CHAPTER 698: CHAPTER 565: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

As time went on, every time Little Feng Lan saw the mischievous Princess Qingfeng, he couldn’t help but frown.

Only when he saw Princess Qingshuang would he show a relieved expression.

Little Feng Lan and Princess Qingshuang were close friends who discussed everything, read together, and practiced together.

Eventually, everyone in the Beiqing Imperial Palace knew that Little Feng Lan liked Princess Qingshuang and not Princess Qingfeng.

The former Emperor arranged for Feng Lan to accompany the two princesses ostensibly, but his real intention was to choose one of them for Feng Lan to marry.

The outstanding Feng Lan could capture the hearts of all unmarried women in the world.

Everyone believed that Feng Lan would eventually end up with Princess Qingshuang, even Princess Qingshuang herself thought so.

But to Little Qingfeng, these rumors were like wind by her ears; she still did as she pleased, clinging to Feng Lan.

Time passed swiftly, and when Princess Qingshuang was fourteen, Feng Lan sixteen, and Qing Feng thirteen,

That year, in the deep winter, the former monarch of Beiqing fell seriously ill. The former Emperor and Princess Qingshuang stayed by the bedside without rest.

Only Princess Qingfeng, playful and missing, was nowhere to be found.

She disappeared for a day and a night, and the former Emperor ordered all the guards in the palace to look for her, with Feng Lan searching throughout the city.

It wasn’t until late at night that Princess Qingfeng returned.

The former Emperor was furious and punished her to kneel outside Chuyun Palace to reflect on her actions.

Although Princess Qingshuang was also angry at her sister’s reckless behavior, knowing their deep sisterly bond and that her younger sister had never been strong due to neglecting martial training, she feared Little Qingfeng couldn’t endure the whole night.

In the middle of the night, worried about Qingfeng, she decided to secretly sneak out and bring Qingfeng some clothes.

In front of Chuyun Palace, the cold wind was as sharp as a knife; the person kneeling in front was covered in snow.

Princess Qingshuang had not yet approached when she heard a worried voice.

"Brother Feng Lan, please put me down, you have been kneeling for an entire night, you’ll freeze."

It was clearly Feng Lan who was kneeling, and his hair and clothes were already icy.

"The Emperor punished me to kneel and assigned me to watch over you. If you slack off from kneeling, the blame falls on me. I’ve told you before, those peace charms from Puji Temple are just to fool idiots. Yet, you, foolishly not listening, traveled so far to get a broken charm for your mother. If there’s a next time, even if the Emperor punishes you to kneel for three days and three nights, I will not care about you."

The young Feng Lan’s shoulders were broad, blocking the wind and snow behind him, also obscuring Princess Qingshuang’s sight.

Even though she couldn’t see, Qingshuang could guess who was the person held in Feng Lan’s arms.

The clothes in Princess Qingshuang’s hands fell to the ground, she bit her lip, and without turning her head, she turned and left.

After that night, Qingfeng suffered no consequences, but Feng Lan developed a chronic rheumatism.

Later on, the former Empress still passed away due to illness, and the former Emperor, devastated, grew weaker every day.

Knowing he might not have much time left, he called both Qingshuang and Qingfeng to his bed.

The former Emperor bestowed the title of Imperial Princess on Qingshuang, began handling state affairs, and commanded Qingfeng to assist Qingshuang.

The sisters vowed before the former Emperor to share weal and woe, never to be adversaries throughout eternity.

On the day Qingshuang was conferred, she wanted to propose that the former Emperor arrange her marriage with Feng Lan, but the former Emperor did not agree. Instead, he promoted Feng Lan to Hall General to assist Qingshuang.

A year later, Qingshuang’s administrative capabilities steadily strengthened, and she and Feng Lan, whether at court or in political views, increasingly honed their cooperation.

On Qingshuang’s birthday, she finally mustered the courage to confess her feelings to Feng Lan.

For the first time in her life, the Beiqing Empress was so bold—she kissed him.

"Feng Lan, I like you."

Feng Lan’s expression was complex, but before he could respond, there was a startled cry behind him.

The figure of Qingfeng hurriedly leaving made Feng Lan somewhat lose his composure, he turned around intending to chase after Qingfeng but was embraced by Qingshuang.

The soft body of the young girl pressed tightly against the man’s solid back.

"Feng Lan, are you willing to be my Imperial Consort? As long as you agree, I will love only you for my entire life."

Feng Lan’s back slowly stiffened, and he gently pushed Qingshuang away.

"Imperial Princess, you shouldn’t say such capricious words, the Emperor has already chosen an Imperial Consort for you. Feng Lan, as the master of the Feng Residence, will never be your consort."

Feng Lan’s words stunned Qingshuang on the spot.

She only remembered Feng Lan as the playmate of her childhood, her best friend, but she forgot he was the master of the Feng Residence.

The Beiqing Feng Mansion, supremely honorable, and as an Imperial Consort, one would forever just be an accessory to the Empress, unable to participate in politics.

After that day, Princess Qingfeng avoided seeing Qingshuang and Feng Lan.

Until Princess Qingfeng proposed that she wanted to go to the Tongtian Pavilion to seek apprenticeship.

When she learned of this news from the former Emperor, both Qingshuang and Feng Lan were present, at that moment, Feng Lan’s expression changed drastically.

He even disregarded the former Emperor’s command, insisting on taking Qingfeng away.

Afterward, Qingfeng and Feng Lan disappeared for three months.

Three months later, when the two returned, they were severely punished, and then Feng Lan proposed to marry Qingfeng.

The entire Beiqing Imperial Palace felt for Imperial Princess Qingshuang.

They all thought it was Princess Qingfeng who forced Feng Lan to marry her.

But the truth, no one understood better than Qingshuang.

Because that day, when Feng Lan rushed into Qingfeng’s chambers, she watched as Feng Lan, always calm, with eyes red, forcibly took Qingfeng away.

The night before their wedding, Princess Qingshuang, drunk, uncharacteristically sought out Feng Lan.

"Feng Lan, tell me, is it because I am the Imperial Princess that you refuse to marry me? From childhood, you clearly liked me. Was it Qingfeng who seduced you?"

No matter how many years passed, the Beiqing Empress always remembered, Feng Lan’s reply at that time.

"Qingshuang, it’s not Feng’er’s fault. In fact, I forced her. I have always really liked her, from the first sight, I liked her. Qingshuang, you will soon be an aunt, Feng’er is carrying my child." Feng Lan’s voice was tender and deep, his eyes flickering with an agitated glow.

That moment, Feng Lan was so familiar to Qingshuang.

Just like every time Qingfeng compelled Feng Lan to take her out to play, although each time he showed reluctance, he would still take her out.

Every time, when he carried her back asleep, the look Feng Lan gave her was indecipherable.

Years later, Qingshuang finally understood, but it was already too late.

In addition to Feng Lan, Qingshuang is the master, the confidant.

While Qingfeng is his wife, the bearer of all his love.

"Your Majesty, it is time to enter the hall."

The voice of the eunuch beside her broke Emperor Beiqing’s reverie, she opened her eyes, her thoughts no longer lingering.

Outside the hall, there was no one left.

Feng Lan and Qingfeng had both become a thing of the past.

Now before her was Feng Xun, the one who more and more resembled his father, Feng Xun.

Inside Chuyun Palace, however, was bustling with people.

The Beiqing Empress adjusted her robes and stepped into Chuyun Palace.