Chapter 1042 Worries of the Sisters

　　There was originally five of them sisters, but two of them were not here this year. Bai Furong and Ren Xifeng have gone to Ji An Prefecture, making Xuan Tiange and Feng Tianyu very envious. Feng Yuheng told the two of them: “I’m afraid it’s too late to leave now, if not all of you could go out and avoid this.”

　　Xuan Tiange said listlessly: “Tianyu can go, but I can’t. In the end, I am a royal princess, it’s too hard for me to make a trip.”

　　But Feng Tianyu said: “Why do I feel that it’s not easy for me to leave either? Even for Xifeng, if not for the fact she left early and quickly, it might be really as what Ah-Heng said, it would already be too late.” She spoke, glanced at each of them, and spoke while lowering her volume: “Ah-Heng is already married and does not need to worry about it, but I have to remind all of you of one thing, be careful of that Eight Prince directing his attention towards us. Especially Tiange, you’re a princess, the only daughter of King Wenxuan, as for me, I am the daughter of the Right Prime Minister. The Eight Prince wants to control court politics and our two families are the biggest support which he cannot obtain, we should be wary about him aiming at us.”

　　Xuan Tiange frowned, the gears turning in her head, understanding a little, “You mean he might urge Uncle Emperor to use marriage connections to force our two families to have no other choice excepting swaying towards his side?”

　　Feng Tianyu nodded, her brows filled with worry, “You are his younger sister and do not need to worry about him having other thoughts, I’m just worried that until now, he has no marriage nor marriage contracts on him. If he directs his attention to the Right Prime Minister, at that time, should I hang myself or swallow poison? Or are there other ways to die?”

　　Xuan Tiange also felt a headache coming on and started worrying for herself: “He won’t be able to forge connections with me, but that does not mean he cannot help other people forge connections with me. Tianyu, with you saying this, I am starting to get worried!” After saying this, she even looked at Xiangrong, saying: “Xiangrong, your matters with Seventh Brother should be confirmed quickly, don’t think that you can be free of worry because the Feng family has no political power now. Don’t forget there is still your Second sister! Using you to threaten Ah-Heng, that is the most effective method.”

　　Xiangrong got chills all over her body because of what both of them said, but how was she supposed to have a good grasp of such matters? These few days, His Highness the Seventh Prince had shown a rather affectionate attitude towards her, but she always felt that this feeling was not real. Within the kind gestures Xuan Tianhua had directed towards her, some complex emotions would always be mixed in, emitting endless sorrow, such that Xiangrong was unable to fully relax and enjoy that care, so how could she talk about confirming or not confirming anything in the future.

　　Seeing those three being worried, Feng Yuheng did not know how to advise them either. Feng Tianyu’s worries were not baseless, she had thought about this matter a long time ago. Right now, Old Eighth was controlling the court, Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu was controlling the harem. If the two of them wanted to wield their power, then Xuan Tiange and Feng Tianyu who have not been betrothed would be the first to bear the brunt of it, becoming the targets chosen by the pair. Right now, the Emperor would listen to Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu for everything, as long as Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu said something, he would likely marry the two of them off tomorrow. And as of the various methods of dying mentioned by Feng Tianyu, those were clearly words said in anger. When that moment really comes, Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu had the Eight Prince had ways to make their lives hell yet be unable to seek death. Just threatening their families would be enough to make both of them compliant. For example, if the whole Right Prime Minister’s family would be killed if Feng Tianyu killed herself, would she still dare to die?

　　The few of them walked towards Jing Ci Palace while feeling gloomy to greet Her Highness the Empress. This was the first thing for the Madams and Young Misses to do when they enter the palace from Rui Gate for the imperial banquet every year. In the past, this main road leading to Jing Ci Palace would be the liveliest, packed with people until the end could not be seen, but it was different today. Quiet and deserted, those people heading towards Jing Ci Palace were so few that they could be counted on each hand.

　　A Granny showing the way sighed softly, speaking in frustration: “Most people went to Cun Shan Palace. Right now, the wind in the palace shifted too quickly, they rather greet Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu and not head to Jing Ci Palace. But the Empress is still the Empress, yes? With Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu being so bold, isn’t she afraid of retribution?”

　　Another Granny next to her quickly said: “Say it softly, if people around us hear this, we will get punished for it. Right now, everyone in the palace are on their side, it’s not the same as before.”

　　“It’s not an issue.” The Granny who spoke first waved her hand in dismissal, “The people who can walk on this path towards Jing Ci Palace are all our own people. Since they’re not going to Cun Shan Palace, they will naturally not spread these words out.”

　　Hearing these words, Feng Yuheng could not avoid feeling chills in her heart, but what could she do? If she was unable to make the Emperor return to the way he was before, everything would just be empty talk. Entering the palace today, not considering the fact that she had no choice but to come, she still wanted to try if she could bring Zirui out. Keeping Zirui in the palace was still a knot in her heart in the end. She was unable to protect him during all hours of the day, and was really nervous all the time, afraid that Zirui would get in some accident. She even thought, if she was unable to openly bring Zirui out today, then she would make another trip tomorrow night to steal Zirui out. And this dirty water, she would definitely pin it on Old Eighth’s head.

