Chapter 21

  Murong Feng's eyebrows furrowed, and he said with a hint of anger: "Yes, you're right. He has indeed offended me. He's too promiscuous, just like you, and has set his sights on Murong Xue. Not only that, but he's gone even further. Under the pretext of Murong Xue having caught a cold, he had her move into the Warm Jade Pavilion, which is only for the emperor's consorts and favorite concubines. In reality, it's just to keep an eye on her and prevent others from poaching her. You two are truly father and son, opening my eyes indeed."

  "Really?" Sima Rui was taken aback at first, then let out a cold laugh and said in a flat tone devoid of emotion, "He's the Emperor, he has that right. Whoever he likes, he'll do everything to get them. When he pursued my mother back then, it was the same. And Mu Rong Xue is a young and beautiful woman, the number one beauty of the Great Xing Dynasty, loved by all who lay eyes on her. He's a normal man, so why would he be an exception? This is actually good news, no need to worry about me Sima Rui having designs on her anymore. Marrying the prince of our dynasty isn't more ideal?"

  Murong Feng hummed softly, "What kind of reason is that? The Emperor himself doesn't even think about it, there are already so many beautiful and outstanding women by his side. At the age of fifty, he still wants to take a fifteen-year-old girl as his concubine, it's really intentional to give the people of the world something to talk about. If he really takes Murong Xue in, I'm afraid that for a very long time, the Great Xing Dynasty will not lack topics to discuss after dinner."

  "It was your sister who seduced my father first." Sima Rui smiled slyly, "Dressed up so attractively and acting so shy and charming, if my father didn't notice her, it would be a waste of her efforts today. You're quite pretty too, why hasn't my father taken a liking to you? Ah, to be honest, Murong Feng, I think you're not inferior to Murong Xue at all. Why is it that only your sister is famous in your family, and no one pays attention to you?"

  Murong Feng smiled, and the topic of Sima Rui turned out to be quite fast. As for the emperor's intention to take Murong Xue as his concubine, it seemed that he was not very concerned about it. "Are you praising me or mocking me? I am after all your wife, Sima Rui. If your father dares to interfere with his own son's wife, wouldn't that be a foolish ruler who deserves to be overthrown by everyone? Even if you, Sima Rui, have no affection for me at all, I'm afraid you would rather kill me than let your father bear the shame of being called a foolish ruler."

  "Is Murong Xuan crying for this matter?" Sima Rui's heart skipped a beat, and Murong Feng's attitude towards handling things was indeed heartbreaking. "If my father emperor really has intentions on Murong Xue, then the Great Xing Dynasty truly has no one who can stop him. He is someone who will not give up until he achieves his goal."

  Murong Feng was stunned for a moment, then let out a sigh and said quietly: "Actually, I'm not worried about the Emperor, but rather Murong Xue. We're worried that she might be more accepting of the Emperor than we think. After all, although the Emperor is nearly fifty years old, he still looks as dashing as in his youth, and after many years of tempering in the political arena, he's truly a mature man with power, wealth, and thoughtfulness, who is also gentle and knows how to cherish women. For Murong Xue, who is still young and naive, he's simply an irresistible temptation. I'm afraid she won't think there's anything wrong with it, but rather that the Emperor is someone worthy of her trust for a lifetime. At least, it's better than marrying you, this 'unruly' Crown Prince."

  Simarui stared blankly at Murong Feng, "Are you really Murong Feng? Are you really the most inconspicuous third miss of the Murong royal family, Murong Feng? I'm really suspicious."

  Murong Feng yawned and said lazily, "I'm tired. These past few days of traveling by boat and carriage have been exhausting. I need to get a good rest. Sima Rui, please excuse me, your crown prince's consort needs to take a break first. As for the fourth prince, this is your home, so do as you please."

  Simarui gazed at Murong Feng, a hint of malice flashing across his face as he smiled, "You also know you're my consort, don't you think you should help your husband bathe and change?"

