The Emperor’s Petty Intentions
Xuan Tian Ming angrily gritted his teeth. What wife was he marrying? His wife was under his blanket. Who else could he marry?
But the sound of joyous music grew louder and louder outside, causing his head to swell more and more. He angrily got up and grabbed Feng Yu Heng. At the same time, he called out- “Bai Ze!”
There was no movement from the door.
He frowned and called once more: “Huang Quan!”
There was still no movement.
Feng Yu Heng got out of bed and put on an outer garment. While putting it on, she shouted- “Song Kang!”
Bang! The door was pushed open by someone from the outside.
Xuan Tian Ming felt that servants like Bai Ze and Huang Quan that were more interested in liveliness than their masters really could not be considered as useful as Song Kang! For Song Kang, as long as Feng Yu Heng was at the palace, unless he was sleeping or cutting up chickens and ducks, he would spend the rest of his time taking care of his master. When his master got up, that was his time to take care of her. When his master had not yet gotten up, he would need to wait outside the door to keep watch.
Also, this Song Kang had another problem- he viewed everyone as being beneath him.
It was not completely the case. It was just that as long as Feng Yu Heng was present, he could practically not see anyone else. There were clearly two people in the room. In any case, Xuan Tian Ming was a prince, right? But Song Kang, sir Song, only saluted his master. He did not pay any attention to the prince.
Feng Yu Heng nodded in satisfaction then asked Song Kang: “What is going on outside? Who is getting married?”
Song Kang shook his head like a pellet drum, “Master, this music was prepared for you and his Highness.” After saying this, he finally looked at Xuan Tian Ming and said: “His Majesty’s personal eunuch also came. His Majesty heard that master and your Highness would be returning to the military camp, thus he arranged for some music to send you off.”
Xuan Tian Ming was so angry that he was speechless. Send them off? This was not the first time that the two were going to the military camp. What sort of mental illness had that old man come down with?
There was nothing he could do. Since it was arranged by the Emperor, he had to go out and take a look. The two sent Song Kang out before diving into the space to get cleaned up. When they came out after getting cleaned up and dressed, they were surprised to find that the music troupe had already arrived in front of the bedchamber’s doors.
Feng Yu Heng smirked from hearing this. She tugged Xuan Tian Ming’s sleeve and loudly shouted, asking him: “Say, what do you think father Emperor is doing? Why does this atmosphere seem like they are trying to perform an early wedding for us?” No wonder she had that weird dream.
Xuan Tian Ming spread his hands, “How could I know! That old man is most likely going insane.”
The door opened, and the sound grew even louder. The two immediately saw Zhang Yuan standing there. Accompanying the music troupe, Zhang Yuan’s ugly expression was truly too noticeable. Xuan Tian Ming coldly snorted and waved his hand, as he very impolitely said: “Everyone, stop!”
This was shouted using internal strength, and it scared the troupe members into nearly throwing away their instruments. They all looked at Xuan Tian Ming then at Zhang Yuan. The leader said: “Sir eunuch, didn’t you say that this was arranged by his Majesty? Why is it…” Why was there someone that did not even give face to the Emperor?
Zhang Yuan had a bitter expression and waved his hand: “You can all leave. You will still be paid.”
Upon hearing that they would still be paid, they did not insist. Carrying their instruments, they left. Zhang Yuan remained in place and looked at Xuan Tian Ming. Behind him were some other eunuchs that did not even dare to raise their heads.
Feng Yu Heng saw that Xuan Tian Ming’s expression was truly very ugly and quickly tugged at him. She then glared at him before asking Zhang Yuan: “Eunuch Zhang, you said that this was arranged by father Emperor?”
When she asked this, her voice became much softer. Zhang Yuan expressed that he could accept this, thus he replied: “His Majesty said that imperial daughter and his Highness would be returning to the military camp. You are leaving in a rush, and he did not have a chance to personally say a few words. He could only use this method to express his feelings. Also, going to the military camp to produce steel weapons is a joyous matter. A joyous matter must be celebrated.”
Feng Yu Heng blinked. Her train of thought became derailed, as an image of the Emperor with a thief-like smile appeared… Wait a moment, why was it a thief-like smile?
She looked at Zhang Yuan then at Xuan Tian Ming. The two exchanged a glance and immediately saw that the other had similar thoughts.
Xuan Tian Ming coldly said to Zhang Yuan: “Not to mention the old man’s efforts to hide things. Why exactly was such a scene caused? Speak the truth!”
Zhang Yuan sighed bitterly, “Hah! In truth, the situation is very easy to explain. With the two of you leaving, there will be nobody to stop him drinking with lord Yao. His Majesty is celebrating for himself!”
Xuan Tian Ming was so angry that he could not even speak. Last night, he had said that Feng Yu Heng’s father was no good. This morning, his father did not put in a good showing for him.
Wasn’t this too unreliable? How could he be at peace with handing the country over to him?
While he was secretly complaining in his mind, he heard the girl at his side slowly say: “Xuan Tian Ming, your father really is great.”
With just these words, Xuan Tian Ming immediately decided to forgive that unreliable old man. Thus he also nodded: “Un, he is also your father.”
Feng Yu Heng smiled and said to Zhang Yuan: “Eunuch Zhang, thank father Emperor for me. Just say that his Highness and I have accepted his feelings. It’s fine if he wants to drink with grandfather, but he must not get drunk. It’s not good for his health. I hope that eunuch Zhang will help keep an eye on them for me.”
