Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 285 - 283. Raising a Daughter Brings Disaster

283. Foster Daughter

「Inside the Prime Minister’s Mansion」

In the study, Prime Minister Liu looked at his indifferent daughter sitting to one side, his grizzled brows knitted tightly. He paced back and forth, hands clasped behind him, taking quite some time before he turned to stare at Noble Consort Liu. "Daughter, what on earth do you think you’re doing?"

Noble Consort Liu lifted her head, slightly irritated. "What’s wrong?"

Prime Minister Liu responded brusquely, "What’s wrong? You ask me what’s wrong? We had settled everything earlier. Why are you provoking Mo Xiuyao at this time?"

Noble Consort Liu raised an elegant eyebrow. "How did I provoke Mo Xiuyao?"

Prime Minister Liu was exasperated. Having an intelligent, beautiful, and deeply favored daughter was a blessing, yet a disobedient child caused him endless headaches. Massaging his forehead, he inhaled deeply, saying in a more composed manner, "We previously agreed to deal with the burial matter first. Now, you’re stirring trouble with Mo Xiuyao before this issue is resolved. What if he abruptly interferes? You need to understand, your father and Prince Li are currently under significant pressure from the scholars and old pedants to suppress this matter. The slightest word from Prince Ding, and those people will start causing a ruckus again."

Noble Consort Liu leaned on her hand, looking calmly at Prime Minister Liu. "So, what do you propose?"

"No matter what, you should first release Feng Zhiyao. He belongs to Mo Xiuyao. Since Mo Xiuyao has already indicated that he won’t interfere in the affairs of the Capital City, for now, we should stop provoking him."

Noble Consort Liu refuted displeasedly, "Prince Ding abducted Tan Jizhi. Father... don’t you know what Feng Zhiyao has done?"

"I don’t care what he has done!" Prime Minister Liu said firmly. "So what if he kidnapped the Empress? It does us no harm. If the Empress were still around at the new Emperor’s ascension, she would become the Empress Dowager, and the Hua Family would then openly interfere with court affairs and support the new Emperor. Isn’t the current situation perfect? The new Emperor is young. Should his biological mother die early, you, as the Noble Consort of the former Emperor, will naturally be the most influential person in the palace. Moreover, having such leverage over the Hua Family will be useful later..." Contemplating how the Liu Family could crush the Hua Family underfoot, or even control them completely, Prime Minister Liu revealed a smug smile.

Noble Consort Liu lowered her gaze, a cold, disdainful light flashed in their depths. The most influential person in the palace? What of it? Even if she were to become the Empress Dowager, without him, what use would holding such prestigious positions be?

Turning back to see the cold smirk still lingering on Noble Consort Liu’s lips and her disdainful expression, Prime Minister Liu became alarmed and asked, "Have you still not given up on Prince Ding?!"

Upon seeing Noble Consort Liu’s resolute gaze, Prime Minister Liu felt a lump in his throat, as if he were about to vomit blood; he was extremely uncomfortable. What sins had he committed to deserve such a disappointing daughter? This was truly a curse!

"It’s been so many years. If Prince Ding were truly fond of you, he wouldn’t have waited until now. How can you still...?" Prime Minister Liu advised earnestly.

"Shut up!" Those words touched a nerve in Noble Consort Liu, and her delicate face was instantly covered with fury. She glared angrily at her father, grinding her teeth. "I don’t believe it! He can’t possibly not like me. He just hasn’t truly noticed me yet!"

Prime Minister Liu was struck speechless.

He truly didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t comprehend where the Liu family’s upbringing had failed so spectacularly to produce such a stubbornly fixated daughter. She was already over thirty, an age when women in ordinary families would be grandmothers. If she hadn’t entered the palace, she would, by this time, have been the lady of a distinguished, wealthy household. Which woman of her age would still single-mindedly fixate her attention on a man? Moreover, a man who showed her no regard whatsoever!

"’A curse! This is truly a curse!’" Prime Minister Liu stomped his foot and sighed deeply.

Noble Consort Liu, however, didn’t care about her father’s anxiety. A faint yet sweet smile curled the corners of her lips. "Yes, that’s right. He just hasn’t seen me yet. I will go to Prince Ding’s Mansion to see him tomorrow. He will surely understand my feelings for him."

