Chiyun Ping personally visited Wan"an Palace and requested to see Yan Feng. She feared that if she didn"t come to see him, he would completely forget about her.
Having learned to act more wisely, Chiyun Ping was no longer willful like she used to be; she let people announce her arrival to Yan Feng first. A short time later, Qi Shangming came out with a reply, "His Majesty is working on an important affair. In a while, he still has to hold a discussion on national matters with the officials in Qinzheng Hall. Esteemed Consort, please return to your palace first. When His Majesty finishes, he will call for you."
Chiyun Ping said, "Then, please pa.s.s my words to His Majesty that I have an important matter to discuss with him. This evening in Minghui Palace, I am making dinner myself, so I"m respectfully asking Majesty to honor me with his presence!"
Yan Feng was holding a teacup. He sipped from it absent-mindedly and didn"t even care to flipped the book in his hand. Cai Sang and Chun Xing each were using a horsetail whisk to meticulously dust the bookshelves. Yan Feng seemed greatly irritated as he hesitated to say something.
"Where is that servant girl Murong Zhining? Why haven"t I seen her for an entire day?"
Cai Sang carefully answered Yan Feng for fear of angering him, "She said that the side chamber had many paintings infested with worms due to poor preservation, so she went to take care of them herself."
Yan Feng flung the book aside. "There will be a managing eunuch to handle that kind of work over there. When is it her turn to act on her own initiative? She thinks that I don"t need to be served or something? You two go call her here. I"m accustomed to drinking the tea she makes."
Cai Sang and Chun Xing naturally understood Yan Feng"s true intentions. They tactfully left as told.
Murong Zhining entered the Imperial Study with a small pout. She respectfully served Yan Feng the tea, then stood at the side to wait.
Yan Feng only focused on his book. The two didn"t say a word for a very long time. After the time it took to burn half an incense stick, Yan Feng hurled the book on the table and angrily stood up. He looked intently at Murong Zhining. "Are you really so unwilling to be in one place with me? I, the emperor of a nation, actually have to bear with your bad mood?"
Murong Zhining bent her knees for a curtsy. "I am of lowly origin, a vulgar woman that has no knowledge of etiquette. I simply am not worthy of serving Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to grant me a favor and allow me to leave the palace."
Yan Feng heavily punched the table. "That"s all but excuses! You don"t want to stay here by my side because you want to go find that person who gave you the jade, am I right?"
Murong Zhining"s expression remained unchanged. "Yes, so I implore Your Majesty to let me leave the palace."
Hands clasped behind his back, Yan Feng exasperatedly paced back and forth around the study. He tried to force himself to suppress his rage. After a long time, with difficulty, he said between gritted teeth, "I"ve said this already, you will not leave my palace, so just give up on that idea of yours. After a few days, I will think of a decree to appoint you as my concubine."
Slightly lifting her skirt, Murong Zhining slowly knelt down before Yan Feng. "I came out of a brothel, and moreover, used to be raised at a sinned subject"s house as their daughter-in-law to be. With such an origin, I would be an embarra.s.sment to Your Majesty as your concubine. Not to mention, I"ve grown up to be unruly, and I don"t want to be restricted by all the rules in the palace. Your Majesty, please let me out of the palace lest I bring criticism and disgrace to your great name."
Yan Feng was truly conflicted right now. Over and over again, he tried to figure out Murong Zhining"s true idea. He wanted to know if she just couldn"t forget the person who gave her the jade pendant, or if she really felt unworthy of him, or if she simply didn"t want to be restrained by the palace rules. However, whichever result would only lead to one answer, that was, Murong Zhining didn"t love him, or she did but just not that much. Just thinking of this put his heart in torment.
In Minghui Palace, the maids and eunuchs were busy with preparation for the banquet. Chiyun Ping personally graced the kitchen to make two of Yan Feng"s favorite dishes. To cater to his pleasure, she really had to rack her brains this time. At the moment, she anxiously awaited his arrival.
Yan Feng took his time to arrive. He originally didn"t plan to come, but Chiyun Ping kept sending people to urge him. And also, he didn"t want to act too heartless.
