After leaving and coming to the main reception hall, Mr. Mu wasted no time in tending to the business at hand.
“Royal Tutor Mu,” standing up from her chair, the guest waiting in the hall was Xue Pian Ran, the Sacred Maiden of the Dan Palace.
“Your Grace, I’ve long resigned from that post years ago. Nowadays I’m just an old man so please address me as Housekeeper Mu instead. But seeing these old bones of mine isn’t what you are here for today is it? Hoho, if you are intending to see my lord then my apologies, he’s already at the palace since early dawn.”
Now it made sense as to why Feng Shen would on multiple occasion address this senior as “Teacher”, turns out he was once the Royal Tutor of North Qing, a man second only to a handful of officials.
“I didn’t come to see Feng Shen, I came to see that lady currently staying here. Last night I was rash and offended Miss Ye without realizing how serious her injuries were. As a way to show my sympathy, I’ve brought some medications with me so I was wondering if you would do me this favor of leading me inside.”
The girl’s tone may be smooth and tender, but it only caused Mr. Mu to furrow his brows extensively.
“Your Grace, no harm has come to the lady’s body so there’s nothing to worry about. Also, my lord has already given instructions before he left: no one is allowed to disturb Miss Ye while she is studying in the account room. I’m sorry but I would have to refuse.” Sharp and direct, the elder’s response mustn’t be trifled with, evident by how quickly the girl’s complexion went from red to white in that split second.
Not only Feng Shen has recognized her, but even Mr. Mu as well….
There’s no way Xue Pian Ran wouldn’t know about the customs in this household, especially the stuff pertaining to the female head of the family like balancing the ledger books and stuff. As such, her emotions couldn’t remain stable anymore.
“Housekeeper Mu, how could you also think like this? There’s no way an ordinary woman from Da Xia is capable of helping the Phoenix Manor produce the next generation. Are you just going sit idly by and see the end of this great House?”
“Sacred Maiden, I hope you can be wearier of your words there. Miss Ye is the most suitable person for His Highness, I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes. Furthermore, she is an extraordinary woman who is also a recognized princess of Da Xia. After many twists and turns, I can say with high certainty they are of one heart. My lord’s been living his life alone for the past ten years, now that he’s found a girl of his heart, how could I and everyone in this household not be happy for him? As for your argument of Miss Ye not being capable of helping the Phoenix Manor produce the next generation, that is not a problem because they have already shared a bed before. What’s more, her medical skills are beyond exceptional and has more than once soothed my lord’s cold syndrome. If Your Grace truly want what’s best for my lord then I hope you would put more consideration into this.” Mr. Mu didn’t expect the girl before him to say something so daring. No matter what, Xue Pian Ran was still unmarried and such words would only harm her reputation.
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Feng Shen actually let that woman, sleep with him? He wouldn’t let me even get close to him when we were together back then, how could he do this to me…. Making a mournful smile, the girl could no longer hold back those tears as she fled the manor.
Towards this scene, Housekeeper Mu could only shake his head. He didn’t want to say things so bluntly and hurt the girl, but a short pain was better than a long one. He only hopes the lady would wake up from the situation and move on.
By evening, Feng Shen has returned from his trip into the palace.
“My lord, you’ve guessed it right, the Sacred Maiden came as you predicted. As per your instructions, I’ve told her exactly what you told me and had her leave. I doubt she would continue entangling herself with us again after all that.” Showing admiration in his old eyes, Mr. Mu wanted to applaud the boy for being so capable.
“If she were to give up this easily then she wouldn’t be Xue Pian Ran. If my guesses are correct, I suspect she had already gone to see His Majesty even before she came to make that scene last night.” From within the boy’s iris came a glowing halo of gold like when Wu Chong would appear.
My engagement with Xue Pian Ran is a real mistake. The matter now involves the relationship between the royal family and the Dan palace, it will be difficult.
“Can it be, the king didn’t agree to your request?” Full of anxiousness in his old face, Mr. Mu hurries to ask.
“Not exactly. The condition is that I must prove Ling Yue is the most suitable woman for me. The king wants me to marry them both into my home, and whoever can give me the first son will be the future mistress of the household.” As he said this, Feng Shen’s face grew increasingly heavy like he’s stressed by the situation.
Take both Ye Ling Yue and Xue Pian Ran? Mr. Mu was shocked, What sort of idea is this? But then again, it made sense after putting into consideration for everything.
Feng Shen has a special constitution, making him unable to copulate with any random woman, that much was clear to everyone. Therefore, the candidates for a proper wife was miniscule to begin with. If careful considerations weren’t in order, it might spell the end for this Phoenix Manor and all its glory, that’s something the king wouldn’t permit no matter how favorable Feng Shen was.
“Highness, you mustn’t violate the king’s will. Perhaps we can do as the sire says and take in the Sacred Maiden as well. If you don’t like, you just don’t have to touch her. Then after some time, maybe a year, Miss Ye would don you a son then all problems would be solved.” After weighing all the pros and cons, this was the best suggestion Mr. Mu could come up with.
“Teacher, that’s foolish of you. What you are suggesting is unfair to Ling Yue, and I would never permit anyone aside from her to take the head mistress position of my home.” Strong and narrowed in his opinion, Feng Shen refuses to budge from his stance.
Understanding the temperament of his young lord, the elder figured its pointless to continue persuading the boy.
“We will leave the matter alone for now. For the time being, keep it a secret between us only. Oh right, where is Ling Yue right now?” Only at the thought of the girl did a smile escape the boy’s lip.
He’s been missing her dearly while in the palace. From that peachy lip, to that slender arm, he wanted to reengage that rude act he carried out on her again.