Chapter 646: Chapter 646

After the parasitic insect was extracted from Fengyu’s body, she stayed home to recuperate, quietly awaiting the grand ceremony to crown her Empress. The Feng Family also began preparing for her wedding. Su Yuejiao separated a portion of Feng Shu’s property, which would be designated as Ruyi’s inheritance once she grew up. Back when Feng Shu got married, the dowries of the two sisters had already been more or less divided.

Su Yuejiao kept one-tenth of the family property for the Feng Family and placed the rest entirely under Fengyu’s control. If Fengyu were not to become the Empress, Su Yuejiao might have left three-tenths of the inheritance for the Feng Family. But since she ascended as Empress, Su Yuejiao strived to consolidate the wealth under Fengyu’s management. Even Feng Shu’s portion of the property was handed over to Fengyu to manage, to be later passed on to Ruyi when she came of age and could independently take charge.

Looking over her own dowry list, Fengyu was not surprised. She was, after all, the wealthiest bride in the entire realm. "Mother, leave the prime properties in the Capital City with the Feng Family. There’s no need to bring everything with me."

"The Feng Family has its own assets. One-tenth is sufficient." Su Yuejiao harbored no intention of adopting any additional children, as Fengyu and Ruyi were her only bloodline. She did not wish to retain such significant family properties.

"The Feng family’s foundation is weak. Your uncle has limited abilities. Even with the backing of our ancestral clan, he will, at most, rise to the position of a second-rank official in the future. Your elder brother is overly cautious and inflexible. Such rigidity isn’t the kind of pragmatism Zhixu appreciates. His future achievements will likely remain uninspiring. Your elder sister has already established her own household, leaving the family estate somewhat depleted. Consider this allocation my contribution to your nephews and nieces’ dowry and gifts."

"Ayu, are you muddleheaded? You’ve been the City Lord of the West State for years, yet you don’t understand these human intricacies? If you want to provide them with gifts, you can give rewards during their marriages or weddings. Keeping the property here at home—our second branch has no male heirs—would naturally become part of the first branch’s inheritance. Years down the line, who would even remember it was left by you? And on top of that, you’d have to give them another share. It’s not about the money, it’s about the approach to life. You still need to learn more about these things. Supplying someone with a small favor cultivates gratitude, but excessive generosity breeds resentment. There’s no need to make things difficult for yourself."

"I understand. I’m just worried that with this allocation, our aunt will again speak disparagingly."

"My wealth, my decisions on how to manage it. Naturally, it all belongs to my daughters," Su Yuejiao declared decisively. "You don’t have to worry. Just prepare yourself for your wedding."

"Alright, I’ll follow Mother’s instructions."

With a month left until her wedding, she focused on recuperating at home and refrained from frequently entering the palace. Since the day she turned eighteen and confirmed her safety and health, Xie Xun had become less fretful. With the onset of cold weather, he preferred that she not wander about, each of them staying preoccupied with their own affairs.

The peace talks between Sannan and Beining were finally concluded in late October with exceptionally favorable terms. Xie Xun had been astonishingly demanding, securing nearly one-third of Sannan’s annual grain production. Tributary payments in silver were unnecessary, as these obligations were fulfilled entirely with grain. Being the defeated party, Sannan had no right to negotiate conditions. Yet, rumors began circulating in the court, whispering that Xie Jue bore a striking resemblance to Han Ziqi. There was speculation about Xie Jue’s maternal bloodline, claiming he had half Sannan heritage and that his mother belonged to the Sannan Royal Family. No one knew where these rumors had originated, but they spread like wildfire.

The civil and military officials of the court naturally heard the gossip but dared not question it openly. Discussions took place in secret, but no one would risk bringing it up in the Jinluan Palace, where they would surely be scolded harshly by Xie Xun.

"How audacious of Han Ziqi to compare himself to Second Brother with that face of his! The person who looks most like Second Brother in this world is me—and Ruyi too. What kind of nonsense is that? If he doesn’t need his eyes, I’ll claw them out," Xie Xun fumed the first time he heard a censor talk about this matter, erupting in fury. From then on, no one dared to mention it again, and the unfortunate censor who initially dared to raise the subject in Jinluan Palace had no idea whose ill advice he had taken.

