Chapter 31 "That's very good."
The red candle popped and flickered, and Feng Mian, standing behind Baili Xunzhou, couldn't help but twitch the corner of her lips.
While most men desire multiple wives and concubines, they expect every woman to remain chaste for them. Baili Xunzhou, however, is different. He advises her to find male lovers, as if afraid she might tie her heart to him.
Unfortunately, she really had to focus her attention on Baili Xunzhou right now; she had to make sure he didn't rebel.
If she really moved to the princess's mansion and went her separate ways with Baili Xunzhou, she might one day lose her head in a muddle. The choice between momentary pleasure and lifelong happiness is obvious.
Once it's confirmed that the rebellion won't happen again, she can naturally let go and enjoy herself.
“Your Highness is very magnanimous, but unfortunately I am petty.” Feng Mian carefully applied medicine to Baili Xunzhou, this time without deliberately poking his wound. Her movements were meticulous and careful. “Even if it is in name only, I don’t want the other ladies to gossip that my husband’s heart is not with me.”
She had no intention of winning over Baili Xunzhou's heart, but it would be troublesome if there were multiple people in the manor who were trying to get close to Baili Xunzhou and targeting her.
So that's what she was thinking? Baili Xunzhou breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt inexplicably annoyed.
Bai Lixunzhou: "You can rest assured about that. Right now, I only wish to protect the peace of the northern border."
Feng Mian: "That's excellent."
Judging from his clueless appearance, he probably won't be thinking about having a beautiful woman by his side anytime soon. As long as we get through the winter of twenty years of peace, we can simply part ways amicably and each find our own happiness.
A moment of silence fell between the two. As Feng Mian applied the medicine to the wound, he noticed that Baili Xunzhou's neck veins were faintly visible, his back was taut like a bowstring, fine beads of sweat covered his back, and his breathing became rapid for a moment, clearly indicating that he was trying to endure the pain.
She then found another topic to chat with him, trying to help him shift his attention away from his pain. "Actually, I should also thank you. If you hadn't arrived in time, the people would have continued to berate me for several more days. The imperial guards escorting the bride would probably have really gotten punched a couple of times."
These words suddenly reminded Baili Xunzhou of something. "Those people shouting among the people, were they arranged by you?"
"Yes. Ninth Brother told me before that there were people in the brothel spreading rumors that I was destined to bring misfortune to my family. I felt something was wrong at the time and had already asked Lu Mingzhu to investigate in a few days. But a few days ago, I suddenly dreamed that something happened to you and the Prince. I felt uneasy, so I asked Lord Lu to spread some rumors in the brothel in advance."
"I originally planned to take advantage of the chaos, like those who deliberately targeted me, and gradually plant the idea that we were a match made in heaven in the hearts of the people in order to break this deadlock. I didn't expect the young master to return so quickly, so the spy that Lord Lu planted in the crowd took the opportunity to shout, and everyone happened to hear it."
"For this, you're willing to reopen your wounds?"
Bai Lixun recalled the tremor in his heart when he heard the people say that her parents had both died. He was not unaware of her background before, but when he heard the people talking about it, he truly felt how heavy that fact was.
“It’s something I’ve long been used to, so it’s not a scar.” Feng Mian’s expression was indifferent, as if he really didn’t care about this matter. “In this way, those who hated me before today will feel as guilty as they hate me. In the future, when faced with such rumors, they will probably weigh the pros and cons and won’t be as hostile to me as before.”
Baili Xunzhou: ...
They're good at manipulating people's hearts; they're still the cunning people of Shengjing.
"This theory of fate must be true, right? I've heard that His Majesty dotes on you, yet he was willing to marry you off to the Northern Frontier. After thinking it over, I can only conclude that it's to avert disaster for you."
"The Crown Prince is intelligent."
Baili Xunzhou suddenly saw a glimmer of hope, and with a slight smile, said, "In that case, if the princess succeeds in changing her fate in the future, can I then retire gracefully?"
He didn't believe in these superstitious and fortune-telling theories, but he couldn't resist the fact that others did. If this was the reason for the arranged marriage, then he had a chance to escape!
