Chapter 48

“…Today’s Crown Prince is indeed formidable.”

Feng Chenyi went to the General’s Mansion and spoke freely in the backyard octagonal pavilion:

“After the court session, you didn’t see how anxious those people were. They were all eager to go back and repay the Treasury, or else their official hats and marquis titles would be lost.”

“I originally intended to help speak for them, but I didn’t expect the Crown Prince to have enough manpower of his own.”

Feng Chenyi looked at the cold beauty in front of him and ventured:

“The matter of Marquis Chenyang of Xinyang…”

Feng Yuexian sat in the pavilion, casually throwing fish food out, and said indifferently:

“It seems the Crown Prince’s timing is quite good.”

“Was it the information you provided? Ha, today’s court session was quite eventful. It’s refreshing. I guess at the next court session, there won’t be a need to see Li Zi anymore.”

“Hmm?”

A faint hum escaped from Feng Yuexian’s nose, making people’s ears tingle.

Feng Chenyi rubbed his earlobe and said:

“The Crown Prince claimed he appointed Li Zi to handle affairs, so it was his fault. The Crown Prince even vouched for him. What face does Li Zi have to remain his prime minister?”

“If it weren’t for King Chu backing him up, he probably would have had to resign. Even if he doesn’t dare to resign, if he angers the Crown Prince again, even if the Crown Prince has a good temper, he won’t tolerate him. He can only ‘fall ill’.”

Feng Chenyi was excited: “If the Crown Prince intends to, he could take this opportunity to remove him.”

“No.” Feng Yuexian played with the fish food in the lacquer box, affirming.

“Why?” Feng Yuexian’s mind conjured up the image of Song Pianxian, slender yet resilient, gentle yet not weak, and extremely decisive.

Thinking of that day’s events, she smirked sarcastically, her hairline moving slightly: “Without Li Zi, this position would be vacant. With the current situation stable, barely reaching a balance, who would take his place?”

Feng Chenyi was taken aback.

“Why not let the incapacitated Li Zi stay in that position, occupying it without hindrance? Once she has someone in mind, Li Zi, as prime minister, will reach the end.”

Feng Yuexian was somewhat interested, tossing more fish food. Seeing the golden-red fish rushing to feed, she lazily said: “When she has someone in mind, Li Zi’s tenure as prime minister will come to an end.”

Feng Chenyi pondered this carefully. It seemed to make sense, but—

“Don’t blame me for being talkative, but you confide in the Crown Prince. Does he still have a guarded attitude towards you?”

Feng Chenyi jokes, “Regarding the position of prime minister if he has no one under his control, doesn’t the Feng family still have—”

“Cousin, be cautious with your words.”

With a click, Feng Yuexian closed the wooden box of fish food. She lazily raised her eyes, her gaze as black as ink, making Feng Chenyi dispel the thought that had come to mind.

“It was my impatience.” Feng Chenyi sighed.

After Feng Chenyi left, Feng Yong returned from an old friend’s house. Seeing Feng Yuexian still at home, he exclaimed:

“You haven’t returned to the palace yet?”

“Why, do you dislike me so much?” Feng Yuexian glanced at him.

“How could that be.”

Feng Yong sat down at the table, and in the General’s Mansion, the two masters didn’t follow any rules; they usually sat together for meals.

“With you at home, I can have an extra bowl of rice.” Feng Yong chuckled.

Feng Yuexian picked up a silver chopstick but only tasted a few bites of vegetarian food.

Feng Yong was really as he said, with a big appetite. While eating, he said:

“You’ve been staying at home for two days, and the Crown Prince hasn’t come to find you?”

Feng Yuexian suddenly felt that the food brought to her lips was hard to swallow. She put down the silver chopsticks and replied faintly:

“Mm.”

“Hey, that’s great news.” Feng Yong chuckled.

Seeing his daughter’s expression of “Do you know what you’re talking about?”, Feng Yong confidently said:

“You’ve always been afraid of constraints. Even if I nag at you, you get annoyed. Since the Crown Prince isn’t restraining you, you must be very happy, right?”

“…” Feng Yuexian remained expressionless. “Yes, thrilled.”

Feng Yong guessed his daughter’s thoughts correctly, feeling even more pleased. He took a sip of wine and continued:

“Before this, didn’t you tell me that you allied with the Crown Prince?”

