SFL Chapter 67

Feng Yuning’s kindness towards the young men in her courtyard was evident to all, but her attitude towards marriageable noblewomen was far from friendly.

Not only did noblewomen of status find it increasingly difficult to find husbands, but Feng Yuning’s gentle and considerate demeanor set such a high standard that even men not in Feng Yuning’s inner circle began raising their expectations for the women they might marry.

Money and wealth were secondary concerns, but what on earth was this talk about a woman needing to be gentle?

Even the prime minister’s husband, with all his fatherly bias toward his daughter Mo Ziyan, couldn’t imagine her surpassing Feng Yuning in any way.

“Do you really want your sister to stay single forever? Imagine how embarrassing that would sound if word got out,” the prime minister’s husband fretted.

Mo Ziyan, though indifferent about her marriage prospects, had never considered the idea of remaining single for life. Nervously, she looked toward her big brother, Mo Ziqing, and asked, “Big Brother, do you really think I’ll never find a husband?”

“That depends on whether you have the heart for it,” Mo Ziqing replied.

“The heart?” Mo Ziyan was perplexed.

“Yes. Wangye’s popularity isn’t about wealth or status; it’s her genuine kindness and thoughtfulness. Sure, you might not be able to discuss clothes, jewelry, or shopping with men like she does, but other things—like pledging your life to one person, for example—if you can make such promises, you might still have a chance at finding a husband,” Mo Ziqing explained.

“Ziqing, isn’t that a bit exaggerated? Isn’t this problem being blown out of proportion?” the prime minister’s husband interjected with a frown.

“If Ziyan can be half as considerate and thoughtful as Wangye, that would be enough,” Mo Ziqing mused after some thought.

Unexpectedly, Mo Ziyan straightened her posture and, with a determined expression, declared to their father, “Father, I can promise to remain steadfast and devoted to my future husband.” Without hesitation, she chose sincerity over mere imitation.

The prime minister’s husband, their father, who had arrived deeply worried, left with the same troubled look.

He initially thought of asking Mo Ziyan to reconsider her stance. However, upon further investigation, he discovered that his daughter’s difficulty in finding a husband was not unique to their household. In fact, the problem was becoming increasingly widespread.

People had yet to realize the gravity of the situation because their attention hadn’t shifted toward Feng Yuning’s household. If they had, they would have noticed that the most desirable husband candidates had all been drawn into Wangye’s circle.

With the pool of eligible men dwindling, the marriage market was effectively collapsing.

The prime minister’s husband’s eyes twitched as he mulled over the predicament. He convened with his wife that evening, and the two deliberated for hours. By morning, they had made a decision. Their father brought Mo Ziyan—and her solemn promise—to propose marriage to a family they had selected the previous night.

Although Mo Ziyan was the prime minister’s legitimate daughter, the family they had chosen for her was not particularly prominent. It was on the verge of being an unsuitable match, raising curiosity among onlookers. What could have compelled the prime minister to approve such a seemingly unbalanced arrangement for his daughter?

Once the matter was settled, the prime minister’s husband returned to the palace with a much lighter expression. His steps carried a newfound ease, as if a great burden had been lifted.

This matter concluded so quickly that, counting everything, it took no more than three days.

The prime minister’s husband’s efficiency and decisiveness left Mo Ziqing deeply impressed.

With his daughter’s marriage resolved, the prime minister’s husband could now face the impending political storm in the capital with an attitude of detached amusement.

“I heard Wangye has been quite close to that prince from Long Queendom recently. Could it be that Wangye is planning to marry?” the prime minister’s husband asked Mo Ziqing, curious.

“This son doesn’t know,” Mo Ziqing replied calmly. “But with the prince’s status, it’s impossible for him to become one of Wangye’s consorts.”

Feng Yuning’s status was so exalted that no one objected to any man joining her household as a consort. However, the prince was a different matter entirely. Given his position, there was no way Feng Yuning could take him in without granting him the title of a legitimate husband.

In truth, Feng Yuning was grappling with this dilemma herself. She indeed admired the prince’s looks, and after spending time with him over the past few days, she’d grown fond of his temperament as well. But she knew that if she wanted to be with the prince, he would inevitably have to become her husband.

And yet, Feng Yuning was reluctant to place someone of such status above the other men in her household. More importantly, there was a lingering, secret desire in her heart—a hope that the position of legitimate husband would one day belong to another person.

Of course, that hope had been thoroughly crushed when she heard the news of that person’s pregnancy.

Still, deep down, she couldn’t bring herself to give the title to anyone else.

The prince seemed to sense something amiss. His mood grew increasingly somber as he lingered around Feng Yuning.

“I’ve heard that Wangye’s courtyard is full of consorts. Is that true?” the prince asked, feigning nonchalance, though his gaze never left her.

Feng Yuning, slightly embarrassed, nodded honestly. “They’re all wonderful.”

Her straightforward response, without any attempt to downplay the importance of her consorts for the prince’s sake, left him conflicted. He admired her integrity but felt a twinge of disappointment.

To the prince, Feng Yuning seemed more like the Feng’s Queen than the Queen herself, whose harem contained only one royal consort. Feng Yuning, on the other hand, was practically gathering the “Three Palaces, Six Courtyards, and Seventy-Two Attendants.”

Recalling the information he’d gathered, the prince’s eyes glinted with a sudden thought. “How many consorts does the Wangye currently have in her courtyard? Is the quota already full?”

Feng Yuning blinked in surprise at the question, suddenly reminded that her ability to take in consorts was not without limits. Unlike the Queen, her status as a princess restricted the number of people she could officially bring into her household. Only the sovereign was free from such constraints.

