Chapter 70 Broken Jade
70 Broken Jade
Whoosh—
A bone-chilling wind howled and crackled against the branches.
The cold wind burrowed into her collar and the British d.u.c.h.ess shuddered. Her dazed eyes were focused again, and her mind returned to the present.
She came to her senses and it was only at this moment that she realized that she had said everything she shouldn’t have.
!!
Her heart was pounding uncontrollably, and she was fl.u.s.tered. She did not understand what had just happened to her. Why had she blurted out everything!
Was she possessed by a ghost?!
Thump thump thump!
Feeling uneasy, the British d.u.c.h.ess looked around anxiously and felt a cold wind blow past her.
“Mingfeng…” She wanted to remedy the situation and explain, but she felt a burning sensation in her right sleeve. It was so hot that it was as if a flame was burning.
The British d.u.c.h.ess let out a soft cry and quickly took out the phoenix-patterned jade pendant from her sleeve pocket. She realized that the suet white jade pendant had shattered into seven or eight pieces. The fragments of the jade pendant were so hot that they almost burned her.
How could this be?! The British d.u.c.h.ess was shocked and bewildered. She felt as if countless ants were drilling through her heart and did not notice Fang Mingfeng’s ugly expression at all.
Fang Mingfeng’s eyes were red as he clenched his fists tighter and tighter, his joints cracking.
Kang w.a.n.g, it was Kang w.a.n.g Chu You again!
What could he not compare to Kang w.a.n.g?!
In the next moment, he could not help but think of what Gu Yanfei had said back then.
“Fang Mingfeng, in terms of status, you can’t compete with Kang w.a.n.g.”
“In terms of looks… What do you plan to use to compete with Kang w.a.n.g?”
That disdainful voice pierced Fang Mingfeng’s heart like a nail, filling his heart with excruciating pain.
It was also as if he had been pushed into a bottomless abyss from behind. Fang Mingfeng felt that his surroundings were dark and cold, completely engulfing him, making him unable to see any hope.
His throat was filled with a fishy sweetness.
He vomited a mouthful of blood from his throat, staining his thin lips red.
“Mingfeng!” The British d.u.c.h.ess shouted in shock, her heart aching. “Quick… quickly get a doctor.”
Worried about her son, she forgot about the broken jade pendant in her hand. The pieces of the jade pendant slipped out of her hand and fell to the ground, but no one paid attention to them.
The surrounding servants were in chaos.
Fang Mingfeng pretended not to hear her and rushed out. Behind him, the British d.u.c.h.ess shouted in a trembling voice, “Mingfeng, where are you going!”
He was going to settle scores with Kang w.a.n.g! Fang Mingfeng stumbled out of the residence. The doorkeeper and the other servants were at a loss and hesitant, not knowing if they should stop him, until a loud and dignified male voice came from the northwest.
“Men, capture the Crown Prince!”
A young and rough-looking man in a sapphire blue brocade robe strode over. He had a beard and a strong, burly figure. As he walked over, he stared coldly at Fang Mingfeng with bright eyes.
Behind the man was a pageboy who was panting. Just now, when he saw the Crown Prince hurt the guard and run out, he quickly ran to report to the Duke. Fortunately, he was not too late.
“Yes, Duke!” The guards hurriedly cupped their fists at the man in the embroidered robe and accepted the order.
The guards no longer hesitated and boldly stepped forward to stop Fang Mingfeng. They did not hold back at all and firmly restrained his arms.
“Let go of me! I want to find Chu You!” Fang Mingfeng’s heart was filled with anger and jealousy. He roared hysterically and struggled, revealing the left side of his face that was covered in thin, abnormally ferocious scars.
The British Duke frowned and waved his hand. The guards immediately understood and forcefully dragged Fang Mingfeng down.
“…” The British d.u.c.h.ess looked at her son’s back and hesitated. In the end, she did not dare to plead for her son.
The British Duke’s heavy gaze shifted to the British d.u.c.h.ess again. Noticing the pieces of jade pendant scattered by her skirt, he took a second look.
“My Lord…” The British d.u.c.h.ess quickly took a step away, her long skirt blocking the broken jade pendants.
The British Duke didn’t want to listen to her nonsense at all and interrupted her. “Well?”
The British d.u.c.h.ess gritted her teeth nervously. Cold sweat broke out on her back, and frustration, anger, and suppressed emotions filled her chest.
She pretended to be calm and said in a low voice, “You asked me to go to the Gu family, so I went. Kang w.a.n.g also came… As you wished.”
She gritted her teeth as she said the last few words. She glared angrily at the British Duke, her body trembling with anger.
In the past few days, not only had Fang Mingfeng been depressed, but so had the British d.u.c.h.ess. It was as if the world had suddenly reversed overnight and the person beside her had become a stranger who terrified her.
She really did not understand why he wanted her to go to the Gu family to be humiliated for no reason!
Fortunately, her trip this time was not fruitless. At least she had retrieved the jade pendant…
A strange glint flashed across the British d.u.c.h.ess’ eyes, and her plump chest heaved violently. She looked up into the British Duke’s eyes and said, “Fang Huairui, our son is going to become the laughing stock of the entire capital. Are you happy and satisfied?”
Fang Huairui’s gaze was like a knife stabbing at the British d.u.c.h.ess. Cold air filled the air as their gazes met fiercely in midair in a silent showdown.
An extremely complicated emotion flashed across Fang Huairui’s eyes, and in the end, there was only deep disappointment.
He flicked his sleeves heavily and walked in the direction of the outer study. “Madam Yu, don’t go out for no reason.”
This sentence was equivalent to a grounding order for the British d.u.c.h.ess.
“…” Madam Yu trembled in embarra.s.sment and anger.
She wanted to chase after him, but her years of upbringing made her unable to let go of her pride as a daughter of an aristocratic family. In the end, she did not move.
Her face flushed and she felt as if the servants around her were looking at her with thorns.
“Bang!”
The door of the British Mansion closed tightly, shutting out the commotion in the mansion. Outsiders were not allowed to snoop, but it could not stop them from gossiping.
Today, the British d.u.c.h.ess had gone in a flashy manner, so almost half of the capital knew that the Fang family had gone to the Gu family to propose an engagement. Now that the British d.u.c.h.ess had returned with all the engagement gifts, it made people wonder if the Gu family had rejected this marriage.
...
Logically speaking, for the marriage to reach this stage, the two families must have been discussing the marriage long ago. It was impossible for the British Monarchy to come and propose marriage for no reason.
Especially with Kang w.a.n.g’s sudden intrusion, this marriage was the focus of heated discussion.
In the next few days, everyone in the capital could not help but make guesses. All kinds of rumors spread like wildfire and became more and more lively. There were even busybodies who ran to the British Monarchy to test the waters. Unfortunately, the British Monarchy closed its doors and refused guests.
Many people were waiting to watch a good show. They were looking forward to seeing if there would be some melodramatic scene between Kang w.a.n.g and the British Monarchy.
The British Duke Fang Huairui, who was the center of public opinion, finally left the residence and entered the palace after three days.
He did not go to court, but was led all the way to the East Warm Pavilion by the eunuch.
“Your Highness, the matter has been settled.”
Fang Huairui lowered his head and solemnly cupped his fists at the person behind the desk.
An incense burner was lit in the corner, filling the air with the thick scent of sandalwood.
Behind the desk, Chu Yi sat leisurely in a red brocade robe.
...