Feng Yu stood in the hall, his gaze involuntarily falling on Zheng Xiangyi. This girl, raised by his father Emperor himself, was propping her chin in her hand, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips as she looked at him as if watching a show.
“Naturally, I prepared one. It’s just that my taste is crude. I hope Sister will not disdain it.” Feng Yu pressed his lips together, his fingers tightening slightly within his sleeves.
“Your Highness is too modest. ‘The gift may be light, but the sentiment is deep,’ as they say.” Zheng Xiangyi let out a light scoff and turned her face away, not looking at him again. But anyone could see her attitude towards Feng Yu was not as warm as before.
Your Highness. These words pierced Feng Yu’s heart like needles. He lowered his eyes to conceal the surging emotions within, but then heard the soft clink of a teacup being set down.
His father Emperor’s gaze rested quietly upon him. It held no discernible emotion, yet carried a wave-like, overwhelming pressure that instantly made him straighten his spine.
“Father Emperor,” Crown Prince Feng Qin spoke up at the opportune moment, “this son has recently been studying the Discourses on Salt and Iron and has some insights I wish to ask for your guidance.”
Zheng Xiangyi secretly curled her lip. The Crown Prince was always like this—once he started talking about politics, he would go on and on, just like a chattering storyteller in the marketplace. Bored, she counted the tea leaves floating in her cup, her peripheral vision catching Feng Yu’s silent figure. She felt her taste in men from her past life was truly awful.
“The tax reform indeed warrants in-depth study.” Feng Jue interrupted the Crown Prince’s discourse, his fingertips lightly tapping on the desk. “Feng Qin, submit a policy essay in three days.”
After saying this, his gaze swept over his second son. “Feng Yu, submit one as well.”
Feng Yu’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly assented.
Only after walking out the door did Feng Yu realize a thin layer of sweat had broken out on his body. The wind cooled him, and his mind cleared considerably. Why had Zheng Xiangyi suddenly targeted him today? He truly couldn’t figure it out.
Although he didn’t like Zheng Xiangyi’s willful temperament, he had always been polite and courteous to her, never showing any dissatisfaction with her in front of others. He pressed his lips together, somewhat worried Zheng Xiangyi might speak ill of him before his father. As a prince, he wasn’t particularly favored by his father to begin with…
“Second Brother,” Feng Qin suddenly put an arm around his shoulder, raising an eyebrow at him. “When did you offend Xiangyi?”
Feng Yu gave a bitter smile. “I don’t know either. Xiangyi has always been doted on by Father Emperor. How would I dare offend her?”
Seeing his anxious expression, full of apprehension, a flicker of sympathy crossed Feng Qin’s eyes, along with a hint of smugness as he curled his lip. This second brother of his had a poor background and such a timid personality—how could he compete for the Crown Prince position?
“No matter. Later, your eldest brother will put in a good word for you and coax her a bit.” Feng Qin patted his shoulder.
“Then I thank Eldest Brother.” Feng Yu bowed his head in salute, but the corners of his mouth in the shadows were set in a tight line.
…
Inside the hall, incense smoke curled upward. After seeing off the two princes, Feng Jue looked at the girl clinging to his side, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.
“Xiangyi doesn’t like Feng Yu?”
Zheng Xiangyi hesitated for only a moment before immediately nodding with righteous confidence. “I don’t like him.”
Feng Jue became somewhat curious instead. “Why?”
His impression of this son was that he was cautious and careful, speaking and acting with great propriety. Whether it was an act or not, as the Emperor, he didn’t particularly care. In a place like the imperial palace, who could be completely unrestrained? There was only one Zheng Xiangyi, and that was the result of his deliberate manipulation.
Remembering Feng Yu’s face from her past life, a touch of disgust appeared in Zheng Xiangyi’s eyes. “He is ambitious and treacherous, cold-hearted and ungrateful. I detest such people the most.”
In her past life, the more intimate and passionate she had been with Feng Yu, the more painful and humiliating his subsequent betrayal became. How could he claim to love only her while being intimately affectionate with the Noble Consort? What she hated most was that Feng Yu made her realize how laughable it was that she had defied the late Emperor for such a man.
