When Rui Xue entered the room, Feng Ming was lying on the bed with his back to her. She couldnât tell whether he was asleep or not.
She glanced at the untouched dinner on the table, seemed like Feng Wang hadnât even eaten yet.
Feng Country was located more to the south, the weather had turned very cold but it wasnât snowing yet.
Feng Wang had always had strong constitution, even if he tended to wear womenâs clothing due to Marquis Zhuluâs influence, he was still worthy of being a military commander he once had been. Feng Ming had shown his outstanding talents since he was still very young, and since then he had already led troops of soldiers to many wars.
These few days, because of a difference in opinion regarding the Grand Princessâ matter, Feng Mingâs relationship with Zhao Lu had been tense. Other than the days when Zhao Lu actually showed up at the court assembly, they had not seen each other at all.
Feng Ming was unhappy about this, but he was still a king of a country, he refused to back down.
Right at this time, Xue Junliangâs messenger arrived and informed him that their Empress was frightened in an assassination attempt and could not come to Feng Country as planned.
Feng Ming realized heâd been outsmarted by Xue Junliang, he was so angry he fell ill for ten days.
Rui Xue was an aide and an asset personally picked by Zhao Lu, but she was also a woman. She had been around Feng Ming for so long, she knew that Feng Wangâs feeling for the Marquis was deeper than anyone could say; could not so easily be erased. But she was helpless and powerless, and even if she had the power to help, she could not. Because it was no longer a matter between two men, it was also a matter between two countries.\n
Rui Xue walked over to the bed and said gently, âDa Wang, please, eat something.â
An infinitesimal shake of the head was Feng Mingâs only answer.
Rui Xue said, âDa Wang, youâre Lord Marquisâ most important person. You also the one who knows Lord Marquis the best. These few days, he didnât want to enter the Palace for fear of offending anybody. Da Wang, please, donât take it to heart.â
Feng Ming let out a curt laugh, then rolled around to face Rui Xue, staring at her intently. His gaze somehow made Rui Xue uneasy.
âYouâre right,â Feng Ming said, âI put him at the deepest place in my heart, but for so many years, he has never taken me seriouslyâŠÂ Gu is the highest monarch in this country, nobody dares treating me like he does. Even if⊠Even if I wasnât a king, I deserve to be treated with the most common courtesy.â
âDa Wang, youâŠâ The more Rui Xue heard Feng Mingâs grievance, the more her heart ached. She wanted to say something but Feng Ming was not finished.
Feng Ming said, âRui Xue, I know, in the entire Marquis Zhuluâs residence, youâre the only one who actually treats me kind. Not only the Marquisâ residence, every one at the Imperial Court despises the mere mention of me. If I⊠If my feeling for Zhao Lu wasnât this sincere, how would I ever willing to lower myself for him? How would I always strive to please him?â
Rui Xue wanted to say that Lord Marquis was aware how sincere Feng Mingâs affection towards him; that Lord Marquis understood that very well, it was that the two of them, unfortunately, each stood on different and opposing sides.
Those were words she wasnât allowed to say, thoughâŠ
Feng Ming laughed again and said, âAre you sad? I am even sadder.â\nThen he got up and walked towards a knife hung on the wall. He took the knife off its sheath then proceed to cut the clothes he wore to pieces. His movement was sure and methodical, as if he hadnât been ill these few days.
Feng Ming balled the bright-yellow garments and tossed it into Rui Xueâs hands. His tone flat as he said, âYou should go. Give this to Zhao Lu, and⊠From here on, you donât have to come to the Palace anymore, you should serve Zhao Lu well.â
Rui Xue clasped the bundled up garment with two hands and said with shaky voice, âThis servant⊠says farewell.â
Zhao Lu naturally knew very clearly what Feng Ming meant by cutting the clothes to shreds. It was actually the result he was expecting. Gripping the bright-yellow clothes tightly, Zhao Lu let out a deep sigh. Then he bitterly laughed.
The very next day, Minister Zuo humbly plead guilty over advising the return of Her Highness the Grand Princess. Kowtowing on the floor, he said he didnât think the advise through. Feng Wang ordered someone drag Minister Zuo and flog him with a stick. Though Minister Zuo was very old, Feng Wang didnât relent on the slightest. He also said, whoever plead for leniency would be punished along with Minister Zuo, so nobody dared stand up nor argue.
Feng Ming coldly said, âWas it fun to gang up and fight each other? That time, who filed a joint petition requesting the Grand Princess to come home? All of you who had selfish motives and ignored the possible consequences of your actions, you all ganged up on me to force me out of my throne!â
The court officials present were all terrified by Feng Mingâs imposing speech. Since he favored Marquis Zhulu, Feng Wang rarely attended the imperial court, rarely dealt with court matters, and even more rarely flew into a violent rage.
Without any more preamble, Feng Wang ordered the start of Minister Zuoâs punishment. At first, Minister Zuo was sorely disappointed, thinking Feng Wang was still partial to Marquis Zhulu. But as he heard Feng Wang scolded the court officials about ganging up with selfish motives, the Ministerâs disappointment immediately disappeared.
Minister Zuo was one of the most senior court officials, everyone knew how loyal he was. But even a loyal and dedicated minister would have some selfishness; the more power he possessed, he became greedy for even more power. Minister Zuoâs power had always been butting head with Marquis Zhuluâs, it was no secret that the Minister wanted to push the Marquis out.
But what puzzled the officials was that, though Feng Wang punished Minister Zuo, he never praised Marquis Zhulu. If it was yesterday, Feng Wang would definitely promoted Marquis Zhuluâs status. Today, he didnât even mention Marquis Zhuluâs name.\n\nXue Junliang smiled, âYes, even Defei can see you concern.â
âDefei?â Teng Qianyiâs heart dropped to her stomach, sensing something was not right.
Xue Junliang said, âJust now, Defei came to tell me that these few days, you often came visiting the Empressâ residence, disturbing the Empressâ rest so her health could not improve.â
âChen-qieâŠÂ Chen-qieâŠâ Teng Qianyi realized Defei had come to tell her off to Xue Wang. Defei had always been targeting her. Defei had even come to her residence once to create troubles, and now Defei wanted to frame her.
Feeling wronged, she cried miserably and said, âChen-qie only meant well.â
Xue Junliang ignored her cries, without saying anything, he let Teng Qianyi return.
Of course, this time Teng Qianyi couldnât come to Yunfeng Palace for fear of alerting Defei. Defei was famous for her atrocious behavior. Even if she wasnât favored right now, she was still very beautiful. Who knew if Xue Wang might pamper her again someday.
Since coming back, Xue Houyang had stayed in the capital city for a few months now. He should have gone back to the frontier, but now that Xue Wang assigned Teng Shang to investigate the Empressâ assassination attempt, Xue Houyang was unwilling to go and left Teng Shang behind. If he left Teng Shang alone in the capital city, his heart would never relax.
He dragged his feet against leaving until the point where, if he still wouldnât leave, he would attract peopleâs criticism. Right at this time, Xue Houyang received a news that Marquis Zhenjiang, Xue Yu wanted to visit the capital city to pray for the Late King. Xue Houyang received the news too late; said Marquis had already left for the capital city.