’s lips lifted slightly into a smile. He narrowed his eyes slightly and stood up lazily. Then, he said to Mo Xuetong, “Go in first. I will see what happened to the hurrying minister. Don’t drink the tea first. Wait for me to drink it together.”

Mo Xuetong did not say anything. She smiled and nodded. Then, she brought the servants to her courtyard.

After a long while, she heard that the prince and Minister Lian left in a hurry. They did not even have lunch in the manor. Mo Xuetong did not wait for Feng Yuran. She got the servants to prepare a light lunch and had a little food. She drank her medicine and took a nap.

When she woke up, she saw a hazy figure beside her. It was Feng Yuran. She did not know what time he came back. He was lying beside her on his side, playing with her long hair. The long hair landed on her face. It was soft and itchy.

“Did the minister leave?” Mo Xuetong yawned lazily and pushed away his naughty hands.

Feng Yuran’s voice grew gentle subconsciously as he looked at Mo Xuetong’s beautiful face. He smiled and said, “There was a collapse at Qiming Pavilion. The Ministry of Industry said that the roof is too old and has not been fixed in a long while. Some of the treasures have to be moved. Lian An came to invite me to watch the works being done.”

The portraits of the past Emperors and ancient cla.s.sics being moved had to be watched by someone of status. Lian An knew that he was not powerful enough and that he should invite Feng Yuran to be present. However, it was such a coincidence.