Chapter 41
Feng Nianxiang's expression froze, and even the movement of his hands holding the tea cup stopped. Feng Huanhuan was suspicious and asked again: "Daddy? What's wrong?"
Feng Nianxiang did not intend to delay. The imperial decree had been issued, and the prince of the Western Regions would definitely come to visit Feng Mansion early, and Feng Huanhuan would know it sooner or later. Now he had to make plans early. So, he raised his eyes, met Feng Huanhuan's gaze, and said word by word: "Huan'er, pack up, Daddy will send you out of the city, don't come back."
Feng Huanhuan was shocked and froze in place. Her mind was a little confused at this moment. She wondered if she was hallucinating. Why did her father suddenly chase her away? So she asked again: "Daddy? You...you said--"
"Daddy said to send you out of the city immediately and never come back."
"Why?" Feng Huanhuan was puzzled, "Daddy, what happened?"
Feng Nianxiang's eyes were tightly closed, full of pain. He held the bright yellow scroll tightly in his right hand. He had been holding it tightly since he entered Huanxin Garden. Feng Huanhuan had noticed it a long time ago. He originally thought that Feng Nianxiang had done something great. After all, Feng Mansion received many imperial edicts. It seemed that there was something wrong with the bright yellow scroll, so Feng Huanhuan went forward and grabbed the scroll and spread it out.
The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims:
The daughter of the Shangshu Mansion, Feng Huanhuan, is virtuous and gentle, and is a role model for young ladies from imperial families. She is specially granted marriage to the Western Regions prince Wusun Xingyan as his principal wife.
Wusun Xingyan is both talented in civil and military affairs, and his talent and virtue are truly a match made in heaven for Feng Huanhuan, the legitimate daughter of the Shangshu Mansion. I am very pleased and have personally issued this decree to congratulate him.
The emperor bestowed 10,000 taels of gold, 80 rare treasures, a pair of phoenix hairpins, and 100 rolls of silk and satin. He also granted a cavalry corps of the imperial guards to escort the newlyweds to the border. The two said goodbye on the 10th day of May and were married in the Western Regions on the 20th day of June.
So ordered.
It seemed like she recognized every word on the imperial edict, but when she put them together, they were all unfamiliar. Feng Huanhuan opened her eyes wide and looked at each word carefully. The handwriting seemed to have changed shape, like a knife piercing her eyes. She felt even colder all over, and she understood why her father asked her to leave the city.
"Huan'er, let's go. Daddy will send you out of the city. Don't tell anyone where you want to go, not even Daddy." Feng Nianxiang grabbed Feng Huanhuan's hand, trying to wake her up.
Feng Huanhuan was stunned for a long time, then she lowered her head. Feng Nianxiang couldn't see her expression, only heard a thin, ethereal voice. "Daddy, I'll marry you."
Feng Nianxiang was only vulnerable in front of Lang Qingci. In front of Feng Huanhuan, he was always a father who didn't quite care about her but loved her very much. After Lang Qingci left, Feng Nianxiang had no ambitions at all. He always hoped that Feng Huanhuan would grow up in happiness, and the reason he worked hard to climb up was to prevent the two siblings from becoming victims of power.
"Daddy won't let you marry someone you don't love." Feng Nianxiang's voice was vicissitudes and firm.
Feng Huanhuan smiled and said, "Daddy, I want to get married."
That day, the two of them were silent for a long time. Feng Nianxiang wanted to persuade him, but Feng Huanhuan smiled and blocked him. She said, "Daddy, don't worry. I heard that there is unlimited freedom in the Western Regions. I yearn for it."
Feng Huanhuan's sleep has always been good. She likes sleeping because she has everything in her dreams, including the dream garden she created. She thought, it's time to say goodbye to the person in the dream - this time, I don't want you, we are even.
Early the next morning, the Feng Mansion welcomed a distinguished guest, but Feng Nianxiang was not surprised.
Wusun Xingyan felt a little awkward sitting in the reception hall. Although there were fruits and tea on the tea table to entertain the guests, every face in the Feng Mansion was filled with murderous intent, and they were extremely unwelcome to him. Wusun Xingyan touched his nose awkwardly. He really didn't expect this scene to happen, including Feng Nianxiang who was sitting in the main seat and never looked at him straight in the eye.
