Chapter 289 (2/2)

The banquet no longer had a celebratory atmosphere after Feng Fen Dai’s snow dance. Everyone would occasionally observe the Emperor’s changes in expression while speculating and carefully enjoying food, drink and dance. Finally reaching the end, after the eunuch announced the end of the banquet, everyone quickly stood up to pay respects to the Emperor and Empress then quickly left Fei Cui Hall.

The Emperor looked at the departing people and helplessly sighed. At his side, the Empress asked: “When your Majesty saw eldest princess Kang Yi, did you think of imperial sister-in-law?”

The Emperor nodded, “That’s right! When We were young, We were fortunate to have imperial sister take care of Us. Otherwise, We would have passed away early on in the fight for the throne. Unfortunately, imperial sister did not live long. Before We were coronated and could give her a good life, she passed away. Now that I saw eldest princess Kang Yi, it truly caused Us to recall and miss imperial sister!”

The Empress did not know how to console him, so she could only sigh. At their side, none of the other imperial concubines said anything. It was imperial concubine Gu Xian who turned her head and whispered something into her attendant’s ear. That attendant then sneakily left the hall.

At this time, outside Fei Cui Hall, everyone was moving together. Eldest princess Kang Yi led Ru Jia and Fen Dai and stood in front of Feng Jin Yuan. Feng Jin Yuan once again thanked Kang Yi for the grace of inviting Fen Dai then made use of the opportunity to make a request of Kang Yi: “Since eldest princess will be remaining in Da Shun for a few more days, I wonder if you would grace our manor with a visit? My old mother is very interested in the snowy country of Qian Zhou. Knowing that princess is from Qian Zhou, she would be very happy to welcome you.”

Ru Jia had a very good impression of Feng Jin Yuan. Hearing him extend an invitation, she happily spoke up before Kang Yi: “Mother, let’s agree! I heard that the manors of Da Shun’s government officials are both large and beautiful. Just let Ru Jia go take a look!”

“Kang Yi laughed helplessly and said to Feng Jin Yuan: “This little girl is unruly. Prime minister Feng, please do not tell such jokes.”

“Hah!” Feng Jin Yuan also began to laugh, “Princess Ru Jia is lively and cheerful, which is something my daughters are lacking!”

Hearing someone praise her daughter, Kang Yi was quite happy, thus she nodded, “Since Lord Feng has invited us, Kang Yi will be obedient and go pay a visit to elder madam in the manor tomorrow.”

Walking at the rear, Feng Yu Heng and Xiang Rong heard that Kang Yi would be personally visiting. They could not help but look at each other. Feng Yu Heng saw the confusion in Xiang Rong’s eyes and patted the back of her hand, saying with a smile: “Don’t worry. It’s fine.”

Xiang Rong furrowed her brow tightly and said: “Although this eldest princess looks very nice, why do I keep feeling like she does not have a good heart?”

Feng Yu Heng laughed and thought to herself, dear Xiang Rong, you’ve truly grown up with the new year. “Remember, there is no unconditional love in the world. Nobody will treat you well for no reason. Concubine mother An treats you well because she is your birth mother. I treat you well because you are my younger sister. But just being my younger sister is not enough. She must also be a younger sister that stands on my side. Understand?”

Xiang Rong pondered for a while then nodded vigorously: “Xiang Rong understands. Second sister means to say that there was no reason for eldest princess to beg forgiveness for fourth sister. There must be another reason.”

“That’s right.”

As the two spoke, someone suddenly stumbled over towards them. Without worrying about anything else, they grabbed Fen Dai from Kang Yi’s side and eagerly asked: “How are you? Were you frightened?”

Everyone was stunned. When they looked more carefully, they found that it was the fifth prince, Xuan Tian Yan.

Fen Dai’s face turned bright red from having suddenly been grabbed. Lowering her head, she said in embarrassment: “I’m fine. Many thanks to your Highness for the concern.”

Feng Jin Yuan snorted. This time, he really did not give Xuan Tian Yan any face. Staring at the hand that grabbed Fen Dai, he said: “This is inappropriate. I hope your Highness the fifth prince will not ruin my youngest daughter’s reputation.”

Xuan Tian Yan was startled, and he glared over at him, wanting to say something. But he was a prince that was not favored. It was also because of such a reason that he lost his father Emperor’s love. Facing the court’s standard first rank official, he truly was a little afraid to get into an argument. Thus, he could only awkwardly let go, but he also said: “Prime minister Feng is mistaken. This prince will be taking fourth young miss in as a wife someday.”

Feng Jin Yuan looked at him in confusion: “If this prime minister recalls correctly, your Highness forcibly pushed your proposal letter to my Feng manor while this prime minister was away. What was promised to my youngest daughter was the position of secondary princess, right? Where is the idea of wife coming from?”

Xuan Tian Yan also knew that he had made a mistake. Originally, he was not very serious about Fen Dai, but Fen Dai’s beautiful snow dance had truly captivated his soul. He pondered a little then gritted his teeth and resolutely said: “Prime minister Feng, do not worry. The position of official princess of my Li Palace is indeed no good, but this prince will disperse all secondary princesses and concubines. Until fourth young miss is of marriageable age, not a single new person will enter my palace. After fourth young miss marries into my palace, she will be the only secondary princess of Prince Li. Prime minister Feng, what do you think?”

TN: Age goes up with the celebration of Chinese new year.