Chapter 342 The Weird Book from the Southern Barbarian Lands

Mo Xuetong did not know that the old madam thought about Mo Xuetong’s mother, Luo Xia, because of Luo Mingzhu.

Mo Xuetong’s horse carriage sped out of Fu General Manor and onto the streets. Even though she was injured, Emperor Zongwen’s decree that they should get engaged and married could not be changed. She would be married in another two weeks. She had thought that she would be able to embroider her own wedding gown, but she would not be able to do so now. Mo Xuemin was vicious and three of her fingers were badly damaged.

Even though it was just the tips of her fingers that were injured, the pain was unbearable even if she just moved slightly. She was unable to pick up a needle during this period.

“Is that Princess Anping in the carriage?” The horse carriage suddenly stopped and a gentle and elegant voice could be heard from outside.

Qin Yufeng?

Mo Xuetong was startled and glanced at Mo Lan.

Mo Lan knew what Mo Xuetong wanted. She lifted the door curtains and asked, “It is the Princess, is it Young Master Qin?”

When Mo Lan saw that the man outside was indeed Qin Yufeng, she was startled. Then, she asked in confusion, “Young Master, why are you looking for the Princess?”

“I heard that the princess got into danger yesterday. Grandmother was worried and asked me to visit. I did not expect to meet the Princess on the streets, so I came specially to ask about her.” Qin Yufeng said politely with a smile. He looked at the curtains and his gaze landed on a pair of shoes embroidered with flowers. His lips curled up slightly.

Mo Xuetong dared not ignore Old Mdm Qin asking about her. She told the driver to stop by the road and got off with the help of Mo Lan. Then, she thanked him gently, saying “Many thanks to Grandaunt for keeping me in her thoughts. It was nothing major, I only injured my hands.”

Mo Xuetong smiled lightly and curtsied.

Qin Yufeng’s smiling eyes turned to Mo Xuetong’s tightly wrapped hands. Then, he looked up at her pale and haggard face. A dark flash of light appeared in his eyes. The emotion was complicated and Mo Xuetong did not understand it.

“Grandmother asks Cousin Tong to be more careful. It is not safe to travel in a horse carriage, so you might as well rest at home. The weather is not good recently, do not go out often.” Qin Yufeng’s voice was soft and gentle. There was a tender smile on his handsome voice as he showed his concern to Mo Xuetong on behalf of Old Madam Qin. His hands were behind his back and he held on to a book. He looked very carefree.

“Many thanks for Grandaunt’s concern. Please help me to thank her. I shall visit when I have recovered.” Mo Xuetong’s eyes glowed with life and her long lashes fluttered. A smile crept up onto her lips. She had the liveliness of a young girl and was gentle and amiable.

Qin Yufeng’s eyes darkened as something seemed to flash through them.

“Your hands, are they really okay?”

“They’re truly fine. It just slightly inconvenient but there are no other major issues.” Mo Xuetong said. She lifted her hands slightly and waved them to show that she was fine.

“That’s good, then I shall leave. Tell grandmother what you said yourself when you’ve recovered.” Qin Yufeng bid her farewell politely with a smile.

“Alright. I will definitely visit grandaunt. Many thanks, Cousin Feng. Are you buying books because you are taking the exam?” Mo Xuetong’s lively eyes landed on the book in Qin Yufeng’s hands which he held behind his back. She could not help but notice Qin Yufeng. It was as if every move that he made were meaningful.

As such, she paid attention to the book in his hands as well.

“It is not a book for the exam but it is just for leisure reading.” Qin Yufeng smiled and waved the book in his hands slightly. Mo Xuetong could not see them clearly but saw an odd symbol on the cover. However, she could not see the symbol clearly. She suddenly felt her heart racing. It was as if there were blood surging up from her chest. She froze.

There seemed to be something rising from her heart. Blood colored her sight…

“Cousin Tong, what’s the matter?” Qin Yufeng asked in confusion. He noticed that Mo Xuetong was behaving oddly. He looked at the book in his hand and then at Mo Xuetong’s expression.

He had found the book in the book market earlier and had bought it because he felt that the interesting tales discussed in the book was much more interesting than others. He did not know why he was interested in such topics recently. Even though the imperial examinations were about to begin, he could not focus on it at all.

“Cousin Feng, where, where did you get this book?” Mo Xuetong asked subconsciously. Her body was wound up tightly.

“At the bookstall right up there. Cousin Tong, take it if you like it.” Qin Yufeng handed the book over with a slight smile.

Mo Xuetong was so frightened she backed away. There was a hint of fear that flashed through her eyes. She did not know why either but the book made her feel terrified and afraid.

“It’s alright, Cousin Feng. I do not like this kind of books.” Mo Xuetong tried to smile. She could feel her heart beating wildly. She did not feel so nervous even when she had been pushed off the horse carriage by Mo Xuemin yesterday. However, she felt terrified for an unknown reason when she saw the book.

Her hands, which were tightly wrapped up, shook. A sharp pain traveled from her hands and her eyes cleared.

“Cousin Feng, I have something on and I shall take my leave.” Mo Xuetong bid her farewells anxiously. After curtsying to Qin Yufeng, she boarded the horse carriage holding on to Mo Lan’s shoulder. The horse carriage rolled away slowly.

“Miss, what’s the matter?” Mo Lan asked, looking at Mo Xuetong in confusion.

Her mistress had always been calm and composed. When had she ever been so afraid? Young Master Qin did not say anything inappropriate earlier either!

Mo Xuetong was still reeling in shock and she leaned away subconsciously. She held her chest with her hand and could feel her heart beating frantically. She felt fearful for an unknown reason. Some empty scenes flashed before her eyes. The odd design, the intense flame, the shrill cries of a woman…

“Miss, Miss!” Mo Ye called urgently. She realized that something was wrong with Mo Xuetong as well.

