“Something urgent happened?” Feng Zhao asked as Lianqiao rushed back, thinking the plan had failed. “Did Wen Meier find you?”
“If she did, it doesn’t matter. In the whole palace now, only I can stand against her. As long as the medicine is applied properly, I’m not afraid of her settling scores later.”
Since things had already escalated, there was nothing left to fear.
Lianqiao shook her head, closed the door to the bedroom, and lowered her voice as she reported what she had learned from Imperial Physician Sun.
Feng Zhao was also startled after hearing it. “You’re saying the late emperor was killed by Wen Meier?”
“Yes. It can’t be wrong. Imperial Physician Sun said it himself under extreme fear—those words must be true!”
Feng Zhao hadn’t expected Wen Meier to be this ruthless. Even the emperor could be killed. But after thinking about it, she wasn’t that surprised.
“She may be foolish, but she isn’t love-struck. What she wants has always been her son on the throne and herself as Empress Dowager.”
In the deep palace, power was everything. What did a mere Emperor count for?
“If the late emperor knew he died in the hands of the woman he favored most, I wonder what his expression would be. Would he still have given her the phoenix seal and used her to suppress me?”
“Good. Such a useful lead delivered to us—we can’t waste it,” Feng Zhao said. “Lianqiao, tomorrow use the excuse of fetching medicine for Xiao Jiu to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau. Check the medical records and see if you can find the prescription Imperial Physician Sun once wrote for the emperor.”
The next morning, Lianqiao used Xiao Hongyi’s name to request medicine from the Imperial Medical Bureau. Strangely, there was no record of Imperial Physician Sun at all, as if he had never existed in the records.
“Your Majesty, all traces of Imperial Physician Sun have been erased. In official records, he is now just an ordinary imperial doctor.”
Only Wen Meier could accomplish this in the palace.
“So be it,” Feng Zhao said calmly. “This matter is too important—they wouldn’t leave evidence so easily. Take my token and go meet Imperial Physician Sun in person.”
“Remember, he is our only lead. Be extremely careful. Don’t alert the Wen family.”
After leaving the palace, Lianqiao proceeded cautiously, changing disguises three times before reaching the Sun residence.
But before she could even enter, she saw it—only scorched ruins remained.
“A huge fire broke out last night. Over thirty people in the household all died!”
“I live on this street. I saw it too. We tried to put it out, but it was like the fire had been poured with oil!”
“So tragic… they had just welcomed a newborn grandson. They hadn’t even held the full-month celebration.”
“When the officials came, I peeked in—the bodies were burned into charcoal.”
Lianqiao left again in frustration. As she turned away, she saw Wen Chenglin sitting in a teahouse across from the ruins, with Cuiyu standing beside him.
Cuiyu, who reported palace matters daily to Wen Chenglin, must have informed him. With his ruthless nature, he would certainly eliminate any threat.
“In his eyes, thirty lives mean nothing if it secures his ambition.”
“No matter who it is, no one will stop my plan,” Wen Chenglin said coldly.
Feng Zhao learned of the massacre and slammed the teacup onto the table.
“Wen Chenglin is truly heartless—he even killed newborn children!”
A baby not even a month old… and over thirty lives!
Lianqiao gritted her teeth. “My Lady, our only lead is gone. What should we do now?”
Feng Zhao leaned back in her chair.
“There is no airtight wall in this world. Since they dared to act, there will always be a flaw. We wait. Do not alert the enemy.”
For the next few days, Feng Zhao acted as though nothing had happened. She stayed in Fengming Palace, handling state affairs while also caring for Xiao Hongyi’s injury.
His wounds healed quickly under careful treatment, leaving no scars at all.
He was happy his pain was gone—but strangely, a little disappointed he could no longer stay in Fengming Palace.
Life with Mother meant good food, good sleep… and somehow, even getting scalded didn’t seem so bad anymore.
【Congratulations to the host for completing the mission. Reward: Skill Enhancement Card.】
Feng Zhao asked the system, “What is a Skill Enhancement Card?”
【Simply put, it strengthens a character’s abilities. For example, if a character currently has only an A-rank poison skill, you can unlock medical skills or even martial arts.】
Feng Zhao’s gaze drifted toward Xiao Hongyi.
“Can it strengthen physical abilities?”
【Sorry, host. No. It cannot be used on the main target of the storyline.】
“Then what about him?” Feng Zhao pointed to Xiao Liizi, Xiao Hongyi’s loyal attendant.
【That is acceptable.】
The system sounded almost pleased.
【Confirm usage? Once applied, it cannot be reversed.】
“Yes,” Feng Zhao replied without hesitation. “Upgrade his combat ability. I want him to protect Xiao Jiu.”
If Li Quan had known martial arts earlier, he would have blocked that scalding tea faster. Xiao Hongyi might not have been injured.
【Understood. Activating. Completed.】
Neither Xiao Hongyi nor Li Quan noticed anything unusual.
To everyone else, Li Quan had always been skilled in martial arts.
“Mother, what were you thinking about just now?” Xiao Hongyi asked as they walked toward court, noticing her distraction.
Feng Zhao patted his head. “Nothing. Go attend court. The ministers haven’t seen you for days—they’ll probably give you quite a surprise.”
And they did.
Just not the kind anyone expected.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, while you were away, the First Prince helped disaster relief efforts during the flood and repaired roads—he has earned merit for the nation!”
“In my opinion, he should be rewarded!”
“Perhaps even granted a title or enfeoffment!”
“I second this!”
“I also agree!”
Voices overlapped one after another, not even giving Xiao Hongyi a chance to speak.
It felt less like consultation—and more like they were informing him of a decision already made.