Feng Jue slowly walked to Zheng Xiangyi’s side. His gaze swept indifferently over the people kneeling below before settling on the Yang descendant.
He didn’t utter a word, but the Yang descendant felt as if needles were pricking his back. Cold sweat poured down his forehead, and his entire body trembled uncontrollably, as if he had been placed on an execution ground.
Zheng Xiangyi let out a disdainful snort from her nose, truly looking down on this spineless display. His Majesty hadn’t even done anything to him yet, and he was already scared out of his wits. How did he muster the courage to criticize her earlier?
“Why doesn’t Young Master Yang continue his eloquent discourse?” She maliciously lifted the corner of her lips, her brows and eyes filled with unrestrained mockery.
The Yang descendant lowered his head even further, almost pressing it tightly against the ground. He wished he could go back in time and slap himself hard a few times, but it was too late for regrets now.
His Majesty had heard it all. He couldn’t help but think of the upheaval when the De Yi Junzhu first entered the palace years ago—how many people in the court and the harem had been purged. Knowing His Majesty’s regard for the De Yi Junzhu, why didn’t he control his wretched mouth?
Worthless. Zheng Xiangyi’s eyes held contempt. Yang Wang, who had managed to reach the position of Minister of the Imperial Stud, must be quite capable. Why didn’t he properly teach his son? How could such a superficial weakling deserve a reputation for talent?
Zheng Xiangyi shifted her gaze from him to the others kneeling on the ground and announced loudly, “If anyone else has opinions about this Junzhu, feel free to speak them now. This Junzhu happens to have time today to humbly seek your advice.”
No one dared to make a sound. In the vast space, only the faint sound of wind could be heard. A bird swooped through the air, flapping its wings as it flew away.
A trace of sarcastic smile flashed in Zheng Xiangyi’s eyes. If someone truly dared to stand up and criticize her to her face now, she might think more highly of them. But they were all just petty people scheming behind the scenes.
As for whether the Yang descendant genuinely cared about the common people and disapproved of her extravagant lifestyle, or simply wanted to step on her to build his own reputation, she understood clearly in her heart.
“Your Majesty, I’ve heard the tea at Puti Temple is exceptional. Would you be willing to accompany me to sample it?” Zheng Xiangyi withdrew her gaze, temporarily sparing this Yang descendant.
Although she was furious inside, literary gatherings were meant to be places for free expression. If she punished this Yang descendant for this, the literary atmosphere of the Jing dynasty would suffer a heavy blow. What would happen to His Majesty’s reputation then?
She would bear it. Presumably, this Yang descendant would know to control his mouth from now on. If not, she could always take it out on his father.
Her smile was bright and lively, but Feng Jue felt a pang of heartache. When had Xiangyi ever suffered such humiliation? His eyes lowered slightly, turbulent undercurrents swirling within them, yet his face remained calm as usual.
“Alright,” he replied softly.
Delighted, Zheng Xiangyi took hold of his sleeve, leaving the crowd behind as she turned and left with him. It was rare to accompany His Majesty out of the palace; she couldn’t let these people ruin her entire day.
…
The tea at Puti Temple was indeed excellent—fragrant and delicate, with a sweet aftertaste. Surrounded by bamboo and trees, with the constant sound of Buddhist chants, one couldn’t help but relax.
Zheng Xiangyi hadn’t believed in immortals, spirits, or gods before, but after being reborn, she felt there might truly be deities in the world. Otherwise, how could she have returned from death, given a chance to make up for the regrets of her past life?
“It’s a pity Taoist Priest Qingheng is in seclusion all year round for cultivation. Otherwise, I’d have wanted him to divine a hexagram for me.” She set down her teacup and sighed softly.
It was said Taoist Priest Qingheng was nearly a hundred years old, yet still had the appearance of a youth with white hair—a figure like a living immortal in this world. Zheng Xiangyi actually had some questions she wanted to ask him. Why did she have such a miraculous experience of rebirth? Was it because her fate was extraordinary alone, or were there some unknown reasons?
She also wanted to know, what happened to His Majesty in her past life? Did he enter the underworld, or ascend to immortality? Would she have a chance to see him again in this lifetime?
She wanted to apologize to him personally.
Feng Jue asked curiously, “What hexagram does Xiangyi want divined?”
He didn’t know when Xiangyi had developed an interest in such matters of gods and spirits. He never believed in them, so naturally, he wouldn’t teach her to either.
Zheng Xiangyi’s eyes lifted slightly, her gaze tinged with nostalgia. “I want to know where a person goes after they leave.”