Mo Xuetong sighed deeply and her eyes cleared. She closed her eyes slowly and leaned against the back of the seat. She shook her head weakly to gesture that she was fine.

Qin Yufeng had not behaved any differently from before, so why did she feel so frightened?!

Mo Xuetong had always been wary of Qin Yufeng. She knew that he was not as gentle as he was on the surface and also knew that he was adept at plotting against others. In the beginning, she thought that he was interested in Mo Xuemin. Gradually, however, she got to know more about him. The man did not want Mo Xuemin.

He was King Chu’s puppet master and he wanted to get King Chu the throne. In her past life, he had tricked everyone and made everyone think that he was loyal to Mo Xuemin to hide his true intentions. Everyone believed him, they believed that he had not married because of Mo Xuemin. Even his mother had thought that was the reason and had made a fuss in private about it several times. He had declined every time gently.

Even though Mo Xuetong did not know why Qin Yufeng was doing this, it definitely had something to do with King Chu’s attempts at the throne. Or perhaps, he had not married because he wanted to marry a noble legitimate daughter after the matter was dealt with. It could also be because he wanted to trick his enemies and make them think that he was a lovesick man and would not be able to make much trouble…

Yet, no matter what, in her past life, Mo Xuetong had been collateral damage and had become a tool for Qin Yufeng to please Mo Xuemin. In this life, Mo Xuemin and Qin Yufeng did not have much of a relationship. However, no one would know when Qin Yufeng would try to plot against her again. As such, Mo Xuetong had always been polite and distant to Qin Yufeng.

Yet today, she felt terrified!

Was it because Qin Yufeng had something on him? That book?

Mo Xuetong could not understand. She felt that her heart was still beating very quickly. She was confused and afraid…

Various emotions welled up within her and she could not make them out clearly!

She truly could not see through Qin Yufeng!

Qin Yufeng looked at the book in his hands behind the horse carriage, dazed. Mo Xuetong had looked afraid after she saw the book.

It was just a novel about interesting stories. Qin Yufeng had flipped through it earlier. The book was from the Southern Barbarian Lands and was about odd and interesting stories there.

The Southern Barbarians were not from the central plains and were not civilized and they had incredible shaman crafts. There were not many books recorded in words there. As such, Qin Yufeng was delighted when he saw the book and bought it. He brought it with him to wait for Mo Xuetong’s horse carriage.

He had truly come on Old Madam Qin’s orders. He guessed that Mo Xuetong would definitely be called to visit by the Old Madam of Fu General Manor, so he waited there for her.

At King Xuan’s Manor.

Feng Yuran laid on the couch, his face was pale. An imperial physician helped him to bandage his wounds. His long black hair flowed down, revealing half of his extremely handsome face. His face was charming and he looked dangerous. He wore purple robes with crimson flowers. The vines of the plants curled on the edges of his robes, making it look extremely beautiful and odd.

The imperial physician did not dare to look up and only carefully wrapped the wound. It was obviously a knife wound and not at all like the rumors outside that say King Xuan was hit by a collapsed staircase. However, he did not say anything else. The more he knew, the faster he would die. Since King Xuan was concealing his assassination, he definitely had his reasons for doing so.

As an imperial physician, he was also an intelligent man. Since His Majesty sent him here and did not ask anything about it, it meant that the Emperor knew about it. If the Emperor did not say anything, why should he, an insignificant imperial physician reveal the truth? He would only just die faster in that case.

“Imperial physician, how long before I will be healed?” Feng Yuran asked lazily. His red lips were charming and seductive. His handsome appearance was legendary and charming. Feng Yuran looked at the imperial physician with handsome and sharp eyes as he picked up a cup of tea with his pale and slender right hand. The imperial physician felt as if he could not breathe.

“Your Highness, you only need to rest for two weeks however, you tore your wound yesterday. I fear that you will have to rest for an entire month now. If Your Highness does not take care of yourself, your injury will worsen.” The imperial physician said with reservation. The prince’s injuries were shocking and it was already not bad that the prince could be healed. He did not expect the prince to be so uncaring of his own injuries and to have injured himself again.

Having his wounds tear open is as good as stabbing his old wound. He did not understand why the prince was so not careful with himself. This was a matter of life and death.

“Will my wedding be affected?” Feng Yuran asked, his eyes flickering.

“Your Highness, it might be a little difficult if you wish to hold the wedding.” The imperial physician answered honestly. He reached out to wrap the last bits of the bandage. Then, he backed away with sweat beading on his forehead. He continued, “Your Highness has to rest in quiet on the day of the wedding. You must not be too excited.”

“You have worked hard, Imperial Physician. Tell my father that I will not interfere with the matters of the wedding. But I will personally attend the ceremony at the end.” Feng Yuran thought about it for a moment before he said that. He looked down. His long black lashes were like fans cast over his face. They hid the flashing colors in his eyes.

He would not allow anyone else to take his place at the ceremony. He was marrying a woman he loved, so how could he back away?

“But, His Majesty said…” The imperial physician said weakly. Before he left, the Emperor had told him that he had to persuade King Xuan not to attend the ceremony personally. He had thought that if King Xuan cared about his own body, he would definitely agree.

“You don’t have to say anything else. Just say that I insist!” Feng Yuran said coldly and closed his eyes. He leaned backward and revealed a perfect chin. He was determined.

“Imperial Physician, please!” Steward Wang emerged from behind the screen and gestured at the physician.

Not daring to disturb Feng Yuran’s rest, the imperial physician bowed at Feng Yuran helplessly and followed Steward Wang out quietly. He smiled to himself bitterly. At least he managed to do one thing. He did not know if the Emperor would punish him.