FID – Chapter 910

Chapter 910: Is the Dragon Heir Worth Less Than a Lowly Life?

The June afternoon sunlight wasn’t the fiercest of the year. Occasionally, a cool breeze swept across the open fields, bringing relief and stirring waves of rice stalks. The air was filled with the fragrance of ripe grain.

A smile suddenly spread across the faces of the Liu elders.

This scent was very much like that of Xinghua Village.

It made them feel as if they had returned home, their spirits soothed and refreshed.

They stopped by the edge of a rice paddy and crouched down. Looking at the bent stalks heavy with grain, Grandpa Liu pinched a few grains between his fingers — firm and plump.

“Judging by how well these rice plants are growing, the farmers must be very experienced and attentive in caring for the crops.”

“Master, you flatter me. We farmers live off the land. If we treat the crops well, then when harvest comes in autumn, we’ll all have more than enough to eat,” said an old man working at the other side of the field, standing up and wiping sweat from his brow with a smile.

“I can’t agree more. When we treat the crops well, they reward us generously,” Grandpa Liu said, squinting happily as he walked along the ridge. “Our family’s rice paddies must have stalks bent low with grain as well. The aroma coming from there is even stronger than here.”

Grandma Liu and the others followed behind him. Hearing his words, they knew that this old man was missing home.

Having lived their entire lives in Xinghua Village, the older they grew, the deeper their attachment to home became. Even a short time away was enough to stir a longing in their hearts.

No matter how good it is outside, it’s never better than home.

“I heard from His Highness that Xinghua Village is a kind of paradise. When I have time, I’d like to go see it,” Qin Xiao said.

Hearing this, a deeper smile appeared on Grandpa Liu’s face. “Then General, you absolutely must come. When the time comes, this old man will take you to drink with the old folks in the village. Generals coming back from the battlefield drink heartily, but us farmers won’t lose out to you.”

“If the Elder says so, then I definitely have to come.”

“We’ll be waiting! Hahaha!”

Their hearty laughter filled the fields, contagious and bright. Even the children, Badou and Hongdou, held in an adult’s arms, babbled excitedly, waving their little hands.

“Oh, Badou and Hongdou want to go back to Xinghua Village too?” Grandma Liu teased.

“But even if they go, they can’t stay long. Royal children start their education at age three. Your little village doesn’t even have a teacher; wouldn’t that hold the kids back?” the Empress Dowager immediately interjected. “When Badou and Hongdou turn three, I’ll find great scholars at court to teach them. They’ll stay in the palace, and I’ll personally supervise.”

“You old woman, why do you always have to spoil the fun? There’s no teacher in our village, but the kids will definitely be happier there than in the palace. And start schooling at three? What good is a scholar spouting fancy words every day. Do you think the kids will understand any of that?”

“How could they not? When Feng Qingbai was three, he could read; at four, he was skilled in martial arts; by five, he was already debating Confucian classics with his master. Do you think Badou and Hongdou will be any worse?”

The two women started arguing again.

Those around couldn’t help but chuckle. When with the elder ladies of the family, the Empress Dowager was always spirited and competitive.

Even the tenant farmers working in the fields nearby, upon hearing the voices from over there, couldn’t help but smile quietly.

“I didn’t expect the stories from your childhood to be so widely known, even the Empress Dowager knows about them,” Liu Yusheng teased Feng Qingbai as they walked behind the elders.

“Not bad, that’s the reputation of a prodigy,” Feng Qingbai’s lips curled into a slight smile as he looked at her. “Now it’s even better—better than others in every way.”

Meeting the man’s deep gaze, Liu Yusheng immediately caught the real meaning behind his words.

Not only was he superior in strategy and martial skills, but also better than others in bed.

…This shameless guy.

Good thing Badou and Hongdou were still too young to understand, or else he’d be considered highly disrespectful.

Because the two little ones were still young and got hungry quickly, they needed to be fed about every hour, so the group didn’t go far. They just took a quick look around the manor’s fields before heading back.

Meanwhile, in Qiande Palace, Feng Mohan was lying sideways on a long bench, feeling bored.

“Uncle and Aunt should have already arrived at the manor by now.”

“Your Majesty, this servant does not know.” Xiao Banzi looked troubled. He really didn’t know where the King’s manor was, so even estimating the time was impossible. The Emperor asking this was just putting him in a difficult spot.

“What do you know then?” Feng Mohan snorted lightly, glancing toward the palace door. “Still kneeling?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. No matter how I tried to persuade her to get up, she refused, saying she must see Your Majesty in person to plead guilty.”

Outside the hall, Shan Lai was kneeling.

She had come before lunch and had been kneeling ever since—two full hours without leaving.

“Your Majesty, maybe you should see her.” Xiao Banzi hesitated, then forced himself to say, “Plum Concubine is carrying Your Majesty’s child, and kneeling for two hours straight might harm the dragon heir…”

A light but sharp snort came from the Dragon Throne, startling Xiao Banzi into silence.

“She really has the guts to make even those close to me plead for her.”

“Your Majesty, your servant is innocent!” Xiao Banzi’s legs went weak and his face changed color. “I have always been loyal to Your Majesty, heaven as my witness! The only reason I plead for Plum Concubine is because I worry for Your Majesty’s offspring…”

“Enough. You’re timid as a mouse. How did I even pick you as my personal attendant back then?” Feng Mohan said disdainfully as he stood up and walked out.

Seeing this, Xiao Banzi hurried after him but dared not mention pleading anymore.

If it weren’t for the fact that she was carrying the Emperor’s child, he wouldn’t have softened and pleaded for her, only to be thoroughly scolded by the Emperor himself.

Outside the hall, two figures knelt upright.

When Feng Mohan walked out, Ling Xiang, who was kneeling slightly behind, quickly crawled forward on her knees and cried out, “Your Majesty! Your Majesty, it was this servant’s fault! This servant was blind and failed to recognize someone of great importance, and offended Elder Madam Liu. It was all this servant’s fault. I beg Your Majesty to punish me. It had nothing to do with Mistress. Please spare my Mistress! Let her stand up, she’s still carrying Your Majesty’s child!”

As Ling Xiang wept and cried, she reached out to grab the hem of Feng Mohan’s robe, only to be kicked away by him.

Looking down at the woman who was still kneeling upright, gazing up at him without saying a word, Feng Mohan’s voice turned icy cold, “For a mere maid, you would disregard even the child in your womb. Kneeling here for two hours to force me to bow my head? In your eyes, is the imperial heir that you are carrying not even worth more than a servant’s lowly life?”

“If Your Majesty is angry, then punish this concubine however you see fit. But please spare Ling Xiang’s humble life. Since entering the palace, she has been the only one to treat this concubine sincerely. This concubine begs Your Majesty for mercy,” Shan Lai slowly lowered her gaze and gently placed a hand on her abdomen. “To be born into the imperial family is a blessing for this child. If Your Majesty could show mercy just this once, it would be accumulating virtue for the child as well.”

“What a silver tongue! So sharp and slick! We truly underestimated you!” Feng Mohan sneered coldly. “Guards! Drag Ling Xiang away. Give her twenty strokes of the cane. For offending Elder Madam Liu, death can be spared, but punishment cannot be avoided!”