Chapter 1228: Smoke Rises 39

o with you."Dugu Cheng walked in, smiling and saying, "Once you've finished up with what you're doing, we can go visit grandpa.""How can you just follow along"Feng Lingxi refused without hesitation, "...The Empress Dowager Shu stared at Feng Lingxi's respectful attitude and took a box from the side.

"This is for you. This time I've prepared only this much for you upon entering the palace. Accept it. From now on, as you live with Cheng'er, try to endure more things and don't be like before, arrogant and flamboyant. You should also restrain your wild spirit. If you can be like today in front of me, then I will have nothing to worry about regarding the two of you."

Feng Lingxi heard this, not knowing what to say.

Upon taking the box, she bowed respectfully and said, “Your Majesty’s teachings are deeply ingrained in my heart. Thank you for your generous gift.”

"It's getting late, you and Wan'er should go back. This Empress is tired as well."

This kind of conversation held no substance between them. It was mostly her talking to herself, it seemed this trauma was beyond healing.

"I prostrate myself before you."

Waner hastily followed suit, kneeling and paying respects, then accompanied her mother out of the Palace of Tranquility.

Shutai Hou watched their departing figures, tears welling up in her eyes and sliding down her cheeks.

I have so much to say, but when I see her, I can't. Xi'er's attitude stops me in my tracks. She entered the palace as this Empress, and she lost Cheng'er, and she lost Xi'er, her daughter-in-law, and Wan'er, her granddaughter.

But, she was also helpless.

Feng Lingxi took Waner out, walking towards the palace gate.

I didn't expect to be able to leave the palace so soon.

Waner was still looking around the palace with curiosity, her eyes darting back and forth. Feng Lingxi held her hand and said, "Waner did very well today."

"Mother is great too."

Wan'er ran towards Feng Lingxi, grinning widely. As the mother and daughter walked to the Imperial Garden, they saw many women in bright clothing accompanied by palace maids and eunuchs admiring the flowers. The spring scenery was even more breathtaking.

Feng Lingxi was pondering whether to pay her respects to them when she saw a palace maid approaching her.

"May I ask if you are the Princess Consort of Chen"

Feng Lingxi nodded, "Yes."

The palace maid pointed to a woman in noblewoman's attire sitting in the Imperial Garden admiring the flowers and said, "Imperial Noble Consort Yan has invited you."

Although Feng Lingxi was extremely reluctant, she knew she couldn't escape.

Feng Lingxi nodded, taking Wan'er along as they followed.

"Your Majesty, the Princess Consort of Chen has arrived."

"This humble servant greets Empress Yan."

This noble consort, known as Yan Fei, was about sixteen or seventeen years old. Her beauty surpassed that of the Empress. While the Empress was graceful and dignified, Yan Fei possessed a captivating allure, leaving one mesmerized and unforgettable upon seeing her.

"Your Highness, Consort Chen, this consort heard that you entered the palace to see the Empress Dowager, so I thought of coming to the Imperial Garden to get a glimpse of your beauty. Please forgive my intrusion."

"I dare not."

Yan Fei looked at Wan'er with a smile on her face, reaching out to touch Wan'er's face. "This must be Princess Wan'er, right She truly is the daughter of the Princess Consort Chen and King Chen. Even at such a young age, she already looks like a little beauty."

Feng Lingxi, hearing this, felt uneasy and just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

"The Empress is overpraising herself; the children have grown so much now."

"The Crown Princess is truly humble. She is indeed the number one beauty in the capital city. This child's appearance is also outstanding. This concubine finds her quite likable upon seeing her. Just look at this chubby little face, it makes people envious."

Yan Fei's hand finally reached onto Wan'er's face, pinching her small cheek. The gesture made Feng Lingxi's heart skip a beat. She wanted to speak, but she didn't dare. After all, it was just a touch.

Suddenly, Wan'er cried out in surprise. Feng Lingxi was startled and her body trembled. Then, she heard Yan Fei gasping in alarm, covering her mouth.

