Chapter 47 "Once this situation is established, life and death, honor and disgrace..."

The lamp blazed open with a crackling sound. After a quick wash, Feng Mian felt refreshed. With Wu Liu's help, she leaned against the bed and was changing the dressing on her feet when a series of noisy sounds suddenly came from outside.

It's almost midnight, what happened this time?

Feng Mian curiously looked up and peered outside. Before she could call someone to check on her, there was a gentle knock on the door, and the princess's urgent yet restrained voice rang out from outside, "Aman? Have you gone to bed?"

"Mother? I haven't rested yet, please come in!" Feng Mian hurriedly sat up straight and was about to help Wu Liu get out of bed to pay her respects when she was stopped by the princess who rushed to the bedside in a few steps.

"Don't move, just lie down." The princess leaned over the headboard and looked the woman up and down. Her gaze went from her wrists, which were wrapped in two layers of fine cloth, to her two scarred feet. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"You child, you were perfectly fine when you left home, how did you get so badly injured!" The princess sat down by the bed and tenderly stroked Feng Mian's chin. "It's only been a few days, look how thin you've become."

Warm fingertips brushed against the jawline with exceptional gentleness, as light as if touching fragile porcelain, carrying a thousand tender feelings.

Feng Mian unconsciously tilted her head and rubbed against her palm. Her almond-shaped eyes curved into crescent shapes, and the candlelight reflected in them, making them as bright as starlight. Her voice was as soft as melting honey when she spoke, "I'm fine. I can make up for it in two days. Mother, you don't need to worry."

"You really need to rest and recuperate. Don't go out for the next couple of days. I need to watch over you myself until you're fully recovered!" The princess gently flicked her nose with her finger, chiding her playfully, "You've learned to act first and ask questions later!"

At this point, the princess raised an eyebrow, as if she had finally remembered her adopted son. Her tone changed abruptly, the loving expression on her face vanished, and her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. "Where is that rascal A-Zhuo? He protected you like this, and where has he gone to hide?"

“Mother, you’re wronging him.” Feng Mian quickly grabbed the princess’s arm and shook it playfully, then explained the capture of the kidnapper in a few words. “The young master must be busy interrogating people right now.”

The princess's anger was easily extinguished by this gentle breeze and drizzle. Looking down at Feng Mian's coquettish appearance, as if she were looking at her own daughter, she finally couldn't help but flick her forehead with her finger: "You, just protect him."

Although her tone was reproachful, a smile had already appeared in her eyes.

"Alright, seeing how energetic you are, I'm relieved." The princess said, getting up and stopping Feng Mian from getting up with a look. "You should rest well. I'll come see you again tomorrow."

Feng Mian never expected that the next morning, the princess would lead two strong servants and push a plain four-wheeled sedan chair made of sandalwood over.

“You have an injured foot and it is inconvenient for you to move around. You can’t stay indoors all day. You can sit on this plain sedan chair and let the servant push you around in the garden so that you can get some fresh air and sunshine.”

The princess personally helped Feng Mian sit down on the plain palanquin. The brocade cushions were very soft, and there was also a soft back support cushion behind his waist.

Fengmian curiously touched the sandalwood armrest, the warm morning light shining on her body and warming her heart all the way.

The princess was so thoughtful, finding a suitable plain carriage overnight. This consideration is truly rare.

The sun shines brightly on the gentle breeze, and the crabapple blossoms in front of the hanging flower gate are in full bloom, their crimson hues vibrant.

"The weather is getting warmer, and many flowers are slowly blooming. Let's go take a look together today." The princess slowly walked through the hanging flower gate, with a servant pushing her white palanquin beside her.

Feng Mian looked up at the azure sky, listening to the princess's gentle whispers, and contentedly squinted his eyes.

"Among your dowry servants was someone from the Pond Garden Bureau, who brought many fresh flower seeds." The princess suddenly remembered something. "I heard they're quite good; you haven't seen them yet, have you?"

Feng Mian first shook his head, then asked in confusion, "Chi Yuan Si?"

She had no particular knowledge of flowers and plants, which Emperor Jiayu knew, so why did he still send her palace servants from the Pond Garden Department?

Liu Ying, who was following behind, couldn't help but interject, "He insisted on coming along. He was the boatman who was there when you fell into the water, Princess!"