With his hands crossed behind his back, Yan Feng majestically breezed into Minghui Palace. Chiyun Ping came out herself to welcome the emperor and pulled him into the courtyard. To the left of the pavilion in the middle was a big long marble table full of wine and food. The variety of dishes were exquisite and contained in luxurious tableware, capable of arousing people"s appet.i.te with just one glance.
Yan Feng was conscience-stricken as he looked at Chiyun Ping. "Beloved consort, why did you think of coming down to kitchen yourself today for me? I really cannot remember what occasion this is."
Chiyun Ping delivered some food to Yan Feng"s bowl. "I made this deep-fried squirrel fish myself, and also this lion"s head crab meatb.a.l.l.s ; they are all your favorite dishes. Your Majesty works indefatigably day and night for the country, you haven"t had time to see me in a very long time. I am worried that Your Majesty is tiring yourself out, so I"ve made these two dishes that you can enjoy. While we are at it, I will accompany Your Majesty for a few cups of wine to help relax your mood."
Yan Feng had no appet.i.te at all; he was still upset from the conversation with Murong Zhining today. Chiyun Ping poured a cup of wine and held it to his lips. Yan Feng found it difficult to refuse, so he accepted the cup and finished it in one gulp.
Chiyun Ping raised her cup and proposed a toast with Yan Feng. "I heard that recently, there are many reports impeaching General Chiyun. Your Majesty grew up playing with General Chiyun, so you are the one who understands him the best. While he does act a little bit rashly, he won"t run riot and commit unlawful deeds. I"m afraid that someone is trying to set him up."
Yan Feng was irritated by these words. "Beloved consort, have you forgotten that the Imperial Harem is not allowed to partic.i.p.ate in politics in any fashion?"
Seeing Yan Feng"s face sink Chiyun Ping instantly gave a smiling face, "I have made a mistake. I won"t dare to shoot my mouth off again. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
As the sky gradually darkened, the maids lit up the surrounding lanterns that had been arranged in advance. Then, they placed a silver candlestick of twelve candles on the table. In the light, the area was as bright as day. During the banquet, Chiyun Ping called for female entertainers to play the qin and liven up the atmosphere, only to remind Yan Feng of Murong Zhining. Down in the dumps, the emperor drained down one cup after another.
Next to him, Chiyun Ping accompanied Yan Feng as he drank and served food to his bowl. "Is Your Majesty troubled by something? Is it because of Miss Murong?"
Yan Feng squinted his tipsy eyes to look at Chiyun Ping. "You also think that Murong Zhining is of lowly origin and unworthy to be my concubine? Let me tell you all, I don"t care one bit about what you lot think of me."
Chiyun Ping"s tone couldn"t be more gentle and amiable, "Your Majesty, you"ve drunk too much. I didn"t mean that at all. I only want to help you think of ideas."
Yan Feng shook his head with a smile. "I know you too well, Ping"er. It"s impossible that you will provide me with any good ideas, you only know how to thwart me."
Chiyun Ping protested coquettishly, "Your Majesty, your consort sincerely wants to help you out. If Miss Murong keeps staying in Wan"an Palace without a valid reason as justification like this, rumors will arise sooner or later. If news of this reaches Her Esteemed Empress Dowager"s ears, Miss Murong won"t be allowed to remain by your side, that"s for certain. How about Your Majesty sends Miss Murong to Minghui Palace? I will take care of her in your stead and teach her about the palace rules. After a bit more time when everyone will have forgotten about the Zhuang Cheng case, I"ll find a chance to recognize her as my foster younger sister; then you will be completely justified in appointing her."
Yan Feng was a bit unable to hold out against the alcohol"s effect. Using his hand to prop his forehead, he repeatedly shook his head. "No. I won"t hand my Ning"er to anyone else, no way, absolutely impossible." Then, he stood up and called Qi Shangming, "Servant, I want to re… return to Wan"an Palace."
Chiyun Ping came up to support Yan Feng. "Rest a little first. You can go after the wine wears off. Or else, the wind will get you sick and your head will ache. I will have people make some hangover soup . Your Majesty can go rest in the room."
With two eunuchs supporting him, Yan Feng staggered into Chiyun Ping"s sleeping chamber. Chiyun Ping helped him lie down on bed and busily served him.