Ambitious and treacherous? Cold-hearted and ungrateful? Feng Jue lowered his head, considering these two phrases.
He wasn’t surprised that Feng Yu had ambition. As a prince, who wouldn’t harbor some delusion about the Crown Prince position? Even when he was young, seeing his own father’s favor towards the son born to Consort Zhuang had silently stirred a competitive spirit within him.
But cold-hearted and ungrateful… how could Xiangyi conclude this without personal experience?
A cold glint flickered in his eyes. Could it be that Feng Yu had a secret affair with Xiangyi behind his back and then betrayed her?
“If Xiangyi doesn’t like him, then see less of him from now on.” He reined in the coldness in his expression and spoke lightly.
Zheng Xiangyi stole a glance at him. “You… you believe me just like that? What if I’m deliberately speaking ill of him?”
After she said this, Feng Jue lowered his eyes and silently looked at her, continuing until she felt uneasy. Then he said, “Xiangyi, all humans have their biases. I am no exception.”
Even though Feng Yu was the child connected to him by blood, the affinities between people have always been mysterious. He found Xiangyi delightful in every way, yet towards others, he couldn’t generate the slightest bit of fondness. Moreover, he was the Emperor. Being harsh, stingy with favor, and lacking personal affection was the norm.
In the past, he had seen his own father excessively favor Consort Zhuang. After Consort Zhuang passed away, his father became depressed and despondent. He had sworn he would never repeat his father’s mistakes. Over the years, he had consciously remained cold and aloof, treating concubines and children impartially, never showing favor to any one of them. The harem remained orderly and obedient; there had never been disputes like in previous reigns.
The only bit of personal affection he had was entirely reserved for Xiangyi. Watching this child throw herself into his arms without restraint, he could still feel that he was a person with warmth.
“You were raised by my own hands,” a faint smile rippled in his eyes. “I have my own measure of what kind of temperament you have.”
Those ministers who impeached him for excessively doting on Xiangyi—didn’t they bother to think clearly: if he wasn’t willing, who could force him?
Xiangyi might be somewhat willful in front of others, but to him, those little temper tantrums were inconsequential. He possessed the entire realm; what couldn’t he give her? Moreover, Xiangyi only liked jewelry and fine clothes; she had no interest in power.
He narrowed his eyes. Was it possible that without Xiangyi, he would transfer his favor elsewhere?
Preposterous.
Zheng Xiangyi’s heart warmed, then chilled.
His Majesty doted on her, protected her like this. But what had she done in her past life? Leaning on his favor, she forced him to agree to her marriage with Feng Yu.
“If…” her face turned slightly pale, her fingertips clutching his sleeve, she asked with a hint of trepidation and guilt, “if one day Xiangyi does something unforgivable, would Your Majesty forgive me?”
After a long silence, a gentle force landed on her head. “I wouldn’t blame you. That would be what I deserve.”
He had sown the cause with his own hands; the bitter fruit should be tasted by him alone.
Her eyes suddenly stung. Did you truly not resent me in the slightest?
You were so gravely ill, you had lost so much weight your clothes hung loose, you coughed all day, had to take medicine with every meal, the Purple Heaven Hall was filled with an unpleasant medicinal smell that never seemed to dissipate.
Yet you still stood up, still personally presided over my wedding ceremony with Feng Yu. You sat on the high seat, watching me in red wedding clothes bow with Feng Yu, then be escorted into the bridal chamber.
What were you thinking in your heart at that time?
You…
Zheng Xiangyi suddenly jolted, nervously grabbing his hand. Sensing its coolness, her eyes grew even more panicked.
“How is your health? Have you had the imperial physicians check recently?”
This year was already the fifteenth year of Jingyuan. In her past life, in the autumn of the eighteenth year of Jingyuan, not long after she and Feng Yu married, he passed away.
Counting, there were only about three years left.
