Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Feng Xiang was thoroughly embarrassed by what Eunuch De had said. He was the head of the Feng Clan, yet, he had bowed to Eunuch De—and he also had to bow to the emperor. On the contrary, Feng Tianlan, the good-for-nothing, did not need to. This proved that not only did the emperor not recognize him as the head of the Feng Clan, but he also did not even acknowledge Feng Xiang as a member of the Feng family!
There was a glint in Feng Xiang’s eye as he thought about this. Wait till I get my hands on the Feng family treasures, he thought. So what if he is the emperor? Once I become powerful, I will make sure to step on him, hard, and oppress him.
“Please proceed, Eunuch De.”
Feng Tianlan bowed her head slightly. If someone treated her with respect, she would return that respect twofold. When Eunuch De saw her respect for him, he bowed even lower. Then, he turned to face Feng Xiang and Xu Jiayi, straightening his back as he declared, “According to the emperor, besides Feng Tianlan, all others must kneel to receive the imperial edict.”
“But Eunuch De, members of the Feng family don’t need to bow to anyone,” Feng Xiang returned the eunuch’s words to him. Feng Xiang knew that Fengs need not bow, but he still sometimes bowed to important people, like the emperor, out of habit.
Eunuch De looked at Feng Xiang unhappily and said, “Only those in the Feng bloodline have this special privilege.”
Feng Xiang was once again embarrassed by Eunuch De. Even though he was furious, he could only clench his teeth silently. He knelt begrudgingly, tilting his head slightly in defiance. Xu Jiayi had no choice but to kneel, too. Eunuch De looked at them scornfully then proceeded to read the edict. It was about the official annulment of Feng Tianlan and Si Rong’s engagement, and their freedom to marry anyone they chose. Then, he took out a brocade box and used both hands to present it to Feng Tianlan.
“This is the marriage token that the emperor received from the Fengs long ago. We return it to you now.”
“Marriage token?” Feng Tianlan fingered the ring on her left index finger. She wondered, isn’t this ring, which Si Mobai returned to me, the marriage token? Why is there another one now?
Feng Tianlan took the box from the eunuch, but her head was full of questions. She could see that the Feng and the Si families had a more complex connection than met the eye, but she couldn’t make sense of it. Eunuch De ended by saying that he had to return to the palace and left.
Feng Xiang glared at Eunuch De with evil and hatred in his eyes, like a snake. This man was merely a cheap palace servant, and he’d dared to be so rude to him! One day, Feng Xiang thought, I want this servant to kneel before me and beg for mercy!
“Since this is the marriage token, you should pass it to your father.” Xu Jiayi eyed the brocade box in Feng Tianlan’s hands and thought to herself, is that the family treasure that Feng Xiang was always talking about?
When he heard her mention the marriage token, Feng Xiang stopped staring at the eunuch and stretched his hands out. “Give me the token.”
“This belonged to my mother.” Feng Tianlan saw how both of them were very anxious to take the token from her, and quickly hugged the brocade box.
“The token belongs to the Feng Clan, and it is not only yours. Give it to me,” Feng Xiang commanded Feng Tianlan. He demanded full obedience. If he wanted her dead, then she had to die. All he wanted now was a brocade box.
Xu Jiayi saw that Feng Xiang was doing things the hard way, so she put on a pleasant face and said gently, “Tianlan, since the engagement has been called off, it won’t be easy to find a man willing to take you. Pass the token to your father, and we’ll find you a good match, so you won’t have to worry about the rest of your life.”
“Oh?” Feng Tianlan raised an eyebrow at Xu Jiayi and mocked her, “I don’t suppose your brains have stopped working because of what happened to my third sister, have they?”