223 The Unusual Consort Tao
After a few days, when Feng Yi Xuan and Lan You Nian returned to the capital, it’s been two months since they departed from the capital. Spring in the capital has arrived. The weather has become warmer. Spring breeze sends warmth, melting the grim winter. Peach red and willow green decorated the entire world. On the streets, groups of young men and women walked together. The relaxed laughter fell upon all corners of the capital. The spring breeze brings the news of spring. Those young girls who loved beauty wore gauze dresses as light as cicada wings. As the saying goes, as long as there is grace, there is no need for the comfort of temperature, even if they don’t have internal energy. A heart that loves beauty was enough to withstand all severe cold.
After the carriage entered the capital, Lan You Nian said to An Yi who was driving the carriage, “Go to fourth prince manor!” Then she asked Jing Wu An and Yu Liu Li, “Does Brother Wu An and Brother Liu Li want to return home or go with us?”
Jing Wu An urged his steed over to the carriage, “Father sent a letter to have me and Liu Li go back home, so we won’t be going!”
Feng Yi Xuan and Lan You Nian nodded. Jing Wu An and Yu Liu Li hurried in the direction of Jing manor while they headed in the direction of fourth prince manor.
“Why are we going to Imperial brother’s place?” Originally he planned to steal Nian Nian to his Prince Ming manor for some time. In any case, everyone knows they’re back. But if they went to fourth prince manor, Nian Nian would have to return to Lan manor. Though he could go over every night, but this feeling of sneaking around wasn’t very nice.
If Lan You Nian knew of Feng Yi Xuan’s thoughts, she would definitely say disdainfully, can your actions be considered sneaking? In You Nian Pavilion who doesn’t know Prince Ming will report on time every night. It’s practically more accurate than his timing for morning court.
“Brother Xia Qi and Bai Lian have married. As the younger brother, as a friend, we haven’t attended. I feel bad about it so I picked some gifts from Wu Qing Pavilion to give to them. Marriage is an important matter yet we haven’t even attended!” Lan You Nian explained.
Feng Yi Xuan nodded. As for this imperial brother, despite however indfifferent Feng Yi Xuan was on the surface, he was still had affection in his heart. When they were little, because of his eyes, many people spurned him and feared him, but imperial brother still considered him as his younger brother and took care of him, giving him brotherly love. This was why Feng Yi Xuan was willing to campaign on the battlefield for many years.
When the carriage arrived at fourth prince manor, Lan You Nian was about to step out of the carriage but was stopped by Feng Yi Xuan. When the steward outside saw An Yi driving the carriage, he ceremoniously gave his greetings to the carriage, “Prince Ming!”
Feng Yi Xuan “hn”ed. The steward welcomed the carriage into fourth prince manor, fearful he would slight this Prince Ming of unpredictable temperament.
When Feng Xia Qi and Yue Bai Lian received the report of their subordinates that the two came to the manor, Feng Yi Xuan already brought Lan You Nian to the grand hall, sitting there as if he was the master, being served with good food and tea.
“A’Xuan, little sister Nian’er, you’re finally back!” Feng Xia Qi and Yue Bai Lian came into the grand hall together. Seeing Feng Yi Xuan and Lan You Nian, it was clear they were delighted as the smiles on their faces couldn’t be hidden.
Feng Yi Xuan held Lan You Nian, without rising, only nodding his head. It was a good thing Feng Xia Qi them were already used to Feng Yi Xuan’s temperament and didn’t mind.
Lan You Nian shot a glance at Yue Bai Lian who has been married for several days. Yue Bai Lian wore a pink palace gown as she stood beside Feng Xia Qi, the perfect image of a virtuous wife. The packets opened to pink shoulders, the collarbone loomed under the coral chain, standing slim and straight. Though there wasn’t any extreme brilliance, it’s hard to hide the quality of jasper jade. Her jade wrist circled a hollow gold bracelet, making the green onion fingers even more soft, yet there was an air of broken sorrow circulating around her. But Lan You Nian could tell Yue Bai Lian was much happier than before.
“My apologies, we weren’t able to make it in time for your wedding day!” Lan You Nian had An Yi take out the prepared gifts, saying apologetically.
