Chapter 7, Going with the Flow

Feng Xun looked at her triumphant little face, feeling quite pleased, and couldn't help but smile along with her, "What is it? Let me see."

Yue Zheng frowned as she looked at the large boxes and small cases spread out in the room. Feng Xun's intentions made her feel undeserving, after all, she was taking advantage of him. ... After today, will he still be able to regard her as a friend ...

Hmm—she could no longer endure it, and finally stopped in her tracks, turning around with a detached expression to look at him, "I have arrived." He truly did not regard himself as an outsider; this was her home, and did she really need him to escort her back to her room from the living room?

Emperor Shunqian looked around the hall at everyone, and then instructed the eunuch to open the scroll. The already quiet hall fell into an even deeper silence, and Emperor Shunqian was so surprised that he was momentarily speechless. After a while, he suddenly stood up, carefully caressing the scroll, "This... this is a painting by Xie Hanbai!"

After several rounds of wine, the Empress looked at Yue Zheng with a beaming smile, "Since Xiao Zheng has been able to obtain Mr. Xie's painting, it must be due to a significant connection. Back in the day, Cao Zhaoxian once happened to hear Mr. Xie playing the guqin by the shores of Yukun Lake, and he praised it until today. I wonder how much Xiao Zheng can learn from it? Si Yu, you may take a break today and let Xiao Zheng showcase her talents by playing the guqin to liven up the atmosphere."

Yue Zheng felt her whole body stiffen, and she truly wanted to scream and retract her hand, but... only in this way could Her Majesty the Queen regard her as a significant threat to Du Siyu, and swiftly eliminate her afterward

Feng Xun was greatly surprised, revealing an expression of delight. Could it be that the Empress Dowager had learned of his unwavering intentions and showed favor to Yue Zheng? Looking at his uncontainable smile, Shun Qian Emperor could only shake his head and smile wryly. ... This child, Feng Xun ... . ... As the future emperor, he still lacks experience and insight, his thoughts are all too transparent, and he tends to over-simplify matters.

The originally captivating Du Siyu was instantly overshadowed by the elegant beauty who gracefully walked in, taking away much of her spotlight. Du Siyu, after all, had long enjoyed fame, and everyone was quite familiar with her. In contrast, this suddenly emerged light beauty sparked various speculations, making her seem even more mysterious and fresh

Yue Zheng took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness, I cannot accept your kindness." Her words were double-edged, and she furrowed her brows in some distress. At this moment, she should clearly express her feelings to Feng Xun, but she feared that he might, in a fit of anger, refuse to take her into the palace. She felt that she was indeed being somewhat despicable.

Emperor Shunqian naturally sensed the Empress's displeasure. He glanced at Du Siyu, then at Yuan Yuanzheng, and finally observed his son's expression of concern and care, which made him secretly smile while remaining a bystander without comment. Although he was pleased that Fengxun was marrying a daughter of the Du family, he was not entirely happy with the Empress's numerous covert actions over the years to solidify Fengxun's position. Understanding the Empress's heartfelt intentions for her son, Emperor Shunqian did not express much, as the Crown Prince was the foundation of the nation's fortune. Although the Empress was overly eager to win over the powerful, it did not cause significant harm. Today, being able to make things difficult for the Empress brought him a sense of secret satisfaction

Feng ... ... habitually called him by his name, but Yuezheng felt it was better to maintain some distance and changed her address to: "Your Highness the Crown Prince ... ... "

"A fine tune." A clear voice resonated from outside the palace gates, as a handsome and elegant figure leisurely walked into the hall

"Yuezheng, Mother..." Feng Xun blinked in distress. The Empress had once said that every time he visited her, he would move the Yuan family further away by one prefecture. He could not tell her this; if his plan succeeded, the Empress would become her mother-in-law. If Yuezheng learned of this, she would inevitably harbor resentment in her heart. "You just need to know that I am doing this for your own good..."

She deliberately changed her tone, causing Feng Xun's heart to feel a slight twinge. He couldn't help but glare at her affectionately, realizing that she was still sulking with him, intentionally acting this way to provoke him.

