Chapter 172 The Beauty Who Followed After
Mo Xuetong massaged the Princess’ back lightly. From where she was standing, she could see the flash of anger on Feng Yuxuan’s face. The elegant and calm Prince was not as elegant as he was said to be after all. He was angered by Feng Yuran’s repeated mention of the Ding General Manor.
She glanced at the man who did not seem at all to notice that Feng Yuxuan was angry. He was lying lazily on his seat, but it did not hinder his good looks at all. His figure was long and slender and his eyes were charming. They shone under the light. They were deep and shone playfully as he lifted his long brows.
How could a charming youth be stupid? Mo Xuetong, who had interacted with Feng Yuran all this while would not believe that his actions were unintentional. She rolled her eyes subconsciously. However, he turned around lazily and looked at her charmingly. Mo Xuetong did not know if she had seen wrongly, but there was a hint of unhappiness in his deep, dark, and extremely handsome eyes.
Who had made His Highness angry again?
It was obvious that the petty Prince was angry at someone beside him.
Mo Xuetong did not want to be implicated in the matter and secretly sympathized with the person he was angry at. King Xuan was extremely petty and his moods were unpredictable. He was also especially good at bearing grudges. She wondered who had annoyed him. It would not be just one person who would be implicated when he was annoyed. She really did not know who the unlucky fellow who angered King Xuan was. That person was doomed!
While Mo Xuetong sympathized with that person, she did not dare to bring trouble onto herself. When she saw how he was looking at her, she hurriedly to rearrange her features and pretended not to see him while turning her head away. She started to massage the Princess’ shoulders carefully.
Feng Yuxuan quickly adjusted his mood and pasted an elegant smile on his face. He hid the darkness in his eyes and said, “Eighth Brother, you are joking. The Ding General Manor is the family of the Empress, so how would they be interested in the two of us. I am not interested in marrying a girl from a noble or powerful family. I just want someone I love. That is why whatever happens to the young ladies of the noble Manors has nothing to do with me. The Empress is more interested in Third Brother and is choosing a wife for him this time! Furthermore, Father will make the decision regarding the important matter that is our marriages. Why do we need to talk anymore about it.”
He seemed to be expressing his feelings but also seemed to be avoiding suspicion at the same time. His statement was well-spoken and was graceful, just like him. It did not feel odd at all and was hard to dislike. One only felt that he was but just human and emotional. He was looking for his dream girl and had no other desires.
But why would he say all that in front of the Princess if he really did not have any other desires!
What had the Ding General Manor or the Empress to do with his visit?
Feng Yuran stood up and got Bai Ling to serve him another cup of tea. He took the tea and stood up before approaching Feng Yuxuan with a smile. “Eldest Brother, you were right. I only need to drink and have fun. Father should make the decisions over these lands. Let’s pray for blessings for our father tonight. Eldest Brother, we cannot drink here at Aunt’s, so let me toast you with this cup of tea.” Then, he brought the tea to Feng Yuxuan respectfully with a smile on his lips.
Feng Yuxuan could not refuse given his polite tone. He stood up and said with a smile, “Many thanks, Royal Eighth Brother. Let’s meet Father together in a while and toast him to longevity.”
“Of course. I heard that the second miss of Ding General Manor is here today as well. It is said that she has been interested in you for a long while. When I got here, Aunt said that the second miss of the Ding General Manor will be here to visit her later. She can go with you later and Father would be pleased to see that.” Feng Yuran’s eyes shone. He waved at Bai Ling who was waiting by the side and asked, “When did Second Miss Ling say that she would come?”
Feng Yuxuan who had just taken half a sip from the teacup spluttered. He coughed violently, spewing out tea. His expression grew stiff.
“She should be here soon. The Empress specially sent someone to inform us earlier.” Bai Ling frowned in thought and answered gently.
Feng Yuxuan, who was seated by the side, could not help but react to that. His handsome face turned dark immediately.
Even though what happened on the night before New Year’s Eve was considered a royal scandal, and it was not just one person who had seen the two brothers appear there one after another…
To be honest, Feng Yuxuan did not really like Ling Fengyan. He just wanted to make use of her. However, after the incident came to light, Ling Fengyan was no longer much help to him but instead, was a huge hindrance. If the Emperor thought that his eldest son loved a girl who had grown up with his other son, he would definitely scold Feng Yuxuan for not being a good brother.
The Ding General Manor stood behind the Empress, and the Empress supported Feng Yulei. Even though Ling Fengyan was beautiful, she was not of much use to the grand scheme of things. And after the incident, he had to give up on some of his plans. It was not wise to continue having any ties to Ling Fengyan.
As such, Feng Yuxuan came to the Princess Royal’s abode to avoid Ling Fengyan, who was in the Empress’ palace amongst other reasons. However, he did not expect that Ling Fengyan would come to the Princess Royal’s Mingzhu Palace to pay her respects to the Princess. A hint of annoyance flashed through his gentle eyes. The Empress meant for Ling Fengyan to stick to him.
Even if she wanted to trap him using a beautiful girl, he first had to be interested in the girl. He could not help but look at the beautiful face across him. There was a brilliant smile on that face that shone with life. One could not help but be drawn to it.
“Your Highness, Second Miss Ling wants to meet you. She is here to greet you.” A servant hurried in and reported.
“Invite her in!” The Princess could not help but frown impatiently. “What’s with my palace today? You are all coming here and it is more crowded than the New Year’s.”
“Aunt, this is a good place. Of course, your nephews have to come and pay our respects to you. It is the New Year’s, and we are here to ask for a glass of wine and wish you joy and good health.” Feng Yuxuan said with a smile.