Feng Xia Qi and Yue Bai Lian sat there on the master seats, making others feel they really looked like husband and wife. The two smiled and shook their head, showing they didn’t mind. After opening the gift, they looked at Lan You Nian in shock. Yue Bai Lian was ill at ease as she said, “This, this is too precious!”
The wedding gift Lan You Nian gave the two was a pair of auspicious dragon and phoenix jade pendants. The texture and quality of the jade would be rare to see even in the palace. Lan You Nian obtained it inadvertently and now felt it was perfect to give it to them.
“What precious or not? Things are meant to be given to others. As long as you two like it!” Lan You Nian smiled. Then remembering something joyous, she said to Yue Bai Lian, “I bought some tasty foods at Jiangnan. Later I’ll have Lan Qu bring them over. You definitely haven’t tasted them before!”
“Really? I heard Jiangnan was very beautiful? Is it true?” Yue Bai Lian asked enviously.
The two women started to chatter about those eats, things they use, and those they play, completely ignoring the two men who wore indulgent expressions. After the two finished chattering, they saw Feng Xia Qi and Feng Yi Xuan watching they talk without saying a word. Yue Bai Lian bashfully quieted while Lan You Nian stuck out her tongue as she obediently sat on Feng Yi Xuan’s lap, without the image of an aristocratic lady of the boudoir.
“His Majesty should be about to install a Crown Prince right?” Lan You Nian asked, unconcerned. Amongst the princes of the imperial family, Feng Shao Chu definitely has no more chance. Feng Yi Xuan had no interest in the throne. They were only left with Feng Xia Qi.
Feng Xia Qi shook his head, “We can’t be sure for the moment. The officials in court has submitted memorials to Imperial Father to install a Crown Prince but Imperial Father hasn’t shown any intentions towards this. Imperial Father’s att.i.tude was very strange!” Feng Xia Qi didn’t conceal anything in front of his own people. Even if he didn’t want that position, he will sit on it. Imperial Father once thought so, but now once they’ve gotten rid of the Empress’s Faction, Imperial Father showed no action. Feng Xia Qi felt curious about this.
Feng Yi Xuan stroked Lan You Nian’s black and s.h.i.+ny long hair, his voice cold as he said, “Has something strange happened in the imperial palace?”
Feng Xia Qi considered it. Recently there hasn’t been anything happening in the imperial palace. Everything gave off the feeling of calm. But Yue Bai Lian thought on it and said, “Recently Imperial Father conferred a Consort, called Consort Tao. I heard the people of the palace secretly gossip that Imperial Father greatly favored this newly promoted consort!”
Yue Bai Lian has married Feng Xia Qi. Feng Xia Qi was concerned about matters of court but Yue Bai Lian paid attention to the matters of the imperial harem. Though there wasn’t love between the two, there wasn’t any lacking in friends.h.i.+p. The two had a great partners.h.i.+p. Yue Bai Lian already considered this her home while Feng Xia Qi considered Yue Bai Lian as the woman who will accompany him for the rest of his life.
Once Yue Bai Lian mentioned this, Feng Xia Qi also remembered and frowned as he said, “This matter is indeed unusual. All these years, Imperial Father hasn’t done a candidate selection much less confer a consort. This one is too unexpected!” Ever since the former Empress pa.s.sed away, Emperor Feng Xuan kept his distance from women. Those consorts were still the original ones. Additionally, as Imperial Father aged, there hasn’t been a woman added to the harem.
“Have you found who this person is?” Feng Yi Xuan’s face was ugly as he said this. He already held hatred towards Emperor Feng Xuan and now Emperor Feng Xuan’s att.i.tude made Feng Yi Xuan loathe him even more. He will never forget his Imperial Mother’s death.
Speaking of this matter, Yue Bai Lian also felt strange. She pondered as she said, “Speaking of which, it’s quite strange. We have never seen this Consort Tao, nor has anyone in the palace seen this Consort Tao, but I heard this Consort Tao is very beautiful!”
Lan You Nian put down the pastry in her hand, saying worriedly, “It looks like there’s something off with this Consort Tao. We should go take a look!”
“I once went to pay my respects to this Consort Tao but unfortunately I was refused without an audience.” Yue Bai Lian said. Since she was now Feng Xia Qi’s wife, once she noticed this matter, she went to inquire into it but wasn’t allowed an audience. This Consort Tao was protected very well.
