“Father.”
Hearing the familiar male voice, Gao Zhi curled her lips disdainfully.
It was Feng Zhao, who hurried inside and knelt before Emperor Feng.
“Why have you come without being summoned?” Emperor Feng looked at his son.
Feng Zhao lowered his head.
“I came to ask for permission to marry my cousin.”
The Jiang and Zhu families had been connected by marriage for generations, and Feng Zhao had called Jiang Tou his cousin since childhood.
Before Feng Zhao had formally proposed, Gao Zhi had even teased Jiang Tou that she might one day enter the Eastern Palace and become Empress.
At the time, Jiang Tou had merely smiled and shaken her head, saying that she and the Crown Prince shared nothing more than sibling affection.
Sibling affection…
During the six months before her wedding to the Crown Prince in her previous life, Jiang Tou had still been secretly sleeping with Feng Zhao every month.
What kind of damn “sibling affection” was that?
Ridiculous.
“I heard that you and Jiang Tou were involved in a secret affair. You came to propose to her just as we were about to examine her?”
Emperor Feng’s gaze swept over Jiang Tou, whose expression was filled with fear.
“Earlier, I did invite my cousin to Zhu Wen’s restaurant for meals a few times.”
Feng Zhao glanced at Gao Zhi before continuing.
“But I never crossed the line.”
Emperor Feng raised a brow.
“You only ate a few meals together, and now you want to take responsibility for her?”
“Not responsibility. I sincerely wish to marry her. I’m nearly of age, and it’s time someone took care of the Eastern Palace for me.”
After Feng Zhao finished speaking, his gaze fell on Jiang Tou. The woman immediately knelt, and the two spoke in perfect unison.
“Please… grant us your blessing, Your Majesty.”
“Please grant your son’s request, Father.”
Huaishu snorted with laughter.
Even Empress Zhu froze. Meeting Emperor Feng’s deep gaze, her shoulders trembled slightly.
“Tou’er, A-Zhao…”
Emperor Feng’s eyes settled on Feng Zhao.
“Crown Prince, I have one question for you. Why did you go to the Gao residence earlier and announce that you wished to marry her?”
Feng Zhao lowered his eyes.
“It was because Prince Huai’an had been betrothed to Miss Gao for many years. However, he had already been missing for a year, with his life or death unknown.
“As his cousin, I felt I should take responsibility on his behalf. That was why I dared to propose to Miss Gao.”
“What noble responsibility.”
Only disappointment remained in Emperor Feng’s eyes.
“I have already set a wedding date for Gao Zhi and A-Che. They will marry on the fifteenth of this month.
“As for the Crown Prince’s affection for Jiang Tou, three months from now, Jiang Tou will enter the Eastern Palace as a secondary consort to serve the Crown Prince. She is not to harbor any other thoughts.”
The Emperor spoke each word clearly.
Feng Zhao’s hand slowly clenched into a fist beneath his sleeve. Beside him, Jiang Tou breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze quietly drifting toward Gao Zhi.
The corners of the woman’s lips lifted, her eyes carrying a hint of mockery.
Quite different from what Jiang Tou had imagined.
“Father, the rumors surrounding Prince Huai’an’s battle in Taiyuan Prefecture have yet to be cleared up. If you insist on having Miss Gao marry him so quickly, wouldn’t that…”
Before Feng Zhao could finish, a sharp slap landed heavily across his face.
“Your Majesty!”
Empress Zhu immediately rushed over and pulled her son protectively into her arms.
“How could you hit Zhao’er?”
“He didn’t deserve it?”
Emperor Feng’s gaze grew even colder.
The wrath of an emperor could leave a million corpses and rivers of blood.
Even after decades of marriage, Empress Zhu couldn’t help shrinking back when she saw the look in Emperor Feng’s eyes.
“A-Che endured humiliation and hardship for the sake of Da Feng, charging into battle at the front lines. His loyalty to Da Feng is beyond question. I have never believed those rumors circulating outside.
“For an entire year, A-Che wandered outside with the children, struggling to evade assassination attempts. He has already submitted evidence that is enough to prove his innocence.”
Emperor Feng looked at Feng Zhao.
“I will never allow anyone to slander a loyal minister and valiant general.”
“Your Majesty…”
Before Empress Zhu could finish, Feng Zhao secretly grabbed her hand from within her embrace. Even so, she couldn’t swallow the anger in her heart.
“No matter how strong the evidence is, it cannot prove the truth behind his abandoning the city and fleeing a year ago. A million people in Taiyuan Prefecture were saved because my elder brother risked his life and turned the tide.”