“That’s right, Aunt. It is usually so quiet here. There are so many people who thought of you this year, and that’s a good thing. Second Miss Ling is said to rarely leave her home and no one knows about her. She is said to be the most beautiful in the capital. I am blessed today thanks to you, Aunt. I can see the the most beautiful girl in the capital here today. It could be counted as a blessing from Aunt to your nephew in the new year.” Feng Yuran drawled. His voice was mellow and thick and was very attractive. It sounded like music playing in one’s heart.
Ling Fengyan who had just entered the room heard his voice and could not help but look up secretly. She saw an extremely handsome young man with dark glittering eyes. He looked at her with a vague smile. He wore luxurious purple robes embroidered with dragons. The embroidery trailed down his sleeves, making him so handsome that he seemed almost inhuman. His tall nose and red, luscious lips, as well as the exquisite and perfect curve to his chin made him look noble and perfect.
He closed his handsome eyes slightly. His long slender fingers were pale and shone like elegant bamboo. He was holding on to a cup of tea. His eyes were filled with emotion as if they could speak. A look from him was sufficient for ones to lose their soul.
Ling Fengyan had been ordered by the Empress to go to the Princess Royal’s palace today. She had only come after she heard that King Chu was here. As such, she arrived only a few minutes later than Feng Yuxuan. She was to appear before Feng Yuxuan as a girl who was deeply in love with him. Ling Fengyan did not dare to treat the Empress’ assignment lightly, and she left the Empress’ palace in a hurry.
However, she did not expect Feng Yuran to be here as well!
She could not stop thinking about him for some reason after their meeting that night. Even though she felt as if she could not like the young master who was only interested in games and girls, it was not Feng Yulei or Feng Yuxuan who appeared in her dreams.
As such, when they met again, she felt slightly excited. She almost could not control her joy and excitement. Fortunately, she had grown up by the Empress’ side and could control her emotions well. She bit her lips and hid the excitement she felt. She held on to her maid and approached the Princess Royal shyly. She curtsied and said, “Greetings, Your Highness. May you forever be happy and healthy.”
Every step she took was as light as the wind caressing the willows. Her quiet voice carried the gentleness of a young girl and struck a chord in one’s heart. Furthermore, with her intentional posturing, she seemed even more seductive and gentle. Her polite gesture showcased her good breeding and politeness. One did not know how many times she practiced this in front of the mirror. She was very confident that every step she took made one’s heart flutter.
However, when others watched her, they felt that she was rather fake.
There was not a person in the room who had a favorable impression of her. As such, no one liked her.
Feng Yuxuan only wanted to distance himself from her. He knew what the Empress was thinking even if she didn’t say it out loud.
He did not want to have anything to do with Ling Fengyan. As such, he pretended not to see her gentle and delicate behavior.
On the other side, Feng Yuran sized Ling Fengyan up without hesitation. He felt that she could not compare to Mo Xuetong. Her figure, her appearance, her fakeness and that extremely fake smile on her face… How could she be the greatest beauty in the capital? She was no match for his Tong’er. Look at how those large and bright eyes were staring viciously at him. She was as quick as you could want her to be and she was as angry as you wanted her to be. How could she be compared to a fake wooden person!
Feng Yuran looked at Ling Fengyan while comparing her to Mo Xuetong whom he looked at from the corners of his eyes. He saw Mo Xuetong’s expression growing darker and darker as she glared at him angrily. However, when she saw that he did not care at all, she ignored him and turned her head to the side. One would never be able to have a clear conversation with a useless person like him. How dared he behave so audaciously in front of the Princess!
The Princess noticed their reactions and nodded to herself. A faint but noble smile appeared on her lips. She said, “Second Miss Ling, please get up. Many thanks for remembering me though I live alone. I wonder if you have brought a message from the Empress?”
Ling Fengyan had never been to Mingzhu Palace and she had come for an ulterior motive today. While the Princess had a good temper, she was rather annoyed at this point. She did not care about what happened in the Empress’ Palace. However, they did not have to come to her Mingzhu Palace. She liked spending her days quietly ever since her husband died. Even though Mingzhu Palace was considered to be in a central location in the palace, she had told the Emperor to try to make her palace be as quiet as possible.
Ling Fengyan understood the Princess’ intentions and her face paled. However, her eyes reddened and seemed a little moist, making her look delicate and pitiful.
“Your Highness, I came to chat with Your Highness on behalf of Her Majesty. So…” She said, sounding slightly aggrieved. She was still kneeling on the ground because the Princess had not told her to rise.
“I have received the Empress’ good intentions. However, it is the New Year’s and everyone wants to have a reunion with their family. You had better return home or the Ding General Manor would be missing a filial daughter.” The Princess said lightly. It was as if she had not noticed how sad Ling Fengyan seemed. Feng Yuran lay against the back of the chair lazily, watching the show.
Feng Yuxuan’s expression remained stoic, looking gentle and elegant.
Only Bai Ling, who was standing beside the Princess took a second look at her. There was a flash of something in her eyes. However, she was just a palace maid. Despite being a well-liked servant of the Princess, she did not dare to say anything in this situation.
The Ding General Manor’s filial daughter was not at home but here at the palace. She was not a relative of the Princess, so why was she here? This was not just a refusal but a stark slap in the face. Even though the Princess was an unapproachable person, she had always seemed strong before others. The Empress had behaved irrationally to send Ling Fengyan over today. They were playing tricks right in front of her. Did they not take her seriously anymore?
Ling Fengyan flushed red and then her face lost all color as she looked at the two handsome princes.