Chapter 359 - The Wedding Proceeds and Feng Yulei Gets Demoted (1/2)

In the palace, Emperor Zongwen had already received the message. When he heard that something so embarra.s.sing had happened, he was so angry that he smashed the dragon-patterned jade paperweight on the table into smithereens. Then, he paced inside the hall, frustrated.

Nothing so embarra.s.sing had ever happened in the Qin Kingdom!

The princes’ bridal sedan chairs had been mixed up on their wedding day. Not only had that happened, but a pair had also already been anxious to consummate the marriage. Even though it had not happened, it was already a great embarra.s.sment to the royal family. This was a matter of the Empire’s dignity. Furthermore, his eldest son had been made a cuckold. Even if Emperor Zongwen had never been especially close to Feng Yuxuan, the Emperor was still furious.

He felt that the Ding General Manor’s daughter was a s.l.u.t!

It was human nature to be selfish and people often felt that if their family was in the wrong, the others had to have made even worse mistakes.

“Your Majesty, since the matter has already reached this stage and before a grave mistake is made, why don’t we let them return to their manors.” The Empress Dowager forced herself to go to the imperial study to persuade the Emperor.

The Empress was kneeling on the ground. She had been scolded badly and could only cry.

Even though the Empress and the Empress Dowager did not get along and each served a different master, they were both from the Ding General Manor. The reputation of the daughters of the Ding General Manor would affect their reputations. No matter what had happened, they must not allow Ling Fengyan’s reputation to be ruined. They could only stand hand in hand and speak up for each other at a time like this.

“Empress Dowager, you do not have to persuade me. The royal family cannot afford to marry a woman like that. It would be best to let her return to her own home lest the Ding General Manor be embarra.s.sed.” The Emperor’s expression was stern and furious. He glanced coldly at Feng Yulei, who was kneeling beside the Empress. The Emperor clenched his hand into a fist, wanting desperately to hit Feng Yulei’s face.

Everyone knew that Feng Yulei and Ling Fengyan were childhood sweethearts. Earlier on, Feng Yulei had even made a fuss and said he wanted to marry Ling Fengyan. It was hard for anyone to believe that he was not involved in the matter. Furthermore, Feng Yulei’s behavior was odd today. It would have taken some time for the matron of honor to tear the canopy after the newlyweds were brought into the nuptial chambers. After that, he had to go to offer wine to his guests. It should be late at night after he was done with that. Why was Feng Yulei so anxious to scream that he wanted to consummate the marriage?

If his eldest son had not gone quickly enough, it would have been a done deal!

The Emperor truly did not believe that Feng Yulei did not know anything about it!

In ordinary circ.u.mstances, who would be so anxious to seal the deal? It was a respectable and serious wedding. It was not as if he had found a woman randomly.

“Father, please seek justice for me.” Feng Yuxuan’s expression was dark and he seemed haggard. It was as if he had suffered blows. He knelt in front of Emperor Zongwen, and even though he did not say anything, anyone could tell that he felt wronged and had suffered grievances.

If they really wanted to talk about it, he was the one who had suffered a loss!

“Son, get up first and stand at the side. Speak to me again after I ask my questions.”

“Yes, Father.” Feng Yuxuan showed an incredible amount of grace. Even though he was so angry his expression was dark and twisted, he did not make a fuss nor shout. He stood by the side and listened quietly with a cold expression on his face. Emperor Zongwen could not help but feel that his eldest son was sensible and gracious.

“Number Three, tell me what happened.” Emperor Zongwen said sharply. The white jade paperweight lay broken by Feng Yulei’s feet. If he had not moved his head quickly enough earlier, the paperweight would have hit his head.

“Father, I really don’t know why the bride was swapped. I thought the girl was Miss You. Miss You is gracious, virtuous. I have always admired her. I am really pleased to have married Miss You and wanted to have some time with her. I did not truly mean to consummate our marriage. However, Second Miss Ling was too pa.s.sionate, and, and, that… was what happened.” Feng Yulei only wanted to find an excuse for himself at the moment and could not be bothered about Ling Fengyan.

Even if others thought of her as a s.l.u.t, it would still be better than his father being disappointed in him. Furthermore, he realized that Ling Fengyan truly had someone in her heart and that person was not him. She was really a s.l.u.t. They had only parted not long ago and she was already thinking of another man. Since she was heartless, then he would be faithless. Feng Yulei found a reason for himself in his heart.

When he saw Emperor Zongwen’s furious expression, he was not in the mood for anything but to escape this unscathed. He must not be embroiled in such a scandal. If his father truly suspected that he had a hand in this and was so uncaring for brotherly ties because of a woman, he would kick him out of the running for the throne given his father’s character and what happened a few days ago.

Then, he thought of the men in black. His father wouldn’t think that he had a hand in that, would he! That was a suspected case of attempting to kill his own brother. He thought of his father’s suspicions and how he would be in trouble if he could not prove his innocence. He would not be eligible for the throne in the future and might possibly get killed.

When Feng Yulei thought of the throne, which was just inches away from him, how could he not feel wronged?

Someone must have framed him this time. Otherwise, why did he manage to catch a sight of the mole on the woman’s right wrist under her red wedding gown and under her veil? He had been close with Ling Fengyan in the past and knew that she had a tiny mole on her right wrist. If not for the mole, he would not have been so anxious to seal the deal. He just wanted to take the beauty he loved for himself.

The odd behaviors he exhibited after that was all because he knew that it was Ling Fengyan who was underneath the red bridal veil!

It had not just been a day or two that he had been thinking of Ling Fengyan. However, the Emperor had refused him and he had no choice but to marry You Yue’e. He did not expect it to be Ling Fengyan who would be sent to his manor. How could he not be delighted? He had lost his wits because of the unexpected joy and they had entered the marital chambers without much thinking on his part. That was how the trouble started.

“Father, Father. Someone framed me. Yes, that must be it…” He scooted forward on his knees, crawling over the broken pieces of jade. Blood bloomed on his knees as he tugged Emperor Zongwen’s robes and pleaded with him.

“Framed? Who, who framed you? Who dragged you into the nuptial chambers? Who made you so anxious? Number three, tell me clearly.” Emperor Zongwen looked at Feng Yulei coldly. He whipped his robes out of the prince’s grasp and then sat down behind the desk.

“Father, I was really framed. If I had plotted this, why would I let others discover it so easily. Why would I still make you angry. Father, think about it, why would I be so dumb and not consider my own interest in this? I, I really cannot defend myself…” Feng Yulei cried even more. There was hatred in his voice that he did not notice.

He truly felt that he had been tricked!

Why was it so coincidental and why did the incidents fit together so well? Everything pointed to him and painted Feng Yuxuan to be the most innocent one. A dark glint flashed in Feng Yulei’s eyes as he looked at Feng Yuxuan who was standing by the side. If he were punished, Feng Yuxuan would have the most to gain.

He had appeared as a victim, so he already had an advantage over Feng Yulei.