A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1134 - 1034: "I Want to See Him!
Previously on A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace...
"Summon the Imperial Physician for what?! Get out!"
After unleashing his fury, the Fifth Master retreated to his study and did not emerge again.
The servant boy touched his head.
"What’s occurred?"
"Why is Master so enraged today?!"
Unable to comprehend the situation, the servant boy simply shook his head and departed.
Recently, no significant alterations had taken place within the mansion, save for a subtle shift towards a more subdued demeanor.
The Princess Consort's position is delicate; for us servants, the quieter, the better.
Furthermore, the steward's role in the mansion has now been assumed by Consort Ming.
She remains the Princess Consort, undeniably.
But who can predict when that title might be revoked?
The servants within the mansion are not oblivious. The tides of fortune turned swiftly and brought with them peculiar changes.
Hai Feng had confined herself to her courtyard for several days straight.
The attendants in the main courtyard were no longer as diligent as they once were.
The weather was sweltering.
Not a single ice basin could be found in her immediate vicinity.
This was especially true since Consort Ming's ascendancy in power, as she brazenly began to withhold Hai Feng's provisions.
Yingge watched, her face flushed with anger.
"Those insolent servants are so disrespectful, to dare disregard you like this!"
Hai Feng remained unperturbed.
She reclined languidly on a chaise lounge, fanning herself, a cold snort escaping her nostrils.
"Such ups and downs are commonplace; pay them no mind!"
Yingge displayed considerable unease.
"Master, in our current predicament, how can you remain so unconcerned?"
Hai Feng offered a faint smile, though a distinct lack of warmth resided in her eyes.
"What would be the benefit of my anxiety?"
"Wars are currently raging at the front lines; it is my father who dispatched troops to aggress against the Great Chu!"
"How would my worry aid their cause? Would it somehow facilitate their success?!"
Hai Feng emitted a chilling laugh. Could it be that even the Fifth Master was contemplating her repudiation now?
If even the Master harbored such thoughts, what hope could there be against a mere collection of servants?
In embarking on these schemes, she had staked everything she possessed.
Even if it meant sacrificing all, she would harbor no regrets.
Yet, when the Fifth Master ceded control of the inner court to Consort Ming, her heart was seized by an ache so profound it made breathing a chore.
Several years of sharing his bed, of risking her life to bear him a son.
Now, before any decisive event had transpired, he was already seeking to cast her aside, to detach himself from her.
She had, it seemed, placed too much faith in the affection between them.
It now appeared that the courtesies and respect, the amicable harmony of the past, were all mere pretenses! None of it held any genuine substance.
Hai Feng chuckled with a bitter edge.
Yingge felt a surge of indignation.
"We have committed no offense within the confines of the inner court; you still hold the legitimate title of Princess Consort, so why should our circumstances be so dire?"
"You..."
"Enough!"
Hai Feng’s brow furrowed as she interjected sharply.
"Speak no further; this is not Western Xia, where we might act with such abandon!"
Yingge's words were cut short. Feeling wronged but not daring to protest further, she spoke with dejection.
"Then, Princess Consort, I wish you a peaceful rest!"
"This servant shall take her leave now!" After performing the customary bow, she withdrew.
Hai Feng turned her head to gaze out the window, slowly closing her eyes, lost in contemplation!
That very night.
The Fifth Master dispatched a message, indicating that the Emperor had issued a decree, commanding her to accompany him to the Northwest to provide aid to those affected by a natural disaster.
Hai Feng reacted with considerable surprise, as she was in the midst of consuming leftover food.
"Journey to the Northwest for disaster relief?"
"Alongside the Fifth Master?"
The young eunuch who delivered the message offered a firm nod.
"This is the Emperor's command; the Fifth Master requests that you make thorough preparations, as our departure is scheduled for the day after tomorrow!"
"The day after tomorrow?"
Hai Feng was once again taken aback.
However, before she could inquire further, the young eunuch had already departed.
She stared blankly out the window for a considerable time.
Suddenly, Hai Feng's expression shifted dramatically, and a tempest of emotion churned within her heart.
"It cannot be!"
