Chapter 14

Zhen Nan Wang’s Mansion.

Feng Yuanyuan first accompanied Zhou Wen in the main hall of the mansion to entertain guests.

She wore a cherry-colored short shirt with gold trim, paired with a waist-length white skirt. She had a red ruby hair accessory on her head and a lucky gold and jade pendant on her chest.

A little girl, as lovely as a jade snowball, stood beside Zhou Wen with a slight smile. Her appearance and demeanor resembled that of a biological father and daughter.

As the guests bowed to Zhou Wen, Feng Yuanyuan confidently watched them. The guests praised her beauty, but she did not blush or feel shy.

“Are you tired?”

During a break in entertaining the guests, Zhou Wen did not forget to care for his beloved daughter.

He was known as the elegant young master of Ningzhou Prefecture and treated even prisoners with courtesy. But now, as he spoiled his daughter, the tenderness in his eyes surprised the arriving guests.

Feng Yuanyuan knew that her father, the Prince, wanted to boost her image. She cooperated by acting like a well-behaved daughter and leaned against Zhou Wen, saying, “My legs are a little sore.”

Zhou Wen easily moved aside, making room on the wide Taishi chair to accommodate another person.

Feng Yuanyuan smiled and sat down.

Zhou Wen patted her head and then looked at the guests.

Guests: Could this child be the Prince’s long-lost illegitimate daughter?

.

During the banquet at the Wang Mansion, guests dared not arrive too late. Cao Mingguang’s family became the last to arrive due to a minor incident along the way.

Now Feng Yuanyuan was truly tired, mainly from her cheeks. Maintaining a smile for so long made her face ache and stiff.

Normally, Feng Yuanyuan would never smile so much. Before entering the Wang Mansion, she had been busy with household chores at the Li family, unlike other children who could play wholeheartedly. After entering the Wang Mansion, she studied diligently every day. Even during breaks, when she laughed and joked with Zhou Ling and Zhou Jiao, it wouldn’t last for an hour.

“Have some tea.”

Cao Mingguang walked confidently with the mansion maidservant and saw Zhou Wen feeding Feng Yuanyuan tea.

Cao Mingguang’s eyes twitched.

Feng Yuanyuan lowered her eyes to drink tea and didn’t notice the commotion at the entrance. Zhou Wen smiled and nodded to the Cao family of four, saying, “Uncle Cao, why did you come so late? You made me wait.”

Cao Mingguang forced a smile, “We encountered a small accident on the way, which delayed us.”

Zhou Wen looked behind the father and son and asked in confusion, “Why isn’t Ah Rou here?”

Feng Yuanyuan, who was drinking tea, suddenly choked and spilled some on Zhou Wen’s brocade robe.

Zhou Wen couldn’t care less about Cao’s family at this moment. He put the tea bowl on the table and quickly took out a handkerchief, wiping the corner of Feng Yuanyuan’s mouth with a smile. “You, what’s the rush?”

With his raised arm, Feng Yuanyuan stared at him with her eyes, calling out “Ah Rou, Ah Rou.” It felt so intimate!

Zhou Wen gave her a look that said, “Playing along with the situation.”

The father and daughter exchanged a brief glance and then both looked at the Cao family.

Zhou Wen introduced them to Feng Yuanyuan, “Yuanyuan, this is Ningzhou Prefecture’s top general, General Cao Mingguang. You should call him Grandfather. Behind him are the three young masters of the Cao family, who are of the same generation as me.”

Cao Mingguang hurriedly said, “I dare not, Princess. I cannot bear such an honored title.”

Although he said that, Cao Mingguang still looked forward to Feng Yuanyuan’s reaction. Back when he fought on the battlefield and defended against external enemies or challenged the court, Zhou Wen was still a little child. The old Prince treated him like a brother, and he truly deserved the title of “Uncle Cao” from Zhou Wen.

