Xiao Yunting didn’t think much of it.
He shook his head and rejected it directly: “Royal Grandmother, this grandson already has someone he likes—someone I also know well and trust.”
…..
Empress Feng scrutinized her grandson.
In truth, from the moment he was sent away, Empress Feng knew that what kind of person this child would grow up to be would depend entirely on fate.
But Heaven had been unusually kind to the Feng family and to her.
Xiao Yunting was not like the Crown Prince—overweight, sickly. He was tall and handsome, like green bamboo in the wind: always standing straight, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, instantly likable at a glance.
More importantly, he wasn’t just clever and skilled in martial arts; he was also sharp in strategy, flexible in approach. From the moment he returned, Emperor Yongchang had been very fond of this grandson.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have entrusted the canal corruption case to him at the outset.
And now, the Emperor often kept him close to teach and guide him.
Everyone could see how much affection he held for the Imperial Grandson.
Precisely because of this, Empress Feng all the more wanted to see Feng Caiwei marry him.
After all, the Feng family had endured too much hardship over the years.
The current title of Chengen Marquis was just a peerage granted by favor—it would amount to nothing in three generations.
She had to live up to her deceased father and brother, and she had to plan a future for her only surviving brother.
After a pause, Empress Feng said blandly, “You are the Imperial Grandson, and will be the Crown Prince, and may well ascend the throne. It’s only natural that you’ll have three palaces and six courts. The woman you like—she can be made your favored liangdi.”
But Xiao Yunting didn’t give an inch. He raised his head and looked at Empress Feng, shaking it: “The woman I like should naturally be married properly and righteously, as my official wife.”
After a pause, he added softly, “Grandmother, I’m not Grandfather, nor my father. The couples I’ve seen growing up were not like Grandfather and you, nor like my father and my mother. I won’t have three palaces and six courts.”
Of the three thousand weak waters, I’ll draw only one ladle.
His flower was one of a kind. No matter how beautiful the other blooms, they had nothing to do with him.
Empress Feng could hardly understand Xiao Yunting at all.
In every way, he was exactly what she wanted—but in this matter of love, his attitude left her speechless.
What in the world had Mount Longhu taught him?
How could he have come back with such absurd notions?
It took Empress Feng a moment to calm down and not scold him on the spot.
Instead, she asked with a bit of intrigue, “Just what kind of girl is she? Why don’t you let me hear about her too?”
This wasn’t a good time to tell her. Xiao Yunting stayed silent for a while before replying softly, “When she likes me back.”
What?
Empress Feng almost thought she’d misheard.
That girl didn’t even like Xiao Yunting yet?
For a moment, she didn’t know what to say. Then, she burst into a laugh: “I nearly forgot—you’re still just a child.”
Why argue with him now?
Men fall in love fast and let go just as quickly.
The more you tell them not to do something, the more they want to.
But the moment they get it, no matter how precious it seemed before, they lose interest soon enough.
She smiled with interest: “Very well. Then I’ll wait until she likes you. Bring her to meet me then.”
Just then, a palace maid reported that Madam Feng had arrived, bringing several young ladies from the family.
Empress Feng’s face visibly lit up. Even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes seemed to smooth out as she called out cheerfully, “Quick, quick! Let them in!”
She had been lonely in the deep palace for too long. Everyone around her had to be regarded with suspicion—no one could be fully trusted.
That made family all the more precious.
When they last parted, they had still been young; now, upon reunion, they were both already old. The moment Empress Feng and Madam Feng saw each other, no words were needed—tears came first.
After a while, Madam Feng choked out through tears: “At least things have turned around in the end. Please don’t grieve, Your Majesty. We’re finally reunited.”
Empress Feng wiped her eyes and looked at the girls who had come with her, asking softly, “These are all the daughters of the family?”
Seeing them kneel, she quickly told them to rise.
In terms of seniority, they all had to call Empress Feng “Great Aunt.”
With a sigh, Empress Feng looked over them and asked gently, “Which one is Caiwei?”
Feng Caiwei stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings to Your Majesty.”
Empress Feng looked at her, then couldn’t help but glance over at Xiao Yunting. “Yunting, come meet your cousins.”
Feng Caiwei had already stepped back to stand behind the other girls, with only the edge of her sleeve showing.
When Xiao Yunting walked over and everyone knelt again, only her neatly coiled hair bun could be seen.
Xiao Yunting didn’t care much. He raised his hand to dismiss the bow and then cupped his hands toward Empress Feng: “Royal Grandmother, since you’ve reunited after so long, I won’t take up your time. I’ll excuse myself now.”
And with that, he turned and left—he and Feng Caiwei didn’t even meet face to face.
Empress Feng felt it was such a pity. Feng Caiwei was so beautiful—just the kind of girl young men liked.
Madam Feng was even more anxious inside—she nearly wrung her handkerchief to shreds. Seeing Xiao Yunting stride away, she couldn’t help but glance at her granddaughter.
How could she stay so calm?!
Feng Caiwei was, indeed, calm.
She knew perfectly well what Empress Feng’s intentions were in arranging for them to enter the palace while Xiao Yunting was present.
But she had no interest in appearing before him at this moment.
Right now, in Xiao Yunting’s eyes, she would only seem like a burden.
She never did things that were thankless and unrewarding.
What she wanted was a moment of brilliance—an unforgettable impression that would stay with him forever.
Not something forced on him, which would only make him resist from the start.
She looked thoughtfully at Xiao Yunting’s departing figure. Far from feeling discouraged, she felt even more eager.
Other people’s things are always more tempting. The food in someone else’s bowl always seems more delicious.
To take someone who already has another in their heart and make them see only you—that’s true skill, isn’t it?
So why rush?
Empress Feng looked at Feng Caiwei and asked softly, “I hear you’re very good at literature and poetry? That you love reading most of all?”
Feng Caiwei replied calmly and respectfully, “Yes.”
Speaking with her left Empress Feng feeling completely at ease. She could sense that this girl was composed and tactful—she knew how to put others at ease without ever seeming overbearing.
Feng Caiwei was poised, neither arrogant nor servile. And to be able to remain calm in a situation like this—Empress Feng was deeply impressed.
If this wasn’t the ideal candidate for Crown Princess, then who was?
Seeing that Empress Feng liked Feng Caiwei so much, Madam Feng finally felt a bit more at ease.
Yet at the same time, she couldn’t help frowning slightly.
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