Prince Regent's icy and eerie words made Feng Qing shiver, and earlier when she dared to kick Rong Ling, it was purely instinctive, without any thought.
If it were now, she might consider other ways.
Feng Qing thought of not looking at Rong Ling on the soft couch. After all, the kick had already happened; regretting it was pointless. She should think about what comes next.
Feng Family's second miss, Feng Yao, was originally meant to be Rong Ling's Princess Consort, while she was supposed to be the New Emperor's Empress.
Although she had a bad reputation, she was chosen by the late Emperor as the Empress for the New Emperor.
But how could the New Emperor Rong Che possibly marry such a cursed woman, so he procrastinated repeatedly, eventually devising a plan to swap marriages. First, the Empress Dowager issued an edict to Prince Regent, marrying the second miss of Marquis Jing'an Mansion to Prince Regent Rong Ling, and then on the wedding day, swapped the marriages.
The eldest miss of Marquis Jing'an Mansion, originally meant to be the New Emperor's Empress, was sent to the Regent Prince Mansion's bridal sedan. Even so, the New Emperor and the people of Marquis Jing'an Mansion were not ready to let her go, forcing her to drink a cup of poison.
Thinking of this, Feng Qing's chest surged with overwhelming hatred. She knew this was the lingering hatred from the past self, and even she found it hard to let go of the resentment.
So she raised her hand to press her chest, subconsciously muttering in her heart, "Rest assured, I will surely avenge this deep-seated hatred for you."
With that thought, the hatred in her chest indeed diminished considerably.
Beside the carriage, Prince Regent Rong Ling reclined on the soft couch, one leg bent, one hand resting on his knee. Despite his casual demeanor, he was as striking as a painting.
Feng Qing dared not look much, inwardly cursing him as a devil.
Though she dared not look at Rong Ling, Rong Ling occasionally glanced at her, his eyes full of mockery, as if she were an insidious woman.
Feng Qing, though not watching him, knew he was watching her, and finally couldn't help but turn to face him.
At a glance, she saw this man disliked her; his deep black pupils openly showed disdain, and his lips curled in a cold sneer, like February ice blades chilling to the bone.
Watching his expression, Feng Qing held back and argued, "Prince, today's incident was not my doing. I hope you won't blame me."
Rong Ling's eyes darkened, speaking coldly, "You'd better pray what you say is true. If this matter turns out to be your doing, I will not spare you lightly."
Feng Qing's mind tightened, realizing this man was tough; hence it was best today to swap back that woman Feng Yao to the Regent Prince Mansion.
But is that possible? The New Emperor Rong Che painstakingly devised this dragon swap plan; would he agree to exchange the second miss of Feng Family back to Regent Prince Mansion?
If he didn't agree, what should she do?
Feng Qing felt trapped in a dilemma, facing wolves ahead and tigers behind; whether she advanced or retreated, it was a predicament.
The Regent Prince Mansion's carriage drove straight to the palace, soon arriving at Yuluan Palace for the imperial wedding.
Beside the carriage, Rong Ling suddenly ordered to his subordinate outside, "Nan Feng, get a set of palace maid attire."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Subordinate Nan Feng quickly exited, soon returning with a set of palace maid attire handed into the carriage.
Rong Ling's cold eyes gestured Feng Qing to take it and change into it. Feng Qing had no choice but to take it, but didn't change immediately, as after all she was a lady; changing clothes before a man was inappropriate.
"Could the Prince turn away and let me change?"
On the soft couch, Rong Ling smiled faintly, yet his smile was extremely cold, his icy phoenix eyes swept over Feng Qing and said, "Even if you were bare, I wouldn't be interested. Change immediately."
His words fell, and he slightly closed his eyes, no longer looking at Feng Qing.
Feng Qing's gaze cooled as she glanced at the man on the soft couch, said nothing more, and started changing.
At this moment, she was under control, had no right to speak, and could only obey orders.
Rong Ling, you better pray you never fall into my hands. If you do, I won't just let it go.
While thinking, Feng Qing removed all her head ornaments, took off her bright red wedding dress, and changed into the palace maid attire. The maid attire was slightly large, yet she managed to wear it without major issues.
"Prince, I've changed."
Feng Qing spoke as the carriage stopped; Yuluan Palace had arrived.
Rong Ling turned to glance at her face, sternly ordering, "Cover your face with a handkerchief."
Feng Qing had a spider on half of her face, such a distinctive mark would be too noticeable once she got off the carriage. Palace maids and eunuchs in the palace would discover, and even if swapped back, the Royal Family would be a laughingstock.
Thus, Rong Ling ordered Feng Qing to cover her face. Feng Qing was too lazy to say more, and did whatever Prince Regent instructed.
She deftly took a handkerchief from her sleeve and covered half of her face.
Beside the carriage, Rong Ling stared at her, slowly frowning, his deep eyes filled with contemplation; this woman seemed different from the rumored eldest miss of Marquis Jing'an Mansion.
Rumor had it the eldest miss of Marquis Jing'an Mansion was timid, cowardly, incompetent, and her manners were very petty.
Yet since he unveiled her veil, this woman's every word and deed were bold. Without courage, would she dare to kick him, a Prince?
Thinking of how this woman kicked him, Rong Ling's beautiful face chilled two degrees, as a cold frost emerged inside the carriage.
Feng Qing glanced at him, speaking reservedly, "Prince, handling the matter is the priority; delaying further..."
By then, people would be celebrating the nuptial night; after the room had been penetrated, would the Prince still want to proceed?
Before Feng Qing could finish, Rong Ling moved, swiftly exiting the carriage. Feng Qing followed closely behind, a party heading straight to Yuluan Palace.
Yuluan Palace's chief eunuch Zheng An saw Rong Ling, his heart skipping a beat, as this master looked displeased; had something happened? Today was supposed to be his wedding; was something wrong?
Thinking inwardly, Zheng An respectfully welcomed him, "Prince, why are you here?"
Rong Ling brushed Zheng An aside, heading directly to the main hall, speaking in a deep voice, "Where is Your Majesty?"
Zheng An hurriedly followed along, "Your Majesty is in the sleeping palace accompanying the Empress."
"Have Your Majesty come out immediately; I have important matters to discuss."
Zheng An was reluctant, yet dared not disobey this master. Though not the Emperor, this Prince Regent held court power in his hands.
The Emperor may be the sovereign, but currently lacks regency; thus, who would dare offend him?