Chapter 12

Cao Mansion.

Cao Mingguang entered the house with a gloomy face, and the servants could tell that their master was in a bad mood, so they served him cautiously.

His wife had passed away, and his three married sons didn’t dare to touch his sore spot. Only his youngest daughter, Cao Rou, who had just come of age, gently brought him a cup of tea.

Cao Mingguang looked at his beautiful daughter, and his mood worsened.

“What’s bothering you, Father? Has something happened?” Cao Rou sat beside him, her voice sweet and gentle.

Cao Mingguang sighed and held onto the teacup. “As you know, the lord wants to adopt a daughter.”

At the mention of Zhou Wen, Cao Rou lowered her eyelashes and then said, “The lord has been childless for so long. Adopting a daughter to bring joy to the knees is a good thing. Why is Father feeling down?”

Cao Mingguang said, “The child was brought back by the princess. It seems that the lord’s affections have extended to her as well.”

When Princess Huarong first arrived, not only the old master but also his close aides worried that Zhou Wen had fallen into the court’s beauty trap.

Seven years had passed, and it seemed that Zhou Wen’s neglect of Princess Huarong had not changed at all. But the longer time dragged on, the more uneasy Cao Mingguang became.

If Zhou Wen rebelled and declared himself emperor, with the strategic position of Ningzhou Prefecture and his 200,000 elite troops, even if he couldn’t defeat the court, he could establish his own rule in Ningzhou, standing on equal footing with the court. In that case, these old generals could also be granted titles and raise their status in the local area.

However, if Zhou Wen fell victim to the beauty of Princess Huarong in the end and was swayed to side with the court, the court, in order to appear wise, would surely treat Zhou Wen well, recall him to the capital, and grant him titles like dukes or marquises. But for these generals who had once tried to support the old master, the court would likely settle scores step by step, gradually eroding the old influence of the Zhou family in Ningzhou Prefecture.

For all these reasons, Cao Mingguang hoped that Zhou Wen would rebel. Even if Zhou Wen had other intentions, he would firmly cut off any thoughts of rebellion!

Cao Rou understood her father’s good intentions. She was the daughter of the Cao family, and naturally stood on their side.

Moreover, she was aiming for more than just the wealth of the Cao family. She also wanted Zhou Wen as a person and wants to replace  Princess Huarong. On the day Zhou Wen declared himself emperor, she would become his empress.

“If that’s the case, Father, how do you plan to handle it?” Cao Rou’s eyelashes trembled as she softly asked.

At fifteen years old, her eyes were enchanting, her fair skin like snow, and she was captivating.

Cao Mingguang patted his daughter’s head.

He was a man and understood men the best. Zhou Wen might not be lustful, but he valued loyalty and responsibility.

As long as his daughter could successfully enter the Zhen Nan Wang Mansion, with her youthful beauty and the future children they would have, she would surely win back Zhou Wen’s heart from Princess Huarong and the court!

“Rou’er, you’ve always liked the lord, haven’t you?” Cao Mingguang asked in a low voice.

Cao Rou blushed shyly.

Zhen Nan Wang Mansion.

Among the maidservants accompanying Princess Huarong, there was one who had previously served as an etiquette instructor and was now put to good use. She moved to Taoran Hall and stayed there.

Feng Yuanyuan woke up and combed her hair while the etiquette instructor stood by, correcting her posture. Feng Yuanyuan walked to Mo Xuan to study, and the instructor continued to follow, teaching her how to walk like a noble lady. This included how to hold a teacup when drinking, where to position her hands, and controlling the amount of tea in each sip.

For a child who had been careless for a long time, learning these things was undoubtedly a challenging task. But Feng Yuanyuan regarded Princess Huarong as a fairy, and in her eyes, every move the princess made was beautiful. Therefore, Feng Yuanyuan willingly put effort into learning etiquette, so as not to be unkempt and bring ridicule upon the princess.

She studied earnestly, making rapid progress.

Zhou Jiao noticed the difference the most!

When Feng Yuanyuan first came to study with him, Zhou Jiao would secretly do small things to disrupt her. Feng Yuanyuan used to scold him fiercely, but now she no longer made such rude gestures. Instead, she would simply glance at him indifferently, having learned three-quarters of the princess’s grace!

“You’re not as adorable as you were when you first came.”

During a break, Zhou Jiao disappointingly spoke to Feng Yuanyuan.

He had hoped for a well-behaved and gentle little sister who would listen to him when they were younger, and as they grew up, she would sew purses for him and make clothes with her tender care.

Zhou Jiao was afraid that Feng Yuanyuan would become another Princess Huarong, and he would become like his elder uncle and parents, unable to act casually in front of his sister.

Feng Yuanyuan asked, “How can I be adorable?”

Zhou Jiao immediately gave an example, “For example, if a bee flies over, you can pitifully hide behind me. That would be adorable.” He appeared quite proud!

Feng Yuanyuan:…

Forget about bees, she had even killed wasps that flew into the house. If it weren’t for the large number of bees, she would even dare to dig up their nests. Honey was a good thing.

Zhou Ling smiled and patted Feng Yuanyuan’s head. “Don’t listen to your second brother’s nonsense. You have always been adorable.”

Feng Yuanyuan gave him a look that said, “You’re better, big brother.”

Zhou Jiao snorted.

Zhou Ling asked his sister with concern, “Are you nervous about today’s banquet?”

Feng Yuanyuan shook her head.

Nervousness comes from caring, but the princess and the lord are the most esteemed people in Ningzhou City. If they don’t find fault with her, why should she care about others?

Zhou Jiao said, “You’re not nervous now, but don’t get scared and cry tomorrow. There will be many people coming!”

Zhou Ling flicked his younger brother.