“You’ve been out of the palace for two or three days, and the Crown Prince isn’t bothering you or sending secret guards to watch you. That’s a huge amount of trust, isn’t it? Isn’t it a good thing?”

“…”

Feng Yuexian couldn’t refute this point. Even she didn’t understand why Song Pianxian trusted her so much. Was it only because of Song Yu’s instructions?

But regardless, this kind of trust, which had no boundaries and was passive, was also “neglect,” indicating indifference.

Feng Yuexian sneered, her lips curved in sarcasm, as she picked up a jade wine pot with verdant elegance and poured herself a drink.

She tilted her head back, her green hair cascading like willow strands, as the strong liquor flowed down her throat.

Feng Yong glanced at her:

“Are you drinking today? Aren’t you happy?”

Feng Yuexian didn’t answer. After a sip of wine, a watery light shimmered in her eyes, as if the stars had turned into ripples.

“Now, who dares to provoke my daughter? Has Feng Chenyi come today? He’s so spineless, he wouldn’t dare anymore.”

Feng Yong smacked his lips and casually said, “It couldn’t be because of the Crown Prince, could it?”

Before Feng Yuexian could respond, he continued:

“No, it must not be. You said a few days ago that you were only allies, and there wouldn’t be any romantic feelings.”

“…”

Feng Yuexian rubbed her face.

Was this wine so intoxicating?

Her face was tingling.

Song Pianxian went to the Ganqing Palace.

Although she was stern in court, implementation required a mix of firmness and gentleness.

The Crown Prince’s regency was short-lived, and his relationship with the courtiers was not as close as the former Emperor’s. Many royal relatives who didn’t appear in court rarely interacted with them.

When it came to these people, especially those like the Eldest Princess who held seniority, it was still necessary to ask the emperor to intervene.

Fortunately, during this period, the Emperor had a very favorable impression of herself. After Song Pianxian explained the situation in detail, the Emperor truly believed her without any doubt and was extremely displeased with the Eldest Princess and others.

The Emperor was such a person; whoever he favored, he would listen to.

If not for this, he wouldn’t have forced Feng Yuexian’s father to retreat under the instigation of King Chu.

In addition to informing the Emperor of what these traitors had done wrong, Song Pianxian also needed the Emperor to intervene and use his private treasury to subsidize some of the old courtiers’ debts.

These old courtiers were all like the Feng Family, who had followed the Emperor closely in the earlier years. They just didn’t have enough money, and the amounts weren’t large. Song Pianxian didn’t want to push them too far.

Moreover, when the Emperor provided money for his subjects, it showed the royal care for loyal subjects, which was a policy of appeasement.

When things were almost settled, a palace attendant entered the hall and said:

“Announcing to His Majesty, the Eldest Princess has entered the palace and is on her way to the Ganqing Palace, saying she is here to visit Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s face was like dark clouds gathering before a storm:

“She still dares to see Us.”

“Father, please don’t get angry. Anger harms the body.”

Song Pianxian spoke gently and covered the corner of the Emperor’s blanket:

“I believe the Eldest Princess wants to have a heartfelt conversation with you. Your child will return to the Yangxin Hall first; the ministers waiting there.”

“You may go.” The Emperor’s tone softened.

In fact, the Crown Prince didn’t look good. His cheeks were as pale as snow, yet he didn’t mention his hardships at all. Instead, he worried about himself and the affairs of the country, which greatly comforted the Emperor.

“I’m ill, but fortunately, you are here. Your health is poor, mainly due to exhaustion.”

The emperor raised his head, “Xu Jing, take good care of your master.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Xu Jing respectfully agreed, feeling emotional. Even when the Crown Prince was alive, he didn’t receive such favor and care from the Emperor.

Before, he only felt that the Princess was barely carrying the heavy burden left by the Crown Prince.

But as these incidents passed, Xu Jing couldn’t help but feel that perhaps this Princess, who had always been sheltered in the deep palace, might be…

The true incarnation of the Purple Star descending to the mortal realm, with the innate appearance of an Emperor?

Song Pianxian did not publicize her illness, especially to the General’s Mansion. If the news of her illness were leaked, there would inevitably be a hint of coercion.

Once she learned that Feng Yuexian had different feelings towards her, she couldn’t help but pay attention and be cautious at all times.

