Chapter 251: Visit
Her appearance was as clear and beautiful as a lotus, her demeanor graceful as a dream.
At this moment, she playfully kicked her little legs on the tree trunk, as if merging with heaven, earth, and all things.
“Junior Brother, what are you thinking about?”
The man looked at her tenderly, his obsidian-like eyes shining with a soft light, just like looking at a water lily that had bloomed after being guarded for a thousand years; the surrounding sunset was softened by his tenderness.
“Nothing, just thinking that I could have become a majestic Great General, but it turned out to be a false hope!”
Seeing her frown and her disappointed expression, this was the lively face he had longed for countless times; the man stroked her black hair on top of her head. “What’s good about being a general? Endless worries. Linglong, from now on, will you stay by Senior Brother’s side?”
“No! Wouldn’t that be the same as now, without freedom???”
“That would be extremely boring!”
Thinking of having to get approval from the person in front of her to leave the manor, she immediately shook her head to show dissatisfaction.
“Hehe! Senior Brother is doing this for your own good!”
“Hmph! Go fool a ghost!”
Feng Qingcheng was about to say something when his expression turned grave as he looked toward the corner not far from the base of the tree.
A burst of hurried footsteps approached, and Jin Zhi rushed over to report!
“Your Highness, the Emperor has come to Yu Qing Palace.”
“Oh?”
Feng Qingcheng sneered coldly, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. He raised his gaze to the woman in front of him and said in a magnetic, gentle voice: “Senior Brother has something to handle. You play for a moment, then come down. It’s early spring, the chill is heavy—be careful not to catch a cold.”
“Got it, you go.”
Li Xi’er saw Feng Qingcheng leap down, shake his robe hem, and disappear into the courtyard; her eyes flickered.
She felt that today’s Feng Qingcheng was different from before—cold, with coldness all over his body as if to freeze a person.
It was just that, when facing her, there was a bit more warmth. Something must have happened.
Feng Qingcheng was the Third Prince of Feng Lan Kingdom, born from the belly of Consort Li’s maidservant Lan’er.
After giving birth to the Ninth Princess, Consort Li’s body was weak and she could no longer get pregnant. Just then, her maidservant Lan’er concealed her growing belly right under her nose—what could be tolerated about that?
Consort Li, who already harbored jealousy toward Lan’er’s stunning appearance, nearly forced a confession out of her. After several twists and turns, Emperor Your Majesty finally calmly revealed the fact that he had been drunk and mistaken Lan’er for Consort Li.
Because she was pregnant with the imperial heir, Lan’er was spared from death, but due to her lowly birth and being Consort Li’s maidservant, she was casually thrown into Consort Li’s Yi Kun Palace for recuperation and care, to be rewarded after giving birth to the child.
One can imagine what the result would be for competing with a consort for a man. Consort Li thought of her own useless belly—currently having only given birth to one princess. Without a belly in the palace, what future was there? Staring at Lan’er’s belly, she suddenly came up with a plan.
This Lan’er was also a pawn her father had found for her, but unexpectedly, she hadn’t used her, and instead the Emperor had taken a fancy to her first.
It was twenty years ago that Lan’er died from difficult childbirth on the spot. Consort Li naturally gained an extra son—that was the adopted son, Third Prince Feng Qingcheng.
Feng Qingcheng had been weak and sickly since childhood, not favored much by the late Emperor or the other concubines in the rear palace. For some reason, he suddenly received the Emperor’s approval to go to Jue Lun Kingdom to live in seclusion and practice martial arts during his youth.
To outsiders, this was equivalent to giving up imperial power. Consort Li was furious at the unfilial iron—how dare he secretly propose such a request to the Emperor without telling her?
Wanting to beg for mercy was already too late; after all, one not born from her own belly would forever be an ungrateful white-eyed wolf that couldn’t be raised close!
Waste—if she had known, she might as well have strangled him to death back then.
“This minister pays respects to Your Majesty!”
In the hall, Feng Qingcheng stepped forward and properly saluted Emperor Your Majesty!
The Emperor was the former Crown Prince, the Great Prince back then, now thirty-two years old.
He quietly looked at him for a moment; the hall was so quiet that the drop of a needle could be heard. Then he laughed heartily, “Imperial Brother, why bother? This is just me visiting incognito, a family visit. Get up quickly. You have leg ailments and heart ailments; over these years of campaigning, your body has suffered countless injuries big and small. Don’t make it hard for your brother anymore!”
“Yes!”
Feng Qingcheng stood up expressionlessly, his face showing no color, neither joy nor sorrow.
Feng He narrowed his eyes and carefully sized up the majestic Third Brother in front of him!
