C24 Marriage

Looking at the cold, stern face in front of him, Rong Qi felt increasingly contemplative. Ever since Lei Yi had been by his side, for over a decade, he had only ever seen one expression on Lei Yi's face: a complete lack of expression.

"Why do you think Tiange didn't want the exam questions from the Wenn Mansion? If she doesn't want to get into the Wenn Mansion, then why did she even sign up?" Rong Qi furrowed his brows, his handsome face twisted in confusion.

"I believe she can pass," Lei Yi offered his rare opinion.

Rong Qi raised an eyebrow as Lei Yi continued, "She took the Jade Dew Pill, which means she agreed to your condition to enter the 'Chess Room.' If she doesn't pass, she would be going back on her word."

Lei Yi's explanation was endearing, and Rong Qi rubbed his forehead, gesturing for him to leave.

At the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion, in the Silk Garden, after dinner, Crescent brought a bowl of freshly brewed herbal medicine into the inner room, along with the latest news.

Earlier that afternoon, Feng Xueyao had visited the old lady's quarters. Within half an hour, the old lady had summoned the Marquis back from the military camp, leading to a heated argument that ended on a sour note.

"Do you know what they were arguing about?" Tiange asked, sipping the herbal medicine and wiping her lips.

"Cui'er didn't catch everything, but it was mostly about how you said at the Imperial Academy that the second branch isn't part of the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion and that the exam spot shouldn't go to the second young lady. The old lady was upset and confronted the Marquis, demanding that the eldest young lady apologize to the second young lady, but the Marquis stopped her."

Cui'er was a lower-ranking maid at the Zhongqi Courtyard and had never interacted with the Silk Garden. Yueya sought her out because she heard that Cui'er's mother was seriously ill and used money to entice her.

Feng Tiange didn't want to spend too much effort on the affairs of the Marquis Mansion, so she hoped Yueya could help share some of the burden. It turned out Yueya did quite well.

"Feng Xueyao... that's all she can manage," Feng Tiange thought, her lips curving slightly as she recalled the mercenaries who had tried to assassinate her earlier that day.

Since her rebirth, she had only offended a few people, and the only one who could have connections with mercenaries was Xie Ruxuan. Given Xie Ruxuan's nature, she might not have thought to use the gangs from the Fish Market against her unless someone suggested it.

That person must be Feng Xueyao. What she coveted, along with the entire second branch, was the title of South Suppressing Marquis. Unfortunately for them, they would never get it...

"Miss?" Yueya noticed her mistress was lost in thought and immediately tried to comfort her. "Miss, don't be upset. Didn't the Marquis stop them? That means he believes you're in the right!"

Feng Tiange smiled softly. "I'm not upset. It's getting late. You should go rest."

Yueya wanted to say more, but seeing her mistress gesture, she turned to leave.

Once Yueya left, Feng Tiange took out the Grand Yin Scripture and examined it closely. For some reason, the ink landscape she saw today seemed particularly vivid and lively. In the past, when she looked at mountains, they were just mountains, without the sound of pine waves; when she looked at water, it was just water, without the splash of clear springs on rocks. Yet now, besides faintly hearing some inexplicable sounds, hazy images began to surface in her mind's eye.

To be precise, it was a jumble of chaotic lines!

Feng Tiange felt a restless energy within her, as if an overwhelming force was pressing down, making it hard for her to breathe. Without hesitation, she focused her energy, trying with all her might to suppress the turmoil inside. Just then, she sensed an unusual warmth flowing into her core.

This energy wasn't hers; it closely resembled the energy leaking from the Grand Yin Scripture!

Suddenly, everything went silent, and calmness returned. In her view, the ink painting of mountains and rivers remained unchanged, with its serene and balanced depiction.

So that's how it is!

Feng Tiange still bore traces of shock on her face. It turned out that the martial arts secrets contained within the Grand Yin Scripture were part of a mysterious internal cultivation technique. This technique resonated with the practitioner's growing inner strength!