Emperor Feng silently looked at the woman and shook his head.
“I have never denied your Zhu family’s contributions.”
Empress Zhu grew increasingly agitated. When her gaze fell upon Feng Che, a trace of cold hatred appeared in her eyes.
“But Your Majesty has always favored Prince Huai’an. Is it because you truly believe he is loyal, or because you still can’t let go of someone from the past…”
“Zhu.”
Emperor Feng’s voice turned icy as he stared at the woman.
“Watch your words.”
Empress Zhu’s lips twitched as she looked at Feng Che with undisguised hatred.
“Mother only believed the rumors and spoke rashly for a moment. Please don’t take offense, Father.”
Feng Zhao pulled himself away from Empress Zhu’s embrace. When his peripheral vision fell upon Feng Che, only bone-chilling hostility remained.
“Of course I believe in my cousin.”
Huaishu pushed Feng Che out of the hall. Seeing a faint gloom settle over the young man’s handsome features, she said sympathetically, “A-Che, don’t take the Empress’s words to heart. She’s been consumed by madness for decades.”
“Aunt, I know.”
Feng Che lowered his head. Only when the corner of his eye caught a faint glimpse of a mint-green brocade skirt at the end of the palace corridor did he raise his face.
“Since Miss Gao has arrived, I’ll take my leave first.”
Huaishu gave the young woman a slight nod.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I’ll definitely visit your residence another day to thank you properly.”
“There’s no need for that. You two will be married soon enough. After the wedding, come to the Princess’s residence and have a simple meal with me.”
Gao Zhi froze when the usually proud Princess smiled at her.
“I’m looking forward to sharing a cup of Jian’an tea with you.”
After the woman left, Gao Zhi naturally took hold of Feng Che’s wheelchair and began pushing him toward the palace exit.
The man’s back was rigid, his entire face tense. He didn’t dare turn around easily, nor did he dare speak carelessly.
Gao Zhi, however, was much more relaxed.
Perhaps because she had spent ten years following Feng Che in her previous life, she had already grown accustomed to quietly staying beside him like this.
Still, this was the first time she had been alone with him since her rebirth.
“How did you end up coming here today?”
Feng Che said, “I…”
“Prince Huai’an.”
Feng Zhao’s footsteps sounded behind them. Feng Che, sitting in the wheelchair, seemed to have triggered some kind of warning instinct. He grabbed Gao Zhi’s hand and pulled it toward himself, his cold gaze falling upon the approaching man.
“?”
Gao Zhi froze, feeling only the rough calluses on his broad palm.
Seeing their joined hands, Feng Zhao’s heart sank, though his tone remained calm.
“Cousin, I came to find you.”
“What does the Crown Prince want with Prince Huai’an?”
Gao Zhi said, “Say it here.”
“Are you afraid I’ll hurt him?”
Feng Zhao’s gaze fell upon her.
“Gao Zhi.”
Feng Che released her wrist and said softly, “Let me speak with him.”
Gao Zhi didn’t immediately step away.
Thinking carefully, Emperor Feng had just made his position clear and openly stood on Feng Che’s side.
Feng Zhao wouldn’t dare do anything to him.
“Don’t go too far.”
Gao Zhi watched as Feng Zhao pushed Feng Che beneath the artificial hills in the Imperial Garden, putting some distance between them.
“I thought you would have become a pile of bones by now. Yet somehow, you managed to crawl back to the capital with those burdensome brats. I have to admit, I’m impressed.”
Feng Zhao curled his lips. He had taken several punches from Feng Che the previous day, leaving the corners of his mouth painfully torn. Before entering the palace, he had someone cover the injuries with makeup so no one would notice.
“Father stood on your side just now. You must be feeling quite pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”
“Feng Che, I believe you should know your place. No matter how much Father has favored you over the years, no matter what outsiders say, I am still the only Crown Prince.”
Feng Zhao leaned down and spoke into his ear.
“A-Zhi values loyalty and affection. Otherwise, why do you think she would give me up and choose a cripple like you?”
Feng Che’s emotionless expression finally changed slightly when he heard Gao Zhi’s name.
“She only pities you.”
Feng Zhao narrowed his eyes.
“Feng Che, if I were you, I wouldn’t shamelessly take advantage of her kindness and monopolize the rest of her life, which should have been free and unburdened.
“She’s such a wonderful woman. Why should she have to accompany you into hell?”
