“Your servant has seen the Empress, Your servant has brought His Highness the Crown Prince back.”
“Thank you, did Mu Xing cause any trouble with the Empress Dowager?” Liu Liu asked with concern. She knew everyone would dote on her son now that he had recovered, but she still worried if he would misbehave, as others might not tolerate it.
“His Highness the Crown Prince was very much favored by the Empress Dowager. In five years, the Empress Dowager has never been as happy as today. She asked me to tell the Empress that if there is nothing else, please send His Highness the Crown Prince to Cining Palace to keep her company.”
“Alright, I understand,” Liu Liu nodded, gesturing for Qing An to be escorted out. Turning back, she saw her son pouncing on her like a happy little bird, glaring at her with displeasure. xxs1
“Mother, how could you say that? Mu Xing was exceptionally well-behaved today and didn’t cause any trouble.”
“Good, Mother understands,” Liu Liu nodded affectionately, taking her son’s hand and sitting him by her side. “However, Mu Xing must call Mother ‘Empress Mother’ from now on, understand?”
“Empress Mother, why?” Mu Xing was a little confused. Mother was fine, why call her Empress Mother now? His little face and big eyes stared blankly at his mother’s beautiful face.
“Because this is the Imperial Palace, and Mother’s title here is Empress Mother, understand?” She reached out and pinched his nose. Mu Xing suddenly understood. So that’s how it was – Father was called Emperor Father, Mother was called Empress Mother, and he was His Highness the Crown Prince, all because this was the Imperial Palace.
“I understand, Empress Mother,” Mu Xing nodded obediently. Liu Liu saw that he was tired and called Cui’er to attend to Mu Xing so he could rest. She specifically instructed Cui’er to choose a small palace next to her own sleeping quarters for Mu Xing to temporarily reside in.
She already sensed a storm brewing. Although Lou Sijing hadn’t said anything today, she heard that the Lou family’s influence in the court was growing daily. How could they be willing to give up a piece like Yu Lou? They would surely make a move.
In the Imperial Study, the Emperor gazed at the two men standing before him: Prince Yan Feng Lie and the Minister of War, Jin Shaoyuan. Feng Xie’s expression was grim and chilling, a killing aura emanating from him as his long fingers tapped lightly on the dragon desk. He let out a cold hum.
“Feng Lie, look at what you’ve done. You couldn’t even keep track of one woman? Now look, the Yuehua Kingdom is invading our borders. Originally, the two hundred thousand troops of the Yuehua Kingdom were not a problem for us. But now, with so many factions stirring within the Tianfeng Dynasty, can I mobilize troops lightly?”
“What do we do now?” Jin Shaoyuan was also anxious. He had been promoted from Vice Minister of War to Minister of War and was loyal to the Emperor. Several factions within the court were in opposition to each other. The most powerful among them was the Lou family. Because Consort Lou had given birth to a young prince, and the Emperor had no other princes, many court officials had aligned themselves with the Lou family. Another faction was hidden, one they had only recently discovered: General Hu Guo, Sima Pingchao, was secretly recruiting people in court. It seemed many had already gravitated towards him. No one knew what he was planning.
“Find Princess Jie Lan immediately. Only by finding the Princess can we avert this conflict. I believe that with the Princess’s understanding, she will surely not wish for war between the two countries, causing suffering to all under heaven. Once the Yuehua Kingdom retreats, we will begin to rectify our internal affairs and eliminate all evil forces.”
“Yes,” Feng Lie and Jin Shaoyuan nodded in unison and accepted the order. Feng Lie, in particular, felt a pang of regret as he recalled his own cruel actions from years past. Five years had passed, and his thinking had matured considerably. He now realized that what he had done to Jie Lan back then was indeed too brutal. Jie Lan had simply loved him, and he had treated a woman who loved him so cruelly. He was truly a scoundrel. If he could find Jie Lan, he hoped to seek her forgiveness. If she was willing to stay in Prince Yan’s residence, he would definitely make her his official consort. If she was unwilling to remain in the Tianfeng Dynasty, he would send people to escort her back to the Yuehua Kingdom.
“Feng Lie, the enemy is hidden, and we are exposed. They must also be looking for Princess Jie Lan. If they find the Princess first, it will be a disaster for our Tianfeng,” Feng Xie said earnestly, a hint of worry appearing on his handsome features. He would do his utmost to resolve all of this.
