Chapter 362 Ling Fengyan’s Retribution
Mo Xuetong and Feng Yuran entered the palace. The first thing they did was to visit Emperor Zongwen.
They entered the great doors of Qianqing Palace to realize that the other two pairs of newlyweds were already there. They were the latest.
Feng Yuxuan was still as gentle as usual while Feng Yulei seemed as if he had suffered a blow. He had lost a lot of weight and seemed to have aged ten years. He did not seem as elegant and noble as before. When he looked at others, his eyes did not hold the same sinister look they usually did. After what happened, if there were no other incidents, he would only be able to live the rest of his life out within high walls.
He was a prince, but all his desires and thoughts had been beaten out of him. Even though he was still a prince in name, he was to live the life of a criminal. There was no other color or light in his young life. However, Mo Xuetong could keenly sense that there might still be a chance for King Yan to turn things around.
If the Emperor truly wanted to lock him within high walls, he would not have allowed King Yan to come to the palace today. Perhaps, coming to serve tea was just an excuse. However, one could see that Emperor Zongwen did not intend to lock King Yan up until his death. Since he was able to come out today to serve tea, then would he be able to come out should there be a good enough excuse like the new year, or when elder relatives visited?
Of course, these were all guesses that Mo Xuetong had. After all, Mo Xuetong was not familiar with the Emperor, not in her past life, and neither in her current one.
Compared to King Yan’s haggardness, You Yue’e seemed to be very lively. She looked at Ling Fengyan, who was standing beside Feng Yuxuan, with eyes that were as sharp as swords. She seemed as if she wanted to tear Ling Fengyan apart. Ling Fengyan, on the other hand, who had always been prideful and arrogant, seemed to be in a very bad state. If not for Feng Yuxuan’s gentle expression and him holding her a little, she seemed as if she was going to collapse.
She was pale and her breathing was ragged. She was so weak she could not even stand.
Her change overnight was shocking. It seemed as if the lively, elegant, and gracious Second Miss Ling had disappeared. She looked at the ground fearfully, hiding half of her body behind Feng Yuxuan. She seemed dark and despondent and her beautiful face seemed like a flower which had not blossomed well. She looked lifeless.
“Your Highness, Lady, the Emperor is waiting for the two of you!” A smile bloomed on Liu Xi’s face when he saw Feng Yuran and Mo Xuetong and he approached to welcome them. He had stood outside for a long while unhappily. Other than King Chu who was slightly normal, the other three did not seem as if they were newlyweds. It would be odd if the Emperor did not feel angry after he saw them. That was why he had ignored them up until now.
This pair seemed sweet and happy and looked like a pair of newlyweds. The Emperor would definitely feel less angry when he saw them.
“Eunuch Liu, you are too kind. Thank you for waiting.” Mo Xuetong smiled and said courteously. The two of them followed Eunuch Liu to stand in front of Emperor Zongwen.
Emperor Zongwen sat on the main seat which was right in the center. He nodded only when he saw all three pairs of newlyweds present.
Someone had already placed a pair of bright yellow futons on the ground.
King Chu was the oldest. He held onto Ling Fengyan’s hand and went to the futon. They knelt down and bowed thrice and kowtowed nine times. Ling Fengyan served tea to the Emperor with trembling hands. The Emperor took the tea and did not drink it, placing it to the side casually. The little eunuch was shocked but did not dare to say anything. He took the serving tray away, his head bowed.
In the great hall, the air was so heavy that no one could breathe. Emperor Zongwen’s gaze landed on Ling Fengyan. It was cold and terrifying.
“You are King Chu’s consort in the future. Remember to take King Chu into consideration in all things. If you make the slightest mistake…” Emperor Zongwen said coldly, his eyes turning dark. Even though he did not complete his sentence, the killing intent behind his words made one feel cold for some reason. You Yue’e, who had been staring at Ling Fengyan all this while looked away subconsciously. She no longer dared to show how angry she was.
