FID – Chapter 923

Chapter 923: I Am Not Honglian

Inside the hall, the Empress Dowager was already playing happily with the two little ones on the soft couch.

It was midsummer in July, and the weather was very hot. Worried that the two babies might get heat rash, she had specially arranged for ice buckets to be placed around the hall.

Just stepping into the grand hall, one could feel a refreshing coolness.

“Princess, that woman has been coming these past two days. If you see her again tomorrow, just ignore her,” the old maid whispered to Liu Yusheng as she escorted her in from the door.

“She’s even annoyed you?” Liu Yusheng smiled amusedly.

“Her Majesty doesn’t like her, so naturally this old servant doesn’t either,” the old maid said with a smile. She was a trusted confidante of the Empress Dowager and knew quite a bit since the Dowager rarely dismissed her when the prince and princess were conversing.

“If neither the Empress Dowager nor Granny like her, then I won’t bother with her either,” Liu Yusheng said.

Her words made the old maid smile, her eyes squinting in amusement. 

No wonder the Empress Dowager liked the princess. Her words were always so endearing.

On the couch, the Empress Dowager glanced over at them and said, “You two were whispering. What could you possibly say that I can’t hear?”

“Your Majesty, with the two little ones here, you have everything you need. I’m sitting right beside you, but you can’t even see me. Are you really jealous of Granny now?”

“Who’s jealous?” The Empress Dowager barely managed to give the woman a reproachful glance before her attention was immediately drawn back to Hongdou, who was cooing and smiling at her. “But you’re right. Having these two little ones, I have everything I need. Look, Hongdou is already smiling at me, with so many little expressions, and Badou even knows how to glare.”

The old lady and the two little ones were having a wonderful time.

Walking over, Liu Yusheng sat down beside the couch and looked at the two babies.

Lying there, their faces about seventy percent alike, were smiling like flowers. Whenever they came to the Empress Dowager, they would be playful and especially good at cheering her up.

But they didn’t really have to do much. Just waving their tiny fists and flashing their pink gums could instantly turn the usually dignified and solemn Empress Dowager into a different person, her smile lingering on her face.

From time to time, the room was filled with the babies’ giggles.

“Your Majesty, I just saw that Plum Concubine’s belly is already showing; she must be about four months along, right?”

“Probably so, I hadn’t really noticed. Why mention her? The next time you see her, stay as far away as possible,” the Empress Dowager said, sitting up straight with a serious expression. “You must keep your distance. She’s extremely calculating and would never do anything unnecessary. If you see her, be sure to guard yourself, especially when you have Badou and Hongdou with you.”

Growing increasingly worried, the Empress Dowager turned to the old maid and said, “Granny, issue orders right now. None of the consorts need to come to the Yangxin Hall to pay respects anymore. When I have free time, I will summon them myself.”

Liu Yusheng didn’t interrupt, but inwardly she agreed with the Empress Dowager’s approach.

Shan Lai was indeed not someone to act without reason. Every time she appeared, there was always a purpose.

With the Empress Dowager’s decree issued, at least it could prevent her from causing trouble in the Yangxin Hall.

But why had she been coming to pay respects every day for the past couple of days?

At noon, Feng Qingbai and Feng Mohan arrived punctually, followed by General Qin.

He was openly showing his intentions. At least in front of these few people, one could say his ambition was as clear as day.

After discussing Shan Lai’s situation, Liu Yusheng asked the men, “Is it because you’ve made some progress on your side that’s forcing her to start acting again?”

Feng Qingbai smiled and looked at her. “She’s become your barometer. It’s not really a progress, but there have been some oddities in the capital lately. I suspect Xue Zhong is trapped in Dongyue and Beicang and may have already secretly returned to the capital by now.”

“He’s come back to the capital?” Liu Yusheng was startled. “Have you found his whereabouts?”

“Not yet. But General Qin and I have set up defenses at all six city gates of the capital. Once he comes in, he won’t be able to escape.”

Feng Mohan, standing nearby, said proudly, “Imperial Aunt, rest assured, my uncle and General Qin have joined forces and set up an inescapable net. Xue Zhong won’t be able to fly even if he grows wings!”

His boast was quickly reined in when Feng Qingbai narrowed his eyes.

Qin Xiao didn’t fully agree with Feng Mohan’s confidence. “Don’t underestimate Xue Zhong. When Zuo Rong was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, someone still managed to rescue him successfully. The Warden’s Offices of the Five City Wards searched the entire city but couldn’t find him. We still don’t know where the loophole was.”

His words completely deflated Feng Mohan’s enthusiasm.

Back then, as soon as Zuo Rong was rescued, they immediately sealed off the city gates, yet he still managed to escape safely. For the royal family of Nanling, this was a significant stain on their reputation.

One that has never been wiped clean.

“With Shan Lai’s intelligence, she must know she’s long been under suspicion. Yet knowing that, she still insists on coming to the Yangxin Hall. What is she trying to do?”

“She knows we won’t do anything to her for now. First, because we haven’t found any solid evidence to prove she’s involved. Second, because Xue Zhong hasn’t shown himself yet. While she still has time, she’s naturally using it to accomplish whatever she needs—whether it’s gathering information or building leverage for future schemes,” Feng Qingbai said calmly. “For now, all our speculation is useless. We’ll wait until the fish bites the hook.”

“Fish? More like a turtle,” Feng Mohan muttered, only to fall silent quickly under Feng Qingbai’s sharp glance.

His exaggerated reaction made the others stifle a laugh.

That night, when the world was silent and deep in slumber—

A shadow slipped like a ghost from the King’s Manor, vanishing into the vast darkness in the blink of an eye.

In the northern part of the city, among the brothels and entertainment houses, business was at its peak.

Dim yellow candlelight glowed from every residence. Doors were half-closed, half-open, and from within came waves of ambiguous sounds, heavy with flirtation and indulgence.

The innermost residence was the same, though the courtyard appeared a bit quieter.

A tall, slender figure reached out and pushed open the door, stepping into the courtyard and finally stopping in front of the east wing.

“Uncle.”

“Come in,” came a hoarse, aged voice from inside.

Xue Qinglian opened the door, and the dim candlelight spilled out. A middle-aged man sat at the table, pouring tea without even looking at him.

“Uncle, why did you come to Nanling?” Xue Qinglian walked in and sat across from the man. “You’re currently a wanted man. Nanling can’t offer you refuge.”

“Now that the three great nations are all hunting down one crippled man, you tell me—where else can I go?” The man let out a dry laugh. “Fortunately, I heard that my dear nephew is now living in the King’s Manor, coming and going with the prince himself. So of course, your uncle had no choice but to seek your shelter.”

“I am not Honglian.”

“Whether you’re Honglian or Qinglian, don’t you still call me uncle?” Xue Zhong lifted his eyes, his gaze cold and sharp. “But clearly, you don’t truly see me as your uncle. You and Feng Qingbai have been old acquaintances for a long time, yet you kept it from me completely!”

“It was Xue Qinglian who was friends with Feng Qingbai. That has nothing to do with Honglian. He has never forgotten the mission you entrusted to him—nor has he ever betrayed you.”

“If that’s true, then tell me. Why did he spare Feng Qingbai, even at the cost of hurting himself?”