Chapter 228 Is Madam Here in the Capital Too?
In the imperial study of Tianchen Palace, Lead eunuch Liu Xi stood outside the door, wearing the uniform of an ordinary eunuch. However, the three gold stripes on the edge of his sleeves showed that he was the lead eunuch of Tianchen Palace. Liu Xi only had one master in the palace and that was the current emperor, Emperor Zongwen.
Of course, most of the people in the palace were all polite. They would always bow respectfully when they saw Emperor Zongwen’s personal eunuch and greet him. Even the Empress would ask after the Emperor respectfully when she saw him. As such, Eunuch Liu Xi was also another word for power in the palace.
Of course, this did not apply to King Xuan!
It was almost time for dinner but King Xuan was still not done. He was still talking in the imperial study and it seemed that the matter would not cease if Emperor Zongwen did not agree. Liu Xi did not dare to slip away while the two were speaking, so he stood outside the door and waited.
A little eunuch appeared in the corner, peeking around. Liu Xi’s expression darkened. He raised his hand and waved at a little eunuch outside the door and grimaced. How dare he peek about at Tianchen Palace? Did he want to die?
The little eunuch ran over swiftly and grabbed the eunuch who had stuck his hand back. He released the peeking eunuch after a stern talking to and then returned to Liu Xi’s side. He reported softly, “He works for the Empress and asks where the Emperor will be having dinner tonight and if he needs to go to Tianfeng Palace. It seems that the Empress has a letter for the Emperor from the Yan Empress.”
The Yan Empress was Princess Royal Yunruo, the Empress Dowager’s biological daughter. She was also Bai Yihao’s birth mother. Even though she had married to the faraway Yan Kingdom, she and her brother would exchange letters occasionally. Her letters would usually reach Emperor Zongwen directly but this time, the letter had gone to the Empress Dowager before it was given to the Emperor by the Empress. This was different.
“What did you say?” Liu Xi thought for a moment before asking.
“I told him to leave first and said that if the Emperor was to say that we will go to Tianfeng Palace, we will report it to the Empress.” The little eunuch said quickly. His sharp voice was still a little child-like, but it did not sound annoying.
“Little rascal. Not bad, go outside and fend them off. When King Xuan emerges, send tea in.” Liu Xi patted the eunuch’s head in a scolding tone but with a smile on his face. No matter what, they still had to give the Empress face. Even though they did not know when King Xuan would come out, waiting outside was the right thing to do. King Xuan’s arrogance was really boundless. There were many times when he angered the Emperor who chased him out. Liu Xi shook his head.
His Majesty was such a powerful person, but he couldn’t do anything about this son of his! Liu Xi was a servant and he felt anxious for the Emperor.
“Yes, I will go and prepare it now.” The little eunuch answered and ran off quickly.
“Crash!” The sounds of angry yelling could be heard from the imperial study. “You unfilial son. Do you want to drive me to my death?”
“Father, I just want her. I don’t want anyone else but her. Don’t be so anxious about picking a consort for me since I will not like them. I will just torture them to death and you won’t be able to answer to your subordinates.” Feng Yuran’s lazy and uncaring voice drifted from the room.
Liu Xi sighed. Alright, the father and son are fighting again! They smashed the teacups.
He took the tea that the little eunuch brought over and walked to the door quietly. He saw Emperor Zongwen sitting behind his desk angrily. The ground in front of him was littered with white-jade shards.
Feng Yuran was wearing purple robes, standing on the other side. There was a peony on his purple robes that were embroidered with gold threads. His handsome face was much more attractive and nobler than the peony.
Liu Xi could not help sigh even though he was used to the happenings in the palace. King Xuan was highly attractive and resembled the late Consort Xian closely. No wonder the Emperor was so lenient with him for the lady had died tragically! King Xuan was the son of the Emperor’s lover, and as soon as he looked pitiful, the Emperor would not be able to refuse him anything…
Liu Xi carefully placed the tea to one side. The little eunuch who had been behind him was already cleaning up the shards on the ground.
“Father, I am still young, so what if I wait another year? Even if the matter is decided now, it would still take more than a year for the whole betrothal procedure. She would be out of the mourning period then. I am not as capable as my elder brothers and marrying the daughter of a third-grade official is enough. Anyway, I don’t need the help of my wife’s family since I will live as a leisurely prince all my life.” Feng Yuran said as he looked up at Emperor Zongwen.
Emperor Zongwen was incensed by his roguish words. He picked up his tea angrily and tried to take a sip. He realized that it was boiling hot then and slammed it back on the table. His expression was furious as he said, “You don’t even know what the girl is like and you want to make her your main consort. She is so young, how will she control all those beauties in your manor?”
“Father, don’t worry. I will definitely treat her well and those women in my back courtyard will not dare to anger her. even if she is young, no one will bully her. Since I have come to beg you personally, I will definitely treat her well, or it would be an insult to you, wouldn’t it?” Feng Yuran smiled as he saw the Emperor Zongwen showed signs of relenting. His phoenix eyes lifted slightly as he scrambled to assure the Emperor. As long as Emperor Zongwen agreed to his request, he would do anything the Emperor wanted in the future.
His cheeky expression rendered one speechless with anger.
He was indeed a profligate prince for he dared to make such assurances for a woman. Liu Xi could not help but shake his head secretly.
