FID – Chapter 737

Chapter 737: I Can’t Treat Mental Illness

Soon, the sound of the servants’ cries and pleas for mercy echoed outside Yangxin Hall, growing fainter until it finally disappeared.

“Is there anything else that Your Highness requires my help with?”

“Coming to visit Your Majesty today and showing you all these troubling matters was a lapse in my consideration. I ask for Your Majesty’s understanding. As for other matters, for now, there is nothing to trouble you with. I will have the Jingshi Institute send another batch of useful servants to Qiande Hall.”

“As for the servants in the Emperor’s chambers before…”

“I’ve heard those servants were quite favored by Your Majesty. Let them stay in Yangxin Hall then.”

The Emperor was under house arrest, and not one servant was loyal enough to protect him. What use would they be?

Feng Qingbai smiled faintly and stood up to take his leave.

The Empress Dowager lifted her gaze, quietly watching him. “Since your matters have been settled, I would also like to discuss something with you regarding the sycophants.  During Yang Shuzhong and Liu Zhixia’s time in government, they encouraged His Majesty to indulge in pleasures, neglecting his duties. Such people are beneath us. If this wind is not eradicated, it will surely foster corruption in the court. Those two cannot be kept. I heard that you arrived in the capital today and immediately rescued them from the execution grounds. If you did this to slap my face for the country’s sake, then so be it. But those two truly cannot be of use.”

“Encouraging the Emperor to indulge in pleasures and neglect his duties? Does Your Majesty have solid evidence, or have you merely listened to the slander of petty schemers? The officials selected by me have always governed diligently, never daring to slack off. Without concrete evidence, I won’t believe baseless accusations against them,” Feng Qingbai retorted calmly.

“If Your Highness insists on protecting those two corrupt officials, then don’t blame me for leaning on my age and mobilizing the veteran ministers to impeach you,” the Empress Dowager responded, her gaze unwavering and her tone heavier, each word emphasized with force.

Feng Qingbai smiled lightly, as if unconcerned. “If Your Majesty is determined, then let’s settle this on the court floor tomorrow. Since you’ve been overseeing court affairs behind the curtain for some time, you should be familiar with the way to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. I’ll be waiting.”

Their gazes locked, outwardly calm, yet beneath the surface, a tempest raged.

As they left Yangxin Hall, Feng Mohan jogged to keep up with his uncle. “Uncle, the Empress Dowager and the Left Minister are in cahoots now. If they dare accuse Elder Yang and Uncle Zhixia of being corrupt, they must be holding solid evidence. Since we don’t know what that evidence is, how will we counter it? Uncle, are you really confident you can clear Elder Yang and Uncle Zhixia’s names?”

Feng Qingbai glanced sideways at the young boy, who had almost grown tall enough to reach his shoulder. “As an emperor, you must plan ahead and think ten steps beyond the one you’re taking. Never allow yourself to be put in a passive position. Once you’re on the defensive, every step will become increasingly difficult. If you decide to take action, you must first ensure you have enough leverage to deal a critical blow to your opponent. Otherwise, it’s better to stay hidden and wait for the right moment.”

“Does that mean you’re confident about tomorrow’s court session, Uncle?”

“Results are achieved through action, not words. You need to pay close attention and learn. In a few months, you’ll turn fifteen, which is considered the age of adulthood. You won’t be able to rely on others for everything anymore.”

Feng Mohan lowered his head and secretly curled his lips. He only relied on his Imperial Uncle—who else would he rely on? His uncle didn’t count as ‘others.’

Once they returned to the imperial study, Feng Qingbai immediately issued a series of commands.

He promoted two outstanding and talented individuals from the Ministry of War, assigning them to key positions—one as the commander of the Imperial Guards and the other as the officer in charge of the Imperial Insignia Guards.

As he reviewed the list in front of him, Feng Qingbei’s eyes glimmered faintly when they landed on two particular names.

He circled the selected names, summoned the individuals for an audience, and handed them their official tokens, uniforms, and appointment decrees.

These two armed forces were directly under the emperor’s command, the most trusted imperial guards beside him.

Previously, Qin Xiao and Prime Minister Zuo had placed their own people in these positions. Without enough leverage, he was unable to remove them directly.

Now, he could take advantage of this opportunity to bring the imperial guards back under his control.

In addition, all officials involved in the recent traitor case were to be suspended and thoroughly investigated.

After issuing the orders, he still needed to prepare for tomorrow’s court session.

The man remained busy in the imperial study until dusk, while Liu Yusheng had no time to rest either.

The family, finally gathered safely, was at ease, and the elders’ worries were soothed. They chattered for a while before being persuaded to rest.

Liu Yusheng returned to her Shengxiao Courtyard. As soon as she sat down, a figure flashed in from outside.

The person sat opposite her, staring at her intently, as if trying to discern something from her expression.

“What’s going on with you? You’ve been beaten up like this. Can you at least go fix your face before coming here?” Liu Yusheng helplessly rubbed her brow.

The way he was staring at her was a bit unsettling.

“Lucky Nannan, you’re acting strange. Why did you let me off so easily?” The man looked at her with a curious expression.

“…” So now, if she didn’t chase him for answers, he felt uncomfortable? “Well, then would you like to tell me why you’re changing your expression?”

Xue Qinglian stared at the girl for a moment, then lazily leaned back against the desk. “I feel like you’re not surprised at all. Don’t you think… I’m a monster?”

When he said the word ‘monster,’ he turned his gaze away and stopped looking at her.

“Who thinks you’re a monster? I’m not the only one who saw the change in your expression today—my grandparents, parents, uncle, aunt, my second brother, Little White Lotus, Xiao Jinzi, Shi Xianrou… Who else thinks you’re a monster?”

Xue Qinglian curled his lips. “Indeed, none of them think so, or else would they dare beat me like this?”

Liu Yusheng found it amusing, but from the words Xue Qinglian had spoken, she could faintly sense that there was something weighing on his mind, likely connected to the word ‘monster.’

This world has very little tolerance for those with mental abnormalities.

For example, Feng Qingbai was called a madman when he was a child.

If others had seen Xue Qinglian’s change of expression, it wouldn’t be surprising if they called him a monster.

Having two personalities in one person, even in the post-modern world, would be considered a mental illness by many.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Yusheng looked at the man. “What you have is a type of mental illness. Though I haven’t seen many cases, you’re definitely not the first.”

Xue Qinglian narrowed his eyes. “Are you trying to make me a case study?”

“I’m not involved in this field, and I can’t treat mental illnesses,” Liu Yusheng replied. “But honestly, I don’t think you need treatment. Even though your personalities are very different, don’t you two get along just fine?”

“…Lucky Nannan, are you sure you’re not speaking ironically?” The woman’s eyes clearly held some teasing. Xue Qinglian thought for a moment and his eyes lit up. “How about you use me for research and see if you can make that bastard Xue Honglian die?”

Before Liu Yusheng could react, Xue Qinglian raised his fist and slammed it into his own face, making the already swollen area even more bruised.

“…” Liu Yusheng blinked. Did Honglian just punch himself?

“Dammit, you old bastard! Xue Honglian, if you have the guts, come out! You snuck around, causing trouble, and then ran off, making me take the fall for you! Are you even a man?!”