My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 226 Disdain for Prince Ning

Chapter 226 Disdain for Prince Ning

Speaking of his second sister, Feng Zizhou's eyebrows lit up with joy. He happily talked about a lot of things he had done in Songji Village, studying law with his second sister. He also sighed with regret.

"Unfortunately, I don't remember all the laws and regulations. My cousin asked me a lot of questions, and I couldn't answer them."

Prince Ning said, "You've been dealing with law since childhood, but even you can't remember many laws clearly, let alone the common people. Your cousin is right. We should start popularizing the law now. I will write a memorial to the emperor later. When I have time, I will go with your elder brother to visit the suburban counties around Kyoto to understand the situation here first, and then we can think of a way to deal with it."

Feng Zizhou's eyes lit up: "Your Highness, take me with you, take me with you."

As long as he's not stuck at home, he'll do anything. It's a pity his family keeps him under too tight a control. If Prince Ning can convince his elder brother, then everything will be fine.

Prince Ning said sternly, "It was you who suggested this, so naturally I should bring you along."

Feng Zizhou jumped for joy, but soon calmed down and said, "It wasn't my suggestion, but my cousin's. If she could serve in the court, she would definitely be a good official serving the country and the people. It's a pity that she is a girl and trapped in the countryside, unable to realize her ambitions. When I return to the palace, I will definitely ask the emperor for a reward and ask them to come back."

Prince Ning's eyes changed color, and he was sure that the young man in front of him, who had only grown in age but not in brains, really didn't understand the current situation, so he said, "Don't worry, an imperial edict will be issued soon."

"Imperial edict? What imperial edict?"

Prince Ning raised an eyebrow. "Did your father and brother really not tell you? At the end of last year, the Emperor decided to summon the Si family back to the capital and restore their title of Marquis."

Feng Zizhou's mouth dropped open. "Ah? Is there such a thing? I've never heard my father or eldest brother mention it. Could it be that they're deliberately hiding it from me? That's not right. It's already February, and I haven't heard of such an imperial decree being issued."

Prince Ning said, "The Queen Mother is seriously ill. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory observed the celestial phenomena and said that they were unstable and that all things were not favorable. Therefore, there was no grand banquet in the palace, not even for New Year's Eve."

This is true.

Feng Zizhou still remembered that the New Year's Eve palace banquet had always been a time for noble families to enter the palace. However, in most cases, officials of the fifth rank and above and their families were also allowed to enter the palace, unless there were unexpected circumstances such as disasters or border battles, when things would be kept simple to cut costs. Last year, nothing happened, so the palace banquet was also kept simple.

I thought it was because the Empress Dowager fainted due to a sudden illness, but I didn't expect there was also a celestial phenomenon involved.

"So, originally, my cousin and the others could have returned to Beijing right now, but now it's been delayed for over two months?"

Prince Ning asked in surprise, "You and your cousin have a deep relationship?"

"Of course, my cousin is smart and capable, and..." Feng Zizhou reacted before he finished speaking and waved his hand. "Don't talk nonsense. If she can't return to Beijing, the mountains are high and the road is long, so it's okay to say it. But she is coming back soon, so such rumors must not be spread. My cousin is already married and has a daughter. I admire her talents, but I have no other intentions to quarrel with her."

Prince Ning curled his lips. He wasn't interested in other people's private affairs. He had a soft spot for the woman, perhaps because her handwritten pamphlets were indeed insightful. If they could have a proper conversation in person, it would surely give him more insights.

Feng Zizhou wanted to continue speaking, but he heard a woman's voice behind him. Perhaps she saw the two of them here, so the woman's voice stopped suddenly.

Looking back, it turned out to be Lady Zhao Ning and her good friend, Miss Yan Yurong from the Wenchang Earl's Mansion.

This place is remote and rarely visited, especially the noble ladies of Kyoto. Even if they weren't riding horses, they'd be playing at the horse ranch. Why would they come here? It's easy to guess that the eldest princess wanted the betrothed to meet, perhaps sparking some romance.

Unfortunately, the princess was doomed to be disappointed. Prince Ning was fine, glancing at her and nodding. But Zhao Ning didn't even salute, instead sneered a few times, his disdain clearly visible.

Prince Ning was not angry. He patted his horse, got on it, and left.

"Alas!" Feng Zizhou called out to him but to no avail, and he felt it was not right to just leave. He could only complain in his heart that His Royal Highness Prince Ning was truly a cold-faced devil, so unromantic. If he had lowered himself to coax County Lady Zhao Ning, she might not be so unacceptable to him.

This thought did not last long, because Yan Yurong saw her friend like this and tried to persuade her.

"Ningning, I'd say His Royal Highness Prince Ning is quite good. He's a handsome man, and among the young men of Kyoto, there's hardly anyone more handsome. Furthermore, he's incredibly capable. He's been found only two years ago, and I've heard there's no case he hasn't been able to uncover the truth."

County Lady Zhao Ning rolled her eyes. "You believe hearsay? Good looks are just skin deep. When did I become so superficial?"

Seeing her scoff, Yan Yurong changed her tone and advised, "The old princess is in poor health and has been staying in the inner chambers for a long time, worshipping Buddha and rarely seeing people. If you marry into her family, you won't have to serve your parents-in-law every day. You will be the head of the huge Ning Palace. How carefree and comfortable will that be?"

Zhao Ning shook his head: "But he grew up in the countryside, he..."

Feng Zizhou was nodding at first, thinking that what Yan Yurong said was true, but Zhao Ning not only refused to listen to his advice, but also directly talked about Prince Ning's past. He immediately exploded and jumped up and shouted.

"Zhao Ning, you still claim to be not superficial, but in my opinion, you are the most superficial woman in the capital. What's wrong with the countryside? Let me tell you, country folk are simple and kind, much better than you nobles who boast of your nobility but actually have a lot of tricks up their sleeves!"

"You... Feng Zizhou, are you sick?" Zhao Ning was already in a bad mood, and how could she agree to be scolded by Feng Zizhou?

She was a county lady of great wealth and status. Who wouldn't show some respect to her? Even her uncle, the emperor, loved her dearly and never criticized her. So what right did this boy have?

"I just look down on him, so what? Since you're so capable, why don't you just go to the Emperor and petition him to cancel his engagement?"

Feng Zizhou shouted, "Why should I go? If you despise him, go by yourself. Humph, you despise him for growing up in the countryside, and you think you're noble and look down on him. Do you dare to say this directly in front of the emperor? If you say it directly, I can still respect you a little. But you are a coward, you only dare to speak ill of others behind their backs. That's why I despise you."

Zhao Ning was furious. "When did I ever look down on him just because he grew up in the countryside? Besides, do I need you to look up to me? Feng Zizhou, what right do you have to criticize me? You're the weak, incompetent, and cowardly person. You abandoned your fiancée on the eve of your wedding, making Sister Ayun the laughing stock of Kyoto. How dare someone like you look down on others?"