FID – Chapter 778

Chapter 778: Bloodshed… Or?

Liu Yusheng nodded and gave the maid a sidelong glance with a smile, “Didn’t you notice how they adhere to etiquette in their every word and action? They’re not like ordinary people.”

The maid thought for a moment, then her face flushed. Indeed, as the madam had said, the way those two behaved was no different from that of nobility, so when they spoke, she hadn’t felt any sense of awkwardness.

Because she lived in this circle, she got used to it.

And because she was used to it, she overlooked the details. She took it for granted.

As Liu Yusheng walked back, she became lost in her thoughts, and the maid didn’t dare to disturb her again.

That night, lying in bed, Liu Yusheng tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind constantly occupied with the matter of her patient.

“Feng Qingbai, when interrogating prisoners in the Ministry of Justice’s prison, do they always use torture devices?”

Feng Qingbai’s brows twitched slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he answered, “It depends on the situation. If they confess willingly, there’s naturally no need for torture.” 

But such cases were rare.

In most situations, people thrown into prison would first be dealt with, made to break down, and then interrogating them would have much better results.

“Is it common for them to use branding irons to punish prisoners in the prison?”

“Why the sudden interest in these things?” Feng Qingbai’s brows furrowed, his expression tightening. He didn’t want her to focus on such things, as they represented darkness.

Liu Yusheng didn’t notice the furrowing of his brows as she half-leaned on his chest, “The patient I saw today had his throat burned by something like a branding iron. The injury was very serious. Even if treated immediately, it would be very difficult for him to speak again. Not only was he burned, but he also ate something that caused the wound to fester and become inflamed. It’s like they wanted him dead but didn’t want him to die too easily. Don’t you think this is the work of a sworn enemy?”

“Shengsheng, are you sure you want to discuss your patient with me in this position?” The man’s dark eyes half-lidded, his gaze falling exactly on the exposed glimpse of her chest as she leaned forward.

“……” Liu Yusheng silently turned back, pulling the blanket up to her chin, wrapping herself tightly.

Feng Qingbai sighed softly, “It’s too late.”

He wasn’t like Liu Xiahui, especially when the one he was facing was a woman whose gaze alone could entrap him.

The beaded curtain hanging in front of the bed swayed again, from light to heavy, from slow to urgent.

The one who reaped what they sowed finally grew so tired that even their fingers couldn’t move, falling into a deep sleep.

Staring at her sleeping face, the man’s eyes deepened, filled with affection and helplessness.

His little girl seemed to always somehow attract trouble.

And what he had to do was solve those troubles for her. 

But he liked it. He liked putting so much thought into her.

To allow her to live freely, to do everything she wanted and loved to do.

As the last of the rooster hour approached, he prepared to rise. At that moment, his little girl was still soundly asleep in bed.

After freshening up and dressing, he put on his court attire. Before leaving, he gently pressed a kiss on her forehead, then turned and exited the room.

Since the downfall of Dowager Consort Liu and the Prime Minister Zuo, the various forces quietly stirring in the court had suddenly quieted down. No one dared to show their face during such turbulent times, nor did anyone want to cause any trouble that would attract the attention of the King of Nanling.

With the absence of the balance provided by the Empress Dowager and Minister Zuo, aside from the old ministers, no one dared to voice opposition to the words of the King. 

Even General Qin Xiao, who was highly regarded by everyone, now stood at the head of the military officials during court assemblies, his head lowered and eyes cast down, rarely speaking.

In the court, the King held unrivaled power, controlling half the kingdom.

Thus, the morning court sessions had become a mere formality. The officials had little to report.

The borders are peaceful, the country is stable, and the people are at ease.

Both the emperor and his ministers were pleased.

After the morning court session, not long after entering the imperial study, a eunuch came to report

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, Prince Yan and his son are causing a scene at the palace gate. They say they want to visit Dowager Consort Liu, but they were stopped. Now, they are demanding to see both Your Highness and His Majesty.”

“What are they going crazy for now?” Before Feng Mohan could sit down, he heard the report and immediately stopped, sneering. “When Dowager Consort Liu was confined to Qingning Palace, I didn’t see them coming forward. Now, they’re suddenly here to show filial piety? What are they up to?”

If it weren’t for the eunuch’s report, he might have forgotten that Feng Qingyan, Dowager Consort Liu’s son, existed in the royal family.

And then there was Feng Moyun, Dowager Consort Liu’s grandson, his cousin. That person had barely appeared in his life, even during royal gatherings, where these two rarely attended.

Even during royal gatherings, those father and son rarely made an appearance.

Feng Qingbai sat down at the desk, pulled out a dossier beside him, and began reviewing it, seemingly unconcerned about the commotion caused by those two.

“Imperial Uncle, should I have the Imperial Guards drive them away?”

“Dowager Consort Liu has already been placed under house arrest. Since she’s confined, naturally no visitors are allowed. Anyone who dares break this rule—beat and punish them.”

The eunuch understood and immediately withdrew.

Now that Dowager Consort Liu had fallen, those two likely wouldn’t even be allowed through the palace gates anymore.

After the doors to the imperial study closed, Feng Mohan pulled over a stool and sat beside Feng Qingbai, fawningly handing him an imperial report. “Imperial Uncle, what do you think is their purpose in trying to visit Dowager Consort Liu now? Surely they didn’t come just to make a scene for no reason?”

His uncle had taught him: in this world, nothing happens without a reason.

“You’re fifteen this year. After your coming-of-age ceremony, you’ll be able to hold real power. Naturally, they’re getting anxious.”

“But she has already fallen. Can their anxiety change anything?” Feng Mohan sneered.

“Don’t underestimate anyone. Of those few still living in the royal family, which one doesn’t harbor some ambition?” Feng Qingbai replied calmly. “Unless they’re all dead, your position can only barely be considered secure.”

Feng Mohan fell silent, his eyes flickering.

Back then, to intimidate the royal family and court officials, his Imperial Uncle had executed many members of their own clan just to earn a moment to breathe—and eventually secure his footing.

When he assumed power in the future, it would be the moment his Imperial Uncle let go. From that point on, every decision would rest on his own shoulders.

Bloodshed… was that what awaited him?

At the palace gates, two men in brocade robes were thrown to the ground by the palace guards. Their hair was messy, clothes disheveled, utterly disgraced after their noisy outburst.

“Even if I’ve fallen from grace, I’m still royalty! I was personally titled Prince Yan by the late emperor! The one locked up in Qingning Palace is my own mother! Why shouldn’t I be allowed to see her? Nanling claims to value filial piety above all. Denying a son from seeing his mother is against the very heavens! You’ll be struck by lightning for this! Retribution will come!” Feng Qingyan shouted furiously, his eyes bloodshot. He made to charge back into the palace, but Feng Moyun grabbed him.

“Father, making a scene here won’t help. These damned dogs look down on us! We won’t get in like this. Let’s go back first and think of another way,” Feng Moyun said, his gaze dark and hateful as he stared into the palace beyond the gates.

“Think of a way? What way is there to think of? Our Prince Yan Manor is almost—”

Almost unable to survive!

The Liu family in the capital had been seized, cutting off their wealth. Their greatest support in the palace had been placed under house arrest. Rumors said Dowager Consort Liu had gone mad. In the blink of an eye, the Prince Yan household had fallen from the clouds into the mud—stepped on by everyone.

They were royalty! And yet those people showed no restraint!

Why?

Because of Feng Qingbai!