Your Majesty, We’re Counting on You to Ruin the Country! 22

Chapter 22: Enduring Beauty

Unlike Feng Qi, who played with court politics and watched the fire from the other side of the river, Wen Ning’an on the battlefield relied mostly on an intuition and judgment more precise than that of ordinary soldiers. A great scholar from Dongwu once said that for a person who licked blood from the edge of a blade to survive on the battlefield, luck was more important than anything else. It might be a bit simplistic, but Wen Ning’an also believed that besides strategy, luck was indispensable, and thus, emotion sometimes outweighed reason.

At this moment, Wen Ning’an deeply believed what An Su said, but Feng Qi did not. In fact, apart from Wen Ning’an, Feng Qi was unwilling to believe anyone. Even so, Feng Qi still began to investigate with reservations.

“Yixin, think about it.”

In the main room of the cool hall, Feng Qi and Wen Ning’an were leaning on a bamboo long bench. Feng Qi said while thinking, “Xu Binghua has embezzled so much silver. Where do you think this silver will eventually flow?”

Wen Ning’an was stunned. He thought of the factory that An Su and Auntie Qiu had told them about, the one Auntie Qiu called a big money-maker and An Su called an exploiter of labor…

After thinking for a moment, Wen Ning’an said, “To be so secretive and cautious, and to spend so much silver, it can’t be any ordinary factory.”

“Say whatever you want to say. You don’t need to have any reservations with me. As a great general, it’s only natural for you to discuss court affairs with me. If in another capacity, chatting about the Xu family, judging the nobility—isn’t that a kind of pleasure?”

Feng Qi knew in his heart what Wen Ning’an wanted to say. He himself thought so too.

That factory of the Xu family was either for gunpowder or weapons, or something even more excessive. In any case, it must be something the court explicitly forbade private manufacturing of. To put it lightly, it was insatiable greed; to put it seriously, it was no exaggeration to call it rebellion.

Wen Ning’an said, “This matter is no small thing. I’m afraid the Xu family has ill intentions towards the court. But how can we find that factory? The Xu family must have hidden it without a single leak.”

Feng Qi wrapped his arm around Wen Ning’an’s firm waist and reached out to smooth his furrowed brow. “Heh, the emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuch is. Don’t worry. No matter how secret a factory is, there must be a flow of silver, which means there must be account books. The account books can’t possibly be in the factory, but in the Xu Residence, with Xu Binghua.”

This factory was definitely a weapon that could seriously injure the Xu family. Feng Qi would not let it go easily.

“According to my speculation, Xu Binghua must personally look at those account books to feel at ease, so there’s a high chance the account books are in his study. I’ve already had the shadow guards infiltrate the Xu Residence to investigate, to find an opportunity to search for any hidden compartments or secret rooms.”

Hearing this, Wen Ning’an said, “I can also have the shadows of the Left Army help.”

“No need. Keep your shadows for your own use. Why not keep them by your side in case of an emergency?”

Regarding Wen Ning’an’s habit of not bringing shadow guards, Feng Qi didn’t know whether to say he had extremely high confidence in himself or that he was just foolish. He still had to secretly assign his own imperial shadow guards to him.

Wen Ning’an just smiled. He thought to himself that in the past, he didn’t need shadow guards. A subject who was feared and disliked by the emperor and exiled to the frontier, plus the fact that he himself didn’t contend for power or offend people—even with a small army, who would pay him any mind? The common folk joked that in the court, there were donkeys and donkey masters, as well as real foxes and fake foxes. Wen Ning’an thought to himself that he was probably the donkey.

“I’ll bring them in the future.”

Feng Qi was satisfied and changed the subject. “Fu Che just came to report to me. Those servants who bullied Ah Bai have been dealt with, and Qin Zhaohuang sent you a letter.”

Wen Ning’an had a gentle temperament, but that didn’t mean he could be bullied at will. Those servants had all been exiled by Wen Ning’an to the northern frontier to do hard labor, a place where it was very easy to die due to the harsh environment. No matter how miserably they pleaded, there was no room for negotiation.

“What letter?”

Feng Qi summoned Fu Che and took a letter from his hand, handing it to Wen Ning’an.

Wen Ning’an looked at the already-opened seal of the letter and was speechless. Feng Qi is really too…

Opening the envelope, he saw that Qin Zhaohuang was telling him about the opera house. Before leaving for the summer villa, Wen Ning’an had given Qin Zhaohuang the authority to handle everything for him, so Qin Zhaohuang had simply helped Wen Ning’an find and buy a good location, which was now being decorated.

Wen Ning’an felt a little embarrassed. “I was the one who said I wanted to open a shop, but now it’s Zhaohuang who’s being troubled.”

Feng Qi waved his hand. “It’s fine. You can exploit that guy Qin Zhaohuang as much as you want. Don’t be fooled by his idiotic appearance; he’s actually very sharp. If he wasn’t willing, would he be running around for you like this? I think he’s enjoying it very much.”

Wen Ning’an chuckled softly.

“You and Zhaohuang have a really good relationship.”

“It’s alright.” Feng Qi raised an eyebrow. “I quite like his straightforward personality. He’s not like the other ministers who are so timid and full of calculations and considerations when they speak. But sometimes, it’s just so infuriating. Plus, that devilishly beautiful face is just annoying to look at.”

If I hadn’t known him since we were young, I would have had him dragged out and beheaded long ago.

Wen Ning’an smiled. “This is the first time I’ve heard someone say Zhaohuang’s face is annoying.”

Feng Qi blinked and leaned closer to Wen Ning’an. “I don’t like Qin Zhaohuang’s type, too intense. I like… gentler, more comfortable. Not too stunning, just enduringly beautiful.”

Wen Ning’an said with a straight face, “Like An Su?”

Flirting in the main hall, and what was that about doing me a great service? You seemed quite interested. The person is just in the next hall, why don’t you go find him?

Feng Qi: “…”

What are you talking about!

Feng Qi looked at Wen Ning’an with accusing eyes. He felt that this person’s ability to play dumb was too strong. He was clearly talking about him. Hmph, what a jealous person.

Wen Ning’an ignored Feng Qi, lay down gently, adjusted to a comfortable position, and prepared to sleep.

“Yixin.” Feng Qi had no intention of letting Wen Ning’an go. He also lay down, wrapped his arm around Wen Ning’an’s waist, and draped a leg over him as he lay on his side. He buried his head in the crook of his neck and said, “I think you are the most beautiful.”

Satisfied to see Wen Ning’an’s earlobes turn red, Feng Qi leaned over and took his earlobe into his mouth. “What do you think, hmm?”

“Huai-Huaitian!”

Tsk, tsk, that’s what you get for playing dumb.

Feng Qi raised an eyebrow. He was particularly fond of the reserved and shy Wen Ning’an. His tongue licked with extreme tenderness.

“Yixin…”

Wen Ning’an trembled, feeling the bones in his body go soft. He remembered that they were clearly discussing such a serious topic. How did it get sidetracked?

Wen Ning’an forced himself to remain calm. “Let’s sleep early. We still have to spar tomorrow. Indulgence harms the body.”

Feng Qi raised an eyebrow. “Harms the kidneys? I can win even while lying down.”

…Who said anything about harming the kidneys?

Wen Ning’an turned his head, dodged his tongue, and turned to glare at him. “Don’t look down on people.”

Feng Qi chuckled softly. The night was deep. The two of them held each other and slept, feeling warm even without a blanket.