zChapter 972 - Being Forced to the Brink Helps Bring Out Survival Instincts (1/2)
Today in the Imperial Palace, the lake that had frozen over attracted many people. Feng Yuheng had just thrown three people in, but this was not all. Now, there was news that had come saying that Feng Zhaolian had broken through the ice to fish. The end result was that he himself fell into the water.
She felt extremely powerless upon hearing this. She could only have Xuan Tiange and the others leave the palace first. She then followed that palace servant and headed in the direction of Feng Zhaolian’s accident.
When they arrived, Feng Zhaolian had just been pulled out by some servants. He looked very in a very poor condition. There were ice shards in his hair, and his entire body was soaked. He had even lost one of his shoes. Looking at him once more, he was in a bit of a daze. One of his eyes was partially closed, and they were completely without vigor. The palace servant at his side said: “We did not know if this one came in with Princess Yu. Only Zhang Ning Palace had a banquet today. Thinking about it, reporting this matter to that side should be correct, right?” After saying this, they looked up and saw Feng Yuheng quickly walk over, and they could not help but let out a sigh of relief, quickly moving to salute her.
Feng Yuheng waved her hand: “No need to be so courteous.” She then quickly arrived in front of Feng Zhaolian. Squatting down, she looked him over for a bit then reached for his wrist. She felt that his pulse was steady, and his vitals were normal. It was just that he looked a bit haggard. There had been no problems stemming from falling into the water.
But Feng Zhaolian did not think this to be the case. Seeing that Feng Yuheng had come over, he weakly asked: “A-Heng, am I about to die? Being able to see you before I die is really good.”
Feng Yuheng frowned and quietly said: “Feng Zhaolian, don’t pretend. Quickly get up! What is a measly frozen lake in Da Shun to someone who grew up in the frigid Qian Zhou? Just based on your cold-resistant body, you could strip down and swim many laps around this lake. Don’t think that I don’t know this.”
Feng Zhaolian, however, acted as though he could not understand. Weakly holding her with one hand, he repeatedly shook his head, “I really am about to die. I’m so cold. My entire body feels weak. A-Heng, quickly save me. Bring me to a warm room! I don’t want to die outside.”
The palace servants surrounding them also chimed in: “That’s right! Her entire body is completely soaked. If she continues to remain lying down in the snow, her life really might be at risk.”
Feng Yuheng suddenly began to smile. Looking at Feng Zhaolian, she asked: “There are many palaces in the Imperial Palace. Speak, where do you want to recover?”
Feng Zhaolian let out a sigh, “A-Heng, anywhere is fine. I’m just weak. It seems that I will need to spend a period of time in the palace to recover. I know that you can definitely do something, and the people in the palace will all give you some face. Finding a place for a patient like me won’t be difficult. How about…” He thought for a bit then said: “I recall that your relationship with the Empress was quite good. How about we go to the Empress’ place! Don’t worry. I won’t cause her any trouble. I will leave the palace after getting better.”
Feng Yuheng nearly burst out laughing upon hearing this. Going to the Empress’ place to recover? Did this person think that the Empress’ palace was a refuge that anyone could enter as they pleased? But after thinking a bit, she felt that Feng Zhaolian came into the palace with a goal. He had come in using Imperial Concubine Li’s name to get in but did not set a single foot in Zhang Ning Palace. She had even forgotten about the gift that she was entrusted with giving, but he did not ask about it. After turning around, he went and fell into a frozen lake and asked to go and live in Jing CI Palace for a period of time… A look of suspicion nearly appeared on her face, as she leaned over and quietly asked: “One surnamed Feng, what sort of plan are you acting on this time?”
Feng Zhaolian did not respond. Instead, he rolled his eyes back and fainted.
In truth, Feng Yuheng really wanted to poke him with a needle to wake him up. To pretend to faint in a doctor’s lap, this was truly something that Feng Zhaolian could do. But she did not do this. Instead, she went along with Feng Zhaolian’s request and informed the palace servant at her side: “Go and call over a sedan then bring this person to Jing Ci Palace. This princess’ friend accidentally fell into the water and is truly very weak. There’s nothing that can be done and can only remain in the palace to recover for a while. Would Her Highness the Empress please take her in for me.”
After she said this, she looked at the “fainted” Feng Zhaolian and felt that the corners this person’s lips were slightly curling up. A look of success lingered on his face, and it was extremely infuriating.
Feng Yuheng would definitely need to accompany him for this trip. She trusted that Feng Zhaolian had his own reasons for wanting to remain in Jing Ci Palace. Just like this visit to the Imperial Palace and just like his initial request to be brought to Da Shun’s capital, Feng Zhaolian had his own ideas and secrets. Even just giving consideration to the 100 thousand troops, she needed to help out with this. Moreover, through the matter with lu Yan, Feng Yuheng wanted to know what sort of unspeakable secret the lofty Empress had.
On this side, Feng Yuheng went to Jing Ci Palace. On the other side, Zhu Kongshan brought the three half-dead young misses from Zhang Ning Palace to Cun Shan Palace. Just after setting foot inside the palace, she heard Noble Lady Yuan’s angry voice. It sounded as though she was scolding and punishing a palace servant; however, the overall message was directed toward the banquet in Zhang Ning Palace.
She had the three young misses settled in first before entering Noble Lady Yuan’s side hall. Noble Lady Yuan saw her arrive and immediately dismissed the palace maid who was being cussed out. Only then did she pull Zhu Kongshan over and ask: “What’s the situation over there?”
Zhu Kongshan thought for a bit then said: “There’s not much else. It’s just a bit of an argument between young misses, no harm no foul. As for second aunt…”
“Don’t bring up your second aunt here! I don’t have that sort of a younger sister!” No matter how much face she gave Imperial Concubine Li in front of others for the sake of her son, when she returned to her own place, she could no longer hold it in. All of the grievances that she had suffered while in Zhang Ning Palace would be vented about back here. Just punishing a servant was not enough. Hearing Zhu Kongshan refer to Imperial Concubine Li as second aunt was something that she especially did not like.
Zhu Kongshan could understand Noble Lady Yuan’s feelings, nodding and saying: “Yes, it’s Imperial Concubine Li. I feel that her attitude toward Princess Yu was very strange. Not only was she exceedingly warm, but also…” She pondered for a bit then continued: “Also, I paid attention to the contents of their conversation. Well, it can’t be called a conversation. It was mostly just Imperial Concubine Li speaking on her own, while Princess Yu casually responded from time to time. Imperial Concubine Li was mostly talking about things related to His Highness the sixth prince, stuff like how His Highness the sixth prince is a literary genius and how he is able to share His Majesty’s burdens or how filial and understanding he is. That feeling was as if… as if she was desperately trying to have Princess Yu understand how good His Highness the sixth prince is. Aunty, say, isn’t this matter really strange? If Princess Yu was still an unmarried girl, this matter could be understood, but in the end, she is a married woman. No matter how much she understands how good His Highness the sixth prince is, what good is that?”