FID – Chapter 235

All the way back to the palace the next evening, the boy was puffing with anger.

It was a rare moment that he wasn’t up to pleasing his Imperial Uncle and was instead clenching his hands to express his anger.

He worked all afternoon, only to know at the end of the day that it was all for nothing. Who wouldn’t be angry?

Was there such a pit?

He wasn’t going to steal from his uncle. How old was he?

That was his aunt! Would he dare to covet his own aunt?

His Imperial Uncle was the odd one out!

He was simply odd!

“Snort!”

“Humph!”

The boy’s heavy contemptuous tone never stopped even when he stepped into the palace door.

“When your Aunt Liu arrives, I’ll take you to pick her up,” the man finally gave some response.

Feng Mohan squinted. “Would you be that kind?”

Feng Qingbai raised a brow and looked askance at him. 

“…Of course, you will. Imperial Uncle is the best!”

After seeing the man turn around and leave, Feng Mohan slumped and headed for his bedchamber.

Someone was waiting for him impatiently at the door.

Upon seeing the person from afar, Feng Mohan narrowed his eyes slightly and straightened his back.

“Your Majesty, the Consort Niangniang heard that Your Majesty was out of the palace today and was very worried, so she specially asked me to come over and wait for you. When Your Majesty returns to the palace, she asked me to invite Your Majesty over for a meal.”

“Consort Niangniang is as concerned about me as ever,” Feng Mohan smiled, “I dare not keep an elder waiting. Let’s go now.”

His eyes turned gloomy the moment he turned around.

That one wasn’t at all evasive. She was exceptionally adept at trickery, clearly keeping a close eye on him. 

He just entered the palace gates, but someone already waited for him at the door right after.

Was she afraid that he didn’t know what she was capable of?

Before entering the door of Qingning Palace, he heard a burst of laughter inside.

In the wake of the eunuch reporting the arrival of the emperor, Feng Mohan bucked up and walked in with a smile.

Two people were in the room, sitting next to a long table. There was a pot of tea on the table, the fragrance of it winding.

Imperial Consort Liu and her son, Seventh Prince Feng Qingyan.

Seeing the boy enter, Feng Qingyan rose to salute, but Feng Mohan stopped him. “Imperial Uncle, we are all family here. There’s no need to be polite.”

Imperial Consort Liu smiled and shook her head. “There is a difference between the ruler and the minister. Etiquette can not be abolished. Luckily, we’re only in Qingning Palace, but Your Majesty must pay attention outside, lest we’d be criticized.”

“Imperial Consort is right. I have noted it.” Feng Mohan chose a seat.

“I’d be happier if Your Majesty called me aunt.”

“Imperial Consort just reminded me that rulers and ministers have differences, and etiquette can not be abolished. If I turn my head and forget, won’t I be treating the Imperial Consort’s teachings as if they were nothing?”

Consort Liu froze and laughed, “You, you’ve got a sharp tongue.”

Turning her head towards the old servant, she instructed, “His Majesty has returned, serve the meal.”

Feng Qingyan poured tea for Feng Mohan and handed it over. “Today, I entered the palace. I originally wanted to find Your Majesty to discuss political affairs, but I heard from the servants in the palace that Your Majesty went out of the palace with King Nanling early in the morning. So, I came here to accompany Imperial Mother for a while. Your Majesty went out of the palace, but what important matter is it for?”

“Nothing important, just out of the palace for a walk.” Feng Mohan smiled, twirling his teacup.

“I’m not saying that King Nanling is at fault, but now that Your Majesty is still a minor, King Nanling is in charge of all affairs of the court. Since he is the regent, he should do a good job in supervising and guiding Your Majesty to study politics carefully. How can he abandon this business and take Your Majesty out to play instead?” Consort Liu frowned in displeasure. “Your Majesty’s thoughts are still undefined. You’re at the age of playfulness and most likely to go astray…Your Majesty, you need to think thrice before acting, lest you’d be misled and lured, and end up endangering yourself and the kingdom!”

