Chapter 83: My Wife Has Passed Away

Ling Fengyang had been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice’s dungeon for three days, with both his legs broken.

Even though imperial physicians were ordered to treat him, there was no way his legs could be restored to their original state in such a short time. Moreover, in the harsh environment of the dungeon, he had no chance to rest and recover properly.

His injuries would only worsen. If he couldn’t see the Emperor, he might even die there.

Meanwhile, the Nan Dynasty envoys were about to arrive in the capital of Yong Kingdom, and Ling Fengyang’s anxiety was palpable.

“I want to see the Regent, I want to see the Emperor!” Ling Fengyang cried out in pain, “Someone, I want to see the Regent, I have something to tell him!”

A jailer whipped him: “You’re really asking for it! When the Regent was here, you didn’t say anything, and now you’re causing a ruckus to see him. Do you really think the Regent has time for you anytime?!”

“I want to see the Regent, I want to see the Emperor!”

“Stay put.” A warden walked over, looking at him coldly, “The Regent is busy welcoming distinguished guests from afar and has no time for you. We’ll talk about it after the envoys leave.”

“I want to see the Regent, I want to see the Regent, I want to see the Regent…”

The warden, seeing his half-dead state, sneered coldly, too lazy to pay attention.

On the 18th of October, the Nan Dynasty envoys finally arrived at the imperial city of Yong Kingdom.

Right Prime Minister Xie Tinglan, along with officials from the Ministry of Rites, went out of the city to greet them.

At the Regent’s residence, Ji Yucang personally dressed Shen Ning in a deep red dress and draped a black outer robe over her.

Shen Ning stood silently in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection in the black robe and red dress, vaguely seeing the former Nan Dynasty’s Princess who once dominated the battlefield.

Although their appearances, ages, and statuses were different, she knew in her heart that they were undoubtedly the same person.

Ji Yucang had her wear this outfit to attend the palace banquet, and she vaguely understood his intentions, not resisting them.

After all, some people owed her too much. She didn’t want to play along with them, instead, she wanted to seek justice for herself as quickly and ruthlessly as possible.

“Will the Empress Dowager attend today’s banquet?”

“No.” Ji Yucang nodded, “Her presence would only affect the mood of those present, serving no other purpose.”

Shen Ning remained silent, but she was aware that the Empress Dowager was actually more qualified to attend, as she was the rightful mother of the Emperor.

Traditionally, the Emperor and Empress would appear together to welcome envoys.

Now, although the Emperor had not yet taken power and the authority was in the hands of the Regent, the Regent was not the Son of Heaven, and the Regent’s wife was not the Mother of the Country.

Their positions were not legitimate.

Unfortunately, neither Ji Yucang nor Shen Ning were people who adhered to conventions, especially since today’s banquet was special.

“Regent, Princess Consort.” The nursemaid approached, bowing, “The carriage of Princess Pingyao has entered the palace.”

Ji Yucang said, “Let’s go too.”

Shen Ning responded with a soft “mm” and turned to walk out.

The banquet was held in the Fengtian Hall.

Both the Left and Right Prime Ministers were present, and the Minister of Rites, along with his officials, warmly entertained the foreign guests.

A loud voice rang out: “Princess Pingyao has arrived!”

The people in the hall turned their heads.

There were old ministers in the hall who frowned, “Why is Princess Pingyao here?”

Yan Qingchen smiled gently, “Princess Pingyao is now an official with real power. What’s so strange about her attending the palace banquet today?”

“Princess Pingyao holds real power?” A question arose from among the Nan Dynasty envoys, “Can women in Yong Kingdom serve as officials just like men?”

Xie Tinglan smiled casually, “Although there aren’t many precedents, Princess Pingyao is an exception.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Princess Pingyao had already stepped into the hall, her tall figure and noble, uninhibited demeanor, surveying the surroundings with a somewhat haughty gaze, like a queen inspecting her own territory.

Even though she was a woman, she made those men who looked down on women dare not speak.

“I hear that Nan Dynasty is in a difficult situation and has traveled thousands of miles to seek help from Yong Kingdom.” Princess Pingyao’s gaze shifted slightly, her eyes landing on the row of Nan Dynasty envoys, “What kind of help are you planning to seek? By marrying off a princess?”

There were nine high-ranking Nan Dynasty officials on the right, and with the one imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice’s dungeon, there were exactly ten.

Two beautiful women wearing red veils sat with their heads bowed in the second row, accompanied by eight red-clad maidservants.

Their guards were all left outside the palace gates, so the current scene looked…

“Is this how Yong Kingdom treats its guests?” The leader of the Nan Dynasty envoys was a man in his late twenties or early thirties, dressed in an intricately embroidered purple robe, appearing to be of high status, not comparable to an ordinary envoy.

Princess Pingyao’s gaze fell on him, her eyes revealing a hint of disdain, “What’s your name? What do you amount to? Is it your place to question Yong Kingdom’s hospitality?”

“You!” The man’s face turned livid with anger, “The Emperor of Yong Kingdom is so incompetent that he allows a woman to cause a scene here?”

“The Marquis doesn’t know this. ” Xie Tinglan spoke up in time to smooth things over, introducing Princess Pingyao’s identity to the other side with enthusiasm and sincerity, “This is Princess Pingyao of Yong Kingdom, the most beloved eldest daughter of the late Emperor, holding military power and now also serving in a court position. She is second only to two people and above tens of thousands. Her status is far more noble than Lord’s.”

Xie Tinglan’s words were spoken at a leisurely pace, neither servile nor overbearing.

The last sentence was the finishing touch, immediately making Marquis Han Rong’s face stiffen and turn a shade of green. He was angry but didn’t dare to show it, only managing to force a smile and apologize by cupping his hands, “Is that so? It seems I have failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please forgive me, Princess.”

“It’s fine. ” Princess Pingyao walked to the frontmost seat on the left and sat down, directly facing Marquis Han Rong’s seat, able to see him with just a glance, “I admire men with ability the most. Since you look down on women, I assume your abilities must far surpass those of women. Later, I’ll have a chance to spar with you.”

Before Marquis Han Rong could speak, someone else among the Nan Dynasty envoys spoke up, “Speaking of which, it’s quite a coincidence. Marquis Han Rong once had a wife who was our Nan Dynasty’s War Goddess Princess. She was also a woman who did not yield to men. I wonder if Princess Pingyao has heard of her?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Han Rong’s face instantly turned incredibly stiff, and he coldly turned to look at the speaker, “Lord Ji.”

“My apologies. ” Lord Ji suddenly seemed to realize something, his face full of regret, “Princess Yan has always been a source of pain for the Marquis. I should not have mentioned her so rashly.”

“So, Marquis Han is also a prince consort of the royal family. ” Princess Pingyao raised an eyebrow, “Were you granted the title of Marquis because you married that princess?”

Han Rong, looked displeased, “My wife has passed away, and I hope the princess will not mention her again.”

“Passed away?” Princess Pingyao was slightly surprised and then apologized, “The lord just mentioned ‘once,’ so I thought the princess wife had left you. I didn’t expect that she has passed away. My apologies.”

A shadow of gloom flashed through Han Rong’s eyes, and he involuntarily tightened his grip on the wine cup in his hand.

He detested how people always said he had risen to power through his connection to Princess Yan Jiuli. Now that she was dead, his marquis title was as solid as a rock.

This was something he had achieved through his own abilities, having nothing to do with that despicable woman.