Chapter 494: Chapter 364: Annulment of the Engagement
Upon the sight of Old Sir Mu, Xue Pianran quickly stood up. Despite her status as a Heavenly Maiden, she was well aware of the significant position this elder held in the hearts of Feng Xun and Emperor Qing.
"Grand Tutor Mu."
"Heavenly Maiden, I have long resigned from my office and am no longer a ’Grand Tutor’. You may simply call me Housekeeper Mu. You must be looking for Prince Feng. However, he entered the Imperial Palace early this morning and isn’t currently in the residence."
Who would have thought that the amiable-looking Housekeeper Mu was once the Grand Tutor of Beiqing?
No wonder Feng Xun has always referred to Old Sir Mu as his teacher.
For Feng Xun, who had lost his parents, Old Sir Mu was not only his mentor but also like a grandfather.
Xue Pianran encountered a subtle rebuff and did not dare to ask more, merely forcing a smile.
"I am not here to see Prince Feng. I am here to see Lady Ye of the residence. Last night, I was rash with my words and may have offended Lady Ye, who, I heard, was injured. I have specially brought some Elixir Pills today to visit her."
Though Xue Pianran spoke gently, Housekeeper Mu frowned slightly upon hearing this.
"Heavenly Maiden, Lady Ye’s injuries are minor. Prince Feng has already instructed that no one should disturb Lady Ye while he is away. Besides, Lady Ye is currently studying in the accounting room and does not have time to meet outsiders."
As the former Grand Tutor of Beiqing, Old Sir Mu’s words were sharp, and his speech implied deeper meanings. With his few words, Xue Pianran’s beautiful and nearly flawless face gradually lost its color.
Not only Feng Xun but even Housekeeper Mu acknowledged Ye Lingyue’s identity.
She was studying in the accounting room of Feng Residence, which was a crucial place. The importance of even the account books being checked by her was not lost on Xue Pianran.
"Housekeeper Mu, do you also think that an ordinary woman from Daxia is more suitable to be the mistress of Feng Residence than I am? Even though that woman cannot bear children for Feng Residence?"
At this moment, Xue Pianran could no longer contain herself.
Master Hong Ru had long declared that Prince Feng’s Cold Syndrome could not be fully cured, and only a woman with a unique constitution like Xue Pianran could bear his children.
This was also why Emperor Beiqing initially designated Xue Pianran.
No matter how much Feng Xun liked that Xia Woman, if she could not bear children for him, it was in vain.
"Heavenly Maiden, Lady Ye is the most suitable person for Prince Feng. She is no ordinary woman; she is a princess of Daxia by another surname. In Daxia, she and Prince Feng have also experienced many twists and turns, showing their true feelings amid adversity. Prince Feng has been lonely for over a decade, and the only person he truly loves is Lady Ye. Furthermore, it is not just you who is the most suitable for Prince Feng. Lady Ye had previously taken care of Prince Feng, and they have already shared a sleeping chamber. Her medical skills can also alleviate Prince Feng’s Cold Syndrome. If you genuinely like Prince Feng, you should consider more for him." Housekeeper Mu had not expected Xue Pianran, a woman kept in seclusion, would speak so frankly for Prince Feng.
With the conversation having reached this point, Housekeeper Mu hoped that Xue Pianran would know when to retreat.
Prince Feng’s entry into the palace was specifically to dissolve his engagement with Xue Pianran, and Housekeeper Mu hoped she would come to terms with it sooner.
On hearing about the shared sleeping chamber, Xue Pianran stepped back several steps, her face in shock.
Feng Xun had allowed that woman to share his sleeping chamber?
Even when she had cared for him all night during his childhood episodes of Cold Syndrome, Feng Xun never allowed her to stay in his room, let alone share his bed.
Xue Pianran’s eyes slowly dimmed, and with a sorrowful smile, tears fell as she ran out of the Feng Residence.
Housekeeper Mu could only shake his head.
Xue Pianran’s arrival was completely unbeknownst to Ye Lingyue, who was in the accounting room.
By the time evening came, Feng Xun had returned to the Prince Manor.
Housekeeper Mu hurriedly met him and reported everything about Xue Pianran’s visit today.
"Thanks to the Prince foreseeing the Heavenly Maiden’s visit again, as per your instructions, after I replied to her, she left. I think she will not come to entangle us anymore." Housekeeper Mu also admired his own Prince for his ability to predict even what Xue Pianran would come to say and do.
"If she were to give up just like that, she wouldn’t be Xue Pianran. I thought about what she would do, and she guessed what I would do. I fear that before she came to Feng Residence last night, she might have already met with the Emperor." Feng Xun rubbed his temples, his eyes showing a trace of pale blue.
His engagement to Xue Pianran, was indeed a big mistake.
Dissolving the engagement, which involved relations between the Emperor Beiqing and Dan Palace, was no easy matter.
"Could it be, Your Majesty did not agree to the Prince’s request?" Housekeeper Mu asked anxiously upon hearing this.
"It’s not that he didn’t agree, His Majesty said, unless I can prove that Ling Yue is indeed the most suitable woman for me. He would allow me to marry both Xue Pianran and Ling Yue. Whichever can bear the legitimate eldest son of Feng Residence will be the future lady of the household," Feng Xun said, his expression slightly somber.
To marry both Ye Lingyue and Xue Pianran?
Housekeeper Mu was astonished. While it seemed an unheard proposal, upon further thought, it did reflect the Emperor Beiqing’s thorough consideration.
Feng Xun was the sole heir of Feng Residence, a huge inheritance naturally required many descendants.
His unique constitution made everything more complicated, not just producing offspring, even the choice of a bride had to be extremely cautious.
The Emperor Beiqing also took into account, in case Ye Lingyue could not provide him with descendants, at least there would be Xue Pianran.
Moreover, this way, it would not offend Dan Palace either; indeed, it seemed a perfect solution.
"My lord, the imperial decree is hard to defy. Perhaps you can consider His Majesty’s suggestion, marry both without distinction of rank. If you do not favor the Heavenly Maiden, you need not touch her. After a year, if Miss Ye has offspring, the problem would then be resolved," Housekeeper Mu suggested after weighing the options.
"Old teacher, you are muddle-headed. Doing this would be unfair to Ling Yue. If I marry her, I would grant her the position of the lady of Feng Residence, and the Phoenix Token can belong only to her. What I want is a soulmate, to stay together until our hair turns white; she has to be the only one," Feng Xun spoke resolutely.
Even a year, he was unwilling to wait.
Housekeeper Mu, fully aware of his young master’s temperament, dared not persuade further.
"There’s no need to tell Ling Yue about Xue Pianran’s matter for now. Where is she at this moment?" Feng Xun’s mood lightened slightly when he thought of Ye Lingyue.
During the day, while he was in the Imperial Palace, his mind was filled with thoughts of her.
Her every word and smile, the way her soft hair and lips felt against him last night, her eyes as clear as water.
Even though it had only been a few hours since they parted, he was already crazily longing to see her, even refusing Emperor Qing’s invitation to stay for a meal, rushing back to his residence instead.