That was an intent to kill. It was a clear intent to kill!
Everyone understood that the young lady of the Ding General Manor whom the Emperor detested so much was probably finished.
“Father, I do not dare!” Ling Fengyan was so afraid she did not even dare breathe. She lowered her head and did not dare to move as well. She silently hid the hopelessness she felt in her eyes. Her aunt, the Empress had hoped that she would be able to find out information for King Yan. But after what happened yesterday, she did not dare to put a toe out of the line.
In the past, she felt that King Chu, Feng Yuxuan, was the gentlest prince!
She seemed never to have seen him angry before. However, she did not expect him to be the scariest one!
She had plotted against Mo Xuetong and wanted to swap places with her. She had sent her won bridal sedan chair to Feng Yuran’s King Xuan’s Manor. She thought that if she and Feng Yuran sealed the deal, then Mo Xuetong would not be able to say anything even if she wanted to. After all, the power of the Ding General Manor was still greater than Princess Royal who had a title and nothing else. They were much more powerful than her.
If she and King Xuan sealed the deal, then no matter whether for the face of the Ding General Manor or the royal family, she would definitely become King Xuan’s consort. Meanwhile, Mo Xuetong could only marry King Chu. Ling Fengyan had considered all of this. However, she had considered everyone’s reaction but for the most important person.
What kind of reaction would Feng Yuxuan have!
He was elegant and calm. As such, Ling Fengyan had never thought that he would have an extreme reaction should the brides be swapped. If he got Mo Xuetong, Mo Xuetong while might not be as beautiful as her and unparalleled in her beauty, was still a beautiful girl. Furthermore, since the deed was done and the Emperor had already given the orders, what could King Chu say?
However, the fact was that she had failed and she did not know why. She did not know why her bridal sedan chair was sent to King Yan’s Manor, and did not know what was wrong with Feng Yulei for him to want to consummate the marriage without even toasting his guests. This made her think that he was Feng Yuran, which made her very receptive and she had taken the initiative as well.
Feng Yuxuan had even seen her with her clothes in disarray!
She had thought that as long as she was careful at night, she would be able to gain Feng Yuxuan’s affections. It seemed as if she was a victim as well. It was not her fault. At most, it was a misunderstanding!
Given the rumors of Feng Yuxuan’s gentleness and graciousness out there, he would definitely be understanding and would love her.
As such, she had thought of how to seduce the gentlemanly and gentle prince.
She did not expect him to be so violent!
He had whipped her relentlessly after she entered his manor. He did not even allow her to defend herself and had hit her so badly she laid on the ground crying. That was when he tossed the whip aside.
Then, he tugged her bloody dress off and rode her on the ground without a hint of gentleness. He treated her like the lowliest courtesan in the brothel and took her roughly. The immense pain made her think that she was dying…
After that, King Chu left her as if she was a dirty woman and he was afraid of dirtying his hands. He allowed her to lie on the bed haphazardly. In the end, it was the Ling family’s maid who entered fearfully after Feng Yuxuan left to discover her lying on the ground naked. Ling Fengyan did not move and laid on the ground, unconscious.
After she was brought onto the bed and cleaned up, everyone was frightened. In the morning when the nannies from the palace came to collect the belt from the first union, they realized that the belt was as white as snow. The maids and maidservants were all so frightened that they all knelt. However, Feng Yuxuan entered and asked the two nannies to leave gently. He told them that Ling Fengyan felt unwell last night, which was why they had not completed their coupling. This had helped Ling Fengyan out of the tough spot.
However, she would never be able to forget what Feng Yuxuan’s vicious eyes from the night before. She had lost all confidence in the morning and only hoped that Feng Yuxuan would be kind to her. She would do anything he wanted. She thought of how her aunt, the Empress, wanted her to plot against him. She only realized that he was not as gentle as he appeared to be after she married him.
Even if the Emperor did not tell her to behave, she would not dare to be disobedient either!
The Emperor waved his hand and Ling Fengyan and Feng Yuxuan backed away.