Feng Yuanyuan, who was usually well-behaved and sensible in front of Princess Huarong, suddenly behaved like a child who had been pampered by her birth parents and didn’t understand etiquette. She looked up and down at Cao Mingguang and pouted, “He is not your father. Why should I call him grandfather? Even when the old Prince was alive, he didn’t hear me call him grandfather. Is he happy looking down from heaven and hearing me call someone else that?”

In her dream, the Cao family schemed against the Wang Mansion, offending the people closest to Feng Yuanyuan. She didn’t want to show respect to them.

Zhou Wen coughed softly, “This is not how I taught you to behave. Don’t be rude.”

Feng Yuanyuan looked at him incredulously, “You scolded me. I’m going to tell my mother!”

After speaking, Feng Yuanyuan ran away in anger.

Zhou Wen helplessly shook his head and said to Cao Mingguang, “She has been in the mansion for a short time, so she may not be familiar with proper etiquette. Please forgive her, Uncle Cao.”

Cao Mingguang generously waved his hand, “Prince, you worry too much. She’s just a child, it’s no problem.”

Zhou Wen nodded, “All the guests have arrived. Let me accompany you to your seats.”

There was still some time before the meal, which was a perfect opportunity for the men to gather and chat while the women enjoyed the garden scenery.

Feng Yuanyuan, who had left early, arrived at the garden.

The women were scattered in groups of three or two throughout the garden, and Feng Yuanyuan brought her  attendant, Qixi and Babao, deliberately approaching the more lively areas.

Qixi and Babao: The princess is so bold and confident, she doesn’t seem nervous at all!

Feng Yuanyuan walked around and quickly heard about the incident where the Cao family encountered a dung cart, and Cao Rou even got unlucky and had a mouthful of dog excrement!

Feng Yuanyuan laughed at first but then became stunned.

She had regarded Princess Huarong as a fairy and had always thought that Zhou Wen, with his grace and handsome appearance, was like a male fairy. Who would have thought that Zhou Wen would come up with such a malicious plan?

Because she had glimpsed another side of Zhou Wen, Feng Yuanyuan couldn’t help but recall the first dream she had when she moved into the mansion.

In that dream, Princess Huarong proposed adopting her as an adopted daughter, and Zhou Wen readily agreed.

At that time, Feng Yuanyuan didn’t think much of it and thought Zhou Wen seemed like an easy-going person.

Now she knew that Zhou Wen also had an unknown side, and she felt relieved.

Fortunately, Zhou Wen listened to everything the princess said. Otherwise, if Zhou Wen despised her as an orphan, he might have come up with a way to drive her away.

“The princess is here.”

The voice from Qixi sounded in Feng Yuanyuan’s ears, and she instinctively turned to look.

On the main road leading to the garden, Princess Huarong gracefully approached, surrounded by Weiyun and Yingyue.

The sunlight was a bit strong, so two eunuchs carrying a canopy walked directly behind Princess Huarong to ensure that every step she took was covered by the shade.

Just this grandeur was enough to impress the local ladies of Ningzhou Prefecture.

No matter how these ladies privately mocked Princess Huarong for being abandoned by the court, as long as  she remained a princess and Zhou Wen did not object, the local officials would continue to respect her.

Feng Yuanyuan watched as all the female guest kneeled and paid their respects as Princess Huarong passed.

Princess Huarong didn’t even spare them a fleeting glance and went straight to the pavilion where female guests would be entertained.

When Princess Huarong sat down in the pavilion, Feng Yuanyuan smiled and hurried over.

It was a long way, and she didn’t have an umbrella. Her fair cheeks turned slightly red from the sun, and there were a few beads of sweat on her nose.

Princess Huarong frowned, “Why do you look so disheveled?”

Feng Yuanyuan instinctively lowered her head to check herself, but her clothes were clean. Where was she disheveled?

Weiyun smiled and walked over, using a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat on Feng Yuanyuan’s forehead.

