“Rui’er just has to quickly give birth to King Chu’s eldest legal son. That will be the best repayment you can give me.” The Empress teased warmly.
“Aunt…” Ling Rui’er stomped her feet shyly, causing the Empress to laugh warmly. The Empress smiled and teased Ling Rui’er, “Lass, what’s there to be shy about? You can only capture a man’s heart once you have his legitimate son. Write your letter here. I still have to visit Her Majesty. She mentioned you yesterday.”
Ling Rui’er and the Empress Dowager did not get along ever since what happened the last time. The smile slid off Ling Rui’er’s face and she asked unhappily, “Her Majesty? What did she say about me?”
“It’s no big deal. We are all daughters of the Ding General Manor. She naturally wants to find out what happened. Rui’er, promise me. If Her Majesty looks for you these few days, you have to be sensible and not argue with her. She is after all, older than you. Her Majesty has been having a hard time recently. King Ning… She’s old now and should enjoy her life.” The Empress laughed as if she truly cared for Ling Rui’er. However, she also managed to make Ling Rui’er feel that the Empress was going to make things difficult for her. As such, Ling Rui’er found it hard to be happy.
“It will be peaceful if Her Majesty just wants to enjoy her life. Aunt, I think you should be more careful. It is difficult to find out what Her Majesty is thinking. She might not do things in favor of the Ding General Manor.” Ling Rui’er said meanly when she heard that the Empress Dowager might look her up. She did not want to see the Empress Dowager and felt upset when she thought of how the Empress Dowager did not like her either.
The Empress Dowager could not help but turn nasty when she heard how presumptuous Ling Rui’er was.
“Shut up.” The Empress’s gaze turned cold as she whispered angrily. “This is the royal palace and Her Majesty is the noblest person here. How could you say something like that here? If she finds out about it, you’re going to die!”
Even though the Empress sounded angry, she was not sharp or fierce about it. It was obvious that she was warning Ling Rui’er.
“I, Aunt…” Ling Rui’er was startled when she heard that. She was not willing to accept that and wanted to argue. However, the Empress interrupted her again.
“Don’t say anything else. I will go to see Her Majesty. Write your letter here and pass it to Yan Miao later.” The Empress’s expression darkened. She walked to the door without saying anything else.
Behind her, Ling Rui’er pouted. However, she knew that they were in the palace and they must not infuriate the Empress Dowager. If she did, she would be on the losing end. She and the Empress Dowager truly did not get along. She did not know why the old woman wanted to fight for power and not just stay in the palace happily in the golden years. She just had to eat and drink. Why was she causing so much trouble?
The Empress Dowager kept doing things in secret with the old men in Ling Rui’er’s family. She did not know what they were up to. They even punished Ling Rui’er’s uncle for what she did. Ling Rui’er had just used something from the Empress Dowager’s palace to frame Mo Xuetong! They were all daughters from the Ding General Manor. Why did the Empress Dowager have to make things difficult for her!
The Empress, her aunt, was still nicer. She treated Ling Rui’er wholeheartedly! When Feng Yuxuan became the Emperor and she became the Empress, she would make the Empress the Empress Dowager. She would ignore that old biddy, the Empress Dowager, no matter how much she begged her. Ling Rui’er could not help but laugh out loud when she thought of that.
Yan Miao, who was standing by the side, glanced at Ling Rui’er. She felt that Ling Rui’er was truly stupid!
She was the Empress’s personal lead palace maid and naturally knew what the Empress was up to. She hid her thoughts and smiled as she helped Ling Rui’er to spread open a sheet of paper. Then, she backed away and stood far away. This respectful behavior pleased Ling Rui’er, and she looked like a cat who caught the canary.
After settling down, Ling Rui’er thought for a moment before starting her letter to Feng Yuxuan. When she wrote the letter, she naturally made it seem as if everything had been caused by others. She was the most aggrieved. First, it was Mo Yarui’s father who did not observe the rules and had charged into the manor to take Mo Yarui away. Then, he colluded with Mo Yarui to complain to the Emperor.
