Chapter 65: Betraying the Emperor

General Ling Fengyang, also known as General Fengyang, was adopted by the Sheng family and was the nephew of the late Concubine Sheng, growing up alongside Princess Pingyao. At the age of sixteen, he accompanied his foster father to the border for training. Princess Pingyao, who was then only fourteen, also went to the border with them, where they spent a full six years together.

One was a young general in splendid attire, the other a member of the royal family, both exceptionally well-matched in looks and talent. Their feelings deepened day by day amidst the blessings of the border soldiers, and they had already set a date for their marriage.

They had once loved each other deeply, a bond that was also favored by the late Emperor and the Concubine Sheng.

But fate had other plans.

General Sheng fell into a trap set by someone during a battle, while General Fengyang was shot by a stray arrow while trying to save his father.

Princess Pingyao witnessed his tragic death firsthand and even personally escorted the coffins of her uncle and General Fengyang back to the capital.

How could he possibly still be alive?

The palace was as quiet as death itself.

Princess Pingyao sat by the window, propping up her head in silence. The light coming in through the window cast a dim and hazy glow on her face, concealing her thoughts.

The oppressive and unsettling silence seemed to last forever until faint footsteps were heard. Princess Pingyao seemed to snap out of her thoughts, slowly raising her eyes to look at the handsome man standing close by. “Who let you in?”

“I was worried about Your Highness.” Qin Yumo replied with concern in his eyes. “Do you have something troubling you?”

After a moment of silence, Princess Pingyao spoke, “Have a seat.”

Qin Yumo sat down in the chair opposite her. “If there’s anything on Your Highness’s mind, feel free to share. Perhaps I can…”

“Do you think someone can come back to life after death?”

What?

Qin Yumo was taken aback, “Come back to life after death?”

“Do you find it unbelievable too?” Princess Pingyao mocked, lips curling in disdain. “A person who has been dead for three years, yet the Emperor claims he is still among the living. It truly feels absurd.”

Dead for three years?

A thought stirred in Qin Yumo’s mind, suddenly thinking of someone.

If anyone in this world could influence Princess Pingyao’s emotions… it was probably only that person.

Unconsciously tightening his hands on his knees, Qin Yumo said, “Coming back to life may not be very likely. If it were true, then there must have been some underlying mystery surrounding the initial death.”

Some underlying mystery… During the solitary meditation of half an hour, Princess Pingyao also arrived at this conclusion.

If the Regent did not know about this, but the Emperor did, then the initial mystery was likely orchestrated by the Emperor… or perhaps by the late Emperor, with the current Emperor being in the know.

Princess Pingyao coldly smiled.

It was said that the Emperor favored her and her mother the most, yet the Sheng family was completely wiped out, her mother passed away early, and her fiancé died in battle.

Such favoritism was truly unbearable.

“Your Highness.” Qin Yumo hesitantly spoke, “Should we consider canceling the grand wedding in half a month?”

“Who said anything about canceling?” Princess Pingyao raised her eyes questioningly at him. “The wedding date is set. The grand wedding will proceed as planned. There’s no reason to cancel it.”

“Yes.”

Princess Pingyao stood up and walked out, saying, “I’m going to the Regent’s Residence. You don’t need to follow.”

“Yes.”

Upon arriving at the Regent’s Residencce and being announced, Princess Pingyao was smoothly escorted to the study to meet Ji Yucang.

The Regent was still in discussions with several ministers in the study.

These days, affairs of the court were busy. After the morning court session, the Regent would have reports sent to the palace for immediate resolution and would also summon ministers for further deliberations.

The two prime ministers were frequent visitors to the Regent’s Residence and acted as enforcers of the Regent’s decrees in court.

“Uncle.” Princess Pingyao entered the study, her tone subdued. “I have something to ask you.”

The people in the study all greeted the princess.

Ji Yucang responded indifferently, “What is it?”

“Regarding General Fengyang’s death on the battlefield years ago, have you ever investigated the truth behind it?”

As these words were uttered, astonishment flickered across the faces of those in the study.

Ji Yucang showed a hint of surprise, “Why do you suddenly ask about this?”

“Today, I went to the Ministry of Justice and, unsurprisingly, was called in by the Empress Dowager after that. Then, I was summoned by the Emperor.” Princess Pingyao seemed oblivious to the concept of keeping secrets as she casually revealed, “He asked me to kill the Regent’s consort and informed me that General Fengyang is still alive.”

Her words were spoken lightly, devoid of the gravity of “killing the Regent’s consort”, and the shame and concealment of betraying the Emperor. However, the listeners’ expressions subtly shifted, exchanging uneasy glances.

Ji Yucang’s face turned cold and stern, a bone-chilling aura emanating from him. “The Emperor asked you to kill Shen Ning?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Princess Pingyao casually found a place to sit down. “I didn’t ask. Anyway, I wouldn’t agree to it.”

“But the Emperor used General Fengyang as a threat…” Yan Qingchen unconsciously interjected, then furrowed his brow. “Is General Fengyang really alive?”

“I heard that Minister Yan is the most intelligent.” Princess Pingyao raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you analyze it for me? Do you think the Emperor’s words are credible?”

Yan Qingchen instinctively looked towards Ji Yucang.

“Didn’t you witness General Fengyang’s death with your own eyes back then?” Ji Yucang sat behind the desk, his brows slightly furrowed.

“Just because you witnessed something doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden truths behind it.” Princess Pingyao replied, “If the Emperor isn’t lying, then perhaps his death back then was part of a conspiracy.”

Yan Qingchen was once again surprised.

The calm demeanor of Princess Pingyao was truly unexpected for them. General Fengyang was once her favorite person, and they were on the verge of getting married.

When news of General Fengyang’s death spread years ago, Princess Pingyao was twenty years old. Later, she adopted a cold attitude, taking on one male companion after another, leading many to believe she was emotionally affected.

Yet now, when the topic of the deceased was brought up again, her tone was surprisingly calm, as if discussing someone of little importance.