Chapter 156 - Courting Death (4)
Chapter 156 – Courting Death (4)
Keep calm and write something…
"Your Highness, should I call concubine Shang to handle everything?" Tan Feng asked him.
Concubine Shang was the highest-ranking concubine in the Fourth Prince's residence. She used to be the second one after a certain concubine died after being tortured and thrown to the unmarked graves.
As of now, Concubine Shang governs the numerous concubines and controls all of them. If the bride of the Duke of Xin really came to visit, it is only natural for her as the highest-ranking concubine to meet her when she arrives.
"Do as you see fit. It doesn't matter who. Just make sure they do it right.." Yu Fangzhu dismissively said.
For as long as the visit tomorrow will be successful and pleasing, Yu Fangzhu didn't care how the concubines assigned to govern his inner courtyard do her thing.
Seeing how Yu Fangzhu didn't even care who took care of the matters, Tan Feng bowed his head and went to the Jewel courtyard where concubine Shang was staying.
The maids at the front door politely curtsied at him and said, "Attendant Tan, what brings you to our furen's courtyard?"
[Note: Furen is a term used by the legal madam or wife and Qie is the term for the concubines. But this time, the maids used this term to call their mistress on their own accord.]
Tan Feng briefly frowned at them. He wanted to laugh at them for assuming that concubine Shang will ever get a chance to become the Fourth Prince's Consort.
Just because the prince showed a significant amount of interest towards her, doesn't mean she will be able to rise from her station.
Anyhow, Tan Feng still played along with them instead of reminding them of the fact. He said, "His highness has called for Lady Shang. He wants to see her in his library."
Hearing that, the maids instantly beamed with joy. Having the master of the house call for their mistress, wouldn't that mean that their mistress was the favorite among the numerous concubines inside the residence?
One of the maids hurried inside the courtyard and told her mistress of the news. Hushed voices were heard and after a few minutes the maid came out with a smile.
"Attendant Tan, furen will get dressed first and head over. Why don't you come inside the receiving room and drink some tea." The maid said.
Tan Feng politely shook his head and replied, "That is so kind of Lady Shang but I must return to his highness and see to his needs first."
The maids were slightly surprised at the rejection but resumed their smiles again. They cannot force the attendant directly under the prince and didn't hold them for long.
Tan Feng walked away after bowing once and went straight back to the Fourth Prince's library.
He stood there for a full ten minutes before he finally saw four figures walking down the hallway. One of them was walking ahead while the three were following her behind.
Lady Shang walked with grace and elegance that many women in the capital couldn't imitate. She was also the daughter of a high ranking minister and was adept in the scholarly arts. It wouldn't be such wonder if Lady Shang becomes the prince's consort and rule over the rest of the inner courtyard.
Upon the four stopped before him, Tan Feng offered his bow to Lady Shang and said to the prince inside the library, "Lady Shang has arrived, your highness."
"Let her in." Yu Fangzhu nonchalantly said. He saw the door opening and lady Shang walked in with a gentle smile on her lips.
"Your highness." She curtsied and approached him. She put her hand on his shoulder lovingly and said, "When I heard your highness has called this concubine, I was overjoyed and went straight here. I wonder what made your highness miss this humble concubine."
Yu Fangzhu didn't like the hand that was on his shoulder. He slightly pulled away and made a show of reaching for a scroll to not make it obvious that he didn't want her to touch him.
There were times for things like this. He could tolerate his women touching him when they're serving him but when he's not in the mood for that, being touched by anyone disgusted him.
Despite his discontent with lady Shang, Yu Fangzhu still put on a kind smile on his lips.
"Xue'er, there will be esteemed guests who will come to visit tomorrow. I want you to make some arrangements and make sure that they will be welcomed." He went straight to the point.
Lady Shang's smile on her face broke when the prince didn't try to play along with her coquettish act. But she would be foolish to point that out and pout over it.
"Visit? That'll be my honor" She tapped the desk and looked at him. "However, I wonder who's got the time to visit your highness's home during this time?"
With the royal family stuck with the Chu empire's envoy, noone in the capital would be so fearless as to leisurely visit a royal prince. The tension in the royal family has been going on for years and if someone were to know that Yu Fangzhu received an esteemed guest in his home, they would think he's planning something.
Yu Fangzhu's eyes flashed and he rebuked harshly, "Xue'er, mind what words come out of your mouth. The person who will come only wanted to merely visit my residence. There is no need for you to read too much of it."
"Of course, your highness." Lady Shang clenched her fists after being rebuked harshly. In order to change the tension in the air, Lady Shang proceeded with her questions cautiously. "This guest who will come… Who is he?"
"Her." Yu Fangzhu lazily corrected her. He put down the scroll and proceeded to check on the other scrolls on top of the desk, "The person who will come is the bride that the Duke of Xin picked to marry."