Chapter 6

“Is there some kind of psychological burden weighing on you?” The Empress Dowager set down her teacup and looked at Murong Feng, her voice slightly stern. No matter how incompetent her grandson might be, it was not for a mere Murong Feng to reject a marriage proposal.

Murong Feng’s expression remained calm, and her voice was steady. “Grandmother is truly perceptive; Feng’er thought she could hide it from you. It was indeed Feng’er’s own capriciousness that caused her illness. I had previously heard some unpleasant rumors regarding the Fourth Prince, and I was very afraid—afraid of being forsaken for a lifetime. Thus, I went to my parents to beg them to call off the engagement, but Father said I had listened to rumors and punished me with long kneeling for self-reflection. My heart was aggrieved, and I also caught a chill, which led to my illness. My parents, out of love for me, asked Eldest Sister to send the Imperial Physicians from the palace to the Murong Prince’s Mansion to treat me. I beg Grandmother not to blame my parents and sister; they were only worried about me and had no intention of deceiving you.”

The Empress Dowager was truly stunned. She glanced at the Empress, who was also looking at her. The two exchanged a look—was this truly the Murong Feng they had known before?

“Then why did you agree to it?” the Empress Dowager asked, her tone softening slightly.

There seemed to be a hint of tears in Murong Feng’s eyes, though her voice did not betray it. “My parents gave their command; how could a daughter disobey? Moreover, after being raised by them for over a decade, how could they bear to see me suffer? I suppose I am simply too soft-hearted and listened to the rumors of the world.”

“Rui’er seems to have been out making trouble again last night. Do you not blame Grandmother for insisting you marry him?” The Empress Dowager looked at Murong Feng, her gaze searching.

“The Fourth Prince is not an ordinary man; he has his own way of doing things. Since I am to marry him, Feng’er cannot speak ill of her husband.” Murong Feng remained noncommittal. “On the contrary, the Fourth Prince did not return all night. In Feng’er’s eyes, it shows his benevolence and magnanimity—that he was unwilling to force himself upon me. Feng’er is truly deeply grateful.”

The Empress Dowager was speechless for a long time, unable to think of what to say next.

“Then do you know that Rui’er acts this way because the one he originally intended to marry was your sister, Murong Xue, and not you?” The Empress Dowager stared at Murong Feng and asked suddenly.

“Feng’er knows.” Murong Feng raised her eyes to look back at the Empress Dowager. Her eyes were as deep as the sea, intoxicating to behold. “The Fourth Prince told Feng’er last night. Regarding this, Feng’er is truly powerless. Therefore, Feng’er wishes to ask Grandmother to help her.”

“I... help you?” The Empress Dowager was taken aback. “How can I help you? I cannot force Rui’er to treat you as Murong Xue.”

Murong Feng smiled, as brilliant as spring flowers. “That is not necessary; Grandmother must be joking. Feng’er only knows that the Fourth Prince is extremely filial to you. Therefore, Feng’er wishes to request Grandmother to issue an Imperial Decree, asking the Fourth Prince not to force himself upon Feng’er before he truly loves her. As for Feng’er, she naturally will not force the Fourth Prince to love her. Feng’er originally intended to ask Her Majesty the Empress for help, but Feng’er feels that Grandmother holds more authority in the Fourth Prince’s heart. Thus, Feng’er asks Grandmother to help her.”

Having reached this point, the Empress Dowager actually could not find a reason to refuse. Seeing the gentle and delicate expression on the young woman's face, she felt a pang of pity and gave her consent. She ordered Xiao Dezi to bring ink and paper, and wrote down an Imperial Decree to hand to Murong Feng.

A smile played at the corners of Murong Feng’s mouth; this was exactly what she wanted.

Sima Zhe watched Murong Feng quietly. This was vastly different from the Murong Feng he had seen at the Murong Prince’s Mansion—or rather, they were entirely different people. But in reality, it was the same person; perhaps he simply had never paid attention to this Third Miss of the Murong Prince’s Mansion, who had been overlooked by everyone.

That smile, which held a sense of innocence amidst its clarity, actually caused his heart to stir.

Leaving Xiangfu Palace, Murong Feng returned to the Fourth Prince’s Mansion. Looking at the Empress Dowager’s decree in her hand, a smile spread across her face, looking quite happy. Sima Rui had not returned all night, but there was no guarantee he wouldn't stay away every day. Now that she had married him, the only thing she could do was delay the time they spent in the same bed. With this decree from the Empress Dowager, she could at least ensure Sima Rui wouldn't make things difficult for her for a while.

