“Lu Rui has made his move.” Helian said with a grin after sitting down, “But not the large-scale aiming for the king with swords and armies you imagined. The Regent has control over the military and has a widespread influence. If Lu Rui acts rashly, his chance of success is slim. In fact, Lu Rui did want to make a move on the Regent’s birthday, but the moment he made an attempt, the Regent noticed and almost wiped out all the people Lu Rui had arranged. Only then did everyone realize that Yin Zhi Shu (the Regent) was indeed not someone who could be easily dealt with. A bit ago, Lu Rui made a few inconspicuous moves in the army. He gradually moved a few of his confidants into key positions and provoked the border troops into unrest. He used that as a pretext to push for the autumn troop rotations, hoping to transfer a group of veteran soldiers who followed the old emperor to the capital. The result? The transfer did happen, but the Regent also used the opportunity to move the thirty thousand men of Fengshan Longlie Camp right to the palace garrison. The move made it clear that the Regent was already on guard. Lu Rui’s action was just a test, and it caused him to immediately quiet down.
Feng Zhi Wei listened quietly, then asked suddenly, “Is Lu Rui planning to stay hidden and take the long roundabout way to seize the country?”
“I think so.” Helian replied, “When force and cunning are not enough, then he will double down on the enforcement of the rules of succession. It bypasses the Regent and directly targets the fake emperor. Prove Zhi Xiao’s identity on the most formal occasion and setting. Most of the court officials are still firm on following the rules of tradition and would never accept a fake as their emperor. By that time, even the Regent wouldn’t be able to sweep everything under the rug.”
“That’s really rather risky…” Feng Zhi Wei mused, but neither could she see a better plan— even if Lu Rui had been preparing for years, he was still working under the Regent’s control, and constrained in many ways. It was indeed highly unlikely that he could cripple the Regent with one single strike.
But if the Regent wasn’t rendered powerless, and Zhi Xiao takes the throne under the watchful eyes of such a man, it would be the same as handing her life over to the wolves— how could they allow that to happen?
“Lu Rui has a secret letter for you.” Helian handed a letter to Feng Zhi Wei.
Feng Zhi Wei quickly read it, burned it in the fire, and said calmly, “Old Lu certainly came up with a lovely plan for himself. He wants me to be the one to present proof of Zhi Xiao’s identity. He will keep his image of being a loyal minister to the Regent. On the surface, he will oppose me in the imperial court, but give me aid in secret. He said only by maintaining his present rank and authority, continuing to wait by the Regent’s side, can he better protect Zhi Xiao and give the enemy the wounding strike when the timing is right.”
“I can’t rest easy at the thought of handing Zhi Xiao over to him. Who knows what his real intentions are?” Helian was the first to object.
Gu Nan Yi was silent but clearly feeling uneasy as well. He could guarantee Gu Zhi Xiao’s physical safety, but he could not deal with the treacherous schemes of the imperial palace.
“Oh, there is one more thing.” Helian suddenly remembered something and said reluctantly, “The news of your disappearance has already reached Tiansheng. His Majesty was furious and ordered Xiao Yao and Chun Yu to deploy troops to the border. Xiao Yao and Chun Yu are watching like hawks, looking like they are ready to start a war if you are not found. Meanwhile, Hua Qiong, down by Weishui River in Minan has been drilling her troops every day. She would have her troops cross the river halfway for no reason. Once the other side gets all anxious, then she would pull her troops right back. The Xiliang border guards were kept so anxious that they hadn’t even dared to sleep. Yin Zhi Shu has been so worried lately that he hasn’t even paid much attention to the emperor’s birthday.”
Feng Zhi Wei laughed heartily, knowing that Ning Yi had indeed managed to transfer Yao Yang Yu and Chun Yu Meng to the front line of Minnan. She thought for a few moments and asked, “Is the birthday tomorrow?” (Yao Yang Yu and Chun Yu Meng are the two academy students (generals now) who are very loyal to Wei Zhi.)
“Yes, Lu Rui is still waiting for your reply.”
