Chapter 13 (1/2)

Madam Wang walked into the inner quarters with Su Feng Nuan and found a new dress for her to change into before pulling her aside to question her.

Su Feng Nuan told about exactly of every details of today’s happenings in the Palace today.

After finished listening, Madam Wang reprimanded her, “Child, how can you offend the Empress Dowager just because you don’t want to go to the Palace for her teachings and to protect Feng Sheng, Now not to say you’ve left a bad impression in the Empress Dowager’s heart, if the happenings of today spreads, your reputation will be over.”

“Wai-po, even if today’s happenings are not spread, I don’t have any good reputation either.” Su Feng Nuan reminded her.

Madam Wang listened and became merry, reached over and dabbed her forehead. “You, you are just naughty, like a boy you’ve followed your father to the border and now you’ve come running back, compared to last year when I saw you, you’ve become thinner.”

Su Feng Nuan pouted, carrying her skirt, and her eyebrows twisted. Nudging her body against Madam Wang and said softly, “Wai-po, this dress is very complicated. Since the Emperor has allowed me to dress simply, you can give me another one, let’s not wear this one alright?”

Madam Wang shook her head. “No, if your Wai-gong sees you unproper, he will lecture you again.”

Su Feng Nuan sighed, “Wai-gong is an old antique, even the Emperor is more open.”

Madam Wang pat her merrily, “Let’s go, don’t let the Emperor wait for a long time. He left the Palace today and came to the Wang Manor is also to avoid the Empress Dowager and talk to you.”

Su Feng Nuan nodded, carrying her skirt, and followed Madam Wang out of the inner quarters.

When arriving at the front quarters, Wang Lu was chatting with the Emperor. Seeing Madam Wang come with Su Feng Nuan and took a glance at her. Only until seeing her carrying her skirt and behave in a proper manner, like a lady of a prominent family, his facial expression turned better.

The Emperor smiled and looked at Su Feng Nuan, “Xiao Ya Tou1 looks better this way!”

Wang Lu snorted. “She can’t be praised, since a child hasn’t looked proper. If the Emperor praised her, her tail just might perk up.”

The corner of Su Feng Nuan’s lips twitched, secretly protesting, she’s not a fox, perk what tail?

The Emperor laughed.

Madam Wang glanced at Wang Lu. “Whenever Lao-ye2 sees Nuan Er3, Lao Ye puts on a scary look, and when the little girl sees you is like a mouse seeing a cat, so she don’t dare to return to the Imperial City and come to the manor in the past two years. Last year, I really missed her, and I couldn’t help but leave the Imperial City myself to go see her.”

“You are all spoiling her.” Wang Lu straightened his face and said to Su Feng Nuan, “Now you’ve returned to the Imperial City, your words and actions must be of a Lady from a Prominent Family. Avoid being gossiped about outside and become a laughingstock.”

Su Feng Nuan thought that her Wai-gong still did not know what went on in the Palace today, and silently stepped behind Madam Wang.

Madam Su glanced at Su Feng Nuan with a smile and said nothing.

The Emperor also thought it funny and then switched the topic. He asked Wang Lu, “I want to bestow Xiao Ya Tou4 a marriage, does Official Wang have a person in mind?”

Wang Lu glanced at Su Feng Nuan and saw her ears perked up, he stroke his beard and snorted, “Huang-shang5 has thought too highly of her. She is still a foul and haven’t grown up yet. Getting married? These years, her father and mother have spoiled her, and she is used to the outside world. Now she is back to the Imperial City. Who is willing to marry her? Keep her in the manor and raise her up a few more years, after she’s well trained let’s talk about it.”

Su Feng Nuan was overjoyed. She came out from behind Madam Wang and ran to Wang Lu’s side. Giving him a shoulder massage like a goon and nodded her head like hammering garlic. “Wai-gong is so right.”

Madam Wang couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

Madam Su smiled and took a glance at Su Feng Nuan.

Although Wang Lu seems to dislike Su Feng Nuan with his words, but for her initiative to give him a shoulder massage, it is still very useful trick, even his snorting is much lighter.

The Emperor heard and gave a smile, “Xiao Ya Tou6 is now of good age. Although she doesn’t look to have grown up, but she is of age already. Even if not be married, can still set an engagement first.”

Wang Lu heard his words and nodded. “What Huang-shang says makes sense.”

Su Feng Nuan’s hand halted and the movements on the shoulder slowed by half a beat.

The Emperor laughed again, “The Empress Dowager is fixed on Xiao Guo-jiu of the Guo-jiang Manor, so I’m afraid she won’t cast away that though easily. Xiao Guo-jiu is indeed equipped in both civil and military, with no bad traits to pick at. What do the Grand Secretariat think?”

Wang Lu thought deeply about it and said, “The Guo-jiang Manor has two Queens, likely will have many etiquettes and rules. I am afraid that it is not suitable for the girl.”