Chapter 223 - The Unusual Consort Tao (1/2)
223 The Unusual Consort Tao
After a few days, when Feng Yi Xuan and Lan You Nian returned to the capital, it’s been two months since they departed from the capital. Spring in the capital has arrived. The weather has become warmer. Spring breeze sends warmth, melting the grim winter. Peach red and willow green decorated the entire world. On the streets, groups of young men and women walked together. The relaxed laughter fell upon all corners of the capital. The spring breeze brings the news of spring. Those young girls who loved beauty wore gauze dresses as light as cicada wings. As the saying goes, as long as there is grace, there is no need for the comfort of temperature, even if they don’t have internal energy. A heart that loves beauty was enough to withstand all severe cold.
After the carriage entered the capital, Lan You Nian said to An Yi who was driving the carriage, “Go to fourth prince manor!” Then she asked Jing Wu An and Yu Liu Li, “Does Brother Wu An and Brother Liu Li want to return home or go with us?”
Jing Wu An urged his steed over to the carriage, “Father sent a letter to have me and Liu Li go back home, so we won’t be going!”
Feng Yi Xuan and Lan You Nian nodded. Jing Wu An and Yu Liu Li hurried in the direction of Jing manor while they headed in the direction of fourth prince manor.
“Why are we going to Imperial brother’s place?” Originally he planned to steal Nian Nian to his Prince Ming manor for some time. In any case, everyone knows they’re back. But if they went to fourth prince manor, Nian Nian would have to return to Lan manor. Though he could go over every night, but this feeling of sneaking around wasn’t very nice.
If Lan You Nian knew of Feng Yi Xuan’s thoughts, she would definitely say disdainfully, can your actions be considered sneaking? In You Nian Pavilion who doesn’t know Prince Ming will report on time every night. It’s practically more accurate than his timing for morning court.
“Brother Xia Qi and Bai Lian have married. As the younger brother, as a friend, we haven’t attended. I feel bad about it so I picked some gifts from Wu Qing Pavilion to give to them. Marriage is an important matter yet we haven’t even attended!” Lan You Nian explained.
Feng Yi Xuan nodded. As for this imperial brother, despite however indfifferent Feng Yi Xuan was on the surface, he was still had affection in his heart. When they were little, because of his eyes, many people spurned him and feared him, but imperial brother still considered him as his younger brother and took care of him, giving him brotherly love. This was why Feng Yi Xuan was willing to campaign on the battlefield for many years.
When the carriage arrived at fourth prince manor, Lan You Nian was about to step out of the carriage but was stopped by Feng Yi Xuan. When the steward outside saw An Yi driving the carriage, he ceremoniously gave his greetings to the carriage, “Prince Ming!”
Feng Yi Xuan “hn”ed. The steward welcomed the carriage into fourth prince manor, fearful he would slight this Prince Ming of unpredictable temperament.
When Feng Xia Qi and Yue Bai Lian received the report of their subordinates that the two came to the manor, Feng Yi Xuan already brought Lan You Nian to the grand hall, sitting there as if he was the master, being served with good food and tea.
“A’Xuan, little sister Nian’er, you’re finally back!” Feng Xia Qi and Yue Bai Lian came into the grand hall together. Seeing Feng Yi Xuan and Lan You Nian, it was clear they were delighted as the smiles on their faces couldn’t be hidden.
Feng Yi Xuan held Lan You Nian, without rising, only nodding his head. It was a good thing Feng Xia Qi them were already used to Feng Yi Xuan’s temperament and didn’t mind.
Lan You Nian shot a glance at Yue Bai Lian who has been married for several days. Yue Bai Lian wore a pink palace gown as she stood beside Feng Xia Qi, the perfect image of a virtuous wife. The packets opened to pink shoulders, the collarbone loomed under the coral chain, standing slim and straight. Though there wasn’t any extreme brilliance, it’s hard to hide the quality of jasper jade. Her jade wrist circled a hollow gold bracelet, making the green onion fingers even more soft, yet there was an air of broken sorrow circulating around her. But Lan You Nian could tell Yue Bai Lian was much happier than before.
“My apologies, we weren’t able to make it in time for your wedding day!” Lan You Nian had An Yi take out the prepared gifts, saying apologetically.
Feng Xia Qi and Yue Bai Lian sat there on the master seats, making others feel they really looked like husband and wife. The two smiled and shook their head, showing they didn’t mind. After opening the gift, they looked at Lan You Nian in shock. Yue Bai Lian was ill at ease as she said, “This, this is too precious!”
The wedding gift Lan You Nian gave the two was a pair of auspicious dragon and phoenix jade pendants. The texture and quality of the jade would be rare to see even in the palace. Lan You Nian obtained it inadvertently and now felt it was perfect to give it to them.
“What precious or not? Things are meant to be given to others. As long as you two like it!” Lan You Nian smiled. Then remembering something joyous, she said to Yue Bai Lian, “I bought some tasty foods at Jiangnan. Later I’ll have Lan Qu bring them over. You definitely haven’t tasted them before!”
“Really? I heard Jiangnan was very beautiful? Is it true?” Yue Bai Lian asked enviously.
