NFBE Chapter 98
Chapter 98
Nalan Jingwen took the clothes back and gave him the blanket from the soft couch.
"Go and get some rest."
Rong Hengyu took the blanket, which carried Nalan Jingwen's unique scent. He clenched his fist a little tighter. "The sacrificial ceremony will be in four days. Your Highness has prepared the clothes for the ceremony. Would you like to try them on?"
Nalan Jingwen was taken aback and said, "I forgot to tell you, there's no need to prepare clothes for me. His Majesty has already sent them over by the palace servants."
Upon hearing this, Rong Hengyu's phoenix eyes narrowed, and he said solemnly, "What does Your Highness mean by this?"
"This ceremony will be presided over by me, the king."
The blanket in Rong Hengyu's hand suddenly fell to the ground. Nalan Jingwen glanced at it, picked it up, and put it back in his hand.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Rong Hengyu looked at her with a solemn expression, his phoenix eyes dark and deep, and said, "Will the Prince preside over this ceremony?"
Nalan Jingwen nodded.
When did this happen?
"The day after we returned."
Rong Hengyu's slender fingers sank into the soft blanket, his phoenix eyes fixed on Nalan Jingwen.
"Has the prince agreed?"
"Yes, His Majesty's decree must be obeyed."
"what happened?"
Rong Hengyu's tone was somewhat grave, "What if this subject doesn't want Your Highness to preside over the ceremony?"
Nalan Jingwen paused in his action of picking up the spoon, turned his head to look at him, and said, "Why? Give me a reason."
"No reason."
"Since there is no reason, why should I agree to your request?"
"Your Highness, I request that you relinquish your role in presiding over the sacrificial ceremony."
Nalan Jingwen frowned. "I have already promised His Majesty, and the imperial decree has been issued. If I go back on my word now, it will be considered disobeying the imperial decree! It will be a crime of deceiving the emperor! At that time, the entire Prince Xian's mansion will not be able to escape punishment."
"No, even if you change your mind now, His Majesty will not punish you."
He spoke with such conviction and certainty, as if he truly knew what Nalan Fengxing was thinking.
Nalan Jing looked at him with a probing gaze.
"You won't let me preside over the ceremony, but you won't give a reason. How can I agree to that?"
"Although His Majesty favors me, it doesn't mean he'll let me go unpunished. If I defy the imperial decree this time, who will be responsible for the consequences? You?"
"Does Your Highness know what it means to preside over a sacrificial ceremony?"
Nalan Jingwen's gaze grew increasingly deep.
"what do you want to say in the end?"
Rong Hengyu, however, kept his lips tightly pressed together and knelt on both knees.
"Your subject humbly requests that Your Highness relinquish the presiding over the sacrificial ceremony."
Nalan Jingwen lowered her eyes, her expression unchanged. She gently raised her hand and grabbed his neck, applying slight force. The irresistible force made Rong Hengyu tilt his head back and meet her gaze.
"Rong Hengyu, didn't I tell you not to use your little schemes against me?"
Rong Hengyu remained expressionless, his beautiful phoenix eyes fixed on hers, reflecting Nalan Jingwen's stunning face, yet he still refused to lower his head.
Nalan Jing felt a surge of irritation upon hearing this, released his grip, got up, and walked past him.
"The imperial decree has been made and cannot be reversed. You don't need to say anything more. Go back."
Her back view was resolute, conveying an unquestionable attitude.
Rong Hengyu watched her departing figure with a calm expression, his fingertips gently stroking her skin.
This wasn't the first time she had turned her back to him...
The next day.
As soon as Nalan Jingwen pushed open the door, he saw a person kneeling in the courtyard. His face was calm, his head was slightly lowered, his beautiful eyebrows were lowered, and his light gold robe made him look extremely noble. The light of the morning sun shone on him, making him look like an immortal.
Upon hearing the voice, Rong Hengyu stiffly raised his head, peering through the dawn mist and into Nalan Jingwen's eyes.
Nalan Jingwen paused slightly, stepped forward, and looked down at him. He was a little wet, obviously from dew, which had soaked his whole body, even his hair was covered with glistening dew.
It's obvious that he probably knelt here all night.
Rong Hengyu tilted her head back, her neck long and delicate, but her eyes were firm.
"Please, Your Highness, relinquish your role in presiding over the ceremony."
Nalan Jingwen's expression remained indifferent.
"reason."
Rong Hengyu remained silent once again.
Nalan Jingwen didn't have much patience and walked past him straight out the door.
When Qinghuai and Hongyun saw that Nalan Jingwen had left, they hurriedly brought shawls to his side.
"Master, don't kneel anymore, let's go back."
"Yes, Wang Fu, you've been kneeling all night. You've only recently recovered. How can you keep going like this?"
Rong Hengyu turned his head to look at Hongyun, his expression somewhat strange.
"Has Mother been acting strangely lately?"
"The head of the family has been frequently visiting the palace recently, and each time he stays there for a long time before returning home."
Rong Hengyu pondered for a moment and said, "Keep an eye on it. Report any unusual activity to me."
……
As soon as Nalan Jingwen stepped out of the gate, she saw Jingchi standing by the carriage. Upon seeing her, Jingchi reached out his hand and made way for her.
After getting into the carriage, Jingchi followed.
"Your Highness, I have found out that Prince Jia once suddenly started recruiting a large number of people, saying that he had built a mountain villa and urgently needed people. In total, he recruited nearly five thousand people."
"Five thousand?"
"Yes, and they are all strong and healthy women."
"From which year did it begin?"
"The first year after the death of the former Prince Jia."
So, it's been three years already?
A mountain villa that only recruits strong and healthy women, without even a single male servant, and yet recruits five thousand of them—what is its true intention?
Nalan Jingwen glanced at him indifferently.
"What do you think these five thousand women were recruited for?"
Jingchi lowered his eyes. "This subordinate dares not speak."
“Speak, and I will exonerate you.”
“Keeping a private army.”
Nalan Jingwen nodded, his eyes growing even deeper.
"Keep a close eye on her. If anything happens, inform me immediately. The festival is in a few days, so you must be extra vigilant."
"Yes."
"What did General Pei say?"
General Pei did not respond.
Upon hearing this, Nalan Jingwen's expression was inscrutable. She had previously written her speculations in a letter and asked Jingchi to give it to General Pei, hoping that she would mobilize troops to protect the imperial city in advance.
Even though General Pei disliked her, he couldn't help but doubt her words. Whether she was loyal to the people, the royal family, or Nalan Fengxing, she should always be vigilant, prepare in advance, and take action when necessary.
But what does it mean to not respond?
Upon arriving at the palace, Nalan Jingwen easily found his way to the Fengcheng Hall.
"Sister Royal."
Nalan Fengxing looked up and waved to her.
"You've come at the perfect time. The Ministry of Rites has sent over the schedule for this ceremony. Take a look and see what you think. If it's suitable, we won't make any changes."
Nalan Jingwen took it, glanced at it briefly, and then handed it back.
"I have no problem with my sister, Your Majesty. You can decide for me."
"You never pay attention to anything you do. What would you do if your elder sister wasn't by your side?"
"My elder sister will surely live to be a hundred years old."