Mountain River Festival 283. Raising a Daughter Becomes a Sin

Prime Minister's Mansion

In the study, Prime Minister Liu frowned as he looked at his daughter who was sitting beside him with an indifferent expression. He walked back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back. After a long time, he turned around and stared at Concubine Liu and said, "Daughter, what do you want to do?" Concubine Liu raised her head and said unhappily, "What's wrong?" Prime Minister Liu said unhappily, "What's wrong? You still ask what's wrong? We have already discussed it before, why do you want to provoke Mo Xiuyao at this time?"

Concubine Liu frowned slightly, "How did I provoke Mo Xiuyao?"

Prime Minister Liu had a headache. It was a good thing to have a smart, beautiful and favored daughter, but it was a very troublesome thing to have a disobedient daughter. Rubbing his forehead, Prime Minister Liu took a breath and said calmly: "We agreed before that we would solve the issue of burial alive first. Now this matter has not been resolved and you have provoked Mo Xiuyao. What if he suddenly intervenes... You have to know that Dad and Prince Li are still suppressing this matter under the pressure of those scholars and old pedants. As long as Prince Ding says something casually, those people will make trouble again." Concubine Liu supported her head with her hand, looked at Prime Minister Liu calmly and said: "Then what do you want?"

"No matter what, you should release Feng Zhiyao first. He is Mo Xiuyao's man. Since Mo Xiuyao has already expressed that he has no intention of interfering in the affairs of the capital, we should not provoke him for the time being."

Concubine Liu Gui said unhappily, "Prince Ding has captured Tan Jizhi. Dad... don't you know what Feng Zhiyao has done?"

"No matter what he did!" Prime Minister Liu said firmly: "So what if he kidnapped the empress? This will not harm us at all. If the empress is still alive, she will be the empress dowager when the new emperor ascends the throne. Then the Hua family can openly interfere in government affairs and assist the new emperor. Isn't it just right now? The new emperor is young. If his biological mother dies early, then you, as the concubine of the late emperor, will naturally be the most powerful person in the palace. What's more, we have such a handle on the Hua family, and then..." Thinking of the situation where the Hua family was trampled under the feet or even controlled by the Liu family, Prime Minister Liu showed a complacent smile.

Concubine Liu lowered her eyes, a hint of cold disdain flashing across her face. The most powerful person in the palace? So what? Even if she was the queen mother, what was the point of having such a noble position without that person?

Prime Minister Liu turned around and saw the sneer and disdain on Concubine Liu's lips. He frowned and asked, "Have you not given up on Prince Ding yet?!"

Seeing Concubine Liu's determined eyes, Prime Minister Liu felt like he was about to spit out the blood in his chest. What sin had he committed to have such an unworthy daughter? It was really an injustice!

"It's been so many years. If Prince Ding had taken a fancy to you, he wouldn't have waited until now. Why are you still..." Prime Minister Liu advised earnestly.

"Shut up!" This sentence really touched Concubine Liu's scalp, and her delicate face was instantly filled with anger. Concubine Liu glared at her father in front of her and gritted her teeth and said, "I don't believe that he doesn't like me. He just didn't chop me with a knife!" Prime Minister Liu didn't know what to say for a moment.

Prime Minister Liu didn't know what to say for a moment. He really didn't understand why the Liu family's education failed to produce such a stubborn daughter. A woman who was already over 30 years old would be a grandmother in an ordinary family. Even if she didn't enter the palace, she should have been the head lady of a famous family. How could a woman of this age be so obsessed with a man? And a man who didn't care about her at all!

"What an injustice! What an injustice..." Prime Minister Liu stopped and sighed.

Concubine Liu Guifei didn't care about her father's anxiety. She raised a faint but sweet smile and said, "Yes, that's right. He just didn't see me. I will go to Prince Ding's Mansion to see him tomorrow. He will definitely understand my feelings for him."

"Are you sure he won't chase you out?" Prime Minister Liu poured cold water on him mercilessly. Concubine Liu had captured Prince Ding's men, and Prince Ding's most likely reaction would be to also detain Concubine Liu. Then they would still have to exchange her for someone else, and they might even have to pay a higher price. Prime Minister Liu didn't think Mo Xiuyao would be willing to pay any price for Feng Zhiyao, after all, he was just a subordinate. If Prince Ding got angry because of this, it was probably because his dignity was challenged. Prime Minister Liu really couldn't admit that he had taught this daughter.