Yuezheng let out a cold laugh in her heart, thinking that such a question was just a roundabout way of accusing her of being a busybody. However, she maintained a sweet demeanor on the surface, gracefully rising to respond to the Empress's inquiry, "By chance, I have brought a certain item, having learned that His Majesty is quite fond of it, I hurried to the capital to present this treasure." As she spoke, there was a hint of mischief in her tone, and her lively expression delighted Emperor Shunqian, who found the little girl charming and clever. He asked her what treasure she had brought, playfully teasing that if it did not meet his liking, she would surely be punished.

The Empress, upon seeing Feng Xun's affectionate expression, had long suspected who this young lady was. Hearing the Emperor's words, she smiled faintly and said, "Indeed, she has grown even more beautiful than in her childhood, and her demeanor has a certain grace befitting a young lady."

Yuezheng presented the scroll she had carried closely to her body with both hands to the side of Emperor Shunqian, and the eunuch accepted it. The hall fell into silence, with everyone eagerly watching the offering from Miss Yuan. Fengxun felt somewhat anxious; if what Yuezheng presented could not move the Emperor, she would become the subject of ridicule in front of so many people. Moreover, the Empress would have numerous excuses to deny Yuezheng the qualification for selection.

Feng Xun remained silent, gazing intently at her, who radiated a captivating brilliance. Although she was not adorned in precious ice silk, her simple elegance surpassed any attire worth a fortune. Her charming and exquisite demeanor made it difficult for him to contain his admiration. He suddenly felt grateful for the six years they had missed, for the one he encountered again was the youthful Yue Zheng. ... Longing, surprise ... . ... His affection for her seemed to boil over to its peak.

"It's alright, it's alright! You look quite..." Feng Xun felt a slight flush on her face, and the praise in her heart was too shy to be fully expressed. She merely hesitated and said, "...is also very beautiful."

Du Siyu was deeply moved, holding Yuezheng's hand, tears streaming down her face. "Yuezheng, I haven't seen you for six years, you... have grown up and become so beautiful," she said, raising her hand like an older sister to smooth out Yuezheng's bangs.

Yue Zheng choked on her breath as she watched him leave, seemingly in a good mood, lost in his own thoughts. No wonder he could be friends with Yue Que; he never seemed to grasp the main point of what others were saying

The four maidservants dispatched from the Prince's residence were all exceptionally clever. Feng Xun, fearing that the Yuan family might be in a difficult situation, meticulously prepared extravagant and luxurious attire for her daughter, Moon Zheng, instead of the simple and coarse garments that were originally intended. The leading maidservant, named Chun'e, beamed as she presented a priceless ice silk dress to Moon Zheng, gently reporting to her mistress, "Miss Yuan, His Highness the Prince is determined to ensure that you outshine all others."

At this moment, Yuezheng was performing the formal ritual of three kneelings and nine prostrations to the Emperor and Empress with precision. Fengxun was quite displeased that neither the Emperor nor the Empress called for the exemption from the ceremony, watching Yuezheng struggle to kneel and rise, her lips tightly pressed.

Even a fool could discern the subtlety in these words, and Feng Xun broke out in a cold sweat. Du Siyu's musical skills are renowned in the capital, being a prized disciple of the esteemed master Cao Chun. The Empress clearly intends to set Yue Zheng up for embarrassment by comparing her to Du Siyu.

Feng Xun paused in his steps, raising his eyes to gaze at her, who appeared even more stunning under the moonlight. He certainly sensed her indifference. "Yue Zheng..." he furrowed his brow and gently called out to her.

The Empress had long heard from the maids around her that the Crown Prince had brought a captivating beauty into the palace. As the enchanting light beauty walked in, she fixed her gaze upon her, her eyes deep and piercing. If the light beauty were to glance up and catch her eye, she would surely be intimidated by the Empress's imposing presence, which would diminish her dazzling demeanor. However, that young lady kept her head down, charming and lively, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings, and walked straight to the foot of the platform. The attention of the entire hall did not faze her in the slightest. The Empress's displeasure deepened, and her expression inevitably darkened a few shades.

Once the Emperor departed, although it brought a slight sense of disappointment, it allowed the womenfolk to relax a bit, and the atmosphere became somewhat livelier

Yue Zheng looked at her, and Du Siyu's sincerity stirred a myriad of emotions within her. Over the past six years, she had maliciously hoped that Du Siyu would grow increasingly unattractive, losing the beauty of her childhood. Unfortunately, Miss Du's reputation for beauty had spread from the capital to the entire nation. She also wished that amidst the whirlpool of fame and fortune, Du Siyu would transform into a cunning and pretentious beauty, much like the Empress. However, upon seeing her today, Du Siyu remained as kind and beautiful as in her youth, even more outstanding, with her appearance and demeanor surpassing all her expectations.

