FID – Chapter 276

“It’s a mutually beneficial trade between me and Fu Yuzheng, and each takes what we need in the relationship.

We’ve maintained this relationship for so many years, not because I forced her to stay in that position, but once she steps down, she becomes worthless.

Without value, her existence is no longer needed.”

Feng Qingbai’s reply sounded cold, “She herself knows this, so even if I am willing, she will not retreat.”

Liu Yusheng was silent.

Fu Yuzheng has a home equal to no home. Once she thought she had no more value to exist, then with her stubbornness and pride proven by her refusal to ask for help even though she was so badly injured and at death’s door, she would never humble herself and beg for mercy in the royal residence. She would choose to leave.

But after leaving the royal residence, she simply has nowhere to go.

The only possible outcome was to stand completely by Consort Liu’s side, work for her, and wait until she squeezed her clean of value, before abandoning her like dirt.

It was almost the same as what happened to her in her previous life.

The same thing happened to Fu Yuzheng, so for Liu Yusheng’s heart inexplicably felt more sympathetic to her.

When she thought of the woman in the palace who was so high and mighty that she played with people’s pride and lives, she was even more disgusted.

She hasn’t met anyone from the capital’s Liu family except for Consort Liu.

But with Consort Liu’s behavior, anyone could probably guess the whole Liu family’s conduct.

Her war against the Liu family was bound to be fought, so she must speed up.

After lunch, Liu Yusheng went to see Fu Yuzheng, changed her medicine and asked the maid to look after her, then went back to her room to continue writing her plan.

This was what she was going to take out to convince Master Qian when she visits the Qian Mansion.

To pull off this trade war, she would directly approach Qian Wanjin, who would certainly not refuse.

But she didn’t want that.

This was not a trivial matter. Once it was unveiled, it would be a clan versus clan clash.

She had to personally convince Master Qian and couldn’t let Qian Wanjin be caught in the middle of the dilemma and leave him alone to shoulder the family’s pressure.

This afternoon, the entire courtyard was quiet.

Feng Qingbai perversely did not come to disturb her, nor did he come to seize her desk.

She was so absorbed in conceiving her plan that she was unaware of the passage of time.

When she raised her head to rub her sore neck, she realized that night was about to fall.

It was no wonder that the light was getting dimmer. 

Liu Yusheng smiled, put away a part of her first draft, stretched, and walked out of the room.

When she opened the door, she saw the man leaning on the porch pillar in front of the door.

Today, he changed into a black and gilt-edged robe. The night spilled down and covered him in a dark gray shadow. He was more powerful and mysterious in the cold, exuding a different charm.

As always, someone couldn’t move her eyes.

“How long have you been here? Why didn’t you call me?”

“Hmm.” He smiled.

Seeing her conscientious look through the open crack of the door, he dismissed bothering her. 

She was working hard with all her heart for his sake.

“Did you come over to call me for dinner?” Liu Yusheng tilted her head, and her eyes were bright.

At this hour, it was time for dinner.

“No, we will not have dinner in the mansion tonight,” Feng Qingbai shook his head and took two steps forward to pull the woman into his arms, saying lowly, “I will take you out tonight.”

“Where to?” Liu Yusheng froze.

The man smiled and did not answer, only led her out the door.

“Wait, Feng Qingbai. If you want to go out, you should tell me in advance. At least let me change clothes and dress up…” She now looked like this after being bent over the desk all afternoon. She didn’t look unkempt but wasn’t much presentable either.

Besides, she was usually make-up free in the house, so her appearance really wasn’t a match with him at this time.

She still cared about that.

“You’re just fine,” the man said, “I like it.”

“…” Then what else was there to say? Liu Yusheng’s lips curled up.

Go.

Liu Yusheng faintly discovered something different after walking out the door.

There were actually colorful lanterns decorating every nook and corner of the palace with big red lanterns hanging everywhere.

The festive atmosphere was strong.

“What day is it today?” Liu Yusheng froze and asked.

“October, the middle of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. What day do you think it is?”

“…” Liu Yusheng smacked her forehead hard and wailed deep inside.

Mid-Autumn Festival!

No one reminded her. She’d been busy these days and actually forgot about this day!

A family reunion day!

“Why didn’t you remind me!”

“There is no need for you to make any preparations. There are servants in the house. You just follow me.”

Liu Yusheng pursed her lips. “I didn’t expect it to be mid-autumn so soon. It’s the first time I’ve spent this festival outside of my home since growing up. I don’t know what it’s like at home today.”

On a reunion day, she was homesick.

She wanted to stay around Feng Qingbai. 

She missed her grandparents, parents, her second uncle, her second aunt and her second brother.

She also missed Xinghua Village.

Feng Qingbai tightened his grip on the woman’s hand. “It must be very lively at home. I asked someone to send some holiday gifts there a month ago. After the mid-autumn festival, the shadow guards will report the situation at home. Although you are not at home this year, our grandparents in the village will not be lonely. There are many people to accompany them. On the contrary, I only have you beside me.”

“…” Playing pitiful, but she also ate this set. She scratched his palm and said, “Only this time, I will spend the holidays with my family in the future.”

“What about me?”

“You? You’ll naturally be with me.”

The young girl answered so naturally and made Feng Qingbai’s smile stain his eyebrows.

This time, the two did not ride in a carriage.

Along the road from the royal residence, red lanterns were hung on both sides, glowing warm yellow under the night. At a glance, it looked like two long dragons.

It was also extremely beautiful when viewed as a scenery.

“It is the Mid-autumn Festival. Don’t you have any entertainment? And, what about my brother and Xue Qinglian? There’s also Fu Yuzhen, but she’s hurt… “The girl suddenly raised several issues. 

Entertainment? Of course, there was. 

Every year, there would be a banquet in the palace at mid-autumn, and in the past he would accompany Feng Mohan in the palace.

Today, when the boy learned that he would not go to the banquet in the evening, he was angry and insisted on following him out of the palace, but he threw him back.

He’d likely cause a fuss in front of him tomorrow.

The royal residence was not far from the capital street.

The moment they stepped outside, they could see the hustle and bustle on the street.

On mid-autumn night, the street was brightly lit and crowded.

Stores on both sides of the street were wide open, and burst of calls sounded from the stalls along the street. Delicate and beautiful lanterns also hung along the way.

The tourists came out to see the lanterns floating in the lantern river, in groups, wave after wave. They crowded the front of various stalls.

Some watched the wonderful jugglers, looked at the exaggerated opera masks, or watched the lion dance. However, the most lively spots were the various stalls selling festive lanterns. 

People laughed and joked, guessed lantern riddles, bought lanterns – almost everybody had a lantern on the street.

“So the mid-autumn night in the capital is so lively,” Liu Yusheng sighed in amazement.

“I said that I’ll bring you to see the lantern fair in the future.” Feng Qingbai inclined his head. “This is the lantern fair in the capital.”