Chapter 255 Feng Xue is worried and secretly investigates the source of bees
In the main hall of the Fang family mansion, the silvery charcoal in the stove burned brightly, casting a warm glow on the celadon tea set on the Eight Immortals table. Outside, the snow fell heavily, pattering against the window frames like a sprinkle of crushed salt, but it couldn't suppress the suddenly solemn atmosphere in the hall.
"What did you say? Ci'er got stung by a bee?" Fang's mother's teacup clanged against the table, spilling a few drops of tea onto her lake-blue skirt. She abruptly stood up, the pearl flowers on her temples swaying as she moved, and tears welled up in her eyes. "How could there be a bee in such a clear place? It's so cold, the bees should have been hibernating long ago!"
Father Fang put down the scroll in his hand, his brows knitted into a knot. He was wearing a navy blue brocade gown, and his face, usually gentle and smiling, was now covered with a layer of frost. "Butler Li, please tell me more carefully. What did the person from the palace say?"
Steward Li, standing in the hall, hunched over, his face pale. "Master and Madam, the guards from Prince Rong's mansion reported...that Princess Huanzhu was viewing flowers under the window of the Shufangzhai when she was stung by a bee hiding in the locust flowers. Her face is severely swollen. The Emperor has already decreed the postponement of the wedding."
"Sophora japonica flowers?" Mother Fang covered her chest with her hands, tears falling even harder. "Where did the sophora japonica flowers come from at this time? Someone must have bad intentions! My Ci'er, you're getting married tomorrow, why did you have to suffer this..." As she spoke, she was about to go to the inner room, "I have to go see her, I want to enter the palace!"
"Mother!" Xiao Jian strode in from the doorway, his dark suit stained with snow. He had just returned from outside and, upon hearing the news, headed straight for the main hall. He pressed his mother's shoulders, his voice as deep as ice. "Don't worry. The palace has many rules. Going in now would only cause more trouble."
He turned to Butler Li, his eyes sharp as a knife: "What else did the guard say? Where did those locust flowers come from?"
"They say...they say that the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent it over according to the instructions of Jingren Palace." Butler Li shrank his neck and his voice trembled.
"Jingren Palace?" Xiao Jian's eyebrows twitched, his knuckles white with clenched fists. Of course he remembered that Concubine Gao Gui was confined to Jingren Palace. She had just been quiet for a few days, but now she had evil intentions again, and even dared to set her sights on his sister!
Father Fang's heart sank as he listened, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "Yan'er is right. We shouldn't act rashly right now. But this is very strange. Bees are rare in the cold winter, and they're hiding in the locust flowers that were specially sent to us. It's definitely not a coincidence."
"Dad is right." Xiao Jian gripped the sword at his waist tightly, the jade pendant on the tassel swaying slightly with his movements. "Someone must have done this on purpose, trying to ruin my sister's marriage. I'm going to find Yongqi and Erkang right now. We'll investigate separately and find the person who released the bees!"
"I'll go with you!" Fang's mother said hurriedly, but was held back by Fang's father.
Father Fang looked at his son, his eyes solemn but firm. "Go ahead. Be sure to find out the truth and protect your sister. Your mother and I will be waiting at the mansion. I believe you and Yongqi can handle it properly." He paused, then added, "Remember, always leave room for error. Don't impulsively break the rules and make things difficult for the Emperor."
"Son, I understand." Xiao Jian bowed and turned to walk out. A dark figure passed by the red plum blossoms under the corridor, the snow crunching under his boots, with an unquestionable determination.
Mother Fang watched her son's back disappear into the wind and snow, then looked out the window at the snow covering the sky. She couldn't help but sigh, "Why can't life in this palace be more peaceful?"
Father Fang picked up the teacup and took a sip of the now-cold tea. His eyes fell on the snowflakes falling outside the window. His voice was low but powerful: "Don't worry, Ci'er is blessed by fate, and with Yan'er and Yongqi protecting her, she will be fine. But the person behind this will probably have to pay the price."
The charcoal in the stove crackled and sparked, causing the light in his eyes to flicker. Outside, the wind and snow intensified, lashing the window paper with a chill, but it couldn't dispel the worry and determination that filled the room—no matter who dared to harm their daughter, the Fang family would never let it go.
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