“How is that possible. She was alright one moment and then she suddenly vomited blood and then fainted and has not awaken since then. The physicians we got all could not do anything. Yihao, look at her coloring. Does she look fine to you?” Luo Wenyou was very worried as he pointed at Mo Xuetong’s pale and bloodless face out to Bai Yihao.
Her face was so pale, as were her lips. And her eyes were tightly shut. How could she be fine?
“Third Miss Mo is really not ill. Her Qi and blood are a little weak is all. I will write her a prescription. Get someone to make it and get her to drink it. She will definitely regain consciousness in four hours. As for the others, we will have to see how her fate is!” Bai Yihao’s handsome face always made him seem elegant and gentle. Even though he was saying something like this in such a situation, he still seemed elegant and unrestrained.
However, his eyes were so dark and deep that one could not see the bottom of them!
Luo Wenyou was considered to have a close relationship with Bai Yihao, but he was still stunned by Bai Yihao’s beauty and focused expression. When had the unrestrained and wild Bai Yihao ever looked so grave? Could it be that his cousin was dying?
Luo Wenyou grew anxious as he thought about that. He clutched Bai Yihao’s sleeve and pulled him before Mo Xuetong’s bed and pointed at her. He asked anxiously, “Yihao, what do you mean? What do you mean by see how her fate is? Does it mean you can’t heal her and we have to leave it to fate?”
When he thought of how his grandmother is still waiting for news at home, he grew even more anxious. His grandmother had hugged her sister, crying messily before he came over. If she finds out that his cousin is about to die, how would she be able to hold on? Her health was poor and he feared that she would pass away together with his cousin…
“Wenyou, don’t worry…”
“How can I not worry? She is my beloved cousin.” Luo Wenyou’s eyes were filled with sadness and he interrupted Bai Yihao. His fingers which were holding on to Bai Yihao’s arm shook slightly. Luo Wenyou felt that Mo Xuetong was adorable and loveable after spending a month together with her in the Luo Manor. He felt that she was beautiful and gentle and was innocent and perfect. Was she going to die just like that!
He looked at her exquisite face which was pale and lifeless as she laid on the pillow. He felt as if there was a part of his heart that collapsed loudly and he held on tightly to Bai Yihao’s sleeve as if he had lost a part of his soul. He refused to let go and his eyes grew red.
“Wenyou, don’t worry. Your cousin is struck with an illness of the heart, and for that, she needs her heart to heal. Her life is not in any danger.” Bai Yihao smiled and explained when he saw that Luo Wenyou was truly anxious. He pulled on his sleeve and brought Luo Wenyou back to the table, helped him to seat and comforted him.
“Her life is not in any danger?” Luo Wenyou looked up with red eyes pleadingly.
“No!” Bai Yihao answered with certainty.
“Truly?”
“Truly.” He answered helplessly.
Luo Wenyou sighed when he received Bai Yihao’s affirmation. His entire body sagged as he leaned back against the chair. He felt as if his back was soaked with sweat.
That’s good, at least she was fine!
It was rare for someone to visit King Xuan’s Manor, which Emperor Zongwen had ordered to be locked up.
The steward outside welcomed King Chu, Feng Yuxuan and the Fifth Princess respectfully and carefully as they got off the horse carriage.
“What is your Lord doing these few days? Does he few bored? Does he need any food? If so, send someone to my Manor. Eighth brother cannot leave his manor, so you all had better serve him well.” Feng Yuxuan smiled warmly and elegantly as he ordered while he entered the manor.
“Yes, My Lord was rather unhappy the first few days and only stayed in Jinwei Pavilion. He was not interested in having fun at all. He seems better these days. He even called for a female musician group to play for him today. They should be singing an opera right now. He specially instructed me to take Your Highness and the Princess in. He said that you are all siblings and there is no need to be so polite.” The steward answered carefully. The smile on his face was extremely radiant, but he was very anxious deep down inside.
He did not dare to reveal how lazily his master had spoken when he said that. His Highness was his master’s brother but he was just an insignificant servant. While King Chu seemed to be reasonable, he was just an outside courtyard steward who cannot do anything when King Chu rages. Furthermore, he still had the spoilt Fifth Princess by his side.
That was a princess who was not to be trifled with!
“Eighth Brother is having fun again. He’s not afraid that Father will be angry when he hears about this.” Feng Yuxuan frowned. His expression was one of slight dissatisfaction despite the smile on his face.
“Eldest Brother, don’t blame Eighth Brother. He just cannot sit still. If he could really calm his heart and do things, Father would not have punished him. Father is really biased. He is worried that Eighth Brother would be bored in the manor and especially told you to come and visit him. I knew long ago that Eighth Brother is worrisome. See, I guessed correctly, didn’t I? Oh well, I’m rather bored anyway.” Fifth Princess looked up with a beautiful smile. She peered down the corner of the corridor, speaking rather thoughtfully.
It was difficult for her to leave the palace and she had only obtained permission this time with the excuse of monitoring her Eldest and Eighth Brothers. After all, she was a girl and was interested in gossip. She smiled happily.