The moon zither is silent; how did I not notice when I was young that Feng Xun was so prone to self-indulgence? Indeed, being constantly adored leads to narcissism, as if the moon and stars should revolve around him. However, he said he could find a way to make her eligible for the court selection. This indeed alleviated her pressing concern. Even if she possesses the renowned work of "Xie Hanbai," presenting it smoothly to the emperor still gives her quite a headache.

Because she was riding in His Highness the Prince's carriage, Yuezheng only alighted outside the Long'en Gate. Many ladies who had walked from the palace gate could not help but cast surprised glances at Yuezheng, wondering who this previously unseen beauty was to receive such preferential treatment, especially since even the family members of the Duke of Jiangdu had to walk a long way from the Fanghua Gate to attend the banquet

After finishing her makeup, Yuezheng arrived in the front hall and, upon seeing Fengxun waiting for her, lowered her head in embarrassment, not daring to meet his gaze

Yuezheng proudly lifted her lips, appearing reserved, yet her heart was already blooming with joy, repeatedly praising in her mind: Master, you are impressive. In the delighted eyes of Fengxun, her smile became even more radiant and enchanting.

"Just let me wear that outfit." Yuezheng pointed to her original dress, feeling guilty towards Fengxun was one aspect, but the pride of Xie Hanbai's disciple was the main reason. She wanted to outshine everyone, so why rely on these external things? After six years of hard work and dedication, she still had this bit of confidence.

Feng Xun's gaze was too intense, making Yue Zheng feel uncomfortable all over. She quickly reined in her smile, turned her body half away awkwardly, and took the lead in walking towards the door, urging, "Hurry and enter the palace." In her heart, she silently prayed that the Empress would not let her down and would swiftly put an end to Feng Xun's infatuation.

Following closely behind the Crown Prince, they entered the hall, truly a sight to behold. Firstly, it was unfamiliar, and secondly, the Crown Prince's protective demeanor sparked hushed discussions among the ladies already seated in the hall, all eyes fixated on Yuezheng. Even the mother and daughter from the Du family, who were seated beside the Empress, turned their faces to scrutinize her closely

"Si Yu, you have become even more beautiful." In that moment, as Yue Zheng tried hard to conceal her disappointment while holding hands with Du Si Yu, she had to admit to herself that the woman she had always wanted to become was actually the kind of woman that Feng Lin liked, which was... Du Si Yu. Even she herself did not want to acknowledge that she had taken Si Yu as her target, practicing day and night merely to surpass her, so that when Feng Lin saw the two of them again, he would feel that she was not inferior at all.

The moon on a summer night always possesses a kind of gentle charm, quietly hanging over the lush, swaying shadows of the trees, clear and cool

Although she did not follow his plan, her delicate, tightly furrowed brows and her eyes, shimmering like rippling water, made his heart feel tender and weak. How could he still blame her? Instead, he felt that his reckless gift of luxurious clothing was somewhat insulting to her, as it clearly implied that he looked down on her for her humble circumstances. "Yuezheng..." he said, feeling somewhat troubled, hoping she would not misunderstand his intentions. Taking out a small brocade box from his sleeve, he spoke cautiously, "This is the finest jade material. My father, the Emperor, appreciates calligraphy, painting, and seals. This piece of jade is extremely rare in the world and is sure to win his favor."

Oh... the emperor, who was also watching the light beauty brought by his son, suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't this..." He looked uncertainly at the Yuezheng who had already walked down the steps, "Isn't this the girl from the Yuan family?"

Feng Xun, I have come here for—" Yue Zheng was made extremely anxious by his affectionate gaze and tender words, and decided to cut through the confusion decisively, shattering his misunderstanding

After the ceremony, the Empress smiled and said to the head-down Yuezheng, "Lift your head so I can see you." This command was not given with enthusiasm, revealing a hint of disdain. Fengxun's complexion immediately turned a shade of ashen gray.

Yuezheng raised her head as instructed, and all the people in the hall focused their attention on her. The Empress examined her closely, and this scene reminded Yuezheng of the chickens and ducks that Yueque bought at the market. "Tsk tsk," the Empress shook her head in admiration, "This little appearance is indeed captivating..." With a shift in her thoughts, the Empress's gaze softened as she looked at Yuezheng, the sarcasm in her tone dissipating completely, "Come and sit beside me!"

