by La Mi Tu
“Qing Qing!” Feng Cang lowered his head and kissed the tears at the corners of Murong Qi Qi’s eyes, “Don’t cry. Qing Qing, if you cry, my world would be raining!”
Feng Cang’s gentleness made Murong Qi Qi sadder. What about now? What could they do now? Even if Feng Cang was the under one person and above ten thousand people Nan Lin wang, but it still couldn’t change the fact that she’s his little sister. Murong Qi Qi could now only cut off these feelings and burry it forever in her heart.
Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi just left, Longze Jing Tian stood out, “Your respected majesty, I as Xi Qi’s Jing wang want to ask for a marriage! I want to marry your niece, Feng Cang’s little sister!”
Although it had been identified that Murong Qi Qi is Feng family’s daughter, but he didn’t know how to address her. So, Longze Jing Tian could only use ‘Feng Cang’s little sister’ to address Murong Qi Qi.
The moment he heard Longze Jing Tian took action so quickly, Wanyan Hong also didn’t want to be outdone, “Emperor father, this subject son fell in love with cousin at the first sight. Asking emperor father to decree marriage!”
Murong Qing Lian who was just crying for Murong Tai, after seeing these two men ask for Murong Qi Qi’s hand at the same time, sorrow entered her heart.
Longze Jing Tian is the man she loves, but his mind only thought about Murong Qi Qi. She knew this. However, now Murong Qi Qi became a free woman, making him have a chance. How could Murong Qing Lian not feel sad?
As for Wanyan Hong, just now he was saying he wanted to marry her as his cefei4, his soul and spirit had been turned upside down by Murong Qi Qi. He immediately changed his attitude and wanted to marry Murong Qi Qi. What kind of world was this?!
Soul and spirit turned upside down: head over heels
At this time, in Murong Qing Lian’s heart, Murong Qi Qi was a wreck. Before, when she saw Murong Qi Qi’s appearance, Murong Qing Lian was stunned. She didn’t expect that Murong Qi Qi would have such masterpiece of a face. She was completely defeated.
Plus, the fact that the two man who are connected to her were asking for Murong Qi Qi’s hand, Murong Qing Lian’s hate for Murong Qi Qi became stronger. Not to mention that Murong Tai died indirectly at Murong Qi Qi’s hands. She couldn’t not avenge this!
The two asked to marry Murong Qi Qi at the same time. Wanyan Lie’s expression immediately turned bad. How could he not know what these two were thinking? They actually saw Murong Qi Qi as the tool for the power struggle. Wanyan Lie couldn’t tolerate this and would also not allow it!
“Too many things happened today. Zhen5 think it’s better to wait till Qi Qi restored her mood. No hurry, don’t worry!”
A ‘don’t worry’ dispatched Longze Jing Tian and Wanyan Hong and also let consort De, Lin Ke Xin be relieved. Exactly! Now, Murong Qi Qi is a golden cake. Everyone wants her! However, only her Yi er is worthy of Murong Qi Qi!
Dongfang Lan got headache because of this series of occurrence. She let Qing Gu support her back to Jinxuan palace. Longze Jing Tian saw that Wanyan Lie didn’t accept his proposal. He also understood his (WL) current thoughts. He asked to take Murong Tai’s and Li Qiu Shui’s body away.
Although Wanyan Lie truly wanted to throw Li Qiu Shui’s body outside the suburbs to feed dogs, but since Longze Jing Tian asked, he couldn’t let him (LJT) lost face. Besides, they were only corpses. Why be angry at a corpse?! So, he nodded and agreed.
When Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi returned to Nan Lin wangfu6, Wanyan Lie’s imperial edict had already been decreed; bestowing Murong Qi Qi the title of princess Zhen Guo. When this news reached the wangfu, the whole wangfu exploded.
Princess Zhen Guo means Guarding Country princess and is the highest rank of princesses e.g. princess of first rank.
“Why was it like this? Why did wangfei become princess Zhen Guo?” Just as everyone was surprised, Feng Cang came down the carriage while holding Murong Qi Qi. When Feng Qi saw Murong Qi Qi’s appearance, his mouth was wide open, “Princess…”
This ‘princess’ from Feng Qi let everyone’s gaze fell on Murong Qi Qi’s face. These were the old people of wangfu. They served Feng Xie and Wanyan Ming Yue. Now, seeing a girl with the same appearance as Wanyan Ming Yue, everyone was stunned with their mouth wide open.
