Font Size:
The commotion outside had grown loud enough to reach inside the palace.
A dignified but feeble voice resonated, momentarily silencing the tumult outside.
“What’s happening outside?”
A servant respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, it’s Noble Consort Rong causing a disturbance outside.”
The feeble voice spoke again, “Oh? Why do I seem to hear Yanchen and his father’s voices too?”
As the voice spoke, the sound of footsteps against the ground was heard, slowly moving towards the door.
Fei Yunsong and Fei Yanchen remained calm, while Consort Rong signaled the guards in the courtyard. Those guards, armed with swords, surrounded the Fei father and son, urging them to leave the hall.
When court officials entered the palace, there were inspections to prevent the entry of weapons. The security around the Emperor’s sleeping quarters was even stricter.
However, the Emperor had personally ordered that the Prince of Wuding be allowed into the palace without the need for such strict measures.
Facing the guards closing in, Fei Yunsong had yet to draw his sword, indicating a standstill.
Hearing the footsteps drawing nearer, Consort Rong grew increasingly frustrated as so many people couldn’t even force two individuals out.
Now was a critical moment, and besides those under her control, she had no desire for anyone else to meet with the Emperor.
The Fei family was one group that wasn’t under her control.
With a creak, the palace doors were pulled open, and two eunuchs carefully assisted a middle-aged man dressed in bright yellow robes as he walked out.
Everyone in the courtyard fell into instant silence, offering their respect to the figure in bright yellow.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!”
A rare smile appeared on the Emperor’s face as he said, “I knew it was your voice I heard. Now that you’re here, let’s have a conversation since I’ve been cooped up in the palace all day, and my bones are getting stiff. Since you’ve come, the two of you can keep me company and talk.”
As the Emperor finished speaking, Noble Consort Rong hurriedly added with a smile, “Your Majesty, you’ve just recovered a bit. It’s not advisable to expose yourself to the wind at this time.”
“How about… waiting until you’re fully recovered, and then you can have a leisurely conversation with the Fei father and son?”
Everything Noble Consort Rong said was considerate, leaving no room for criticism.
The Emperor, however, waved his hand and said, “No need. I know my own body quite well! Everyone else, please withdraw. Yunsong and Yanchen, come in and keep me company.”
Being a ruler for several decades, the Emperor’s decisions were not to be disputed by Noble Consort Rong and the other palace attendants.
Noble Consort Rong signaled the guards in the courtyard, as well as the eunuchs and maids, to withdraw. She then approached the Emperor, supporting him tenderly.
With tears in her eyes, Noble Consort Rong asked with concern, “Then let me attend to Your Majesty. Your Majesty is all alone, and I’m deeply worried.”
But the Emperor pushed Noble Consort Rong away, saying, “You’ve been by my side all day, enduring the bitter herbal concoctions. Since there’s nothing pressing now, you should return to your own sleeping quarters to rest.”
“Your Majesty…”
Noble Consort Rong was about to say something more, but the Emperor’s commanding tone cut her off. “You may withdraw!”
As Noble Consort Rong contemplated raising her hand to stop him, the Emperor had already taken two steps into the hall. Her outstretched hand left her with an awkward half-smile.
After casting a cautious glance at the Fei father and son, Noble Consort Rong reluctantly withdrew.
The Emperor’s face displayed signs of weariness, but it was much better than the rumors outside suggested.
Fei Yunsong spoke, “Your Majesty, you appear to be in high spirits. It seems your health will recover soon.”
The Emperor chuckled, “Haha, I also think my health is improving. The Daoist priest Qingfeng is truly skilled. The two women he sent are indeed compatible with my energy.”
Fei Yunsong didn’t endorse that statement, but Fei Yanchen added, “Your Majesty, moderation is key.”
The Emperor didn’t mind Fei Yanchen’s straightforwardness and laughed, “Yanchen, you’ve grown up, but your character remains unchanged. You’re still as talkative and sharp as you were in your childhood, haha!”
As they reminisced about the past, Fei Yunsong’s expression softened, shedding the tension and seriousness from earlier.
When looking back at the past, time always seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye.
The eunuchs outside had entered twice, delivering tea and pastries.
Suddenly, the Emperor turned to Fei Yunsong and said, “You’ve been back in the capital for quite some time now, and I’ve only seen you once. I also heard that your son, Yanchen, went missing after an attack…”
“But now that he’s returned safely, it’s good news!”
Fei Yunsong seized the opportunity to speak, “The reason I’ve come today is for this matter.”
“A year ago, when my family and I returned to the capital for our duties, we were attacked. My son went missing, and now that he’s returned safely, with most of his injuries healed.”
“Today, I heard that General Cheng on the border has suffered several defeats, almost losing the cities to those barbarians. I can’t exert any influence in the capital, and my heart is troubled.”
Fei Yunsong stepped away from his position and knelt firmly on the ground, saying, “So, I request Your Majesty’s command to return to the western regions, repel those barbarians, and defend our Great Wei!”
The Emperor’s teacup dropped with a clatter onto the soft, comfortable carpet.
In shock, he exclaimed, “What? Are you saying our western cities were nearly lost to uncivilized barbarians?!!!”
The Emperor’s surprise didn’t seem feigned, as he had been receiving false information. The Cheng family was Noble Consort Rong’s maternal family, and any news from the western regions would first go through the Fourth Prince’s lineage before reaching the Emperor. Additionally, the Emperor had been bedridden for a long time and recently accepted the company of two beautiful women, so he wasn’t clear on the situation in the court and beyond.