“Chunliu,” Murong Feng spoke quietly. Now that a troubling problem had been resolved, she could enjoy a period of comfortable living. “This Fourth Prince’s Mansion is fine, but the bed boards are too hard. It’s uncomfortable to sleep on and quite tiring. Find a few quilts and layer them together to make a thick mattress to lay on top; it will be more comfortable.”

Chunliu was somewhat bewildered.

“Oh, I mean, take the quilts apart, redistribute the cotton to make a thicker mattress, and then wrap it in cotton cloth—I mean cotton cloth, definitely do not use silk—and then lay it on the bed. That way, I won't have to sleep on the hard boards and end up with aching bones.” Murong Feng sat on a stone stool in the courtyard, watching the autumn wind gently blow the leaves on the trees and the flowers on the branches. The scenery of ancient times was truly beautiful—clean, without a trace of pollution, and the air was incredibly fresh.

Chunliu nodded and turned to get to work.

Inside the residence of the Eldest Prince, Sima Zhe, Sima Zhe and Murong Qian were discussing what had just happened. Murong Feng had brought them too much shock.

Meanwhile, in Xiangfu Palace, the Empress Dowager and the Empress were also talking about Murong Feng. This girl, who had been extremely ordinary in their memories, had truly opened their eyes today.

As for the person in question, Murong Feng was sitting in the Fourth Prince’s Mansion, leisurely basking in the sunlight.

Having read many books and watched many films about the joys and sorrows of the imperial court, arriving here and finding herself in this situation felt as though she might vanish at any moment, or perhaps it was all just a dream. If she suddenly opened her eyes and found everything outside the window still familiar, she would simply treat it as a dream and live freely according to her whims just this once.

Although her body was that of the sixteen-year-old Murong Feng, her mind was that of the twenty-seven-year-old Bai Min. Combined, if no miracle occurred, it would be a true waste of this dream's appearance.

“Miss, Eldest Miss has come to see you,” Chunliu said softly to Murong Feng, who was reading a book.

The afternoon autumn sun shone coldly into the courtyard. After her nap, Murong Feng had been sitting on a stone stool in the small pavilion reading a book of ancient poetry. It was thread-bound, and the characters seemed somewhat unfamiliar. A thick cushion lay on the stone stool to block the chill of the stone, and a cup of hot tea sat on the adjacent stone table, emitting faint steam, with the occasional sound of insects chirping.

Too lazy to stand up, she turned her head and saw Murong Qian standing quietly not far away. Clad in brocade, her exquisite figure was wrapped in elegance; her countenance was dignified and her temperament noble. She was indeed worthy of being the Eldest Miss of the Murong Prince’s Mansion and a future candidate for Empress.

“Forgive me, I have just recovered and find it inconvenient to move. Sister, please sit anywhere,” Murong Feng pointed to the stone stool opposite her, which also had a thick cushion.

Murong Qian sat down opposite her and signaled for her attendants to step away.

“Are you harboring resentment toward your Eldest Sister?” Murong Qian looked at the languid Murong Feng.

Murong Feng gave a faint smile. “Since things have come to this, let us not speak of it.”

“You are completely different from before.” Murong Qian did not hide it at all. In her mind, this third sister was still the same third sister. Although Murong Feng’s performance this morning had taken her by surprise, she still subconsciously viewed Murong Feng as the girl she used to know—the one who was reticent, weak-willed, cautious in all matters, and incapable of great achievements.

“I know you are blaming me. But there are some things where we must sacrifice our own interests and cannot afford to be petty. The Fourth Prince you married is a willful and arbitrary man; he was spoiled by the Empress Dowager and the Empress, which formed this personality. When he first saw Little Sister at the Murong Prince’s Mansion, he was struck by her beauty, but how could a phoenix like Little Sister marry someone like him? However, he is, after all, the Emperor’s son, and not someone the Murong Prince’s Mansion can afford to offend. Under these circumstances, the only option was to sacrifice you to marry into the family. Although he is somewhat flawed, he can allow you to continue the comfortable life you lived before. Compared to marrying someone else, this offers more wealth and honor. Moreover, with my presence in the palace to look after you, and your Second Sister’s care, no matter how poorly the Fourth Prince behaves, he will not be too harsh on you. You had best keep to your duties and do not show the resentment in your heart, lest you bring disaster upon the family. For example, this morning, you actually dared to ask the Empress Dowager to issue an Imperial Decree to prevent the Fourth Prince from approaching you. Do you think such petty cleverness can deal with the Fourth Prince? I fear...” Murong Qian shook her head. “If he could be dealt with so easily, would the Murong Prince’s Mansion have needed you to marry in her stead? You had best accept your fate!”