Chapter 59

  The empress smiled and pretended not to see, letting the two of them chat sweetly. Looking at Hongyu, she asked: "Are your parents well? Have you seen Princess Yunhui?"

  "It's all right, thank you for your concern, Grandmother." Hongyu replied cleverly, but her eyes didn't quite meet her grandmother's, and she slightly lowered her head. "I've already seen Yunhui, but these past few days she went to visit friends living in this area, not in the palace. We only met briefly, I think we'll see each other again at today's family banquet. My sister is even more beautiful than when I saw her last year."

  The empress sighed softly, "It's just that this poor girl has a bitter fate. She was engaged to someone, but before she even entered the door, her husband had an accident while traveling abroad for business. Fortunately, this girl has a good temperament and didn't take it to heart. Looking at her, she still appears bright and cheerful, making people want to dote on her."

  Simarui said disapprovingly, "If grandmother really cares about her, she might as well find another family for her. Artful and clever sister is still young, can't just waste away like this. If there's a suitable family to marry into, who knows, it might be what grandmother truly wants for her."

  The empress smiled and said, "There's no need for you to say this. I've always remembered it in my heart, but for the time being, there wasn't a suitable candidate, so I had to put it aside temporarily."

  Everyone sat down, Sima Rui walked past Hongyu's side, his voice was as gentle as the wind blowing into Hongyu's ear, his expression was light, as if he hadn't said anything, but there was anger in his eyes. "Hongyu, if that girl really has an accident, I, Sima Rui, will not forgive you!"

  Hongyu trembled slightly and lowered her head, saying quietly: "Fourth brother, what are you talking about? Er Sao really doesn't understand."

  Simarui hummed softly. "Whether you understand or not is your business, you know how I do things, if nothing's wrong, then it's fine, but if there's something, believe me, I'll expose your true nature immediately."

  Hong Yu lowered her head and didn't speak, she wasn't without fear in her heart, but she didn't dare show it.

  Their conversation was extremely quiet, almost no one noticed, but Murong Feng saw it. This Sima Rui was more hateful than she had imagined, perhaps the surface things would also deceive people. At first, he thought he was completely devoid of good qualities and was simply a despicable villain, flirtatious, ***, but in fact, he seemed to be more of a gentleman than others around him.

  Just like how he had Mu Rong Xue under house arrest for so long, yet he didn't take advantage of her even a little bit. Even if there were some flirtatious undertones in his words, it could still be forgiven. Although this Mei Jiao was not particularly related to him, he would still stand up for her sake.

  Yu Jiao's acquaintance with Sima Zhe was a sad thing, but her acquaintance with Sima Rui was a fortunate thing. If it were Sima Zhe instead, would he have protected her?

  Murong Feng thought Sima Zhe would definitely not, Yu Jiao was just a substitute.

  Simazhe whispered to Sima Rui: "Fourth brother, don't make things difficult for Hongyu anymore. The matter has already passed."

  Simazhe didn't know what they were talking about, but it was clear that Sima Rui still had a prejudice against Hongyu, with an expression that was always cold and indifferent. Just now when he saw the two of them brush past each other, for a moment it seemed to convey a message that made him worried.

  "How can I? Big brother is indeed meticulous, when did you become so concerned about the people around you." Sima Rui said lazily, but his eyes revealed a hint of sadness, and his tone had a faint sense of suppressed resentment. "The pitiful one isn't Hongyu, it's those innocent people. If you love them, you should keep your promises from back then. If not, just let them go. You treat Hongyu like a treasure, but she's Sima Qiang's, not yours, Sima Zhe. Big brother, you're really making me disappointed!" The last sentence was already laced with anger.

  Simazhe was taken aback for a moment, every time he mentioned Hongyu, it would always provoke Sima Rui's anger. He knew his brother was heartbroken for him and also knew what his brother meant, but after all, they had been together since childhood, with over ten years of feelings, how could he just let go overnight? Even if she had betrayed him, even if the man was already married and the woman was already wedded, he still couldn't let go, and it would still hurt whenever he saw her.

