FID – Chapter 860

Chapter 860: A Man, I Will Never Miss Anything About You Again

“Imperial Uncle.”

“Imperial Uncle.”

“Imperial Uncle.”

The young emperor sat behind the imperial desk, supposedly buried in state affairs—but doing anything but that.

He held a purple wolf-hair brush in hand, grinning like a lunatic as he kept calling out those two words over and over again.

“Feng Mohan, if you don’t finish these documents by noon, the amount of memorials in the afternoon will double,” the man sitting nearby in a round-back armchair said flatly, flipping through an imperial record without even lifting his eyelids.

Feng Mohan’s smile froze. He muttered under his breath, “Just the other day, you were calling me ‘Feng’er,’ and now it’s full name all of a sudden…”

A cold glance shot over from the man, instantly making Feng Muhan shrink his neck and fall silent.

“My actions earlier actually overstepped,” the man said lightly, as if in passing. “You’re the emperor. Matters of disciplining officials should be handled by you. But because the subject was Qin Xiao, your current authority and reputation aren’t enough to command him. If word got out, the military and the people wouldn’t be convinced—they’d criticize you. That’s why I made the decision on your behalf. In the future, when your prestige has grown, all matters will be left to you to handle personally. I’ll step back into the shadows.”

Feng Mohan understood exactly what his uncle meant.

This incident with Qin Xiao could have earned him tremendous prestige and public favor—an excellent opportunity for any ruler.

But all that glory went to his uncle instead. His uncle was worried he’d be upset about it.

But how could he not see the truth? If he had stepped forward today, it would’ve backfired.

He was merely a teenage emperor with no personal achievements to speak of, still reliant on his uncle and the cabinet ministers for everything.

By then, not only would the people outside fail to support him, they would also accuse him of stealing credit for others’ achievements. Relying entirely on his uncle and the cabinet for guidance, having no ability of his own—how could he possibly presume to instruct someone like Qin Xiao or win hearts that way?

His uncle’s worries were unnecessary. He didn’t mind at all.

In his eyes, whatever his uncle possessed, was as good as his own, because his uncle would always stand behind him, backing him up. Anyone else might try to take advantage of him, but never his uncle. 

Of course, if his uncle could just be a bit less strict and a little more gentle, that would be perfect.

If his uncle ever wanted it, he’d gladly hand over the throne. Why would he care about something like that?

Looking at the man who still didn’t spare him a glance, Feng Mohan pouted. “You’re always underestimating me. I have a generous heart, you know.”

Those childish words made the corners of the man’s lips curl ever so slightly—almost imperceptibly.

Only in front of him and Shengsheng would the young emperor show this side of himself.

After leaving the imperial study, Qin Xiao did not immediately leave the palace.

He passed through the imperial gardens, entered the rear palace quarters, and slowly came to stand before Yangxin Hall.

He had been here several times in the past. Each time, standing at the door, he could smell the faint scent of sandalwood drifting from within, calming the heart and mind.

Now, it is gone.

It seemed that ever since the Princess Consort had moved into the palace, they had stopped burning sandalwood incense there. Even now, after she had returned to the King’s Manor, the incense was still not lit.

Aman must have been worried that if the Princess Consort came by to visit occasionally, she might not like the smell.

Just to accommodate a pregnant woman, she had changed a habit she had held for many years.

She cared about others in such a subtle, awkward way—never saying it aloud, never letting anyone know.

Aman had always been like that.

“General Qin? Why are you standing at the door? Are you here to pay your respects to Her Majesty?” came the surprised voice of an old maid from inside.

Qin Xiao smoothed his expression and nodded as he stepped inside. “I was reassigned today and happened to have some free time, so I came by specifically to visit Her Majesty.”

Though he said it to the old maid, the words were clearly meant for the person inside the hall.

The elderly woman lying on the soft couch raised her head to look at him. “I’ve already heard about the General’s reassignment. Congratulations, General.”