Feng Yi Xuan’s eyes flashed upon hearing this. Pondering, he said, “I heard it will be Lan manor’s Old madame’s birthday in a few days?” He was asking Lan You Nian. Feng Yi Xuan paid attention to everything concerning Lan manor and Lan You Nian.
Lan You Nian nodded and smiled, “I understand!” Everyone in the hall was wary and vigilant against this Consort Tao who hasn’t revealed her face. For a woman to evade their investigation and obtain the Emperor’s affection, she certainly wasn’t a simple woman. It’s unknown why this woman has come here.
——
Today was General Lan manor’s Old Madame’s birthday. Lan manor was usually was very low-key. No one knew why this birthday was made such a fanfare of. They heard even the Emperor was invited by General Lan. In this world, who would go invite the Emperor?
Actually, General Lan didn’t want to. Originally, he wanted to celebrate Old Madame’s birthday by eating a meal as a family, so how could he go invite the Emperor? But he couldn’t withstand against his precious daughter who let him go invite. When General Lan heard Lan You Nian wanted to do this, he went into the palace to invite the Emperor without rejecting. And Emperor Feng Xuan agreed.
The strangest was the Old Madame. Because she enraged Lan You Nian last night, she was imprisoned in the backyard. Every day, she was so fearful she didn’t dare make trouble. Her son no longer came to see her. Though her food and drink wasn’t shortened, the master of Lan manor’s backyard was now that junzhu. But this junzhu wasn’t at all respectful towards her. Old Madame thought she’ll go on like this until the end of her life but she didn’t expect her birthday to be so grand.
Those officials who Lan Jian Jun had a good relations.h.i.+p with at court have already arrived at Lan manor. Those young masters and young ladies of the younger generation seemed to have all arrived. Higher up in the banquet hall, around a table sat several n.o.ble men and women of the upper circles.
“Has the Old Madame been settled down recently?” Lan You Nian asked.
“En, There hasn’t been any problems but from the looks of Old Madame today, she likely won’t be so peaceful!” Hua Mu Qing said, not feeling afraid at all.
“Say, will His Majesty bring that Consort Tao here?” Yu Liu Li asked curiously. This was a birthday of the family of an official. A consort was unlikely to attend.
Feng Xia Qi took a sip of the tea, answering, “He will definitely bring that woman!” Because he and A’Xuan deliberately caused a ruckus in the palace to harm Consort Tao. Imperial Father must know about it. Imperial Father won’t be rea.s.sured about leaving that woman in the palace alone so the best way was to bring her along.
Not long after, a sharp voice sounded, “Announcing his Majesty!” Everyone ceremoniosly performed a greeting. Lan You Nian looked at Consort Tao beside the Emperor.
Consort Tao wore an auspicious cloud patterned brocade jacket. Underneath was a pleated flowery skirt. A pair of gold jeweled half-winged b.u.t.terfly hairpins were inserted in her hair. a pair of monolid phoenix eyes contained a smile. Skin like fat, face fair, smiling without words, a smart calculation between the eyebrows. With one glance, one would know this was a shrewd person but this wasn’t what caught Lan You Nian’s attention but rather, though clearly Lan You Nian has never seen this woman, she kept feeling an inexplicable familiarity.
“Rise!” Emperor Feng Xuan said.
Feng Yi Xuan who was standing beside Lan You Nian frowned. Beause Feng Yi Xuan was holding her hand, Feng Yi Xuan’s grip tighted which made Lan You Nian feel pain. Lan You Nian turned her head to see Feng Yi Xuan’s eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with a frightful rage. This rage was directed at Emperor Feng Xuan and Consort Tao.
Lan You Nian’s eyes turned towards Feng Xia Qi. Sure enough, Feng Xia Qi’s face wasn’t looking any better. The gentle smile he always wore on his face was replaced by the a livid expression. Beside him, Yue Bai Lian looked worriedly at Feng Xia Qi.
“Xuan?” Lan You Nian softly murmured. Feng Yi Xuan’s enraged expression instantly became indifferent. Looking at the little hand held in his was already starting to bruise, his heart ached. He didn’t expect to cause Nian Nian’s hand to turn into this.
