Chapter 75
Chapter 75: Seeing Luo Ning’s Ability
Luo Yin’s arson had brought a lot of gossip onto Luo Ning.
Even Prince Yong had heard about it.
He sent someone to invite Luo Ning to the Prince’s Manor.
After getting the message, Luo Ning combed her hair, changed clothes, and went out with only Lin Zhao.
This time, Prince Yong was not at the training ground but was sitting in the flower hall for guests, drinking tea.
Prince Chen and Cui Zheng Qing were beside him.
Luo Ning greeted them with a bow. Only Cui Zheng Qing rose to return the greeting.
“Sit.” Prince Yong’s tone was very calm as he ordered the servants to serve tea.
Luo Ning took two small sips of tea and watched Prince Yong’s expression.
She did not know if he meant to talk about Luo Yin’s matter in front of Prince Chen and Cui Zheng Qing.
But Prince Yong took the initiative and asked: “What is happening in your family?”
Luo Ning gave a brief explanation and then stopped.
She did not want too many people to know.
Prince Yong heard this too.
“Come with me.” He walked out of the flower hall.
Luo Ning stood with him in the corridor. Outside, sunlight blazed with golden light, shining on the corner of his robe embroidered with golden auspicious clouds.
Without lifting her gaze, she told him the details one by one.
Prince Yong asked: “…They wanted to burn you to death?”
Luo Ning answered that they did.
He asked again: “Your siblings’ conflict has gone this far?”
Luo Ning said honestly: “I am also quite surprised.”
Prince Yong’s face showed no expression.
Luo Ning could not guess his feelings at that moment. For the sake of her future as a commandery princess, she took the initiative to apologize: “I have brought shame to the Prince.”
Prince Yong said: “The Censorate impeaches me all day long anyway. One more matter will not make a difference.”
He was very generous.
Luo Ning said: “The Prince is broad-minded.”
Prince Yong kept her for a meal, but when Luo Ning saw that Prince Chen and Cui Zheng Qing were also there, she politely declined.
After she left, Prince Yong went back to the flower hall to continue drinking tea.
He had only meant to call Luo Ning over. Unexpectedly, Cui Zheng Qing and Prince Chen had come to see him and were talking about a recent murder case reported to the Dali Court from the provinces.
It involved the family by marriage of Grand Princess Jia Hong, the Pei family.
They had only just sat down and spoken a few words when Luo Ning arrived.
Cui Zheng Qing smiled and asked: “Did we disturb you?”
Prince Yong said: “It is all private matters. It does not matter.”
Prince Chen took two sips of tea before saying: “Speaking of private matters at home, why did Sister-in-law look like she wanted to speak but held back?”
Prince Yong said calmly: “Her siblings are at odds. Family disgrace should not be spread outside, so she did not want to speak in front of you.”
Cui Zheng Qing also said: “Her brother set a fire and burned his own shop. That is a family matter. Why make a fuss and report it to the yamen?”
Every family has a few trivial little matters.
Prince Yong said: “Do not worry about it. It has nothing to do with you.”
Prince Chen, however, was curious: “Is there some hidden story?”
“No.”
“It sounds like there is,” Cui Zheng Qing said, taking over the words. “You will not tell us? You are already taking your princess consort’s side so quickly?”
“Of course. One must distinguish between what is close and what is distant.” Prince Yong gave him a cold glance.
Cui Zheng Qing: “…”
He pretended to be aggrieved and chattered complaints for a while. Prince Chen only smiled gently at the side.
Prince Chen praised Luo Ning to Xiao Huai Feng: “Sister-in-law is very cautious and neither humble nor overbearing. Huai Feng, Imperial Mother has a good eye. This marriage will benefit you.”
Xiao Huai Feng’s doubts about the Luo family had already been answered, and he had no interest in talking about Luo Ning: “Do not talk about her.”
He asked about the murder case at the Dali Court instead.
It involved a collateral branch of Madam Pei of Shaoyang.
Once they mentioned Madam Pei, the topic turned back to themselves.
Prince Chen said: “…Imperial Elder Brother has chosen four secondary consorts for you, and one of them is Madam Pei’s daughter. Madam Pei has already taken all the benefits and still is not satisfied. Aunt has spoken with Imperial Mother, wanting to pick one of Madam Pei’s daughters as my future principal wife.”
Xiao Huai Feng said: “Imperial Mother will not agree.”
Prince Chen said: “Aunt recommended Madam Pei’s ninth daughter. Imperial Mother asked whether I had seen her or had any impression of her. I have never seen her, so Imperial Mother said she did not agree.”
