Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Evil Will Be t with Evil Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Evil Will Be t with Evil Feng Bailing recounted that “dream” for half an hour, until the tea in both their cups had gone cold.
Dongfang Lianhua’s face was as pale as paper.
“Last night, Feng Zhanlian wanted to sell off Xiao Li. If it wasn’t for Dugu Wu arriving in ti, the one ‘missing’ would have been Xiao Li.”
Feng Bailing clenched the teacup in her hand, looking down to hide the hatred in her eyes.
Xiao Li was only three years old, yet they had tried to harm her over and over again; those people’s hearts were even harder than stone.
“Ah Ling, what do you want Mother to do?”
Dongfang Lianhua gripped her daughter’s hand, her own was frighteningly cold, but there was no sign of retreat in her eyes.
She had been gravely ill, as if reborn, and her trip to the Imperial Palace had made it clear to her that only the three of them, mother and daughters, were truly bonded by flesh and blood.
Ah Ling was clearly speaking of a dream, but to Dongfang Lianhua, it felt as if she were living through it, a pain so intense she could hardly bear it.
It was as if she had seen with her own eyes Xiao Li turn into a cold corpse, Ah Ling beaten until she was a bloody ss, her own body not yet cold in death, Luochen dying in a land of bitter cold, and the Princess’ Mansion ruined overnight.
“Mother, believe , whoever asks you, you must say you don’t know. Dugu Wu knows his limits; he won’t kill Feng Zhanlian, at most he’ll make Feng Zhanlian suffer a little. Compared to the suffering we’ve endured over the years, what is that really?”
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, is just the cycle of karmic retribution!
Dongfang Lianhua nodded in agreent, not voicing any objection this ti.
Over at the Princess’ Mansion, Feng Zhan Tian had been searching all day to no avail for any trace of Feng Zhanlian.
Aunt Xue told the matter to the old lady, who cried and alongside Aunt Xue, wiped her tears while she talked.
“I have already asked soone in the palace to plead with the Princess, to ask His Majesty to send people to search for Zhanlian’s whereabouts, but there has been no response from the Princess.”
“That woman is unreliable, looking down on us, mother and son. How can a living person just disappear in the mansion, unless taken by a ghost? There have been many things happening in our mansion recently; we should find a Taoist priest to perform a ritual.”
The thought of the ghost in the east wing turned the old lady’s face a ghastly shade of pale.
Aunt Xue agreed verbally and returned to the south wing.
Since being brutally beaten by Dongfang Li that day, Feng Xiangxue had been in low spirits for a while, but in recent days, the wounds on her face had started to heal, and hearing the news that Dongfang Li had beco the Commander of the Imperial Army, her mood had sowhat improved.
Aunt Xue found her wearing a joyful expression, adorning a newly made hair cover when she returned.
The injuries on her face could be covered with rouge, but the torn-off half of her hair could not grow back in a short period, so this hair cover was made by Feng Xiangxue ordering the nanny to force several maids to cut off their long hair.
“Mother, look, is the spring dress I designed suitable? It’s this year’s most fashionable fabric and style from our textile shop. I had Uncle make it for one month ahead of schedule. Ruoyan couldn’t even get it and had to settle for the second best. In a few days, classes will start at Yuxiu Academy, and I must be the most dazzling one there.”
Aunt Xue looked closely at her daughter; she wore a smoky purple wide-sleeved silk dress, embroidered with magnolias around the cuffs, adding a sense of gentility. Her long hair, now covered with a hair accessory, looked thick and jet-black, tied with a purple ribbon into the most fashionable hairstyle, which made her lovelier than the flowers.
“Your father’s whereabouts are unknown, and you are soone with a marriage contract; restrain yourself from now on, and rember, you must not have any more interactions with the students from the Imperial Academy.”
Aunt Xue regarded her daughter, who was equally outstanding in both looks and talent, with a mixture of pride and wistfulness.
