Chapter 8

Feng Sheng saw that Su Feng Nuan did not display any shyness when she heard that Ye Xiang and Xu Yun Chu would also be coming into the Palace, he silently applaud in his heart.

Madam Su was still concerned about her daughter’s marriage. After hearing so, whispered, “Although the Emperor and the Empress Dowager have their own preferences, but what do the two Gong-zi1 think about it? Do Gong-Gong2 know?”

Feng Sheng shook his head. “The two Gong-zi, are not ordinary masters. It’s hard to say.”

“Not ordinary in what ways?” Madam Su asked, “Gong-Gong has been by the Emperor’s side for many years, in terms of judging people, I trust you the most.”

Feng Sheng thought for a moment , “Xiao Guo-jiu3 needless to say, the Empress Dowager , Queen, and the Xu family all think very highly him. He is the successor that will be carrying the Xu family’s honor. Xiao Guo-jiu himself is also full of talents, both in civil and military, and is also the secret admiration of countless ladies, even if the all the matchmakers breaks through the threshold of the Xu Manor, it’s a hard match to request. No matter in background, talents, looks, character it’s the best of the best. No one can pick out any problems with him. Although the Emperor doesn’t prefer him, but he also can’t say that he is not good. To put it simple, everything is good about him.”

Madam Su nodded.

“The other one, Ye Shi-zi4, his background, need not say much, the only remaining blood of the Rong-an Wang-fu5, Imperial Clan, noble identity. But because he was an orphan since child, whether it is his temper, character, and actions, it is like the rumors outside, simply absurd, a headache. To put it plainly, no matter what, he is not good at all. ”

Madam Su sighed,” My husband, the General has been guilt because of the Duke and Duchess’s death. Ye Shi-zi is a poor child . ”

Feng Sheng heard and nodded,” Ye Shi-zi is indeed pitiful, but to how old slave, I see it, he is not all good for nothing. His appearance is a perfection and incomparable is one. His skill of coaxing the Emperor has been trained to a perfection, throughout the year, complaints against him can be piled up into a mountain, but the Emperor acts as if he doesn’t see them, and always let him act freely, that is the second one. Whether there are other advantageous traits or not of not, old slave, I can not say. But let me share some heartfully thoughts with Madam, even if old slave I is the Emperor’s servant, but these two masters, no one dares to offend. If I see them, still must be very respectful.”

Madam Su nodded, and thinks about it in her heart.

Feng Sheng lowered his voice. “Madam also knows that for many years, the Emperor has always respected the Empress Dowager . Even if the Queen is slightly wrong, the Emperor will not be too harsh. But today, he did not go to pay respect to the Empress Dowager , and also punished the Queen. This time, the Emperor seems to be heart set.”

Madam Su sighed. “These years, it’s been not easy for the Emperor either.”

“Yes. Old slave, I am at the Emperor’s side, sees and understands it clearly.” Feng Sheng said again, “This is what it means by ‘the gods fight, and the little ghost suffers.’” These days old slaves I have been in this deep water and fiery environment. Now Lady Su has returned to Imperial City, I’m afraid would need to add a ‘more’ in front. This fire once lit will be hard to extinguish. Although Madam and the Young Lady have Commander General Su to hold the sky, but should still be careful.”

“What Gong-Gong said is very true.” Madam Su nodded.

“Today, the Emperor summoned to meet in the Royal Study.” Feng Sheng felt that he had hinted enough, and stopped.

Madam Su’s was stunned, “Isn’t the Royal Study not the place to summon the court officials? How can the Emperor be waiting there? Shouldn’t it be in the Imperial Garden?”

“The Emperor said that Madam Su and Lady Su are different from other madam and ladies of other manors. So, had specially summoned to meet in the Royal Study.” Feng Sheng said with a profound tone, “This is the Emperor’s grace to the Commander General Su, but also the value he sets to Lady Su’s marriage.”

Madam Su, understood the meaning, and look at Su Feng Nuan. A heavy feeling casted over her face, thinking that today could not be good.

Su Feng Nuan on the other hand, did not care much. She returned to Imperial City yesterday, and heard the storytelling in a Yipin Xiang Teahouse, so she was prepared.

If the world is a big chess game, the Imperial City is a small chess game, than this Palace is the chess game of chess games.

The emperor is playing the chess game, the Empress Dowager is playing the chess game, and the court officials are also both playing chess and being the chess pieces.

Su Manor is now the center of the board and unfortunately she has become the chess piece in the middle of the board.

But is the chess piece necessary easy to move?

She doesn’t think so.