  "Fourth brother, big brother knows you're doing it for his own good, but..." Sima Zhe let out a soft sigh and said somewhat dazedly, "Big brother also knows he should let go, it's just that, not seeing her is fine, but seeing her will only bring heartache. How is Yu Jiao doing?"

  Simarui let out a soft sigh and said in a low voice, "It's not good, my leg is injured, and I was poisoned. I'm afraid I won't be able to dance again. It hurts extremely now. Fortunately, Empress Li went to help and prepared medicine to relieve the pain. However, the antidote needs to be sent from Wumeng State, which will take some time. Someone has been dispatched on a fast horse, and it should arrive in about one or two days."

  "What does the Wumeng Kingdom have to do with this? She's just a courtesan, how could she have a feud with someone from Wumeng Kingdom?" Sima Zhe was puzzled. "Our Great Xing Dynasty has never had any trade relations with Wumeng Kingdom in terms of medicinal herbs, so how did we get poisoned by them? And why would Empress Li help us detoxify the poison? Why is she willing to lend a hand?"

  Simarui let out a light hum. "You ask me, but I want to ask you too? It's not like I'm the one who poisoned her, how would I know? You should think about it yourself. As for why Lifi helped me, that's between her and me, what you should be concerned about is Yu Jiao, not other things unrelated to Yu Jiao's pain. If there's an opportunity, it's best if you go see her."

  "Try some, this pastry is really not bad." Murong Feng appeared out of nowhere, holding a small plate with several pastries on it, and a gentle smile on his face. "The pastries here at grandma's are better than those in the mansion. What were you two brothers talking about? You looked so serious that everyone was staring at you."

  Simarui took a bite, savoring the flavor, "The pastries here are all supplied from various places, so they naturally taste better. The ones in the mansion were sent by Grandmother, but they may not necessarily suit your taste. If you like them, it's easy to get some when you leave, just ask Grandmother for some." As he spoke, he ignored Sima Zhe. Sometimes his older brother's hypocrisy made him feel deeply disappointed. Did one have to be hypocritical in order to become a king?!

  Murong Feng furrowed his brow, suddenly missing some foods from the Bai Min era. He thought to himself that if he had the chance, he would definitely try making them again. Back in the Bai Min days, he often tried cooking delicious dishes to comfort himself.

  "What's on your mind? You look so forlorn?" Sima Rui teased.

  Murong Feng smiled slightly, "Missing delicious food."

  "What a romantic expression, yet such a realistic thought, how disappointing." Sima Rui said with a smile, "I thought you were thinking of me."

  "Missing you?" Murong Feng sneered with a deliberate smile, "Is it worth my while to have such an expression? I should be gloating at the thought of you instead."

  Simarui made a pitiful expression, leaned in close to Murong Feng, and whispered: "If you don't want to think about it, I'll stay by your side and not leave tonight?"

  Murong Feng took a small pastry and stuffed it into Sima Rui's mouth, smiling and saying: "I think you're more adorable when you're quiet. I'm treating you to a snack, so please don't speak."

  The empress dowager smiled and said, "You two, can't you not be so mushy? It's making your grandmother blush." Her tone was joyful and happy, relaxed and humorous.

  Simarui deliberately said angrily: "Grandma, you're already at this age, can't you just not look so clearly? I'm talking to Feng'er, and you're watching us so clearly. We'll leave now and come back tonight. Who knows what good shows we'll see and what delicious food we'll eat."

  After finishing speaking, she pulled Mu Rong Feng and left.

  The first time they held hands, it was unclear whether it was intentional or unintentional, but everything felt natural. As Sima Rui's consort, Murong Feng knew that sooner or later she would have to face this hurdle, and regardless of whether she loved him or not, she would ultimately belong to Sima Rui. So, she might as well accept it happily.