Chapter 73 - A Turn Of Events

Wandering through the hallways of the palace in a hurry, Song Feng Mian was trying her best to escape her mother. Somehow, her mother was able to find her when she was sneaking out.

Unfortunately, she reached a dead end since she was mindlessly walking.

"Feng Mian." Song Zihan's cold and sharp voice echoed through the hallway as Feng Mian came to a stop.

"I'm surprised mother, you're able to tell the difference between Liya and me. It's been a while since you've spoken to us after all," said Song Feng Mian.

"Of course I'd be able to tell, I was the one who gave birth to you two," said Song Zihan. "But that's not what I'm here for. Tell me, why is there a big commotion at the plaza?"

"The citizens suddenly wanted to visit the plaza, I don't know what's going on either," said Song Feng Mian..

Song Zihan almost laughed at the ridiculous excuse. Who would believe something like that when almost all of the citizens were gathered in a place and they only wanted to visit the plaza, it was unbelievable.

"Turn around, didn't I teach you to face someone and look at them directly when you're speaking to them?" questioned Song Zihan.

Song Feng Mian reluctantly turned around, although she didn't want to face her mother or even look at her, manners were still manners.

"Look up at me. Is the floor talking to you? I don't think so." said Song Zihan.

Again, Song Feng Mian didn't want to face her mother, but she had no choice but to listen. Her eyes met her mother's dark eyes that held an empty void. Song Feng Mian was surprised when her mother held no emotions in her eyes.

"What is it, your majesty?" Song Feng Mian asked.

Being called your majesty instead of mother didn't affect Song Zihan one bit, she wasn't worried about that at all, there were more important matters.

"Don't make any more excuses, tell me why the citizens are all gathered at the plaza."

Song Feng Mian contemplated whether to tell her mother or not, if she knew, she would surely shut everything down. Moreover, she hasn't even spoken with Jia Xin Yi yet.

"I really don't know, your majesty. Why don't you check it out for yourself? I'll guide you there if you'll let me."

"Feng Mian!" Song Zihan shouted, her loud voice nearly exploded Feng Mian's eardrums.

Right when Song Feng Mian was about to answer, an unfamiliar voice suddenly appeared at the corner of the hallway.

"What's with the screaming, Zihan?"

Song Feng Mian's eyes never left Jia Xin Yi for a second as she made her way towards them. Yu Yingyi was right, Jia Xin Yi had a different atmosphere, it sent shivers down her spine.

"Ah," Jia Xin Yi made a noise when she saw her. "You must be the twin sister of Liya, I'm finally able to meet you."

Song Feng Mian's eyes grew wide when Jia Xin Yi looked at her like she was familiar with her when they've never met before. Feng Mian looked at her mother for a clue, but her face held an unreadable expression.

"You've heard of me before?" Song Feng Mian asked.

"Of course I have, Zihan spoke about you to me before. About how she had twins and one of them was a genius." Jia Xin Yi answered, her head turned towards her mother. "Now then, would you mind explaining what's going on?"

"Nothing, let's go," said Song Zihan.

Song Feng Mian was shocked at how much her mother changed when Jia Xin Yia appeared, it was like she didn't even care anymore. However, she didn't want this chance to go to waste, there was no point in following the plan anymore.

Xiangqi never allowed plans to work anyway.

"Wait!" Song Feng Mian shouted, causing both of them to halt and turn around.

"Is there something you need?" Jia Xin Yi asked.

"I do, it's about why the citizens are all gathering at the plaza." Feng Mian replied.

Song Zihan and Jia Xin Yi were interested, though Zihan was curious on why Feng Mian wouldn't tell why the citizens were gathered there when Jia Xin Yi wasn't here.

"Oh, really. Then why don't you tell us now?" asked Jia Xin Yi.

"Okay," said Song Feng Mian letting out a deep breath. "The reason they're gathered there is for an event that's being held by Yingyi."

