He lowered his voice, especially when he heard the words “the top courtesan of Qinglou,” recalling what Feng Jin had said before. His eyes were filled with a chilling darkness, and he said in a low voice, “Both of you shut your mouths and behave.”
Feng Jin rolled her eyes and closed her mouth sheepishly.
Chu Chenyi also pulled Lin Yuwei back, making the two of them keep some distance, lest they say anything more shocking.
Throughout the entire banquet, the Imperial Noble Consort kept pulling Emperor Xuanwen to talk, directly neglecting the Empress.
Fortunately, the Empress was used to these matters and had long been accustomed to them. Moreover, her most pressing concern, Chu Yanxi's marriage, had been settled. She was too lazy to bother with these trivial matters and let the Imperial Noble Consort cling to Emperor Xuanwen.
After the banquet, Feng Jin and a few others paid their respects to the Empress Dowager and then left the palace to return home.
“Why must the Empress insist on having the Third Prince marry someone from the Liu family? Moreover, the men of the Liu family are not outstanding at all. Their contribution to the Third Prince's future ascension to the throne is not very significant. It would be more beneficial to marry Feng Ruoyan as his principal wife.”
Feng Jin truly did not understand the Empress's thought process at this moment. The priorities were clear at a glance.
Could it be that the Empress was very confident that the throne would go to Chu Yanxi, and therefore, in his marriage, there was no need to find a powerful father-in-law for Chu Yanxi?
“The Liu family had many absurd incidents in their early years, which incurred the Emperor's displeasure. None of the men in their clan are outstanding. The future prospects of the entire clan are placed on the Empress alone. Since the men are useless, they can only rely on women to secure the position of Empress.”
“Relying on women, what use are men then? Everything should be based on the principle of male superiority, yet when trouble arises, women are called upon to take charge. The people of the Liu family are truly shameless.”
Feng Jin genuinely disdained these people's conduct, her words filled with mockery.
“By the way, where did you transfer Feng Ruoyan to? Has Feng Yuanping made any moves?”
“Prime Minister Feng is investigating secretly, as if he's about to turn the entire capital upside down. It's been three days, and Prime Minister Feng is truly patient.”
Ling Mohan said in a deep voice. There had been no news of Feng Ruoyan for three consecutive days. Feng Yuanping could still endure until now, which was indeed not easy.
“In a few more days, it will be the wedding day of Feng Ruoyan and Chu Yanxi. Marrying a side consort is not the same as establishing a concubine. On the wedding day, officials and ministers will come to congratulate them. This marriage was personally bestowed by the Emperor. If the bride is not present, it would be an offense to the Emperor, resulting in the execution of the entire family. At this moment, Feng Yuanping must be as anxious as ants on a hot pan.”
Feng Yuanping probably couldn't hold back any longer. However, Ling Mohan's abilities were truly great, being able to evade Feng Yuanping's numerous searches for so long was not easy.
“In the imperial court today, Feng Yuanping made several probing attempts. I'm afraid he won't be able to hold back soon.”
“Young General, you must be extra careful, lest you make a mistake and ruin everything.”
“I will heed my wife's teachings. Your husband will definitely be careful and cautious, never allowing anyone to find an opportunity.”
Ling Mohan had now understood Feng Jin's temperament and acted according to her wishes, never daring to object.
Feng Jin was very satisfied with Ling Mohan's current behavior. In her eyes, such a husband was likable. “Your progress is truly rapid, a teachable person.”
“Thank you for your praise, my wife. But your husband feels that he can still improve further and still needs my wife to guide me more.”
As he finished speaking, Ling Mohan moved closer to Feng Jin.
Sensing something was wrong, Feng Jin pushed Ling Mohan away and directly burrowed under the covers. “I feel tired today and need to rest early. We can discuss the teaching matters another day.”
For the past two days, Ling Mohan had been relentlessly pestering her. Every morning, he looked refreshed, while she was exhausted and could not rest even for half a day.
If this continued, she would eventually be worn out by this man.
The hope that arose on Ling Mohan's lips gradually diminished. He unwillingly lifted the covers and pulled Feng Jin into his arms. If he couldn't have her, holding her to sleep was also good.
After lying down for a moment, Ling Mohan's hands began to get restless, fumbling all over Feng Jin.
Feng Jin slapped his hand away, removing the hand that was on her waist.
“Tomorrow I have to go back to the Feng family to watch a show. Don't cause trouble.”
Tomorrow morning, the imperial decree of enfeoffment would be issued to the Feng Manor. She wanted to witness Madam Sun's embarrassed expression with her own eyes.
“Ah… it hurts, Cai Qing, be gentler… my hair…”
Feng Jin winced in pain. Her beautiful hair was almost being yanked out by Cai Qing.
“Young Madam, don't move around. Please bear with it for a moment, and I'll put on the coronet properly for you.”
Cai Qing's hands were unsteady due to Feng Jin's fidgeting, and she was instantly sweating, not knowing how to wear it.
Feng Jin endured the pain and had Cai Qing put on the coronet. Feng Jin glanced at the coronet in the bronze mirror, which was as large as her head. She twisted her head while supporting her neck, feeling as if her neck was about to break. It was too heavy.
“It’s so heavy, Cai Qing, get me a lighter coronet.”
“Young Madam, this is already the lightest coronet. The others are even heavier, and there are still two hairpins and a back clasp to be worn.”
Feng Jin glanced at the pure gold hairpins on the dressing table, and her lips twitched uncontrollably. There were too many of them.
To be beautiful, one would risk their life. Carrying over ten pounds on one's head like this. Was their neck made of steel?
For the sake of appearing grand today, Feng Jin could only let Cai Qing put on the hairpins with tears in her eyes.
After everything was put on, Feng Jin, holding onto Cai Qing's arm, could barely stand up and walked very cautiously, not daring to take even a big step forward.
She now finally understood why those noble ladies walked so slowly. It turned out they were afraid of their hairpins falling off and their feet being tripped by their skirts.
These seemingly beautiful things were, in reality, a strong restraint on women's actions and demeanor.
It was a pity that women still flocked to these restrictive items, which was truly pathetic.
“Madam, take smaller steps when you walk. If you take big steps, you'll trip on your skirt and fall.” Cai Qing reminded her from the side.