  "Hmph," Murong Feng stood up, flashing a brilliant smile at Sima Rui, a smile that was both beautiful and captivating, yet also heartless and made Sima Rui's hair stand on end. "You think the Empress Dowager's golden token is just a scare tactic? And I have her edict in my hands. Unless you truly fall in love with me, everything is off the table. This was what the Empress Dowager agreed to. You may take your leave and freshen up, after all, there are many rooms in the Fourth Prince's residence, you can choose one at your leisure."

  Simarui burst out laughing, flashed his body, and stood in front of Murong Feng. His peach blossom eyes sparkled with spring water, "Well, I, Simarui, have never fallen in love with anyone before. Let's see if you have the charm to make me fall in love with you."

  So close, Sima Rui's words were spoken with a gentle breath that brushed against Murong Feng's face, carrying the faint scent of wine. Although Murong Feng had no feelings for Sima Rui in his heart, he couldn't help but blush and quickly turn to run away. A teasing remark floated back on the wind, accompanied by a barely audible laugh.

  "Simarui, you haven't even asked me if I'll fall in love with you yet? This game is better not played, otherwise we're both losers."

  Simarui stood there, a smile spreading across his face without him realizing it. This Murong Feng was indeed very interesting. Perhaps Bai Min really was her, or maybe she was just pretending to be a man. But regardless of whether Bai Min was real or fake, at the very least, this Murong Feng was definitely a woman worth putting some thought into.

  As for Murong Xue, the Emperor was never a devoted person. As for loneliness, the Empress seemed to have gotten used to it. The two people who were once infatuated with each other now treated each other with courtesy, and some things couldn't be helped. Murong Xue was such a young and beautiful woman, and for the Emperor, she was indeed an irresistible temptation. Having this thought wasn't unexpected. But suddenly thinking of the Empress, Sima Rui's heart ached, and he lowered his head slightly, hiding the deep loneliness in his eyes.

  On this autumn night, the coolness was like water. For the first time, Sima Rui suddenly felt that the Crown Prince's mansion had a power that made him want to stay. He looked towards Murong Feng's resting room, which was originally his and Murong Feng's bridal chamber after their marriage, but since their wedding night, he had hardly set foot in the room. Murong Feng didn't cry or make a fuss, existing quietly, and now, looking at the faint candlelight flickering in the room, a strange warmth suddenly surged up in his heart, a smile slipped across his lips, and he actually felt a few degrees of satisfied happiness rising to his head.

  "Father, it's late at night, rest now." Wang Bao quietly stood behind Sima Rui and softly said.

  Today, unexpectedly, Sima Rui and Murong Feng didn't quarrel or fight, but instead had dinner together, seemingly chatting happily. What's even stranger is that tonight, Sima Rui didn't leave the Fourth Prince's residence to spend the night elsewhere. It's been a long time since the Fourth Prince hasn't spent the night at his own residence. Everyone finds it very strange, but they're also relieved. Murong Feng is quite a good crown princess, kind-hearted and considerate of others, and she didn't receive Sima Rui's punishment.

  Simarui gazed out the window at the moon and nodded, "Wang Bao, don't you think the moon outside is beautiful? It turns out that we can see a beautiful moon here too."

  Wang Bao nodded as if he understood, but didn't actually understand what the Fourth Prince was saying. However, one thing was certain: the Fourth Prince's mood today wasn't bad.

  "Has she rested?"

  "The princess has already gone to bed, I'm afraid she's really tired. According to Yanyu, after washing up, she fell asleep as soon as she got into bed. After all, the princess is a thousand gold in the palace, and it's probably her first time traveling such a long distance. According to Chunliu, the princess was in high spirits along the way and even brought back many fun and delicious things for us servants. I received two things that are not available in the palace, and they look really fresh." Wang Bao smiled and said, "We servants are all grateful for the princess's kindness. We're also lucky that the princess is a considerate master who never scolds us servants. Following the princess, we servants are truly blessed with good fortune from our past lives."

  Smiling, Sima Rui lay down on the bed, Wang Bao extinguished the candle flame, and moonlight poured into the room like water. With a satisfied sigh, Sima Rui also fell asleep quietly, with a faint smile on his lips.