"Are you sure he won’t drive you away?" Prime Minister Liu ruthlessly poured cold water on her hopes. Noble Consort Liu had seized one of Prince Ding’s men. It was most probable that Prince Ding would detain her in the same way. In the end, they would still need to trade for her release, perhaps even at a greater cost. Prime Minister Liu didn’t think Mo Xiuyao would be willing to pay any significant price for Feng Zhiyao. After all, he was just a subordinate. If Prince Ding became angry because of this, it would likely be more because his authority had been challenged. Prime Minister Liu simply couldn’t admit that this daughter was one he had raised.

Noble Consort Liu gave a confident smile. "He won’t. Unless... he doesn’t care about Third Feng’s life."

Prime Minister Liu sneered, "What do you intend to achieve by seeing him? Do you expect him to marry you? Don’t tell me you don’t know that Prince Ding is deeply devoted to the Princess Consort. He has only ever had Princess Consort Ding by his side all these years. Do you believe that Prince Ding would betray his own wife for a Third Feng?"

Not only that, Prime Minister Liu was a man himself. Even from a man’s perspective, it would be absolutely impossible to abandon a wife like Princess Consort Ding. She was equally outstanding in both appearance and capability and had once shared hardships with him. He wouldn’t leave her for a woman who had been married and had a child for someone else, even if that woman was as beautiful as a fairy. To abandon a devoted wife for mere beauty was a despicable act. Prime Minister Liu was not a good man, but he wasn’t despicable. If even he disdained such actions, why would Prince Ding do them?

Noble Consort Liu looked strangely at Prime Minister Liu and said, "Father, I really don’t understand. Can’t you see that both the new Emperor and Mo Jingli are far inferior to Prince Ding? As long as Mo Xiuyao desires it, what he obtains will absolutely be no less than Great Chu. If things go well for me, the Liu Family will naturally prosper as well. Why do you oppose this so much?"

Prime Minister Liu laughed bitterly in his heart, once again affirming his failure in educating this daughter. It seemed... it was time to give up. Fortunately, he had two granddaughters who were approaching fifteen. Although their beauty and talent were slightly inferior to this daughter’s, they were still considered excellent. He must carefully balance things between Prince Li and Prince Qin. As for Prince Ding... apologies, Prime Minister Liu had never considered the possibility of siding with Prince Ding. This was not only because of the past conflicts and bad blood between the Liu Family and Prince Ding’s Mansion over the years but also because Mo Xiuyao’s way of doing things was completely different from the Liu Family’s. Even if Prince Ding really took in Noble Consort Liu, the Liu family would not gain any benefit from it.

With a weary wave of his hand, Prime Minister Liu said lightly, "Very well. Since you won’t listen to what I say, then do as you wish. Only... I hope you don’t implicate the Liu Family. In the future... you needn’t come back here. After all, as a concubine of the previous emperor, it’s truly inappropriate for you to be constantly leaving the palace."

Noble Consort Liu was taken aback, looking at Prime Minister Liu in confusion. For many years, her father had never spoken to her in this tone. It wasn’t anger or cold indifference, but a kind of weary resignation and detachment. Noble Consort Liu intuitively disliked this feeling.

"Father..."

"Let it go. You may leave. By the way, I plan to marry Xian’er to Prince Li as a Secondary Consort," Prime Minister Liu revealed his plan.

Noble Consort Liu was stunned for a moment before she got up and walked out leisurely. She wasn’t stupid and naturally understood what her father’s actions implied. This meant the Liu Family was going to place their bets on Prince Li; they had decided to give up on her and Prince Qin. At least from now on, Prince Qin would no longer be of utmost importance to the Liu family. All her life, apart from her unrequited love for Mo Xiuyao, Noble Consort Liu had always had things her way. She never thought that she would one day become the one to be abandoned.

Father... Father... why can’t you understand me? I’m just seeking my own happiness. What’s wrong with that? Father, since you are unkind, don’t blame me for being unrighteous.

Turning around, Noble Consort Liu glanced at Prime Minister Liu, who was deep in thought in his study. A hint of resentment flickered across her face as she walked away steadily.

「Inside the dark prison cell late at night」

Feng Zhiyao, who had been sitting cross-legged on the bed meditating, slowly opened his eyes. He glanced aside at Feng Huaiting, who was sleeping soundly under a cloak on a nearby bed, a flicker of worry in his eyes.

"Zhuo Jing?" His gaze fell on the prison door as Feng Zhiyao asked tentatively.

A low, deep laugh echoed from the prison entrance. Qin Feng appeared, looking at Feng Zhiyao with a leisurely and teasing expression. "It’s not Zhuo Jing, but Zhuo Jing asked me to give you a message."

"What message?" Feng Zhiyao raised his eyebrows and asked, "Why are you here?" He remembered that Qin Feng had not come to the Capital City with them.

