For a moment, the carriage was exceptionally quiet. Having said all that, Feng Jin Yue had nothing more to add. Besides, neither she nor her second brother were familiar with Qi Bei Han to begin with, so there was no point in forcing idle chatter.
On the journey back to the capital from the Hot Spring Villa by carriage, they had to stop overnight midway. Originally, they thought Qi Bei Han would prefer not to linger and leave ahead of them, but unexpectedly, he didn’t. He stubbornly traveled with them all the way back to the capital the next day.
It wasn’t until they were about three miles from the city gate that Qi Bei Han finally got out of the carriage, returning to the city ahead of them, mentioning that he would pay a visit another day.
By the time they reached Dongling City, the sun had set, and dusk had fallen.
The Feng family’s carriage entering the city naturally drew the attention and whispers of the townspeople.
“Look, it’s the Feng family’s carriage. I heard the second young master went out of the city to bring back his younger sister, who’s been raised at the Hot Spring Villa since childhood.”
“It must be because the Empress Dowager arranged her marriage to the Regent King, so they’re bringing her back.”
“The Regent King is a man of extraordinary grace, and the General’s Manor is renowned and powerful. The eldest son of the Feng family has now taken over his father’s role, commanding the empire’s armies, his prestige no less than his father’s. The second son was recently promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue—brilliant and outstanding, truly remarkable. But this legitimate young lady, we’ve rarely heard of her. Do you think these two are a good match?”
“That’s a rather ridiculous question. What kind of stunning woman could possibly be worthy of the Regent King? Let alone someone frail and sickly. When the Emperor first ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager intended to arrange this marriage, but since then, have you ever heard anyone speak favorably of this match?”
“Exactly. Someone perpetually weak and ill can’t even maintain a basic state of health. Over time, they might even become gaunt from sickness. This young lady has been raised at the Feng family’s Hot Spring Villa since she was a child—no one has ever seen what she looks like. For all we know, she might be a dreadful sight!”
“Are you out of your mind? That’s the Feng family. How dare you say such things so carelessly?”
The person who had spoken without restraint, now terrified, instinctively covered his mouth. Only when the Feng family carriage had long disappeared into the distance did his tense heart ease slightly.
Inside the carriage, Feng Jin Yue heard the townspeople’s private discussions clearly. She couldn’t be bothered to pay them any mind. Although her initial discussion with Qi Bei Han hadn’t yielded the result she wanted, she would find a way to annul this marriage. When that happened, none of this would concern her anymore.
Before long, the bustling noise of the crowded streets gradually faded away. The carriage came to a slow stop, and the driver’s voice sounded from outside: “Second Young Master, Young Lady, we’ve arrived.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Lingze promptly helped his younger sister out of the carriage. Still pondering, he couldn’t resist asking again, “Little sister, between you and the Regent King, is it really…”
“Second Brother, stop. You’ve asked almost ten times already. I really haven’t done him any enormous favor.”
“Alright, I won’t ask anymore. Let’s go inside first to see Father and Mother.”
As they spoke, the siblings entered the manor and went straight to the courtyard where their parents were.
As soon as they entered the room, Feng Lingze and Feng Jin Yue called out in unison, “Father, Mother.”
Feng Yi and Su Tang, upon seeing the two of them, immediately focused all their attention on their daughter. Feng Yi said in a doting tone, “Our little Yue Er is back. You’ve been riding in the carriage for two days—it must have been exhausting. Are you tired?”
“Father, I’m perfectly fine. With Second Brother here, everything went very well,” Feng Jin Yue responded earnestly.
Su Tang reached out and took Feng Jin Yue’s hand, giving it a gentle pat as she smiled warmly and said, “Your father dotes on you the most. These past two days, he’s been constantly worrying, afraid you might suffer even the slightest hardship on the journey.”
Feng Yi coughed lightly and remarked, “As if you haven’t been concerned yourself, madam. You ordered the preparation of dinner early on, all with Little Yue Er’s favorite dishes.”
Feng Jin Yue naturally looped her arm through her mother’s, leaning close to sit beside her, and said with a laugh, “Your daughter has missed you both as well.”
Feng Lingze was left aside. Normally, he wouldn’t interject, but regarding the matter of the Regent specifically accompanying them back to the capital, he felt it necessary to inform his parents properly.
After hearing Feng Lingze’s account, Feng Yi spoke gravely to Feng Jin Yue, “As long as our Little Yue Er does not wish to marry, then she shall not. Since our Feng ancestors began, we have commanded military power and served each ruler of Tianquan with unwavering loyalty, free of fault—our devotion clear as the sun and moon. The Empress Dowager’s arranged marriage has her intentions; with the Emperor still young, she aims to show the world that despite his youth, this realm belongs to the Emperor.”
“Now that Yue Er has returned, the Empress Dowager will surely summon her. When the time comes, your mother and I will take Yue Er to the palace to explain to the Empress Dowager. In just over three months, it will be the second anniversary of the Emperor’s ascension and his tenth birthday. What the Empress Dowager wishes to see can be achieved on that day—it does not necessarily require Yue Er to marry the Regent.”
Su Tang raised her hand to gently stroke Feng Jin Yue’s cheek, her voice tender, “With your father here, Yue Er need not worry. We will ensure you marry a worthy husband. Your marriage should be a simple union, not one burdened with a host of other complications.”
Feng Jin Yue nodded, hoping that with her parents stepping in, the matter could be resolved smoothly. Otherwise, she would have to consider alternative plans.
Feng Lingze, standing nearby, inquired, “Father, Mother, previously the Empress Dowager intended to arrange a marriage between the Regent and Little Sister, so why has an edict suddenly been issued now?”
Feng Yi replied, “Not exactly sudden. From what I understand, the Regent has been away from the capital recently, secretly traveling to the northern state of Yan to deal with traitors among the spies hidden there. The Empress Dowager had long planned to issue the marriage decree once this matter was settled. It only seems abrupt because we were unaware beforehand.”
Noticing Feng Jin Yue seemed lost in thought, Su Tang asked softly, “Yue Er, are you tired?”
Feng Jin Yue didn’t explain, simply going along with it, “A little sleepy.”
Just then, a maid entered from outside, curtsied, and said, “Master, Madam, dinner is ready.”
Su Tang said, “Yue Er, let’s go have dinner first, then you can rest in your room, alright?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Thereafter, they all went to dine.
…
Inside the imperial palace, Ningshou Palace.
Qi Bei Han bowed respectfully to the figure seated in the main position above, “Empress Dowager.”
Qi Shuwan looked at Qi Bei Han, “We are family siblings, no need for such formalities. Sit. Matters in Yan and the northern border have all been arranged and deployed appropriately, no need to worry for now.”
“Yes, I have just verified it myself—all is well.”
“By the way, I heard from Liu Ying that when they found you, you were injured?”
“It’s nothing serious now, all healed.”
“From your tone, it seems there’s a story behind this?” Qi Shuwan noticed his reluctance to elaborate and changed the subject, saying, “Never mind, let’s talk about the Feng family’s young lady instead. The imperial decree for the marriage has been issued, and the wedding is settled. I have never doubted the Feng family’s loyalty, but the Emperor is young. This marriage will make the situation clearer to the world, so it is imperative. You…”
“I am fated to meet her. She is very good.”
Qi Shuwan was greatly surprised. “Fated? I thought you would treat her with your usual indifference.”
Qi Beihan said, “She was even more opposed to this marriage than I was initially. But rest assured, Empress Dowager, I will handle it properly.”
“Since you say so, I naturally have no concerns. For now, you should leave the palace and return to your residence to pay respects to your mother.”
“Yes, I take my leave.”