The Princess's Notebook

Feng Ji was a person who didn't think much of it, but half a month after the polo match, he reported to Minister Feng and asked Prince Kang to be the middleman to make the decision.

Early in the morning, before the water stains from the door had dried completely, the sound of carriages and horses could be heard outside Xuandefang. They walked leisurely along the gate to the front of Wang's house. The leading people and horses had already got off the carriages, and the last carriages of goods were still coming slowly. There was no need to elaborate on the cloth, red silk, gold and silver jewelry. In short, this was the most glamorous moment in Xuandefang in all these years.

Wang Kang and his wife Qiao Xin, who had received the news long ago, were waiting with smiles on their faces. When they saw that it was old Prince Kang who was in front of them, they smiled so much that wrinkles appeared on their faces.

It would not be an exaggeration to invite relatives to be witnesses and bring honor to the family.

When they arrived at the main hall, everyone was polite and finally the old prince Kang sat on the upper left, accompanied by Minister Feng and Madam Qian. Normally, the children had decided, the ladies had a say, and then an official matchmaker could be invited. However, after the incident at the polo field half a month ago, even though the Eastern Palace had not made any moves until now, everyone was afraid to underestimate it for fear of offending them.

Ignoring the conversation between the fathers, they complimented each other, saying that Shiliu Niang was beautiful and intelligent, and that Feng Ji had a promising future and was a handsome man...

Just as the atmosphere was about to settle down, a servant suddenly rushed out from outside, panting, "Ladies, Master, General Sun of the East Palace is outside, saying... saying... His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to discuss politics with the Third Young Master... immediately..."

Minister Feng said, "Let's talk after you catch your breath." Seeing his servant looking so humiliated, Minister Feng's face turned black. After he finished speaking, he glared at Feng Ji who was following behind him.

Feng Ji chuckled, as if he had expected this, and walked out from behind the Shangshu, politely and courteously, bowed three times to all four directions, and said softly: "Old Prince, Uncle Wang, Madam Wang, father and mother, since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has summoned you, please forgive my rudeness and let me go first."

After saying that, he waited for instructions from the elders.

Wang Kang and his wife had no objection, as they were very lucky to have such a good son-in-law. Old Prince Kang kept silent about everything, as he was just an ordinary person and didn't need to be bothered. Minister Feng and his wife were both smiling, but only they knew what was going on.

After getting a nod from Minister Feng, Feng Ji bowed again and went out.

To go from the hall to the gate of the mansion, you have to cross the Langyuan Bridge. At present, the Langyuan Bridge, where the water and sky merge into one, stands an arch bridge, and a girl in red stands gracefully on the bridge. It is quiet and leisurely, isolated from the world.

Feng Ji walked to the bridge and stopped, looking up at the girl on the bridge. She came in a hurry, her forehead was sweaty, and some of her hair was stuck. She was wearing a scarlet double-breasted jacket, and her heart was beating, as if she had a thousand words to say.

He knew this would happen, so he was not surprised. "Sixteenth Lady, do you want to talk to me?"

The young lady was a little angry, "Don't try to make connections. Even if you and I have made up our minds today, there are still times when we can't make it count before we return home."

"My lady, if you have anything to say, just say it."

Seeing that he was calm and composed, Shiliu Niang became a little more angry. "You really can keep your composure. Good job! I hope you can keep your composure and answer me truthfully when I ask you questions."

Feng Ji nodded.

"I'm asking you, why did you send someone to talk to me in advance at the polo match that day? Don't tell me you wanted to see me. We haven't even met once, and I'm someone your mother values. I don't believe you don't know what's going on."

The man sighed in his heart: What a strong-willed young lady.

His face remained calm, "He does have other intentions."

Hearing him say this without any reservation, Shiliu Niang's already uneasy heart began to sink.

"You, you are honest. Why? Is it for the prince?"

Feng Ji said nothing, but asked: "My lady is very smart, how did you know that?"

"You still have the nerve to ask me. We had never met before that day, but you seemed to know me very well. On the polo field, you stopped me from rescuing Shiqi Niang. And... today is so important, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suddenly summoned you, and you still dare to say anything? You have nothing!"

Shiliu Niang took two steps forward and looked down at Feng Ji, her eyes full of anger. However, Feng Ji, who was standing at the bridge, became even happier after hearing her words.

She was extremely intelligent and could see the big picture from the small details. She was exactly the kind of young lady he wanted.

Because the man couldn't hide his smile, Shiliu Niang became even angrier and pointed at his nose and cursed.

"It is true. I don't know where you got the news that my Seventeenth Sister and His Royal Highness have some connection, so you sent someone to talk to me and my sisters and invited them to play polo. This exposed Seventeenth Sister and His Royal Highness in broad daylight for everyone to see. Now the whole city is full of rumors, and you are satisfied! You are happy! You are just an editor of the Hanlin Academy, when did you become conspicuous in front of the East Palace? On a day like today, His Royal Highness would hurriedly summon you to discuss politics! Humph, what kind of politics are you discussing?

I, Sixteenth Lady, have no virtue or talent, and am not worthy of the bright future of Mr. Feng San.

Please, sir, please show some mercy and let me live."

His words were harsh. He hated Feng Ji for being vicious, but also hated himself for being blinded by greed.

The two looked at each other in silence. The bright July sun was dazzling.

After a long time, Feng Ji stepped forward and bowed deeply to apologize.

"Whether you believe me or not, there will always be a time to explain what happened that day. I had my plan for this matter, but it was not me who caused Madam Seventeen to fall off her horse that day."

Shiliu Niang sneered, "What a great trick! You set up such a perfect situation, and even included the Crown Prince in it. You dare to say it's not your fault when you are in such a situation.