Liu Ying still felt a bit annoyed when she thought about it. When she and the princess were isolated and helpless, the boatman was afraid of the princess and knelt on the ground without daring to utter a word. But afterwards, he was eager to curry favor with her. How could someone try to please both sides like that?

Wu Liu, who knew more than Liu Ying, added, "Afterwards, the princess specifically sent word to have him pardoned. He felt guilty and grateful, so he volunteered to come to the Northern Frontier to cultivate seasonal flowers for the princess."

Oh, Feng Mian remembered. She patted Liu Ying's hand. "It's not his fault what happened back then. With Zhao Ning's forces, how could an ordinary person dare to step forward? Considering how sincerely he repented, you should forgive him this time."

Liu Ying pouted, but ultimately remained silent.

The princess, unaware of what had happened, patted her chest in relief after hearing Feng Mian's explanation, her gaze towards Feng Mian filled with even more affection.

In the deep palace, children without parental protection, even with the emperor's care, still suffer greatly. Fortunately, they are safe and sound.

As soon as the moon gate of the garden came into view, a series of hurried footsteps came from in front, followed by a figure turning in.

Upon seeing a figure ahead, Baili Xun's boat came to an abrupt stop. "Mother, Princess?"

Upon seeing Feng Mian sitting in the plain carriage, he quickly raised his hand and pushed back the mountain robe that was about to turn out from behind him.

"Ouch!" Shan Yi staggered backward, almost falling over, and stood there blankly, too afraid to move.

"What's all this commotion?" The princess glanced at Baili Xunzhou. "What was Shanyi holding in his arms just now?"

Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, she still noticed that Shan Yi was holding a large object in her arms. Bai Li Xun Zhou was so excited to hide it, so it must be something important.

"It's nothing!" Baili Xunzhou forced himself to remain calm, frantically gesturing with his hands behind his back, signaling Shanyi to hurry up and leave.

The princess narrowed her phoenix eyes: "What are you up to now, sneaking around like this? Shanyi, come out."

Shan Yi shrugged at Baili Xunzhou with a bitter face. Even the Crown Prince and the Prince had to listen to the Princess Consort, so how could he dare to disobey? He could only show up with a bitter face.

He was holding two brand-new walking sticks in his arms, which were carefully wrapped with non-slip cotton strips.

Feng Mian was taken aback at first, then pursed her lips, unable to suppress the upturned corners of her mouth. She was the only one in the entire household with an injured foot, so it was obvious who this crutch was for.

However, compared to the plain palanquin prepared by the princess, it was far inferior, which explains why he immediately wanted to hide.

The princess noticed Baili Xunzhou's reddened ears and suddenly felt that the warm sun overhead seemed particularly scorching. She tapped his forehead, both amused and annoyed.

"Princess, you're such a delicate and frail young lady, how did you come up with the idea of ​​getting a walking stick?"

Baili Xunzhou didn't think there was anything wrong with it at first, but when he saw the plain palanquin prepared by the princess, he realized that the cane seemed a bit strange for the princess. He was speechless and couldn't refute it. "I misunderstood."

"Your Highness is so kind, thank you." Feng Mian looked at Baili Xunzhou with a smile in his eyes.

Regardless of whether the item is practical or not, the fact that they remembered her foot injury is already quite commendable.

Baili Xunzhou suddenly realized something, suppressed the smile that was about to rise, coughed twice, and said with a solemn and distant expression: "After all, the princess's injury this time is also related to me, so I cannot take it lightly."

The implication was that she shouldn't misunderstand and think there were any romantic feelings involved, and shouldn't have any unrealistic expectations of him.

After he finished speaking, Feng Mian nodded calmly, but it was unclear whether he had taken it to heart. Why did he not react at all?

Baili Xunzhou didn't know what kind of reaction he wanted to see, but Feng Mian's calm reaction made him feel uneasy and concerned.

Unable to say anything more, he felt stifled and uncomfortable.

Just then, a servant boy came running over and said that the prefect had arrived at the prefectural residence.

Feng Mian was immediately jolted awake; the most important event of the day had arrived!

"Quickly go to the Yuan residence next door and invite Master Yuan and Madam Yuan over. Tell them I have something important to discuss with them." After saying that, she instructed Liuying to go to Xueyue Residence to invite Yuan Jixue.

*

The slanting sunlight streamed into the main hall of the Prince's mansion, dividing the blue brick floor into alternating light and shadow. Feng Mian sat upright in his plain palanquin, watching with a rather troubled expression as the prefect declined the seat of honor for the third time.

