The Empress merely smiled, "After all, she was pampered and raised outside, so naturally, she cannot compare to a lady raised with royal upbringing. However, you see, my imperial husband dotes on her alone. No matter how much I dislike her, for Ah Ran's sake, I must be tolerant."
Hong Shanggong's face finally showed emotion, "Your Majesty, I have something to say, though I don't know if I should."
"If you shouldn't say it, then don't. I know you dislike him," the Empress said slowly. "But I simply like him. What can I do? After so many years, not only has my affection for him not waned, it has only grown stronger. I am beyond saving."
"Since Your Majesty likes him, keep him by your side. You are the ruler of a nation. Keeping someone by your side is an easy matter," Hong Shanggong said stiffly.
"A forcibly twisted melon is not sweet. I have always hoped he would willingly stay by my side."
"Your Majesty, whether a melon is sweet or not has nothing to do with whether it was forcibly twisted," Hong Shanggong made a twisting motion with her hand. "As long as the melon is ripe, whoever twists it, it's theirs. Only the one who eats it knows if it's sweet; outsiders can only envy."
The Empress was amused by Hong Shanggong's words and laughed heartily, "Yes, you are right. Whether a forcibly twisted melon is sweet or not, only the eater knows. Others can only envy! Now that he has returned, I certainly will not let him leave again."
Lately, Xiao Man's influence in the court had been subtly rising. Especially her good relationship with the Lord of Tantai Palace, which led many to believe this Princess Imperial had a promising future.
After the morning court, Xiao Man headed towards Tantai Palace. Going to Tantai Palace had become her daily routine.
Jing Yujun caught up to her, "Is the Princess Imperial going to curry favor with the people of Tantai Palace again?"
Xiao Man stopped and looked at Jing Yujun, "Has the General's injury fully healed?"
Jing Yujun frowned, "A person without virtue and benevolence is not fit to be the ruler of the world!"
"Are you saying His Majesty is without virtue and benevolence?" Xiao Man asked playfully. "Indeed, His Majesty killed his sister to seize the throne, massacred his maternal clan, and murdered loyal ministers. He is truly without virtue and benevolence. Is General Jing rebelling against His Majesty?"
Jing Yujun quickly looked around, sure that no one else was nearby, then lowered her voice and reprimanded, "You are audacious, to slander His Majesty!"
"General Jing, have I slandered His Majesty?" Xiao Man wore a friendly smile, yet in Jing Yujun's eyes, it was no different from that of a demon.
"You dare say His Majesty is without virtue..."
"General Jing, it was you who said His Majesty is without virtue and benevolence," Xiao Man reached out and patted Jing Yujun's shoulder. "People should age gracefully. Back then, General Tan was so majestic when commanding troops on the battlefield, annihilating the enemy."
"No matter how majestic, she is now a dead person!"
"Dead person?" Xiao Man sneered, cast a meaningful glance at Jing Yujun, and headed towards Tantai Palace. The bait had been cast; it was only a matter of time before the fish took it.
Jing Yujun stared at Xiao Man's receding back, filled with unease. It was common knowledge that Aunt Tan was dead. Why did Xiao Man have such an expression? Could it be that Aunt Tan was still alive?
As soon as Xiao Man entered the imperial harem, she encountered the Fourth Princess. The Fourth Princess was wearing court attire, indicating she had come directly after court without even changing her clothes.
"Princess Imperial."
"Fourth Princess," Xiao Man said with a friendly smile. "Is Fourth Princess also going to the imperial harem?"
"Yes, I heard there is a new master in Tantai Palace and was curious to see. However, I was not allowed in," the Fourth Princess said with a smile. "I heard that the Princess Imperial can enter and leave Tantai Palace freely. May I accompany the Princess Imperial to meet the master of Tantai Palace?"
"This might not be appropriate," Xiao Man hesitated. "Feng Langjun dislikes strangers."
The Fourth Princess walked alongside Xiao Man, "How can I be considered a stranger? We are sisters, after all, and will be family in the future. I am not a stranger."
Xiao Man lowered her head and remained silent, "However, His Majesty has decreed that no one is to disturb Feng Langjun..."
"If I accompany the Princess Imperial to pay our respects, it is not disturbing, merely visiting."
Xiao Man hesitated for a long time. Seeing that Xiao Man was wavering, the Fourth Princess seized the opportunity, "I promise I will not disturb Feng Langjun. I will only pay my respects. Tell me when you want to go, and I will leave, I guarantee I won't cause you trouble. Please take me with you. I recently obtained a Purple Yang Grass, I will give it to you later."
"In that case, I will bring the Fourth Princess. However, let's be clear, you must not offend Feng Langjun, nor should you clash with Feng Langjun, otherwise, I will suffer consequences too."
"No problem, I'll listen to you."
When Xiao Man brought the Fourth Princess to Tantai Palace, the guards were hesitant. His Majesty said not to stop the Princess Imperial from entering Tantai Palace, but the problem was that the Princess Imperial was bringing the Fourth Princess. They didn't know whether to stop them. While they hesitated, Xiao Man had already led the Fourth Princess inside.
Feng Moran was playing the zither in a pavilion. Silken veils danced, a beauty played the zither, and the melody flowed, piercing the heart. The Fourth Princess had always been curious about the appearance of the master of Tantai Palace, who was so cherished by the Empress.
Now, seeing him, even with a veil on his face, she could vaguely glimpse his exquisite beauty. Such grace, such looks, as if all the vibrant flowers in the garden had lost their color. The Fourth Princess was mesmerized.
Xiao Man glanced at the Fourth Princess from the corner of her eye, but did not remind her. She stood outside the pavilion, waiting for Feng Moran to finish the piece.
Feng Moran had already noticed Xiao Man's arrival. His gaze had been following Xiao Man, his fingers skillfully plucking the strings, pouring all his thoughts into the melody, hoping to be understood, to be accepted. Yet Xiao Man was always so gentle and compliant, making it impossible for him to fathom her thoughts.
When the piece ended, Feng Moran looked at the two figures beneath the pavilion. Xiao Man's expression was clear and smiling, while the other was in a daze, like a foolish maiden. He thought to himself, indeed, most women in the world are attracted to his face.
"Today's piece was a little sad," Xiao Man said with a beaming smile. "Are you unhappy?"
Feng Moran beckoned, signaling Xiao Man to come closer.
Xiao Man stepped forward and stood beside Feng Moran, her hand brushing over the zither strings. "I have always known your zither skills are superb. Listening today, I find it somewhat familiar, as if I have heard it somewhere before."
Feng Moran's eyes flickered. That was right. He had played it for her before when she was his master in the Imperial Palace of Yusheng, but back then, her heart and eyes were solely on Nangong Yu, and she could never understand his feelings.
"Lan Yuan greets the Lord," the Fourth Princess finally came to her senses. She quickly lowered her head to hide her失态 (loss of composure). So, this was the young man. No wonder the Empress wanted to keep him hidden. Even though she had seen many handsome men, she was still captivated by him.
"Why did you bring someone with you today?" Feng Moran asked curiously.