Feng Lingxi only then discovered that there was a scratch on Wan'er's face. She immediately squatted down to check, while Yan Fei panicked and said, "I'm so sorry, this concubine just pinched her, my nails scratched Miss Wan'er's face."

Feng Ling Xi wiped the wound on Wan'er's face. It wasn't deep, but it was long.

This was clearly intentional.

"This concubine has heard that Consort Chen of the Imperial Household possesses exceptional medical skills, capable of healing even disfigured faces. Surely this minor injury to Lady Wan'er should not be a problem"

Feng Lingxi, hearing this, was furious. This Yan Fei was doing it on purpose.

But just thinking about the current situation in this palace, she forced herself to hold back.

"Mother, I hurt."

Wan'er cried even harder, Feng Lingxi hurriedly picked her up and coaxed softly, "Wan'er be good, don't cry."

But Wan'er cried even louder, her voice attracting all the court ladies in Yugarden. They came over curiously and watched Wan'er cry so intently, whispering and gossiping amongst themselves.

Feng Ling hurriedly took a handkerchief and covered Wan'er's face, looking at Yan Fei's disdainful gaze, she lowered her voice and said.

"Your Majesty, the child is being quite unruly. I shall not disturb Your Majesty's enjoyment of the flowers and take my leave."

Feng Lingxi had just turned around when she heard Yan Fei's voice from behind her.

"Wait."

Yan Fei walked before Feng Lingxi, looking at Feng Lingxi protecting the child's appearance, her eyes were full of provocation.

"This concubine heard that the Crown Princess of Chen is arrogant and domineering, looking down on everyone. Why is she so low-key today Could it be that now that the Saint Master of Yao Clan has lost his status and hasn't given birth to a prince for the Crown Prince, she fears being divorced and thus behaves so humbly, afraid to cause trouble"

Feng Lingxi's eyes turned cold, she held Wan'er's hand tightly, enduring with great difficulty.

This Yan Fei was here to cause trouble for her, she really wanted to retort, but right now, she had to take Wan'er away, she couldn't stir up trouble in the palace, lest she ruin Tai Huang's birthday tomorrow.

If this gets out of hand, even Dugu City will be implicated and punished.

She couldn't do that, this Yan Fei was just trying to provoke her, make her angry.

Taking a deep breath, Feng Lingxi raised her eyes, her expression returning to normal. She hugged Wan'er, a sight that made Yan Fei tease them even more.

"It seems he is not as imposing as he used to be."

Having finished speaking, she pushed Feng Lingxi with both hands. Feng Lingxi was off balance and fell backward. Someone behind her exclaimed, "Lady Princess Chen, be careful of the large rock behind you!"

Feng Lingxi, hearing the sound of the boulder, quickly shielded Wan'er in his arms and jumped out of the way. His arm brushed against the rock, sending a searing pain through him. But Feng Lingxi ignored it, hurriedly looking at Wan'er who was protected in his arms, nervously asking,

"Wan'er, are you hurt"

Wan'er hurriedly shook her head, so frightened she didn't even dare to cry.

"Get up."

Feng Ling helped Wan'er up, then stood up herself. However, a sharp pain shot through her right hand. She looked down and saw that her sleeve had been torn, blood staining her arm.

"Mother, you are hurt."

Waner shouted loudly, Feng Lingxi endured it, looked at Waner, and comforted her, "Mother is fine, let's go home."

"You wicked woman!"

Suddenly, Wǎn'er rushed forward and bumped into Yánfēi. However, being too small, she was pushed down by a maid beside Yánfēi and fell to the ground, crying out in pain.

"Wan'er!"

Feng Lingxi rushed over immediately, ignoring the pain in her wrist, and picked up Wan'er. Her eyes were full of worry.

"Where are you hurt"

Wan'er burst into tears. Feng Lingxi looked at her tear-filled eyes, his heart aching with sympathy.

How come the women in this palace are so troublesome She just wanted to avoid causing trouble, why did she pick on her and be so vicious, not even sparing Wan'er.

> to enter the mansion as a concubine or side consort. The whole "being Zhao Laoda's adopted daughter" thing probably wasn't true; she likely designed this entire scheme herself. Taking advantage of t...