It was not convenient for the Princess and Baili Xunzhou to appear in person today, so Feng Mian planned to handle the matter alone. She intended to let the Prefect sit in the main seat, but the Prefect did not dare to sit down.

Although he was the King of Qin's brother-in-law, he was still far inferior to the Princess of the Tian family. How could he dare to sit in the main seat in front of her?

"How dare this humble official overstep his bounds..."

"Today's events are all thanks to your help, sir. The person has arrived, please sit down quickly, sir," Feng Mian urged one last time, hearing the hurried footsteps outside.

As the Yuan couple stumbled into the main hall, the prefect, under the pressure of Feng Mian's gaze, took his seat in the main seat. For a moment, the main hall of the Prince's Mansion seemed to have become the main hall of the government office.

Madam Yuan nervously lagged half a step behind, clutching her husband's sleeve tightly. Seeing the scene in the hall, she was even more frightened and her legs went weak.

"This humble woman greets the Crown Princess and Your Excellency the Prefect." The two bowed tremblingly.

Master Yuan forced a smile and looked at the princess uneasily, "I wonder what business Your Highness the Crown Princess has summoned my husband and me?"

Feng Mian asked casually, "How has the Third Miss of your household been lately?"

They've come to settle scores after all!

Master Yuan and Madam Yuan exchanged a glance, feeling a bitter taste in their mouths and their limbs go weak.

Madam Yuan immediately burst into tears, "Your Highness, please understand! Yuan Jixue has already run away from home and is no longer a member of the Yuan family! She created this mess herself; we are all innocent!"

"You mean, Yuan Jixue, the third daughter of the Yuan family, has no further connection with your Yuan family?" Feng Mian interrupted, asking.

"Yes!" Madam Yuan hurriedly agreed, pulling Master Yuan along to nod repeatedly.

"Your Excellency, did you hear me clearly?"

The prefect replied respectfully, "I heard you clearly."

“In that case, let’s sign the severance papers to make it a clean break.” Feng Mian gave a look to the person behind him, and Wu Liu brought out two pre-written severance papers.

The soft tinkling of jade pendants came from behind the screen in the main hall, and a graceful figure slowly walked out.

Master Yuan and Madam Yuan's eyes widened in astonishment. "Ji Xue?"

The prefect immediately understood what was going on. The princess had conspired with Yuan Jixue long ago—no, she had planned to sever ties with the family. Fearing that the Yuan couple would refuse to do so because they saw that she had gained the princess's favor, she staged this scene to make them say that Yuan Jixue had no further connection with the Yuan family.

Since that's the case, he should cooperate with the princess, so he asked in a deep voice, "Daughter Yuan, have you thought this through? Once this agreement is made, life, death, honor, and disgrace will no longer be related to the Yuan family."

"My mind is made up." Yuan Jixue kowtowed, her forehead touching the cold brick surface, feeling an unprecedented chill.

The prefect nodded. "Since both of you have no objections, then sign and seal the document."

"Wait a minute..." Madam Yuan hesitated as expected. The fact that the Crown Princess personally came forward to make arrangements for Yuan Jixue showed that she did not hold a grudge against her previous actions and might even support her in the future.

The Prince's Mansion and the Crown Princess's powerful connections are too good to pass up; you might never get to cling to them again.

The prefect's gaze sharpened. "What? You just said that the Yuan family's daughter has no further connection with your Yuan family? Are you trying to deceive me?"

"This humble woman dares not!"

Once a promise has been made, it cannot be changed. No matter how much scheming or resentment Madam Yuan harbored, she could only obediently comply.

Yuan Jixue rolled up her sleeves and signed the two copies of the severance document, her eyes welling with tears, but a joyful smile appeared on her lips.

"I, Yuan, hereby sever all ties with my parents and siblings, and agree that we shall have no further connection in the future. I hereby write this to preserve this record in case there is no evidence later."

The prefect stamped the document of severance with his official seal and suddenly asked, "If I may ask you one more question, when you register a new household, do you intend to change your surname?"

Yuan Jixue raised her eyes, a spark seemingly rekindling in them: "This humble woman wishes to change her surname to 'Liu'."

Her birth mother's surname was Liu, and willow branches are supple and full of vitality. From then on, she was no longer the lonely and helpless third daughter of the Yuan family's backyard, but Liu Jixue, who lived independently.