They could hear music and women singing. It was coming from what the steward said was Jinwei Pavilion. She heard that the servants had just cleared out that place a few days ago. Feng Yuran liked that place because it was high up enough that he could look out and see the entire of the capital at night. That place was also big enough that he could hold a banquet with dozens of tables downstairs. Musicians could perform and sing there, and it was considered the best place to have fun.
He was such a playboy!
“Eighth Brother is grown up and cannot keep playing around like that and just keep having fun. Father told us to come specially to see whether he has been reading and has any intentions of bettering himself. If he really continues playing around, then there is no reason for Father locking him up and he’s going to get angry.” Feng Yuxuan sighed, looking as if he was worried for Feng Yuran, like a good elder brother.
Fifth Princess watched and secretly pursed her lips.
Even though they were siblings, they were from different camps.
The Fifth Princess did not have any opinions of her own, but she was the Empress’ biological daughter and would definitely be in the Empress’ camp. The Empress supported King Yan, Feng Yulei. King Yan did not have a mother and the Empress did not have any sons. Furthermore, King Yan was from her maternal family, which was why she had raised King Yan. She had done everything for King Yan. And even though the rumors outside said that King Yan was an intellectual, he did not have much thought about the royal throne.
However, King Yan was rather famous among the scholarly officials. He had interacted with many great scholars while editing “The History of the Nation” and became famous for it. He could be considered a match for the elegant and scholarly King Chu. As such, many court officials thought well of the Third Prince. The Empress’ family as long as the Empress’ support made it possible for King Yan to become closer to the throne.
The Fifth Princess stood behind the Empress. This meant that she stood behind King Yan. When one thought through this carefully, Emperor Zongwen allowing them to come and monitor Feng Yuran and see if he was studying was rather dumbfounding. They both had different stances, so how could they stand on the same side. They were respectful to each other on the surface, remaining civil and friendly as siblings, but everyone knew what was happening.
Just like how Feng Yuxuan looked as if he was worried for Feng Yuran while the Fifth Princess pursed her lips in secret. She sounded naughty and cute while she spoke, “Eldest Brother, don’t blame Eighth Brother anymore. He is rather pitiful, he has only just been acknowledged and Father is already scolding him. He made it back to his own manor but Father is worried about him and told us to come and watch him. Father is too much, even though Eighth Brother is wild, he shouldn’t control him in all aspects. This would just make him more rebellious. But I quite like Eighth Brother when he is like this. I need a playmate anyway, so I shall ask Father to let me come and play with him,”
Was she siding with Feng Yuran?
Feng Yuxuan’s gentle eyes turned slightly dark. Then, he nodded and laughed， agreeing with Fifth Princess, “Fifth Sister, that is a good idea. It’s rather similar to mine. But I fear that Father might not agree. Eighth Brother alone is giving him a headache. If Eighth Brother make you like him, Father would be very anxious and angry in the palace. Eighth Brother might not have to return to the palace, but you have to. You would not only be scolded or stopped from leaving the palace then.”
“Then Eldest Brother, you have to remember to help me then!”
“Alright, I will definitely you help you when you are in trouble!”
The siblings joked while they followed the steward through the turns in the corridor. They passed through the corridor and by the fake mountains. The sound of music started rather loudly. Fortunately, there were no other sounds other than someone singing. It was evident that it was not as chaotic as they imagined. Feng Yuxuan heaved a sigh of relief and walked past the image wall with a smile.
Jinwei Pavilion was behind the image wall. It took up one-tenth the King’s Manor. From afar, the place was unlike the usual courtyard. There was a pond by the door. Even though it was winter, there were red lotus flowers on the surface of the pond, cradled by green leaves. It felt like it was summer. The air was fragrant with the scent of lilies. It cleared one’s heart and mind and was beautiful.
The water pavilion in the middle of the lotus pond was not the usual small structure. There was a platform that was draped with a heavy cotton tent. Only one side was revealed and one could vaguely make out girls wearing light and thin gauze skirts dancing inside. The music flowed like water from the tall platform. One would feel dazzled before they even neared the structure.
The true Jinwei Pavilion was on the other side of the courtyard. The massive structure was the tallest among the other structures. It was said that one could see the lights of the entire capital from the top-most floor. This was the reason why Feng Yuran liked it so much. However, privately, the rumors said that King Xuan, Feng Yuran liked the building because of the Mo Manor fire. He had climbed up to the highest spot and watched the scene with excitement. As such, he moved into the pavilion.
While this was not proven, everyone felt that the first reason was the true reason for his move. However, those familiar with Feng Yuran were certain that the second reason was the true reason. After all, who was as lame as to watch someone’s burning home as a scenery?
Who else would do something so dumb other than the useless King Xuan?
However, whether it was dumb or not, no one dared to discuss the Eighth Prince, who was favored by the Emperor. At most, everyone would think about it and laugh about it to themselves.
Even though they knew that Feng Yuran’s actions were preposterous, Feng Yuxuan and the Fifth Princess were still shocked by the grandeur of the whole thing.