"Theoretically speaking, that's good. If the young master wants his wishes to come true, it would be best if he could pray for me every day, put me first in everything, and try to help me change my fate as soon as possible."
Since you're so eager to get a divorce, shouldn't you have to make some sacrifices?
Bai Lixun felt that there was hope in his life and replied, "Of course, I'll do whatever you say."
Feng Mian smiled and said, "By the way, the Luan Yi Guard arrested someone who instigated the people to snatch the wedding sedan chair, and the brothel is also keeping an eye on a few suspicious people. Should Your Highness interrogate them tomorrow?"
Baili Xunzhou raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting Feng Mian to have even captured people. "Of course. I also captured a few people alive in Luoying Gorge."
He pondered for a moment, thinking that since Feng Mian had been so frank, he shouldn't hide anything either, so he said, "The people who lured me into Luoying Ridge were the Wuhe tribe, but the people lying in ambush on both sides were from the Zhewuer tribe. It seems that the various tribes of the Northern Barbarians are showing signs of cooperating again."
Upon hearing this, Feng Mian was startled, and her fingertips unconsciously tightened their grip, causing Baili Xunzhou to hiss softly. Startled, she quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."
In a moment of panic, she leaned forward slightly and breathed on the wound she had just touched.
A gentle, warm breeze drifted down onto the wound, sending a tingling shiver through me.
Baili Xunzhou almost buried his face in the soft couch, his waist and abdomen sinking down, looking as if he wanted to hide but couldn't. When he spoke, there was a hint of gritting his teeth: "Alright, stop blowing, it's very itchy. Hurry up and apply the medicine."
The figure that had been leaning against the window stood up again, and the moonlight that fell on the window paper delicately outlined the two figures.
In a corner of the courtyard, the prince and princess stood hand in hand, gazing at the bridal chamber adorned with red silk.
The prince smiled wryly: "I told you, A-Zhuo is always stubborn. She talks a big game about announcing the engagement, but when it really comes down to it, she will never embarrass the princess."
The princess glanced at him sideways and said, "You think you're so insightful? I'm just worried that the children are unhappy and might start arguing."
"Are you relieved now? The two of them are getting along quite well. Come on, let's go back quickly. I have a back injury, and the doctor said I can't stand for long periods of time."
"I didn't ask you to come with me, why did you insist on coming? Now you're making a fuss." The princess scolded him, but obediently followed him, one hand protecting his waist, her heart aching for him.
She would be devastated if either her husband or son were to suffer an accident, but fortunately, Fengmian helped them avoid this disaster.
What virtue or ability did the Prince of Dingbei have to marry such a good daughter-in-law?
The Prince of Dingbei's mansion was brightly decorated. Before the banquet was over, the master and mistress of the Yuan family had already left with their eldest son to return home to rest. They said that their third daughter had caught a cold and they were worried about her, so they wanted to go home to check on her.
Upon entering the Yuan residence, Madam Yuan's smile vanished, replaced by a hint of bitterness. "Third girl, really! She used to act like she could climb the social ladder to the Prince's mansion, but what happened? The young master turned around and married the princess, and didn't even give her a second glance."
“In the past, those merchant women knew that the Third Miss was close to the Princess, and they would openly or secretly flatter me. Today, they've turned around and started to criticize me. She's quite something, claiming illness to avoid going, leaving our whole family in there to embarrass ourselves!”
"Mother, don't be angry. With my third sister's background, it's unlikely she'll become the Crown Prince's wife. But she might have a chance to become a concubine someday, and she'll still be able to enter the Prince's mansion." Yuan Liang helped Madam Yuan turn the corridor around, casually talking about his sister becoming a concubine, completely unconcerned about her fate.
"Concubines? Ha, the princess can't tolerate such things." Madam Yuan said with envy and jealousy. In the Northern Frontier, nobles who were not as powerful as the prince had all kinds of concubines and mistresses in their mansions. But the prince was devoted and only had the princess in his harem, which made many ladies envious.
She turned her head to look at the silent Master Yuan beside her, "Master, we must hurry up and find a husband for our third daughter. She's a big shot, and if she causes any trouble, it will affect our fourth daughter's future."
