Chapter 8: 第8章

On that day at the Murong Prince's Mansion, Sima Rui saw Murong Xue, and upon a single glance, was struck by her celestial beauty. When he returned and said he wanted to marry Murong Xue, she was truly overjoyed.

Sima Rui was no longer young. Although he spent his days amidst a sea of beauties, he was the only eligible Crown Prince who had neither taken a wife nor concubines. She had heard of and seen Murong Xue—a woman whose beauty was renowned throughout the world and who was proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. For the first time, she had stirred the desire for marriage in the usually indifferent Sima Rui. However, Murong Qingliang used the excuse that Murong Xue was still too young and not suited for marriage, substituting Murong Feng for Murong Xue instead. Coupled with the mediation of Sima Zhe and Murong Qian, the Emperor actually issued an edict for Murong Feng to marry as the Fourth Prince's Consort.

The Empress Dowager knew Sima Rui would certainly not cooperate. Although he fulfilled the wedding rites for the sake of the Imperial Family's dignity, it was a fact that he went to the Zuihua Pavilion on his wedding night; how could one blame Rui'er for that? The Empress Dowager herself had seen both Murong Xue and Murong Feng; had it been her choice, she would have chosen the former. They were truly as different as heaven and earth. She could not bear to blame her grandson, so she held no goodwill toward Murong Feng either—after all, Murong Feng was born so ordinary.

But, seeing Murong Feng yesterday, she was stunned by just one glance. Such a spiritual and elegant young girl; the words "pure and transcendent" were enough to describe her. She was by no means inferior to Murong Xue by even half a degree, and perhaps even surpassed her by a few points—especially that peaceful aura, which was simply, no matter how one looked at it, comfortable.

Could it be that she had misjudged her before? Or was it because Murong Xue's reputation had been famous since childhood that everyone had overlooked the quiet Murong Feng?

One was beautiful in her refinement, nearly perfect!

The other excelled in her liveliness, natural and approachable!

Just as she returned from Xiangfu Palace to the Fourth Prince's Mansion, the Empress Dowager's rewards arrived. During their recent chat, Murong Feng had modified the Yue Opera *Picking Up the Jade Bracelet* into an interesting story that seemed to take place in this current dynasty, which had delighted the Empress Dowager. As soon as Murong Feng entered the Fourth Prince's Mansion, the Empress Dowager's rewards were delivered immediately after.

Chunliu's expression was poor, her face filled with tension. Murong Feng had sent Chuntao back to the Murong Prince's Mansion; when she went to Xiangfu Palace today, she had not brought Chunliu along. She felt that rather than letting Chunliu stand there waiting uselessly, it was better to leave her at the Fourth Prince's Mansion to have more freedom.

Seeing Chunliu like this, Murong Feng guessed that something must have happened. Only after the Empress Dowager's people had left did she ask, "Chunliu, what happened? Why that expression?" as she sat down on a stone stool in the courtyard.

"The Eldest Miss came by. She said there was an urgent matter to discuss with you," Chunliu said hesitantly. "It seems to be related to the Fourth Miss. I saw that the Eldest Miss's expression was very poor; it must be a significant matter, otherwise, she wouldn't have come in person. Hearing that Miss was at Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's, she instructed me to ask Miss to rush to the Eldest Miss's place as soon as she returned."

Murong Feng was stunned. What could possibly happen to Murong Xue? Her first instinct was that this must be related to Sima Rui. Given Sima Rui's personality, it would be a miracle if he easily gave up on the Murong Xue he had fallen in love with at first sight!

Accompanied by Chunliu, Murong Feng took a soft sedan chair to the First Prince's Mansion.

Murong Qian had long since grown impatient. Seeing Murong Feng enter, she immediately dismissed everyone and said in a rapid tone, "Something has happened to our little sister."

Murong Feng frowned slightly.

"Father came to see me this morning and said he hasn't seen our little sister since last night." Murong Qian stared intently at Murong Feng. "What do you think?"

Murong Feng remained expressionless. Someone capable of "stealing" Murong Xue from the Murong Prince's Mansion was certainly no ordinary person, and unless they were mentally ill, a normal person wouldn't even entertain such a thought. Murong Qingliang was the current Prime Minister; his precious daughter's beauty was known to the world, and even the Crown Prince was reluctant to let her marry. How could she be lost? Aside from Sima Rui, no one else would dare to dream of it. The previous night, before he left, he had waved his hand to remove the bridal veil from his head; Murong Feng had known then that this Sima Rui was absolutely a vulgar man.

Though this fellow was detestable, he indeed possessed some skill!

Seeing that Murong Feng had no reaction for a long time, Murong Qian sighed, frowned, and scolded impatiently, "How can you be so stupid? Can't you use your brain to think about who could be so sacrilegious?"

"Sima Rui," Murong Feng said quietly, without even blinking an eye.

Murong Qian was startled. "How did you know?!"

"A guess!" Murong Feng remained calm.

"Your second sister has already had Wu Meng send people to investigate secretly. Aside from Sima Rui, there really wouldn't be anyone else capable of snatching Murong Xue from the Murong Prince's Mansion. He has high martial arts skills and has long coveted our little sister. Father also suspects him. Do you know where he is now?" Murong Qian's brow was tightly furrowed. "This matter must not alarm others, otherwise, our little sister's life will be ruined. And we must be quick, or else, there's no guarantee nothing bad will happen."

Murong Feng shook her head.

"You are Sima Rui's wife now; you have more right to find him than anyone," Murong Qian said with a grave expression.

"I only promised to try," Murong Feng said quietly. "Don't pin all your hopes on me alone."

"I know you are angry with the family, but our little sister is, after all, your biological sister. Right now, finding her is the priority, not holding a grudge," Murong Qian said solemnly.

Murong Feng let out a short laugh. "Do you think I am Sima Rui's beloved, and that I will succeed the moment I make a move? Besides, this isn't something that can be rushed. Do you even know where Sima Rui is right now? And where should we even start? There is no need for you to worry about Murong Xue. Although Sima Rui is a debauched man, he is certainly not so foolish as to use force against Murong Xue. As a man who has seen all the beauties in the world, how could he be interested only in possessing Murong Xue's body? What he wants is surely her heart, not her body!"

Murong Qian was greatly shocked. When had this girl Murong Feng become so intelligent and calm?

"Wu Meng sent word this morning saying that Sima Rui is at the Zuihua Pavilion, drinking and enjoying himself with a famous courtesan," Murong Qian said, biting her lip. "Go there to find him at this very hour. Find a way to find our little sister, and ideally, bring her back."

Murong Feng smiled and said, "At any rate, I am the Fourth Prince's Consort of the Great Xing Dynasty and the Third Miss of the Murong Prince's Mansion. Is Eldest Sister suggesting I burst into that den of pleasure like a shrew and drag Sima Rui out of a courtesan's bed? To wail and complain that the courtesan stole my husband? For someone who is the future Empress to be so flustered by such a small matter—you'll make me laugh. Tell me, even if I find Sima Rui, what evidence could you have to make him admit that our little sister is with him and that he kidnapped her from the Murong Prince's Mansion?"

"You!—" Murong Qian was somewhat incensed, but she suppressed it. Indeed, Murong Feng was right; no matter how worried she was, she couldn't solve the problem. Losing her composure like this would only make her a laughingstock. "Then how do you plan to handle this?"

Murong Feng shook her head, her brow slightly furrowed, and said indifferently, "I'll take it one step at a time and do my best."

Murong Qian was speechless and lowered her head.