Only Feng Yu recognized the official robe Murong Qi Qi was wearing. It was the one wangfei wore this morning. It was just, why did Murong Qi Qi’s face change to the same one as Wanyan Ming Yue. This made Feng Yu very surprised, “Wangfei, you…”
Murong Qi Qi didn’t want to speak. She only buried her head in Feng Cang’s arms. Seeing her so sad, Feng Cang spoke for her, “It has been verified. Murong Qi Qi is benwang’s7 biological little sister. She is that daughter of father and mother!”
“What?!” The news that came out of Feng Cang’s mouth was truly too horrifying and too scaring. Now, everyone understood why the emperor bestowed Murong Qi Qi the title of princess Zhen Guo.
“Miss…” Su Mei and Su Yue were shocked. They stood there foolishly. They were shocked that Murong Qi Qi revealed her true appearance and her real identity was actually Feng Cang’s little sister. This scared the wits out of the two. How could it be like this? Miss and guye8 were so much in love. How come they entered the palace and returned as siblings?
“Then, then yesterday…” Even Feng Qi who experienced big winds and waves stuttered. One moment, she was wangfei, the next moment she became a princess, is, is the relationship then not messed up? Besides, yesterday wangye and wangfei consummated the marriage, then wouldn’t it be…Feng Qi didn’t want to think about the consequences of this.
“We’re fine.” One sentence summed up the matter of last night. Feng Cang hugged Murong Qi Qi and walked into Tingsong building. The whole way to the wangfu, Murong Qi Qi had been silent. She didn’t even say one word. She didn’t know what to say and didn’t know how to get along with Feng Cang in the future. Before, she was thinking how to keep it a secret. She didn’t expect that today Li Qiu Shui would expose all the truth. So, her thoughts of before, were just her deceiving herself. There was only one truth, but it was so cruel, making her so in pain as not to want to live anymore.
Seeing Murong Qi Qi like this, Feng Cang was also very sad. He poured water and brought it to Murong Qi Qi’s mouth, “Qing Qing, drink some! If you continue to cry like this, my last line of defense would collapse!
“Big brother, in the future, you can’t call me Qing Qing. You need to call me little sister…”
After saying this, Murong Qi Qi’s tears fell once again. The small face which was originally as big as a palm looked more and more pitiful.
“No! It’s not like this!” Feng Cang couldn’t take it anymore and pulled Murong Qi Qi into his embrace, “Qing Qing, it’s not like this! You’re not my little sister. I’m also not your big brother. We aren’t siblings. We aren’t siblings!”
“Big brother…don’t deceive yourself…” Hearing Feng Cang say that, Murong Qi Qi was sadder. “Big brother, we can never be in love…”
“No…”
* * *
Er: term of endearment
Wang/wangye: the prince of first rank
Wangfei: main consort/wife of the prince of first rank
Cefei: side consort/second ranked wife of the prince of first rank
Zhen: I used by the emperor
Wangfu: the residence of the prince of first rank
Benwang: this king, I used by the prince of first rank
Guye: son-in-law/ also used by the servants of the mistress
Chapter 121: His Secret (1)
* * *
“Qing Qing, listen to me!” Feng Cang hugged Murong Qi Qi. His phoenix eyes stared at her tearful eyes, “I’m not your brother. We don’t have any blood relations. I’m a child adopted by general and princess! We’re not biological siblings!”
For a moment, Murong Qi Qi didn’t react to Feng Cang’s words. She sat there blankly. She couldn’t help but reach out her hand and touch Feng C
ang’s face. She looked tenderly at him, “Big brother, I know you may not be able to accept this fact at this moment, but it’s impossible to change the truth!”
“No!” Feng Cang grabbed Murong Qi Qi’s hand. His eyes showed eagerness, “I told the truth! My surname is not Feng! I’m not your big brother!”
“Big brother…”
“Don’t call me big brother!” Feng Cang blocked Murong Qi Qi’s lips to stop her from calling out those words that made him sad.
Murong Qi Qi cried harder with Feng Cang being like this. He couldn’t accept this matter. He really couldn’t accept this matter. However, what could they do? Their identity as siblings has been determined. When they would announce it to the world; without doubt, she is Feng Cang’s sister.