Feng Yuanyuan really wasn’t nervous. She fell asleep as soon as she lay down on the bed at night.

But unexpectedly, after several dreamless nights, she dreamed again tonight.

Today, there was a banquet in the Wang Mansion, and all the household servants woke up earlier than usual.

In Taoran Hall, Weiyun was pushed open quietly to see if the county princess was awake. But instead, they saw the county princess sitting on the bed with a furrowed brow and a thoughtful expression.

“County Princess?” Weiyun  called softly.

Feng Yuanyuan snapped out of her thoughts and remembered that Princess Huarong had warned her not to mention her dreams to others. She smiled at the folding screen.

After staying in the Zhen Nan Wang Mansion and eating well and sleeping well for more than ten days, Feng Yuanyuan was no longer the pitiful girl she was when she first arrived. Her face had become fuller, and she looked beautifully carved like jade.

Weiyun smiled and said, “Is the county princess feeling nervous?”

Feng Yuanyuan had a little flutter in her heart, feeling embarrassed that her little secret had been exposed. She lowered her head timidly.

Weiyun ordered the attendants outside to prepare water and then tidied the bed while comforting her mistress, “Don’t worry, County Princess. With the lord and the princess supporting you, everyone will respect you. You don’t need to worry about remembering too many guests. I and the attendants have it all under control. We’ve memorized not only the names of the masters and mistresses but even the maidservants by the side of the ladies. You just need to confidently handle the interactions.”

Feng Yuanyuan replied, “Can you tell me who will be the guests today?”

Recently, she had been studying and learning etiquette, and Princess Huarong probably thought she was too busy, so she didn’t ask her to memorize the guest list. And because Feng Yuanyuan was so open-minded, she didn’t actively seek out the information either.

Of course, Weiyun  would satisfy her mistress’s small request and slowly began to narrate.

Soon, Feng Yuanyuan heard two familiar names – General Cao Mingguang and his beloved daughter, Cao Rou.

Why were they familiar? Because they appeared in her dream last night.

In the dream, Cao Rou had been playing in the garden when she was “accidentally” knocked over by Zhou Jiao. Her delicate cheek was scratched by a flower branch, and blood flowed down her face, looking very terrifying.

The beautiful face akin to flowers and jade seemed to be ruined. Cao Rou cried heartbreakingly, and if it weren’t for someone restraining her, she would have wanted to end her life!

Zhou Wen and Zhou Du repeatedly expressed their apologies, and the culprit, Zhou Jiao, who refused to admit his guilt, received a resounding slap from his own father.

General Cao Mingguang magnanimously said it was fine, and he took his daughter back home early.

Later, rumors spread that Cao Rou had been disfigured and realized that she could no longer marry, so she wanted to shave her head and become a nun.

The scene changed, and when the dream ended, Feng Yuanyuan saw Zhou Wen going to the Cao family and suggesting taking Cao Rou as a concubine, which the Cao family agreed to.

After waking up, Feng Yuanyuan was quite upset by this dream.

Because she saw it clearly, Cao Rou had deliberately framed Zhou Jiao. Poor Zhou Jiao, a seven-year-old boy, was usually mischievous and clumsy. Even though he vehemently denied it, no one spoke up for him. Zhou Wen remained silent, Zhou Du had a hot temper, and Cao Rou cried harder. The more she cried, the more visible the veins on Zhou Du’s forehead became, until he finally slapped Zhou Jiao hard. Only then did Cao Rou’s crying stop.

Don’t be fooled by Zhou Jiao’s complaints about Feng Yuanyuan not being cute and well-behaved enough. In fact, he treated Feng Yuanyuan very well. He would give her delicious pastries and find interesting little things to amuse her.

As for Zhou Ling, he was even better. Tender and caring, he treated her like a real sister. Even Zhou Jiao’s mother, Qiao Shi, treated Feng Yuanyuan like a niece.

Feng Yuanyuan couldn’t stand Zhou Jiao being wrongly accused by Cao Rou, and she couldn’t stand the atmosphere in the second courtyard being so gloomy because of this matter.

What she couldn’t tolerate the most was that Zhou Wen actually wanted to take Cao Rou as a concubine!

A concubine is just a mistress. In those endless stories told by storytellers, many concubines compete for favor with the main wife. How heartbroken would Princess Huarong be if Cao Rou were to enter the residence of the Prince of Zhen nan?

Feng Yuanyuan was inclined to believe her dreams. When she learned from Weiyun that Cao and her daughter were indeed on the guest list for the royal banquet, Feng Yuanyuan had no more doubts.

The painting screen began to comb her hair.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Feng Yuanyuan’s first thought was to inform Princess Huarong and take preventive measures in advance.

But would Princess Huarong get angry upon learning that Zhou Wen intended to take Cao Rou as a concubine in her dream?

Feng Yuanyuan didn’t want her foster parents to argue.

She loved Princess Huarong the most, but she also liked the gentle and amiable Zhou Wen. Such a gentle person must not be forced by public opinion to take Cao Rou as a concubine, specially because it was not because he genuinely had feelings for her.

Should she not tell the princess and try to stop Cao Rou herself?

But Cao Rou was a fifteen-year-old girl with maidservants by her side, and there were ways to keep her at bay.

Moreover, even without Zhou Jiao, if Cao Rou wanted to stage a play, she could easily frame any maid or servant in the palace. After all, as long as she “disfigured” herself, it would be Prince Zhou Wen who would ultimately be responsible, and others wouldn’t have much influence.

Considering all this, the best solution was to prevent Cao Rou from entering the palace!

If she couldn’t enter the palace, it wouldn’t matter if Cao Rou stumbled or became disfigured; it couldn’t be blamed on the palace!