Yuxiu Academy is adjacent to the Imperial Academy and each year during the exams, many talented young n from the Imperial Academy would co to watch and cheer. Feng Xiangxue was the most popular among them.
Although she would beco a concubine, with her daughter’s grace and beauty, Dongfang Li would soon promote her to his main wife.
What does it matter if Feng Bailing is a Princess Consort? Marrying a man crippled and stripped of power, she is destined to be no match for her Xiangxue.
“Mother, you needn’t worry, the Seventh Prince is now the Commander of the Imperial Army. Once he’s free, I will go seek his help to deploy troops to find father. As for Feng Bailing, I truly hope she won’t be able to make it in ti for the Yuxiu Academy assessnt, or else I won’t be able to scoff at her failure.”
Feng Xiangxue had waited for such a long ti, and finally, the Yuxiu Academy had started its new term.
At the ti when peach blossoms turned pink and pear blossoms white, inns throughout Chu City would be filled with female students from all over the country, all coming to attend the enrollnt of Yuxiu Academy.
A few years ago, Feng Xiangxue, as a commoner, had participated in the assessnts and was admitted into Yuxiu Academy with top three placent due to her outstanding performance.
“This ti she has cured the Empress Dowager. I heard that the Empress Dowager dotes on her even more. If she returns to Yuxiu Academy…”
Aunt Xue uttered anxiously.
“Mother, set your mind at rest. I’ve heard that this year’s assessnt is harder than ever before. In previous years there was only one round of examination, and female students only had to pass that one to get in. This year, they say there are three rounds, and one must pass all three to be admitted to Yuxiu Academy. Moreover, one of the rounds will be personally proctored by the Dean, who is very strict. This ti, Feng Bailing is certain to be eliminated, and our bets will surely pay off.”
Feng Xiangxue caressed her soft and smooth hair, delighting in the misfortunes of others.
“The brat from the east wing has been seldom seen recently; soone should keep an eye on her. I always feel that there’s sothing off about that brat—she doesn’t die even when thrown into a well in the dead of winter. Your father’s disappearance must have been her doing.”
Aunt Xue said, touching her chest.
It seed as if any matter that associated with Feng Xiaoli never turned out well.
“Mother, you’re overthinking it. What trouble could a re child cause?”
Feng Xiangxue dismissed the concern casually.
After the rainy night incident, Feng Xiaoli, being a child, had slept through it and, upon waking up, rembered nothing.
Aside from food, Feng Xiaoli recently found another passion—attending the Imperial Academy.
Even though the old n at the Imperial Academy were a bit wordy and always posed her questions when she wanted to snooze, Brother Xiaojin was there, and as the phrase in the books went, it was a feast for the eyes!
So early in the morning, for once, she didn’t laze about in bed. After Chun Liu helped her wash up and dress, she put on her downsized child student’s outfit, packed her small case, and wobbled her way to school.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Academy’s gate, Feng Xiaoli rubbed her little short legs, propped her chin on her hands, and sat on the steps.
When 7 a.m. ca, just like always, Dugu Xiaojin arrived at the doors of the Imperial Academy carrying his heavy case.
Seeing Feng Xiaoli, he paused for a mont.
The little thing looked at him with a pitiable gaze.
Dugu Xiaojin could only pick up her case and also scoop her up on the way to the Heavenly Class.
“Brother Xiaojin, why are all your steps the sa length?”
Feng Xiaoli gazed at Dugu Xiaojin’s walking stride, as even as if asured with a ruler.
“Brother Xiaojin, why don’t you breathe heavily after climbing so many steps?”
“Brother Xiaojin…”
Finally arriving at the Heavenly Class, Dugu Xiaojin put down the incessantly chattering Feng Xiaoli.
“Brother Xiaojin, what’s in your case?”
Feng Xiaoli’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of a pair of golden eyes peeking out from Dugu Xiaojin’s case.
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