FID – Chapter 851

Chapter 851 – He Is the Emperor, and Must Have an Emperor’s Magnanimity

After waving Xiao Banzi off, Feng Mohan curled up in his quilt and stared blankly at the bright yellow canopy overhead, his mind spinning rapidly.

“I resemble Uncle ninety percent. Since I was young, I would always read the books he liked, eat the food he liked. Uncle favors semi-cursive script in his writing, so I practiced diligently for five whole years until my handwriting looked exactly like his…”

Counting on his fingers, he realized that in everything, he had tried to emulate his Imperial Uncle. It was because he had always hoped that doing so would make his uncle like him more.

“And Uncle treats the Liu family kindly, so I also like to treat the Liu family kindly. Uncle scours the world for rare treasures to please Aunt, so I followed his example and secretly collected rare gifts to surprise her too… Then, since Uncle likes Aunt, I like her too. But is it because he liked her first, and I just followed his lead? Or did I genuinely like her myself?”

As he went over everything one by one, Feng Mohan’s eyes began to swirl in confusion.

Did he truly like his Imperial Aunt?

His Uncle told him to look into his own heart and see clearly—but now he just felt dizzy.

Why did he like his Imperial Aunt, really? Was it love… or familial affection?

—To love someone… you want to do the most intimate things with her, and never tire of it.

Forcing himself, Feng Mohan imagined one of the consorts meant to share his bed, but replaced her face with that of his Imperial Aunt in his mind. Before the consort had even undone her clothes, he shuddered and sprang up from bed with a shout, “What the hell!”

How could his Imperial Aunt ever be defiled!

Just imagining such a scene filled him with a tidal wave of guilt surging from deep within. No wonder, back when he was selecting consorts, he rejected anyone who even remotely resembled his Imperial Aunt.

Uncle was right.

His feelings for Aunt weren’t love—they were familial affection.

He had misunderstood. Completely misunderstood.

That night, after his brief moment of excitement, the young emperor was plagued by nightmares. Even when he got up the next morning, the overwhelming sense of guilt hadn’t faded.

What a sin.

Upon returning to the capital, the previously delayed matters were brought back onto the agenda.

That day, after Qin Xiao’s failed ambush at the southeastern border, Feng Mohan took the opportunity to reclaim his military power. It all unfolded smoothly. 

Qin Xiao showed no resistance and offered no excuses.

Now the Tiger Tally was in his hands.

Feng Qingbai wore a distant expression even though he was holding the token that commanded the three armies.

“Uncle, what are you thinking about?” Feng Mohan lay beside him, cautiously and carefully.

He still felt guilty and was not quite able to open up fully, so his demeanor carried a hint of anxious flattery—just like when he was a child.

“I’m thinking about where this Tiger Tally should go.”

“What’s there to think about?” Feng Mohan said. “It wasn’t easy taking the military power back from Qin Xiao. Naturally, we must keep it in our own hands. It absolutely must not be given out lightly again. Qin Xiao is already a lesson learned. This tally can command 600,000 troops. If we grant it again, what if another Qin Xiao rises?”

Nothing gave him more peace of mind than having the tally in his Uncle’s hands.

With this tally, combined with the direct forces already under their command, there would be no one left in Nanling who could challenge them.

Feng Qingbai gave him a glance and shook his head. “You’re still too inexperienced. Your thinking isn’t thorough enough. Qin Xiao’s influence in the army runs far deeper than we imagined. Controlling 600,000 soldiers isn’t that simple. Do you think just holding the Tiger Tally ensures stability? We’re still lacking a great deal. If we can’t truly win the trust and respect of the troops, then this tally is just a worthless token. If Qin Xiao wanted to, even without the tally, he could still command the entire army.”

“Then won’t we always be subject to his control?” Feng Mohan frowned.

“What if Qin Xiao could be used by us?”

“Impossible!” Feng Mohan blurted out, unable to believe it.

Who was Qin Xiao? If he could be subdued so easily, would Uncle have feared him for over ten years?

But looking at the man’s calm expression, even though he found it hard to believe, Feng Mohan’s heart still leaned toward trusting him.

What was impossible for others might not be impossible for his Uncle.

Because this was his Imperial Uncle—the King of Nanling.

If he said it could be done, then it would be done.

Feng Qingbai turned the Tiger Tally between his fingers, his gaze dark and deep.

He had long delayed making a move against Qin Xiao, precisely because he held a certain degree of admiration for the man.

Even though they stood on opposing sides, Qin Xiao was upright and honorable. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried to commit suicide to atone for his guilt that day.

It was just that, in Qin Xiao’s heart, there was something more important than the world itself—something he wanted to protect.

Just like his own love for Shengsheng. 

Between the world and her—He would abandon the world without hesitation.

“Uncle, are you planning to return the Tiger Tally to Qin Xiao?” Feng Mohan asked.

Feng Qingbai raised the corners of his lips. “I once taught you that an emperor must master the art of balance and counterbalance; do you still remember? As long as the balance is maintained, everything can be within your grasp.”

Feng Mohan didn’t fully understand, but he still nodded.

He might not understand now, but he would in the future.

His Uncle would teach him.

The man looked at him again, this time with a trace of sternness in his eyes. Feng Mohan immediately tensed up and sat upright.

“This time upon returning, I’ve already heard about your words and actions in the palace. I’ve told you before. A gentleman governs the nation with benevolence and virtue. He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. Look at history; what became of those emperors who ruled through violence and tyranny? Their fates are clear.”

“You’ve already lost your impartiality and your calm. In our position, it’s easy to get whatever we want, and over time, the heart can be easily lost. Holding fast to your original intent is the hardest thing. If you want lasting stability, you must reflect well—consider where exactly you went wrong.”

Feng Mohan’s face went slightly pale. He pursed his lips. “I understand, Uncle. I will reflect seriously.”

He had indeed been impulsive in recent days, ready to behead people at the slightest offense, showing signs of arrogance.

His Uncle’s words struck like a blow to the head.

Thinking back on all he had done, on the orders he’d given, he feared he had already disappointed him.

Feng Qingbai put away the Tiger Tally and stepped out of the study. “Handle state affairs properly. I’ll conduct a spot check later.”

“Where are you going, Uncle?”

“To Yangxin Hall.”

“What about Qin Xiao…”

“That can wait.”

Watching the man’s calm and unhurried figure disappear into the distance, then glancing at the towering stack of memorials piled up just that morning, Feng Mohan resigned himself to fate. He picked up his brush and began diligently working to be a hardworking and responsible monarch.

In the past, his uncle would still help him with some matters. Now, he had truly handed everything over without looking back.

His easy days were officially over after this trial by fire.

But why was his uncle going to Yangxin Hall?

In the past, his uncle was just like him. Unless absolutely necessary, he would never go over there to endure that old woman’s cold face.

Biting on the end of his purple wolf-hair brush, Feng Mohan furrowed his brow again and again.

Could Uncle be going to thank that old hag for taking care of Aunt during the past three months?

Did things thaw between them?

Then should he start treating that old hag a little better?

Aunt had also warned him to show more respect to the Empress Dowager and not keep calling her ‘old hag.’

Should he… maybe just let go of the grudge from when she had him confined?

Forget it. 

He was the Emperor—he ought to have the bearing and magnanimity of an emperor.

So, he wouldn’t stoop to the level of an old woman.

As long as she didn’t provoke him again in the future.

Yangxin Hall was as quiet as ever, filled with a lingering air of decay and age.

When Feng Qingbai arrived, the Empress Dowager was once again reading her scriptures—Only, she seemed a little absent-minded this time.