I won't tell you! She tilted her head and smiled at him, feigning mystery, her brows and eyes full of charming allure

Until the moon zheng finished playing, Yingying stood up to bow to everyone, yet the hall remained silent, as all were mesmerized by this celestial music, unable to regain their senses for a long time

"Announce to Minister Xuan Cao to enter the palace!" Emperor Shun Qian, disinterested in the banquet, personally took the scroll from the eunuch's hands, "Announce to Prime Minister Yan and Minister Du to enter the palace quickly!" After throwing down this decree, he headed straight to the front hall with his attendants, leaving the noble ladies in Long'en Hall exchanging glances in confusion.

"Are you blaming me for not caring about you for six years?" Feng Xun stepped forward, her eyes shimmering with a fiery glow

Yuezheng, feeling anxious, broke into a sweat, enduringly lowering her head, and dared not quicken her pace. In just a few more steps, she would return to her small courtyard, yet Fengxun, who silently followed her, showed no intention of leaving. How could he? She could not afford such a loss! Bringing a young man to her boudoir late at night!

Du Siyu smiled gently, "Mr. Xie's paintings have been sought after by the Emperor for many years, and today his wish has finally been fulfilled, which is truly a cause for celebration. Even my master is deeply impressed by Mr. Xie's works and is eager to appreciate them."

The women who were far away or unfamiliar with the matter were astonished to see the Emperor so delighted that he was at a loss for words, and they were secretly alarmed, realizing that this painting was indeed extraordinary

The atmosphere was quite unpleasant, so when she boldly declared, "I have come here to become the Princess of Liang!" Feng Xun could only look at her with a mix of helplessness and amusement, showing no signs of heartbreak. Instead, her tone carried an indescribable meaning as she said, "Alright! I will come to see you again tomorrow. The Emperor and Empress are hosting a banquet soon to welcome the esteemed families of the officials who have recently arrived in the capital. I will take you into the palace."

Feng Xun unconsciously approached her, "Why are you..." He frowned, realizing that she was not wearing the precious garments he had gifted her. The ice silk fabric was rare, with only two pieces in existence; his father had bestowed one upon him. If Yue Zheng wore that ice silk skirt today, his intentions would surely be understood by both his father and mother.

The Empress and the noble ladies of the court exchanged a few pleasantries before turning their gaze towards Yuezheng, "How are your parents? Why have you returned to the capital alone at this time?"

Feng Xun quickly dismounted and rushed to the carriage to assist Yue Zheng in getting down. When Yue Zheng placed her hand into his warm palm, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt again. As Feng Xun held her hand, the light in his eyes seemed as if it could ignite. Yue Zheng lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze, while Feng Xun appeared even more tender, filled with affection, fearing that he might squeeze her hand too hard and hurt her.

Yuezheng took half a step back in fright, what kind of gaze is this? "I... I didn't mean it that way," she said sincerely, from the bottom of her heart

Sitting next to the queen merely means occupying a small table that is relatively close to her. In this way, Yuezheng and Du Siyu are practically sitting side by side.

She shuddered, suddenly breaking out in goosebumps

Feng Xun arrived at the Yuan family early. In the evening, His Majesty and Her Majesty were hosting a banquet at the Long'en Hall, which presented an excellent opportunity to introduce Yue Zheng, especially... He intended to publicly express his stance, leaving the Empress with no options.

Yue Zheng did not decline, rising to the prepared qin table in the hall. After a moment of contemplation, she gently raised her delicate hand to press on the strings, suddenly feeling a surge of emotion that almost brought her to tears. The painful practice over the past six years was all for this moment of astonishing brilliance. Steadying her mind, her fingertips moved lightly, and a piece titled "Moon Over the River" composed by Xie Hanbai flowed gracefully from the strings, leaving everyone in the hall speechless.

Yuezheng took a look at it and indeed found it to be a priceless treasure. With a topic to discuss, she no longer suppressed her melancholy. With a giggle, she returned the brocade box to Fengxun, saying, "I have an even better treasure to present."

I know everything! Feng Xun's eyes became even brighter, and Yue Zheng looked at them with a chill, surpassing the eyes of a wolf, truly terrifying. Don't worry, I will definitely find a way for you to participate in the court selection!