Feng Yuanyuan:…

It wasn’t her who was disheveled, it was the princess who lacked a down-to-earth temperament. How many people wouldn’t sweat if they had a mortal body!

“Why are you laughing?”

Princess Huarong glanced at Feng Yuanyuan, not missing the lingering joy in the little girl’s eyes.

Feng Yuanyuan wanted to get close to the princess, just like before when she leaned against Zhou Wen, she approached Princess Huarong.

Princess Huarong furrowed her brows slightly but didn’t ask her to move to a different spot. After all, she had recognized Feng Yuanyuan as her own daughter.

“Mother, have you heard of General Cao Mingguang?”

Princess Huarong made a faint sound of acknowledgment. If the Zhou family was a local power in Ningzhou Prefecture in her father’s eyes, then generals like Cao Mingguang were like jackals and wolves lurking beside that power.

Feng Yuanyuan asked, “Do you know that he has a daughter named Cao Rou?”

Princess Huarong shook her head.

She was only sent by her father to appease the Zhou family. It was her responsibility as a princess within the imperial family to assist them in difficult times. However, her heart had turned cold, and she never intended to remain loyal to her father. She didn’t want to continue gathering information about the true situation in Ningzhou Prefecture and secretly report it back to the capital.

Feng Yuanyuan interpreted Princess Huarong’s indifference as confidence. She believed that Zhou Wen wouldn’t be swayed by other women.

Feng Yuanyuan didn’t want to ruin Princess Huarong’s good mood, so she only told the embarrassing incident involving Cao Rou.

Princess Huarong…

What sins had she committed in her past life to have to hear these things firsthand?

Luckily, she hadn’t planned to indulge in a feast at this banquet anyway.

Looking at Feng Yuanyuan’s gleeful face, Princess Huarong shook her head and reminded her, “You are now a princess. Don’t listen to vulgar language.”

She had listened, but next time, Feng Yuanyuan shouldn’t come and tell her these things again.

Although Princess Huarong didn’t say these words, Feng Yuanyuan understood.

She is now blaming herself for being careless. Princess Huarong was a fairy. How could she be interested in such matters?

In order to make amends, Feng Yuanyuan leaned close to Princess Huarong’s ear and whispered, “Do you know if Father ordered someone to do this?”

A hint of surprise appeared in Princess  Huarong’s calm and indifferent expression.

Feng Yuanyuan smiled. She had promised Zhou Wen not to tell Huarong Princess about the dream, but she hadn’t promised to keep other things hidden.

Princess Huarong asked, “How do you know?”

Feng Yuanyuan replied, “I was there when Father instructed Chen Jing. I asked him why he did it, and he said he didn’t like that Miss Cao.”

Princess Huarong seemed deep in thought.

Soon after the banquet began, Princess Huarong left early.

Feng Yuanyuan didn’t want to waste the delicious food on the table and ate leisurely. Finally, when she was full, she felt tired.

Entertaining in the morning was more mentally exhausting than half a day of farm work.

After bidding Princess Huarong farewell, Feng Yuanyuan went to rest in Taoran Hall.

When she woke up, the Qixi informed her that Zhou Jiao wanted to meet her in the garden. Feng Yuanyuan took her two maids, QiXi and BaBao, and went to the garden. She didn’t expect Zhou Jiao to discuss the matter of Cao Rou with her.

On this point, Feng Yuanyuan and Zhou Jiao were of the same mind and laughed together.

There were no classes in the afternoon, so Feng Yuanyuan spent the whole afternoon playing with Zhou Jiao. He showed her his archery skills, and she practiced archery with him.

As the sun set, Feng Yuanyuan returned home, feeling satisfied. She went to take a bath first, so as not to be criticized by the beautiful princess for being sweaty.

When she arrived at Fengyi Hall, Zhou Wen was already there.

Feng Yuanyuan pretended not to know anything and sat at the dining table, casually picking and eating grapes.

Zhou Wen asked, “I heard that you were learning archery with your brother Jiao this afternoon?”

