Having served by His Majesty's side for many years, Xu Min knew the extent of His Majesty's trust in Princess Ding'an. On the few occasions when Princess Ding'an rarely returned to court, she always targeted Xu Min, because Ding'an disliked Xu Min.
"So it's Miss Xia. I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you." Facing a formidable enemy, Xu Min always maintained the airs of a noble consort.
"I don't go to the palace often, so it's normal that the Imperial Concubine doesn't recognize me."
Xu Min knew at first glance that this girl was not as easy to manipulate as she appeared. Even though she was anxious, her smile remained noble and aloof. "I wonder why Miss Xia stopped me?"
"Does Your Highness intend to have your people take Prince Xiao away, or return to the palace to find your uncle, the Emperor?"
"What does this have to do with Miss Xia?"
"Didn't I just say, Your Highness, that I am now the Crown Prince's fiancée? That means I am standing by his side." Feng Guang's eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of her mouth curved into a smile, exuding elegance and nobility. "I couldn't protect the Crown Prince before, so of course I'm stopping you now to protect him."
"Protect?" Xu Min scoffed. "What will you use to protect me?"
"Your Highness probably thinks that because I'm with my father, I've lost contact with my mother's side? Your Highness would know that my uncle, the Emperor, sends me many gifts every year during festivals. Not only my uncle, the Emperor, but also my uncle, Grand Marshal Li Fang, my grandfather, Duke Song, and my uncle, Marquis Fang Jue..."
Xu Min quietly clenched her handkerchief. The people Feng Guang mentioned were all those who held military power in the court and were also the people His Majesty valued most.
"And then there's my mother. She writes me a letter every month. Your Highness, I haven't told my mother yet that I was jilted by Young Master Qi. My mother is so prone to acting on her emotions."
Xu Min could hear the undisguised threat in her tone and asked coldly, "What exactly do you want?"
“It’s not about what I want, but what Your Majesty wants.” Feng Guang, carrying a lantern, took a step closer to her and said softly with a smile, “Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but you don’t really think that only the unloved are the third parties who interfere in a married couple’s lives, do you? And I must remind you, you are Your Majesty, the woman of the Emperor’s uncle. Having an affair is a serious crime. If the Emperor’s uncle finds out that you and Prince Xiao have had a child, do you think he will choose to execute either of you? Or will he kindly let you both die?”
Feng Guang sympathized with Qiao Wan's plight, but she also disliked how Qiao Wan had treated Qi Mu in the past. However, if she had to reluctantly choose between Qiao Wan and Xu Min as someone she didn't dislike as much, she would still choose Qiao Wan.
"...You don't understand anything at all." Xu Min's noble mask shattered, and she looked at Feng Guang, a look of vulnerability she hadn't shown in years.
"I don't understand, but I won't get entangled with a married man."
"What do you know! When Qi Yun and I fell in love, he wasn't married yet. If it weren't for His Majesty's bestowal of marriage, if it weren't for His Majesty taking me as his concubine, I would be the Princess Consort of Xiao now!"
There was no sympathy in Feng Guang's eyes. "Unfortunately, there are no 'what ifs,' so Prince Xiao paid his price, and now, it's Your Highness's turn."
“The price? Ha... Does that poisonous woman Qiao Wan really think I’m afraid of her? I won’t keep her by Prince Xiao’s side, and I will take Qi Duan with me as well. I will protect my child.”
Feng Guang sighed and said clearly, "Your Majesty, as I said, I must protect the Crown Prince. So if your methods of retaliation have even the slightest possibility of affecting the Crown Prince, I will not let you have your way."
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