Chapter 26: Confrontation

“Thank you, Brother Qing’an.”

“The little Princess is being too kind.”

“Breakfast is ready.” Qing’an guided Yu Yu to have breakfast.

Yu Yu looked at the bunny-shaped pastries with wide eyes, filled with surprise.

“So cute!”

Qing’an smiled gently, knowing that the little Princess would love them.

“Little Princess, please eat.” Qing’an served Yu Yu a bowl of porridge.

“Mmhm.” Yu Yu took a spoonful of porridge, then looked at Qing’an with curiosity.

“Brother Qing’an, aren’t you eating?”

“I’ve already had breakfast.” Qing’an indicated that he had already eaten.

Yu Yu: Oh well.

Yu Yu finished a small bowl of fish belly porridge, ate half a bunny pastry, and had some white vegetable hearts.

“I’m full.”

“The Prince instructed me to inform you that the little Princess’s bag got dirty today, so I brought a few options for you to choose from.” Qing’an took out a handkerchief to wipe Yu Yu’s face and little hands clean.

After she was cleaned up, Qing’an took Yu Yu to pick out a new bag.

A row of colorful, finely crafted bags hung for Yu Yu to choose from.

Yu Yu selected a white satin bag with tassels, and Qing’an helped her put her things inside.

“It’s on your back now, little Princess.”

“On!” Yu Yu nodded obediently.

“Then I’ll take my leave.” Since the Prince had given instructions, Qing’an could leave after attending to the little Princess.

“Goodbye, Brother Qing’an.” Yu Yu waved her little hand.

Qing’an smiled gently and waved back.

Yu Yu grabbed two apples from the table and trotted off to the small town.

In the court, the officials, including the Emperor, were sweating profusely.

This was because the Regent Prince and General Huo, who had just returned victorious, were clashing.

One was the powerful Regent Prince, and the other was the young general who had just achieved a great victory—neither could afford to offend the other.

As soon as the Regent Prince arrived, he asserted his authority, ignoring the formalities, leaving everyone in a kneeling position.

It was only when Deputy Minister Jiang risked his life to speak up that the Regent Prince slowly allowed them to rise.

“Your Highness, do you hold a grudge against me?” Huo Rong questioned Feng Xiaohan angrily.

The officials and the Emperor thought: As expected from a young general, brimming with enthusiasm.

Feng Xiaohan turned slightly towards Huo Rong, his face covered with black silk, and spoke with thin lips.

“Shouldn’t I hold an opinion about General Huo?”

“Huo Rong, thinking you can secretly plot against me, you’re still too inexperienced.”

“Do you believe I can kill you right now?” His words, filled with murderous intent, made the officials present break out in a cold sweat.

Don’t ask why they felt fear at the prospect of murder in the court; it was because the Regent Prince had truly killed before, in a swift and decisive manner.

Even so, no one could do anything about him.

Huo Rong’s eyes flashed with confusion. Huh? What’s going on here?

Wenshu blinked.

“Your Highness, please reconsider.” Jiang Gu stepped forward to advise.

“Your previous words are simply an affront to the law of the land.”

“Ha, I just disrespected it; what can you do?” Feng Xiaohan’s arrogant words echoed throughout the grand hall.

“Jiang Gu, what can you do to me?”

“If the Prince insists on this, then I can only offer my life to advise you, hoping you can find your way back from this path of folly.” Jiang Gu stood his ground.

“You threaten me with your death? You scholars only know this tactic.” Feng Xiaohan expressed his boredom.

“I will not fulfill your desire for the scholar’s integrity.”

“Listen well, if Jiang Gu dares to offer his life, I will randomly select a few officials to accompany Jiang Gu in death.”

The officials gasped: Ah, this could really lead to a death sentence; how unlucky!

Master Jiang, please don’t think of doing anything foolish. We don’t know who the Regent Prince intends to take with him.

In an instant, all the officials’ gazes were tightly focused on Jiang Gu.

It felt as if Jiang Gu was about to crash into a pillar, and they were ready to jump in and hold him back.