Feeling the wetness on her cheeks, Feng Cang let go of Murong Qi Qi’s lips. She cried silently and looked so sad, making his heart unable to bear it.
“Qing Qing, I’m truly not your big brother. I’m the son of an old friend of general…”
Twenty-five years ago, Feng Cang’s parents died in a disaster. It so happened that the child Wanyan Ming Yue gave birth to was just over a month, but because of a cold, he was at the death’s door. Feng Xie brought back the infant Feng Cang. After getting Wanyan Ming Yue’s consent, they let Feng Cang become their child and also let him survive under the identity of Feng clan’s eldest young master.
“Then you…” These words coming out of Feng Cang’s mouth were unimaginable to Murong Qi Qi. She even suspected that Feng Cang made up this story to appease her and let her not be sad.
“My original surname was Long.”
Long! Murong Qi Qi thought for a moment. Suddenly, her eyes opened wide and stared at Feng Cang’s face. “Everywhere beneath the sun, there are not many people with the surname Long. The former Qin’s imperial family’s surname was Long…”
Feng Cang gently smiled at Murong Qi Qi for guessing his identity so soon. He pulled her hair on her forehead to the back, “That’s right. Qing Qing, my identity is the same as the one you’re thinking of!”
This explosive news almost made Murong Qi Qi faint. Feng Cang was a prince of former Qin? Twenty-five years ago, Feng Cang was born. Twenty-five years ago was also the time the former Qin had been divided into three countries and perished. Then, Feng Cang’s father was the former Qin’s emperor?
“You are…” Murong Qi Qi thought for a long time, but didn’t come up with the words to describe Feng Cang’s identity.
“The remaining evil element of former Qin…”
Murong Qi Qi laughed at the Feng Cang’s description of himself. Although she didn’t know why Feng Xie took Feng Cang in during that turbulent time, but there must have been a reason!
“Wangye,1 you’re no lying to me, right?” Because of her smile, most of the sadness disappeared from Murong Qi Qi’s face. Her small nose was red. Because of her crying, the skin around her eyes was also red.
“No! I’m really not your big brother!” Seeing Murong Qi Qi happy, Feng Cang also slowly put down his worries.
“Then what’s your real identity?”
Don’t know why, although Murong Qi Qi wanted to continue doubting his words, but the trust she had in Feng Cang let her put all her uncertainties and hesitations into her stomach and didn’t say them out loud. Believe him! That was the voice coming from the bottom of Murong Qi Qi’s heart.
“Be good. Let me tell you slowly.” Feng Cang laughed at Murong Qi Qi’s impatience. He tickled her red nose and wiped her tears for her.
“My biological father was the former Qin’s crown prince Long Yu. My birth mother was Dong Lu’s princess Xia Wan Ying.”
It turned out that former Qin’s crown prince Long Yu and Dong Lu’s princess Xia Wan Ying were married. Also, the two had met in private before marrying. Long Yu brimmed over with talent. Xia Wan Ying was beautiful and touching. Gifted scholar and beautiful lady. They fell in love at first sight. Originally, it was a beautiful story. However, later, a series of misfortunes happened.
Gifted scholar and beautiful lady: a pair of ideal lovers
“At that time, not only did the state head Ming Bu Zhi have the thoughts to revolt, he also whispered in my grandfather’s ears and told him that there were only few women like my mother. Grandfather liked beauties and was naturally moved. Before the marriage, he used the reason that the rebels were encircling and sent my father away (to combat the rebels). He then kidnapped the Dong Lu princess,,, who had come for a marriage alliance, into the palace…”
“Ah…,” Listening here, Murong Qi Qi screamed. “That old emperor truly had no shame! That was his daughter-in-law! That was the crown princess, ah!”
Hearing Murong Qi Qi saying this, Feng Cang could only laugh bitterly. He kissed that cinnabar mole on Murong Qi Qi’s forehead.
“My father couldn’t accept the fact that his wife had changed into his consort mother. With the support of great general Wanyan Zhi, he wanted to force the emperor to abdicate and get his wife back. He didn’t imagine that this was a trap set by others.
“Grandfather suddenly died. State head Ming Bu Zhi, the minister of personnel Longze Lan and great general Wanyan Zhi ganged together. Using the reason that my father had committed treason, they attacked my father. My father died protecting my mother…”
“Then, what happened to your mother?”
