Chapter 699 The Clear-headed Hongxiu

The Cheng family were servants of Empress Dowager Cheng. If she had a conflict with the Cheng family in the future, and the Empress Dowager disliked the Empress, she didn't want the Empress to be in a difficult position because of her. So she had no choice but to apologize to Cheng Feng.

Hongxiu was also blaming herself for being too reckless and impulsive in the past, and for not thinking things through. Chunfang's words today reminded her that she thought her relationship with Chengfeng in the palace was as simple as that of Lianye and Linfeng, but Chengfeng's family was different. He had a large family that she had to deal with.

Hongxiu said, "I'm sorry, you should go back!"

Cheng Feng slammed his fist on the door. "I understand now. It's because of Chunfang that you found an excuse to reject me. All these years, you've been playing with me. In the end, you never really liked me."

At this moment, Jiang Fenghua also arrived. She did not expect that Hongxiu and Cheng Feng's talks had broken down.

She walked up to Cheng Feng and said, "Manager Cheng."

Cheng Feng's eyes were bloodshot. "Your subject will take his leave now."

"Does Steward Cheng really like Hongxiu?" Jiang Fenghua asked in a deep voice.

“My liking is nothing to brag about, and they don’t care.” Cheng Feng was also very angry.

“I can see that Hongxiu also likes Steward Cheng, but why is that? I suspect it’s because I’ve held her back. Hongxiu is very thoughtful and has always wanted to take good care of me and the children. It was my oversight that led me to suddenly call you here to discuss your marriage.” Jiang Fenghua added, “Let me talk to Hongxiu!”

Cheng Feng knew that Hongxiu put the Empress, princes, and princesses first, so he said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jiang Fenghua entered Hongxiu's room and found it to be warm and comfortable, with both she and Lianye having their own separate bedrooms.

On the surface, the two seem to be one active and the other quiet. Lianye is also very outgoing, but she is more delicate. Hongxiu is meticulous in her work, but she is too rigid and rule-abiding, and she is also hesitant when it comes to relationships.

Hongxiu said, "I heard what Your Highness and Cheng Feng said. It's not that Your Highness is delaying me; it's that I don't want to get married."

"Is it because you don't like Cheng Feng?" Jiang Fenghua asked gently.

Hongxiu did not deny liking Cheng Feng in front of Jiang Fenghua.

Jiang Fenghua added, "I heard that Cheng Feng liked you when you were outside the palace, and his father also wanted you to marry him, but you rejected him because of me."

"No," Hongxiu said, "I don't want to get married."

Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "You already had feelings for Cheng Feng back then, didn't you?"

Hongxiu didn't know how to tell the Empress about the ambitions they had set out since childhood. Although the Empress was now the Empress, Lianye was married, and there was no one she could trust by her side. She couldn't leave, and besides, the Cheng family was not a good place to go.

“This servant has thought it through very clearly. Liking him and wanting to marry him are two different things. Just like Granny Wang, she also had someone she liked when she was young, but she never married and lived a good life, and was able to stay by Your Highness's side for the rest of her life.”

Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "What kind of thinking is that? Granny Wang is not married because she doesn't want to. Everyone has the right to pursue happiness. You shouldn't give up your happiness for anyone."

“Marrying a servant girl from the Cheng family won’t necessarily bring happiness. His mother’s preferred daughter-in-law is his cousin. If I go, I might be disliked. Since I’ve already foreseen the outcome, why waste everyone’s time? Besides, I don’t want to leave the palace and leave Your Highness,” Hongxiu said.

Jiang Fenghua didn't consider Cheng Feng's family. If it really was an imperial decree, the Cheng family might outwardly accept the marriage, but behind the scenes, they might make things difficult for Hongxiu. No one could guarantee that.

"Should I talk to Cheng Feng's mother? The fact that someone close to me could marry into the Cheng family as their daughter-in-law is truly a blessing for them. I'm also reluctant to let her go." Jiang Fenghua deliberately tried to cheer her up, as she didn't want a couple in love to break up because of their parents.

