Phoenix Hairpin

  Feng Yu Heng knew that this was a common problem for doctors, so she handed the spray bottle in her hand to him: “This is a bottle that sprays a pain-killing medicine. It is something I received from a Persian eccentric many years ago. I just used some of it on the Emperor’s young grandson. Please take good care of it. One use of it will last two hours. After the time has passed, just spray it again. The Emperor’s grandson is too young, so if it is not used, he can not handle the pain.”


  Xuan Fei Yu had watched how Feng Yu Heng used it earlier and told the imperial doctor: “Just spray it like this! Press the thing on top and spray it on my leg. After spraying it, it no longer hurts.”


  Prince Yuan and Princess Yuan were very grateful towards Feng Yu Heng. Princess Yuan even took off a bracelet on her wrist, wanting to give it to Feng Yu Heng. Feng Yu Heng offered up an excuse not to receive it, and Prince Yuan advised his princess: “When Yu’er is better, we can personally go pay her a visit to give our thanks, but for now, let’s get Yu’er back to the manor.”


  The group of people immediately began moving about Xuan Tian Yu. Even after the child was placed on the sedan and was prepared to return to the manor, the child was still craning his neck and calling to Feng Yu Heng: “Goddess big sister! You must come see me at Yuan Palace! You must!”


  Princess Yuan could not help but laugh: “You should call her aunt.”


  The child could be heard screaming: “Why should I call her aunt. I will have her marry me in the future!”


  Feng Yu Heng looked extremely helplessly towards the people who were now far away. She then turned her head and said to Huang Quan: “You must not tell Xuan Tian Ming what that child said! Whatever the case may be, he is that child’s uncle. I want to avoid having him go crazy and actually starting a fight with that child.”


  Huang Quan was even more helpless: “His Highness is not a bully. He hits women, but he won’t hit children, and he most definitely won’t hit a child from his own family.”


  Only then did she feel relieved, “Xuan Fei Yu is also pretty cute.”


  Huang Quan reminded her: “But me not saying anything does not mean others will not say anything. I fear his Highness already knows about it.” As she said this, she pointed at the Winter Moon Palace behind them, “Such a thing happening just outside of imperial concubine Yun’s palace, does young miss feel this can be hidden?”


  Feng Yu Heng also thought this to be the case, so she did not continue to argue. Following Huang Quan, she quickly headed towards the banquet at Liu Li courtyard.

  Originally, they had been considered early when they entered the palace, but now they were a little late after all the commotion. When Feng Yu Heng arrived, Liu Li courtyard was already full of people. The male guests sat on the left, while the female guests sat on the right. There were already people raising their cups in a toast, while some of the female guests were busy gossiping.

  Feng Jin Yuan was always paying attention to the entrance. Seeing Feng Yu Heng arrive, he quickly squeezed out from the crowd. When he arrived before her, he asked: “Nothing major happened to the Emperor’s young grandson, right?”


  Feng Yu Heng shook her head, “Nothing major.” The news had traveled plenty quickly.

  Feng Jin Yuan let out a sigh of relief, “It’s good that nothing happened. The Emperor really likes the second prince’s son. Being able to help him today can be considered good fortune for you. Quickly go in and take a seat. Father saw Xiang Rong following imperial daughter Tian Ge around.”


  Feng Yu Heng nodded: “Daughter will also be going over there. Father can also go back.” After saying this, she bowed and left.

  Feng Jin Yuan looked at the back of departing daughter and suddenly felt that Feng Yu Heng really resembled the people of the Yao family. Although it was said that children would resemble their paternal family a little more, this daughter seemed to be carved from the same mould as Yao Xian in both appearance and personality.

  That year, Yao Xian was also like this in his saving of people and delivering them from torment. There were plenty of people in Da Shun that had received his help. Now, Feng Yu Heng had somehow begun walking the same path as Yao Xian. Today, she had saved the Emperor’s young grandson. There would be tomorrow and the day after, as well. As time goes on, the number of people she saved would be more and more. Feng Yu Heng would have the same fame as her maternal grandfather. Feng Jin Yuan did not know whether he should be happy or worried.

