FID – Chapter 808

Chapter 808: He Said, An Emperor Does Not Need Emotions

Having a meal with the Empress Dowager was an excruciating ordeal.

Her status was high, her rank was high, and her seniority was unmatched.

What’s more, this Empress Dowager was inscrutable and rarely smiled.

In short, Qian Wanjin practically developed a psychological shadow from the experience.

He was used to the lively, cheerful family meals at the Liu courtyard, where everyone chatted and laughed. But here, he had to stifle himself completely.

The moment you opened your mouth, the Empress Dowager’s sharp eyes would quietly fix on you — unnervingly so.

After the midday meal, the Empress Dowager retreated into her inner chambers without either inviting them to leave or asking them to stay.

Stretching his neck to peek into the inner room and making sure she wouldn’t suddenly reappear, Qian Wanjin immediately slumped into the armchair, completely discarding his manners.

“Oh my heavens, this meal almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Liu Yusheng said helplessly.

They were still in someone else’s domain. If his words somehow reached the Empress Dowager’s ears, even if she didn’t punish them, it would be immensely awkward.

“How is that nonsense? They’re both old ladies. Our grandma swings her chopsticks with gusto when she eats, laughs heartily when she’s happy, and if she’s annoyed, she’ll grab the fire tongs and give someone a whack — isn’t that adorable? Look at how things are here…” He subtly pointed towards the inner chamber and bared his teeth. “What’s the fun in that?”

It was like a specimen fixed rigidly within a frame, with every angle meticulously striving for perfection.

That kind of demeanor was entirely put on.

Was it even the real person anymore?

The imperial family — always the imperial family — all of them were pitiable souls who had lost themselves.

Feng Mohan said nothing in response to his words. He himself had lived the same way, so he had no right to criticize others.

To be able to retain even half of oneself was already a rare feat.

Being part of the imperial family meant that nothing was truly within one’s control.

Shi Xianrou spoke calmly, “Everyone has their own way of living. Different environments naturally lead to different lifestyles. There’s nothing for us to criticize. You are not a fish — how can you know the joy of a fish?”

“You people always like to talk in such a flowery, scholarly way — it makes my head spin,” Qian Wanjin grumbled as he leaned towards Liu Yusheng. “Nannan, why don’t you forget about staying here in Yangxin Hall and come stay at my house instead? My grandmother and my mother are both there. With them looking after you, it’d surely be much more comfortable and relaxed than being here all alone.”

“Qian Wanjin!” Feng Mohan growled through gritted teeth.

“What are you shouting about? Did I say anything wrong? The palace may be heavily guarded, but it’s not 100% safe. More importantly, it’s not free, is it? You have to be cautious with every single word you say, afraid of making even the slightest mistake, or else someone will seize on it and use it against you. Nannan staying here might not be the best thing.”

“Imperial Aunt is a member of the royal family. Naturally, she should stay within the royal grounds. What does it look like for her to run off and stay at your residence? Besides, with me looking after her, who would dare to cause her trouble?”

“Enough, both of you stop arguing.” Liu Yusheng finally spoke to halt their quarrel. “Since I’ve already entered the palace, I’ll stay here peacefully. This is the Yangxin Hall, and with the Empress Dowager’s care, nothing will happen.”

Her words, however, left all three of them momentarily stunned.

The woman gave them a slight nod, conveying her intentions.

This wasn’t the place to speak openly.

However, after so many years of knowing each other, oftentimes just a glance was enough to understand what the other meant.

Looking towards the silent inner chamber, a flicker flashed through Liu Yusheng’s eyes.

She had only made up her mind this very morning.

Before Feng Qingbai returned, she would stay here.

Although Dowager Consort Liu had fallen and Zuo Xiang had fled, and the court appeared to have settled, beneath that surface calm there were still turbulent undercurrents. Otherwise, the incident of Dongyue issuing a declaration of war would not have happened.

This time, Feng Qingbai was beset with enemies on all sides.