Concubine Liu Gui smiled confidently, "No, unless... he doesn't want Feng San's life anymore."

Prime Minister Liu sneered, "Why are you going to see him? Expecting him to marry you? Don't tell me you don't know that Prince Ding loves his wife deeply, and that he has only had Princess Ding by his side for so many years. Do you think Prince Ding would let his wife down for Feng San?"

Not only that, Prime Minister Liu is also a man. Even from a man's perspective, it is absolutely impossible to abandon Princess Ding, who is equally beautiful and capable, and who has been through thick and thin with him, and fall in love with a woman who has been married and has given birth to a child for someone else, even if that woman is as beautiful as a fairy. Abandoning a wife for the sake of beauty is a despicable act. Prime Minister Liu is not a good person, but he is not a despicable person either. How could Prince Ding do something that he would not even bother to do?

Concubine Liu looked at Prime Minister Liu in surprise and said, "Father, I really don't understand. You can't fail to see that both the new emperor and Mo Jingli are far inferior to Prince Ding. As long as Mo Xiuyao wants, he can definitely get no less than Da Chu. If I am well, the Liu family will naturally be well. Why are you so opposed?"

Prime Minister Liu smiled bitterly in his heart, but once again confirmed his failure in educating his daughter. It seems... it's time to give up. Fortunately, there are two granddaughters who are about to reach marriage. Although their appearance and talent are slightly inferior to this daughter, they are still excellent. We have to be careful to balance between Prince Li and Prince Qin. As for Prince Ding... I'm sorry, Prime Minister Liu has never considered the possibility of joining Prince Ding. Not only because of the dirty things that happened between the Liu family and Prince Ding's mansion in those years, but also because Mo Xiuyao's behavior is completely different from that of the Liu family. Even if Prince Ding really marries Concubine Liu, the Liu family will never get any benefit from it.

Waving his hands feebly, Prime Minister Liu said calmly: "Forget it, since you don't want to listen to what I say, then do as you wish. But... I just hope you don't bring trouble to the Liu family. In the future... you don't have to come back. After all, you are the concubine of the late emperor. It is not appropriate to always run outside the palace." Concubine Liu was stunned and looked at Prime Minister Liu in confusion. For so many years, her father had never spoken to her in this tone. It can't be said to be anger or coldness, just a kind of faint frustration and alienation. Concubine Liu intuitively didn't like this feeling.

"Father..."

"Forget it, just go ahead. By the way, I plan to marry Xian'er to Prince Li as a concubine." Prime Minister Liu stated his plan.

Concubine Liu was stunned for a while before she stood up and walked out. She was not stupid, so she naturally understood what her father meant by doing this. This meant that the Liu family would bet on Prince Li, and that they were planning to abandon her and Prince Qin. At least Prince Qin would not be the most important to the Liu family in the future. In her life, except for the fact that she could not get Mo Xiuyao, Concubine Liu had always been smooth sailing. She had never thought that one day she would be the one abandoned.

Father...Father...Why can't you understand me? I am also doing this for my own happiness. Is there anything wrong with that? Father, since you are unkind, don't blame me for being unjust.

Looking back, Concubine Liu glanced at Prime Minister Liu who was thinking with his head down in the study. A trace of hatred flashed across her face, and she walked forward steadily.

In the dark cell late at night, Feng Zhiyuan, who was originally sitting cross-legged on the bed to regulate his breathing, slowly opened his eyes. He looked sideways and saw Feng Huaiting sleeping on the bed covered with a cloak not far away. A trace of worry flashed through his mind.

"Zhuo Jing?" Feng Zhiyao asked tentatively, looking towards the prison door.

A deep laugh came from the cell door. Qin Feng appeared at the cell door and looked at him leisurely and said jokingly, "It's not Zhuo Jing, but Zhuo Jing asked me to bring you a message."

"What?" Feng Zhiyao raised his eyebrows and asked, "Why are you here?" He remembered that Qin Feng did not come to the capital with them.

