Chapter 353: Outwardly docile, inwardly devious (1/2)

Chapter 353: Outwardly docile, inwardly devious

Long Feiye stopped talking upon her arrival, while Chu Xifeng respectfully retreated to the corner of the room. Han Yunxi could tell they’d been talking business, but because her matter was rather time-sensitive, she had no choice but to tell Long Feiye now.

“Your Highness, may I discuss something with you?” she asked seriously.

Su Xiaoyu had returned to the Leisurely Cloud Pavilion. Zhao mama couldn’t set her worries to rest, so she’d followed Han Yunxi here in case she did something rash. She was already feeling nervous from Han Yunxi’s words, and secretly tugged at her robes. Although Zhao mama dearly wished to tell His Highness Duke of Qin how Mu Liuyue had humiliated Han Yunxi, she didn’t dare! She knew the Duke of Qin liked esteemed wangfei, but how much? And to what extent? She wasn’t clear.

She only knew that His Highness and esteemed wangfei weren’t 100 steps apart anymore. But they weren’t much closer, either. Originally, the empress dowager had decreed their marriage, while Emperor Tianhui had urged it on. Back then, the entire wedding had been a way to insult and humiliate the Duke of Qin. If esteemed wangfei came to ask for betrothal gifts now, His Highness Duke of Qin would definitely be unhappy, even more so than before. It wasn’t certain whether he’d gift her any for real.

“What is it?” Long Feiye asked mildly. In his memories, this woman rarely asked him for anything, much less in such a rush.

Han Yunxi allowed Zhao mama to keep tugging as she spoke. “Your Highness, chenqie wants to throw a birthday banquet for mufei.”

Urk…

Zhao mama was completely at a loss. What?

Long Feiye was surprised as well. Why did this woman suddenly come up with that idea?

“Why?” Long Feiye asked.

Han Yunxi’s eyes glimmered craftily before she suddenly scooted closer. Long Feiye was caught off-guard, but he didn’t back away. He allowed her to stand right next to him. Han Yunxi grinned before she whispered something in his ear. Her words were unintelligible, but Long Feiye simply nodded with visible interest. Everyone else present at the scene felt like their heads were stuck in a fog. They wanted to ask questions, but didn’t dare to interrupt the pair.

Han Yunxi spoke at length and in detail about what she wanted to do, her breath teasing the edges of Long Feiye’s ear. He was reluctant to have her leave by the time she finished and straightened up.

Meanwhile, Han Yunxi had no idea how intimate they’d looked just then. She was all business. “Your Highness, what do you think?”

Long Feiye pinched his ear, feeling refreshed. “It’ll be done according to your wishes.”

Han Yunxi was thrilled. “Will Your Highness come too?”

Long Feiye actually broke into a soft smile. “I will!”

Both of them looked to be in an excellent mood. Tang Li and the rest were left completely befuddled. Just what had they talked about? Were they really going to hold a birthday banquet for Grand Concubine Yi?

When Han Yunxi left, Tang Li asked in bewilderment, “Big bro, it’s not a good idea for Grand Concubine Yi to show herself again, is it?”

Every since the incident with Mama Su, the two big shots in the palace had been secretly investigating Long Feiye’s origins nonstop. Grand Concubine Yi would be in great danger if she was exposed, especially if she fell into the emperor and empress dowager’s hands.

“It’s inconsequential,” Long Feiye replied leisurely.

Han Yunxi began preparations for the birthday banquet that very day. The first thing she did was to write invitations inviting all the members of the imperial clan and the court’s officials and ministers. It didn’t matter whether they sided with Long Feiye, Emperor Tianhui, or took a moderate stance–all were welcome to come. Of course, she’d invited them under Long Feiye’s name, after getting his permission. Once the invitations went out, commentary rose from all sides. Grand Concubine Yi’s birthday banquet was only a few days short of the crown prince’s wedding. Just what was the Duke of Qin’s estate planning?

“Heheh, they’re trying to steal the show! I’d like to see how many people show up! What an insensible thing to do at a time like this!”

“The Duke of Qin’s faction would naturally attend, but…”

“…but they’d only end up singing their own praises! Hahah, as I see it, they’re planning to turn renegade. Perhaps they’ll be a show worth seeing this time.”

“I never expected Great General Mu to stand on the crown prince’s side. Aye, the Duke of Qin’s truly in a perilous position!”

—

If the crown prince hadn’t chosen to wed General Mu’s daughter, Grand Concubine Yi’s birthday banquet might be a more popular affair. But as things stood, and with the wedding so near, even people like General Baili were left baffled by his actions. Wasn’t His Highness Duke of Qin just inviting a snub from everyone else?

Long Feiye himself offered no explanations whatsoever.