The Emperor's Fury

"Young Master, this is Miss Ning, a guest at the Zhou residence." One of the bodyguards who still faithfully accompanied Ye Ningjie explained. It would indeed feel strange if Ye Ningjie had to mention herself.

"Ah, really did not expect to see a guest of the Zhou residence here," Su Yuan said with a smile that was only returned with a smile by Ye Ningjie.

"Miss Ning, have you chosen the best silk yet?" The man looked around until his gaze landed on Feng Lianfeng's hand. "It seems Master Feng has chosen the best one."

Ye Ningjie nodded in agreement, then pointed at one of the silks of her choice. "This looks like it would be great for making outerwear."

Su Yuan smiled too. "Then take it as an introduction. Let me handle the billing."

Ye Ningjie immediately changed her expression to one of surprise. This was to be expected, but she would not accept it blatantly. As a woman, of course, she should not be too easy to accept something from a man.

"Uhm, I am afraid that would be inappropriate. It doesn't seem necessary." She looked down doubtfully, acting like a weak woman who was afraid of being looked down upon by others. It instantly made Su Yuan chuckle.

"What's inappropriate? Miss Ning, this is my good intention. How can you have the heart to refuse it?" Su Yuan turned to look at the shop owner, then said, "Mr. Feng, wrap it up for Miss Ning. Let me take the bill."

Feng Lianfeng nodded happily. Of course, he doesn't care who pays for the goods. The most important thing is that the most expensive cloth in his shop is sold today. It was a fortune for him.

He immediately took the silk cloth and wrapped it. He was secretly excited by Ye Ningjie's arrival. Her status might only be a guest in the Zhou residence, but if she had not come here, Su Yuan would not have entered his shop.

The cloth shop is just a small shop. People of high and honorable status would not come there for anything. That was why he was surprised by Su Yuan's arrival.

After wrapping the silk cloth, he immediately handed it over to Ye Ningjie's bodyguard. The guard man seemed to have a questioning expression on his young lady, feeling confused about whether to accept the gift or not.

Ye Ningjie nodded. "Then… thank you very much, Young Master Su. I will definitely remember this day." She smiled. A smile that made Su Yuan slightly stunned.

Ye Ningjie's beauty may seem simple at first. However, if one took a closer look, one would find that it was slightly sinister. If one doesn't stop in time, one won't be able to escape her charm.

"I still have things to do. I'm sorry I can't accompany you longer," Ye Ningjie said later. She nodded at Su Yuan and Feng Lianfeng before finally stepping out of the shop.

The bodyguards followed Ye Ningjie out until there were only three people left. Su Yuan folded his arms across his chest, his mind still unable to escape from the figure of the girl he had just met.

"Has she been here before?" he asked.

"No. I just saw her today," Feng Lianfeng replied honestly.

"Young Master, do we need to find out about that lady?" asked Su Yuan's subordinate.

"Of course. Find out as much as you can."

***

Zhou Jingran stepped uncertainly into the Yongheng palace. As requested last night, he must come to see the emperor. Of course, they would discuss Zhou Yan's matchmaking with Tang Yin.

He took several deep breaths. As a father, he certainly wants the best for his son. He knew Zhou Yan didn't like Tang Yin. Thus, as best he could, he should ask the emperor not to issue any edicts.

Emperor Feiyu is still new. He only ascended the throne not long ago. This worried him enough if the emperor made a rash decision or didn't think things through.

"Zhou Jingran greets Your Imperial Majesty," he said after being ushered in by the guards. In front of him, the emperor was sitting back while looking at him with an incomprehensible look.

It was only a while later that Emperor Feiyu replied. "You know why I called you?"

"I might be able to assume, but it would be better if I heard in person," Zhou Jingran replied as he lowered his head.

Huang Feiyu nodded. He twirled the brush in his hand thoughtfully. "I think your son has grown up," he said then. "Maybe he will be taking the imperial exam soon."

"That's right, Your Majesty. Currently, Zhou Yan is nearly twenty." Zhou Jingran's forehead creased slightly. His hands under the sleeves of his robes began to shake. It must be true that the emperor would talk about marriage.

"A daughter liked him so much that her parents came to see me. What do you think?" asked Huang Feiyu calmly. His voice didn't sound intimidating or oppressive, and it made Zhou Jingran feel awe.

The emperor's calm demeanor made him look charismatic. However, if his forehead wrinkled or his eyelids squinted, he would look a little scary. The slightest sharp glance might make someone kneel in fear.

Zhou Jingran cleared his throat. "Your Imperial Majesty, I would naturally consider it a blessing if my son also likes the princess in question."

Huang Feiyu sighed. Actually, he was lazy to deal with problems like this. Who likes whom, and who should bother? He also put his brush on the table. Suddenly, memories of the nighttime events in the Xianqi royal palace began to enter his brain.

Zhou Yan once infiltrated the Xianqi palace with King Ye's fifth daughter. The young man pointed the sword right in front of his face. Pointing a sword at the emperor was extremely presumptuous. And working with fugitives is a betrayal.

True, the status of King Ye's fifth daughter back then was that of a fugitive. And the Zhou residence is now helping her.

It seemed Huang Feiyu should give them a little warning. He tugged at the corner of his lips.

"The Zhou family seems a little unpredictable. It's been a long time since I heard of the Zhou ancestor's loyalty," Huang Feiyu said in a lower tone. "And the Tang family also has unquestioning loyalty."

"Your Imperial Majesty …." Zhou Jingran started to feel uneasy.

"What if the two families tie the knot? Wouldn't the two families that are extremely loyal to the empire have a closer relationship?" Huang Feiyu's gaze became colder and sharper.

Zhou Jingran immediately fell to his knees. He suddenly thought of Ye Ningjie. He was starting to feel scared. Could it be that the emperor already knew that King Ye's daughter, who was being searched for, was now under his protection?

He tried to remain calm and said, "Your Imperial Majesty, this might not be a good thing. Zhou Yan… still has not deigned to carry out the marriage. His current focus is only on passing the imperial examination and becoming a loyal official."

"Oh?" Huang Feiyu's eyebrows lifted. "That's not a big deal. The marriage could be done in a year or two after he clears the exam."

Zhou Jingran gripped his clothes tightly. This is not true. Should he accept Ye Ningjie's favor, saying that Zhou Yan had a relationship with that girl? However, what if afterward the emperor suspects Ye Ningjie's identity? He was a little confused.

"Hmm?"

"Your Majesty, actually... Zhou Yan already has a girl he likes," Zhou Jingran said through gritted teeth. In his heart, he hoped that his steps were not wrong.

"Oh? Who's that girl?"

"She is Miss Ning, who came from the Jinshi kingdom."

Huang Feiyu immediately looked at Zhou Jingran sharply. How dare that older man let his son take a liking to King Ye's descendant. And how dare they hide King Ye's fifth daughter from him!

He had indeed expected Ye Ningjie to come to the capital. However, being conned by the officials like this was not a pleasant feeling either. Wasn't the loyalty of the Zhou family worth questioning? Did they think he didn't know anything?

Unknowingly he picked up the porcelain cup on the table, then gripped it so tightly that it shattered. Red blood instantly dripped onto the table, frightening Zhou Jingran.

"Your Majesty—"

"Eunuch Wei! Write down the edict now!"