Chapter 42

  Simarui didn't say a word, gazing out the window, faintly hearing the howling wind outside, autumn was getting deeper and deeper, the weather was getting cooler and cooler.

  "I'm not a sentimental person, I've never been hung up on anyone. My relationship with Yu Jiao isn't just a fleeting romance either. It's because I know she values her legs more than her own life that I'll stay with her for a few days to get through the initial difficulties. If I leave now, we can only sit there in silence, unable to say a word. Leaving would only make her sad anyway, so it's better not to."

  Murong Feng was puzzled, "You are still young, but according to the laws of the Great Xing Dynasty, you are already an adult. How is it possible that you have never experienced love? If you had no experience with love, how could you have been together with Yu Jiao for so many years?"

  Simarui smiled, "I'm an unfeeling person, I don't live for emotions. Yu Jiao is just one of the women I know, and also the only one you've seen. Love? For people in this palace, it's really too rare, not something that can be begged for. Today, you also heard me and my grandmother mention Sima Qiang's concubine Hongyu, right? In those days, she and Sima Zhe were deeply in love, but because of an unexpected heroic rescue, she ended up marrying someone else and became Sima Qiang's beloved concubine. Now looking at your older sister and Sima Zhe treating each other with respect like guests, seemingly loving, but actually cold-hearted, pretending to be more friendly than friends, actually very boring."

  Murong Feng was speechless, Sima Rui gently tucked the quilt for her and said softly: "Okay, let's not talk about these meaningless things. How about I pick a fun book to read to you?"

  Murong Feng didn't say much more, having just recovered from a long illness and still lacking in strength. After speaking for a while, he even started to feel slightly short of breath, so he could only nod lightly and close his eyes, leaving Sima Rui in charge.

  The Second Prince's Manor was usually empty, with only some eunuchs and maids living there to clean up. Sima Qiang didn't often come back, but when he did, the manor would still be in the same state as when he left, just like his fondness for cleanliness.

  The mansion has many trees and few flowers, giving it a more solemn and cold atmosphere compared to other princes' mansions.

  The weather has gradually turned cool, and the Warm Jade Pavilion has been given to Murong Xue. His mother, who had never liked the cold, could only stay in the chilly room, which made Sima Qian feel annoyed. He sat there reading a book, but couldn't focus on a single word.

  What's even more frustrating is that Princess Yalai, who was locked in the room, has also gone missing, and she only went to pick up Hongyu, neglecting her. But presumably, Princess Yalai is now hiding somewhere in the palace, which doesn't matter much. Her guards should be able to find her soon. No matter how spoiled she is, she won't completely disregard the interests of Wumeng State.

  Hongyu walked in gently, yesterday she sent medicine, this morning went to Xiangfu Palace to see the Empress Dowager, heard the Empress Dowager mention that she wanted to thank her for something, knew that Murong Feng's illness had improved a lot, and it would probably take another day or two to recover.

  She couldn't help but wonder how Murong Feng had won the Empress Dowager's favor. She vaguely remembered that among the four sisters of the Murong family, Murong Feng was the least noticeable, while Murong Xue was the most outstanding. So when she heard that Murong Xue had become the Emperor's Snow Consort, she thought it was normal, but Murong Feng's favored status left her perplexed.

  "Husband." Hongyu sat down beside Sima Qiang, looking at her husband's deep-thinking face, and asked softly, "What's troubling you so much?"

  "Have you seen your grandmother?" Sima Qiang came back to his senses, looked at his wife and asked with a smile.

  "Yes." Hong Yu smiled and said, "Grandmother keeps mentioning my fourth brother's wife, it seems that Grandmother really loves this granddaughter-in-law. Right, Grandmother told me that Murong girl has recovered a lot, I think, after resting for another day or two, she should be fine."

  Simar nodded, "The medicinal materials of Wumeng country are much better than those of our Daxing Dynasty. In the future, we can let Wumeng country supply us with medicinal materials all year round. The only thing that disappointed me is that His Majesty did not accept Princess Yalai. If Princess Yalai were in the palace, Wumeng country should be more stable."

  "What do you plan to do with Princess Yalai?" Hongyu saw that her husband no longer mentioned Murong Feng, and she was smart enough not to mention it again. If her husband really liked Murong Feng, it's best not to bring up this person frequently, otherwise, it would only make him miss her more. She smiled and joked with her husband, "Since Father has already given her to you, why don't you just keep her? Hongyu has been married to you for a long time without giving birth, perhaps Princess Yalai can give you a boy or girl."

  "That kind of woman, even if given freely, would not be acceptable. If one really wants to take a concubine, it should be a gentle and wise woman, just like your wife. You sisters also get along well with each other." Sima Qiang smiled slightly, "Moreover, that Princess Yalai is not a woman who is content with being ordinary. The more the Emperor doesn't want her, the more she will definitely not give up. —— Ah, I suddenly thought of where this Princess Yalai might have gone! She has taken an interest in Sima Rui, if I'm not mistaken, after leaving the Second Prince's residence, the first place she would go to is the Fourth Prince's residence. If she's not at the Fourth Prince's residence now, then she must be with Murong Xue —— that is to say, she must be hiding in Nuan Yu Ge right now."

  Simarong's lips curled up in a smile, and he was secretly delighted. If his guess was correct, let her make trouble then. With her identity as the Princess of Wumeng, even if she angered the Emperor, he would still give her some leeway to avoid another war. Perhaps it could also be used to punish Murong Xue.

  Hongyu looked at her husband's face with a prominent smile and was somewhat puzzled. "Husband, what makes you so happy?"

  "I was thinking - never mind, nothing. Have you gone to see your mother?" Sima Qiang changed the subject, "The weather is getting colder and colder, my mother can't stand the chill. Now that the Warm Jade Pavilion has been given to Murong Xue, I wonder how my mother will spend the long cold nights?"

  Hongyu said with a worried expression: "I went to see her yesterday, and the empress's complexion is still good. The bedding has been changed to thick ones early on. It's just that the empress is the emperor's beloved concubine, otherwise, it would be possible to take her to the border town to live with us. Although it's far from the palace, there are fireplaces in winter, and it's also warm like spring."

  Simar nodded, thinking to himself: His mother was not a weak person, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to stand firm in the imperial palace. She must be determined not to let Mu Rong Xue off, and with his mother's plans, Mu Rong Xue would definitely not be her match!

  The aftermath of Mrs. Murong's death was handled extremely simply, without disturbing anyone. Murong Qingliang took a few days off and did not attend court, closing the gates of the Murong royal mansion and hanging up a sign that read "closed to visitors". He then disappeared from view, even avoiding his own children. Accompanied only by his elderly servant, he quietly buried his wife with his own hands. He simply could not bear the thought of his wife facing the gossip of the world again, and hoped she could leave in peace.

  Kneeling in front of the new grave, Murong Qingliang's tears flowed freely, sobbing uncontrollably. It is said that a man's tears are not easily shed, but only when he has reached the depths of sorrow. Now, his own beloved youngest daughter had become the Emperor's Snow Concubine, and his wife, feeling guilty towards the Murong family, had hanged herself in shame.

  To take one's own life, it takes a lot of courage.

  Murong Xue! Murong Xue! If I had known it would be like this, I shouldn't have given up on Murong Feng to save her. Maybe she really could have married Sima Rui. With her beauty and intelligence, she should have been able to capture Sima Rui's heart. Since she was able to attract the Emperor and make him so eager to take her, Sima Rui shouldn't be a problem either... Alas, where can one find medicine for regret in life?