The two women started to chatter about those eats, things they use, and those they play, completely ignoring the two men who wore indulgent expressions. After the two finished chattering, they saw Feng Xia Qi and Feng Yi Xuan watching they talk without saying a word. Yue Bai Lian bashfully quieted while Lan You Nian stuck out her tongue as she obediently sat on Feng Yi Xuan’s lap, without the image of an aristocratic lady of the boudoir.
“His Majesty should be about to install a Crown Prince right?” Lan You Nian asked, unconcerned. Amongst the princes of the imperial family, Feng Shao Chu definitely has no more chance. Feng Yi Xuan had no interest in the throne. They were only left with Feng Xia Qi.
Feng Xia Qi shook his head, “We can’t be sure for the moment. The officials in court has submitted memorials to Imperial Father to install a Crown Prince but Imperial Father hasn’t shown any intentions towards this. Imperial Father’s attitude was very strange!” Feng Xia Qi didn’t conceal anything in front of his own people. Even if he didn’t want that position, he will sit on it. Imperial Father once thought so, but now once they’ve gotten rid of the Empress’s Faction, Imperial Father showed no action. Feng Xia Qi felt curious about this.
Feng Yi Xuan stroked Lan You Nian’s black and shiny long hair, his voice cold as he said, “Has something strange happened in the imperial palace?”
Feng Xia Qi considered it. Recently there hasn’t been anything happening in the imperial palace. Everything gave off the feeling of calm. But Yue Bai Lian thought on it and said, “Recently Imperial Father conferred a Consort, called Consort Tao. I heard the people of the palace secretly gossip that Imperial Father greatly favored this newly promoted consort!”
Yue Bai Lian has married Feng Xia Qi. Feng Xia Qi was concerned about matters of court but Yue Bai Lian paid attention to the matters of the imperial harem. Though there wasn’t love between the two, there wasn’t any lacking in friendship. The two had a great partnership. Yue Bai Lian already considered this her home while Feng Xia Qi considered Yue Bai Lian as the woman who will accompany him for the rest of his life.
Once Yue Bai Lian mentioned this, Feng Xia Qi also remembered and frowned as he said, “This matter is indeed unusual. All these years, Imperial Father hasn’t done a candidate selection much less confer a consort. This one is too unexpected!” Ever since the former Empress passed away, Emperor Feng Xuan kept his distance from women. Those consorts were still the original ones. Additionally, as Imperial Father aged, there hasn’t been a woman added to the harem.
“Have you found who this person is?” Feng Yi Xuan’s face was ugly as he said this. He already held hatred towards Emperor Feng Xuan and now Emperor Feng Xuan’s attitude made Feng Yi Xuan loathe him even more. He will never forget his Imperial Mother’s death.
Speaking of this matter, Yue Bai Lian also felt strange. She pondered as she said, “Speaking of which, it’s quite strange. We have never seen this Consort Tao, nor has anyone in the palace seen this Consort Tao, but I heard this Consort Tao is very beautiful!”
Lan You Nian put down the pastry in her hand, saying worriedly, “It looks like there’s something off with this Consort Tao. We should go take a look!”
“I once went to pay my respects to this Consort Tao but unfortunately I was refused without an audience.” Yue Bai Lian said. Since she was now Feng Xia Qi’s wife, once she noticed this matter, she went to inquire into it but wasn’t allowed an audience. This Consort Tao was protected very well.
Feng Yi Xuan’s eyes flashed upon hearing this. Pondering, he said, “I heard it will be Lan manor’s Old madame’s birthday in a few days?” He was asking Lan You Nian. Feng Yi Xuan paid attention to everything concerning Lan manor and Lan You Nian.
Lan You Nian nodded and smiled, “I understand!” Everyone in the hall was wary and vigilant against this Consort Tao who hasn’t revealed her face. For a woman to evade their investigation and obtain the Emperor’s affection, she certainly wasn’t a simple woman. It’s unknown why this woman has come here.
——
Today was General Lan manor’s Old Madame’s birthday. Lan manor was usually was very low-key. No one knew why this birthday was made such a fanfare of. They heard even the Emperor was invited by General Lan. In this world, who would go invite the Emperor?
Actually, General Lan didn’t want to. Originally, he wanted to celebrate Old Madame’s birthday by eating a meal as a family, so how could he go invite the Emperor? But he couldn’t withstand against his precious daughter who let him go invite. When General Lan heard Lan You Nian wanted to do this, he went into the palace to invite the Emperor without rejecting. And Emperor Feng Xuan agreed.
The strangest was the Old Madame. Because she enraged Lan You Nian last night, she was imprisoned in the backyard. Every day, she was so fearful she didn’t dare make trouble. Her son no longer came to see her. Though her food and drink wasn’t shortened, the master of Lan manor’s backyard was now that junzhu. But this junzhu wasn’t at all respectful towards her. Old Madame thought she’ll go on like this until the end of her life but she didn’t expect her birthday to be so grand.
Those officials who Lan Jian Jun had a good relationship with at court have already arrived at Lan manor. Those young masters and young ladies of the younger generation seemed to have all arrived. Higher up in the banquet hall, around a table sat several noble men and women of the upper circles.
“Has the Old Madame been settled down recently?” Lan You Nian asked.