Qin Feng walked into the dungeon and said with a smile: "Zhuo Jing said... the prince was very angry. As for why I am here, it is a coincidence. I heard that the third son of Feng was captured by a woman just after entering the capital, so I came here to investigate. After all, compared with Zhuo Jing, the friendship between us is still a little deeper, isn't it?"

"This time it was an accident." Hearing the words that the prince was very angry, Feng Zhiyuan still shrank his neck habitually, and then said calmly. This time it was really an accident. How could he know that woman would run to the Dali Temple at that time? The woman of Concubine Liu who became brain-dead because of the prince was not Mo Jingli. If he dared to run, Concubine Liu would really dare to kill Feng Huaiting. Although he hated Feng Huaiting for ignoring him, he didn't want him to die.

Qin Feng tilted his neck and smiled at the person in the cell next to him: "Uncle, I'm Qin Feng. I'm Feng San's friend. How are you, uncle?"

Feng Huai Ting in the cell next to them woke up when they said the first sentence. A cell is not a place where people can sleep soundly. Feng Huai Ting was startled, nodded and said, "I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Qin."

Qin Feng waved his hand and said, "This time, Feng San acted impulsively. When we get back, our prince will teach him a lesson. Uncle, let's go now." Feng Huai Ting had a complicated expression, with a hint of bitterness on his lips. His own son acted impulsively, but he wanted others to teach him a lesson and apologize to him as a father on his behalf. For the first time in his life, Feng Huai Ting felt that he might have done something wrong to his son.

Qin Feng walked forward, casually pulled out a dagger with a cold glow, and with a casual cut, the iron chain and the huge copper lock on the cell, which were as thick as a finger, broke. Qin Feng reached out to catch it and threw it back to open the cell. Qin Feng stood at the door of the cell and smiled at Feng Huai Ting and said, "Uncle, please." Seeing that Feng Huai Ting was still a little hesitant, Qin Feng smiled and said, "Uncle, don't worry. Although the other members of the Feng family are in the hands of Prince Li, Prince Li will not harm them." But the Feng family's property was hanging in the balance. Unfortunately, they made a lot of money in Xiling last year. The already wealthy Prince Ding said that he was not short of money. Moreover, it was the property of the three Feng families, so they were a little embarrassed to take a bite, otherwise they could also have a share.

Feng Huai Ting then walked out, looked at Qin Feng and said, "Prince Ding's men are indeed full of hidden talents."

Qin Feng smiled faintly, casually playing with the dagger in his hand and said: "My uncle is embarrassed by my tricks. Uncle, please, our people will meet you outside."

Feng Huaiting thanked him, glanced at Feng Zhiyao and walked out the door. Qin Feng smiled at Feng Zhiyao and followed him. Feng Zhiyao, who was still in the cell, was stunned, "Qin Feng! I haven't come out yet."

Qin Feng looked up at the sky innocently, "What? The order I received was to rescue Master Feng who was implicated by the subordinates of Prince Ding's Mansion. Are there any other people? I haven't heard of it."

"You!" Feng Zhiyao gritted his teeth, and Qin Feng smiled particularly happily, "Feng San, you should continue to stay in jail obediently. Maybe when you come out, the prince will be no longer angry. Also, don't tell me that you can't open a small iron chain. Oh, and... the prince has ordered that since you like to be in jail so much, stay in there for two more days. Don't worry, that woman will definitely not kill you for the sake of the prince."

"Just wait for me!" Feng Zhiyao glared at the person who was walking away. Although he knew that Mo Xiuyao would not do this just for punishment, he could not help but curse in his heart with resentment when he thought of Qin Feng's smug and mocking expression: "I curse you to have a bumpy love life!"

Qin Feng, who had just walked out of the secret cell, shuddered for no reason and looked up at the sky. It was indeed a bit cold in March.

Qin Feng took Feng Huai Ting out and encountered almost no obstacles along the way. Seeing the powerful strength of the people under Prince Ding's Mansion made Feng Huai Ting feel more hesitant and thoughtful.