And within the court, the ones who posed the greatest threat to him were the Empress Dowager and Qin Xiao.

She wanted to stay — perhaps she could do something for him.

At the very least, while he was away handling external threats, she could help shield him from internal strife.

“If you’ve made up your mind to stay here, I won’t try to dissuade you. Anyway, now that I’ve taken over the family business, I’ll be spending much more time in the capital than before. When I have the chance, Xiao Shitou and I will come into the palace to keep you company.” Twirling the token he had pried from Feng Mohan’s hand, Qian Wanjin grinned triumphantly.

If Lucky Nannan wouldn’t come out, they would just come in to accompany her.

In any case, before Feng Qingbai returned, they definitely wouldn’t let her be bullied by anyone.

Glancing around at the three people before her, a gentle smile appeared on Liu Yusheng’s face.

In a person’s life, to have close family, a beloved partner, and a few true friends — that was all the fortune one could ask for. She had it all.

The main hall wasn’t far from the inner chamber, separated only by a beaded curtain. If the people outside didn’t lower their voices, their conversation drifted easily into the room.

The Empress Dowager had already gone to bed, but tonight, she couldn’t fall asleep.

In the past, she had always been alone in the grand hall. She had grown used to that cold emptiness.

Now, with the clamor and chatter ringing in her ears, it felt unfamiliar.

Yet she did not order the attendants to drive them away.

A little noise, a little liveliness — it made her feel that she was still alive.

And not just a walking corpse filled with nothing but hatred.

Half a month after Feng Qingbai’s departure, Feng Mohan’s coming-of-age ceremony was scheduled, and in the blink of an eye, the day arrived.

At the age of fifteen, after the baptismal ceremony, he would officially be recognized as an adult and, from then on, would be able to personally wield the imperial seal of state.

The day was exceptionally grand and festive. All civil and military officials of the court gathered to witness the ceremony. After offering sacrifices to the ancestors and reading the imperial edict, the Empress Dowager herself bound his hair and placed the coronet on his head.

Seated on the dragon throne, watching the entire court of officials and royal descendants kneeling in salute, Feng Mohan gripped the armrests of the throne tightly.

From today onward, he was an adult.

And from today onward, he was the true wielder of power.

His gaze swept across the officials below and fell upon the empty spot beside Liu Yusheng.

It was a pity — his Imperial Uncle hadn’t been able to attend his coming-of-age ceremony.

What he wanted most was for his uncle to witness him binding his hair and donning the coronet, and to hear him say, ‘At last, you’ve grown up.’

The entire ceremony was grand and magnificent.

Liu Yusheng stood among the witnesses, positioned at the front as befit her rank among the royal family members.

Looking at the young man seated on the dragon throne, the boyishness had already faded from his sharply defined face. In its place was the steadiness and intensity that belonged to adulthood. In those eyes too, there was now a depth only adults possessed.

Given more time, he would grow into a capable emperor.

Commanding armies, directing the fate of the nation, mastering the subtle manipulations of imperial rule.

Liu Yusheng felt both joy and heartache for him.

Xiao Feng’er was an emperor now — his path had long been set.

In gaining supreme power, he was bound to lose many things he longed for but could never have.

Unbidden, Feng Qingbai’s words surfaced in her mind: ‘An emperor does not need emotions.’

He had said it that way and had taught Xiao Feng’er the same.

For a moment, she couldn’t judge whether such teachings were good or bad for him.

The world she once lived in, and even the one she lived in now, were completely different from Xiao Feng’er’s.

She did not understand, nor could she comprehend it fully; likewise, she couldn’t evaluate it from her own perspective.

All she could hope for was that, in the future, he could find his own happiness.

And not be left lonely at the heights of power.

Upon returning to the Yangxin Hall, the echoes of the court’s shouts still rang in her ears: ‘Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!”

Liu Yusheng smiled faintly. Behind her, the sound of approaching footsteps rang out.