Chapter 69: Preparation
It was not the first time Wen Ning’an had attended morning court, but it was the first time he had sat beside the Dragon Throne and listened to the ministers’ advice. The veteran ministers in the court had already been taken care of, and although the Li family feigned compliance, they were, after all, old foxes and put on a good show on the surface. The morning court passed without any trouble, and everyone was in harmony.
No one dared to disobey the Emperor’s edict. Even Prince Feng Jun had not objected. What standing did the others have?
After the morning court, the few veteran ministers gathered in the Imperial Study to discuss state affairs and… the Li family with Wen Ning’an. The desk was piled high with memorials and maps. A map of Bei Miao was spread out before him.
Duan Hong pointed to Binzhou. “Your Highness, you also heard in the morning court today. A riot broke out in Binzhou, and it even involved Dongwu, causing great damage.”
Wen Ning’an glanced around. “What do all my beloved ministers think of this matter?”
One of the ministers stroked his beard. “This old subject believes that this is a conspiracy of the Li family. The matter in Binzhou was originally just a small disturbance, but someone was manipulating it from behind, causing it to go out of control and become a riot. This old subject believes that Your Highness must not send troops and should conserve your military strength to deal with the enfeoffment ceremony in three days.”
“This old subject agrees.”
“This old subject also thinks so. At present, the safety of Your Highness and the Crown Prince is the most important.”
Several ministers all agreed.
Wen Ning’an turned to Duan Hong. “What is Master Duan’s take on this?”
Duan Hong sighed. “As the other masters have said, Your Highness and the Crown Prince are the most important. The country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and now that the late Emperor has…”
After the Li family had bought off the remaining forces of the Xu family, they had also colluded with General Luo, who held the Northeast Army in his hands. Coupled with their own large Li family army, if Wen Ning’an were to dispatch Duan Hong’s grand army now, then it would be absolutely difficult to win with just the Left Army and the imperial army. As for the small armies of the other generals, leaving aside whether they had been bought off, their numbers were really not large and could not be counted.
Wen Ning’an asked persistently, “Then what did Master Duan originally think? We are discussing this. If you have any opinions, just say them. There is no need to be hesitant.”
Duan Hong said, “This old subject dares to believe that although this matter is a trap set by the Li family, if we ignore it, it will indeed make the people’s hearts grow cold, and it will also give people something to talk about. Binzhou is now in conflict with Dongwu, without enough food and fresh water, and is being oppressed by the robbers of Dongwu every day. It is truly miserable. Besides… a plague has recently broken out on the border of Bei Miao, and Binzhou has also been deeply affected. I am afraid the plague will become uncontrollable.”
Wen Ning’an said, “The women are being humiliated, the men are being exploited, and the children and the elderly are not getting enough to eat. This prince agrees with Master Duan. The court absolutely cannot sit idly by.”
Another minister immediately said, “Your Highness! Do not fall into the trap of the treacherous!”
Wen Ning’an shook his head. “Even if it is a trap, we have to go. For their own selfish interests, these unscrupulous members of the Li family have put the innocent people of my Bei Miao in dire straits. How can this prince let these people be sacrificed for the sake of a court struggle? While we are sitting here talking, perhaps another innocent person has died of hunger, exhaustion, or war.”
The ministers were stunned, then lowered their heads and agreed. Wen Ning’an’s mind was made up, and they could not say much more.
Xingxing and Liangliang were originally fooling around in the room, and no one paid them any mind. Xingxing then leaped onto Wen Ning’an’s lap and rubbed against him, seeking attention. Wen Ning’an smiled and, with one hand stroking Xingxing’s soft belly, he spread out a piece of Xuan paper with the other. “As for the safety of the imperial city, I will have Prince Jun bring the Southwest Army back before the enfeoffment ceremony.”
“Your Highness is thoughtful and resourceful.”
The ministers only felt that the new emperor’s style was vastly different from the late Emperor’s, but… this was a good thing!
A blessing for Bei Miao, a blessing for Bei Miao! They had never thought that the general who galloped on the battlefield could also be a wise ruler.
After the ministers had left, Wen Ning’an immediately had someone send a letter to Feng Jun.
“Your Highness, don’t overwork yourself.” As soon as Fu Che saw Wen Ning’an was free, he immediately had someone bring pastries, sour plums, and a great nourishing soup.
Wen Ning’an picked a few sour plums and held them in his mouth, but looking at the exquisite pastries, he said, “This prince has no appetite.”
“Even if you have no appetite, you should eat some with the sour plums. Your Highness has been eating less and less recently… These pastries were all specially made by this old servant. They are definitely not too sweet.”
Looking at Fu Che, who was obviously a circle thinner, with dark circles under his eyes but still carefully taking care of and worrying about him, Wen Ning’an sighed. “I’ll eat some then.”
He took a piece of osmanthus cake and put it in his mouth. His mouth was filled with a fresh fragrance, but he still felt nauseous.
“It’s not that this prince is delicate, but I really can’t eat anymore.” He sighed and pushed the plate away.
Seeing this, Fu Che did not insist. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned to give some instructions to a servant.
Wen Ning’an paid him no mind and just took a memorial from the side and read it carefully.
An incense stick’s time later, a familiar smell wafted in. Wen Ning’an looked up in confusion and saw a servant slowly walk in with a plate of… Wife Cakes.
“Your Highness, please enjoy.”
Wen Ning’an looked at the plain baked cakes before him, shook his head, but picked up a piece and slowly nibbled on it.
One piece, two pieces, three pieces…
In the end, all the cakes on the plate were eaten.