Ling Rui’er was then punished. She knelt outside and was sunburnt. The imperial physicians did not do their best to treat her. She had been feeling extremely worried and angry and accidentally smashed the medicinal box of an imperial physician. The Emperor heard some bad things about her and had taken her position away from her. That was why she needed Feng Yuxuan to come and plead with the Emperor on her behalf.
Of course, she also mentioned her love for Feng Yuxuan in her letter.
Even she was touched by the letter she wrote. She felt that it was extremely touching and thoughtful.
Yan Miao took the letter away. She glanced at it in secret before putting it in an envelope and sealing it. When the Empress returned from the Empress Dowager’s Cining Palace, she secretly reported it to the Empress. The Empress nodded and did not say anything else. Yan Miao sent someone out with the letter. Feng Yuxuan was in a camp right outside the city. They just had to send the letter there.
This was considered a secret blow that the Empress was dealing to Feng Yuxuan. She wanted to force Feng Yuxuan’s hand. If Feng Yuxuan was still thinking of getting the Ding General Manor’s support, then he had to deal with Ling Rui’er’s situation. Otherwise, the people of the Ding General Manor would grow suspicious. If Feng Yuxuan wanted to drag the Ding General Manor to war with him, then he had to pay the price for it.
The Empress did not expect that the letter did not reach Feng Yuxuan’s hands at all. When the letter was delivered to the camp, they realized that Feng Yuxuan had made the patrol this time very formal. They could not deliver the letter to the camp. The eunuch wanted to enter the camp using the Empress’s order. However, he was made to leave and the sergeant raised the matter to the Emperor.
Not only was the Empress reprimanded, but Ling Rui’er was also made to return to the Ding General Manor. She was to return to King Chu’s Manor when King Chu left the camp.
The Empress’s plan failed and Ling Rui’er was sent back to the Ding General Manor, crying and sobbing.
While the Empress and King Chu fought, Mo Xuetong was having an easy time.
Feng Yuran finally brought Mo Xuetong to the place where he was busying himself with lately. He had hacked through the walls between their courtyard and the neighboring one. There, he built a spacious pool. Autumn was coming but it was still very hot. They had to wear lighter clothing. There was a slight autumn breeze at night so it wasn’t that hot.
Feng Yuran led Mo Xuetong from their room to the garden through a side door.
They saw a green-stone path outside the door that winded around pine trees. The trees were at their most verdant and they could smell the fresh greenery as they walked between the trees. This courtyard was different from others. One would know that they were in the courtyard of the manor’s masters at one look for it was filled with the vitality of a man.
It was very quiet inside. They could hear the birds in the trees chirping from time to time. It was peaceful in the quietness.
They walked around a courtyard and saw the house that Feng Yuran built for her.
They walked up to the large house and pushed the doors open. They were greeted by a blast of hot air. There was a sulphuric smell in the heated air. It was from the man-made hot springs. Even though it was warm in here compared to the cruel heat outside. However, the heat that could make someone sweat was different from dry heat.
The boiling hot air was tinged with freshness. It was very soothing.
While Feng Yuran directed the maids outside to bring in the things they prepared, Mo Xuetong removed her shoes and socks. She sat on the white steps of the pool and soaked her feet in it. She kicked her feet, which were as pale as white jade, causing water to splash up. The water droplets were like shattered pieces of jade.
She leaned against the railing and began to play.
She suddenly heard a voice coming from the entrance and turned around to see Feng Yuran entering. He looked at her pale and flawless feet with a smile. Mo Xuetong suddenly felt shy and wanted to stand up. However, her feet were wet and smooth, which made her slip.
“Be careful.” Feng Yuran uttered softly. He reached out to hold Mo Xuetong and pulled her into his embrace. He stepped away from the white jade stairs, holding her closely to him.
“Why didn’t you take off your clothes for a bath but are playing in the pool with your clothes on? You’re so naughty.” Feng Yuran reached out to pinch her straight nose, teasing her. Her clear and lively eyes were as wide as saucers because of the shock she received earlier. She was still a little flustered and looked very pitiful.
