The Slender Waist-Chapter 423 - 307 Princess of Yonghuai

Lady Chen made quite a fuss, crying until her eyes were red and swollen, her throat hoarse.

Yet, Feng Ying was colder than her own mother.

In recent days, using the Golden Boudoir Guest, she noticed that her skin indeed became more delicate, but as if the skin had thinned, it was prone to reddening and breaking out in rashes when exposed to wind or heat, or when she was emotionally agitated.

She minded her appearance, suppressed her anger, and sat with the Chen Family for the time of a cup of tea. Once her emotions had calmed down, she instructed Ning Xiu to fetch the tortoiseshell’s dining utensils and carry them to the palace residence.

She didn’t go to find Daman but waited outside the door.

From Ping’an, she had inquired about Xiao Cheng’s daily schedule. Indeed, after not waiting too long, Xiao Cheng came from the camp and saw her there, entangled and hesitating.

Xiao Cheng stopped in his tracks.

The followers immediately halted as well.

Feng Ying turned her head, slightly bowed, and performed a greeting.

"Your servant has seen Your Majesty."

Xiao Cheng met her gaze.

"At ease."

His eyes were calm, with a layer of hazy, indifferent smile that was no different from usual.

He was the same with everyone.

Feng Ying’s worries dissipated on the spot.

How could Xiao San be captivated by someone as vulgar as Daman? If truly Feng Yun had returned, she might need to be wary, but to fall out with her third brother over a counterfeit like Daman would be a loss not worth the gain.

Feng Ying felt a complex mix of emotions, forced a smile, and gestured for Ning Xiu to bring over the items.

"The other day, your servant raised a little cat named ’tortoiseshell,’ which is extremely delightful. Lady Huaman saw it and liked it too, so she specifically sent Steward Ban to catch it. They left in a hurry, and your servant didn’t have time to sort out tortoiseshell’s belongings. Fearing it might get homesick and uncomfortable, I specially brought them here."

Her voice was gentle and soft, understanding in every aspect.

The vulnerability was subtle, and the affection profound, yet restrained.

This was the kind of wife Xiao Cheng needed, a necessary condition on the road to becoming Empress, something Feng Ying had learned well in the boudoir, which she now executed with ease, without revealing a trace on her face, while incidentally informing on Daman.

Xiao Cheng gazed at her.

His gaze was fixed long enough.

Long enough that Feng Ying’s heartbeat accelerated before he slowly waved his sleeve and said indifferently,

"Come in with Us."

In recent days, Daman had been residing on Xiao Cheng’s side, which was also evidence of her being the most favored in the harem.

On the days Daman was around, Feng Ying came to pay respects and deliver food, and all those times, Jixiang turned her away.

Since Daman was brought back by Xiao Cheng, this was the first time Feng Ying had entered his sleeping quarters.

It seemed no different from the past, plain and simple, elegant and clean, with more women around, yet no trace of a woman’s fragrance to be found.

Feng Ying let out a sigh of relief.

There was no usurpation of the nest, no bewitchment by lust.

Xiao San was still Xiao San; he would not be blinded by sexual allure.

Daman was in the inner court.

Xiao Cheng didn’t make her serve like a maid, but she was self-aware. Under someone’s roof, with a lowly status, it was natural for her to adopt the role of a maidservant. The Emperor loved cleanliness, so she was diligent and efficient in her tasks, seeking to secure a place for herself.

Especially today, having snatched Feng Ying’s cat, she was afraid Xiao Cheng would blame her, so she found a secluded room to settle the cat, and was about to clean when Xiao Cheng summoned her.

As she entered the room and saw Feng Ying following behind Xiao Cheng,

"Your Majesty..."

She stepped forward to perform a greeting, and then naturally reached out to take Xiao Cheng’s cloak, very familiar and comfortable, without greeting Feng Ying, not even casting a glance her way, let alone caring about what expression Feng Ying wore or what she might think.

This wasn’t worth her consideration.

As long as the master was well served and she had support, what did it matter what she did?

Little did she know, to Feng Ying, this appeared as haughtiness born of favoritism.

Feng Ying was somewhat irritated, but it was not appropriate to show it, so she stood quietly to the side.

Xiao Cheng glanced at Daman.

"What did you do today?"

When Daman met Xiao Cheng’s smiling eyes, her spirits became lively.

When alone with her, Xiao Cheng wouldn’t treat her with such a pleasant demeanor.

Wasn’t this obviously meant to embarrass Feng Ying?

Her mouth curled in a smile, she glanced lightly at Feng Ying, "This morning, your concubine saw a little cat and took quite a liking to it. I had someone catch it, thinking to keep it in the yard. When Your Majesty is not around, it can keep your concubine company..." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Xiao Cheng asked, "Did you know it belonged to Lady Feng?"

Daman looked at him in surprise, covering her mouth in shock, shaking her head.

"Your concubine had no idea. I saw its fur was dirty, and thought it was an unwanted stray cat. What shall we do now..."

With a voice tinged with coquettishness, she spoke only to Xiao Cheng, her eyes fixed on him from beginning to end, disregarding the "suffering party" Feng Ying. The pretense was so awkward that Feng Ying felt embarrassed for her and was even less convinced that Xiao Cheng could be beguiled by such a woman.