Chapter 372 Feng Yuran’s Theory on Opportunism
“That’s not up to you!” Feng Yuran smiled and then stood up suddenly. Mo Xuetong did not have the time to react before he swept her into his arms. He brought her to the couch and sat down with her in his arms. He pointed at the bowl of medicine on the table with a charming smile and said, “Tong’er, do you intend to drink it yourself or do you want me to help you?”
“Help?” Mo Xuetong pouted, feeling extremely melancholic!
He thought that pinching someone’s nose was considered helping. However, when she saw the determination in his eyes, she knew that she had to drink the medicine. He allowed her many concessions but insisted that she take the medicine. She picked up the bowl helplessly and looked at Feng Yuran bitterly. Then, she blinked her large eyes at him, looking wronged, and asked, “Do I really have to drink it?”
“Yes, hurry up!” Feng Yuran’s long eyes seemed to glimmer. He looked at her with a vague smile on his red lips.
This meant that he was about to do something if she did not take the medicine. Mo Xuetong sighed and picked up the medicine, accepting her fate. She chugged the medicine down. No, she must find out what Feng Yuran was hiding from her. Even though her health was poor, she did not need to take nourishing herbs every day. Furthermore, he would not be so anxious!
There must be something going on!
She closed her eyes and put down the bowl. A candied fruit was stuffed in her mouth before she even opened her eyes. It was sweet and sour and immediately neutralized the flavor of the medicine.
She opened her eyes and glanced at Feng Yuran. She pushed him onto the couch and asked sweetly, “Your Highness, you’d better rest well. You have to rest well after taking the medicine so your leg can heal quickly.”
Feng Yuran leaned into the couch, dragging her along with him. Mo Xuetong fell onto the couch as well.
“I’ve just taken the medicine. Let us chat. What did you do today!” Feng Yuran’s voice was slightly louder as he laughed. It was obvious that he was in a good mood.
His voice was a little loud. Among the group of eunuchs standing outside, a few glanced around furtively. Then, they stopped moving and behaved just like the others.
It was time for them to switch shifts. Another group of eunuchs arrived to take over. Since Mo Xuetong was inside and they knew that the prince did not like it when others bothered them, they stood about a foot away.
Feng Yuran hugged her as they leaned back into the couch. “Is everything alright?” He reached out to pinch her soft pale cheeks with a smile. Since she did not go out, she wore simple home clothes. Her dress was blue and cinched in at the chest. She also wore a light snow-white, satin short coat. She looked tender, gentle and weak, like a lotus flower bud on the verge of blooming. She was beautiful and pure.
Her pouty red lips made her entire person even more sweet and charming!
Putting together purity, liveliness and sweet charms together made her extremely seductive! One could not help but dote on her. Feng Yuran looked at her and felt protective of her.
“The Empress Dowager wants to marry King of Xian’s niece to King Ning’s Manor. She will probably decree it in the next few days. Lady of Xian is not willing to and wants us to help!” Mo Xuetong’s eyes held a trace of laughter. She leaned into his chest and sought out a comfortable position as she blinked intelligently and laughed.
“What did you say?” Feng Yuran kissed her hair gently and asked her.
“Nothing much. I just said that I will pay more attention to the wedding gown and embroidery items. I already asked Mo Ye to find out more. The second daughter of Grand Secretariat Wang, Wang Xiuxiu’s younger sister went, as did Minister of Finance’s daughter.” Mo Xuetong said softly, telling Feng Yuran what Mo Ye found out.
Feng Yuran’s eyes were filled with mirth, a hint of mocking laughter flashed in his beautiful eyes. His red lips curled and he said, “The Empress Dowager is so anxious to find Feng Yuzhen powerful backing. Now that Third Brother is in trouble, the Ding General Manor will definitely be pulled to her side. With the help of the Grand Secretariat, King of Xian’s military power, and the finance ministry’s grains, the literati can help to ensure peace and the military power can help to strengthen the country. It would not be a problem even if they wanted to rebel.”
His tone was cold and his handsome face seemed to be carved out of stone. Even as he laughed charmingly, one could not feel a hint of warmth from him. The corners of his lips were tinged with bitter coldness and thought. He did not laugh openly as before.
“He will take his first consort from Grand Secretariat Wang’s family because his position is the highest and also because Wang Xiuxiu is already Feng Yuzhen’s. She’s pregnant and being sent to King Yan’s. If she really has a son, they have to find a way to get the child back to satisfy Grand Secretariat Wang. The other two will probably be second consorts!”
So there was still that. Mo Xuetong asked, not understanding, “Does Grand Secretariat Wang have so much power in court that the Empress Dowager will toss him an olive branch again and again?”
One of his daughters had married into King Yan’s Manor in a mix-up. The other was going to be married to King Ning. The Empress Dowager thought too highly of Grand Secretariat Wang. Even though he was in charge of the inner cabinet, he did not have all the say. Why was the Empress Dowager so certain about Grand Secretariat Wang then?!
“Grand Secretariat Wang and the Empress Dowager are cousins. The Empress Dowager’s mother and Grand Secretariat Wang’s mother are cousins. Their relationship was already pretty good many years ago. When the previous Emperor was still alive, Grand Secretariat Wang was promoted and he had not fallen even after serving two emperors. He intends to be an official who served three emperors!” Feng Yuran analyzed carefully.
So the two had such a relationship. Mo Xuetong understood now. Everyone knew that the Empress Dowager was from the Ding General Manor. However, not many knew that Grand Secretariat Wang had such a relationship with the Empress Dowager. Even though they were distantly related, this relationship, coupled with some other things would make Grand Secretariat Wang tilt obediently to the Empress Dowager’s side.