“Your Highness, Master Jiang was a bit reckless and offended you. Please forgive him.” An official stepped forward to plead.

“Please spare Master Jiang.”

“Xiaohan, Deputy Minister Jiang is just straightforward; let it go,” the Emperor also spoke up.

Feng Xiaohan snorted, indicating he couldn’t be bothered to argue any further.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Highness,” Jiang Gu expressed his gratitude.

Just as the civil and military officials breathed a sigh of relief, they heard an earth-shattering piece of news.

“Huo Rong, before you entered the capital, an assassin attempted to kill the Prince. Upon interrogation, they claimed you were the one who ordered it.”

“How do you explain this?”

The civil and military officials were shocked. What? Assassination? General Huo?

Huo Rong’s eyes flickered with shock, but he quickly concealed it.

“Your Highness, there’s a misunderstanding here.”

“A misunderstanding?” Feng Xiaohan scoffed.

“Does Your Highness have any evidence other than the assassin’s testimony? If there’s any, I will accept my death as punishment.” Huo Rong looked at Feng Xiaohan earnestly.

His expression suggested he was confident that Feng Xiaohan wouldn’t have any evidence. If he did, he wouldn’t have bothered with all this talking and would have sent him straight to Zhao Prison.

“Humph.” Feng Xiaohan chuckled lightly.

“General Huo, you’d better keep your tail clean every time.”

“Shu, lets go.”

“Yes.” Shu pushed Feng Xiaohan away.

On the Dragon Throne, the Emperor watched Feng Xiaohan’s retreating figure, his gaze flickering before returning to his usual kind smile.

“Are there any other matters, my lords?”

“If there are no matters, then we shall retire.”

“Farewell, Your Majesty.” The civil and military officials knelt to bid farewell to the Emperor.

After the court session, Huo Rong appeared a bit anxious as he hastily made his way toward the palace gates.

“General Huo, please wait.” A little eunuch called out.

“The Emperor requests your presence.”

Huo Rong’s eyes flashed with confusion, but he quickly understood.

“Lead the way.”

Huo Rong followed the little eunuch to a pavilion in the center of the lake, where the Emperor was leisurely feeding the fish.

“I pay my respects to Your Majesty.” Huo Rong bowed.

“Please rise, my dear.” The Emperor warmly helped Huo Rong up.

“My dear, after your victorious return, you should have been promoted and rewarded; however, due to the assassination incident, that may not be possible, but I will compensate you.”

“I did not attempt to assassinate the Regent Prince.” Huo Rong defended himself.

“However, Xiaohan has already captured the assassin, and there’s nothing I can do.”

“Ah, I certainly know my dear wouldn’t do such a thing; it’s just that the assassin has gone to Zhao Prison, and I have no way of knowing the details, so I can’t clarify the truth.” The Emperor said while observing Huo Rong’s expression.

“Hmph, who knows if that assassin is telling the truth?” Huo Rong said angrily.

“I will not let any meritorious official suffer injustice.” The Emperor assured him.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Huo Rong was touched and knelt in gratitude.

“Rest well, my dear.” The Emperor patted Huo Rong on the shoulder.

“I take my leave.”

Huo Rong strode away from the lakeside pavilion. The Emperor watched his back and smiled slightly before turning back to continue feeding the fish.

After returning to the General’s residence, Huo Rong changed out of his court attire, bathed, and dressed in a fitted black outfit, then draped a black cloak over himself and quietly left through the back door.

Today the sun was nice, and Feng Xiaohan had the servants bring out the goldfish he was raising indoors to bask in the sun, while he also enjoyed the warmth.

“Qing’an, what time is it?” Feng Xiaohan asked.

“It’s a quarter past noon.”

Feng Xiaohan thought to himself that his daughter would be back soon.

“Add a ginseng duck soup in the kitchen.”

As autumn approached, it was good to drink some soup to replenish energy and blood.

“Yes.”

Qing’an waved over a servant and instructed a few things.

A cool breeze blew through Feng Xiaohan’s unbound hair, revealing his pale and fragile face.

Qing’an looked over and was momentarily taken aback.