Just half an hour ago, after taking the Jade Dew Pill, her core energy had become more refined, allowing her to connect with the Grand Yin Scripture. She had finally taken the first step...

The Heaven Obeying Hall was a palace personally inscribed by the Qi Emperor and gifted for the grand wedding of Beiming Yuan and Dugu Yan. Since the founding of the Great Qi, no prince had been allowed to remain in the palace after being conferred a title. Beiming Yuan's exception was largely due to the Qi Emperor's admiration and fondness for Feng Tiange.

I don't want things to change, yet now it's Dugu Rou who has taken over the Heaven Obeying Hall.

Inside, Mo Hua brought in a freshly brewed herbal medicine from the Imperial Hospital, and the strong medicinal scent quickly filled the air, making it uncomfortable.

"Is my sister sick?" Dugu Jin, who was waiting nearby, leaned in with concern.

"The Crown Prince Consort has been unwell for a while." Seeing her mistress finish the medicine, Mo Hua took the porcelain bowl, casting a somewhat dissatisfied glance at Dugu Jin.

Dugu Jin instinctively swallowed. "Sister, you must take care of yourself. The Crown Prince is about to ascend the throne, and you're the future Empress of Great Qi..."

"Empress?" Dugu Rou looked up, her gaze filled with irony as she glanced at her brother. "I'm not even the Crown Prince Consort right now, so how can we talk about being Empress?"

Dugu Jin was stunned for a moment. "Everyone in Great Qi knows you're the intended Crown Prince Consort. The Crown Prince even let you stay in the Heaven Obeying Hall. How could this fall through?"

"Why couldn't it? Dugu Yan is still the real Crown Prince Consort!" Dugu Rou's eyes darkened, and she sneered coldly.

"How can you compare yourself to that woman!" Dugu Jin dismissed the thought, his face full of disdain and contempt at the mention of Dugu Yan.

Dugu Rou looked at her brother with a half-smile. "I can't compare to her. After all, she has the support of dozens of court officials, while I only have the Martial Peace Marquis."

With those words, Dugu Jin immediately understood why he had been summoned to the palace.

Seeing Dugu Jin feign ignorance, Dugu Rou raised her hand, and with Mo Hua's help, she stood up and walked over. "What's so special about Feng Xueyao? She's just the daughter of a secondary wife living in the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion. Her father, Feng Yan, is merely a minor official under the Crown Prince. How can she compare to Qin Luoyi of the Martial Peace Marquis Mansion?"

Dugu Jin might be arrogant outside, but he didn't dare to be so in front of his sister.

"But the person I like is..."

"Does it matter who you like? What's important is how we can secure our position in this palace after Dugu Yan's death!" Dugu Rou's expression suddenly turned cold, her eyes sharp as blades.

Dugu Jin shivered, his face turning pale.

"In the next few days, I'll speak with the Crown Prince about arranging your marriage to Qin Luoyi," Dugu Rou said as she turned towards the plush chair draped in white fox fur. But as she took a step, she heard a voice of refusal from behind.

"This time, I can't follow your orders. The person I want to marry is Feng Xueyao!" Dugu Jin forced himself to speak. "I'll do anything you ask, except for this!"

Dugu Rou thought she must have misheard, turning around with surprise and a hint of disbelief in her eyes. "What did you say?"

"Sister, I'm begging you, let me marry Feng Xueyao. I truly love her. Without her..."

'Bang—'

Dugu Rou slammed the purple-glazed teacup on the table, the scalding tea splashing onto the marble floor, sending up wisps of steam.

"Brother, are you serious with me?" Dugu Rou pushed aside the ink painting, turning back with elegance. The face that was usually gentle and lovely in front of Beiming Yuan turned unusually fierce.

"I am serious. I swear, I will marry no one but Feng Xueyao in this lifetime!" Dugu Jin said with determination, his resolve unwavering.