Chapter 524 - Feng Yuran Returned to the Capital (2/2)
“Old Eight, what’s going on in your manor?” The light was still on in the imperial study. Emperor Zongwen was sitting under the light and looking at Feng Yuran with displeasure and a hint of reproach in his eyes.
“Father, it’s not clean in my manor. Look, your daughter-in-law just wanted to hold a birthday banquet and didn’t take it extravagantly. She only invited some familiar people. How did she provoke others? Her birthday banquet was ruined. She’s the dignified Consort Xuan in my manor. After this accident, I naturally had to accompany her to relax for a few days. On that day, if it weren’t for her good luck, she would have died.”
Feng Yuran knew what Emperor Zongwen meant and immediately complained. He had done so much not to make his father unhappy with Tong’er.
His words reminded Emperor Zongwen of the fact that his dearest son was dying when Mo Xuetong married him. His expression softened and he sighed, motioning Feng Yuran to sit down. There was still a hint of displeasure in his expression as he said, “No matter what those women have done, you have to take care of the child in her belly.”
Feng Yuran immediately knew what his father was most dissatisfied with today. Anger appeared on his face immediately. He put on a look of bitterness and hatred. “Father, if the child in that woman’s belly isn’t mine, and I have been cuckolded, I should not care if she lives or dies.”
Emperor Zongwen’s eyes grew sharp when he heard that. “What happened?” he asked in a low voice.
“I also feel strange. I only stayed with Concubine Xiang for the first few nights when she was sent to my manor, and then I had a new love, so I have never stayed with her after that. Then I got injured and married. I was so busy that I didn’t have the energy to care about these women. Why does she have a baby? The time doesn’t match.”
Feng Yuran’s expression did not look good. No matter which man was in such a situation, his expression would not look good.
At this time, Liu Xi had arrived at the door of the study. He listened for a few seconds and asked the little eunuch who was holding the hamper to step back. He also stood far away from the door. The pregnant woman in King Xuan’s Manor was not carrying King Xuan’s child, which made Liu Xi feel injustice for Feng Yuran and think that he should teach those women a lesson.
He was just thinking about it, but Emperor Zongwen was so angry that he felt giddy. However, he still asked in disbelief, “Why are you so sure that she wasn’t pregnant during the few nights?”
“I have sent the doctor to see her. The doctor said that she was pregnant for at least four months. But I was injured then. How would I have time to have such a thing with her?” Feng Yuran’s red lips twitched slightly. He shook his head and added, “Father, I really don’t dare to accept such a woman. Please don’t try to send women to my manor in the future. Look, what is it!”
The woman who was pregnant was said to have been awarded from the palace. Even though it was possible that the person in the palace, who involved the woman, might be the Empress Dowager or the Empress, Emperor Zongwen’s intuition told him that it had something to do with him. He flushed and grew weak. He had wanted to scold his son. Although there were not many women in the manor who were decent, the child in that woman’s belly still belonged to the royal family. King Xuan had to care about her.
He had thought that Mo Xuetong was so jealous that she took Feng Yuran away, leaving no one to care about the pregnant concubine in the manor. He was very satisfied with Mo Xuetong because of this. He had planned to say something to her so that she would understand that she could not be jealous to be a good Consort Xuan.
At this time, when he saw his son’s livid face, he also felt angry. Someone actually dared to plot against Old Eight, and even a woman in the manor dared to commit adultery. “Old Eight, are you sure it’s not your child?”
Still worried, he asked again.
“I swear that if that child really is my child, from now on I…” Feng Yuran jumped up in anger when he heard the Emperor’s suspicion and wanted to swear to G.o.d.
Of course, he knew that the child in Concubine Xiang’s belly was not his. Since he had never slept with her, how could she be carrying his child?
“Well, alright. How can I not believe you? I will not interfere in your matter. However, don’t make things too big in case that the censors would say something,” Emperor Zongwen interrupted him hurriedly when he heard that his son was about to make a vow. He rubbed his forehead, had already made up his mind, and spoke in a low voice.
No man could stand such a thing!
Not to mention it happening in the royal family!
“Yes, then I will go back to the manor to settle the matters right now.” Feng Yuran smiled charmingly. There was a cold look in his eyes. He looked furious and turned around to leave.
Liu Xi, who had been eavesdropping outside, heard the important conversation inside. He pushed the door open and came in with a smile. “Your Highness, please don’t go. I’ll serve the dishes. You’d better eat first.”
“You haven’t eaten yet?” Emperor Zongwen turned around to look at his son. Then, he realized that he was travel-worn. It was obvious that he had hurried into the palace. Looking at the tired expression on his son’s face, Emperor Zongwen got worried and said, “Then why don’t you sit down and have some food? Otherwise, you might not have the time to eat later.”
“Father, do you want to have some with me?” Feng Yuran asked, with a smile as he sat down unceremoniously and looked at the dishes that Liu Xi had asked someone to prepare.
“There’s no need. I’m full. Eat by yourself!” Emperor Zongwen’s eyes softened as he looked at Feng Yuran who looked a little like Consort Xian and himself. At the moment, he was no longer the Emperor who was high and mighty, but was just an ordinary father who loved his son.
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