Chapter 28

  Back at the Fourth Prince's residence, Murong Feng saw Sima Rui sitting at the table waiting for her to have dinner together, and was somewhat surprised. "Hey, Sima Rui, are you really going to stay in the residence overnight? I thought you had already gone to Zui Xiang Lou or somewhere else?"

  Simarui smiled wryly, "Murong Feng, am I really that bad? I've already sent Wang Bao to the Crown Prince's mansion to invite you, yet you still don't believe me when I say I'll be staying in the mansion today?"

  Murong Feng smiled faintly, neither affirming nor denying.

  "Actually, when you mentioned the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, I remembered something. It's not just me who has been thinking about you, but also Yu Jiao, who has been reminiscing about that half-song of yours and constantly wondering when she can see you again." Sima Rui said with a smile.

  Murong Feng raised an eyebrow, still smiling, but said nothing, and continued eating her own food.

  A night of autumn rain without end.

  Early in the morning, Xiao Dezi hurried to the Fourth Prince's mansion and invited the Fourth Princess to have breakfast at Xiangfu Palace. Of course, Sima Rui also had to follow along.

  The empress dowager saw the two of them coming together, and her mood was greatly improved. Although Yan Yu said that her grandson had stayed at the Fourth Prince's residence for two consecutive days, but still lived in separate quarters from the Fourth Prince's consort, seeing the two of them getting along harmoniously made her feel extremely delighted.

  "Come, Feng'er, sit down quickly. I especially asked the imperial chef to make a new porridge today, it tastes good, come and try some." The empress dowager looked at Murong Feng with affection, this girl was more and more to her liking.

  Today, Murong Feng wore a moon-white skirt, with long hair hanging down her shoulders, and a jade hairpin lightly holding it back. The high-quality silk fabric moved slightly with her movements, like the first bloom of a light plum blossom, without any luxury but with elegance. Sima Rui was also dressed in simple yet elegant attire, looking handsome and charming, making one's heart move. No matter how you looked at them, they were a perfect match, like a golden boy and a jade girl. The Empress Dowager was truly delighted, smiling as she called out to her grandson, "Rui'er, are you afraid that I will hide Feng'er away? Feng'er takes one step and you follow one step, why are you so worried?"

  Simarui's face didn't change color, his heart didn't skip a beat, and he said with a smile: "Yes, I'm really afraid that Grandmother will hide Fang Yatou away, and in the early morning, let Little Dezi come to Xiangfu Palace, so I don't even dare sleep in. I followed him here, but it's annoying that Grandmother only remembers to let Fang Yatou taste the new porridge, and doesn't care about her grandson's stomach being very hungry."

  The Empress Dowager was overjoyed and just about to speak when Xiaodezi welcomed the Emperor and walked in together.

  "The Crown Prince greets the Empress Dowager." The Emperor looked up and saw Murong Feng and Sima Rui, and was somewhat surprised to see them both in Xiangfu Palace. The Empress Dowager was a quiet person, so it was unusual for them to be there early in the morning. If only Murong Feng were present, that would be understandable - he had heard the Empress mention before that the Empress Dowager liked the Fourth Prince's consort, Murong Feng, and often invited her to play at Xiangfu Palace. But Sima Rui was also there, which was strange - it was rare to see this son in the imperial palace.

  "Get up. Have you had breakfast?" The empress dowager was delighted to see her son, who rarely had time to visit due to his busy schedule with state affairs. She thought he must have come over right after the morning court session, and it was rare for him to show such filial piety. "Are there no urgent matters of state today?"

  "The crown prince has come here with a request for your majesty's gracious approval." The emperor spoke calmly and lightly.

  Murong Feng, however, noticed that he was not calm, his tightly clenched fists revealing the turmoil in his heart at this moment. It must be a very difficult thing to do, or else he wouldn't be trying so hard to remain calm.

  The emperor was also looking at Murong Feng. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Murong Feng and thought to himself: I wonder how she will react when she finds out what I'm going to do? But seeing her calm and composed expression, it seemed that she already knew everything and wasn't surprised, which made the emperor even more uneasy in his heart.

