Feng Mo Ran waved his hand, signaling Tian Hao to leave.
A gust of hot wind blew, rustling the pages of the book. Feng Mo Ran, however, remained indifferent, slowly closing his eyes as if lost in thought.
"Man'er, you must not disappoint me," Feng Mo Ran murmured. No matter how suspicious things seemed, he was willing to believe in Xiao Man, believing she had been deceived and was not genuinely opposing him.
The Silver Frost Flower was his test. He wanted to know if Xiao Man would defy his wishes and save Ye Qing, or rather, if Xiao Man would use the Silver Frost Flower. Only Du Gu Man knew how to use the Silver Frost Flower. If Xiao Man saved Ye Qing, it would mean that Xiao Man had been in contact with Du Gu Man without his knowledge!
Feng Mo Ran felt a sense of unease. During the time he had neglected Xiao Man, had Du Gu Man already extended her influence to Yusheng, and to Xiao Man's side? How much influence did Xiao Man have from her? Were the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry following her orders, lying in wait?
The more Feng Mo Ran thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. He could not let the situation continue to develop!
While Feng Mo Ran was tormented, he looked at the Gu worms in the box. These Gu worms were linked by blood to the Silver Frost Flower he had given to Xiao Man. If the Silver Frost Flower withered, the Gu worms would also die.
However, the deadline for Ye Qing's detoxification had already passed, yet the Gu worms were still alive and well, appearing even more vigorous than before.
Feng Mo Ran could not help but sigh with relief. Fortunately, Xiao Man had not betrayed him. He could not even imagine what he would do if Xiao Man had betrayed him.
Now, seeing that the Gu worms were safe, Feng Mo Ran's mood greatly improved. "Someone, bring food."
The palace servants, seeing Feng Mo Ran personally summon a meal, rejoiced and ordered the kitchen to prepare food. Because Feng Mo Ran's eating habits were irregular, the kitchen always had his favorite dishes ready so he could have them quickly whenever he desired.
The Empress Dowager truly doted on and indulged Feng Mo Ran. Whatever Feng Mo Ran liked, she would immediately move to Tantai Palace without a word. Whatever Feng Mo Ran disliked would never appear before him again.
This was also why, despite Feng Mo Ran holding the most favor in the harem, no one dared to cause him trouble. Those who had caused trouble had vanished, without a trace.
Upon hearing that Feng Mo Ran had a good appetite, the Empress Dowager was overjoyed and arrived just in time. Feng Mo Ran had just finished his meal. Perhaps it was because he was in a good mood, but Feng Mo Ran's attitude towards the Empress Dowager was also considerably softer.
Seeing him in a pleasant mood, the Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief. "Was today's meal to your liking?"
"It was good." Feng Mo Ran's tone was gentle, his usual prickliness nowhere to be seen. The Empress Dowager felt her heart bloom.
"At this morning's court, the ministers brought up the matter of enfeoffing an Imperial Husband." The Empress Dowager had been observing Feng Mo Ran's expression. Seeing him frown, she softened her tone further. "Now that you have returned to Tantai Palace, the honor that belongs to you should be returned."
"What honor belongs to me?" Feng Mo Ran asked languidly. He had been confined to Tantai Palace like a plaything, what honor could there be?
"Naturally, the position of Imperial Husband."
Feng Mo Ran sneered, "You have so many men in your harem, and countless more who wish to be your Imperial Husband. Give it to them as charity; I don't need it."
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly. "How can they compare to you? They are merely playthings I use for my amusement when I am lonely."
A cold glint appeared in Feng Mo Ran's eyes. Even though he now shared intimacy with the Empress Dowager, he was unwilling to share the title of husband and wife. He did not like the Empress Dowager. He hadn't liked her before, didn't like her now, and never would. No matter how well she treated him, he did not like her! Su Dan Novels Net.
"Am I not also a plaything in your hands?" Feng Mo Ran said coldly. "Why do you bother with a plaything, inviting ridicule?"
"A Ran, you know my feelings for you are sincere," the Empress Dowager said sadly. "For you, I betrayed my sister, betrayed my kin. Whatever you desire, I have done my utmost to provide. Can your heart truly not be warmed?"
"Did I force you to do these things?" Feng Mo Ran turned away, his voice becoming despondent. "Back then, we grew up together, childhood sweethearts, we were so close. Why did you have to destroy all of that?"
"It wasn't me who destroyed it, it was Lan Ruo Xian!" the Empress Dowager raised her voice. "She was the one who first betrayed you, made you heartbroken, made you humiliated, and became a laughingstock of all of Blue Moon. You don't blame her, and instead blame me!"
"Shouldn't I blame you?" Feng Mo Ran's eyes reddened. "If you hadn't instigated the palace coup..."
"Don't forget, it was you who said you wished she were dead!" the Empress Dowager retorted angrily. Seeing the two arguing, Cui Shang Gong quickly sent everyone away to prevent them from overhearing anything they shouldn't.
In the vast expanse of Tantai Palace, only the two of them remained, flushed with anger and glaring at each other.
"I said I wished she were dead, and you had to kill her?"
"Before, you didn't like the cat I kept, thought it was fat and unpleasant to look at. If I didn't get rid of the cat, you would avoid me, forcing me to kill my cat. You didn't like me wearing red clothes, said it was gaudy. If I wore red, you would pretend not to know me until I changed into a color you liked. I don't like mung bean cakes, you said if I didn't like what you liked, we shouldn't associate anymore. I've done my utmost to be the person you want, what more are you dissatisfied with?"
The Empress Dowager's appearance was ferocious. To her surprise, Feng Mo Ran ignored her and walked directly towards the bed. The Empress Dowager chased after him and blocked his path.
"Every time you don't want to answer, you hide. Do you think hiding will solve everything?"
"Move aside."
"I won't. Feng Mo Ran, hearts are made of flesh and blood. I've done so much for you. Even if your heart is made of iron, it should be warmed. But why do you still treat me like this?"
"Mind your bearing," Feng Mo Ran said disdainfully. "As a ruler of a nation, look at yourself, like a common shrew. Where is the dignity of royalty!"
"Yes, I am a common shrew. I'm not as gentle and considerate as my sister, nor as flamboyant and confident as Xiao Man. But in the end, only I love you!"
"Enough!" Feng Mo Ran raised his voice and pushed the Empress Dowager away. Caught off guard, she stumbled aside, knocking over a small porcelain vial on the bedside table. A fat worm crawled out. The Empress Dowager was startled, then grabbed a nearby porcelain pillow and smashed the worm to death.
Feng Mo Ran didn't even have time to stop her. His Gu worm was killed by the Empress Dowager's hand. Green fluid stained the white jade pillow, looking rather disgusting.