Feng Yulei and You Yue’e knelt together in front of Emperor Zongwen. Emperor Zongwen took a sip from the cup of tea You Yue’e offered him. Then, he placed it to the side and got someone to give You Yue’e a pair of Yulan Magnolia Parrots screens that were painted with genuine gold. It meant that he was still satisfied with this daughter-in-law. However, he only sniffed coldly at King Yan and did not bother with him.
The two of them got up.
Mo Xuetong helped Feng Yuran to kneel down. Feng Yuran was injured and he only knelt for a while. Emperor Zongwen got him to stand up. However, when Mo Xuetong served the Emperor tea, he did not accept it. Mo Xuetong could feel the Emperor’s gaze on her. She raised the teacup in her hands and did not dare to move.
After a long while, they heard the voice from above saying, “Anping, from now on, you are Old Eight’s wife. His health is poor, you have to take note of that. Don’t leave the manor if there is nothing you have to do. Old Eight’s health is the most important. You are the youngest, so don’t go making unnecessary trouble.”
Was he worried about her and afraid that she would not serve him well? Or was that a warning?
“Yes, I will!”
Mo Xuetong agreed obediently. She knew she had to do that at least. She had married Feng Yuran to bring him blessings and it was for his good health. Otherwise, they would not have broken the rules and allowed her into the family. It seemed like the Emperor truly doted on Feng Yuran. He was worried about handing Feng Yuran to Mo Xuetong, which was why he was doing this today.
“Father, don’t worry. I am already better. When I came in earlier, there was a certain path where I didn’t even need someone to help me.” Feng Yuran said with a smile. Someone helped him to sit down. Since he was the youngest, he could not possibly let the other two older princes stand up. As such, the three princes all sat down. However, of the three daughters-in-law, two stood while one knelt.
Mo Xuetong was the one kneeling. She could not help but lament that it was difficult being a daughter-in-law of the royal family.
“How can I not worry! You are so rash and she is so young. She looks like she isn’t sensible. If not for her eight characters matching yours, I would not want her to marry you. Look at her, she is so young, how is she going to give you children?” Emperor Zongwen sighed and looked at Feng Yuran somewhat dotingly. It seemed like he was very worried. Then, when he looked at Mo Xuetong’s childish face, his expression was one of helplessness.
Everyone followed the Emperor’s gaze and turned to look at Mo Xuetong’s face. She did look very young and innocent.
The enmity in someone’s eyes lessened.
Feng Yuxuan glanced at her silently and lowered his eyelids to hide the darkening in his eyes! He clenched his fists slightly under his sleeves and then released them.
She was just a woman. In the future, when he ascended the throne, he would still have a chance to have her.
“Father, rest assured. She is very sensible. She managed her family when she was in Mo Manor.” Feng Yuran said with an open smile.
“Someone does need to take charge of that manor of yours. The women in your manor have to be managed as well. Don’t have so many of them. Once you are healed, come with your eldest brother to hold court. Don’t loaf around and do something serious.” Emperor Zongwen said suddenly as he frowned unhappily.
“Father, my health is poor!” Feng Yuran’s expression became downtrodden when he heard that he had to hold court. Even the charming smile on his face dimmed. His expression grew bitter.
“Throw all the women in the manor out if you are feeling unwell.” Emperor Zongwen said swiftly.
“Father…”
“What is it, are you unwilling? If you are unwilling, then come to court. You are a prince. Now that you are married, you have to set a good example for your woman and do something proper. Don’t go loafing around.” Emperor Zongwen seemed even more displeased. He glanced at Mo Xuetong who was still kneeling on the ground. His threat was obvious.
“Alright, alright, alright, Father. I will do something proper after I recover. Look at my wife, the tea is getting cold. Father, drink the tea please!” Feng Yuran promised with a naughty smile. Emperor Zongwen then accepted the tea from Mo Xuetong. He took a few sips and then gifted her with some things.