Chapter 404 (2/2)

Xiang Rong was worried about this, “What sort of arrangement? After such a large incident, they shouldn’t… keep thinking of me, right?”

An shi, however, did not believe this to be the case: “I was thinking that it was likely because of your eldest sister reaching the age of marriage. Turning 15 is a big occasion, and everyone in the family must be present. You are also eleven. Xiang Rong, there is something that you must prepare yourself for.”

Xiang Rong was shocked. The thing that she was most worried about and did not want to mention was stuck in her throat. Only with a great deal of effort could she manage to say: “Is it about an engagement for me?”

An shi did not speak, only nodding a little. Xiang Rong the fell silent.

She had grown up in the Feng manor. How could she not understand the implications of such a thing. For the family, the daughter of a concubine was used to improve relationships and gain power. The Feng family was already going to put in a great deal of effort into her and Fen Dai. Bringing her back was for this purpose. After what had happened the previous night, perhaps going to seek power could not be more normal! But, this power, where would it come from?

The mother and daughter pair sat there in silence, neither one speaking.

This day was completely calm, as the women slept in the manor. At court, the Emperor only said that he would be handing over control of Qian Zhou’s matter to Prince Yu and county princess Ji An before moving away from the topic, no longer bringing it up. He even treated Feng Jin Yuan as he did usually. It seemed that there was no influence from Kang Yi, and this caused Feng Jin Yuan to have worried for nothing.

It was just that on this day, something else big happened in the capital. The deputy leader of the three northernmost provinces, Duan Mu Qing, entered the capital and went straight to the Xiang Palace.

Everyone believed that Duan Mu Qing would rest for a day before going to greet the Emperor, but after the morning court session came to an end, Duan Mu Qing still did not appear in front of the wide-eyed officials.

After Feng Jin Yuan got out of court, he was a little curious and thought that Duan Mu Qing really was bold. Was this not making it clear that he did not view anyone as the ruler? Could it be that he was going to copy Qian Zhou and tear at the Emperor’s face?

Who knew that after he returned to the manor, just as he stepped in the gate and before he could enter Pine courtyard, a gatekeeper quickly chased after him, telling him: “Master, there is someone called Duan Mu Qing that has come to visit.”

Feng Jin Yuan stopped in his tracks and felt his heart go “thunk.” He thought to himself that anything he feared would happen ended up happening. Duan Mu Qing did not enter the grand imperial palace, and he did not go to dignify the courts. Why did he come to the Feng manor?

But while he was confused, he had already come in. It would not be good to chase him away. He turned around and began walking back. While walking, he said: “Invite him to Peony courtyard’s main hall.”

The gatekeeper added: “He also named the eldest young miss and second young miss as people that he wished to see.”

“Hm?” Feng Jin Yuan pulled his eyebrows even tighter, “Why does he want to see them?”

The gatekeeper shook his head, thinking to himself: how could I know?

Feng Jin Yuan no longer asked as he walked briskly to welcome him in the front yard.

When he arrived, Duan Mu Qing had already arrived in Peony courtyard’s main hall under the guidance of He Zhong. A maidservant had brought him some tea. Taking a sip, he tasted it then shook his head, “Compared to the tea made in the North using melted snow, the taste is far too lacking.”

At first, Feng Jin Yuan still had some friendliness toward Duan Mu Qing, especially during the two months he was away in the North, he had received quite a bit of help from the Duan Mu family. But at that time, he and the third prince, Xuan Tian Ye, were on the same team. He, Feng Jin Yuan, was the court’s prime minister. Not only did he contribute a number of ideas to Xuan Tian Ye, he also contributed quite a bit of money. The Duan Mu family attached a great deal of importance to Feng Jin Yuan.

But now, the third prince had become a cripple. Looking at the Emperor’s attitude, that truly caused Feng Jin Yuan’s heart to freeze and caused him to completely understand that without the Emperor’s support, even if the third prince had a great external power, it was ten times the effort for half the effect. To obtain the desired throne, aside from a coup, there was practically no other path that could be taken. But once they attempted a coup, even if it succeeded, that position would not be stable or well-liked. In the worst-case scenario, it would not recover for many decades.

Moreover, he could only lie in bed. For him, the throne was completely out of the question.

Feng Jin Yuan thought of this and felt his heart tighten. Xuan Tian Ye’s injury was from a whipping received from Feng Yu Heng. Duan Mu Qing had come here, but he should not have come to get revenge for his cousin, right?

He gritted his teeth and determined that there was no chance of forming an alliance, thus there was no need for him to be fake and exchange pleasantries. He entered the hall and replied to Duan Mu Qing: “Those tea leaves are the best that the central region has to offer. I wonder why deputy leader would hold tea made from melted snow in such high regard?”

Duan Mu Qing heard this and began to laugh. Turning his head, he looked at Feng Jin Yuan and said: “When I was coming, I wondered what sort of attitude Prime minister Feng would use to greet me. Now, it seems that there is no purpose in speaking any further. Prime minister Feng, with things as they are now, the friendship that we had has now become enmity.”

Feng Jin Yuan sneered and sat in the head seat, “What sort of thing is deputy leader talking about?”

“Is Prime minister Feng unable to understand?” Duan Mu Qing slowly said: “It’s fine if you don’t understand. Whether we are friends or enemies, it does not matter. Even if we are enemies, we can once again become friends.”

While saying this, he pulled out a note from his pocket and had a servant bring it to Feng Jin Yuan. At the same time, he said: “Prime minister Feng, This lowly official came today on my cousin’s behalf to request an engagement to the manor’s eldest young miss, Feng Chen Yu.”