Wen Meier had been waiting for news from Fuling.
Feng Zhao had dared to slap her in front of so many people—she absolutely had to kill her to relieve the hatred in her heart!
She waited and waited, but even by the next day, no message from Fuling arrived.
A bad premonition rose in her heart. Had Fuling failed?
“No way! Feng Zhao is so stupid, how could she possibly discover my plan?”
“Discover what?” Wen Chenglin walked in from outside, just in time to hear his daughter’s words.
“Father!” Wen Meier’s frustration immediately lifted when she saw Wen Chenglin. She quickly went to him and told him everything she had just said.
Wen Chenglin had originally come to discuss an important matter with her.
He didn’t expect that before he could even speak, she had already caused trouble.
“Great news from the front lines. Feng Zhao’s father will soon return to the capital! He holds military power, and now that the Emperor is dead, no one can take his tiger tally. He will be our greatest threat!”
Throughout history, whoever held military power held authority.
The Feng family was no longer what it once was.
Moreover—
“This is a critical moment for the succession. No mistakes are allowed, or we’ll leave behind evidence for others to exploit. Are your spies reliable?”
“Absolutely reliable!” Wen Meier said confidently. “She’s probably delayed by something, which is why there’s no news yet. Don’t worry, Father—she won’t ruin anything!”
“Good,” Wen Chenglin said. “If you act, you must strike decisively and leave no future trouble. Otherwise, it will be difficult for me to maneuver in court.”
Wen Meier said with disgust, “Feng Zhao’s father chose the worst possible time to return. How annoying!”
If he were still at the front lines, even with military power, he would be too far away to intervene. Once her son successfully ascended the throne, they could gradually weaken his power—or even eliminate him entirely.
Feng Zhao’s father returning was something the system had informed her of.
【Host, building a good relationship with your father will help your cub ascend the throne. Please complete your mission as soon as possible!】
Since discovering the traitor she had brought from her maternal family into the palace, Feng Zhao hadn’t felt much affection for that side of her family. She always felt the waters there were deep and dangerous—but for survival, she had no choice but to proceed.
“I hope this father is at least capable enough to deal with Wen Chenglin!”
If he couldn’t even handle Wen Chenglin, she might as well give up and handle things herself.
At that moment, Feng Ying sneezed on his way back to the capital.
“Someone must be thinking of me!”
“It’s been fifteen years since I returned to the capital. I’d better hurry—can’t keep them waiting!”
..
Feng Ying rushed back as fast as possible and arrived in the capital three days ahead of schedule.
His early arrival disrupted Wen Meier’s plan to act against Feng Zhao again.
Her original plan was to have a man appear in Feng Zhao’s palace, then lead people there at the right moment. If the Empress lost her chastity, even her father’s immense military power would be useless.
Now that Feng Ying had returned, it would be difficult to proceed.
What should she do? Give up?
While Wen Meier was pacing anxiously, Feng Zhao was choosing clothes and accessories to receive Feng Ying.
The system had said she needed to build a good relationship, so appearance mattered. A clean and neat outfit was basic respect. Moreover, this was her first public appearance since slapping Wen Meier in the mourning hall—she had to look stunning and let those schemers see that not only was she unafraid, she was living better and better.
She changed outfits four times in front of the bronze mirror. These were already the best clothes the original owner had.
The original Feng Zhao had been extremely poorly treated—despite being Empress, she was bullied by concubines, and even her clothes were restricted. Truly useless.
Fortunately, the imperial phoenix robe was still magnificent no matter how poorly made it was—bright red with a golden phoenix embroidered on it.
Feng Zhao suited red very well. She looked gorgeous and noble, even without makeup.
While she was changing, Xiao Hongyi had also finished dressing. He had never met Feng Ying before, only heard stories.
They said he was nine zhang tall, had three heads and six arms, could swallow three children in one bite, and ate human flesh every day.
Terrified, Xiao Hongyi hid under his blanket, not even daring to show a strand of hair.
When Feng Zhao came to the side hall, she saw a lump on the bed trembling under the blanket. He was clearly terrified, yet kept muttering:
“I’m not afraid… I’m not afraid… Xiao Jiu isn’t afraid… don’t eat me… don’t eat me…”
As if repeating it would make it true.
Feng Zhao paused for two seconds, then laughed outright.
“What is this little dumpling? Milk-flavored?”
Xiao Hongyi could hear her laughing even through the blanket. He cautiously peeked through a gap and saw her standing by the bed, laughing at him.
His face instantly turned red—completely red all the way to his ears and neck.
“Mo-mother…”
“Scared?”
“I-I’m not scared… Xiao Jiu isn’t scared.”
A real man doesn’t get scared!
Feng Zhao: “Really?”
“Re-really…”
His voice was softer than a mosquito, completely lacking confidence.
“Since you’re not scared, then get up and come with me to the Xuangu Gate to welcome your grandfather. Don’t miss the time.”
Xiao Hongyi trembled again, clutching the blanket tightly.
“Mother… if I am scared, can I not go?”
At least let him admit it!
Feng Zhao said coldly, “No. Not even a chance. No discussion!”
She pulled off the blanket and dragged him off the bed.
“Today, everyone is going!”
Xiao Hongyi: QAQ
..
At Xuangu Gate.
A victorious return was a cause for celebration. According to tradition, the whole capital should welcome them with feasts for three days and nights.
Unfortunately, Emperor Lingxiao had died, so the reception was limited to officials at the gate.
Feng Zhao, as Empress and daughter of the victorious commander, stood at the front with Xiao Hongyi.
Then she saw an uninvited guest.
Wen Meier had come today not only to see the famed Feng Ying, but also to confront Feng Zhao.
She still hadn’t settled the slap from last time!
She had expected to see Feng Zhao regretful and miserable—but instead, Feng Zhao arrived in full ceremonial dress.
“Full dress” was relative—she didn’t wear many accessories—but some people were naturally beautiful. A few simple adornments were enough to outshine everyone, especially with her sharp aura and imperial robe giving her an arrogant, commanding presence.
Wen Meier clenched her handkerchief so tightly she nearly tore it.
She had never realized Feng Zhao was this beautiful. She should have disfigured her sooner!
“Your Majesty, the Emperor has not yet been buried. Isn’t it improper for you to dress so extravagantly?”
“What’s improper about it? Cangyun Kingdom has no mourning dress rules.”
This rule had been set by Emperor Lingxiao himself. When his father died, he nearly lit fireworks in celebration of finally becoming Emperor. So now that he was dead, Feng Zhao’s attire was perfectly acceptable.