Chapter 359 The Wedding Proceeds and Feng Yulei Gets Demoted

In the palace, Emperor Zongwen had already received the message. When he heard that something so embarra.s.sing had happened, he was so angry that he smashed the dragon-patterned jade paperweight on the table into smithereens. Then, he paced inside the hall, frustrated.

Nothing so embarra.s.sing had ever happened in the Qin Kingdom!

The princes’ bridal sedan chairs had been mixed up on their wedding day. Not only had that happened, but a pair had also already been anxious to consummate the marriage. Even though it had not happened, it was already a great embarra.s.sment to the royal family. This was a matter of the Empire’s dignity. Furthermore, his eldest son had been made a cuckold. Even if Emperor Zongwen had never been especially close to Feng Yuxuan, the Emperor was still furious.

He felt that the Ding General Manor’s daughter was a s.l.u.t!

It was human nature to be selfish and people often felt that if their family was in the wrong, the others had to have made even worse mistakes.

“Your Majesty, since the matter has already reached this stage and before a grave mistake is made, why don’t we let them return to their manors.” The Empress Dowager forced herself to go to the imperial study to persuade the Emperor.

The Empress was kneeling on the ground. She had been scolded badly and could only cry.

Even though the Empress and the Empress Dowager did not get along and each served a different master, they were both from the Ding General Manor. The reputation of the daughters of the Ding General Manor would affect their reputations. No matter what had happened, they must not allow Ling Fengyan’s reputation to be ruined. They could only stand hand in hand and speak up for each other at a time like this.

“Empress Dowager, you do not have to persuade me. The royal family cannot afford to marry a woman like that. It would be best to let her return to her own home lest the Ding General Manor be embarra.s.sed.” The Emperor’s expression was stern and furious. He glanced coldly at Feng Yulei, who was kneeling beside the Empress. The Emperor clenched his hand into a fist, wanting desperately to hit Feng Yulei’s face.

Everyone knew that Feng Yulei and Ling Fengyan were childhood sweethearts. Earlier on, Feng Yulei had even made a fuss and said he wanted to marry Ling Fengyan. It was hard for anyone to believe that he was not involved in the matter. Furthermore, Feng Yulei’s behavior was odd today. It would have taken some time for the matron of honor to tear the canopy after the newlyweds were brought into the nuptial chambers. After that, he had to go to offer wine to his guests. It should be late at night after he was done with that. Why was Feng Yulei so anxious to scream that he wanted to consummate the marriage?

If his eldest son had not gone quickly enough, it would have been a done deal!

The Emperor truly did not believe that Feng Yulei did not know anything about it!

In ordinary circ.u.mstances, who would be so anxious to seal the deal? It was a respectable and serious wedding. It was not as if he had found a woman randomly.

“Father, please seek justice for me.” Feng Yuxuan’s expression was dark and he seemed haggard. It was as if he had suffered blows. He knelt in front of Emperor Zongwen, and even though he did not say anything, anyone could tell that he felt wronged and had suffered grievances.

If they really wanted to talk about it, he was the one who had suffered a loss!

“Son, get up first and stand at the side. Speak to me again after I ask my questions.”

“Yes, Father.” Feng Yuxuan showed an incredible amount of grace. Even though he was so angry his expression was dark and twisted, he did not make a fuss nor shout. He stood by the side and listened quietly with a cold expression on his face. Emperor Zongwen could not help but feel that his eldest son was sensible and gracious.

“Number Three, tell me what happened.” Emperor Zongwen said sharply. The white jade paperweight lay broken by Feng Yulei’s feet. If he had not moved his head quickly enough earlier, the paperweight would have hit his head.

“Father, I really don’t know why the bride was swapped. I thought the girl was Miss You. Miss You is gracious, virtuous. I have always admired her. I am really pleased to have married Miss You and wanted to have some time with her. I did not truly mean to consummate our marriage. However, Second Miss Ling was too pa.s.sionate, and, and, that… was what happened.” Feng Yulei only wanted to find an excuse for himself at the moment and could not be bothered about Ling Fengyan.

Even if others thought of her as a s.l.u.t, it would still be better than his father being disappointed in him. Furthermore, he realized that Ling Fengyan truly had someone in her heart and that person was not him. She was really a s.l.u.t. They had only parted not long ago and she was already thinking of another man. Since she was heartless, then he would be faithless. Feng Yulei found a reason for himself in his heart.