Listening till here, Murong Qi Qi’s heart was beating very fast. She could completely imagine the scene of the crown prince who lived for love, protecting his wife. Those who were hateful, were those people who calculated them. They were truly sinister and careful! Without any sense of shame and they were despicable!
“My mother hid among the commoners. It was a servant of Feng family who hid her and saved her life. General and my biological father were friends. In the past, general, my father and Wanyan Lie; the three grew up together. Their relationship was the best. However, the ambition of Wanyan family to usurp the throne had been kept from general and my father…Later when my father was met with calamity, general blamed himself. After recognizing my mother, he protected her all the way. At that time, my mother was already pregnant with me.”
“It so happened that I was born only less than an hour after your big brother. Later, when your big brother passed away, the general was in love with princess and came down to the reasoning of keeping me. Plus, the fact that princess was a reasonable person and felt very guilty about her father and brother for usurping the throne. So, she protected me and kept me at her side with the identity of her son.”
Although it was only a few sentences, but Murong Qi Qi knew how much danger and hardship was inside this. “At last, what happened to your mother?”
Seeing Murong Qi Qi ask about Xia Wan Ying, Feng Cang’s thick eyelashes blocked the waves in his eyes. “Do you remember the pagoda to drive away evil spirits? The former Qin perished. The imperial treasure disappeared. When the army broke into the Forbidden City, that huge wealth seemed like it had disappeared from the face of earth.”
“Before grandfather died, the only ones who were with him were my parents. My father died at the hands of a thousand arrows. So, Wanyan Zhi thought that only my mother would know about the whereabouts of the treasure. So, he ordered the arrest of my mother.
“Although there was the protection of great general and princess, my mother knew that if the people found her at Feng residence, she would certainly bring trouble to general and princess. Besides, maybe she would also bring calamity to me. So, she took advantage of the night and ran away. In the end, she was caught at the Buddha Temple.”
“I heard general say, in order to avoid herself being insulted, my mother bit her tongue and committed suicide. Wanyan Zhi released rumors that my mother was a nine-tailed fox and burned my mother’s body. Because of this, there’s now the pagoda to drive away evil spirits…”
A heavy quietness covered the surroundings. Murong Qi Qi’s heart ached so much that she was unable to breathe. Why, why was it like this? Mur
ong Qi Qi tightly embraced Feng Cang. Just now, she clearly saw the tears at the corners of Feng Cang’s eyes. Sorrow, pain, sadness; nothing was enough to describe Feng Cang’s mood now.
“Wangye, sorry…,” Murong Qi Qi’s voice choked. She ached, ached for such a Feng Cang, ached for what Feng Cang had experienced.
If it wasn’t for the instigation of Ming Bu Zhi; if the emperor of former Qin didn’t get devious thoughts, maybe the former Qin wouldn’t have perished. Maybe, crown prince Long Yu would have ascended the throne and Feng Cang would have become crown prince and would’ve also been a great crown prince…
“Qing Qing…” Feng Cang’s head buried in Murong Qi Qi’s chest. Although he had been holding back, but the stubborn tears still couldn’t help but fall from his eyes.
Since he got to know his history, he never dared to recall and was afraid to remember. He was afraid that if he’d remembered the experience of his parents, he wouldn’t be able to hold back and cry. So, he had been holding back and never showed anyone. Now, he felt Murong Qi Qi’s warmth, listening to her heartbeat and her voice full of affection and love, the last line of defense in Feng Cang’s heart collapsed.
“Qing Qing…” Feng Cang tried very hard to restrain himself and didn’t let himself cry. A real man doesn’t easily cry, merely because they didn’t encounter heartbreaking things.
“I’m here, I’m here!” Murong Qi Qi gently stroked Feng Cang. Her small face pasted on his hair and felt the trembling from her embrace. Murong Qi Qi’s heart also trembled.
Why was fate playing with people like this? Why did Feng Cang had such a past? How great would it be if Feng Xie didn’t tell Feng Cang any of this! Knowing that he would be sad, why did he have to tell him the truth and let him bear with all these things?!
Now, Murong Qi Qi finally understood where the melancholy of Feng Cang came from. In the past, she thought that melancholy was because of Feng Xie and Wanyan Ming Yue. Today, she got to know that deep in this man’s heart, sad secrets were hidden. Such a sorrowful past made his eyes get coated in a layer of sadness, which people were unable to ignore.