Chapter 421: Chapter 405 Portrait_2
Calling him muddle-headed might be unfair; aside from his intent to dispatch troops to punish the Xie brothers, his governance bore few errors. He was diligent and decisive, supported Lin Helin’s examination reforms, collaborated with the Ministry of Revenue during spring plowing, and refrained from indulging in the wealth plundered from the Su Family and the Feng Family. He did not build extravagant structures or revel in debauchery. On the contrary, he devoted himself tirelessly to his duties, demonstrating commendable diligence.
Except for his decisions regarding Feng Shu and the execution of Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, the civil and military officials found little to criticize, for Yuwen Jing was far from being a foolish and tyrannical emperor.
As such, the toughest burden fell squarely on the civil and military officials!
Despite the fervent opposition from the court when Feng Shu was conferred the title of imperial consort, Yuwen Jing deliberately expanded the harem, ensuring that aristocratic families were not troubled by exclusivity but rather rivalry. Now that daughters of various aristocratic clans had entered the harem, it was left to their abilities to distinguish themselves.
In the hearts of men, even if Yuwen Jing was deeply devoted to Feng Shu, as years passed and her beauty faded, love would wane. Who would ultimately prevail was yet to be determined.
The influx of women from aristocratic families into the palace had, invisibly, sown divisions of interest within these clans, eroding their unity.
Lin Helin and Zhang Boju were powerless to change this.
To die remonstrating was the most foolish path of all.
Feng Shu, confined in Yingchun Palace, did not step outside its grounds. She forbade the palace attendants from addressing her as Chen Fei, feeling as though she had simply exchanged one prison for another. The gates of Yingchun Palace were tightly shut, barring Feng Shu from mingling within the harem; even the courtyard filled with her beloved Qiangwei flowers could not stir her dormant heart.
The Empress visited Yingchun Palace once, but Feng Shu did not meet her.
The child should have been taken back to Ningzhou by her second cousin; whether it was a boy or a girl, she did not know. Lin Yushu pitied Feng Shu, yet could do nothing for her, save trying to ensure her comfort in the palace by personally arranging for attentiveness in her food, clothing, and daily needs, specifically selecting simpler fabrics for her.
Yanyang was mourning her late husband and was bound to observe three years of mourning. Yuwen Jing coerced her into entering the palace. Knowing Feng Shu well, Yanyang felt certain Feng Shu would persist in mourning attire, rendering exquisite fabrics entirely useless to her. Chen Fei... Such a title held no allure for her.
Yuwen Jing did not force Feng Shu, though he sought to appease her, granting special permission for Old Mrs. Feng and Su Yuejiao to visit her. When Old Mrs. Feng and Su Yuejiao were brought into the palace and saw Feng Shu, their eyes brimmed with tears.
Chen Lin’s return to the Capital City that day was to convey news about Feng Shu, hoping they would leave the Capital City. Yet, unforeseen events transpired, and the exits from the Capital City were guarded by the Jinyi Guard.
Su Yuejiao, recovering from illness, had climbed many times up the mountain but never managed to see Feng Shu. Now, faced with her daughter, sorrow overwhelmed her. The daughter she had raised like a precious jewel, expected to enjoy wealth and stability throughout life—how could she have ended up in this plight?
The old lady was slightly better than Su Yuejiao, but her eyes were also red. Feng Shu’s heart ached, but she did not show it; instead, she helped the old lady to sit by the bed.
"Grandmother, please don’t worry about me. Ruyi will live well in Ningzhou, and I have no concerns anymore. What matters now is you both." Feng Shu said, "Grandmother and Mother must take good care of yourselves."
The old lady caressed Feng Shu’s still tear-streaked face. "Grandmother will take care of herself, as should you. Do not do anything foolish, do you understand?"
"Grandmother..." Feng Shu’s voice was tinged with anguish.
Truly, this was the child raised by Old Mrs. Feng herself; no thought of hers escaped the old lady’s perceptive gaze.
She gripped Feng Shu’s hand firmly. Though her years weighed heavily upon her and her strength waned, she held Feng Shu’s slim hand with such force that her hand turned red, reflecting her determination.
"A temporary downturn, a setback—it doesn’t matter. Shu’er, you have lived half your life with wealth and power, loving parents, a harmonious family, traversing distant lands, and experiencing sincere love. Even though you are confined now, life has not been kind to you, but do not lose hope. With the happiness of your first eighteen years as your strength, grit your teeth and persevere!" The old lady said, "You are still young; better days are waiting ahead. Alive, you will be able to reunite with Ruyi."
"Grandmother..." Feng Shu embraced her, tears soaking the old lady’s shoulder.
"Good child, don’t be sad. We must all grit our teeth and endure." The old lady had lived through three reigns, experiencing highs and lows, accompanying her husband in attaining the title of a high-ranking consort, then being demoted to Ningzhou and losing it all. Step by step, she followed her son back to the Capital, only to face yet another twist of fate in her final years. "Shu’er... My dear Shu’er..."
This was the granddaughter she personally nurtured, a radiant pearl of the family.
"By the way, Ayu has written." Su Yuejiao, after crying with the old lady and Feng Shu, handed over the letter. Feng Shu received the thick stack of family letters.
Fengyu was now in West State, with Ruyi raised by Xie Jue. At 100 days old, Xie Xun, Xie Jue, and Fengyu had gathered in Jiaozhou to host a grand banquet for Ruyi.
Xie Jue had named the child Xie Wen.
The name carried endless hopes from his elders, reminiscent of the sentiments the Marquis Zhenbei once held for Xie Zhang.
As perfect and flawless as jade, brilliant and praiseworthy.
"Xie Wen..." Feng Shu’s tears fell onto the letter. "Ruyi... Truly wonderful."
Fengyu had adopted Xie Xun’s penchant for rambling, detailing everything about Ruyi in her writing while including a portrait. Perhaps Fengyu’s abstract style of painting led Xie Jue to redo the artwork during delivery, resulting in two portraits of Ruyi.
Feng Shu studied the two vastly different depictions and unexpectedly broke into laughter!
"Thankfully Ting Feng redrew one; otherwise... I’d have thought I’d birthed a little monster."
Su Yuejiao also laughed through her tears, remarking that Fengyu should continue sending letters in the future, leaving painting aside.
The letter soothed Feng Shu’s anguish over her confinement and rekindled her hope of reuniting with her child. She gazed lovingly at the portraits but reluctantly burned the letter and paintings.
"Shu’er, why burn them? Keeping them would give you some solace."
"He resides in my heart, not in these portraits. Burning them avoids trouble."
Should Yuwen Jing find out, he would undoubtedly go mad. Fengyu’s letter solely mentioned Xie Jue’s eldest son, without a single reference to Xie Zhang or Feng Shu.
"Xie Jue will raise him well!"