When he saw Emperor Zongwen’s furious expression, he was not in the mood for anything but to escape this unscathed. He must not be embroiled in such a scandal. If his father truly suspected that he had a hand in this and was so uncaring for brotherly ties because of a woman, he would kick him out of the running for the throne given his father’s character and what happened a few days ago.

Then, he thought of the men in black. His father wouldn’t think that he had a hand in that, would he! That was a suspected case of attempting to kill his own brother. He thought of his father’s suspicions and how he would be in trouble if he could not prove his innocence. He would not be eligible for the throne in the future and might possibly get killed.

When Feng Yulei thought of the throne, which was just inches away from him, how could he not feel wronged?

Someone must have framed him this time. Otherwise, why did he manage to catch a sight of the mole on the woman’s right wrist under her red wedding gown and under her veil? He had been close with Ling Fengyan in the past and knew that she had a tiny mole on her right wrist. If not for the mole, he would not have been so anxious to seal the deal. He just wanted to take the beauty he loved for himself.

The odd behaviors he exhibited after that was all because he knew that it was Ling Fengyan who was underneath the red bridal veil!

It had not just been a day or two that he had been thinking of Ling Fengyan. However, the Emperor had refused him and he had no choice but to marry You Yue’e. He did not expect it to be Ling Fengyan who would be sent to his manor. How could he not be delighted? He had lost his wits because of the unexpected joy and they had entered the marital chambers without much thinking on his part. That was how the trouble started.

“Father, Father. Someone framed me. Yes, that must be it…” He scooted forward on his knees, crawling over the broken pieces of jade. Blood bloomed on his knees as he tugged Emperor Zongwen’s robes and pleaded with him.

“Framed? Who, who framed you? Who dragged you into the nuptial chambers? Who made you so anxious? Number three, tell me clearly.” Emperor Zongwen looked at Feng Yulei coldly. He whipped his robes out of the prince’s grasp and then sat down behind the desk.

“Father, I was really framed. If I had plotted this, why would I let others discover it so easily. Why would I still make you angry. Father, think about it, why would I be so dumb and not consider my own interest in this? I, I really cannot defend myself…” Feng Yulei cried even more. There was hatred in his voice that he did not notice.

He truly felt that he had been tricked!

Why was it so coincidental and why did the incidents fit together so well? Everything pointed to him and painted Feng Yuxuan to be the most innocent one. A dark glint flashed in Feng Yulei’s eyes as he looked at Feng Yuxuan who was standing by the side. If he were punished, Feng Yuxuan would have the most to gain.

He had appeared as a victim, so he already had an advantage over Feng Yulei.

He had said that in desperation but at the same time sounded sincere. Everyone in the palace was all touched.

After living in the palace for so long, everyone would protect themselves. If they really wanted to hurt someone, they would at least try to appear a little harmless. Or perhaps, they might even appear as a victim to achieve a better effect. There was hidden meaning in Feng Yulei’s words and everyone could not help but turn to look at Feng Yuxuan.

If they were to really discuss the matter, they would really think that Feng Yuxuan was most likely the plotter. Feng Yulei was usually intelligent. How would he allow someone to exploit him so easily?

Feng Yuxuan saw the suspicion in Emperor Zongwen’s eyes as well. However, since Feng Yulei had not said that he was involved directly, he could not say anything. Otherwise, his father might really grow suspicious of him. He continued standing by the side stoically.

“Your Majesty, Lei’er must have been framed. Even though Lei’er grew up with Fengyan, they are as close as siblings. How would they do something like that? But that Miss You, Lei’er was full of praise for her, how could he bear for Miss You to cause such a matter that would put him at a disadvantage?” The Empress looked up tearfully and said as she wiped the tears that she had shed when Emperor Zongwen rebuked her.

“Your Majesty, this matter has to be investigated carefully. However, the matter now must not be delayed as well. If the matter blows up, it would be detrimental to everyone. The royal family would be embarra.s.sed. It would be best to let the matter go.” The Empress Dowager said with a sigh, looking as if she was trying to gloss things over.

Emperor Zongwen’s gaze turned from Feng Yuxuan to Feng Yulei. His eyes were dark. They really could not tarry over this matter. If the matter were to be blown up, it would be the Great Qin that would be embarra.s.sed. If it could be kept under wraps, then it would be best to keep it under wraps. As long as he orders everyone not to speak about it, he believed that no one would dare to say anything about what they saw in King Yan’s Manor.

