As the birthday banquet was drawing to a close, Qi Mu returned to the hall alone. He told Xia Chao that he had arranged for Feng Guang to rest in a guest room. Xia Chao snorted and said nothing. He had a feeling that something was wrong with Qi Mu's radiant face, but he would never guess that his daughter had not gone to the guest room but had gone to Qi Mu's room.
As the guests were leaving, another announcement came from outside the door: "Consort Min has arrived!"
Princess Xiao was taken aback, Qi Mu sneered, and everyone else was surprised and hurriedly went out of the hall to greet the Imperial Concubine.
Consort Min truly embodies the word "Min" (敏, meaning quick-witted or intelligent). Although she is nearly forty, her beauty remains. Her smile makes one feel that she is a quick-witted and intelligent woman. Having been by the emperor's side for a long time, she possesses an even greater sense of nobility that is difficult for ordinary people to attain.
Consort Min dismissed the formalities and stepped forward, smiling as she said to Princess Xiao, "Today is Princess Xiao's birthday banquet, so these formalities are unnecessary. Consider these jewels as a gift from me to Princess Xiao."
The maid following behind Consort Min opened the jewelry box she was carrying.
The box was filled with rare treasures, but Princess Xiao didn't even glance at them. She was smiling, though Consort Min was of higher status than her, but she didn't lose face in the slightest. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Granny Guo accepted the box from the little maid.
"Actually, one reason I came here is to celebrate the Princess's birthday. The other reason is that His Majesty heard that Prince Xiao was seriously ill and specially sent me to visit him."
"Your Majesty," Qi Mu said with a smile, "Father has already rested. Why don't you stay at the Prince's residence for the night and visit Father tomorrow?"
Princess Xiao gripped the Buddhist prayer beads tightly in her hand.
Consort Min looked at Qi Mu with a dark and unfathomable gaze. "You are the Crown Prince, Qi Mu?"
"Exactly."
"Indeed, he is a handsome man. Very well, as you say, I will stay at the Prince's residence for the night. I hope the Princess will not mind."
"Of course not, I will lead the way and personally escort Your Highness to your guest room."
Princess Xiao went to entertain Consort Min. Everyone else left or dispersed. Xia Chao walked towards Qi Mu, saying, "Where is Feng Guang? I want to take her home."
"Fengguang is already asleep, so why don't I personally take him back tomorrow?"
"Asleep?"
Qi Mu smiled perfectly, "Feng Guang fell asleep because she was too tired."
"You brat!" Ignoring the difference in status, Xia Chao grabbed his collar, then, still mindful, lowered his voice to warn, "Don't forget, you're not married yet. You need to maintain your reputation. If word gets out..."
Qi Mu remained calm. "Don't worry, Master Xia. No one in the Prince's Mansion dares to spread the word. They know very well who their master is."
"You've actually gone this far?" Xia Chao was surprised. He knew what kind of person Xiao Wang was. Qi Mu was able to turn everyone in Xiao Wang's mansion into his own people. Even if Xiao Wang lost power, his old subordinates would not betray him. But Qi Mu was able to replace everyone. What did that mean?
"Master Xia, I can guarantee that Fengguang will have absolutely no troublesome family matters to deal with after marrying into the family. I have already arranged everything." Qi Mu's elegant smile was impeccable.
Xia Chao released his grip, took a step back, his expression unreadable. He realized that this was not a young man he could fathom, and whether entrusting Feng Guang to him was a good thing or a bad thing was unknown. It was like a high-stakes gamble, betting on the happiness of Feng Guang... Xia Chao gave Qi Mu another cold look before turning and leaving.
Qi Mu calmly straightened his collar and walked back to his room. When he saw the girl fast asleep on the bed, his indifferent gaze softened into tenderness.
Her rosy lips still bore the redness and swelling from the rough treatment. He tenderly traced the shape of her lips with his finger and gently kissed them.
He cherishes her so much, how could Xia Chao doubt that he doesn't treat Feng Guang well?
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