Song Zihan felt startled, there was an event being held by Yingyi and she didn't know about it?

"What's the event about?"

"The legalization of same-sex relationships as well as the revealing Yingyi's true identity-"

Before Song Feng Mian could finish her sentence, the sound of glass crashing on the floor was heard.

"What did you say?!" Song Zihan shouted, a vase shattered in pieces surrounded where she stood.

This was the point where they were going to take control of the game, everything was going to be in their favor now.

"You heard me," said Song Feng Mian before turning to Jia Xin Yi. "Empress Jia Xin Yi, by no means do I harbor any ill feelings or intentions against you. But don't you want this too? After all, aren't you in love with my mother?"

Jia Xin Yi's demeanor changed in a split second, she had a serious expression on as if she was ready to attack her at any moment, it was frightening.

"What do you know about that?" asked Jia Xin Yi.

"I know a lot about it, after all, I was listening when you both confessed your love to each other after all." Song Feng Mian replied.

As Feng Mian said those words, Song Zihan and Jia Xin Yi's eyes both went wide in shock. They never expected someone to hear that, especially Song Feng Mian.

"Stop bluffing, tell me who was the one who heard us talking cause I know you wouldn't leave your room," said Song Zihan.

Song Feng Mian expected her mother to see through her lie, but it wasn't a lie until she admitted it.

"Who's bluffing? Did you think I was going to stay locked up in the room forever? I read countless books, gained tons of knowledge, why would I stay in there any longer?"

Song Zihan couldn't say anything against that, what she said was a good reason. Moreover, it didn't seem like Feng Mian was speaking anything other than the truth.

"What do you plan to do then? Blackmail us?" asked Song Zihan.

Song Feng Mian looked at her mother in disbelief before she started laughing, she couldn't believe what her mother just said.

"Blackmail? Of course not, I don't want anything like that. I just want you both to attend the event and support it, after all, don't you both want it?"

When they didn't reply, Feng Mian knew they were thinking about it. Once the thought entered their mind, she knew she already won the game. No one would decline something that benefited them.

"No, I decline. If I'm going to go, it would be to shut everything down," said Song Zihan.

"Huh?" This was unexpected, she thought her mother was going to accept.

"Since Zihan declined, I'm going to have to decline too. It seems like we're going to shut down the event," said Jia Xin Yi.

Song Feng Mian's knees felt like they were going to give out at any moment. She was this close, she only needed a little more, she wasn't going to give up until they agreed.

"Why are you declining?! Don't you both love each other!? This event is basically bringing you both back together!" Song Feng Mian shouted.

"Of course I love her!" Song Zihan screamed. "But even if I love her, even if I'm willing to do anything for her, there are things I have to sacrifice to fulfill my role as the empress."

Song Feng Mian felt mad at her mother, not directly ad her mother, but at the words she said. Who would sacrifice the person they loved for a long time just for a high role in society? Feng Mian couldn't understand that.

"I don't understand! Why sacrifice your love for her just to fulfill the role of an empress? I don't understand! I love Yingyi, even though I know I'll never be able to be with her. I'm still willing to do anything for her. Sacrifices are necessary, if you can't do that, can you really call it to love in the first place?"

Song Feng Mian couldn't even believe what she just said, she spoke whatever came to her mind since she couldn't think properly. When she came into realization, her face was already heating up.

"Feng Mian, you're in love Yingyi?" Song Zihan asked in a surprised tone.

"Yes, I am in love with her," Song Feng Mian bravely replied. She never thought she would admit it, but it felt good to finally let it out.

"Zihan, let's talk in private. This isn't a matter that should be discussed in public," said Jia Xin Yi before turning back to her. "But you, don't move and wait until we come back."

Song Feng Mian didn't bother to stop them as they passed the corner. Instantly, her knees dropped to the ground. She was panting and sweat was dripping from her forehead.

"I did it...I beat them. The game is in our favor." Song Feng Mian muttered.