“Bring the bridal sedan chairs to the manors and continue the ceremonies. Then, send them to the nuptial chambers. Say that the bridal sedan chairs have gone to the wrong places and it was fortunate that Marquess Mingguo realized it early on. The ceremonies are not completed so swap the girls over.” Emperor Zongwen said after glancing at Feng Yulei.

With this edict and his secret order for everyone not to speak of the matter, they should be able to keep it under wraps.

“Father…” Feng Yuxuan said anxiously as he hurried forward. He was unhappy since the Emperor wanted to send Ling Fengyan to his manor. Ling Fengyan and Feng Yulei had already gotten to that stage and she had as good as lost her virginity. Feng Yuxuan felt cuckolded if he had to take that woman who had lost her virginity back to his manor.

“This is my edict.” Emperor Zongwen said, looking at Feng Yuxuan coldly.

“Here.” Liu Xi hurried forward to listen to the edict.

“King Yan is arrogant and argued with his father. He will be locked up in his manor after the wedding. No one is to visit him. King Chu is gracious and kind. He is granted three days of wedding leave and will hold court at the great hall.”

Everyone’s expression changed after the edict was made. Feng Yulei could not remain to kneel any longer and he slid down onto the ground. His lips trembled as if he wanted to say something. However, he could not. His mind was completely blank. He felt overly shocked and he could not even make a sound.

“Your Majesty…” The Empress wailed and started to cry sadly.

The Empress Dowager and Feng Yuxuan’s expression changed as well. However, the Empress Dowager was shocked while Feng Yuxuan was delighted. A hint of excitement and pleasure flashed through his face.

This edict had not only knocked Feng Yulei out of the match, but it had even elevated Feng Yuxuan’s position. It had wiped away the fact that he had been punished earlier on. Being able to go to court and hold court was something no one else did other than the useless King Xuan, Feng Yuran.

However, King Xuan had been severely injured and almost died. Holding court was just a pa.s.sing mention. Feng Yuxuan was the one who will hold court now. Did that mean that Feng Yuxuan would be the future Crown Prince and that the Emperor had picked him? The Crown Prince position would be his in the end.

“Yes, I will announce the edict immediately.” Liu Xi ignored the various emotions in the study and left silently after that.

This was the Emperor’s way of making up to Feng Yulei. No one dared to raise any objections.

Weddings continued. You Yue’e married King Yan while Ling Fengyan cleaned up and put on make-up again before she was sent to King Chu’s Manor. The groom went out to toast his guests while the bride remained in the room. No one dared to say anything about consummating the marriage after what happened and everyone returned home. They were afraid of causing more trouble. After the orders to remain silent about what happened earlier, those who were unimportant had all disappeared completely.

No one dared to ask why. They only pretended not to know anything and they did not dare to discuss anything.

“Miss, what will we do now?” The maid asked anxiously inside the room.

“What are you so anxious about? Since it already happened, there’s nothing I can lose either. King Chu receiving the Emperor’s recognition means that I, as his consort, will also be elevated in position as well.” Ling Fengyan gritted her teeth as she sat on the bed, dressed entirely in red.

Since things had already progressed to this state, she could only look on the bright side. King Yan’s demotion had nothing to do with her. She was still King Chu’s consort. This was also the reason for what she did earlier. Even though trouble had ensued, everyone thought that she was a victim. Who would ever guess that she was the one who had plotted the whole thing?

“But miss, King Yan…” The maid was still nervous. She felt frightened when she thought of what happened in the day.

“What are you afraid of? I am now King Chu’s consort. I have nothing to do with anyone else.” Ling Fengyan continued viciously, “If you dare to say another word…”

“I don’t dare to, I don’t dare to.” The maid did not dare to say anything else. She knelt hurriedly and pled for forgiveness when she thought of how her mistress appeared to be gentle on the surface but was actually very vicious.

“Don’t let me hear something like this again in the future. I am the victim and was sent to King Yan’s Manor for no reason. What happened after that had nothing to do with me!” Ling Fengyan looked at the maid coldly. She felt uneasy. She would find a chance tomorrow to have the maid killed. Then, no one would know about this matter in the future. Then, she would truly become the victim.

“Yes, yes, I understand. I understand.” The maid shook in fear.

“My Lady, but I do not know why!” The doors to the nuptial chambers were kicked open without any warning. Feng Yuxuan entered with a vicious expression…