Zhang Yuan quickly bowed: “What is imperial daughter saying. This servant should be taking care of his Majesty and lord Yao. Also, there is another matter that must be discussed with you two.” Zhang Yuan looked up at Xuan Tian Ming: “It’s the sixth princess from Zong Sui that is in prison. She seems to have gone insane. She spends every day yelling and cursing imperial daughter, saying that imperial daughter is a monster.”
Xuan Tian Ming was startled and subconsciously went to hold Feng Yu Heng. He knew that Feng Yu Heng was indeed different from others. He also knew that she had sent some food over to scare Yu Qian Yin. After the matter with Yao shi yesterday, he felt even more than there was a bit of something there. Although this sort of thought was not very specific, after his experience with Yao shi, he knew that Feng Yu Heng would definitely be very sensitive to this subject.
This was intended to protect and comfort her. After all, when he had rushed into Yao shi’s room, this girl’s condition was truly frightening. He had known her for over a year, and he had never seen her with such a troubled and hurt appearance If it was not for him having good self-control, he really might have whipped to death the mother that bullied his wife. He held the girl that he doted on. On what basis could someone else say that of her?
Xuan Tian Ming held Feng Yu Heng’s shoulder and looked down to comfort her. However, he had underestimated his wife’s ability to adjust her mood. After getting a night of sleep, the panic of the previous day had disappeared. What he saw was a strong, stubborn and quirky girl.
Feng Yu Heng looked up slightly then jutted out her small chin. In an instant, she recovered the arrogant look that Xuan Tian Ming liked the most. She said to Zhang Yuan: “It’s fine if she goes insane. This imperial daughter can treat any illness. It just depends on if she is able to pay.”
Zhang Yuan nearly cried upon hearing this, “His Majesty also said this. His Majesty even said that imperial daughter would definitely say this. He even made a bet with this servant. If you did not say this, he would give this servant five taels.”
Xuan Tian Ming nearly laughed out of anger. Could that old man not be a little more proper? You as an emperor make a wager with someone and only bet five taels? He was truly too speechless.
The two managed to send Zhang Yuan off with great difficulty. Feng Yu Heng decided to return to the imperial daughter’s manor first to prepare some clothes. Zi Rui and Song Kang also returned with her. She was returning to the military camp, and she wanted to send Zi Rui over to Xiao Zhou at the same time.
Zi Rui was very understanding, as he did not mention anything from yesterday, nor did he mention Yao shi. Although he still had feelings towards that mother, Yao shi’s attitude toward Feng Yu Heng was truly too chilling.
Feng Yu Heng packed up her clothes and placed some more inside her space. Only then did she bring Zi Rui back to Xuan Tian Ming’s imperial carriage. Xuan Tian Ming said: “Let’s go toward the military camp first. When we get to the fork in the road, I will arrange some hidden guards to send Zi Rui over to Xiao Zhou.” After saying this, he asked her: “Do you want to bid farewell to your grandfather?”
Feng Yu Heng waved her hand: “He is at the Feng family right now. I won’t be going. I am only going to the military camp. It’s not as though I won’t be coming back. Also, I trust that with grandfather’s train of thought, he will definitely come to see me in the military camp after a few days. When we get there, we will need to tell the soldiers. When the time comes, don’t stop my grandfather outside.”
Xuan Tian Ming smiled and nodded, giving an order to the outside. The imperial carriage then slowly began to move.
There were quite a few people inside the carriage. It was the two of them, Zi Rui, Song Kang, Huang Quan and Wang Chuan, who had just rushed back. All around the carriage, there were countless hidden guards accompanying them. Even if this was the case, Feng Yu Heng still felt a little bit flustered. The source of this fluster was unknown, and there was no ability for her to ignore these feelings. She could only hold Zi Rui’s hand while telling him to study well in Xiao Zhou and learn more from his teacher.
The imperial carriage finally left the city, and Feng Yu Heng began speaking even more. She frankly did not stop, going from study well to train properly and get stronger. From there, she spoke about getting along well with his schoolmates. Zi Rui was truly helpless and could only try to ask his brother-in-law for help. Xuan Tian Ming, however, received his look and only shook his head, expressing that there was nothing that he could do.
Finally arriving at the fork in the road, the imperial carriage stopped, and Bai Ze entered the carriage to say: “A total of six hidden guards will accompany young master. Princess, don’t worry!”
Feng Yu Heng frowned. It was clear that she was a little worried.
Xuan Tian Ming waved his hand, “Add another four. Have ten people protect him.” He then looked at Feng Yu Heng, “Is this alright?”
She sighed, “If this was no good, even if I personally went, there would not be much purpose.” She patted Zi Rui’s head and handed the packed luggage to Bai Ze. She then advised Zi Rui: “No matter what happens on the way, you must maintain a clear mind. Do you understand?”
Zi Rui nodded, “Elder sister, don’t worry. From the capital to Xiao Zhou, Zi Rui has made the trip there and back multiple times. Nothing will happen.”
Speaking truthfully, she was still worried. But even if she was worried, there was nothing that she could do. It was as she had said. With ten hidden guards there, if something happened, even if she had gone too, there would be nothing that she could do.
“Go!” She gave Zi Rui a gentle pushed, sending the child out of the carriage. Watching him get into another carriage, she then waved to bid him farewell. Only after the carriage had gone far away did she turn and say to Xuan Tian Ming: “I have a bad premonition. I just hope that it’s not accurate.”
The two returned to the imperial carriage, and Bai Ze continued in the direction of the military camp.
Who knew whether it was because of Feng Yu Heng’s premonition, but after the carriage had traveled for another four hours, even Xuan Tian Ming began to feel flustered.
The two looked at each other, and they saw the other’s mood. After looking at each other for a while, they suddenly shouted in unison: “Bai Ze! Turn around and go toward Xiao Zhou!”