Feng Yi Xuan immediately stroked Lan You Nian’s bruising little hand, his voice filled with self-blame, “Does it hurt? I…”
“I’m fine!” Lan You Nian broke off Feng Yi Xuan’s apology. She can tell Feng Yi Xuan was in a bad mood. They’ve known each other for so long. Besides towards anything concerning her, Lan You Nian has never seen Feng Yi Xuan so enraged.
“Imperial Father, who is this young lady?” Yue Bai Lian asked, regarding Feng Xia Qi’s expression. She deliberately said this to let Feng Xia Qi retract his expression. This wasn’t in their manor. They couldn’t show any weakness in front of this woman of unknown origins.
Feng Xia Qi recovered his gentle appearance as Yue Bai Lian was asking her question. He glanced at Feng Yi Xuan. Both their gazes displayed a merciless rage but both person were elusive so besides Lan You Nian and Yue Bai Lian, no one noticed the strangeness of the two.
Emperor Feng Xuan looked at the woman, eyes gentle, “This is this emperor’s beloved consort Consort Tao!”
With these words, everyone performed a greeting, “Respects to Consort Tao!” They all understood this Consort Tao’s position in the emperor’s heart. For many years, the Emperor hasn’t favored any consorts. This woman looked like another person. Based on these looks, she was able to obtain the Emperor’s love.
Consort Tao smiled charmingly and wrapped her arm around Emperor Feng Xuan’s arm saying coquettishly, “It looks like this is Lan manor’s eldest young miss. You sure are unparalleled in beauty. I’m afraid there is no woman in this world who can compare!”
Though Consort Tao’s words were not wrong, this provoked many women’s jealous hearts at the banquet. Who would like a girl who looked prettier than them? And this was a girl who had the background and the looks. If it wasn’t because of Lan You Nian’s ident.i.ty, who knew how many young ladies who look for trouble with her?
“Many thanks for the consort’s praise. This humble girl thinks consort is extraordinarily beautiful, like…” Lan You Nian seemed to not be able to find the word to describe her, her voice carrying the sincerity of a praise but Feng Yi Xuan took over for her, “Like a woman from the redlight district!”
With Feng Yi Xuan’s words, everyone quieted. No one expected Prince Ming to compare the Emperor’s consort to a post.i.tute and even dared to say it out loud. Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound, afraid something horrifying would happen.
“A’Xuan, imperial thought you usually were bad with words but this comparison is really fitting!” Feng Xia Qi laughed, his gaze filled with murderous intent looking at Consort Tao, instantly letting those officials who wanted to fawn over Consort Tao to know the strife between Consort Tao and the two princes.
“You, “Consort Tao’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Feng Xia Qi and Feng Yi Xuan as she wept to the Emperor, “this concubine knows she has no right to be a consort but this concubine only wishes to serve by His Majesty’s side. No matter how lacking this concubine is, the two princes shouldn’t shame this concubine!”
Emperor Feng Xuan’s heart ached as he held Consort Tao, his gaze towards his two sons were filled with a slight displeasure. Feng Yi Xuan had no feelings towards the Emperor’s gaze. Whether the Emperor was displeased or hated him, he didn’t care, but Feng Xia Qi was different. Feng Xia Qi had expectations for this Imperial Father, so Emperor Feng Xuan’s gaze made Feng Xia Qi’s eyes hurt. Closing his eyes, once his eyes reopened, they have already recovered, but the last of the feelings between father and son was broken by Emperor Feng Xuan’s very own hands.
“Eh, old four and old sixth usually speak without thinking. Beloved consort shouldn’t mind them!” Emperor Feng Xuan pat Consort Tao’s hand, saying tenderly. Then he said to Feng Xia Qi and Feng Yi Xuan, “You two aren’t little anymore. Old four already has an official consort and old six is already engaged. There are some things you shouldn’t say!”
Feng Yi Xuan remained silent. Imperial brother was much better at battling with words, not that he didn’t know how, but that he didn’t have any good feelings for the Emperor nor did he want to fight over anything. In Feng Yi Xuan’s eyes, he hasn’t had an Imperial Father in a long time. He only had his Consort Mother who has pa.s.sed.