Wusun Xingyan coughed awkwardly twice and asked boldly: "Excuse me, Minister Feng——"
"I've already asked someone to invite her," Feng Nianxiang interrupted Wusun Xingyan directly, "My daughter has never had a good sense of time. As a father, I don't know how long she will take."
Wusun Xingyan quickly stood up and bowed with his right hand on his chest, "Xingyan is rude, Miss Feng, please feel free to do as you like, Xingyan will wait."
While Wusun Xingyan was paying his respects, Feng Nianxiang took a quick look. He really didn't take a good look at this prince from the Western Regions that day in the Golden Palace. He looked masculine and upright, with a handsome appearance, especially his eyes, which were very bright. He didn't seem to have any ulterior motives or twists and turns. He was also polite and neither humble nor overbearing.
At this time, the doorman came to report -
"The young lady is here."
Wusun Xingyan stood up straight, and subconsciously straightened his clothes in a hurry. When he turned around, he just met Feng Huanhuan who had just entered the door. Wusun Xingyan was not very surprised, because he came here to find Feng Huanhuan. But Feng Huanhuan was not so calm. Her eyes went from calm to wide open, and then she kept saying "you, you, you", and Wusun Xingyan kept looking at her dotingly.
Until Feng Huanhuan blurted out: "Aren't you the one selling peacock feathers?"
She knew those eyes!
Wusun Xingyan smiled and bowed to Feng Huanhuan, "It's me, thank you Miss Feng for remembering me."
Feng Nianxiang saw through it. Ever since Feng Huanhuan came in, Wusun Xingyan's mouth had never drooped from behind his ears. He looked very cheap and seemed to really like Feng Huanhuan. It turned out that the two had known each other for a long time. No wonder he came all the way to ask for her hand in marriage. This made Feng Nianxiang feel a little relieved.
Feng Huanhuan was also a little embarrassed at this time. If they had never met before, she would have just greeted him respectfully. But now this Western prince was the one who sold peacock feathers. How should she treat him?
Wusun Xingyan saw Feng Huanhuan's entanglement and embarrassment, so he took the initiative to speak, "Miss Feng, please take a seat. I came to visit you today to give you a gift. I will return to the inn after I give it to you."
Wusun Xingyan winked at the guard, who ran out and brought up a wooden box. Wusun Xingyan stepped forward and opened the box, being a little cautious, as if the items inside were somewhat valuable. The box slowly opened, and a peacock green dress was displayed from the box.
"This is made of peacock down, which is unique to the Western Regions. It is made by taking the softest part of peacock feathers and using the aid of knitting techniques. It is very rare and not easy to make successfully. There is only one such piece in the entire Western Regions."
Wusun Xingyan's eyes were sincere and bright, making Feng Huanhuan unable to say no. The peacock dress was really beautiful and noble, and of course, it had a different meaning. Feng Huanhuan smiled and moved her eyes away from the peacock dress, "Then I'll write it to Wusun Prince, and Huan'er will accept it."
Wusun Xingyan also kept his word. When Feng Huanhuan accepted the gorgeous dress, there was a certain affection in his eyes. He did not stay for long and left with his guards.
On the way back to Huanxin Garden, Feicui looked at Feng Huanhuan who had not spoken for a long time, and couldn't help but ask: "Miss, why do you want to buy peacock feathers from that peacock feather seller?"
Feng Huanhuan burst out laughing, "Girl, your little mouth is getting smarter and smarter."
"Miss, you know what I mean." Feicui pouted her lips, turned her eyes away, and deliberately didn't look at her.
Feng Huanhuan's health has been deteriorating these days, and Feicui's chubby face has become much thinner because of her. Feng Huanhuan feels distressed when she sees this.
"No matter who comes today, I will accept them, and Prince Wusun is no exception." Feng Huanhuan said.
Feicui understood instantly. She lowered her head, frowned, and said nothing. Back at Huanxin Garden, Feng Huanhuan wanted to take a nap. Feicui didn't wake Feng Huanhuan until lunch time. Feng Huanhuan simply drank a bowl of porridge. In recent days, her appetite has been decreasing day by day, and she has symptoms of anorexia, but she still insists on eating. First, she doesn't want to worry everyone, and second, she wants to wait a little longer.
