FID – Chapter 899

Chapter 899: Injustice

Soon, a eunuch arrived to deliver an imperial decree.

Having conceived the imperial heir, Concubine Shan Lai was promoted to Plum Concubine and was to immediately move into the Changle Palace.

Carrying a small bundle and accompanied by attendants moving all the gifts, Shan Lai moved into Changle Palace under the envious gazes of the other concubines in the same courtyard.

Not long after, the Emperor personally came to visit her.

By the tea table, the two sat facing each other in silence. 

“You’ve now conceived the imperial heir. Take good care of your health from now on. As long as you can give birth to a prince for me, I will not treat you unfairly,” the young emperor finally spoke after a moment.

His voice was cold and indifferent, no different from usual. It was just lacking his typical sarcasm.

Across from him, the woman kept her head lowered. “This concubine understands. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm. If there’s anything lacking in the palace, have someone procure it. I’ll instruct the Office of Internal Affairs to give this place more attention.”

“This concubine thanks Your Majesty.”

Feng Mohan didn’t stay long before finding an excuse to leave.

He was holding onto a sliver of hope.

His uncle had said he should act overjoyed and shower Shan Lai with favor, but he simply couldn’t do it!

This cool, detached attitude better fit his usual manner with concubines. If he suddenly acted overly affectionate, that would only raise suspicions.

So he felt this was just right. There was no need to overact.

Yes, he was right.

Just seeing that woman made him want to strangle her. How could he possibly dote on her?

Inside Changle Palace, the young maid was beaming with joy. “Mistress, you’re the first in the harem to conceive the imperial heir! His Majesty even came to visit in person. Your hardships have finally paid off. You’ll surely become the most favored consort in the entire palace! Did you see the envy on those other concubines’ faces? Hmph! With the emperor’s support and a dragon heir in your belly, let’s see who dares to bully you again!”

Shan Lai smiled. “What His Majesty favors is the dragon heir, not this concubine. If I make a misstep, His Majesty will still punish me all the same. So from now on, don’t be ostentatious in your actions, lest you invite trouble.”

“Why would Mistress say that? Right now in the harem, no one can compare to you. You carry the imperial heir. Naturally His Majesty will favor you.”

Lowering her eyes, Shan Lai said softly, “Because His Majesty is a heartless man.”

That day, after finishing his political duties early, Feng Mohan went straight to the Yangxin Hall to wait.

The Empress Dowager had just been cured of her poisoning and had lost quite a bit of blood. Her body was still weak, so his Imperial Aunt came to visit her at least once a day.

He wanted to complain a little, act spoiled with his aunt and great-grandmother. That was the only way he could regain a bit of emotional balance.

The Empress Dowager was growing increasingly annoyed by how often the young emperor came to her palace lately. But she couldn’t exactly slam the door in his face.

“Here, take your token back and leave already. Stop loitering around in front of me all the time.”

“No can do. Once I’ve given you the token, it’s yours. When have I ever taken back something I’ve given?”

“What if I don’t want it? Didn’t you used to hate me?”

“I like you now.”

“……”

The Empress Dowager stared at the innocent-looking young emperor blinking at her, completely at a loss for words.

The old maid standing by the side covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Her eyes sparkled with both joy and comfort, quietly turning red with emotion.

Ever since the Princess Consort grew close to the Empress Dowager, more and more people gathered around her. It had become livelier, and she had begun to receive more and more genuine affection.

The once lonely, numb, and angry Empress Dowager was gradually disappearing, replaced by the elderly woman before them. She was one who now expressed her emotions more freely: proud, stubborn, and easily softened.

Real and full of life.

It was said that the Princess Consort was called the ‘Blessed Doll’ when she was young. If you asked her, now she should be called the ‘Blessed Consort.’

She always brought abundant good fortune to those around her.

“What are the two of you, one old and one young, staring wide-eyed at each other for?” came a teasing voice from outside the hall.