  When Feng Yu Heng went over to Xuan Tian Ge’s side, Xuan Tian Ge and Bai Fu Rong were presently teasing Xiang Rong, saying that her face turned bright red upon seeing the seventh prince. Seeing that Feng Yu Heng had returned, she quickly brought her over to interrogate Xiang Rong, making Xiang Rong’s small face so red that it seemed blood would spill out.

  At this time, Fung Tian Yu brought them together and quietly brought up a piece of gossip: “Every year, the Emperor brings out something to act as an award for the female guests. Apparently, this year’s prize is a phoenix hairpin.”


  Feng Yu Heng did not understand: “How is it awarded? One per person?”


  Bai Fu Rong laughed at her: “How could they have enough for that! Every year at the banquet, there is a competition of all sorts of things, right. Only the person that places first will be rewarded.”


  Xuan Tian Ge added even more information, slowly bringing up the origin of the hairpin: “That phoenix hairpin has been passed down through many generations. There have been a total of six Empresses that have wor it. Everyone says that whoever acquires it will almost definitely become the future Empress.”


  Ren Xi Feng exclaimed: “It’s basically an Imperial decree!”


  Xiang Rong was a little worried: “If it really were like that, then wouldn’t the girl that gets the phoenix hairpin be hunted by other people?”


  These words brought up another subject for the girls.

  Feng Yu Heng, however, did not care for that phoenix hairpin. Her gaze landed on the girl in red who was speaking quietly with Qing Le.

  The location Feng Chen Yu stood was very clever. Standing close to a pillar, she was just out of Feng Jin Yuan’s line of sight. Qing Le already did not get along well with others, but her Ding An palace had been burned down by the ninth prince again. Now that she was at a large palace banquet, there was not a single person who went over to chat with her. Chen Yu had kept her head low and continued speaking with Qing Le. She would occasionally glance towards the male guests, with her gaze always landing on Xuan Tian Hua.

  When she looked over at the princes, she found that from first to ninth, not a single one was missing. Xuan Tian Ming was still seated on a wheelchair and wearing his golden mask. In his hand was a cup of wine, but he did not drink. He was simply lazily leaning back, as the corners of his lips raised. The purple lotus flower on his forehead was slightly visible and still incredibly enchanting.

  Xuan Tian Hua wore a set of white clothes and sat next to Xuan Tian Ming. He was currently speaking to a prince she had never seen before. His attitude was indifferent and manner aloof.

  The third prince, Xuan Tian Ye, had the same angry expression as always, causing people within three feet of him to sweat.

  The second prince, Xuan Tian Lin, still had the honest and simple appearance. Seeing Feng Yu Heng look over, he raised his cup of wine and sincerely nodded. He then drained the cup.

  Feng Yu Heng picked up her cup from the table and took a small sip to return the greeting. She then looked towards Xuan Tian Ming and saw that his lips were curled in a smile, as he looked at her. She could not help but glare daggers at him. This small action aroused the laughter of Xuan Tian Ge and friends.

  Finally, the host of the banquet arrived.

  Following the announcement of a eunuch on stage, the Emperor arrived. A group of imperial concubines followed behind him. There was Princess Bu, who had a similar arrogance to Bu Ni Shang. There were also almost all of the rarely seen imperial concubines, with only imperial concubine Yun missing.

  Everyone present immediately stood up, faced the Emperor and Empress on the stage and knelt, exclaiming: “Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!”


  The Emperor, Xuan Zhan looked at everyone and raised his hand: “Everyone, please rise!”


  “Thank you, your Majesty!” Only then did everyone rise.

  Feng Yu Heng had never seen the Emperor or the Empress. Cautiously looking up, she found that the Emperor’s gaze was also resting on her. Their gazes met, and Feng Yu Heng frowned. He really did not disappoint the Imperial throne. If it weren’t for her having prepared herself, perhaps she would have lost to his gaze.