Although her actions had angered him then, from the seventeenth year of Jingyuan onwards, his health had gradually declined. He was a prince born of a concubine. The late Emperor heavily favored Consort Zhuang and her son, treating the other princes with extreme coldness. He had suffered a lot in his childhood. It wasn’t until he was nine and adopted by the Empress Dowager that his circumstances gradually improved.
In the past, Zheng Xiangyi had simply enjoyed being doted on and protected by him, never thinking that he also needed reciprocation and care.
Guilt flooded her heart, but Feng Jue gently stroked her hand. “Don’t worry. I am fine.” As he spoke, he even made a joke: “I still have to see Xiangyi married off, watch Xiangyi’s children grow up.”
What would Xiangyi’s child look like? An image of Xiangyi’s face from her childhood surfaced in his mind.
The first time he saw her, she was huddled in the Empress Dowager’s arms, wearing a red dress, only half of her rosy little face visible, peeking at him curiously. Meeting his eyes, she wasn’t afraid at all. Instead, her eyes curved, and she gave him a soft, sweet smile.
If it were Xiangyi’s child, it would surely be just as adorable as her.
Zheng Xiangyi felt both angry and amused. “I’m not getting married.”
She had never been so firm in this thought. Originally, she didn’t want to marry because she was hurt and unwilling to trust any man other than him. Now, it was simply so he could live longer.
“I’ll be your daughter, bringing you joy and comfort in your old age.”
There had been princesses in previous dynasties who never married. “Like Princess Yuzhen. You could build a Taoist temple for me in the palace. I could cultivate the Way while honoring you.”
She had spoken casually, but after saying it, she felt it was an excellent idea. If she became a female Taoist practitioner in the palace, those ministers wouldn’t have any more objections, and she could also atone for her past self.
Feng Jue suddenly fell silent. He didn’t understand why his well-cherished Xiangyi would have thoughts of renouncing the world. But judging by Xiangyi’s temperament, she wouldn’t change her mind anytime soon. He could only set this topic aside for now.
“There is a villa near Jade Pond. The scenery is beautiful, quiet, and pleasant. Shall I give it to Xiangyi as a princess’s manor?”
Zheng Xiangyi’s attention was immediately diverted. In her past life, she had also visited that villa, but His Majesty hadn’t given it to her.
“That’s wonderful! Coincidentally, Eldest Sister’s princess manor is also nearby. I can often go play with her.” Zheng Xiangyi happily accepted. After all, in this lifetime, she would always only be His Majesty’s princess. What was hers was His Majesty’s; there was no real difference.
Zheng Xiangyi ultimately couldn’t put her mind at ease and insisted the imperial physician examine His Majesty thoroughly.
The physician saw her small face tense with worry, while His Majesty remained calm and composed, as if their positions were completely reversed.
He stroked his beard. “His Majesty’s health is fine. However, during autumn and winter, careful recuperation is still needed. I will prescribe some medicinal foods for nourishment.”
Zheng Xiangyi nodded solemnly, memorizing all the medicinal foods, planning to personally prepare soups for him later.
She had never been fond of kitchen work. In her past life, even when Feng Yu was ill, she hadn’t attended to every detail personally. Yet watching His Majesty drink the soup she had personally prepared filled her with indescribable joy.
She could finally do something for His Majesty. After more than half a month of this, even Feng Jue couldn’t help but joke that he was about to be pickled in medicinal herbs.
But Zheng Xiangyi thought the faint medicinal scent on him smelled pleasant—gentle, refined, just like the man himself.
In the meantime, Feng Yu had come to see her a few times, but she avoided him, refusing even the gifts he sent. The entire palace knew she didn’t like the Second Prince. Muqin advised her, “The Second Prince is, after all, His Majesty’s own son. Even if you don’t like him, Your Highness, you should at least maintain a harmonious appearance on the surface.”
Muqin worried all day. No matter how much His Majesty doted on the Princess, blood ties still weren’t as close as with the Second Prince. Moreover, His Majesty only had two princes. What if the Second Prince ascended the throne in the future? What would the Princess do then?