“Go. I am tired.” Emperor Wenzong looked exhausted. He massaged his head with one hand while he waved King Xuan off with another.
“Then Father, what do you say?” Feng Yuran asked insolently as he stood up and did not leave.
“Let me think about it before we speak again.” Emperor Wenzong said helplessly.
“Your Highness, please.” Liu Xi was very sharp and he hurried up to raise the curtains respectfully.
Even though Feng Yuran did not look satisfied, he did not look angry either. He was in a rare good mood as he raised his brows at Liu Xiu. It scared the old eunuch so much that he did not dare to say anything else. King Xuan was someone he could not afford to offend.
Liu Xi returned after sending Feng Yuran off. He wiped off his sweat as he entered the study and saw Emperor Zongwen standing in front of the window silently. It appeared that the Emperor was still thinking about what happened earlier. A son had dared to say something like that to his father, and had even barged into the imperial study for a woman.
“Liu Xi, did someone from the Empress’ palace come earlier?” Emperor Zongwen was a middle-aged man in his 50s. He questioned Liu Xi as he sat down, massaging his head.
“Yes. Her Majesty wants to know if Your Majesty will go to her palace for dinner. She also has a letter from Princess Royal Yunruo for you.” Liu Xi put his hands together and answered softly.
“Little Eight wants to marry Mo Huawen’s legitimate daughter and make her his main consort.” Emperor Zongwen sighed.
Liu Xi knew Mo Huawen. He not only knew Mo Huawen, he knew him rather well. Mo Huawen supported the Emperor even before he had ascended the throne. He was rather close to Liu Xi. However, after His Majesty ascended the throne, Mo Huawen was sent to Cloud City and their contact lessened. It was said that Mo Huawen had married the legitimate daughter of General Manor. Could the girl King Xuan want to marry be their daughter? If so, even though Mo Huawen was a third-grade official now, the young lady came from a significant background.
However, she was still lacking to become the main consort of King Xuan, whom the Emperor doted on the most.
“Your Majesty, King Xuan has always been wilful. If you do not agree…” Liu Xi felt that he was letting Mo Huawen down. His daughter would be marrying the unpredictable King Xuan. King Xuan treated the people he liked well, but if he did not like them anymore, he would just throw them away. It was hard to guarantee that the passion King Xuan felt for the girl would last.
Mo Huawen’s legitimate daughter’s status was more than sufficient for her to become the legal wife of a son from a noble family. However, it was a pity that her fate was poor to have King Xuan take a fancy to her. It was such a pity.
Emperor Zongwen did not say anything. After a moment of silence, he said, “Go to Tianfeng Palace.”
“Yes. I will make preparations now.”
Mo Xuetong had already long returned to the manor then. She went to a small narrow room in Qingwei Garden. There was a heating stove in the room. Even though it was not big, it was sufficient to warm a person who just came in.
There was a girl sleeping on the bed in the room. She was so pale she was almost translucent. She opened her eyes and looked at Mo Xuetong agitatedly. She reached out to pull on Mo Xuetong’s shirt as she said incredulously, “Miss, is that you? Is it really you?”
Her hands shook slightly due to her excitement. She did not manage to catch hold of Mo Xuetong’s clothes.
“He Xia, it is me. It’s really me.” Mo Xuetong smiled gently and sat down by the bed. She took the medicine bowl from Mo Lan and placed it to He Xia’s lips. She said with a smile, “Don’t be anxious. Drink this medicine first and then speak slowly.”
Mo Xuetong had rushed into the room anxiously because He Xia had woken up after so many days.
He Xia took the medicine bowl. She did not even look at it before gulping it down. She put the bowl down and tears streamed down her face. She said, “Miss, I did not think that I would be able to see you again. I did not think that I would be able to see you while I am still alive…” She sobbed tearfully. Her face was extremely pale and she did not dare to speak loudly.
“It’s alright. Don’t be afraid. It’s alright.” Mo Xuetong reached out to comfort her, patting her shoulders. Mo Xuetong saw that she had been feeling upset for a while. She seemed very fearful for she did not dare to be loud despite being very agitated. Tears slid down her face silently.
“Elder Sister He Xia. It is alright. We are in the capital. How did you come to faint in front of Miss’ carriage?” Mo Yu asked. She looked at the torn and tattered beggar clothing that He Xia had been dressed in. One could not tell whether she was male or female in those clothing then.
“This is the capital?” He Xia was shocked and she clutched at Mo Yu’s hand anxiously. Fear filled her eyes and she started to shake. She looked as if she was very frightened. Xue Dong seemed to have gone mad like that.
Mo Xuetong glared at Mo Yu and said softly. “We are in my Qingwei Garden. Mother named it for me when we were in Cloud City. She even made a sign and you were the one who hung it on. I will show it to you later. See if it had been hung straight and if it is just like before.”
Mo Xuetong smiled gently. Her sweet voice made one feel relaxed. Furthermore, she was talking about random things about the house and the fear in He Xia’s eyes ebbed away.
“Miss, where is Madam? Did Madam come to the capital? I want to see Madam.” He Xia’s eyes widened as she looked around. She held on to Mo Xuetong’s hand and panted anxiously.
He Xia didn’t know that Madam was dead? The people in the room looked at each other and saw the shock in the other person’s eyes. Could it be that He Xia had left before Madam died?
Why did no one say anything about this before?