Feng Zhi Wei nodded and said, “Judging by the measures the Xiliang court has taken, even though Lu Rui failed to kill Yin Zhi Shu (the Regent) but he has already made considerable preparations. I just want him to promise that Zhi Xiao can ascend to the throne smoothly. As for killing Yin Zhi Shu, leave that to me.”
She stretched lazily with a grin, “He can take the roundabout path to save the empire if he wants, but I am not willing to leave a tiger by Zhi Xiao’s side. In truth, whether someone is important or insignificant, when it comes to dying, it is all rather easy.”
Helian laughed heartily and said with feeling, “That’s true. The number of people who have died by your hand is not a small one.”
Feng Zhi Wei rolled her eyes at him, then suddenly saw a shadow in the far distance, separated by the Seven Braves. The distant figure was peering persistently in their direction. It took her a bit before she finally recognized the figure and exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t that Jia Rong? You brought her out here too?” (Remember Jia Rong? That’s the ugly maid (who is actually very pretty) Helian had to seduce in the process of trying to break our heroine out of Jin Siyu’s control. Ning Yi realized that there was some big secret to Jia Rong’s identity, so that’s why he took her with them during the big escape.)
Helian slapped his head, looking as if he had suddenly realized what he had forgotten, “I was too happy upon seeing you, and preoccupied with going over the business at hand that I completely forgot about her. Alright, just one thing: Take her away quickly and return her to Ning Yi. She is driving me crazy.”
Feng Zhi Wei looked at his expression and immediately understood what had happened. People say that a fiery woman is afraid of a persistent man, but sometimes, a fiery man is also afraid of a persistent woman. It seems the King Shunyi, who has a heart as broad as the wild plains, can’t handle the gentle yet unyielding charms of a persistent lady.
She understood well but pretended to be clueless and blinked her eyes, “Ah? Why? Hasn’t she already chosen to follow you?” (Follow as in become his woman)
“Follow sh…” A curse almost burst out of Helian. He glared at Feng Zhi Wei, then suddenly realized he might have fallen into this woman’s trap again. His expression immediately changed as he said with a chuckle, “She didn’t follow me, but I have already followed you. Isn’t Feng Zhi Wei my one and only Royal Consort? She is the only beauty in my royal tent.”
“It sure sounds like I have let you down.” Feng Zhi Wei pretended to ponder for a moment and said with a tone of discussion, “How about this, why don’t you write me a bill of divorcement? “ (There are two types of divorcement. One where the husband unilaterally divorces his wife, essentially saying the divorce is all the wife’s fault. A woman on the receiving end of such a divorce is usually considered to be greatly disgraced and no longer fit for marriage. The other kind of divorce is by mutual agreement with no fault placed. The wording our heroine used is the first kind.)
“Don’t even think about it!” Helian replied without hesitation with a sharp wave of his hand. The gesture looked more like he was about to kill someone than a love confession, “Even if I can’t have the person, I should at least have the title!”
With those words out, Feng Zhi Wei didn’t have the heart to keep joking around. She glanced over at Jia Rong and saw clearly the affection and admiration in the woman’s eyes. The falling flower is charmed, but the water is heartless. (A Chinese saying to describe unrequited love.) Helian is not going to accept her no matter what. If she really takes her, then what sort of miserable life will this woman live? (The sentence could also be interrupted “if Helian keeps her then what miserable life will this woman live… It wasn’t clear if the author meant Helian taking the girl or our heroine.)
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but feel a bit resentful towards Ning Yi. He brought the woman out for some unknown reason, then left her in the Wild Grassland without another word. What was up with that?
Then again, thinking back on it, Ning Yi had probably long forgotten this woman. Other than showing a bit more interest in her (referring to herself), the guy truly seems to be cold and indifferent towards other people.
She frowned and pondered for a bit but couldn’t come up with a good solution, so she had to set the matter aside for now.
She took out the scroll bearing Changning seal that Lu Zhi Yan had given her, and quickly wrote a few words on one of the scrolls.
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