Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 416: The Method to Restore Space (5)_1

Chapter 416: Chapter 416: The Method to Restore Space (5)_1

Bi Lian wept, "Nanny, you need not console me anymore. I have been married to him for a full three years. I have held nothing back from him except my heart and liver. Yet, he has not consummated the marriage with me even once. He even deliberately went to the north to manage some business there to avoid me. He’s been gone for three years. Every time he comes back, he treats me as if I’m invisible. Do you know how people in the mansion gossip about me and mock me behind my back? Do you know how much it hurts? Nanny, my life is so bitter..."

The nanny cooed comfortingly, "Madam, you need not utter these dispiriting words. You’re Old Madame’s own niece, who in the household dares to be disrespectful to you? And if the young master doesn’t wish to consummate the marriage with you, it’s nothing serious. Old Madame gave him chambermaids and concubines, but he hasn’t favored any of them either, has he? It’s not just you. Why be melancholy?"

Madam Bi, comforted by the nanny’s words, felt a little better. After wiping her tears she sighed, "You do make sense, nanny, but my heart still feels uneasy. I don’t care about the other concubines. My only worry is how much longer do I have to wait? Although he is gentle in nature, I grew up with him and know that his gentleness is but a facade. In truth, he is the most stubborn of all. If he makes up his mind, even if there’s a knife on his neck he won’t back down. I’m afraid that even if I wait a lifetime, he may never come back to me..."

The words of Bi Lian terrified the nanny. Twelve years ago, she had taken young Bi Lian and fled from the old lady’s hometown in Tanzhou to reside in the Huo mansion. You could say she watched Huo Yuan grow up. She knew his temperament inside out. This child was always so stubborn that not even ten bulls could drag him back.

When he was thirteen, Ning Yuanchao, the child of Prime Minister Ning Jushan, once mocked him for being a vulgar businessman, covered with the smell of copper. Hence, he took a bet with Young Master Ning, wagering who would have higher literary talent and whose poem could move people more, in three years time.

Ning Yuanchao was the youngest son of Great Jin’s famous literary giant, Prime Minister Ning Jushan. He was extraordinarily intelligent from a young age and very much like his father. He was widely known as the Great Jin’s prodigy. He began his studies at four, could write poetry independently at six, and had become famous nationwide by twelve.

On the other hand, although Young Master Huo also studied from a young age, his family focused more on grooming him into a businessman. Hence, he wasn’t very proficient in literature.

Back then, when everyone heard that he had challenged Ning Yuanchao and that the loser would have to leave the capital forever, they couldn’t help but sigh at his ignorance and audacity.

He was meant to be the heir of the Huo family, but because of his youthful folly, he had jeopardized his future. Everyone knew that Young Master Ning was Great Jin’s famous child prodigy and talented poet. He had remarkable proficiency in poems and verses. And yet, Young Master Huo, who merely excelled in business knowledge, had dared to challenge him. And they were competing in poetry at that!

At that time, Huo Yuan’s father was still alive, and he was already considering raising another heir because of the grief caused by his son’s actions.

Subsequently, amidst everyone’s sighs of pity, Huo Yuan disappeared for three years. He only appeared again at the competition three years later.

On the day of the competition, countless people came to watch him compete with Young Master Ning. The site of the competition, Jufude Restaurant, was bustling with people. Even the street downstairs was packed. Some even started gambling on the outcome of the competition, but most people bet on Young Master Ning’s victory.

Afterwards, when the poems written by the two were read out, everyone was astonished to find out that the unanimously favored poem was written by Huo Yuan!

Young Master Huo emerged victorious and became famous in one fell swoop, becoming one of the most famous sons in Great Jin.

The Huo family, filled with pride, unhesitatingly decided to make him the future House Master.

That arrogant Young Master Ning, who couldn’t bear the humiliation of being bested by a ’vulgar businessman’, left the capital in dejection and died of depression within a year.

Everyone saw Huo Yuan’s victory and the glory that came with it, but no one knew of the labour and effort he put into studying in those three years.

His tutors at that time had all acclaimed that if all the students in the world were as diligent as Young Master Huo, there wouldn’t be enough room in Jinluan Hall for all the top scholars.

They also relayed the scenes of Huo Yuan studying hard - sleeping only for two hours a day, or even reciting books in his dreams. There were even shocking stories of him suspending himself by holding the rafters, or sticking a sharp awl in to his thigh to keep awake!

Even then, Nurse Peng felt that the child was being overly stubborn. People did say so too. However, Huo Yuan had said that if he was determined about something, he would spare no effort, even if it cost him his life.

His own cousin, unwanted by him, would he change his original idea because of her patient waiting and pandering?

The night was waxing and the capital of Great Jin was gradually being shrouded in darkness. Aside from the lanterns still lit in the brothels and casinos, nearly all the households had extinguished their lamps and entered the realm of dreams.

Outside the imperial palace at Prince Qin’s Mansion

Nangong Yi stood by the window with his hands behind his back. He was facing away from Chai Feng, as he quietly listened to his report.

"The Empress has already sent Bai Shang Palace to the Duke’s mansion with an invitation. Madame Du is now preparing for Miss Mu’s entrance to the palace. She has already arranged the performance that Miss Mu will give at the banquet, which is the ’Flying Sky’ dance that she was best at in the past. She has already begun teaching her the dance."

When the man heard that she was going to dance in front of everyone, displaying her beauty for all to see, his heart sank as if it had been soaked in vinegar. His body tensed, and his heart plummeted!