“Imperial Father has misunderstood subject son. Subject son is merely stating the truth!” Feng Xia Qi pulled on Yue Bai Lian’s hand, “It’s fine if a small consort follows Imperial Father out of the palace but to act so improperly with the empire’s emperor out in public, if this isn’t a brothel woman’s style, what is it?”
Hearing this, everyone looked towards Consort Tao. Sure enough, they saw Consort Tao stickily hugging the Emperor’s arm. This posture, if this was in a normal official’s family, it was allowable, but as an empire’s Emperor, this was inappropriate. As His Majesty’s consort, she should lead by example. Maybe she act like this in the palace but now she’s in an official’s home, to do this in front of the martial and scholarly officials, isn’t this a brothel woman’s style?
Consort Tao knew her att.i.tude made many of the officials dissatisfied, as she hastily dropped the arm wrapped around the Emperor and knelt, “It is this concubine in the wrong. This concubine considers His Majesty this concubine’s sky, this concubine’s husband, but has forgotten His Majesty is Feng empire’s Emperor. This concubine has overstepped. Please ask His Majesty for punishment!”
Consort Tao’s words were measured just perfectly and put herself in the position of a woman. Lan You Nian’s lips curled. This Consort Tao was indeed not a good one. Looking at the Emperor’s even more sympathetic expression, one would know this Consort Tao’s words have worked.
At this time, Jing manor’s marquis Jing Leng stood up, looking at Consort Tao, “A small consort can say the Emperor is her husband? The only one who can say so is the Empress. Does this Consort Tao wish to be the Empress?”
Jing Leng’s words confused many because most of the time Jing Leng didn’t say much concerning these matters, but Lan You Nian glanced at Consort Tao’s face and then remembered the other’s sudden rage and had a suspicion in her heart and felt even more heartache for Feng Yi Xuan.
Lan You Nian’s hand in Feng Yi Xuan’s big hands s.h.i.+fted slightly as her eyes looked towards him. At a glance, they were filled with heartache and worry. Feng Yi Xuan’s heart warmed. His bad mood instantly became better.
“I’m fine!” Feng Yi Xuan comfortingly smiled. He was only enraged the moment he saw Consort Tao but it was only for a moment. He now had Nian Nian. He was already very happy.
“Marquis Jing!” Emperor Feng Xuan lowly reprimanded, dissatisfied with Jing Leng’s accusation. Additionally with Consort Tao’s greivious and dependent gaze, it made Emperor Feng Xuan feel more pity for Consort Tao. He wasn’t unaware why everyone had such hostility towards Consort Tao, but remembering Consort Tao was only a young woman of twenty, she didn’t know anything yet she had to endure all this, this was unfair for Consort Tao.
“What’s wrong, Imperial Father?” Feng Xia Qi stood up, the smile unchanged. “Uncle’s words aren’t wrong at all. Since she is Imperial Father’s consort, Imperial should have a mama teach her. This is Feng empire. If she was in front of the delegates of other empires, she’ll lose the face of our Feng Empire!”
Emperor Feng Xuan looked at his son, knowing his son wasn’t feeling so well in his heart either and suppressed the rage inside. To the General Lan who didn’t say a word he said, “Eunuch Lu, put down Lan manor’s Old Madame’s gift. This emperor still has affairs to handle in the palace and will be returning!”
Under everyone’s respectful departing words, he headed out of Lan manor but before leaving, he said to Feng Yi Xuan, “Old six, come tonight to the palace!”
Once the Emperor left, everyone relaxed and the previous atmosphere disappeared. The several princes and others recovered their usual appearance. Some older officials already understood what has happened but some younger officials were still confused.
As for the Old Madame, she angrily looked at Lan You Nian and the others. In Old Madame’s eyes, for the Emperor and the consort to come to her birthday banquet, it was the greatest honor, but it was ruined by the princes this granddaughter of hers was good friends with, making it so that she the host was forgotten. Old Madame remembered her mouth that would hurt every day and grinded her teeth with hate at Lan You Nian. If she wasn’t afraid, she would have thought of a way to kill this granddaughter. She really was an unlucky star!
The atmosphere of Lan You Nian’s table as a little quiet. No one knew what to say. A birthday banquet ended with such unclarity…