Do you think I'm as stupid as a pig? "

"Whatever I ask for, I will definitely get. Whatever I do, I will never deny. Whether this matter is true or not, there will always be a day when it will be revealed to the world..."

Before he could finish, Shiliu Niang could no longer bear it, "Just consider it my retribution for not being able to judge people and trying to climb up the social ladder. The marriage between you and me is over, and we don't have to see each other again in the future!"

The man didn't want to offend Shiliu Niang again, so he lowered his head and looked at the hem of the young lady's skirt. The scarlet pleated skirt fluttered because of the woman's anger, and her plain embroidered shoes were petite and cute.

Feng Jizi smiled, "My lady, if you had said this a day or two earlier, I would have stopped asking for more and would have treated it as if it had never happened. However, my father specially invited old Prince Kang to be the middleman today, and I don't want to offend old Prince Kang. I think we should make the decision today, and when the rumors die down one day, you can find a suitable reason, report to our parents, and come to cancel the engagement."

I will never delay my wife."

This sounds good, but it is impossible to cancel the engagement. Where can I find such a smart and alert young lady?

Seeing that what he said made sense, Shiliu Niang didn't want to insist on ending it today, so she turned away.

Only Feng Ji was left standing there, watching her back as she slowly walked down the Langyuan Bridge, then turned into the flower wall, and appeared and disappeared under a patch of wisteria flowers. She was gorgeous and dazzling.

He walked out of the house slowly and saw Sun Du waiting anxiously on his horse.

"General Sun, there is no need for this. Your Highness is not in a hurry."

"How can we not be anxious? Since leaving the yamen in the morning, His Highness has been neither left nor right, and he will beat up anyone who comes close to him. Third Master Feng, Lord Feng, hurry up, saving your life is the most important thing."

Feng Ji was as steady as a rock. "General Sun, why don't you come with me and go inside to see him?"

Sun Du thought the person he was talking about was Wang Kang. "How can we wait? His Highness has no time to deal with the Fourth Master Wang. Third Master, please go. It will be bad if you are any later."

After several urgings, the two of them finally rushed towards the East Palace at lightning speed.

At the moment, in the Mingde Hall of the Eastern Palace, Zhao Feiran was standing in front of the window, holding a book, leaning against a long table, incense curling, calm and collected, but he was leaning on the left side and then on the right side. His eyes could not fall on the book no matter what.

He had refused His Majesty's imperial edict for half a month. No matter how much gossip there was, he didn't listen to a word of it. No matter how many people asked about it, he didn't tell them a word.

For some reason, the news about that ungrateful young lady seemed to be out of control and kept coming into his ears all day long.

She went to Huitong Bookstore today, Huitong Bookstore tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, of course, still to Huitong Bookstore.

If he didn't know what she looked like, he would have almost thought she was Shopkeeper Xu's sister!
Shopkeeper Xu was not in a good position either. In such a large bookstore, people who came and went every day did not know Fanfan, but he treated Shiqi Niang very differently from others. Even the stupid girl Jingui beside her could be personally received by Shopkeeper Xu no matter when it was morning or night.

It really makes me angry.

Now that he heard that Feng Ji had brought gifts to get engaged, Zhao Feiran suddenly remembered what she had said before, "Now that Sixteenth Sister's marriage is arranged, the family should worry about me."

What is there for a young lady from a sixth-rank official's family to worry about?

While muttering this, he hurriedly called Feng Ji over.

Engagement, let me see how you engage!

In this way, when Feng Ji entered the East Palace, there would be nothing important. Zhao Feiran pretended to talk about the flood in Taihe County.

Feng Ji used the art of drinking tea to cover up his own gaffe.

Well, the flood in Taihe County is really serious. If the Liutan River, which is as big as a bowl, bursts its dike, how deep can the flood reach?

Then, he talked about His Majesty's birthday and Prince Kang's birthday... Our dynasty is peaceful and prosperous, and all nations come to pay tribute. It is not easy to find so many important matters.

This went on until noon, when Feng Ji looked at the sky and felt he could not wait any longer.

"Your Highness, at this time, Xuandefang estimates that it is time to sign the marriage certificate."

Zhao Feiran seemed to be held by the tail, "How old is Mr. Feng? Are you in a hurry to get married?"

Seeing that the person was still unwilling to speak, Feng Ji had no choice but to accompany him, "Twenty-three."

"No hurry. Many of the ministers in the court are getting married when they are nearly thirty years old. It doesn't matter if it's later."

Zhao Feiran still stood upright.

Feng Ji continued to exert his strength, "When I came here, I heard from Master Wang Si that his family had been in a difficult situation recently, and he had chosen Sixteenth Lady, and he also hoped that I could help him. If there is a suitable son, please also look for the other young ladies."

Everyone present here knows what kind of person Wang Kang is.

Zhao Feiran naturally didn't believe Feng Ji's words. However, after thinking about it for a few times, Wang Kang's stupidity finally came to his mind.

Zhao Feiran then said unsurely: "Although he is stupid, he is more than that."

The implication was that he didn't dare to arrange a marriage for Shiqi Niang until Gu opened his mouth.

Feng Ji understood, "But I heard that three days ago, Mr. Wang Si was at Hu Ji Wine Shop and said to someone that there had been no news from the Imperial City for half a month, and the rumors were just rumors."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Du came over to report, "Your Highness, another group of people went to Xuandefang to propose marriage."

Zhao Feiran opened the window and suddenly stuck his head out, "Who is it!"

"Huitong Bookstore, Shopkeeper Xu."

When they heard it was Manager Xu, Zhao Feiran and Feng Ji were both surprised.

In the past half month, Wang Shiqi Niang and Manager Xu have been in close contact.

They have very close contacts!

(End of this chapter)