Mo Xuetong flushed when she saw Feng Yuran’s smiling eyes and charming smile. His handsome face was a little flushed because of the steam from the warm water. She tugged on his shirt and said shyly, “I’m not bathing.”
“Are you waiting for me to bathe together? Why are you in such a hurry to pull off my others. You’ve got to wait for me to take a breather.” Feng Yuran lowered his head. He saw that there were a few beads of water on her cherry-red lips. It made her seem even more loveable. He did not wait for her to reply. Instead, he reached out to take Mo Xuetong’s chin, leaned down, and placed a kiss on those red lips.
Mo Xuetong was not ready for it and was shocked. She reached out to push Feng Yuran away. However, he pulled her down with her and the two fell onto the jade seat. It was rather cold but soft and smooth. The faint coolness penetrated their clothes and body, forming a stark contrast from the heat outside. Their waists and back that were touching the seat felt very comfortable.
They were not touching much, but their current predicament made Mo Xuetong feel shy. The heated air caused their clothes to stick to their bodies, showing their every curve. As such, Mo Xuetong complained coyly, “Yuran, it hurts.”
“Oh, it’ll be fine in a while. Don’t move.” Feng Yuran panted softly. She could hear him controlling his impulses and her face flushed even more so. While he burrowed his head in her neck, she closed her eyes and curled up in his embrace, pretending not to know anything. Her innocent face was so very red, inadvertently revealing her charms and wiles.
Feng Yuran held Mo Xuetong to him tightly. He closed his handsome almond-shaped eyes while mumbling, “You really are a charming seductress!” His voice was filled with his love and affection for her. Mo Xuetong’s heart beat wildly when she heard that and rubbed her head against his chest. However, she did not dare to do much to excite him any further.
“Did you build this for me?” Mo Xuetong asked gently when she heard his breathing grow steady.
Feng Yuran pressed a soft kiss on the top of her head. “This jade stone and warm water can help you to dispel the medicine in your body faster. It can also help the medicine to work through your body faster so that it will be at its most effective. Come soak here every afternoon and then take a nap. The effect will be better then.”
His voice was just as lazy as before but there was a hint of happiness in it.
Mo Xuetong’s vision was a little blurry as tears fogged up her eyes. Feng Yuran had never shown how he felt to others. Outsiders only saw his behavior but not his heart. However, right now, Mo Xuetong could clearly see his heart.
Given his character, she could tell that he was truly happy. He had displayed joy because of such a small matter, showing that he truly cared about her.
“What’s the matter. Do you not like it?” Feng Yuran paused when he sensed Mo Xuetong’s silence. He reached out, wanting to lift her head.
Mo Xuetong sniffled. Gentleness and joy appeared in her eyes. She allowed him to lift her head and reached out to hug Feng Yuran tightly. “No, I like everything that you do.”
In both her past life and this, his love for her touched her the most.
“Do you really like all of them?” Feng Yuran suddenly smiled devilishly and asked her teasingly once more. His handsome face was slightly blurred because of the mist, making him appear slightly more charming than usual. His lips were bright red and Mo Xuetong flushed when she looked at him. Her heart beat wildly. A man who looked this handsome and charming was trouble indeed.
“You’re so annoying!” Mo Xuetong said shyly. She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes.
“How am I annoying? You just said that you liked it. Tong’er is so difficult to please. This isn’t right, and neither is that. What shall I, your husband, do?” Feng Yuran teased with a lazy smile. He lowered his head and kissed the corner of her lips softly.
Mo Xuetong punched his chest softly. However, given her strength, it was as good as a tickle to Feng Yuran. It did not hurt him at all. He managed to catch her little hands and press another kiss to her lips.
“The medicine won’t work so quickly.”
Mo Xuetong did not struggle this time. She hugged Feng Yuran tightly as if she wanted to press his entire being into her. She knew that the poison in her body was not being removed. Feng Yuran probably did not have the antidote. If the antidote could be found so easily, her mother would not have died. From what Nanny Ming told her, Mo Xuetong guessed that the antidote would not be found so easily.