  It was actually an unexpected event the night before. After getting up in the morning, he couldn't help but go to the Warm Jade Pavilion. He originally planned to just take a look and leave, but when he saw Murong Xue crying like a ghost, his heart really ached. He went forward to comfort her for a couple of sentences, but unexpectedly, Murong Xue cried even harder. Later on, when the two were entwined together, even he himself didn't know how everything had happened. All he knew was that when he woke up, it was already the clear morning of the next day. Since it's done, then so be it; besides, this woman is also someone he truly wants to take as his consort.

  "What's going on? Why is the Emperor so anxious?" the Empress Dowager asked gently.

  The Emperor sat down on a chair beside him, and after a moment's thought, said: "I want to ask the Empress Dowager to grant me permission to take Murong Xue as my concubine and confer upon her the title of Imperial Consort."

  The empress stared at her son in shock, Mu Rong Feng and Sima Rui also had some unexpected expressions. Mu Rong Feng suddenly couldn't help but smile to himself, could it be that the emperor stayed overnight at Nuan Yu Ge last night? It's a bit too hasty, isn't it?

  At this moment, Xiao Dezi announced outside, "Liu Fei requests an audience."

  The empress dowager composed herself and said, "Summon her to come in."

  Murong Feng gazed outside, and a slender red-clad woman walked in, with a full and plump body, having the charm of a mature woman, yet still retaining some of the shyness of a young girl. This was probably the emperor's favorite concubine Liu, also the mother of the second prince.

  "Empress Liu pays her respects to the Emperor, wishing him good fortune and prosperity." Empress Liu's soft voice was intoxicating, she smiled before speaking, her eyes slightly raised, exuding a hint of charm.

  Murong Feng sighed inwardly, Murong Xue, you've really chosen quite a few formidable opponents for yourself. The Empress is dignified and composed, Wu Fei is elegant and calm, Liu Fei is charming and refined... not to mention the other beauties in the harem. Just these three are enough for Murong Xue to handle; she's young now and the Emperor finds her novel, but as time passes, it's likely that Murong Xue will struggle to last long. Although Sima Rui is not a great person, what he said makes sense - Murong Xue may be beautiful, but she lacks the unique charm that would make one cherish her for a long time.

  The Empress Dowager looked at Consort Liu and asked: "What's going on? Where is Zhen'er?"

  "The daughter-in-law has come to ask for my help in this matter," said Liu Fei with a smile. "The daughter-in-law wants me to finalize one thing. - The empress naturally knows that Qiang Er has been guarding the border, and only Hong Yu is serving him by his side. Although their feelings are deep, they have not had any children for several years, which has always been a regret. This time when he came back, he mentioned to me that he heard that the fourth miss of the Murong royal family, Murong Xue, is exceptional in character and talent, and wants to take her as his concubine and bring her to the border to live together. I think Qiang Er has been working hard to guard the border and has never asked for anything, so this time since he made this request, as a mother, I naturally want to do my best to arrange it for him. After thinking about it, I feel that it's still best to ask the empress to finalize this matter. Qiang Er is really a good child, and Murong Xue is also a knowledgeable and reasonable person from a good family, so they are very well-matched."

  The empress dowager's heart was filled with this awkwardness, and she fiercely glared at the emperor. Thinking that Murong Xue had also once made Sima Rui's soul dizzy, she couldn't help but turn her head to take a look at Sima Rui.

  "None of your business, grandma." Sima Rui immediately waved his hands and smiled, "Now that we have Murong Feng, my grandson is already satisfied. This time's muddy waters, my grandson won't be involved again."

  The empress dowager smiled wryly. Murong Feng was actually able to make Sima Rui put down his heart's desire for Murong Xue, unfortunately, there was only one Murong Feng in the world. Now, two people were asking her for permission to get Murong Xue, one was her own son and the other was for her own grandson, it was simply ridiculous.

  "Imperial son, what is your intention?" The Empress Dowager did not respond, but instead looked at the Emperor and asked.

  The emperor furrowed his brow, "I have already bestowed the princess of Wū Mēng upon Qiang Er, and as for Mù Róng Xuě, she was originally the beloved daughter of the prime minister. How could I bear to let her go to the border and suffer from wind and rain?"