He had just lost his princess consort and for now had no heart to take a new wife.
He changed the subject: “Has the Ministry of Rites set a date for your wedding?”
Xiao Huai Feng said: “The Astronomical Bureau is still choosing a day. It will be either the end of this year or early next year.”
Cui Zheng Qing, who was well-informed, said: “The Astronomical Bureau has picked a day in the eleventh month and another in next year’s second month. Both are good dates. They will wait for Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to make a decision. Seventh Brother, if you want to marry sooner, go and press the Empress Dowager a bit.”
Xiao Huai Feng still could not be bothered to respond. His face was cold and he did not answer.
Cui Zheng Qing did not mind and went on talking: “If you marry in the eleventh month, the secondary consorts can enter the residence after the New Year. By the end of next year, Prince Yong’s residence will probably have several children. Seventh Brother, your residence will be lively.”
Xiao Huai Feng’s brows had already furrowed.
Prince Chen smiled and lightly tapped Cui Zheng Qing’s shoulder with his folding fan: “He is already annoyed by this whole matter of secondary consorts, and you still provoke him. Be careful he does not hit you.”
Cui Zheng Qing was not afraid of death.
Cui Zheng Qing said with a smile: “Compared to your principal consort, your secondary consorts will all adore you. Everyone does, except my younger sister. Last time she ran away, she was caught and has been locked up ever since.”
Xiao Huai Feng’s ears buzzed like with flies.
So annoyed he could not bear it, he moved his fingers slightly. A hidden weapon technique shot toward Cui Zheng Qing.
His movements were very fast, but Cui Zheng Qing reacted quickly. With a few sidesteps he dodged behind Prince Chen, and not even half a drop of the tea in his hands spilled.
Prince Chen looked at the two of them helplessly: “Talk properly. Do not start fighting.”
Cui Zheng Qing said with a bright smile: “Xiao Huai Feng, you ambushed me again. When you cannot win with words, you use your hands. You have been like this since you were little.”
Xiao Huai Feng stared at him coldly.
Prince Chen smoothed things over: “Do not fight. I am a scholar and I do not know your tricks. I do not care who ambushes whom, but if either of you injures me by mistake, I will not let it go.”
He tapped Cui Zheng Qing on the head with his folding fan: “Your mouth is too sharp. Be quiet for a while.”
Cui Zheng Qing sat down.
He looked casual, but he was on guard against Xiao Huai Feng attacking him again.
But he had learned his lesson and did not keep teasing Xiao Huai Feng.
Only after he finally quieted down could Xiao Huai Feng speak with Prince Chen in peace.
The Emperor greatly feared Xiao Huai Feng. Before his principal consort had even entered the door, the Emperor had already chosen four highborn ladies to be his secondary consorts, clearly intending to make his inner residence anything but peaceful.
If you want to ruin a man, you give him a rear courtyard in utter chaos so that his attention is divided.
All four secondary consorts came from great families. Even a Prince of the Blood would not dare kill them on a whim. The princess consort’s birth was not good, but she held the title of principal wife and could not be dealt with casually either.
However, the princess consort’s maiden family had too low a reputation and could not command respect. The principal consort would lack authority, and the secondary consorts would be restless, wanting to take her place.
The inner residence would be full of smoke and tension.
Within a year or so, Prince Yong would be exhausted.
The methods of life and death he used on the battlefield would be useless in the inner residence.
This move was vicious.
Xiao Huai Feng had originally placed some hope on his cousin Cui Zheng Lan.
Cui Zheng Lan had a bold temper and a bit of cleverness. She had lived on the border for three years, was very familiar with Xiao Huai Feng, and felt no romantic feelings toward him.
If he promised her benefits, she could be like a deputy general, charging and fighting on his behalf.
He had not expected Cui Zheng Lan to run away. From this, it seemed he could not use her after all. Her ambition did not lie there.
Prince Yong was a little distracted.
While he spoke with Prince Chen about Madam Pei’s murder case, his mind was on his own affairs.
He had agreed to marry Luo Ning only because she was the most suitable to be his principal consort: she had done a favor for Imperial Mother, her family was lowborn and would not be feared, and she was timid and easy to control.
Once everything was settled, if he gave her a bit of benefit, she would ask to leave of her own will.
Inviting a spirit in would be easy, and sending it away would also be easy.
To ease his worries, Xiao Huai Feng had even made her sign and press her fingerprint on a deed of sale.
But today, after hearing her describe all that had happened in the Luo family, Xiao Huai Feng felt that she had some brains.
Perhaps she could be greatly useful, even more capable than Cui Zheng Lan.