TSFLIP Chapter 581

Fengmiyin suddenly asked, “Does the Princess want to see Si Jia?”

“What difference does it make if I do or don’t?” Fengguang gave her usual ambiguous answer. Even with the woman kneeling before her, she didn’t allow a single trace of her true thoughts to show.

“If the Princess does want to, would you be willing to make a bet with me?”

“Oh?” Fengguang raised an intrigued brow and curled her lips. “What kind of bet are you proposing?”

—

A day later, news from the palace shocked the capital: Princess Changning was going to choose a husband. Every court official rushed to submit portraits of their eligible sons, hoping the princess would take a liking to one of them—if she did, their career prospects would soar.

In the imperial garden, Fengguang sat inside a pavilion, bored out of her mind as she stared at a pile of portraits in front of her. Sitting across from her was Xia Fengyu, who had come running as soon as she heard the news, eager to join in the excitement.

Xia Fengyu picked up a portrait. “Sister, how about this one? He’s the son of Minister Li—he seems pretty nice.”

“No.” Before Fengguang could reply, Xia Fengxue, seated beside her, dismissed it. “His eyes are dull. I’d wager nothing is going on in that head of his. Just an empty shell.”

Xia Fengyu grabbed another portrait. “This one’s the grandson of Chancellor Wang. He’s your cousin—and a famed scholar. Surely his eyes are sharp enough for you?”

“Wang Gongzi may be brilliant,” Fengxue said calmly, “but he’s frail. He wouldn’t be able to protect Fengguang.”

“Then, how about General Song? He’s a well-known war hero, never lost a battle. I’m sure he could keep her safe.”

“General Song is a brute,” Fengxue said. “Besides, he’s always out fighting wars. If Fengguang marries him, she’d be no different from a widow in waiting.”

Xia Fengyu huffed and threw the portrait down. In a burst of childish temper, she said, “We’ve looked through so many of these already! You keep shooting them all down, so who would be good enough? Is my sister ever going to get married or not?!”

“Fengguang is choosing a husband for life,” Fengxue replied evenly. “Of course, she has to be cautious. If she ends up unhappy, are you going to take responsibility for it?”

He sipped his tea, unbothered. Compared to Fengyu’s outbursts, he exuded calm elegance.

Fengyu slammed the table. “If anyone dares bully my sister, I’ll kill them!”

“And by then,” Fengxue said, glancing at the dazed Fengguang, “she’ll already be married.”

He reached out and gently patted her head, bringing her back to the moment. “Fengguang, are you blaming me and Fengyu for wasting your time?”

“Huh?” Fengguang blinked and straightened up from her slouched position. “No, not at all. I know you and Fengyu are doing this for my sake.”

Truthfully, she was hoping not to find anyone suitable.

It had been a while since news of the suitor search had gone public, but that man still hadn’t come to see her. Did he not want to see her anymore?

Seeing her spacing out again, Xia Fengxue sighed. Ever since she woke from her coma, something about her had felt off. In the end, he’d gone to beg Daoist Liao Liao to examine her again. The priest said she was indeed fine, physically. She just had things weighing on her mind. But matters of the heart were beyond the reach of even the most skilled healer.

With a gentle voice, he said, “Fengguang, there’s no rush in choosing a husband. Yes, you’ve come of age, but you’re Princess Changning. If you want to stay by Father and Mother’s side for a few more years, that’s perfectly fine. Don’t force yourself.”

“Yeah, Sister,” Xia Fengyu chimed in. “If you stay in the palace, you can still play with me!”

Fengguang forced a smile. “I know what to do. Don’t worry about me. I’m tired—going back to rest.”

With that, she stood up and walked off.

Xia Fengxue watched her retreating figure and slowly let his gentle smile fade.

Xia Fengyu looked at him. “Brother, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Fengxue replied coldly, then turned to the eunuch standing nearby. “Take all these portraits and burn them.”