Feng Yuanyuan looked at Princess Huarong anxiously, worried that the princess wouldn’t like her engaging in activities that didn’t conform to the etiquette of a noblewoman.

Princess Huarong said, “As long as you enjoy it.”

Feng Yuanyuan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to Zhou Wen.

Zhou Wen said, “If you want to learn, you can join them for martial arts class in the future.”

Feng Yuanyuan’s eyes lit up.

Learning martial arts was great. In case the Prince and Princess didn’t want her in the future, she would have martial skills to rely on. Even if she ended up in a remote mountain, she could hunt for a living without worrying about going hungry.

Princess Huarong ate her food indifferently, paying no attention to anything else.

After dinner, Feng Yuanyuan bid farewell to her parents and happily returned to Taoran Hall to prepare for her martial arts practice the next morning.

Meanwhile, Zhou Wen finally got the chance for a monthly conjugal visit.

Even though he had already bathed in the front courtyard, he went to wash again after it got dark.

Princess Huarong had already laid down on the bed.

Usually, she didn’t have much to worry about, but now that things had quieted down, she couldn’t help but think about Feng Yuanyuan’s words.

Why did Zhou Wen treat Cao Mingguang’s daughter in such a way? Wasn’t he afraid of the situation being exposed and causing a rift with Cao Mingguang?

And why did Zhou Wen do all this in front of Feng Yuanyuan, intentionally letting her know?

This man had always been elusive to her.

However, she didn’t need to figure out someone who could rebel at any time, a feudal prince who could sacrifice her at any moment.

Zhou Wen’s footsteps could be heard outside the room.

Princess Huarong interrupted her thoughts and curled her fingertips.

She didn’t like sweating, but Zhou Wen always managed to make her drenched, as if she had just been pulled out of water.

It wasn’t uncomfortable, but Zhou Wen, just like he appeared on the surface, was gentle and considerate, just a bit greedy.

Gentleness could be dangerous, just like sleeping with a wolf.

However, tonight was a bit different.

When Zhou Wen kissed her, Princess Huarong inexplicably thought of Feng Yuanyuan’s words.

How could a prince who looked as refined as jade come up with such a vile idea?

Princess Huarong could convince herself to accept a noble prince, but she resisted accepting a martial man who seemed refined on the outside but dirty on the inside.

It didn’t matter who he was dealing with; she just couldn’t accept associating such filth with her partner in bed.

She turned her head away in time.

Zhou Wen was taken aback.

“Why?”

Even on their wedding night, when she should have resisted the most, she had always shown a carefree attitude. Over the past seven years, they had even developed some understanding in this matter. Tonight, she suddenly acted differently, and Zhou Wen wanted to know the reason.

Princess Huarong didn’t want to say.

Zhou Wen guessed it to some extent and chuckled, “Did Yuanyuan tell you?”

Princess Huarong remained silent.

In the dim night, Zhou Wen placed his palm on her slightly cool face and forced her to turn back and face him. “Does the princess mind something?”

He believed that Feng Yuanyuan wouldn’t reveal the dream. That child had clear eyes and would keep her promise. The only thing she could talk about was his means of stopping Cao Rou.

“I have some issues with Cao Rou and don’t want her to come to the royal residence, but I can’t harm her life. I can only do this.”

Princess Huarong frowned. “I don’t want to hear it, it’s disgusting.”

Zhou Wen understood.

He smiled and kissed her on the face.

It was only when Princess Huarong let down her guard in the sea of desire that Zhou Wen suddenly kissed her lips.

Princess Huarong:…

She struggled a bit, but compared to a young martial general who trained all year round, her strength was like scratching an itch through a boot.

“Princess, even though I’m unworthy in front of your noble status, I can still make you temporarily forget worldly troubles, can’t I?”

He willingly became her servant during the day, but at night, he wanted to be her man, a man whom she resisted in her heart but her body couldn’t resist.