Cheng Feng is quite good; he's capable, likes Hongxiu, and importantly, Hongxiu likes him too.

When Cheng Feng saw the Empress again, he asked urgently, "What did Hongxiu say?"

Jiang Fenghua said, "The obstacle between you is not that she doesn't like you, but that your family is standing between you. Tell me honestly, do your parents know that you like Hongxiu? Do they agree to you marrying Hongxiu?"

Cheng Feng said, "My father knows, and I've also told my mother. She wants me to marry my cousin Chunfang, but I don't like her, and I won't marry her."

"In other words, your family doesn't agree to you marrying Hongxiu," Jiang Fenghua said directly.

Cheng Feng nodded. "My father originally agreed as well."

"Let's not talk about the past anymore. I'm actually glad that Hongxiu didn't marry you. Although she has no parents or siblings, she grew up in the Jiang family, so the Jiang family is her family. You should know that I will not let her suffer the slightest grievance. Chengfeng, you need to think this through. If you want to marry Hongxiu, you have to be prepared to stand with her against your mother. If you can't do that, then let go now!"

Cheng Feng was completely stunned. He hadn't expected there to be this aspect to the relationship. Was Hongxiu unwilling to marry him because of his family?

Cheng Feng said, "Your Majesty, I disagree with your statement. Hongxiu is with me, but we are not necessarily going to fight against my mother together. I believe my mother will see Hongxiu's good qualities. As long as I like someone, my mother will accept her."

Jiang Fenghua did not refute, "Then you should persuade your mother and have her invite a matchmaker to come to me to propose marriage. Make sure she is sincere and not just doing so to submit to my power."

Cheng Feng was also passionately in love with Hongxiu and didn't think about whether his family would agree to the marriage. He believed that as long as they liked each other, nothing else mattered.

When Cheng Feng left the palace, he took his cousin with him. He sent He Chunfang home first before returning to the Cheng family to tell his mother about his intention to marry Hongxiu.

When Cheng's mother heard that he would not marry He Chunfang but insisted on marrying a maid, she was furious and immediately started crying and complaining to Cheng Feng.

When Cheng's mother's younger sister saw her daughter being sent back to the mansion, she was furious and took her daughter directly to the Cheng family. "Sister, what's wrong with our two families' children getting married? Now that Feng-ge'er has become a high-ranking official, he can't even remember the childhood friendship he had with Fang'er. They were childhood sweethearts!"

Cheng's mother quickly comforted him, "Don't worry, sister. Without my approval, Feng'er wouldn't dare marry any other vixen. He'd only marry someone else if I died."

For a time, the Cheng family was in complete chaos because of the sisters. Cheng Feng was dumbfounded and said coldly, "Mother, Aunt, what are you making a fuss about? When did Fang'er and I become childhood sweethearts? It was only after the Cheng family got better that Mother saw that your He family was not doing well and wanted to help Uncle. That's why she brought you to Shengjing and gave Uncle a job."

"No matter what, Feng-ge can't abandon Fang-er. She's loved you since she was little. If you don't want her, she won't be able to live."

So He Chunfang went to the pond again and tried to force Cheng Feng to marry her. If he didn't, she would jump into the pond and drown herself.

Mother Cheng rushed out to stop her, "Fang'er, don't jump! Your aunt has agreed to this marriage, and your brother Cheng Feng will marry you too."

Cheng Feng thought that if he wanted to jump, he should, but his mother kept giving him meaningful glances, telling him to save Fang'er first.

At this moment, Cheng Feng felt powerless. No matter how powerful he was outside, or how much the emperor valued him, when he returned home, he was just a son and could not be unfilial.

He also understood Hongxiu's concerns.

Jiang Fenghua and Hongxiu also left the palace. The situation of the Cheng family was astonishing to them, and they felt that Cheng Feng was indeed pitiful.

Meanwhile, the people secretly monitoring Empress Jiang also spread the news of her leaving the palace.