Liu Yusheng entered, holding the two toddlers in her arms, followed by Grandma Liu.

Feng Mohan’s eyes lit up. “Imperial Aunt! Great-Grandmother! You’re here! Oh my, and my two little cousins too. I’ve missed you all so much!”

But before he could get up to greet them, the Empress Dowager, who was seated on the soft couch, suddenly raised a hand to her forehead and swayed as if she were about to collapse.

“Your Majesty!” The old maid cried out in alarm and rushed forward to support her. Liu Yusheng and Grandma Liu also hurried over.

Feng Mohan’s heart skipped a beat. Please don’t let it be another assassination attempt on the old lady…

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Are you dizzy? Is there anywhere else you’re feeling unwell?” Liu Yusheng put down Hongdou and immediately moved to check her pulse.

“It’s not that,” the Empress Dowager weakly waved her hand and looked at Feng Mohan. “I’m just infuriated by the Emperor. Every time I see him, I get a headache. If he comes to the palace less often, I’ll naturally feel better.”

Everyone: “……”

Feng Mohan’s eyes widened, and the corner of his mouth twitched wildly. 

So she couldn’t deal with him, and now she was turning to complain to his Imperial Aunt?

Heh! This granny!

Liu Yusheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the Empress Dowager’s dramatic complaint, but since it was rare for her to be in such a playful mood, she naturally sided with her. “Xiao Feng’er, what did you do?”

“Imperial Aunt, I didn’t do anything at all!”

“If you didn’t do anything, how could Her Majesty be this angry?” Grandma Liu, who was never one for polite talk, had already rolled up her sleeves. She looked around, grabbed a feather duster used for cleaning, and charged toward the boy. “Do you even know what respect for elders is? Do you understand filial piety? You silly child!”

The old lady charged over aggressively, making Feng Moxian’s scalp tingle. He turned and ran, yelling, “Great-Grandmother! Imperial Aunt! I really didn’t do anything! I was just sitting here waiting for you!”

“If you didn’t do anything this time, then you must’ve upset Her Majesty plenty in the past! Otherwise, why would she dislike you so much?!”

“…” Feng Mohan was speechless.

On the soft couch, the Empress Dowager was dumbfounded. The scene before her left her utterly stunned, mouth agape, eyes wide. That wild old woman actually used a feather duster to hit the Emperor?!

Such blatant rebellion!

The said rebellion was so outrageous that the Empress Dowager’s eyes grew brighter as she watched, her hands resting on her knees starting to itch with anticipation.

Meanwhile, the head maid had rushed to close the hall doors the moment it started.

Grandma Liu is beating the Emperor! If anyone outside saw this, it would be a disaster! Oh heavens, this is outrageous!

As Feng Mohan ran circles around the grand hall, the sound of the feather duster swishing through the air behind him echoing, he nearly cried. “This is injustice, Great-Grandmother! I’ve always put filial piety first! Heaven can testify!”

The old lady, who was still pretending to chase him, almost couldn’t hold back her laughter. Injustice, really? She hadn’t realized before that Xiao Feng’er could be so dramatic.

“You don’t need to explain to me. Just look at how upset you made the Empress Dowager! She nearly fainted from anger!”

“Imperial Grandma, I was wrong! I truly respect and honor you!” Feng Mohan, struck with sudden inspiration, pleaded, “I, Feng Mohan, either don’t care about someone, or if I do, I treat them well for life! You’re in my heart, Imperial Grandma—just like my Imperial Aunt and Great-Grandmother!”

He finally understood how Uncle Zhiqiu felt. When lectured by old ladies, even running away was a skill.

You couldn’t run too fast and make it seem disrespectful, but you also couldn’t get caught and actually take a hit. It was even more torturous than just getting beaten outright.

On the other side, Liu Yusheng glanced at the Empress Dowager. Sensing that her mood had eased a bit, she gently spoke up, “Your Majesty, what do you say?”