When Feng Yuexian left the palace, whether out of anger or needing time to calm down, Song Pianxian didn’t want her health issues to interfere with Feng Yuexian’s original plans.

This was not entirely upright.

However, before Feng Yuexian left, she made her subordinates closely monitor the Eastern Palace and other places. If she didn’t have to give a face to the Royal Family, she even thought about having the forbidden troops surround the Eastern Palace.

Therefore, some things were destined to be uncovered.

Feng Yuexian’s voice was heavy: “Are you saying that for three consecutive days, the imperial physicians have gone to check the Crown Prince’s pulse?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you only reporting this today?” Feng Yuexian’s voice carried a hint of coldness.

The soldier who came to report said, his head lowered: “On the first day, it happened to be when the Crown Prince usually checks his pulse for peace. I didn’t detect anything unusual. On the second day, when the Crown Prince checked his pulse in the Yangxin Hall, due to the limitations of the rotation schedule, the news was not able to be gathered in time.”

He continued, “On the third day, when the imperial physician went to the Eastern Palace again, I noticed something was wrong and checked the medical records, confirming that the Crown Prince was unwell. Therefore, I will report this to you. Please forgive me.”

Feng Yuexian had no time to blame, immediately asking, “What happened to her?”

“The medical records show that three days ago, the Crown Prince showed signs of fainting. There were no other symptoms, so the usual treatment was applied, and the situation is improving.”

Feng Yuexian leaned back in her chair, three days ago—

She fainted right after she left the palace.

The Princess’s body was so fragile that even without wind, she would faint. Feng Yuexian was well aware of this, but she couldn’t help but ask, “Three days, and she’s still not recovered?”

The soldier tried to recall, “According to the medical records… the Crown Prince didn’t rest properly, which is unfavorable for her condition.”

Right, she had been handling state affairs these past few days.

The Emperor was ill, leaving the state affairs to his children. Now, only Song Pianxian was left. Who could help her?

She could only bear these matters, even if she was ill.

In her mind, Song Pianxian’s slender figure appeared, along with her gentle and graceful demeanor like a blooming silk orchid.

Such a little Princess should have been pampered.

Her narrow and timid shoulders had to support the turbulent storm of the empire.

Feng Yuexian couldn’t remember it anymore. The other day when she talked to Feng Yuexian, she was still thinking about Song Pianxian’s ruthlessness, which made her both love and hate her.

Upon hearing that she was ill, all thoughts of resilience, determination, and decisiveness vanished from her mind.

There was only a fragile vine, its tender shoots helplessly curling, soft and fragile.

Unable to find anything to rely on, feeling helpless and lost.

Feng Yuexian stood up gracefully, her clothes flowing.

“Yin Xue, prepare to return to the palace.”

Song Pianxian’s thoughts were very rational and calm, but the Eastern Palace was quieter without her.

The day she arrived at the Eastern Palace, Feng Yuexian came. Thinking about it, since she came to this small world, she had never been apart from Feng Yuexian.

These past two days, there had only been one blanket and a rice cake on the cot.

—Surprisingly, it was quite spacious to sleep like this.

But every morning, the phoenix mirror on the dressing table had no one to reflect, giving a sense of loneliness.

Song Pianxian withdrew her gaze from the phoenix mirror.

Yin Xue whispered, “Your Highness, should we invite back the Crown Prince’s Consort? Consort Hui sent someone to look for the Crown Prince’s Consort yesterday, but she never came back. It’s not a good sign.”

“There are already rumors outside.”

Without Yin Xue’s reminder, Song Pianxian could guess what the rumors were about.

However, the rumors outside were of no importance, and could even be used as a smokescreen.

But Feng Yuexian had not returned all this time. It might not be acceptable to the Emperor—

Previously, Feng Yuexian often attended to the Emperor’s illness, but these days the Emperor had asked about Feng Yuexian, which Song Pianxian had tactfully dodged.

If the Emperor found out that even after marrying into the Imperial Family, Feng Yuexian still cared so much about the Feng Family, it would undoubtedly raise some doubts in the Emperor’s mind.

Song Pianxian pondered for a moment:

“Then let Xu Jing go personally—”

Before she could finish, the sound of a palace servant’s greeting came from outside:

“Greetings to the Crown Prince’s Consort.”

Song Pianxian’s eyes widened slightly as she turned to look towards the palace door.

Feng Yuexian… had returned?

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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