Feng Jue had never seen such an expression on her face before—seemingly sorrowful, yet also longing, even carrying a hint of regret. His eyes flickered slightly, and his hand holding the teacup tightened imperceptibly.
“Does Xiangyi like this person?”
Zheng Xiangyi gave him a playful smile, a hint of cunning in her eyes. “Of course I like them.”
There was no one in this world she liked more than him. So much so that she wished to open her eyes and see his face, to do nothing at all, and yet feel naturally at peace as long as she was by his side.
Feng Jue lowered his eyelids. “I didn’t know Xiangyi had someone she favored. May I ask this person’s age and background? If everything is suitable, I will issue an edict to arrange the marriage for Xiangyi.”
Zheng Xiangyi stared at his face for a long while, unable to suppress the curve of her lips, dimples faintly appearing on her cheeks.
“Hmm… He’s a bit older than me.”
Feng Jue frowned, then relaxed. “If it’s only three to five years older, it’s acceptable.”
Xiangyi’s nature was already willful and impulsive; she needed someone older to temper her. Moreover, someone slightly older could be more tolerant and indulgent towards her.
“But he’s more than ten years older than me…” Zheng Xiangyi cautiously observed his expression. “Does Your Majesty think that age is appropriate?”
Feng Jue’s frown deepened. “At that age, does he have wives, concubines, or children?”
More than ten years older than Xiangyi—that would be nearly thirty. A man of that age would usually already have a family and career. How could he be worthy of Xiangyi?
Zheng Xiangyi blinked. “Well… his wife passed away early. He only has a few concubines and several children.”
“Absurd!” Feng Jue abruptly looked up, his gaze so sharp it was unbearable to meet. “Such a promiscuous person, how could he be worthy of you?”
Zheng Xiangyi was nearly frightened into dropping the teacup in her hand, her eyes wide as she stared at him blankly.
Suppressing his anger, Feng Jue said in a deep voice, “Marriage is not a trivial matter. I absolutely do not approve of this person. Xiangyi, you must not demean yourself for him.”
“Then, does Your Majesty want me to leave him?”
“Of course, you must leave.” Feng Jue’s jawline tightened, his knuckles turning white from clenching. “What kind of person dares to covet my Xiangyi?”
Older, with wives and concubines, even children—just thinking of these words nearly made him faint from anger. His Xiangyi, whom he had cherished and raised for ten years, how could she take a liking to such an old widower?
Not just old, but a widower whose wife had died!
An old widower! His delicate Xiangyi! How could these two people possibly match standing together?
“What is this person’s name?” Feng Jue couldn’t help but grind his teeth. Who exactly had the audacity to seduce his Xiangyi? He must find that person and tear them to pieces.
Zheng Xiangyi immediately put on a nervous look. “Your Majesty isn’t going to kill him, are you? No, I can’t be without him at all!”
Feng Jue’s heart ached. Couldn’t be without him? Xiangyi actually said she couldn’t be without that person? He couldn’t help but ask, “Is he more important than I am?”
Zheng Xiangyi hesitated. “In Xiangyi’s heart, he is as important as Your Majesty.”
To Feng Jue, these words were no less than a bolt from the blue. He had raised Xiangyi for ten years, attending to almost everything personally, caring for her as if she were his own daughter. Yet, in Xiangyi’s heart, he actually couldn’t compare to a man she hadn’t known for long?
“Is Xiangyi so set on him?” A pang of pain, mixed with an indescribable sourness, spread through Feng Jue’s chest.
Zheng Xiangyi lifted her eyes timidly. “I just want to stay by his side forever, not go anywhere else.”
Feng Jue looked into her expectant eyes, the words on his lips suddenly halting.
Xiangyi liked him—so much that she disregarded the gap between them to stay by his side, so much that she set aside her pride, even…
Even disregarded the elder who had raised her for over ten years.
He closed his eyes. “I do not agree.”
“Oh.” Zheng Xiangyi curled up dejectedly in the chair, her moist eyes gazing at him. “Then I’ll leave.”
“Where are you going?” Feng Jue instantly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade, fixing on her. “You’re going to find him, aren’t you?”
Without waiting for her response, he stood up, his voice cold. “I will go with you.”
He wanted to see for himself what kind of exceptionally handsome face that person had, to have bewitched his Xiangyi like this.
Zheng Xiangyi couldn’t hold back any longer. Seeing him furious and itching to drag that person out and tear them to pieces, she let out a light, muffled laugh.
“Is Your Majesty going to catch the adulterer?”
