FID – Chapter 219

Acting capriciously would only bring his Imperial Uncle trouble.

He knew very well in his heart that he made that request just to spend more time with his imperial uncle.

Withdrawing from the place where he was surrounded by warmth, he also needed some time to adapt.

“Then I’ll withdraw first.” The woman smiled and said nothing further.

She was able to stay in the royal residence for so many years, knowing how to advance and retreat.

“Okay.” The boy nodded.

Looking at the woman’s departure, his eyes were a bit sad.

If Aunt Liu was here, he would have asked Aunt Liu to plead for mercy without hesitation.

He might not stay in the King’s mansion, but he could also ask his Imperial Uncle and Aunt Liu to come to the palace and accompany him.

What a pity…He missed Aunt Liu.

In the King’s large steamy bathing pool, the man leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

Water vapor condensed into water droplets on his provocative chest, converged down, and finally disappeared into the water.

In the dark, a low male voice reported on recent major and minor incidents in the capital, detailing the movements of every spy in the palace.

“The Liu family side has set out to draw the bottom, and the response is substantial. Recently, the Liu family has been in and out of the prime minister’s house frequently. Qin Xiao and the prime minister’s house are in a close relationship, and they also act frequently. Maybe they will attack His Majesty again soon.”

“Qin Xiao…” The two words rolled at the tip of Feng Qingbai’s tongue, and his black eyes opened frigidly.

He rose and pulled out the robe from the hanging rack and draped it on his body. “Speed up the division on the border side. If no one is available, mention the Shi family.”

“Yes!” The hidden guard answered.

 Qin Xiao had been stationed at the border for many years, and his prestige in the army had almost reached the point where he was deeply rooted. Consequently, he totally restricted the King’s side. If he moved Qin Xiao forcibly, it would probably cause instability in the hearts and minds of the generals and soldiers at the border, giving the enemy the opportunity to take advantage of.

While holding on to the border defense and wanting to deal with Qin Xiao, he could only shake his foundation first and start from multiple sources.

This was a battle that would take a very long time.

The Liu family, the Prime Minister’s house, the general’s house.

The three forces constituted money, power, and influence. Their combined forces have been directed at the king. Over the years, he could still stand firm, which was already proof of his ability.

It would only be on the day the emperor has the ability to assume command could they completely eradicate the ambitions of those people.

When Feng Qingbai changed his clothes and came out to the hall, Feng Mohan made another fuss.

“Imperial Uncle, shall we eat dinner before returning to the palace?”

Standing in front of the youngster, Feng Qingbai’s eyes were cold. “Let’s go. Back to the palace.”

“No! I want to eat here. Let the kitchen stew this packet of dried cabbage. I will leave after eating!” The first time Feng Mohan stood his ground against his Imperial Uncle, he was holding a packet of dried cabbage, refusing to back down.

This was Grandma’s dried cabbage!

If he went back to the palace now, all the things brought from Xinghua Village would be his Imperial Uncle’s, and he wouldn’t have any share!

He would like to take these things back to the palace, but could not.

Feng Qingbai’s temples throbbed. It hurt so much that he wanted to pick him up and toss him straight out.

Just for a packet of dried cabbage, he argued with him!

“Feng, Mo, Han!”

The boy shivered and took two steps backward. Nevertheless, he refused to let go of the vegetable in his hand and even showed aggrieved eyes.

“Your Highness, how about complying with His Majesty? A meal does not hurt. Others will not criticize you because of this.” Fu Yuzheng looked at the scene from the side and spoke gently to intercede.

“Imperial Uncle…” Feng Mohan immediately and appropriately put on a more pitiful performance, blinking his eyes.

Feng Qingbai then remembered the image of this kid acting like a spoiled brat with Shengsheng. Every time he did so, Shengsheng would always indulge him.

If Shengsheng was here, she would also probably help the boy to persuade him.

He massaged his brow and said, “This once only. The next time you’re willful, I’ll punish you severely!”

“Thank you, Imperial Uncle!”

“Have someone take the dried vegetables to the kitchen and cook half of them.”

“…” How many big bags of dried vegetables did Grandma and the uncles give?! Did he want to save even to this point?!

The dried vegetables were brought to the kitchen and the cooks soaked the dried dark yellow things in water. Fu Yuzheng stood for a while before turning to leave.

The dishes of the King’s mansion were exquisite in color and aroma, but on the dining table, the uncle and nephew coincidentally aimed at the most unattractive dried vegetable stew.

Upholding her status as a maidservant and unqualified to dine at the table, Fu Yuzheng only waited on the side to serve the dishes.

“Your Majesty and Your Highness both like this dish, so I think this dried vegetable really tastes excellent. Is there anything dry in it?” Fu Yuzheng smiled and asked, adding another chopsticks of dried vegetables for the boy.

“There’s nothing in it. It’s just delicious. This is something the locals grew and dried, so eating it is for the flavor,” Feng Mohan answered casually.

“If the world knows that this dried vegetable has caught the eyes of Your Majesty and Your Highness, I’m afraid it will be all the rage.”

“Popularity is useless. They planted these for their own consumption, so no money can buy them.”

Fu Yuzheng still wanted to reply once more, but the man on the seat faintly swept a glance. “Don’t talk when you’re eating and sleeping. 

Don’t talk too much when eating.”

Feng Mohan buried his head and dutifully ate his meal.

Fu Yuzheng hung her head, “It’s I who talked too much. Your Highness can punish me.”

“Retreat. There’s no need for you to serve the dishes here.”

As soon as the woman left, Feng Mohan immediately raised his head and smiled at Feng Qingbai with his small chin raised.

Imperial Uncle, I did a good job, didn’t I? No information was revealed. I fended Aunt Liu off, and Grandma’s family was well protected.

Feng Qingbai looked down and ignored him.

He was already terrible now. Give him another pole and he’d soar to the heavens.

Before returning to the palace, Feng Mohan again performed pitifully and successfully grabbed a small pot of tea from his stingy uncle’s hand. It was Aunt Liu’s special, Xinghua Village health tea.

Not for sale.

He happily hit the road and only shed off his smile when they reached the palace gates.

The palace gates were lofty, grand and solemn, showing the unique grandeur of the imperial city.

But behind this grandeur, it hid cloaked dirt and blood.

The moment he stepped into the palace doors, all the gaiety of the boy vanished, leaving only indifference from his head to toe.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, Concubine Liu heard that Your Majesty had returned to the palace and was totally concerned about you. Please go to Qingning Palace for a visit.”

Before returning to his bedchamber, a Qingning servant came to invite him.

“I’ll go back to my bedchamber to change my clothes and then go there. Go back first.” Feng Mohan fondled the tea jar in his hand without looking at the servant and headed straight to his bedchamber.

Inside the bedchamber, he stored the tea jar in the cupboard by the imperial bed and changed his clothes. “They’re really keeping a close eye on me. I wonder what this old witch has come up with again.”

“Feng Mohan, this is the palace.” Feng Qingbai warned.

Feng Mohan pursed his lips and did not say anything more.

He hated her so much and didn’t hide it in front of his Imperial Uncle.

After the boy changed his clothes, Feng Qingbai sat down in front of the long table in the outer hall, took the pile of memorials on it and started working. “Go, I’ll be waiting for you here.”

“Imperial Uncle, you will not go with me?” Feng Mohan froze.

“You always have to learn to face them yourself. I can’t protect you for life.”

The boy left in silence, his back thin and forlorn.

Behind him, a sigh spilled out of Feng Qingbai’s lips.

Let go of the chick so it could learn to fly.

If he kept protecting, the boy would never really grow up.

And he, too, has his own things to do.