Master Yuan nodded. "You decide. Pick a few from well-to-do families; the medicinal herb business hasn't been doing well these past two years."
The implication was that they wanted to find in-laws who would help the Yuan family.
Madam Yuan smiled and replied, "Don't worry, sir, I know what I'm doing. I just saw that Master Liu a few days ago; his second wife just left, and he's thinking of marrying another..."
The murmured voices faded into the distance, disappearing at the end of the corridor.
A person emerged from among the herbs and flowers under the eaves. Yuan Jixue held herbs she had just picked from the garden in her hands, her sharp eyes fixed on the direction where Madam Yuan had disappeared.
That Master Liu, now sixty-two years old and half-buried, is the perfect match they've been searching for for her.
Having accumulated too much disappointment and anger, Yuan Jixue quickly regained her composure, wrapped the herbs in a handkerchief, and put them in her bosom.
She stood there stunned for a moment, then thought for a moment and headed toward the side gate of the Yuan residence.
The side gate was quiet at this moment; the servants on duty had all gone next door to ask for the celebratory wine. Yuan Jixue pushed open the side gate and sat down on the threshold.
Just a few steps away is the Prince's Mansion, decorated with colorful lanterns, and you can still faintly hear some laughter and cheerful voices.
Madam Yuan is right. She had indeed longed to marry into the Prince's Mansion. To her, the Prince's Mansion felt like a home far more than the Yuan Mansion. The Prince, the Princess, and the Heir Apparent all looked after her. Her Heir Apparent would even help her fight off those who bullied her.
Compared to the Yuan family members who treated her as a tool, what's wrong with her choosing the people from the Prince's Mansion as her family?
Approaching footsteps were heard, and two figures walked out of the Prince's residence.
Yuan Jixue was startled and hid behind the door, but then she heard the prince's name.
“You’ve seen it all. Prince Baili doesn’t care about the princess at all. What will happen if the princess suffers any grievances in the future?” Lu Mingzhu’s cheeks and eyes were red as if they were on fire. He had obviously drunk too much. Commander Lu was supporting him and was also staggering.
Commander Lu: "Oh dear, is this the first time you've heard of this? Since ancient times, royal families have often had unhappy marriages when they choose sons-in-law!"
At the side gate of the Yuan residence, Yuan Jixue's heart skipped a beat. If her brother, the Crown Prince, and the Princess were a mismatched couple, then she might not be without a chance...
"No way!" Upon hearing Commander Lu's words, Lu Mingzhu turned her head sharply and stared at Commander Lu with strong disapproval. "No, the princess must be happy!"
"Who says otherwise? The princess is so noble and precious, and she has such a large princess's mansion. I would be very happy too." Commander Lu replied halfway through the conversation, his words completely irrelevant.
"Tell me, what does the princess think of the prince? Will she and the prince ever be able to live happily ever after?" Lu Mingzhu frowned, still persistently pressing Commander Lu for answers.
Commander Lu pondered for a long time, then grabbed Lu Mingzhu's hand. "Brother, you're capable! I've witnessed the Crown Prince's heroic bearing on the battlefield. With him here, the people of our Northern Frontier and Dayong will definitely live in harmony!"
"I can't explain it to you!" Lu Mingzhu angrily shook off Commander Lu, took a big step forward, and suddenly stepped on a round pebble, which hit the ground with a thud.
Commander Lu looked around blankly. "Lord Lu? Brother Lu? Where is he? He's in such a bad mood, why did he just leave like that?"
As he was speaking, he took a step forward, but Lu Mingzhu tripped him and made him stumble before he saw him. He immediately squatted down in front of him and asked, "Brother Lu, what are you looking at here?"
“Princess…you mean the princess…” Lu Mingzhu murmured.
Commander Lu frantically groped around on the ground, exclaiming, "Where is she? Where is the princess? Don't scare me!"
At the side gate of the Yuan residence, Yuan Jixue, who witnessed everything, was speechless.
Her grief and plans had been ruined by those two drunkards. Oh well, she should hurry and call someone to send them away.
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Author's Note: Yuan is not a villainous female supporting character, so please rest assured.
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