At the center of these swirling rumors, Xie Jue remained outwardly calm, attending court daily as usual. The negotiations with Sannan proceeded without a hitch. While the final settlement fell short of total submission, the grain supply and ceded cities satisfied Xie Xun’s expectations. Each condition Xie Jue negotiated exceeded the initial projections set by the cabinet.

Fengyu learned from Manager Zhou that at Wangjiang Restaurant, discussions about Xie Jue’s parentage were rampant. Frowning, she asked, "Do you remember who started spreading these rumors?"

Manager Zhou hadn’t paid much attention at the beginning, only overhearing a group of young gentlemen gossip. Gradually, the falsehood gained traction. Fengyu ordered strict monitoring of topics discussed within Wangjiang Restaurant. Meanwhile, Xie Xun, acting decisively, directed Zhang Boxi to lead a thorough investigation throughout the Capital City. Anyone caught continuing to discuss the matter would be detained in the city jail for several days.

Xie Jue remarked in a deep voice, "Ridiculous. It’s just a few rumors. Locking people in jail—what’s your intent? Do you want to appear as a tyrant? These minor rumors don’t hurt me. Your outbursts only make it seem like you’re feeling guilty."

Xie Xun retorted, "Second Brother, it must be that bastard Han Ziqi spreading this. Failing to cause discord, he’s now deliberately tarnishing your name to drive a wedge between us."

"Will there be a wedge between us?"

"Never!" Xie Xun answered firmly.

"Then it won’t work out. You’re about to get married. Stop focusing on this nonsense and concentrate on your wedding preparations." Although Xie Jue held certain aversions to weddings, Xie Xun and Fengyu’s union was of utmost importance, rendering all other matters trivial.

Dugu Jing initially wanted to arrange the martial tournament before Xie Xun and Fengyu’s wedding, but Xie Xun disagreed, insisting it be after the wedding. This nearly led to a heated argument between them.

Dugu Jing excelled in combat but was no match for Xie Xun in arguments, leaving him no choice but to relent. Observing the terms of Sannan’s peace treaty, Dugu Jing made mental notes. If Beiman refused to submit, they would face the same costs as Sannan. Moreover, his people still endured the harsh conditions of Beiman’s icy landscapes.

Dugu Jing wanted to lead them to the warmth of Beining!

After being scolded by his older brother, Xie Xun reluctantly withdrew from the matter of Xie Jue’s rumored parentage. Without solid evidence, no matter how far these rumors spread, Xie Jue’s identity as the bloodline of the Marquis Zhenbei stood firm—his very visage was indisputable proof. If Xie Xun remained unconcerned, the officials would, at most, engage in occasional idle chatter.

Lin Helin, fully aware of the truth behind Xie Jue’s parentage, marveled at how this secret had become public discourse. The intentions of those who spread such rumors were insidious—they sought to alienate Xie Xun and Xie Jue from one another.

"Can a dragon tolerate a tiger resting beside its bed?" Content orıginally comes from noveⅼfire.net

No emperor would ever allow his brother to carry the bloodline of an enemy state, especially when that state had just waged war against Beining. If Xie Jue were to align with Sannan, the Beining royal family would face a storm of rebellion and bloodshed.

While the rumors persisted, they acted like a thorn in the emperor’s side. Over time, could an emperor remain completely unburdened by such worries?

As long as Xie Xun and Xie Jue became estranged, many would see it as an opportunity to seize advantage.

But they underestimated Xie Xun.

Xie Xun confided in Fengyu with a tone of grievance, "This role of Emperor brings no joy—only endless busyness and frustration. I really want to abdicate to Second Brother. How clueless is Han Ziqi? He couldn’t even properly fabricate rumors worth eavesdropping on; instead, he’s created gossip that plays right into my hands."

Unfortunately, my Second Brother has no interest in being Emperor. He only wants to be a wanderer!