Chapter 252 Hongxiu Rejects Cheng Feng
At this moment, Steward Cheng and Cheng Feng also knelt outside the Lanyue Pavilion, saying, "Please punish us, Your Highness. We know we were wrong."
Jiang Fenghua got up from her seat and walked outside. "Steward Cheng, Manager Cheng, please get up. This is not your fault. Even if the Thousand-Faced Gentlemen hadn't switched your gifts, they would have found another way to enter the Jiang residence. What happened today would still have happened." Actually, she also suspected Manager Cheng, but since he was the one who gave out the gifts, she really couldn't suspect him.
Butler Cheng said, "No matter what, it was this old servant's dereliction of duty that allowed someone to take advantage of the situation, almost harming Grand Tutor Jiang and Young Master Jiang. This old servant is ashamed!"
Cheng Feng also said, "Please, Your Highness, don't punish Miss Hongxiu. It's all my fault, and I'm willing to take full responsibility. If Your Highness wants to punish me, punish me alone. I will have no complaints."
Butler Cheng also said, "This matter is not Hongxiu's fault. It is all the fault of this old servant. The Crown Princess will forgive Hongxiu because of her dedication to serving the Crown Princess."
They saw Hongxiu take the rattan cane into Lanyue Pavilion, so they assumed Jiang Fenghua was going to punish Hongxiu and rushed over.
For a moment, Jiang Fenghua didn't know what to say. Seeing that Hongxiu was being protected, she couldn't describe the feeling in her heart. She was happy for Hongxiu, but she was also afraid that they weren't genuinely protecting her.
Hongxiu and Lianye were sold when they were young. Their mother bought them into the mansion to keep her company when they were very young. Although they were called maids, the Jiang family never lacked food or clothing for them. They were like her sisters, and naturally, the family hoped that they would have a happy and fulfilling life.
Hongxiu composed herself and walked out calmly and reservedly. In order not to make things difficult for the Crown Princess, she took the initiative to help Steward Cheng up. "Steward Cheng, please get up first. The Crown Princess did not blame me, nor did she blame you or Steward Cheng."
Butler Cheng also stood up, and seeing that her eyes were red, he was very embarrassed. "Then this old servant will take his leave."
"Butler Cheng, thank you." Jiang Fenghua suddenly spoke up, "Thank you for preparing a gift for my elder brother. The Jiang family appreciates your thoughtfulness."
Butler Cheng paused for a moment.
She then added, “Thank you for your careful guidance of Hongxiu. I have never treated Hongxiu and Lianye as maids. They are like my family and my sisters. If Hongxiu wants to get married or finds someone she likes, I will not stop her. It is entirely up to her. I only hope that she can be happy and that her husband truly loves and cares for her.”
Before Steward Cheng could speak, Hongxiu said in a deep voice, "This servant will not marry."
Cheng Feng wanted to say something, but Hongxiu stopped him. She straightened her posture, her eyes revealing a cold indifference that kept people at a distance. "Manager Cheng, I will not marry you. I have already made that clear to you."
After saying this, Hongxiu gave Jiang Fenghua a slight bow, "This servant has other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now." Without a trace of lingering affection, she turned and left, not even giving Cheng Feng a chance to react.
After returning to the Crown Prince's residence today, Cheng Feng confessed his feelings to her. He said he had liked her for a long time. He had seen her when she was still a maid in the Jiang family, and they often went to buy pastries together.
Later, she followed Jiang Fenghua into the Heng Prince's mansion, and he learned that she was originally a maid in the Jiang family. He had secretly seen her several times and even served as their coachman several times. Hongxiu probably didn't remember him. After he told her all this, Hongxiu still scolded him.
She said even more heartless things: she would never like him, she would never marry him, and she would stay with the Crown Princess for the rest of her life.
She even blamed Cheng Feng, who almost ruined the Jiang family and the Crown Princess...
Hongxiu knew how hard her young mistress had worked since childhood and how good the Jiang family had been to them. However, because of her negligence, the Jiang family was almost brought to ruin. If the Jiang family were to be raided today, she would not be able to atone for her sins even if she died ten thousand times.
These words cut Cheng Feng like a knife, causing him immense pain.
