Chapter 19

  Lady Murong is heartbroken.

  All the children are flesh and blood, although Murong Feng is the most inconspicuous one among them. She was also raised by her own mother with great care and love, even though she wasn't personally raised by him at that time. However, it seems that Murong Qinglang has never been too fond of this third daughter who appears to be the most useless in his eyes, which is why he came up with the idea of letting Murong Feng replace Murong Xue for marriage.

  In the garden, Sima Rui was shouting at Murong Feng, but Murong Feng endured it silently, without showing any signs of anger or grievance, which made her heart ache unbearably.

  Just thinking about this, Mrs. Murong felt unreasonably angry with her husband. A dignified prime minister couldn't even protect his own daughter. He knew what kind of person Sima Rui was, yet he wouldn't let his beloved youngest daughter marry him, instead sacrificing another daughter's happiness for life. It just wasn't right.

  Seeing everyone doting on the little daughter who hogs all the attention, as well as the other two daughters who are married and living happily, I really think Murong Feng is quite pitiful.

  "Does the madam think that San Yatou's personality has changed? She can actually get on the empress dowager's good side. I heard from Huan'er that the empress dowager is very fond of San Yatou and often summons her to Xiangfu Palace through De Gonggong. And Huan'er also said that it was San Yatou who managed to get Xue'er away from Sima Rui's side. Could it be that her illness really changed her completely?"

  "What's with the 'Third Girl'?" Madame Murong frowned, displeased. "Master, Third Girl has a name and a surname too, why are you calling her as if she were some kind of servant? And now that she's the consort of the Fourth Prince, if the Empress Dowager hears about it, she'll likely be angry."

  Murong Qingliang was taken aback and asked in confusion: "Madam, why are you angry?"

  "It's nothing." Murong's wife sighed, perhaps Murong Feng was just destined to be this way. She couldn't help much anyway. Since falling ill, her personality had changed a lot, and she could still gain the favor of the Empress Dowager. It seemed that the Queen was also very kind to her, and she could even rescue her younger sister from Sima Rui's side. She must have her own good fortune. "I just suddenly feel sorry for Feng'er."

  Murong Qingliang paused for a moment, swallowing back what he wanted to say. He turned his head and saw that his eldest daughter, Murong Xuan, was staring blankly into space. Following her gaze, Murong Qingliang saw that the Emperor was smiling and chatting with his younger daughter, Murong Xue. The Emperor's expression was warm and gentle, but his eyes seemed ambiguous. Murong Xue's face was flushed with shyness, her head slightly lowered, and she didn't say a word, only occasionally nodding slightly. Murong Qingliang's heart skipped a beat as a bad feeling suddenly made him feel cold, despite the warmth of the autumn sun on his skin.

  Murong Xuan's heart grew even colder.

  Just now, Murong Feng left with a light sentence, like a bucket of cold water poured on her, she was originally hoping that this family banquet would win Mu Rong Xue a relatively special status, she meant to let her husband propose to the emperor to recognize Mu Rong Xue as the younger sister of the crown prince, in this way, Sima Rui could not bear the crime alone, although it is an adopted sister, after all, it is a brother and sister title, if there is another rebellion, the ethics of the Daxing dynasty would also not allow.

  At that time, when she made this request to her husband, she did not explain the real reason, but only said that Sima Rui had always liked Murong Xue, although he married Murong Feng, it seemed that he still couldn't give up. For the sake of Murong Feng's happiness and for the consideration of Murong Xue's future, if her husband recognized Murong Xue as his sworn sister, perhaps it would make Sima Rui restrain himself.

  Simazhe did not object, although he agreed somewhat reluctantly, but ultimately agreed. Who would have thought that Simazhe had not yet mentioned this matter to the Emperor, and the Emperor had already sized up Murong Xue with a man's gaze, and the two of them conversed in a way that was so ambiguous!

  If the Emperor really took a liking to Murong Xue and made her his concubine, then she would have to kneel down and address her own younger sister as "Your Ladyship"!

  Murong Xuan felt his scalp going numb.

  The emperor has three palaces and six courtyards, countless beauties, and a queen who is still elegant and dignified at the age of nearly fifty. Little sister is only fifteen years old, and it's not an exaggeration to call her grandfather in terms of age difference. How can this be?! However, looking at the emperor's gaze and gentle tone when speaking to little sister, Murong Feng's worries are not unfounded. What should be done?!

  A gust of autumn wind blew by, and for some reason, after Murong Feng left, the atmosphere in the entire garden suddenly became strange. The Empress Dowager also said to Xiaode'er that she wanted to return to the palace with a somewhat listless expression. After respectfully sending off the Empress Dowager, everyone suddenly didn't know what to say next.

  Murong Xuan glanced at Sima Zhe, hoping he would quickly put forward his own suggestions.

  "Father." Sima Zhe saw the look in his wife's eyes, hesitated for a moment, and slowly opened his mouth. His mind was still recalling what had just happened with Murong Feng and Sima Rui. It wasn't until his wife looked at him with anxious eyes that he remembered to acknowledge Murong Xue as his sworn sister, which is why he spoke up.

  "What's the matter?" The Emperor asked with great interest.

  "Zhe'er saw the emperor very appreciative of Erfei's little sister," Sima Zhe smiled and said calmly, "Since that's the case, Erfei's little sister is similar to my own sister, I think I'll recognize her as such..."

  "Haha," the Emperor suddenly laughed, interrupting his son's words, and said with a laugh, "If you say appreciation, I really appreciate Rui'er's consort more. She is intelligent and wise, beautiful inside and out. Rui'er is truly blessed, I'm afraid your consort, Wu Meng's wife can't compare to her. Murong Ai, you are indeed blessed, even I have to envy you. Haha——"

  Simazhe was taken aback, not understanding why his father had suddenly changed the subject. He suddenly saw his wife's face filled with panic, and then looked at the emperor and his silent father-in-law, as if he had suddenly understood something. His heart skipped a beat, and he looked again at Murong Xue, who stood tall and beautiful in the autumn sun, stunningly so.

  "Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty." Murong Qingliang forced a smile, "I dare not take such an honor, how can a few rough children enter your eyes. Having disturbed the palace for a long time, I should also return to my residence. Xue'er has just recovered from her illness, and I beg Your Majesty to allow me to take Xue'er back to rest early."

  "Oh, right, you mentioned that Xue Er had caught a cold recently, I forgot," the Emperor said, looking at Murong Xue, "then there's no need to travel further, just stay in the palace for now. Temporarily, you can stay in 'Nuan Yu Ge', it's not far from the Crown Prince's residence, and Zhe Er's consort can take care of you often. As for medical skills, the imperial physician is still the best, I'll summon Zhang Taishan to diagnose and treat Xue Er immediately, and have a good rest for a few days."

  Murong Qingliang's face was stiff and could hardly squeeze out a smile. "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your concern."

  Murong Xuan lowered her head and was unable to speak.

  Mrs. Murong only reacted at this time, feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn't object. The speaker was the emperor of the current dynasty, and his words were like golden jade, making it difficult to change them. Could it be that the Emperor wanted Murong Xue to be his concubine? Was this really Murong Xue's fate?!

  Murong Xuanzhen really wanted to die, having thought of everything, but didn't expect the Emperor to take a liking to Murong Xue. She only thought of avoiding the mischievous Fourth Prince, but forgot that the Fourth Prince had an even more 'mischievous' father, who was also the current Emperor.