Zheng Xiangyi snorted lightly. “His Majesty hasn’t even questioned this. Why are you worried?”
In her past life, hadn’t she been tolerant enough towards Feng Yu? He broke his vows, and she didn’t even stab him with a sword while he slept. If Feng Yu ascended the throne again as he did in her past life, she would simply slit her throat and follow His Majesty.
She, Zheng Xiangyi, would absolutely not wrong herself.
After comforting the worried Muqin, Zheng Xiangyi picked a fine day, took her maids, and left the palace to visit her newly acquired villa near Jade Pond, also stopping by Princess Shunning’s manor for a visit.
Princess Shunning, Feng Yue, was two years older than her. As the only princess in the palace, she and Feng Yue had always had a good relationship. In her past life, after Feng Yu exclusively favored the Noble Consort, Feng Yue had even specially entered the palace to comfort her.
“I heard magpies chattering on the branches early this morning and wondered what good thing would happen. So it was you, Xiangyi.” The woman in opulent palace attire, dignified and beautiful, pushed a cup of tea towards her with a beaming smile.
Zheng Xiangyi glanced at the handsome young man kneeling at her side, one on each side, heads bowed as they gently massaged her shoulders. Feng Yue looked utterly at ease, enjoying the service with a carefree air.
“Elder Sister has such good fortune.” In her past life, she had somewhat disapproved of Feng Yue’s free-spirited ways. After experiencing Feng Yu’s betrayal, she saw things clearly.
Men, aside from His Majesty, were no good. What was wrong with indulging in pleasure like Feng Yue? Besides, His Majesty, as her father, hadn’t said anything against it.
“Xiangyi, envious?” Feng Yue lifted her crimson lips and signaled to the young man on the left.
Zheng Xiangyi saw the young man approach her and instinctively wanted to avoid him, but remembering Feng Yu, she restrained herself. What was there to fear? She was now His Majesty’s most beloved princess. It was just enjoying a performer’s service.
“Your Highness, please.” The young man carefully held the teacup with both hands, offering it to her lips.
“Set it down.” Zheng Xiangyi had overestimated herself. The moment the performer leaned close, she instantly broke out in goosebumps and even felt a wave of nausea.
She detested the powder fragrance on him, detested his ingratiating gaze, which reminded her of how Feng Yu had also treated her with such caution in the beginning of her past life. Fortunately, this performer was sensible; he simply knelt quietly to the side and didn’t presume to act without her permission.
“Xiangyi, what do you think of my consort?” Feng Yue asked, lightly fanning herself with a round fan.
Zheng Xiangyi glanced at his face and blurted out, “Just cheap makeup and powder.”
“You have high standards.” Feng Yue wasn’t angry either. Instead, she laughed. “Now that you’ve come of age, Father Emperor will surely start considering your marriage. Does Xiangyi have a young gentleman in mind?”
Zheng Xiangyi shot her a light glare, lifting her chin with a smile. “His Majesty promised me he’d build a Taoist temple for me in the palace. I’ll cultivate in the palace and never marry in this lifetime.”
Feng Yue blinked. “Father Emperor would actually be willing to part with you?”
Her father’s doting on Xiangyi sometimes even made her envious. How could he bear to let Xiangyi renounce the world?
Zheng Xiangyi felt somewhat guilty and lowered her eyes. His Majesty hadn’t agreed yet, but if she pestered him more, it would definitely be fine. After all, His Majesty had never refused her before.
Feng Yue understood immediately upon seeing her expression and couldn’t help but laugh. “You… fine, if you don’t want to marry, then don’t. But why renounce the world? Wouldn’t it be better to keep some consorts like I do to serve you?”
“You don’t understand.” She wanted to renounce the world and cultivate as a form of atonement for her past self.
Seeing her insistence, Feng Yue didn’t bring it up again. Xiangyi was stubborn; she wouldn’t change her mind quickly. The more others tried to stop her, the more obstinate she became.
“I heard you’ve had some unpleasantness with Feng Yu. What happened?” Feng Yue remembered that person’s worried, troubled expression and smiled. “He even came pleading to me.”