FID – Chapter 649

Chapter 649: Too Early to Relax

In early October, the envoy delegation from Beicang departed from the capital.

Feng Qingbai personally led a group of civil and military officials to escort them to the city gates, watching as the grand envoy procession left in an imposing manner.

A weight hung in his heart, refusing to ease.

Especially when he recalled the meaningful smile that Prince Ting gave before leaving. This caused his brows to furrow even deeper.

That was one concern.

The second was the letter of challenge received in Xiangshan County.

The peace negotiations between the two nations had concluded, yet the other side remained silent, which unsettled him even more.

That was not Gong Ling’s style.

Since Gong Ling treated their battle of wits as a game, he was bound to stir up trouble and keep him constantly on edge. There was no way he would let such a prime opportunity for mischief slip away in complete silence.

What exactly was he plotting while lying low?

Feng Qingbai’s concerns were entirely unknown to Feng Mohan.

For him, seeing off the troublesome ‘Great Buddha’ and concluding the peace talks with results satisfactory to both sides—without Qin Xiao and Prime Minister Zuo, those two old foxes, causing any trouble—was already a great outcome.

It was something worth laughing about three times over.

“Imperial Uncle, no need to frown. Prince Ting and his people have already left. As long as they cross the border of Nanling, whatever happens next has nothing to do with us. Even the Emperor of Beicang won’t be able to hold us accountable.”

Looking at the secret letter he had just received, Feng Mohan saw that in three days, the envoy delegation would cross the border. He burned the letter with a smile.

“Three days left… you’re relaxing too soon.” Feng Qingbai said calmly.

Forget three days—so long as the other side had even half a foot still in Nanling territory, they couldn’t afford to let their guard down.

“Imperial Uncle, you’re worrying too much—”

Feng Mohan hadn’t finished his jest when Wei Zi suddenly appeared.

“Your Majesty, Master—urgent news! Prince Ting’s entourage was ambushed at the border city. They’ve gone missing!”

Feng Qingbai shot to his feet, his face dark as water.

Feng Mohan, on the other hand, was left with his mouth half open, wishing he could swallow back the words he’d just said.

Of all times, why did trouble have to happen now?

Couldn’t it have waited just three more days?!

If Prince Ting was assassinated and went missing within Nanling’s borders, then the peace treaty was as good as scrap paper. The Emperor of Beicang now had every reason to wage war against them!

Damn it!

“Send an urgent message to the border city governor—find them at all costs! Ten-mile emergency dispatch!” Feng Qingbai ordered in a deep voice.

Wei Zi accepted the order and immediately withdrew to deliver the message.

Seeing his expression, Feng Mohan shrank into the round-backed chair in the imperial study, not daring to make a sound.

Until Prince Ting was found, the entire Nanling would be thrown into chaos.

At this moment, he was deeply convinced—Prince Ting was a walking disaster.

He couldn’t even walk, yet he still insisted on rolling around in his wheelchair to interfere with the peace talks. And now, after being ambushed, did they really expect him to wheel himself away and escape?

News of the incident spread quickly, shaking both the court and the common folk. A storm of fear and uncertainty swept through the capital.

In the Grand General’s Manor, the fragrance of tea curled in the air over a stone table in the back courtyard.

Two men sat facing each other, sipping tea.

“This nourishing tea is truly excellent. The first time I tasted it, I took a liking to it. If I don’t brew a pot every day now, I feel restless all over,” said one of them.

He was a tall and imposing man with graying hair and beard. His sharp, eagle-like eyes carried an intensity that made people hesitant to meet his gaze, even in his relaxed state.

A veteran of countless battles, he carried the unmistakable aura of bloodshed.

Minister Zuo glanced at Qin Xiao and chuckled. “I always thought the Grand General had no patience for the pretentious elegance of scholars. In the past, you wouldn’t be satisfied without wine. Why the sudden switch to tea after returning? This refined demeanor is quite unlike you.”

“This proves that the tea is truly exceptional—defeating the Liu family of the capital on real merit.”

“With the Liu family of the capital gone, another Liu family from Xinghua Village has emerged, and they happen to have close ties with the King of Nanling.” Minister Zuo took a small sip from his teacup. “A pity. We couldn’t make use of them, and instead, they ended up reinforcing the King of Nanling’s growing influence. But speaking of which, what does the Grand General think of Prince Ting’s ambush and disappearance?”

“I have no opinion. That’s the King of Nanling’s problem to worry about. I’m good at fighting wars on the battlefield, but dealing with these complicated matters is a hassle—and frankly, not my responsibility.”

“If something truly happens to Prince Ting in Nanling…” As Minister Zuo spoke, he fixed his gaze on Qin Xiao, trying to discern any hint of reaction from his expression.

“Then it all depends on his fate. The world is unpredictable—who knows how this will end?” Qin Xiao’s expression remained unreadable as he spoke calmly. “Having just returned from the battlefield, I should have hosted your visit with enthusiasm, but alas, age is catching up with me, and I find it hard to adjust. Let’s leave it at this for today. Next time, I’ll personally send an invitation to properly host the Left Minister for a drink and a long chat.”

Despite being subtly dismissed, Minister Zuo showed no sign of displeasure. He set down his cup, cupped his hands toward Qin Xiao, and said, “I shall await the good news,” before leisurely taking his leave.

Once he had gone, Qin Xiao picked up the teapot and gave it a shake—still half a pot left. Without hesitation, he tossed his teacup aside and drank straight from the pot.

“As expected, drinking like this is the only satisfying way. Scholars and their pretentious ways—drinking tea in tiny cups, where’s the enjoyment in that? Hmph.”

After finishing the tea, Qin Xiao casually tossed the teapot onto the stone table. Supporting himself with one hand, he squinted toward the direction of the imperial palace.

His gaze was deep and unreadable.

Beicang would undoubtedly be furious about Prince Ting’s disappearance.

In just a short time, news of the incident had spread across all of Nanling.

Not only were all officials placed under strict orders to search for him, but even the common people couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

The missing man was none other than the Fourteenth Prince of Beicang—reportedly the most favored son of the Beicang Emperor.

The two nations had only just reached a peace agreement, and just when the border citizens thought they could finally enjoy some stability, Prince Ting vanished within Nanling’s territory.

How could this not be a disaster?

The peace treaty was as good as void.

No emperor would tolerate a member of their royal family disappearing in a foreign land without taking action.

At the Liu family courtyard, the entire household remained somber for days after receiving the news.

The elders were deeply worried, troubled by the precarious position Feng Qingbai now found himself in.

A matter of this magnitude—one misstep in handling it, and war would break out in an instant.

Why was fate so unkind? Why did it always insist on stirring up trouble, never allowing the young ones even a moment of peace?

While the entire border was mobilized in a frantic search, an unassuming carriage slowly came to a stop at the entrance of Xinghua Village.

A group of elderly villagers, gathered at the entrance and gossiping about the hottest topic of recent days, all turned their heads in unison to look.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and two young women, as beautiful as blooming flowers, stepped down. Their elegant attire made it clear they were not from an ordinary household.

Then, under the villagers’ astonished gazes, the two women carefully unloaded a wheelchair from the carriage. With practiced ease, they assisted a man out of the vehicle and seated him in it.

Draped in flowing white robes, the man exuded a refined and ethereal presence.

He had strikingly handsome features, but it was a pity—he was unable to walk.

Seemingly unaware of the curious stares around him, the man looked toward the villagers with a warm smile, nodding at them in a polite and friendly manner. Then, he leisurely glanced around, taking in the scenery.

“So, this is Xinghua Village? Not bad. The elders here look full of energy—it’s a sign of a strong and upright village.”