After lunch, Feng Huanhuan sat under the wintersweet tree as usual to enjoy the breeze and sun. The summer breeze was very gentle and she liked it very much.
"Miss, Miss Bai is here."
Feng Huanhuan slowly opened her eyes, with no expression on her face. Feicui didn't know what Feng Huanhuan was thinking until a few breaths later, when Feng Huanhuan nodded and said "hmm". At this moment, Bai Tiao had already walked in.
"Huan'er."
Feng Huanhuan did not stand up to greet her, but turned around and greeted her with a smile, "Sister is here."
Bai Tiao frowned and trotted towards Feng Huanhuan anxiously, "Huan'er, what's going on?"
"I just want to get married," Feng Huanhuan said with a smile, "Sister should bless me."
"What! That——"
Feng Huanhuan interrupted Bai Tiao and said, "The prince of the Western Regions and I are old acquaintances. I volunteered."
Bai Tiao pursed her lips tightly, not knowing what to say. She had never thought of this factor, that Feng Huanhuan and the prince of the Western Regions were old acquaintances. Seeing that Bai Tiao didn't say anything, Feng Huanhuan smiled again, "Sister Bai, don't worry, I really volunteered. The Western Regions are so good, so free there, even the grass is free."
"Does Huan'er really think so?" Bai Tiao probed, "Then——"
Feng Huanhuan interrupted again, "Really? I've thought about this for a long time. I want to leave the capital."
Feng Huanhuan was very persistent, and Bai Tiao had no way of asking any more questions, so the two of them remained silent for a few moments.
"Huan'er, I will also see you off on the day you leave."
Feng Huanhuan still looked at Bai Tiao with a smile, "Okay."
Bai Tiao looked at Feng Huanhuan so relaxed and smiled too. Then she seemed to have thought of something, and gently pulled Feng Huanhuan's hand and asked, "Has Wu Bai been informed? Can he come back in time?"
Feng Huanhuan stared at Bai Tiao for a while, and Bai Tiao suddenly felt a little confused. Since the beginning of Huanxin Garden today, she felt that Feng Huanhuan was a little strange. However, before she had time to think, Feng Huanhuan interrupted her thoughts.
"I don't know either. Just go with the flow."
Bai Tiao was a little anxious, "How can Wu Bai not be present at your wedding? If you leave now, I don't know when we will meet again."
Feng Huanhuan smiled, "Sister Bai, I will get married eventually, and brother will return to the border eventually. I only hope that brother can stay with his beloved for the rest of his life and grow old together. Brother will always be in my heart."
Feng Huanhuan's words made Bai Tiao choke. If she continued speaking, she would seem to have lost her sense of propriety.
Bai Tiao didn't sit for long before Feng Huanhuan sent her away, saying she was a little tired. When they got on the sedan chair back to the Prime Minister's Mansion, Bai Tiao regained her usual coldness. When she was thinking about something, she was like a piece of ice, making people afraid to approach her.
"Haitang, do you think Feng Huanhuan was acting a little strange today?" Bai Tiao asked.
Haitang thought about it and nodded, "But, it seems like there's nothing wrong."
"That's the weird part." Bai Tiao said, but soon she laughed, "Never mind, she's going to get married soon anyway."
Haitang also laughed, "That's right, young lady. I don't believe that Young Master Feng will not come back for Miss Feng's wedding."
Bai Tiao nodded, "Wedding invitations are posted everywhere nowadays, it's impossible for Wu Bai not to see them."
Bai Tiao always thought that no one knew her thoughts, especially Feng Huanhuan. But what she didn't know was that Feng Huanhuan had been very thoughtful since she was a child, and she was unwilling to show it, nor to expose it. Ever since the return of Master Feng, Feng Huanhuan saw through Bai Tiao's thoughts. Even though Feng Huanhuan knew that the man in black was Feng Wubai, she also knew Bai Tiao's thoughts.
"Miss, Miss Bai is getting more and more impatient." Feicui put a thin shirt on Feng Huanhuan. After seeing Bai Tiao off, Feng Huanhuan did not rest. She still sat under the wintersweet tree drinking tea.
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