  As for the Emperor, Xuan Zhan, he was a little surprised. He only knew that the ninth’s girl was Yao Xian’s granddaughter. Despite her young age, she had astonishing medical skills. What he did not expect, however, was that this girl would courageously face him head on and did not lose. He could not help but feel moved, as the words the supervisor of the Astronomy board said once again repeated themselves in his mind.

  The star of the Phoenix has arrived in this world. The Northwest. Everything was consistent.

  If the one stated by the stars was this girl, then…… it really would be quite good.

  The Emperor retracted his gaze and walked together with the Empress towards the dragon throne. Sitting down, he waved his wide sleeves, and a eunuch immediately and loudly called: “The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet begins!”


  With these words, laughter rose and dancing began.

  The princes and officials toasted the Empress and imperial concubines, and they respectfully returned the favor by raising their own cups.

  Feng Yu Heng followed along for a while, and just as she was beginning to feel bored, Xuan Tian Ge bumped her with an elbow: “Oh! Someone has come looking for you.”


  Raising her head, she saw the second prince, Xuan Tian Ling, coming over with his cup of wine. Thus, she quickly stood up and saluted to him, and he said: “Sister, you must not be so courteous. In the future, we will be family. I am your second brother. What are you being polite with me for.”


  Feng Yu Heng laughed, “What are you saying, my prince. Disregarding how A-Heng has yet to marry, even when married, his Highness Prince Yu is your younger brother. The younger brother should normally salute the elder brother.”


  Xuan Tian Ling felt this girl was very well-behaved and sensible. His honest and simple face could not help but smile. “Sister saved Yu’er today, so as an elder brother, I do not know how to thank you. For now, I toast you a cup of light wine. At another time, I will definitely come to the Feng manor to give my thanks.”


  Feng Yu Heng shook her head, “Just now, you said that we are family, so there is no need to be courteous. A-Heng saved her own nephew, is this not something that ought to be done. Moreover, I am Yao Xian’s granddaughter. I may not have other abilities, but I have been carefully taught to treat illness and save others by my maternal grandfather.”


  Xuan Tian Ling raised his cup towards her and did not say anything further. Throwing his head back, he downed the full cup in one go.

  Following this scene with Xuan Tian Ling, all of the princes from the eldest, Xuan Tian Qi, to the eighth prince Xuan Tian Yan, all toasted Feng Yu Heng. Their reasoning was very simple. They simply wanted to get to know their future sister.

  Regardless of the personal relationship between these princes, and regardless of how hard they fought over the dragon throne, they were all clear that the one the Emperor favored most was the ninth prince, Xuan Tian Ming. Thus, they had to keep up appearances. Moreover, to these older brothers, Xuan Tian Ming no longer had any hope of inheriting the throne. Being seen by their father Emperor as treating him well would not have any negative effect on them. Thus, the toasts towards Feng Yu Heng were a little more sincere.

  This scene was seen by the Emperor, and he could not help but smile and loudly say: “Between brothers, there should be a good friendship. Caring for your younger brother, this is something that should be done.”


  Having finally taken care of the princes, Feng Yu Heng wiped some sweat away and glared at the demonic Xuan Tian Ming, silently cursing: Idiot.

  She then stood up and went to chat with Princess Wen Xuan for a while.

  The greetings that she had to do were finally taken care of. She then saw the Empress, who had yet to speak, up on the stage. After a song finished, she smiled a smile worthy of being the mother of all under heaven and said to everyone: “Each year, only two banquets are held. One is at Mid-Autumn, and one is at the new year. This palace rarely sees this many of the younger generation gathered in one location, and it makes me truly happy. As people get older, they will always hope the younger generation can have bright futures and find perfect marital matches, thus every year at the banquet, the most important highlight will fall upon the younger generation. This year will be the same. So long as you have some talent or skill, feel free to display it. The top three contestants will be given an award. The Emperor will also select a winner from the seven aspects of zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing and archery. The winner will be awarded a special item.”