Feng Xiaoyue looked at her father and said with some helplessness, "Dad, if the Emperor is so incompetent, why do you still protect him? And what's the point of being Prime Minister?"
Feng Pengju glared, "You scoundrel, what are you saying?"
"It is said that one should sell one's martial and literary skills to the imperial family."
Before he could finish, Feng Xiaoyue interrupted him directly, "Dad, you have sold yourself to the imperial family, but how do they see us? In their eyes, we are worse than dogs. They clearly know that Brother Fang Jun and I are already engaged, so why would they bestow a marriage upon me and the Crown Prince?"
"And for example, Miss Liu Rumeng and Brother Xiaobei were betrothed. But Brother Xiaobei's wife, Huang Ying, recently passed away. How could he be in the mood to marry again? Yet the Emperor still decreed their marriage, and ordered Brother Xiaobei to marry Miss Liu as soon as his mourning period is over. Tell me, why should we protect such an Emperor?"
After listening to Feng Xiaoyue's words, Feng Pengju fell silent again for a long time, then he sighed leisurely.
"Alright, you go first. When your mother returns, thank the Emperor for his grace, and I will consider my next move."
After speaking, Feng Pengju ordered his men to pack up simply, loading two large carts with the gold, silver, and other valuables sent by Bai Han.
He also asked Feng Xiaoyue to choose a few honest and reliable individuals from the newly hired staff.
And he explained to Feng Xiaoyue that these people could be used if they were suitable, and if not, they could be sent back; he would accept them all.
After waiting for about half an hour, Fang Jun rushed over, followed by Xiao Yatou and more than a dozen maids.
Seeing Xiao Yatou appear, Feng Pengju breathed a long sigh of relief. Putting aside everything else, Xiao Yatou's martial arts skills were unparalleled. With her protecting Feng Xiaoyue, he felt at ease.
Xiao Yatou stepped forward and respectfully saluted Feng Pengju, "Greetings, Uncle Feng. By my grandfather's order, I will escort my elder brother and sister-in-law to Qingniu County. You can rest assured."
Feng Pengju nodded with a smile, "Good, good. With you escorting them, I am relieved."
He then turned to Feng Xiaoyue and said, "You must take good care of Xiao Yatou on the way. If you encounter any emergencies along the way, you can seek help from the officials. I believe that with the old Prime Minister's prestige, they will lend a hand."
Feng Xiaoyue agreed to everything. The father and daughter exchanged a few more words before setting off in haste.
Almost simultaneously, an imperial edict arrived at the mansion of Princess Zhaoning.
The edict was very simple, ordering Princess Zhaoning to set off immediately for Qingniu County to secretly guard the dragon脉.
Upon receiving the edict, the Princess acted as if she had received a protective charm. She immediately ordered her people to pack up quickly and leave the capital the very next morning.
During dinner, Xiao Jingyun received news that Fang Jun and Feng Xiaoyue had left the capital in a hurry, taking a large number of family members, at least seven or eight carriages of belongings, and Xiao Yatou.
This made Xiao Jingyun somewhat surprised.
He couldn't understand why the two of them suddenly left, taking so many things. It seemed like they were going on a long journey.
Just then, Zhou Quan walked in and cupped his fists, saying, "Your Highness, those sent to Zhangjiazhuang have returned. Xiao Dezzi's family has been arranged properly. You can rest assured."
Xiao Jingyun nodded, "Good. One matter is finally settled. You may go and rest."
Zhou Quan, however, showed no intention of leaving. Xiao Jingyun looked at him and couldn't help but ask, "Is there anything else?"
"Your Highness, when I returned just now, I overheard some rumors. I don't know if I should speak."
Xiao Jingyun glanced at Zhou Quan, "Just say whatever you have to say."
Zhou Quan bowed again, "When I returned, I heard the common folk discussing that the Emperor intends to bestow marriage upon you and Feng Xiaoyue. Therefore, Feng Xiaoyue and Fang Jun fled the capital this afternoon, and their whereabouts are unknown."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyun burst out laughing, "This is too absurd. Everyone knows that Feng Xiaoyue is already engaged to Fang Jun. If it weren't for the trouble Feng Pengju is in, they would probably have children running all over the place by now."
Hearing these words, Zhou Quan bowed again, "But I sent people to inquire, and Fang Jun and Feng Xiaoyue have indeed left the capital."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyun frowned, "Fine. I will go to the palace to give my report to my father and inquire about it then."
Although Xiao Jingyun said this, he had a rough idea in his heart that this matter was likely true. Take his own father's bestowal of marriage upon Liu Rumeng and Chen Xiaobei, what else could he not do?
However, if the Emperor continued to cause such chaos, people's hearts would scatter, and things would become difficult. This was because the envoys from the Great Lin Kingdom had returned, but Zhu Meng had shown no movement for a long time. This indicated that the other party would not exchange Zhu Meng for a so-called supreme Daoist master who was the Crown Prince's tutor.
Therefore, a war with the Great Lin Kingdom was inevitable sooner or later, otherwise the border would not be stable. At this time, his father's actions were tantamount to disrupting his own forces.
Therefore, he had to stop his father's mad actions.
The next morning, Xiao Jingyun woke up early, washed, and went to find his father.
In his imperial study, Xiao An received his son. After meeting, he smiled and asked, "You are earlier than usual today. My son has become diligent after taking charge of state affairs."
Xiao Jingyun bowed and got straight to the point, "Father, yesterday I heard a rumor that you intend to bestow marriage upon Feng Xiaoyue and me. I wonder if this is true."
Hearing this, Xiao An laughed heartily, "Alas, I didn't expect the news to spread so quickly. I only asked Bai Han to probe Feng Pengju's attitude yesterday, and you knew about it today."
"Feng Xiaoyue is proficient in all the arts: zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I have heard of her reputation for a long time. Feng Pengju is about to become Prime Minister. If you marry his daughter, she can be made Empress when you ascend the throne in the future. Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?"
Xiao Jingyun looked at his father with a look of helplessness.
"Father, you probably don't know yet. Yesterday, Feng Xiaoyue and Fang Jun had already left the capital, fearing that you would issue a decree for their marriage."
Hearing this, Xiao An's expression faltered. He looked at Bai Han beside him in surprise.
Bai Han quickly bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, when I went there in the afternoon, Miss Xiaoyue was still at home. I am unaware of what happened afterward."
Hearing this, Xiao An nodded, then looked up at Xiao Jingyun, "They simply do not understand my earnest intentions. Take Feng Xiaoyue for example. Fang Jun has no official position. After Fang Zheng dies, as a grandson, he will not inherit much.
"If she marries you, she will have to rule as Empress in the future. It's like throwing good intentions to the dogs."
Looking at his somewhat agitated father, Xiao Jingyun felt very speechless. Strictly speaking, his father's perspective was not wrong.
After all, for many people, the opportunity to rule as Empress was something they wouldn't even dare to imagine.
But in Feng Xiaoyue's eyes, it was like casting away grass.