As Chiyun Ping took off his shoes, her heart ached as if a knife was being twisted in it. She knew that in Yan Feng"s heart, there was no longer a place for her anymore, and his mind was entirely on that girl Murong Zhining. Chiyun Ping gazed at the pa.s.sed out drunk emperor, a mix of complex feelings rose up in her heart. However, regardless of how Yan Feng treated her, she was still dead set on loving him.
Chiyun Ping rested her head on Yan Feng"s chest, one tear after another trickling down from her eyes. Yan Feng reached out his arms to hug her and gently called out, "Ning"er."
Chiyun Ping played make-believe and glued her lips on his, greedily absorbing his tenderness. Everyone thought that she got to h.o.a.rd all of Yan Feng"s love and favor to herself, but only she knew how miserable her love was.
Yan Feng"s tipsy eyes groggily opened. He saw Murong Zhining"s delicate face, as bright as the plum blossoms, smiling at him with nothing but tenderness. Not only did she smile to him, she even actively delivered her soft cherry lips to his. Losing his sanity in his love, Yan Feng pressed Murong Zhining"s head so that those lips tightly pressed up against his. He then used his tongue to forcibly pried open her jaws and stole from the delicious fragrance in her mouth. To his surprise, Murong Zhining actually gave up on resisting this time and obediently went with the flow. Yan Feng was extremely pleased.
He embraced her soft body and rolled to the side, then turned over to position himself above her. Murong Zhining didn"t push him away, she wrapped her slender arms around his neck and once again boldly pressed her lips onto his. And, what she got was an even more fervent response from Yan Feng.
The two were tightly entangled when a maid entered with the hangover soup. Seeing that she came at the wrong time, the maid hurriedly turned to leave. In her flurry, the maid slipped in her steps and the tray she was holding fell on the floor with a loud noise.
Startled, Yan Feng"s hangover was gone more than half. He suddenly realized that the person under him who he had been hugging and kissing was Chiyun Ping.
Yan Feng turned over and sat up on the edge of the bed, resting his head on his palm. Chiyun Ping also got off the bed. She shot the maid a glare and shouted, "Scram! Bring another bowl over." For a moment there, the atmosphere was awkward to a fault.
Yan Feng resumed aloofness and waved his hand. "No need, I am fine." He put on his shoes, fixed his outfit and exited the chamber. In the courtyard, Qi Shangming was standing there holding his horsetail whisk, awaiting orders. Yan Feng commanded without hesitation, "To Wan"an Palace."
Chiyun Ping ran to the door. Seeking support from the doorframe, she looked at the emperor"s resolved departing figure, her tears fell like rain.
Back in Wan"an Palace, Yan Feng went to the Imperial Study. Qi Shangming told Murong Zhining to deliver some hangover soup. The good eunuch truly had a knack for attending to the emperor"s wish. Shortly after, Murong Zhining entered with a cup of tea. Qi Shangming tactfully left the study, closing the door as he did so.
Murong Zhining offered the cup to Yan Feng. "This is from the new batch of Clouds and Mist tea leaves. It"s fresh and can cast out the greasy taste. I can tell that Your Majesty isn"t too drunk. Having some relieving green tea should do."
Yan Feng received the cup and took a sip. "Just exactly what I needed. I don"t like hangover soups." He turned to glance at Murong Zhining. Recalling that he had just confused her with Chiyun Ping, Yan Feng felt that he still hadn"t gotten enough of it.
He intentionally felt out Murong Zhining, "Today, I had dinner at the imperial n.o.ble consort"s place, she mentioned you. She seems to really like you and ask me to send you to Minghui Palace to serve her. Are you willing to?"
Murong Zhining mused on this for a bit. "Didn"t Your Majesty say you didn"t consider me a maid? I think that it"s most appropriate if Your Majesty lets me leave the palace."
Facing Murong Zhining, Yan Feng truly felt a helpless feeling when he didn"t know what to do. "Haven"t I told you to never mention leaving the palace again? Do you really feel so wronged when you stay by my side?"
Murong Zhining cast down her eyes. "This servant just aren"t worthy of such an honor. I beg Your Majesty to bestow upon me the favor I hope for, I will be forever grateful!"
Yan Feng threw the teapot and shouted, "Get out!"