Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 551 - 551 552 No Brains_1

Chapter 551: Chapter 552 No Brains?_1 Chapter 551: Chapter 552 No Brains?_1 He Fangfei did not step forward to stop it, but the worry in her eyes was particularly evident.

However, Long Yi directly interrupted, “Well, she has her reasons, and I enjoyed today’s performance. Let’s just let it be.”

Muniang glared fiercely at Chen Yuhua before saying, “Aren’t you going to thank him for his grace?”

Chen Yuhua hurriedly thanked him with sincerity and fear, “Thank you, thank you, my lord!”

Chen Yuhua’s long-standing acting skills were indeed not cultivated in vain. At this moment, any discerning person could see how fearful she was of the fierce master Qiao Muniang, and how grateful she was to Long Yi.

Long Yi was too lazy to bother with her anymore and waved his hand, “Enough, let her go rest.”

After Chen Yuhua was taken away, He Fangfei felt somewhat at a loss, standing there and tugging gently at Muniang’s sleeve, “Lady Yu, I was wrong this time; please don’t tell my mother, will you? She’ll scold me to death.”

Long Yi found her manner particularly pleasing and laughed heartily, “Don’t worry, with me here, she naturally won’t say anything.”

Muniang respectfully said, “I shall follow Your Majesty’s command.”

He Fangfei stole a glance at Long Yi and asked with genuine innocence, “Really?”

“Of course, it’s true!”

He Fangfei could not hide the joy on her face, and as she looked at Long Yi, her pretty cheeks reddened, evidently mesmerized by him.

Long Yi liked her even more as he watched. At first, he had simply enjoyed her fairy-like beauty, which was soothing to behold. Now, seeing her character, he found it was equally rare. Girls from such remote small towns indeed differed from those in the capital. Having become used to the proper mannerisms of renowned ladies, he suddenly encountered this type of “natural” innocence and purity, and despite being over thirty, he felt as if he had returned to his early, tender years of infatuation.

Muniang reproachfully glared at He Fangfei. Being the daughter of a wealthy family, she naturally could not be scolded like Chen Yuhua. Muniang then said, “Now, go ahead and thank the lord.”

He Fangfei then came to her senses and respectfully curtsied, “Thank you, my lord.”

Muniang stealthily sized up Long Yi’s expression and saw that he was truly smitten. Without further delay, she said directly, “Alright, you’ve been out for too long. Madame He must be getting anxious. Go back now.”

He Fangfei nodded. As she was leaving, she stealthily looked at Long Yi again. Seeing that he was watching her, her face turned red, and she immediately turned her head and walked away quickly.

Long Yi’s heart was utterly stirred by her, and he couldn’t help but be captivated by her retreating figure.

Muniang secretly chuckled to herself. Long Yi thought He Fangfei had fallen for him at first sight today, little knowing that every single one of her moves was painstakingly trained by Muniang herself. Love at first sight, indeed. If He Fangfei were really such a naive girl, could she still have remained unmarried at sixteen?

Muniang then said, “Our troupe performs one act of a play each day. If Your Majesty likes it, you can continue to come tomorrow. Since Your Majesty will be staying in Qinghua City for a few days, it would be convenient. Besides, there are other places in Qinghua City that you could visit. Why not keep exploring other places?”

But Long Yi had hardly listened to Muniang’s lengthy speech; he was evidently still preoccupied with He Fangfei.

The Empress let out a light cough, and Long Yi finally came back to his senses, slightly embarrassed as he coughed lightly, “I am also tired today, let’s return for now. Other matters can be discussed tomorrow.”

Muniang secretly curled her lips and dutifully responded.

The Empress was indeed a transparent person and said bluntly, “If Your Majesty fancies that girl, just bring her back to the palace. It’s not impossible, after all, she is the daughter of a family, and her status surely isn’t too lowly.”

She wasn’t merely trying to anger Lady Rong by purposely trying to attract a wolf into the house. Having been able to sit securely in her position for so many years, if she lacked even this bit of broad-mindedness, she would have nothing to mix in this game for.

Suppressing Lady Rong was one thing, dividing the Emperor’s favor was another, but more importantly, she saw that He Fangfei was a woman with “beauty but no brains”, such a woman was the least likely to survive in the palace and the easiest to control.

Even if she gained the Emperor’s favor now, this type of pure, white-flower-like woman wouldn’t survive long in the palace. Standing out too much and lacking any cunning or schemes, she would be easily killed by others without the Empress having to lift a finger.

However, the Empress didn’t plan to let her sacrifice herself in vain. It was rare to encounter a woman who the Emperor liked so much and yet had a soft nature. The Empress’s own charm was fading, and if she could control such a concubine, making her obediently submit at her feet, it would make her own path forward much smoother.

The Empress calculated in her heart rather deftly, only she had misjudged He Fangfei’s brainless nature. If she really were brainless, Muniang wouldn’t have chosen to present her to the Emperor.

Muniang then said, “This He family from the east of the city was originally a merchant of Qinghua City, but a few years ago their youngest son achieved scholarly honors, and now he’s a minor official in the Capital.”

The Emperor’s eyes lit up, “What’s his name?”

“I heard his name is He Man’en, as for his specific official position, I rarely inquire about such things and can’t remember at the moment,” she replied.

Long Yi thought about it but didn’t recall such a person. A minor official, he wouldn’t remember unless it were something odd, but whether he remembered was irrelevant; what mattered was that He Fangfei was indeed an official’s daughter, adding luster to already presentable status, wasn’t it?

Long Yi then said, “This woman indeed meets my expectations. I will visit their home another day, as I want to keep her by my side.”

As these words came out, Lady Rong’s complexion changed dramatically in an instant. Though it was only for a fleeting moment, it did not escape Muniang’s eyes. Muniang sneered to herself, determined that one day, she would eradicate her, along with the master behind her, completely!

“Enemy does not offend me, I do not offend others,” Lady Rong provoked and schemed several times with the sole purpose of claiming Yu Ze’s life, so how could Muniang be the least bit lenient towards her?!

The Empress laughed elegantly, “Since Your Majesty has commanded, let’s bring the girl over tonight, and it wouldn’t be a problem for her to serve you in advance.”

After all, she had to be brought into the palace sooner or later; by facilitating this for the Emperor now, the Empress could curry his favor.

Long Yi remembered He Fangfei’s shy and delicate countenance, similar to a young girl’s, and felt a ripple of pleasure in his heart, naturally not refusing.

Seeing the Empress so magnanimous and understanding, Long Yi felt even more gratified and patted the Empress’s hand, saying, “Empress, you have followed me all these years without a word of complaint, it has truly been hard on you. To have a wife like you, I am truly fortunate.”

The Empress smiled gently, “These are all my duties.”

Long Yi, in a good mood, remarked, “Didn’t you break a Blood Jade Hairpin yesterday? I know it was something I conferred to you when I was the Crown Prince, and you treasure it so much, presumably for that reason. You needn’t take it too much to heart, I will confer to you a few new pattern hairpins instead.”