Chapter 534 - 528_1
Speaking of the Princely Heir of Marquis of Zhenbei, Feng Yinan, who was left alone by the Emperor, felt quite confused. He did not understand what the Emperor meant by keeping him alone. Lately, he had not been assigned any particular tasks, and he genuinely could not figure out why the Emperor wanted him to stay. If it was a matter of personal favor, he had not been very close to the Emperor over the years; otherwise, he would not have held such a status in his residence, and it had taken him much effort to attain his current standing.
"May I know what the Emperor intends by keeping me alone?" Feng Yinan asked with a smile to the eunuch beside the Emperor, naturally not forgetting to hand over the fragrant sachet containing the silver note.
The old eunuch weighed the fragrant sachet in his hands, light yet elated with a broad smile. Although he did not know the Emperor’s intentions for keeping the Princely Heir back, it did not prevent him from giving a few hints, "Princely Heir, the thoughts of the Emperor are not for us servants to guess, but from what this old servant can see, the Emperor is in a good mood. It shouldn’t be bad news, Your Highness need not worry too much."
"Thank you for your guidance," Feng Yinan bowed to the old eunuch in gratitude, thinking to himself that silver truly is a wonderful thing. With the eunuch’s words, he felt much more at ease.
"This subject greets the Emperor."
"Cousin, rise, please. We are directly related cousins, and there are no outsiders here; you needn’t be so formal in private," Huangfu Jing said graciously with a smile, truly displaying warmth and amiability.
Feng Yinan inwardly sneered. If he really did not have to follow protocol, he feared the Emperor would blame him for a lack of propriety. The thoughts of an emperor are always so impenetrable. Nonetheless, his face showed nothing but a sincere and loyal response, "One must not abandon courtesy. May I know if the Emperor has summoned me to assign a task?"
"It’s nothing much, just that yesterday, while visiting the Yongshou Palace, the Empress Dowager mentioned you, saying that you are not so young anymore and yet have no one caring and warm by your side. She also recalled your childhood loss of your mother, which moved the Empress Dowager deeply. Naturally, as her son, I couldn’t bear to see her so saddened and felt I ought to look after my cousin a bit," said Huangfu Jing. In truth, the Empress Dowager had not thought of this—it was he who first mentioned that Feng Yinan had been performing well lately, steering the conversation this way. Now, facing Feng Yinan, his words seemed entirely for the sake of filial piety.
Feng Yinan, of course, was unaware of the convolutions behind this, nor did he know what the Emperor was thinking. It was correct just to express loyalty, "This subject thanks the Empress Dowager for her concern. It is my fault for worrying the Empress Dowager. These many years, I have been alone, and as for marriage, I do not seek a match from a prestigious family; I only wish to find a woman who suits me so that we might support each other and live peaceful, stable lives."