Feng Che tightened his grip on the wheelchair.
Gao Zhi was highly skilled in martial arts. She deliberately moved closer, and soon heard their entire conversation.
“A piece of trash like you…”
Feng Zhao couldn’t help sneering.
“You think you’re worthy of A-Zhi? Feng Che, do you still think you’re that glorious young prince you were back then?
“If you were standing beside A-Zhi in those days, I’d have nothing to say. But Feng Che, can you even stand now?”
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Gao Zhi rushed forward.
But the man’s answer made her stop in her tracks.
“I’m not worthy of her.”
Feng Che actually admitted it openly. Aside from calmness, there was also a faint chill flowing through his dark eyes.
“But Feng Zhao, someone who betrayed her has even less right to criticize anyone else. I’m not good enough.”
Feng Che spoke with unmistakable force.
“But I’m better than you. I can make her far, far happier than you ever could.”
Gao Zhi froze.
Whether Feng Zhao had been provoked by those words or not, he first let out a mocking laugh, then his expression sank into an extreme, chilling darkness.
“Feng Zhao, you’re the one who isn’t worthy of me.”
Gao Zhi walked over.
“A-Zhi, are you saying that because you want to hurt me?”
Feng Zhao stepped toward her, but a hand immediately intercepted him.
Feng Che had stepped in front of her.
“A-Zhi, when I asked Father to grant us a marriage in the hall just now, did it hurt you?”
Feng Zhao looked at her.
Gao Zhi wanted nothing more than to spit in his face and tell him he really thought too highly of himself.
But then the man in the wheelchair turned toward her as well, staring at her with an exceedingly cautious and broken expression.
Like a puppy that had just been abandoned by its owner.
【A-Zhi… did it hurt her because of him?】
In front of such a puppy, his owner couldn’t be so heartless.
“A-Zhi, I know you’re angry with me, but things aren’t as you imagine. One day, you’ll understand me.”
Feng Zhao’s words carried a hidden meaning.
“Don’t make a decision in a moment of anger that you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”
Gao Zhi truly wanted to curse him at this point. Unfortunately, Feng Zhao ran faster than a rabbit. Before she could say anything, he had already left the Imperial Garden.
“Let’s go back.”
This time, Feng Che spoke first.
Gao Zhi pushed him toward the exit.
“Feng Che, I wasn’t hurt because of Feng Zhao.”
Feng Che froze.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Our wedding is less than seven days away. Shouldn’t I explain myself to you?”
【As expected… A-Zhi is only reluctantly comforting me because we’re about to get married.】
“I’m not comforting you.”
Gao Zhi sighed.
She didn’t know whether Feng Che believed her, but he gave a soft hum.
“Feng Che.”
The man turned his head. His peripheral vision fell upon her face, taking in every feature and every detail of her face without missing anything.
It was as though only when she called his name did he have an excuse to turn around and openly look at her.
He seized every opportunity, unable to bear missing even the smallest detail.
Gao Zhi grew uncomfortable under his gaze and coughed lightly.
“Did my mother send her disciple over?”
“Yes.”
Feng Che answered, “Doctor Shi came to examine me yesterday.”
“How is it?”
“He said it’s all right.”
Feng Che would never tell her that after examining his injuries, Doctor Shi had shaken his head and said that if there was no improvement within a year, he would never be able to stand again.
Gao Zhi blinked twice before suddenly asking, “I explained myself to you just now. Shouldn’t you explain yourself to me too?”
Feng Che looked confused for a moment, then quickly understood.
“Today, I entered the palace to submit evidence to His Majesty. I never betrayed the country.
“You and I… will soon be married. I don’t want to implicate the Gao family.”
【Even less do I want to implicate you and make you bear those baseless accusations along with me.】
Gao Zhi’s eyes flickered slightly.
“Isn’t there anything else you need to explain?”
For example… that the three children were all Elder Brother Wen’s blood descendants.
Although she already knew the truth, Gao Zhi wanted even more to hear him tell her himself.
“There is.”
Feng Che took a deep breath.
“You don’t need to take what I said to Feng Zhao just now to heart.”
Gao Zhi frowned, only to hear the man say softly,
“We’ve known each other for many years. I know how loyal you are, which is why you waited for me all these years.
“What I said just now was only to deal with Feng Zhao. Don’t burden yourself over it. I know you’ve been wronged by marrying me.
“You would be happier with someone else.”
“…”
Gao Zhi was so angry she could hardly speak.
“You stubborn blockhead!”
Feng Che froze.