It was already light when they returned to Prince Ding's Mansion. After Feng Huai Ting was arranged to get acquainted and had a little breakfast, she was taken to see Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li. Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li were not in the study, but in a quiet little garden deep in Prince Ding's Mansion. When Feng Huai Ting was taken there, Mo Xiu Yao was practicing swordsmanship, and Ye Li and the Queen were sitting at a stone table not far away and talking. Not far from the table, two children squatted on the ground with their heads close together, and no one knew what they were talking about. The morning light was faintly sprinkled in the courtyard, and the faint fragrance of orchids filled the air, making people feel refreshed.

"Is that Master Feng? Please come and sit down." Ye Li was the first to notice Feng Huai Ting, turned around and said with a smile.

Feng Huai Ting walked forward and bowed, saying: "I have met Princess Ding. I have met... the Queen, the Majesty..." Almost in an instant, the Queen clearly sensed that Feng Huai Ting had some complaints about her. She smiled faintly and said nothing. She was just a guest now, so naturally she couldn't take away the host's attention. Ye Li sighed helplessly in her heart. What the Queen could perceive, she would naturally not fail to perceive. Mo Xiu Yao brought the Queen to meet Feng Huai Ting together, and he didn't know whether Feng Zhiyao would blame them in the future. But Ye Li understood Mo Xiu Yao's thoughts. If the Queen wanted to be with Feng Zhiyao in the future, then Feng Huai Ting would be a hurdle they had to overcome. If Feng Zhiyao really didn't care about Feng Huaiting or Feng Huaiting didn't care about Feng Zhiyao at all, then it wouldn't be a big deal. But looking at Feng Zhiyao's performance, it's obviously not the case. And the reason why Feng Huaiting is hostile to the queen is naturally because of Feng Zhiyao.

"Master Feng, please take a seat. Feng San acted impulsively and brought trouble to the Feng family. Please forgive me, Master Feng."

Hearing this, Feng Huai Ting smiled bitterly, "Princess, you are too kind. I am ashamed." If he had not always ignored this son and neglected to teach him, Feng Zhiyao might not have taken the Queen so seriously, or even rushed to the palace to kidnap people. He also knew that the Queen had taken good care of Feng Zhiyao in the past, so even so, he did not have the face to blame the Queen. Looking at the child in white who shyly threw himself into Princess Ding's arms, and the boy in black who walked over with a look of embarrassment, climbed onto the stool next to him and sat upright, Feng Huai Ting's eyes flashed with a trace of regret. If... Zhiyao's child might have been older than these two children.

Mo Xiuyao put away his sword and put it back into the scabbard hanging on a tree not far away and walked over. Ye Li casually took her handkerchief, and Mo Xiuyao took it and wiped his almost sweaty forehead and sat down next to Ye Li.

"Your Highness..." Feng Huai Ting wanted to stand up, but Mo Xiu Yao waved his hand to signal him to sit down.

"No need to be so polite. It was Feng San's fault this time. I hope Master Feng didn't suffer much." Mo Xiu Yao asked.

Feng Huaiting felt a little uncomfortable. This was the third person who said this to him. This meant that the people in Prince Ding's mansion really regarded Feng Zhiyao as their family member rather than a mere dispensable subordinate. But at the same time, this was also the biggest irony for him as a father. But at this time, Feng Huaiting was not in the mood to care about these things. He asked with some concern: "Prince, Zhiyao..." He knew that Feng Zhiyao did not follow them out of the dungeon, although Qin Feng told him that Feng Zhiyao had another mission.

Mo Xiuyao casually brushed away the white hair that was blown by the breeze, and a faint smile appeared on his lips, "Don't worry, Master Feng, Feng San will be back today. But with his temper, it would be good for him to receive a lesson, so that he won't get carried away again in the future."

Hearing what Mo Xiuyao said, Feng Huaiting felt a little uneasy, but he had no choice but to give up. At least he believed that Prince Ding would never let Feng Zhiyao worry about his life. He bowed to Mo Xiuyao and said, "Thank you for your help, Prince. If there is anything I can do in the future, please let me know."

Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, "Master Feng, you don't have to be polite. It's just a piece of cake. It's just..."

"?" Feng Huai Ting waited calmly for Mo Xiu Yao's words.

"I'm afraid the Feng family's assets are... As far as I know, the two sons have already defected to King Li. Before you came back, I received news that the Feng family had been released, and the price was... 70% of the Feng family's assets." Mo Xiu Yao picked up the teacup and took a sip and said calmly.