Fu Che stood at the side, not knowing whether to be happy or worried.
Wen Ning’an said, “Eunuch Fu, I will drink the soup. You should go and rest first. You love to nag others, but don’t overwork yourself.”
“Yes.”
Speaking of which, since that day when Feng Jun and Feng Changhuan had fallen out, the two had not met again. Feng Jun had originally thought that with Feng Changhuan’s sinister and ruthless nature, it would be a great fortune if he didn’t kill him. How could he expect him to send troops?
However, unexpectedly, the plan still proceeded as originally planned. Feng Changhuan still deployed his troops and discussed with his generals every night how to take Youzhou City in one fell swoop. The army was in full swing preparing for the attack, and Feng Changhuan also became busy. Feng Jun was not very good at military strategy, so he was enjoying the success.
This day, Feng Jun was reading in his tent when he saw Feng Changhuan lift the door curtain and walk in on his own. Behind him was a servant holding an erhu.
Feng Jun was startled and immediately sat up straight and bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“No need for ceremony.” Feng Changhuan had the servant place the erhu on a table at the side.
Feng Jun thought to himself, This person couldn’t still be holding a grudge about my defiance last time and has come today specifically to make me obey the holy edict and play a tune, right?
How petty!
But I don’t know how to play the erhu. You can pour a well of water on me, and I still won’t know!
Feng Jun was furious in his heart, but his face still wore a spring-breeze-like smile.
He saw Feng Changhuan pick up the erhu, sit down opposite him, and begin to… play.
Feng Jun: “…”
…Huh?
The sound of “yiyi yaya” came. Although Feng Changhuan’s playing was a bit… hard to describe, one could still make out the tune and the melody. The transitions were a bit abrupt, and the high notes were extremely piercing. For Feng Jun, a leisurely prince who frequented song and dance halls, whose ears had long been spoiled, not to mention his own considerable skill, it was simply torture.
But he did not show his dissatisfaction or leave. He knew the meaning of Feng Changhuan’s actions.
I never thought this person would actually apologize…
After one song ended, Feng Changhuan must have been self-aware, but he still said calmly, “I haven’t played for a long time, but I can still play it in the end. It is your fortune to be able to listen to me play.”
The corner of Feng Jun’s mouth twitched. “To hear the sound of nature today, it is truly this prince’s fortune.”
Since Feng Changhuan had already lowered himself so much, he thought he should also show some gesture. “Tomorrow, I will play a tune for Your Majesty. Whatever Your Majesty likes to hear, this prince will play. I admit I have some talent in this aspect. I believe that besides Eighteen Touches, I can still play the songs Your Majesty chooses.”
“Tsk, Your Highness is being modest again. But tomorrow is not possible. We will be sending troops to attack the city in two or three days. I am still busy. After the victory, Your Highness can show me your skills again.”
Ah, attacking the city so soon… Feng Jun nodded. “If Your Majesty needs to use my Southwest Army, just discuss it with General Guo.”
Feng Changhuan shrugged, put down the erhu, and sat down beside him. “Does Your Highness know why I did this tonight?”
To come here and play the erhu to apologize? Feng Jun was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
Feng Changhuan let out a “hmm?”, as if he wouldn’t give up until he got an answer.
Feng Jun had no choice but to say, “This prince is dull. Please enlighten me, Your Majesty.”
“That’s because I want to f*ck you.”
Feng Jun: “…”
…
…
…
What… the fck… are you saying?!*
“Ha, haha, Your Majesty is joking.”
Feng Changhuan blinked. “Was I being too abrupt? My mistake. Let me rephrase. I want to be with you. Is that alright?”
Feng Jun’s smile froze on his lips.
Can someone tell me what on earth is going on!
Did I miss something!
Why did Feng Changhuan come to my room in the middle of the night and have a strange fit! Did he hit his head?
“Your Majesty, are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I think you’re the one who’s about to be in trouble.” Feng Changhuan sneered, his eyes fixed on Feng Jun, not moving an inch.
“…”
Feng Jun felt he was about to cry. He subconsciously glanced at the bed behind him. It was spacious. Could it be that Feng Changhuan was going to force himself on him?! Even if he didn’t, was he going to share the bed?
Refuse! Absolutely refuse!
Sensing his gaze towards the bed, Feng Changhuan said with disgust, “Why are you so thirsty and impatient? I’ve only just made it clear, and you already want to be ‘frank’ with me?”
“Your Majesty has mis-misunderstood.” Feng Jun put on a righteous smile.
And Feng Changhuan gave him a meaningful smile before leaving. Looking at the red figure that disappeared by the door, only three big words remained in his mind…
Son… of a… bitch!
And the two days that Feng Changhuan and Wen Ning’an had mentioned had actually passed very quickly. Whether for the people in the capital or at the border, time disappeared in the blink of an eye. With matters weighing on their minds and being busy, it passed in a flash.
Except for Qin Zhaohuang.
Qin Zhaohuang was miserable. The days passed like years.
His whole body ached as if it were about to fall apart. He didn’t even have the strength to move. His head was in a muddle and throbbing, his throat felt as if it were on fire, and his body was alternating between hot and cold.
With a “thud,” the door was suddenly pushed open. A cold wind rushed into the room. Qin Zhaohuang took in a mouthful of cold air and immediately began to cough.
Looking up slightly, in a daze, he saw a few men with their mouths and noses covered walk in, lift him up, and throw him on a stretcher.
“Hurry, carry him away, hurry!”
Qin Zhaohuang was puzzled. Could it be…