"They would not possibly use me as a pawn to coerce Father Emperor, would they?"
"The formidable Great Chu would not stoop to such dishonorable tactics, surely?"
The mighty Celestial Empire.
Employing a woman, their own daughter-in-law, to extort the opposing party.
Such an act, if it were made public, would undoubtedly become a source of immense ridicule; are they not concerned about their reputation?
Hai Feng's mind was in utter disarray.
This was never the outcome she had envisioned.
She understood the Chu Dynasty's royal family far too well.
They placed immense value on outward appearances, excelling at suppressing their misfortunes and presenting a facade of unity.
Regardless of the internal corruption or decay, they would meticulously maintain an exterior of peace, prosperity, and grandeur.
In this instance, would they truly be willing to forsake their carefully cultivated image?
It seemed utterly inconceivable!!!
The more Hai Feng contemplated the situation, the colder her body became.
"No! I refuse to go!"
Yingge burst into the room.
"What is amiss? Master, what has happened to you?"
Hai Feng clutched Yingge as if she were a lifeline.
"Yingge, Yingge, what shall we do? I will not go, I cannot go!"
"They’re going to send me to the front lines!" "What do I do?" Yingge was also stunned, her face filled with panic. "No! It can’t be; Master, you must have misunderstood something!" "No matter how shameless they are, they wouldn’t disregard their reputation!" "Master, you must have misunderstood!" Hai Feng shook her head vigorously. "How is it impossible? We’re setting out the day after tomorrow, Yingge!" "What should I do? Liangliang is still so young; he can’t be without a mother!" Yingge was bewildered. No one had ever considered this possibility! In the Chu Dynasty, wasn’t the status of women quite low? Wasn’t the royal family obsessed with saving face? So how could all of this be happening? Just as Yingge was lost in thought, Hai Feng’s eyes suddenly turned cold. She slowly stood up, as if contemplating something. Moments later, she turned back, her face stern, and instructed. "I want to see him!" "Help me change my clothes; I want to see him!" Yingge dared not utter a word. Swiftly, she helped Hai Feng change into the Main Wife’s attire, then personally escorted her out. She was originally going to accompany her, but the Princess Consort did not permit it. Yingge was very worried. ... No one in the mansion stopped her. Hai Feng smoothly entered the Fifth Prince’s study. At that moment, the Fifth Prince was unhappy due to the matters discussed in the morning court. Upon seeing Hai Feng enter. His expression turned frighteningly cold, and his tone was unmistakably unfriendly. "Why have you come?" "Why can’t I come, Prince?" The Fifth Prince snorted coldly and shifted the topic. "You’ve received the message, haven’t you? Have you prepared everything?" Hai Feng trembled all over, her eyes reddening. "I can’t go!" "Liangliang… is still young; he can’t be without a mother, Prince…" The Fifth Prince suddenly erupted in anger, shouting. "Why can’t you go? Liangliang is no longer young! He’s already four years old; he can move out of the courtyard and study with his cousins!" "You have no reason not to go!" Hai Feng’s lips quivered. She stared at the Fifth Master in disbelief. "I… I’m not afraid to die, but I’m afraid Liangliang will be bullied, Prince!" "I… I can die!" "But I cannot leave Liangliang!" Hai Feng’s eyes held a determined resolve. The Fifth Master’s eyes suddenly lit up. Of course! He couldn't divorce her, but wouldn’t her death resolve everything? If she died, everything would be settled. He wouldn't be the son-in-law of an enemy state, nor would he have to endure the daily criticism from Court Officials. Nor would he have to worry day and night, fearing that his Imperial Brother’s suspicion would lead him to some remote corner of a fief to live a poor, miserable life. As long as she died, everything would be resolved. How wonderful! The Fifth Master felt a temptation; he hesitated, then said. "What do you want?" Hai Feng smiled coldly. "I want you to swear to make Liangliang the Princely Heir, and always be good to him!" "No matter whom you marry in the future, or how many children you have, Liangliang must be the Princely Heir!" The Fifth Master clenched his fist and, almost without thinking, agreed. "Alright!"