Second Brother had rebelled and died on the road to exile by Father Emperor; Fourth Brother was confined and became depressed and joyless, eventually committing suicide; Fifth Brother died young. Only the man in front of him remained, but he was no longer as easy to control as before.
He had originally raised him like a dog—how had he step by step become the God of War, invincible in all battles and taking all fortresses, in the hearts of Feng Lan Kingdom’s people?
That fame even surpassed him, the ruler of the nation. Once, during a secret visit among the common folk, he heard a child say that only the God of War deserved to possess Feng Lan Kingdom’s rivers and mountains—without him, Feng Qingcheng, Feng Lan Kingdom would not be a kingdom!
Seeing the bright adoration in his eyes, in rage, he sealed his throat with one sword!
He looked proper and majestic—did his heart toward this Imperial Brother still hold the same sincerity as before?
Feng Qingcheng’s heart was utterly calm, even feeling a bit annoyed. It turned out that his trusted Imperial Brother had suggested he apply to Father Emperor to go to Jue Lun Kingdom in order to have one less rival.
He couldn’t forget Father Emperor’s utterly disappointed expression when looking at him.
It turned out that the poison and injuries on his body, aside from rear palace struggles, mostly came from the one who had shown him exceptional care since childhood.
It turned out that he could return to Feng Lan Kingdom because he wanted him to go fight battles, conquer the land, and kill foreign enemies—his death would be good for him, and his victories even better!
During his childhood, whenever he encountered bullying in the palace, was the one extending a helping hand already laying out plans early?
However, Feng He hadn’t expected that not only did he survive every time, but he grew faster and faster, catching him off guard. Now, he didn’t know how to arrange for him.
“Imperial Brother, has Physician Zhang found a way for your condition?” Feng He seemed very concerned about his health.
Feng Qingcheng sneered coldly, “Imperial Brother, no need to mention it. Third Brother probably doesn’t have much time left!”
Don’t you know it better than anyone in your heart?
Can’t wait anymore?
Coming to his manor so late—was it to confirm if he had gotten that person’s confession?
“Sigh, no need to be so pessimistic. Your brother will surely find you a good divine physician to cure you. You are your brother’s great hero; soon you’ll help your brother share worries and marry the Si Kingdom Princess!”
“This minister will respectfully obey!”
Seeing him still put on a kindly fatherly-brotherly appearance, Feng Qingcheng couldn’t help but feel nauseous! If not for Hua Shidi waking up, it wouldn’t matter if he got his way.
But now, he had hope and must stay alive.
Feng Qingcheng took out a handkerchief, covered his mouth, suddenly turned pale, and spat out a mouthful of bright red blood. “Master, are you alright…”
Bu Wei shouted loudly in tension behind him; Feng Qingcheng said weakly, “No harm!”
A trace of triumphant smile appeared in Emperor Feng He’s eyes. It seemed he was truly at the end of his oil. When the Si Kingdom Princess married over, it would be best if she became a widow; if not, let him drag on a bit longer until that matter was completed! There were plenty of ways to keep her from conceiving.
And there was the military power that kept him sleepless! He hadn’t thought of taking it back!
But from the common people of Feng Lan Kingdom to the court officials and generals, all sincerely submitted to him! If he forcibly demanded it back, it would surely cause discontent and give enemies an opportunity.
On this matter, he would die either way! He must plan carefully; a dark tide surged in his eyes, quickly turning to concern. “Imperial Brother, is your body unwell again? Sigh, how did you spit blood again?”
“You servants, have you not taken good care of your master? If anything happens to my Imperial Brother, bring your heads to see me!”
Bu Wei’s face changed color, and together with the guards at the doorway, they knelt down in a clatter. “We servants know our mistake!”
“Thank you, Imperial Brother, for your concern. It’s not their fault. It’s this brother who probably doesn’t have much time left and is about to be done for!”
“Don’t say such inauspicious words. With your Imperial Brother here, I will surely seek out famous physicians from all over the world to cure you!”
“Then thank you for your kind intentions, Imperial Brother!”
“Hehe, you help me dispel worries and guard Feng Lan Kingdom’s rivers and mountains in my place—this is only right!”
As he spoke these words, a hidden ruthless glint appeared in his eyes!
Feng He’s dark guard Feng, an old follower of dozens of years, actually betrayed him for an unknown bastard. He merely killed him with one sword, killed that ignorant child who disrespected him greatly; due to a moment of negligence, he escaped!
Although he had been executed, he knew what he feared—afraid he would leave behind nonsense for revenge. He didn’t know if he had secretly informed the man in front of him of those things he had done.
So, he had rushed over overnight to probe.