　　Finally, they reached Jing Ci Palace. Because there were so few people, they did not enter in batches and everyone entered together to greet the Empress. And the Empress did not show the area of the past days. Seeing the sparse number of people below her, she sighed in frustration, raised her head and said: “Stand up everyone, there are no outsiders here, so there is no need to follow the etiquette. For all of you to be able to come to this side today, This One is really heartened, but taking that away, This One is unable to wish anything for all of you. The Jade Palace is preparing now, and someone will come over after a while to invite all of you. Just make yourselves comfortable and wait.”

　　The Empress looked tired and did not have the heart to personally received the offered gifts. Fang Yi would receive them and hand them to a palace maid to place into storage. Everyone also knew that today was different from the past. Everyone was listless and gathered in small groups to chat softly.

　　The Empress gestured to Feng Yuheng and the others. Xuan Tiange led the way and approached, speaking to the Empress: “Imperial Mother wants me to tell Your Highness the Empress that shew as not feeling well, so she did not enter the palace today.” After saying this, she spread her arms, saying: “Your Highness should understand, the people at the palace gates are too much.”

　　The Empress had also heard about the matter at the palace gates. Unfortunately, she did not have that authority now, those palace guards are subordinates under the Eighth Prince and Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu, no one listened to her. So she only sighed, telling Xuan Tiange: “It’s good that she did not come, saving her the trouble to enter the palace only to get angry. Your Imperial Mother’s body had never been considered healthy, she should stay at home and rest. On the way back, This One will ask someone to get some warming and invigorating items for you to take home.”

　　Xuan Tiange nooded, “Thank you, Your Highness.” Then she went to the side, looking for a place to sit down. She knew, the Empress called them over mainly to speak to Feng Yuheng.

　　As expected, after the few of them exchanged some small talk, the Empress kept Feng Yuheng at her side, then asked Fang Yi to call for Zhang Yuan.

　　Feng Yuheng was rather surprised to see Zhang Yuan at Jing Ci Palace, then seeing that Zhang Yuan had become that skinny in such a short time and his two hands were swelling so much that he kept hiding them in his sleeves, it caused her to frown. The Empress told her: “This is an inevitable result from entering the Department of Guilty Servants. Zhang Yuan is considered rather good, not dying and having some sins pushed onto him. This One thinks that Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s side has the intent to torment him, so they kept him alive!” After saying this, she looked at Zhang Yuan again, shaking her head in exasperation, “Don’t hide your hands anymore, show them to Princess Yu. Right now, only Princess Yu dares to examine your injuries.” Saying this, she spoke to Feng Yuheng again: “This One pulled all my favours with the Emperor to bring him to Jing Ci Palace, thinking that if the Emperor wakes up one day, he should probably want to see this servant. Ah-Heng, see to his injuries, he was really tormented greatly in the Department of Guilty Servants.”

　　Feng Yuheng nodded, not saying anything, she looked towards the two hands Zhang Yuan held out and felt a myriad of emotions.

　　This Eunuch which had been so glorious, every time she saw this Zhang Yuan interact with the Emperor, she would feel it was full of bromance, but unexpectedly he had ended up in this state. She reached into her sleeve and pulled out ointment and oral medication for getting rid of infections, passing them to Zhang Yuan. This was no different from the medicine she gave before and Zhang Yuan understood how to use them with one look, quickly kneeling down in thanks. But Feng Yuheng supported him to his feet and said to him softly: “Preserve your life, believe me, the Emperor will wake up one day.”

　　This sentence from Feng Yuheng was the best medicine for Zhang Yuan. This sentence seemed to infuse him with life, causing this Eunuch to become energetic again. He wanted to say more to Feng Yuheng, but there were many people now and it was not good to say anything else, so he could only bow continuously in thanks. It was only when Feng Zhaolian floated out like a spirit while wearing red did he move towards to the back and stand at the position for the servants.

　　Feng Zhaolian did not see himself as an outsider at all, and sat directly next to the Empress, then waved towards Feng Yuheng: Ah-Heng, you came!”

　　Feng Yuheng wanted to scold him! What was this? The palace was this messed up, why did it look like this person surnamed Feng was a little chubbier? His complexion was rosier and he looked just like a lady in her youth, no matter how she looked…… he was attractive. He was really a demonic being! She mentally heaved a long sigh and looked over at Xiangrong. As expected, Xiangrong was staring at Feng Zhaolian, her hands squeezing her handkerchief, making it seem like water was going to be squeezed out.

　　Feng Zhaolian did not have the awareness as a love rival and even greeted Xiangrong: “Hi! Feng family’s third girl, nice to meet you! Why are you dressed so boringly today? Do you not know that His Highness the Seventh Prince likes red the most?”

　　With one sentence, Xiangrong’s face turned red immediately, and she simply lowered her head, ignoring him.

　　Feng Yuheng glared at Feng Zhaolian, saying: “If you mess with my younger sister, I’ll slap you.”

　　“Ah-Heng, you’re still so violent.” Feng Zhaolian said with a smile: “I’m just joking, don’t tell me you like the atmosphere being so gloomy? The days in the palace are hard and long, if we continue feeling down like this, how can a person live?” Saying this, he asked the Empress: “Don’t you think so?”

　　The Empress could not do anything about him, and would naturally ignore his blabbing, but she did have a piece of news to tell Feng Zhaolian.