Madam Su saw that Su Feng Nuan’s expression was very carefree. She said to Su Feng Nuan with a voice only heard by the two of them. “The Royal Study has always been a place where women of the harem could not step into. The Emperor today specially summoned you in the Royal Study. It seems that he was deliberately trying to avoid the Empress Dowager , so that the Empress Dowager could not see you and fix this marriage in advance. I’m afraid, today the Emperor want mother and you to agree to it. Once the Royal Decree is issued, the Empress Dowager cannot do anything about it. ”

“Mother don’t have to worry about it, if the Emperor eats meat, the Empress Dowager is not vegetarian either. There is still a distance to the Royal Study. The news should have long reached the Empress Dowager ’ Palace. So whether or not we can make it to the Royal Study, it is hard to say.” Su Feng Nuan also said with the voice only heard by the two of them. “Although the Imperial Power is higher than the sky, but the Empress Dowager always referred to herself as the heaven beyond the sky, so this kingdom is not set by one person, so just one two person can not be the final say. Ye Shi-zi and Xiao Guo-jiu are not necessarily those that are subject to other’s mercy. So daughter’s marriage is not so easy to be decided, what should Mother be nervous for? ”

After hearing, Madam Su thought it made sense and felt reassured.

Feng Sheng led the two in the direction of the Royal Study.

Although June is in the summer of unbearable heat, but the Imperial Palace had ice placed everywhere, and the occasional breeze blowing by, have a slightly cooling feel.

Sure enough, as the Su Feng Nuan expected, not having made it to the Royal Study, from the side came rushing by a group carrying a Phoenix Carriage.

“It’s the Empress Dowager’s Phoenix Carriage. ”

Madam Su quickly straightened up.

Su Feng Nuan lifted her eyes to look. Although she expected that the Empress Dowager would not sit still, but did not expect her to come so soon, and to personally intercept, it can be seen that she and the Emperor are really at the point of neither letting the other get pass one step.

Not long, the Phoenix Carriage was in front of them.

Feng Sheng quickly got down on his knees, “Your servant pays respect to the Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager for ten thousand years!”

Madam Su pulled Su Feng Nuan to kneel down, “May the Empress Dowager have plentiful of happiness and peace!”

The curtains were parted, and a palace lady helped the Empress Dowager off the Phoenix Carriage. The Empress Dowager snorted, “Feng Sheng, are you hoping for me to die early? Long live for for ten thousand years, hearing from your mouth makes my lips cold and want to laugh.” 6

Feng Sheng head was fast to be lowered to the ground, and quickly said, “Empress Dowager, your old slave just….“

“Alright, say no more. I don’t like to hear you speak.” The Empress Dowager interrupted his words crudely.

Feng Sheng quickly quiet down.

The Empress Dowager took two steps forward, her annoyance and haughtiness were instantly retracted, looking at Madam Su and Su Feng Nuan on the floor, she smiled cheerfully. “In the future when Madam Su comes to see me, you do not have to pay such ceremonial respect. Quickly get up! ”

Madam Su stood up and quickly thanked her. “Generous kindness of the Empress Dowager. When I see the Empress Dowager. It is like golden rays shining on to my face, how can I not pay ceremonial respect?”

“Look, you are still the same as before. This mouth when it sees me, it is as sweet as honey, really know how to speak.” The Empress Dowager laughed openly and her eyes fell on Su Feng Nuan. “Is this Feng Nuan?” She said lovingly. “Quickly get up, I have been thinking of you for a long while, and finally you are finally here in the Palace. Come over and let me have a good look at you. ”

Su Feng Nuan got up, seeing that the Empress Dowager was wearing a wide sleeved purple shirt, with red and purple skirt, on the whole outfit was phoenix tail flower embroidery patterns, although her face was full of loving smiles, but her appearance was sharp and with a compelling luxurious and powerful aura, really was like golden rays shining on your face, making it hard to look at her straightly. She only took one look, and bow her head down, thought of something and walked over, just took two steps and she stepped on her skirt, letting out an alarmed cry, and her whole body sprang forward.

“Feng Nuan!”

Madam Su was shocked greatly and quickly reached out to help, but was unable to help balance her. Everyone else was also unable to help in time. Seeing that she was going to hit the Empress Dowager, everyone called out in unison.

The Empress Dowager’s face instantly turned white, if she gets hit by her. Her old bones, could it withstand?

In a nick of time, Su Feng Nuan suddenly tilted and jumped up three feet high in mid air where she did two roundabouts. Everyone eyes went blurry when she landed steadily on the ground.