Feng Mohan cast his eyes down. “Imperial Consort is too worried. Imperial Uncle has devoted his sweat and blood to the affairs of the state these years and also showed me great concern. He definitely isn’t someone with a different motive. You’d better not say this, lest it would cause a misunderstanding. By then, your gap with Imperial Uncle will widen.”

“Imperial Mother, His Majesty is right. Although you are thinking of His Majesty, these words will only be taken as sowing discord if it falls into the ears of others. In the end, both ends will suffer. There are some things that His Majesty understands deep down.”

Consort Liu sighed. “I really hope Your Majesty understands. No matter what, the Liu family is your mother’s family. The clan will always stand behind you, and so will I. As the saying goes, one flourishes and the others flourish. We are bound together for good or ill as a family. We will never think of harming you like outsiders do.”

“I deeply understand.” Feng Mohan smiled.

The food was served one by one, and the three sat around the table. Consort Liu personally laid out some dishes for Feng Mohan.

“These are Your Majesty’s favorites. I ordered the kitchen to prepare them early. Try them while they are hot.”

Feng Mohan picked up his chopsticks and stuffed a dish into his mouth. “Imperial Consort has always remembered my preferences. You’re considerate.”

The dish entered his mouth, but just after chewing it, Feng Mohan’s face changed drastically. He vomited it out, his face pale.

“Your Majesty!” Consort Liu and Feng Qingyan were alarmed, and they hurried forward to hold him in place, “Quickly, call the Imperial Doctor!”

“N-No need…” Feng Mohan waved his hand and smiled bitterly. “I am suffering from a stubborn illness. I must have scared Imperial Consort and Seventh Imperial Uncle. I will be fine after resting… unfortunately, it was a waste of Imperial Consort’s heart…”

“This isn’t the time to waste your energy on compliments! Nothing is as important as Your Majesty’s health!” Consort Liu turned her head towards the outside and shouted angrily, “Quickly go and summon the Imperial Doctor here at once!” 

Feng Mohan slowly pushed away their supporting hands. “I have medicine in my bedroom. Let me go back to take the medicine and I’ll be fine. Maybe it’s due to a bad stomach. Imperial Consort doesn’t need to worry. I’ll go back to my bedroom first. When I’m better, I’ll find time to come visit you.”

After speaking, he turned around and walked out, his footsteps slightly weak.

“Your Majesty!” Consort Liu watched the boy’s stubborn back and finally sighed helplessly, “Momo, send His Majesty back to the palace. If anything happens, report immediately!”

“Yes, right away.”

When they disappeared in the room door, the worried and anxious helplessness on Consort Liu’s face also scattered to nothing, leaving only ice cold.

“Imperial Mother, he is wary of us.” Feng Qingyan turned his head and sneered, looking at a mouthful of untouched food and the cup he personally poured wherein the tea had already cooled.

“Go back for now. Don’t enter the palace during this period if there’s nothing urgent. Do what you should do. Concentrate on government affairs and ignore the outside world!”

“I know. I bid you farewell.”

People in Qingning Palace scattered. Consort Liu turned back and slowly walked to the dining table. She stood there and watched for a while. Suddenly, her sleeve swung and the dishes crashed to the ground in a mess.

“Ungrateful!”

When she looked up again, her eyes were chilly. 

Feng Mohan staggered back to the Qiande Palace. He lay on the bed,  and his breathing became calm. Only when he seemed asleep did Momo turn to leave.

As soon as Momo left, the young man on the bed immediately opened his eyes. His eyes shot frostily toward Qingning Palace.

That old witch should be so angry that she couldn’t sleep, right?

She asked him to have tea and a meal in Qingning Palace. Was the food there delicious?

He laughed grimly. He would complain to Imperial Uncle when he arrived tomorrow. He performed so well and almost flawlessly. Shouldn’t his uncle give a praise or two?