This was also why the Empress Dowager was so insistent that Feng Yuzhen married Wang’s daughter!
It seemed that Feng Yulei’s incident had prompted the Empress Dowager into action. She was no longer working in secret and was prepared to fight against Feng Yuxuan openly!
It was right, for the opportunity right now was the best.
Mo Xuetong reached out to tug on Feng Yuran’s hair on the pillow. She turned around to look at him and asked, “What shall we do now?”
The Empress Dowager had such an idea and was intent on forcing the King of Xian’s hand, disregarding what they thought. She would just bestow the marriage upon them. Once the edict was made, even the Emperor would find it difficult to go against it!
“You don’t have to worry!” Feng Yuran said with a smile. The flower pattern embroidered with gold thread unfurled from his wide-sleeved robes. It made him seem lazy and gracious. His eyes were filled with mirth and life. “The Empress Dowager wants to have all three families under her control, but she has to see if they are willing or not!”
Mo Xuetong glanced at him. “If they are willing, are we going to let the Empress Dowager gets what she wants?”
“That is, since they are all willing, why do we have to stop them? We have to give them some strength so that they can resist, no?” Feng Yuran smiled lazily. He hugged Mo Xuetong even tighter as a devilish and deep look flashed in his eyes along with some anger!
There were some people who would keep their talents hidden if you did not give them the opportunity to show them. He might as well dangle the opportunity in front of them and allow them to be pleased with it. When the time came, it would be easier to deal with them in secret.
“The Lady of Xian…” She immediately understood his intentions. However, there were still some problems. Mo Xuetong looked up and parted her lips slightly.
“Rest assured. Since the King of Xian has an idea of what is happening and asked us for help, how can I just let them be?” Feng Yuran smiled slightly. His eyes narrowed slightly and sparkled. He looked very charming. He sat up and flipped around and Mo Xuetong was now positioned on the inside of the bed. He patted her pale and soft cheeks with a smile, saying, “You’ve only just taken the medicine. Sleep a little and let the medicine do its job!”
Mo Xuetong knew that he had some things to settle and nodded obediently. She was a little tired. She felt a little dazed after taking the medicine and felt lethargic.
Feng Yuran stood up and picked up the blankets to cover her.
Then, he brought over the peach blossom that she liked and carefully placed in front of a window close to her.
He turned around to see her lying down with her eyes closed. Her tender face had a hint of tiredness on it as she yawned softly. She muttered softly, “You sleep for a while later too. You’ve been going to bed late these few days.”
A few wisps of hair landed on her face. She was sweet and beautiful and his heart was filled with love for her!
She was truly sweet and gentle!
He sighed softly, filled with satisfaction and happiness. He reached out to put his hand on her face. Mo Xuetong felt his hand and she nudged it softly with her face in her sleepiness. She hummed softly and his heart melted.
He felt her nudging her face into his palms, and it felt as if there was a stream that flowed through his veins and into his heart. Feng Yuran’s eyes sparkled and a satisfied expression appeared on his charming face. After a long while, he smiled and stood up, releasing the light satin drapes. Then, she left through the door and went straight to the third floor. On the third floor, Feng Yue saw his approach and hurriedly bowed.
“Have the two of them come over as well. There are some things to be changed a little.”
Since the King of Xian understood what the Emperor intended and was willing to submit to Feng Yuran, Feng Yuran would not let go of such an opportunity. The Empress Dowager wanted military power. The Ding General Manor would definitely follow. Even without the support of the King of Xian, the Empress Dowager and King Ning would only lose one layer of security. They would not feel as if they had lost.
The Empress Dowager was unwilling to become an Empress Dowager who had lost power and wanted to control the lands once more. She brought King Ning, Feng Yuzhen to the front. Over the years, she had carefully plotted and pulled on the strings. How would she be willing for all that hard work to go to waste? As long as there was hope, she would not give up.
Then he would continue to let her have that hope…
King Ning, Feng Yuzhen’s marriage was decreed three days later. There were two decrees. One was sent to Grand Secretariat Wang’s and the other to the Minister of Finance’s. Wang Yueyue would become King Ning’s first consort while Shen Qianxiu would be his second. They would conduct the ceremony on an appointed day!
The appointed day was a month later. Since King Ning was older than King Yan and King Chu, but they had gotten married before him, the Empress Dowager used this as an excuse to ask the Emperor to set the wedding date for a month later. The imperial astronomer said that it was a good day as well. The Empress Dowager was comforted when she heard that and her maladies disappeared as well. The palace began to get busy preparing for King Ning’s wedding!
A month’s time passed quickly.
It was King Ning’s wedding day. To encourage the festivities the first consort’s bridal sedan chair made its rounds around the city. It was said that they would be able to send out blessings to everyone. The Empress Dowager agreed readily. The first consort’s bridal sedan chair was carried out of Grand Secretariat Wang’s manor and circled half of the capital. It was lively and magnificent and was not any less fancy than the wedding of the three princes previously.
There were even some who said that King Ning’s wedding was even fancier than the previous weddings of the three princes!
The splendor of the royal family was indeed extraordinary!
Compared to the bustling activities in the King Ning manor, King Yan’s manor diagonally across the street was cold and desolate. The doors were wide opened. It was said that the Emperor had shown mercy. Even though he allowed King Yan to attend the wedding, he had not released King Yan’s from his house arrest. However, the other princes went to Qianqing Palace and knelt in front of the Emperor and begged him on account of their brotherly affections. Even the injured King Xuan had gone as well. The Emperor had shown mercy and allowed him to show up at the wedding banquet.
This time, King Yan brought with him a first consort and a second consort to the banquet!