Palace Fighting: Naive Concubines' Ascent to Power-Chapter 496

Minister Fan leaned closer, his voice a few degrees warmer, "Master Feng, in the court, aside from His Majesty, it’s your insight that’s the most penetrating and perceptive, how can it be considered showing off? Why don’t you share with this old man?"

Having felt reassured, had he not known he couldn’t teach this disciple, he wouldn’t have bothered talking so much with this old fellow.

He pointed to the person below, "Minister Fan, have you ever seen the young fellow debate with Minister Qin?"

Minister Fan paused. Whether he had seen it or not, wasn’t it Master Feng who knew it the best? What kind of question was that?

He said with restrained irritation, "I indeed haven’t."

If it wasn’t for this youngster blocking him, he would have been able to see it!

"No wonder Minister Fan is so concerned; it’s because you haven’t seen it," Master Feng said relaxedly, he had asked on purpose, aiming to strike a nerve.

The other ministers glanced at each other and came over, one after another asking about Lian Mu’s debate with Minister Qin.

This matter had been sensationalized among the literati in the Capital, they all knew of it, yet hadn’t seen it; Minister Qin had excused himself citing other commitments when they had just arrived, and there was nowhere to ask.

Minister Fan couldn’t bother to argue and listened intently.

Only then did Master Feng begin narrating to everyone, detailing what he had witnessed and heard that day, and repeated the discourse between Minister Qin and Lian Musu at the Chongwen Altar. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

In the end, he sighed and said, "This official has never seen such a person; so young yet so steadfast and composed, with a deep understanding of the sages’ teachings, yet not blindly conforming, holding his unique insights, not falling behind Minister Qin in their debate."

Everyone listened with relish, especially Minister Fan, who continuously nodded in approval.

After Master Feng had finished sighing, he stood up melancholically, "You can rest assured, Minister Fan. From what this official has seen, this young man’s talents are exceptional; just because others cannot do it doesn’t mean this young man can’t, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself. Just watch, I shall take my leave now, gentlemen," he said.

The more he spoke, the more melancholic he became, the more reluctant to let go, and the better unseen.

He started walking toward the staircase.

Listening to Master Feng, a huge weight lifted from Minister Fan’s heart.

He looked out the window, and the more he looked at Lian Musu, the more he liked him, thinking quietly to himself that the young man’s appearance and talents were all excellent. Only a slight limp in his left foot somewhat detracted from his perfection, but it did not stop his brilliance from shining through. Aside from being a disciple, he would also make a splendid son-in-law, it was just unfortunate that all the girls of suitable age in the Fan Family had already married.

The Minister of Punishment gazed at the silhouette on Shanxue Square, a thoughtful look on his face. He too stood up to leave, mentioning that he had to go ahead because of some matters.

On the upper floor, Master Feng was unaware of what others were thinking; he had just stepped out of the study and stood looking at the crowd for a moment when he heard a voice behind him, turned around, and indeed it was the Minister of Punishment.

The Minister of Punishment was a man who could keep his composure, a man of few words but decisive actions, typically an activist. After the court session, he hadn’t expected the Minister of Punishment would come to observe the excitement as well.

He bowed to the Minister of Punishment, asking why he was leaving so soon.

The Minister of Punishment simply stated he had business to attend to.

The two exchanged farewells and went to their respective carriages.

Master Feng found it a bit strange but didn’t think much of it.

The carriage wheels rolled forward. He pulled aside the carriage curtain to look at the crowd, still feeling it was a great pity, not having that fate.

As he was about to drop the curtain, he saw the Xue Family’s carriage.

His mind stirred, and he lifted the curtain again to look, clearly seeing the servant boy in front, lost in thought, "Why has Xue Ping come as well?"

It was nearing noon.

Inside Canglan Court, Lian Hua bid farewell to Lin Yuejuan reluctantly, escorting her to the gate of Canglan Court, still wishing to accompany her further.

Hu Miaomiao stepped forward, smiling joyfully as she stopped her, "Master Lian, please stay your steps. I will escort Madam Lian. Once outside the palace gates, a carriage and escorts will be waiting, so please rest assured. I assure you, Madam Lian won’t be troubled by the wind or the sun, nor will she be fatigued."

Lin Yuejuan, echoing the sentiment, said, "Yes, Xiao Hua, with Eunuch Hu escorting me, you can be at ease. You should return now."

Only then did Lian Hua stop, still uneasy as she said, "Clan Aunt, you must tell Clan Uncle that I am doing well here, and ask him not to worry, and not to lose any more weight."

"Alright, I will tell him when I get back."

Lian Hua continued with her instructions, "You must also take good care of yourself. Remember what Charcoal Head told you, don’t overexert yourself daily, and keep massaging as he taught you. Apply the medicinal plaster he gave you properly. Visit his home after a while for him to check on you again."

She motioned for Xiao Jizi to hand over the address of Huang Zude’s residence.

Lin Yuejuan received it, feeling very warmed, and said, "Good child, Clan Aunt understands. The wind is strong outside, and with you being pregnant, it would be bad if you caught a chill. Please go back."

Lian Hua still seemed reluctant, her lips pursed as she clung to Lin Yuejuan’s sleeve, unwilling to let go, uncertain of when they would meet again, as it was too inconvenient in the palace to just visit family.

Lin Yuejuan also felt extremely reluctant but knew well the strict rules of the palace, she advised, "Xiao Hua, time is long, later... later..."

She wanted to say she would often visit but remembering it was not her decision, she stopped mid-sentence and looked at Hu Miaomiao.

Hu Miaomiao, understanding the situation, cheerfully said, "Master Lian, there will be many opportunities for you to meet Madam Lian, there’s no rush at this moment."

"Really?" Lian Hua loosened her grip.

Hu Miaomiao’s plump face was full of smiles, "Why would I deceive you?"

Master Lian is His Majesty’s cherished one, and by association, Mr. Lian and Madam Lian are well protected. Meeting is but a small matter.

Lian Hua hesitantly eyed Hu Miaomiao up and down and finally let go, then turned to Lin Yuejuan, "Clan Aunt, I won’t see you out then. Please give my regards to Clan Sister, Clan Sister’s Husband, my older nephew, my younger nephew, and my niece."

Hu Miaomiao felt that Lian Hua’s look was odd, unclear and indescribable, ever since he first saw her, something unusual pervaded in her gaze.

Lin Yuejuan hurriedly replied, touched by the thought, "Ah, Xiao Hua, even as a Consort in the palace, you’ve never forgotten them. You even remembered Huihui’s children who weren’t born back then and prepared gifts for them."

These gifts, each one exquisitely made, all artifacts from the Royal Palace, rarely seen by ordinary families even in several lifetimes. Possessing just one would bring great honor and could be passed down as a family heirloom.

And Xiao Hua, she gave three such gifts to Huihui’s children. Who wouldn’t envy that once it becomes known in the neighborhood, certain to make others green with jealousy?

Looking at these gifts, they clearly appeared valuable, so much so that even she, who knew little about these things, could tell. When they were presented, she was afraid to even touch them, fearing damaging them, so hesitant to accept them, insisting they were too precious and costly for her to accept.

Xiao Hua observed and said while Royal artifacts are indeed a bit inconvenient, they had been prepared by His Majesty initially without full consideration. She thought about exchanging them for gold and asked her to use it to commission some jewelry once she was outside.