And in Feng Queendom, the one with that privilege was Feng Yuan, not her.

Feng Yuning did a quick mental count and realized with a jolt that her household was nearing its capacity. Her heart skipped a beat.

While she prided herself on treating all her consorts equally, the reality was that each had their own unique position and identity. Once her quota was filled, even if she found someone new, she would be unable to provide the necessary arrangements to integrate them into her household properly.

Those quotas, no matter how much money she had, were something she could never buy. They symbolized the limit of her authority as a princess under royal privileges. Beyond that limit lay privileges reserved solely for the Queen.

“I’ve heard that all of Wangye’s consorts are from noble families, highly educated and cultured. I’d love to meet them,” the prince continued.

Feng Yuning, feeling a bit self-conscious, hastily denied, “That’s not true. Not all of them are from noble families; some come from more humble origins.”

Through the prince’s calculated inquiries, more and more information about Feng Yuning’s courtyard fell into the hands of the prince and the envoys accompanying him.

Meanwhile, the Seventh Princess, an astute observer, quickly identified both the strengths and weaknesses in Feng Yuning’s position.

She praised her brother, “You’ve done well this time, brother.”

Of course, it would have been even better if they had managed to uncover what they truly wanted to know.

The prince, his expression hidden behind a thin veil, gave a modest response. “You overpraise me, Sister. I dare not take credit.”

On the other side, Feng Yuning returned to her courtyard feeling distracted and unsettled. Her mood did not go unnoticed by the consort attending her that evening, who was quick to voice his dissatisfaction. “Is Wangye’s heart still with that prince?”

His displeasure and jealousy were undisguised. Feng Yuning, naturally aware of his emotions, quickly sought to reassure him. Looking at his handsome, slightly angry face, she softened her tone. “No, it’s not that. I just suddenly realized that from now on, I can’t flirt as freely as I used to.”

To flirt without the intention of commitment would be truly dishonorable.

Though Feng Yuning’s current behavior was already somewhat dishonorable, she was determined not to sink any lower.

“If not for the prince’s reminder today, I might have made a huge mistake,” she admitted with a sense of relief. Thankfully, she had stopped herself in time; the thought of flirting with a handsome man only to be unable to marry him would have left her feeling unsettled.

Most of the men in Feng Yuning’s courtyard were no mere ornaments. At least the one accompanying her today certainly wasn’t just a pretty face.

While Feng Yuning herself remained oblivious to the deeper intentions behind the prince’s actions, the consort by her side, observing as an outsider, felt a faint stir of unease.

After a moment of contemplation, he cautiously probed, “Does Wangye ever desire to become Queen?”

Feng Yuning instinctively shook her head. “Never.”

She had envied Feng Yuan’s unlimited harem, but the daily tedium and overwhelming responsibilities of a Queen were things she had absolutely no interest in.

What was so great about being a ruler anyway? To truly fulfill such a role would mean having even less time to spend with her consorts.

Seeing Feng Yuning’s genuine lack of ambition for power, the consort gained some clarity. He leaned closer and said directly, “Wangye, today, that prince was trying to stir your ambition for the throne. He wants to incite conflict between you and the Queen, so Long Queendom can benefit from your infighting.”

Feng Yuning’s eyes widened in shock. “That can’t be true!”

The possibility of such a scheme targeting her had never crossed her mind. The realization left her feeling both alarmed and uneasy.

Seeing Feng Yuning truly incapable of taking on significant responsibilities, a trace of subtle disappointment flickered through the consort’s eyes. However, on second thought, he realized that Feng Yuning’s current disposition was perhaps a blessing in disguise. As long as she didn’t make any grave mistakes, Ning Courtyard would remain secure.

Having had her blind spots pointed out by someone close to her, Feng Yuning couldn’t help feeling awkward and uneasy when she later faced Feng Yuan.

“What’s wrong?” Feng Yuan asked.

“Sister, I have something I’m unsure whether I should say,” Feng Yuning replied, visibly nervous, torn over whether to share her thoughts.

“What is it? Speak,” Feng Yuan said in her usual calm tone, though her gaze grew deeper.

Feng Yuning, her head lowered, failed to notice the subtle shift in her sister’s expression. She recounted the prince’s veiled provocations and her consort’s subsequent analysis. Then, she anxiously awaited Feng Yuan’s reaction.

Time ticked by in silence. As Feng Yuan refrained from responding, Feng Yuning kept her head down, lips pressed tightly together, already regretting her confession.

But to whom else could she pour out her worries if not Feng Yuan?

Rather than suppressing the matter and letting it fester, she preferred to confront the issue directly with her sister.

After all, it was merely speculation on her part, and she lacked the ambition to act on it.

Finally, Feng Yuan broke the silence. “Do you know why the Long Queendom envoys chose to target you?”

“No… I don’t know,” Feng Yuning admitted honestly, feeling as though she was caught in a storm she didn’t provoke.

Seeing Feng Yuning completely absolve herself of responsibility, Feng Yuann’s lips twitched subtly. “The key to this matter lies with your men.”

Feng Yuning exclaimed, “Impossible! Sister, I swear, they truly harbor no ulterior motives.”

“I know that,” Feng Yuan said, her tone steady. “But the issue isn’t about their loyalty—it’s their individual identities. Because of who they are, because they’re gathered under you, and most importantly, because of your own identity and capabilities, the envoys saw hope on using you to breach our defenses.”

Feng Yuning felt her mind go blank, her thoughts roaring like thunder. She was completely dumbfounded.

She had never imagined that she, unwittingly, had become the root cause of this entire situation.