Qin Feng sauntered into the dungeon, his face full of smiles. "Zhuo Jing said... the Prince is very angry. As for why I am here, it’s quite a coincidence. Just as I arrived in the city, I heard that Third Young Master Feng had been captured by a woman. Naturally, I hurried to visit. After all, our bond as colleagues is a bit deeper than yours with Zhuo Jing, isn’t it?"

This time was an accident, Feng Zhiyao thought, instinctively shrinking his neck at the words "The Prince is very angry," despite trying to maintain a composed exterior. It really was an accident. How was I to know that woman would run to the Ministry of Criminal Justice at that time? That Noble Consort Liu, a woman driven mad by her obsession with the Prince, wasn’t like Mo Jingli. If I had dared to escape, Noble Consort Liu would really have killed Feng Huaiting. Even though I resent Feng Huaiting for ignoring me, I don’t want him dead.

Qin Feng, cocking his head to one side, smiled at the person in the adjacent cell. "Uncle, I am Qin Feng, a friend of Third Feng. How are you doing?"

Feng Huaiting in the adjacent cell had woken up when they first started speaking. A prison was no place for a sound sleep. Feng Huaiting was taken aback and nodded. "I’m fine. Thank you, Young Master Qin."

Qin Feng waved his hand. "This incident was entirely due to Third Feng’s impulsiveness. Once we get back, our Prince will surely discipline him properly. Uncle, let’s leave, shall we?"

Feng Huaiting wore a complicated expression, a bitter taste on his lips. His own son’s impulsive actions required others to discipline him, and for others to apologize to him, the boy’s father, on his behalf. For the first time in his life, Feng Huaiting felt that maybe he had really made a mistake with this son.

Qin Feng stepped forward, casually pulled out a brightly gleaming dagger and, with a swift stroke, severed the iron chain, as thick as a finger, and the huge brass lock on the prison cell. Qin Feng caught the broken pieces, tossed them behind him casually, and swung the prison door open. Standing at the prison entrance, Qin Feng smiled at Feng Huaiting. "After you, Uncle." Seeing Feng Huaiting still hesitating, Qin Feng laughed. "Uncle, you needn’t worry. Although the rest of the Feng Family is in Prince Li’s hands, he won’t harm them." As for the Feng family’s assets, that was a different story. Fortunately for them, Prince Ding, who had made a considerable sum in Xiling the previous year and was already rolling in wealth, indicated he wasn’t short of money. Besides, it was Third Feng’s family business, so it would have been somewhat improper to take a share; otherwise, they might have gotten a piece of the pie.

Only then did Feng Huaiting step out. He looked at Qin Feng and said, "Prince Ding indeed has many hidden talents under him."

With a faint smile, Qin Feng twirled the dagger in his hand. "A mere parlor trick, Uncle. Please don’t laugh. Our men are outside to escort you."

Feng Huaiting thanked him, gave Feng Zhiyao a glance, and headed towards the exit. Qin Feng shot Feng Zhiyao a cheeky grin before following suit. Feng Zhiyao, still in his cell, was dumbfounded. "Qin Feng! I haven’t been released yet!"

Qin Feng looked innocently towards the sky. "What? My orders were to rescue Old Master Feng, who was unfortunately implicated by one of Prince Ding’s Mansion’s subordinates. Is there anyone else? I didn’t hear about anyone else."

"You!" Feng Zhiyao ground his teeth in anger while Qin Feng laughed cheerfully. "Third Feng, you just stay put and continue your sentence obediently. Maybe by the time you get out, the Prince will have calmed down. Also, don’t tell me you can’t break a tiny iron chain. Oh yes, the Prince also said, since you enjoy prison so much, stay a few more days. Rest assured, that woman, for the sake of the Prince, definitely won’t kill you."

"Just you wait!" Feng Zhiyao glared angrily at the man striding away. He knew Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t do this merely as punishment. But remembering the smug, mocking expression on Qin Feng’s face, he couldn’t help but curse resentfully in his heart: "I curse you to have a rocky love life!"

Having just stepped out of the hidden prison, Qin Feng shivered inexplicably and glanced up at the sky. The weather in March is still a bit cold.

Qin Feng led Feng Huaiting out, encountering virtually no obstacles along the way. Witnessing the formidable strength of the men under Prince Ding’s Mansion, Feng Huaiting found himself with more to ponder, and his resolve wavered further.