A faint, subtle smile appeared at the corners of Qin Xiao’s lips. He had been demoted, and yet Aman congratulated him—clearly trying to provoke him on purpose.

But he didn’t feel the least bit angry. At least she was willing to speak to him. Even a few words, even just one—he was content.

In the past, when she shut herself away in Yangxin Hall, every time he came to the door, she would never respond, no matter what he said.

“The court has appointed me Royal Chief Military Instructor. I’ll be staying in the capital from now on.”

“Congratulations.” When the Empress Dowager said this, she deliberately glanced at the man casually, but saw no trace of bitterness or annoyance in his eyes; instead, there seemed to be a smile there.

That made her unhappy, and her expression immediately darkened.

“In the future… I won’t leave the capital again.”

“General is a lone man; whether you stay in the capital or not makes no difference. Wherever you go, it’s the same.” 

A solitary man.

Seeing the old woman displeased and speaking with a hint of sulking, Qin Xiao lowered his gaze to hide the laughter spilling from his eyes. “I heard Your Majesty recently went to Xinghua Village and brought back some fine tea. I wonder if I might have a cup?”

“No.”

“…” Her teapot beside her was still steaming hot.

In just a few words, he was sent away.

But Qin Xiao felt happy. Today Aman spoke more to him, even revealed some emotion. 

It was not like before, when her heart was as dead as ashes, utterly calm.

Perhaps this was thanks in part to the Princess Consort.

Qin Xiao glanced back at the palace behind him, his eyes turning bitter.

Aman, from now on, I won’t miss any of your matters again.

Not far after leaving Yangxin Hall, a young woman who looked like a maid approached, bowed to him, then went straight into the palace.

Qin Xiao furrowed his brows and looked back at the maid entering the hall. She wasn’t stopped at all.

Aman rarely mingled with others, and no one was usually allowed free access to her Yangxin Hall.

Who was this maid?

Someone from Liu Yusheng’s entourage?

Zisu entered the Yangxin Hall, holding out a jar in her hands. “Your Majesty, this is nourishing tea specially prepared by our Princess Consort for you. It’s excellent for weakness and night cough. Her Highness instructed that you drink a small cup every morning and evening. She also advised that Your Majesty should not be picky when dining and should balance meat and vegetables, as a long-term vegetarian diet is not good for your health.”

The Empress Dowager showed no expression, ordered the old maid to take the medicinal tea, and then dismissed Zisu.

After the visitors left, she instructed the old maid to bring the jar of medicinal tea, opened the lid, and smelled it. The herbal scent was faint.

Not bad, at least it was not unpleasant.

She muttered with disdain, “She’s got such a big belly, yet she’s still making medicinal tea. Feng Qingbai doesn’t care at all? A pregnant woman shouldn’t be spending all day handling herbs.”

The old maid suppressed a smile and didn’t respond. If she joined the Empress Dowager in criticizing the Princess Consort, the Empress Dowager would truly get upset.

After leaving the palace, Zisu bumped into General Qin again at the entrance to the Imperial Garden.

She recognized him. General Qin’s fame was truly legendary. She had seen him twice before among the cheering crowds when the army returned.

But she didn’t understand why this grand general was stopping her.

Though it wasn’t exactly stopping, it was definitely waiting here to block her.

“Are you a maid serving the Princess Consort?”

“Yes, General. I am indeed a maid attending the Princess Consort, named Zisu.”

Qin Xiao stared at her intently, his gaze sharp and piercing. Just one look from a battlefield veteran like him could make people tremble with fear. “Why did your Princess Consort send you to Yangxin Hall?”

“The Empress Dowager suffers from weakness and night cough. The Princess Consort is worried about Her Majesty’s health and ordered me to bring the medicinal tea she prepared,” Zisu explained after a pause. “The Princess Consort is pregnant and can’t handle these herbs for long periods, so she could only prepare a very small amount each day. It took two whole months to gather enough to fill this small jar. Only today was it ready to be presented.”

After the maid left, Qin Xiao stood in place for a long time.