88 Coming of Age (2/2)
XuanRong inwardly rolled her eyes. She wanted to say 'yes' but she managed herself to smile and say, ”No, you are not. Jiejie likes talking with Meimei.”
Hearing XuanRong's reply, XuanFei exhaled in relief.
”Fei'er only wants to talk with Jiejie because it has been a while since we had a deep conversation. After the banquet, Jiejie seldom leaves your courtyard. Fei'er wanted to visit you a couple of times because Fei'er noticed that Jiejie never once visited mother to offer a morning greeting[3] after arriving at the capital.”
Although XuanFei's words were full of worry, XuanRong knew that her words were implying that she, the Eldest Di daughter, did not show any respect to Xiao Lou who was her second mother and the Xuan Furen of the XiangFu.
XuanRong inwardly raised her eyebrow. She placed the tea cup on the table and sigh. Face full of regret, XuanRong began wiping her eyes.
”Indeed… Jiejie was unable to visit Er Niang because Jiejie was sick. Ai. Jiejie should have visited Er Niang even if Jiejie had to crawl on the ground. Ahhh… Jiejie is sorry… Meimei, don't worry… even if I am at the death's door, I will still not fail on visiting Er Niang's courtyard and offer a morning greeting to her..”
Looking at the weak and pitiful XuanRong, Xiao Lou felt a sudden headache. Comparing the two, XuanFei appeared narrow minded, forcing XuanRong to offer a morning greeting even if she was sick. Xiao Lou glared at XuanFei, signaling her to shut up.
”Nonsense! You were sick.. It's fine not to give mother a morning greeting. Your younger was thoughtless. She did not mean anything. She was only very concerned with you.”
”Yes, Er Niang. Rong'er knows.”
”Mmm.. that's right. I called all of you here to discuss Rong'er's coming of age ceremony next month. I am planning to prepare a banquet and invite the noble families here in the capital. Rong'er, do you have anything you want to request?”
XuanRong smiled and shook her head. ”Nothing, Er Niang… I will leave the entire preparation to you.”
”Mmm.. good! If that is your wish… ”
After half a shichen, they were able to finish planning XuanRong's coming of age ceremony.
”All of you may return to your respective courtyards. I am a bit tired.”
”Rong'er bids farewell to Er Niang.”
XuanRong and the rest saluted before leaving... She walked away without paying attention to the three concubines behind her. When she was already far away from the residence hall, XuanRong heard someone calling her.
”Da XiaoJie!!!”
XuanRong turned and saw Feng-shi running forward. Feng-shi was the third concubine of her father and had the lowest birth among the three. She was only a tongfang yatou[4] before her status was raised as a low level concubine after giving birth to XuanLi's youngest daughter, the fourth young miss.
”Feng YiNiang, what can Rong'er help you?”
Feng-shi looked left and right before she moved closer to XuanRong.
”D-Da XiaoJie… please open your eyes and see the truth. Don't trust other people easily.”
After saying her piece, Feng-shi immediately left without turning back, leaving the puzzled XuanRong.
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”How's Zhen's imperial younger brother?”
”Reporting to the Emperor, this humble physician was able to stabilize His Highness' body. This humble physician already prescribed something to lower His Highness' fever. Although this humble physician tried his best, this humble physician was unable to cure His Highness' illness and could only help him alleviate his pain. May the Emperor punish this humble physician.”
”No need. Zhen knows you did your best. You may leave.”
”This humble physician bids farewell to the Emperor.”
Xu Ji Mo sat on the chair next to the bed where Xu Fei Yi was sleeping.
Xu Fei Yi was very pale, and his complexion was not good. He suddenly uttered, ”W-wife Jie…J-Jiejie… don't… d-don't leave Yi'er… urghh..” as his head kept turning left and right as if he was having a nightmare.
Hearing Xu Fei Yi's incoherent words, Xu Ji Mo could not help but ask Mu Qing.
”Mu Qing.”
”Yes, Your Majesty…”
”Who is this Wife Jiejie Yi'er was calling?”
Mu Qing fell silent. Few seconds later, he opened his mouth and slowly narrated everything to the Emperor.
After few hours, Xu Ji Mo returned to the palace while in deep thought. Suddenly, a very wonderful idea appeared on his mind. If his plan succeeded, it would be killing three birds in one stone.
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[1]. 'Yang'- refers to the masculine energies in life. Giving is an action of our divine masculine.
[2]. 'Yin'- refers to the feminine energies in life. Receiving is an action of our divine feminine
[3]. Children and Concubines were obliged to follow the custom of greeting the matriarch of the family every morning. Since XuanLi's mother is already dead, Xiao Lou had the highest authority.
[4]. Bed maid- a maid whose primary work is to satisfy her master's needs in bed.
[Unedited Chapter]