Although Steward Cheng did not know what Hongxiu had said to his son in private, he felt ashamed to see that Hongxiu had made it so clear now. He took his son's hand and bowed to Jiang Fenghua, saying, "This old servant will take his leave now."
Cheng Feng looked at the empty courtyard, wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't, and left with his father.
-
When Jiang Fenghua arrived at Hongxiu's room, she found her lying on the bed, crying her heart out.
Jiang Fenghua held her hand, "Did it hurt?"
Hongxiu wept uncontrollably, her voice choked with sobs, shaking her head repeatedly: "No."
Jiang Fenghua explained, "I thought you liked Cheng Feng because you thought he was a good person and sincere towards you."
“I will not marry him. I want to stay with Miss for the rest of my life.” Hongxiu’s eyes were firm.
Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "Actually, my mother has also prepared a dowry for you. If you want to get married, she will definitely make sure you have a grand wedding."
Hongxiu, I hope you and Lianye can find happiness, without being humble or timid, but holding your heads high, marrying someone who truly loves you, and becoming their rightful wives.
I just hope that, no matter what day it comes, you will all love yourselves and not devote your whole hearts to men. It's never wrong for a woman to be cautious; don't say foolish things like "I won't get married."
Hongxiu threw herself into Jiang Fenghua's arms, crying even more bitterly, "I understand."
"You should stay in your room and get some rest tonight. You've cried yourself to sleep. People who don't know the situation might think your young lady has been wronged." Jiang Fenghua said, "You're both at the age where you're just starting to fall in love. I won't say any more. Let things take their course!"
Hongxiu stared at Jiang Fenghua and felt that she was as warm as a mother, always calm and composed.
If Jiang Fenghua knew that she was being compared to her mother, she would probably have a heart attack. Is she really that mature?
Lianye smiled and said, "I haven't experienced the first stirrings of love yet, Miss, please don't include me."
Jiang Fenghua glared at her, not mentioning Lin Feng's matter but teasing her, only saying, "It will happen sooner or later."
It's possible that Steward Cheng is working for Empress Cheng. He keeps a close watch on the Crown Prince's residence and reports to Empress Cheng, making her feel uneasy. She really doesn't know how much sincerity Cheng Feng has for Hongxiu.
Actually, Butler Cheng wasn't wrong; he had taken good care of her in her previous life as well.
However, Cheng Feng did not confess his feelings to Hongxiu in his previous life, which made her doubt his sincerity.
After saying that, Jiang Fenghua left the room without lingering. She knew that Hongxiu was definitely different towards Cheng Feng, otherwise she wouldn't trust him so much. Normally, she would at least check what was in the gift box.
Lianye wanted to comfort Hongxiu, but she didn't know how. She also gave Hongxiu some space to think on her own.
Lianye couldn't understand it either. She sat in the corridor and muttered to herself, "How could this be? How come Butler Cheng's son likes Hongxiu, and Hongxiu likes him too? We clearly said that we would follow Miss and take care of her for the rest of our lives."
Ao Xue walked towards her, "Doesn't Lin Feng like you too? What's so strange about that?"
"Who wants him to like me?" Lianye blushed. "I don't want to like him. He's always so irresponsible. I don't know if the women in the palace have eyes that would fall for him."
Ao Xue saw through it but didn't say anything. Everyone has their own thoughts. Her life used to be very boring. Everyone just trained and their goal was to become the best.
Aside from the occasional thrill she feels when she sees him, she wonders if this counts as liking him.
-
Jiang Fenghua lay in bed unable to sleep, wondering what Su Xuan's expression would be when he saw Wu Changshou's corpse appear at the Su family's gate.
She knew that even if the Emperor knew that the Su family had planted many spies in the palace, he would still have many concerns and would not really take action against the Su family, because he was the Emperor, the ruler of the country, and he would not take risks.
Even if Xie Shang wanted to put pressure on the Su family, the Emperor had instilled in him the idea that the Su family was untouchable, so he would definitely think twice before acting and choose the most ingenious way to make the Su family behave.
Since they were all hesitant, Jiang Fenghua decided to give them a push, and also give the Su family a push.
Su Xuan would never have imagined that she had planted hidden sentries in the palace; he only assumed that it was the Crown Prince who did it.
The only way to deal with the Su family is through Xie Shang; relying on the Emperor is futile, as he is old and only wants stability and peace.
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