“Your Majesty, this minister has something to ask, but I do not know if it is appropriate to speak of it,” Jin Shaoyuan said, cupping his fist. Feng Xie mused, at a time like this, what could be inappropriate? He only had these two reliable confidants; he couldn’t trust anyone else at the moment, suspecting them to be from the Lou family or General Sima’s household.
“Speak,” Feng Xie’s gaze was as deep as an abyss, a chilling aura emanating from him. He would not let anyone off the hook.
“I heard that the Empress has returned to the palace, and she brought His Highness the Crown Prince with her. Your Majesty knows that the Lou family will not compromise so easily. They have always maintained that Prince Yu Lou is the true Crown Prince. Now, suddenly, a Crown Prince appears from nowhere. They will surely not give up and will come forward to cause trouble. Since the Empress was known to have died and was buried in the Imperial Mausoleum back then, everyone in the world knows this. If it is now said that the Empress did not die, the Lou family will likely claim that the Emperor has casually brought a woman into the palace. Those who do not understand the situation will believe the Emperor is incompetent and foolish, making the Tianfeng Dynasty even more chaotic.”
As soon as Jin Shaoyuan finished speaking, Feng Lie immediately nodded in agreement. “Yes, Your Majesty, I fear the Lou family will not admit it. Moreover, Consort Lou has been known throughout the land for her gentleness and grace for years, enjoying an excellent reputation among the common people. If suddenly the Empress, who was thought to be dead, appears now, but with suspicions of deception, it would be even more detrimental to the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince’s return.”
Feng Xie’s expression darkened upon hearing Feng Lie’s words. He would not allow anyone to harm Liu’er and Mu Xing. He would find a way to resolve this matter that would satisfy all parties, silencing the Lou family. Those damned fellows had been arrogant for too long; it was time for him to deal with them. A surge of anger, as if a Rakshasa had appeared, made him wave his hand wildly.
“This matter, I will consider it. Prince Yan and the Minister of War need only find Princess Jie Lan. This is the most important matter at hand.”
“Your subordinates obey,” the two men bowed and prepared to withdraw. Feng Xie suddenly remembered something important and called out to Feng Lie in a deep voice: “Imperial Brother, please stay.”
Feng Lie stopped and looked back at the Emperor. He saw a cold smile on the Emperor’s lips, and Feng Xie spoke ominously. “When I returned to the capital this time, I encountered assassins. I suspect there is a spy in Prince Yan’s residence. Prince Yan must investigate thoroughly and not be careless. This person cannot be kept.”
“Ah,” Feng Lie cried out in surprise. Was His Majesty alright? He quickly turned back and asked anxiously, “Is Your Majesty alright?”
“I am fine. Go back and investigate thoroughly. Clean out this wicked pest by your side, lest it be a hindrance,” Feng Xie’s fathomless dark eyes were incredibly deep, and his brows and eyes were etched with intense coldness.
“Yes, this younger brother will return to the residence and investigate immediately.” Feng Lie, thinking that there was a spy within his own residence leaking the Emperor’s whereabouts, felt a surge of furious rage. Within the vast Prince Yan’s residence, besides himself, only two concubines knew of the Emperor’s every move. He never expected that one of these two women would turn out to be a spy. What detestable creatures! He would absolutely not forgive her. Angrily, he left the Imperial Study with Jin Shaoyuan.
After Prince Yan and the Minister left, Xiao Wanzi entered and cautiously congratulated the Emperor. “Your servant congratulates Your Majesty. Congratulations on the Empress’s return to the palace, and for bringing back His Highness the Crown Prince.” So, the beautiful woman he had seen earlier was the Empress. The Empress had a large red birthmark on her face, making her look ugly. Now that the birthmark was gone, she was a beauty of unparalleled loveliness. Even the little Crown Prince was adorable. Feng Xie, who had been angry moments before, felt a warm current flow through him upon hearing Xiao Wanzi mention Liu’er and Mu Xing. Fortunately, they were by his side, giving him the motivation to punish the villains. In the past, he had simply been too lazy to deal with them, but this had only fueled their wicked ambitions. Feng Xie let out a cold hum and looked down at Xiao Wanzi.