By the time they returned to Prince Ding’s Mansion, the sky was already slightly bright. After Feng Huaiting was shown around, became familiar with the surroundings, and had a light breakfast, he was taken to meet Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were not in the study but in a quiet little garden deep within Prince Ding’s Mansion. When Feng Huaiting was led there, Mo Xiuyao was practicing his swordsmanship. At a stone table not far away, Ye Li and the Empress were conversing. Nearby, two children were squatting on the ground, heads together, whispering about something. The soft rays of dawn sprinkled into the courtyard, and the faint fragrance of orchids filled the air, bringing an instant feeling of tranquility and pleasure.

"Is that Old Master Feng? Please come and sit down," Ye Li said with a smile, being the first to notice Feng Huaiting.

Feng Huaiting walked forward and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Princess Consort Ding. Greetings... Empress, Your Majesty..." Almost instantly, the Empress clearly sensed Feng Huaiting harbored some criticism towards her. She simply smiled and said nothing; she was merely a guest now and naturally couldn’t overstep her bounds or overshadow her host.

A sigh of helplessness escaped Ye Li’s lips. If the Empress could sense it, she naturally wouldn’t be oblivious. Mo Xiuyao had invited the Empress to meet Feng Huaiting, and she wondered if Feng Zhiyao would blame them later. However, Ye Li understood Mo Xiuyao’s intentions. If the Empress were to be with Feng Zhiyao in the future, then Feng Huaiting would be a hurdle they needed to cross. It wouldn’t matter if Feng Zhiyao truly didn’t care about Feng Huaiting, or if Feng Huaiting genuinely paid no mind to Feng Zhiyao. However, judging by Feng Zhiyao’s reactions, that clearly wasn’t the case. The only reason Feng Huaiting harbored hostility towards the Empress was because of Feng Zhiyao.

"Old Master Feng, please sit down. Third Feng acted impulsively and implicated the Feng Family. I hope you won’t be offended."

Hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on Feng Huaiting’s face. "Princess Consort, you are too kind. This old man is ashamed." If he hadn’t constantly neglected this son and failed to guide him properly, Feng Zhiyao might not have placed such importance on the Empress, nor would he have impulsively stormed the palace to rescue her. He was also aware of the care the Empress had shown Feng Zhiyao in the past, so even so, he had no grounds to blame the Empress. Looking at the shy child in white who had rushed into Princess Consort Ding’s arms, and the serious-looking boy in black who had walked over and sat down properly on a nearby stool, a pang of regret flashed in Feng Huaiting’s eyes. If... Zhiyao’s child might have been older than these two by now.

Nearby, Mo Xiuyao concluded his sword practice, casually flicking his sword back into its scabbard hanging on a tree not far off. Ye Li handed him her handkerchief. He took it, wiped his nearly sweat-free forehead, and sat down beside her.

"Prince..." Feng Huaiting started to rise, but Mo Xiuyao gestured for him to remain seated.

"No need for formalities. This time, it was because Third Feng acted without thinking. Old Master Feng, I hope you haven’t suffered too much," Mo Xiuyao asked.

Feng Huaiting felt somewhat pained; this was the third person to say such words to him. This indicated that the people of Prince Ding’s Mansion truly regarded Feng Zhiyao as one of their own, not merely as a dispensable subordinate. Yet, at the same time, this was the greatest mockery of his role as a father. However, Feng Huaiting was in no mood to dwell on these things now. He asked with concern, "Prince, Zhiyao, he..." He knew Feng Zhiyao hadn’t come out of the dungeon with them, even though Qin Feng had told him Feng Zhiyao had another task.

Mo Xiuyao brushed away a lock of white hair stirred by the gentle breeze, a very faint smile playing on his lips. "Old Master Feng, rest assured. Third Feng will be back today. However, given his temperament, it’s good for him to learn a lesson. It will prevent him from acting rashly again in the future."

Hearing Mo Xiuyao say this, Feng Huaiting felt somewhat apprehensive but could only let the matter rest. At least he believed Prince Ding would absolutely not let Feng Zhiyao’s life be in danger. He cupped his hands towards Mo Xiuyao and said, "I am grateful to Your Highness for your assistance. If there is anything in the future that requires my help, please do not hesitate to ask."

Mo Xiuyao smiled. "Old Master Feng, you need not be so polite. It was merely a small effort. However..."

"?" Feng Huaiting calmly waited for Mo Xiuyao to continue.

"The Feng family’s assets, I’m afraid... As far as I know, your two sons have already pledged allegiance to Prince Li. Before you returned, I received news that the Feng family members had been released. The price was... seventy percent of the Feng family’s assets," Mo Xiuyao said calmly, taking a sip of tea.