Feng Jue: “Catch first, then kill.”
His Majesty was truly angered to the point of losing his senses. If he had just calmed down a little, he wouldn’t have failed to guess that the person she was talking about was actually him.
Zheng Xiangyi didn’t know why she felt so happy inside. His Majesty, usually so composed, had lost his composure over her few words. How much must he care about her?
“But where would Your Majesty go to find him…” Zheng Xiangyi curved her eyes at him. “This person is right before your eyes. Sitting here, I can see his face.”
As if a spark exploded in his mind, Feng Jue’s figure paused slightly. Embarrassment flickered across his face before he stiffly sat back down.
“Your Majesty, are you still going to catch the adulterer?” Zheng Xiangyi propped her chin on her hand, a sly smile on her face.
Feng Jue looked at her helplessly. “You’ve really grown bold, daring to tease even me.”
It was the first time in his life he had been toyed with like this. He should have been furious and resentful, yet when Xiangyi smiled, all his anger vanished, replaced even by a trace of relief.
Relief that there truly wasn’t such a person in the world who captivated her heart, whom she couldn’t bear to be apart from for a moment.
Relief that there truly wasn’t such a person in the world who held a place more important than his in Xiangyi’s heart.
“It was Your Majesty who teased me first.” Zheng Xiangyi pouted her rosy lips. “What were Your Majesty’s intentions bringing me to this place today? Did you really think I wouldn’t see through it?”
What nonsense about wanting to search for talents. The Hanlin Academy still had so many probationary members awaiting appointments—each one a promising talent of outstanding literary skill. From the expressions on those ladies’ and young misses’ faces, she could also tell this so-called literary gathering was actually a matchmaking event.
His Majesty kept thinking about marrying her off, yet the moment she mentioned having someone she fancied, he became so frantic, eager to catch the adulterer.
Did he truly want her to marry?
Since she had already found out, Feng Jue decided to speak plainly: “I did indeed want Xiangyi to see more of the young gentlemen outside. Perhaps one or two might catch your eye.”
He hadn’t even worried this much about his own daughter Feng Yue’s marriage. He feared the candidate might lack the talent and appearance to be worthy of Xiangyi, feared the person might be fickle and betray Xiangyi, and feared even more that Xiangyi might not like them.
His Empress had been bestowed by the late Emperor. They respected each other, but their relationship was merely cordial. After the Empress passed away, he never intended to appoint a successor.
Feng Jue had never experienced the taste of romantic love in his life, yet he hoped Xiangyi could marry someone truly devoted to her, someone with whom she could grow old together and support each other for a lifetime.
As for him, he only needed to watch from the sidelines. If Xiangyi lived well, he would be at peace.
“But you saw it yourself. Those at the literary gathering are all frauds seeking fame.” Zheng Xiangyi said. “They dislike me but don’t dare insult me to my face, only slander me behind my back. Do you really want me to marry such people?”
Feng Jue remembered the Yang descendant’s words, his eyes turning icy. “Those people are naturally unworthy.”
Zheng Xiangyi arrogantly lifted her chin. “Not only are they unworthy, but no one in this world is worthy of me in the first place.”
Naturally, His Majesty was the exception. In her past life, even after Feng Yu ascended the throne and became Emperor, she never considered herself inferior to him. Unless it was an important occasion requiring some pretense, she never bowed or knelt to Feng Yu in private. If Feng Yu angered her, she even dared to curse him to his face.
Feng Jue said, “It would indeed be difficult to find someone perfectly matching Xiangyi in every aspect. But I noticed that young gentleman who defended you earlier had some commendable qualities.”
“Him?” Zheng Xiangyi’s eyes shifted slightly, feeling a rare bit of goodwill towards the only young gentleman who had spoken up for her. “His character seems decent, but unfortunately, I don’t like his looks.”
She hadn’t really remembered what that young gentleman looked like. But if he had been truly outstanding and striking, how could he have failed to leave any impression on her mind? He was probably just pleasant-looking at best.
Zheng Xiangyi had always liked beautiful and exquisite things, and her requirements for people’s appearances were the same.
“For me to take an interest, that person would at least need to have thirty percent of Your Majesty’s looks.”
It made no sense for her to spend the first ten years almost daily gazing at His Majesty’s handsome face, only to have to live the rest of her life looking at an ugly one.
[Author’s Note]
Someone keeps saying he wants to find a husband for Xiangyi, yet the moment he hears Xiangyi actually has someone she likes, he immediately rushes off to catch the adulterer.