Chapter 146 (2/2)

”Even if your hearing is good, you shouldn't eavesdrop,” Feng Luodi argued weakly.

Situ pulled Feng Luodi into his arms and gently rubbed his chin on her head. After a while, he said, ”I was listening blatantly. When did you become so clumsy in your speech?”

Feng Luodi grunted. Her ears turned red, embarra.s.sed, but still, she allowed Situ to close in on her. Situ looked at the girl in his arms closely. He looked at her eyes and her lips and realised that he'd missed her so much although it had only been three days. What's more, Feng Luodi actions were amorous to him and he could not keep them out of his head, no matter how hard he tried. He missed her every day and night but if she was unwilling to marry him, she would only be the daughter of the Feng residence. They already had an intimate relations.h.i.+p so why was she still reluctant?

Situ was good at coming up with strategies but he just couldn't figure out why Feng Luodi made such a decision. His gaze fell on Feng Luodi's face and felt unhappy. However, Feng Luodi was not as cold as last time and seemed very obedient now. His heart skipped a bit as the thought of marriage emerged in his mind again. He moved his lips, ”Luodi…”

He just managed to call her name when the sounds of swords slicing through the air were heard. However, they were stopped ten feet away from the two of them by his Covert Guards.

Feng Luodi was shocked as she stared at the men in black who suddenly appeared. Their eyes were all filled with viciousness.

”Don't look,” Situ covered Feng Luodi's face with his hand. Feng Luodi couldn't see what was happening but she could still hear. She heard swords colliding and then, the m.u.f.fled ring of metal plunging into flesh. Occasionally, there would be a few grunts of pain. The silence of the night was broken. Situ's Covert Guard were all specially picked and they managed to subdue the men in black quickly. Under Situ's command, they quickly cleared the scene.

Peace returned to the streets.

Feng Luodi grabbed Situ's hands and pulled them down. She looked at him with concern. His eyes were cold.

”Who is it this time?”

Situ looked down at Feng Luodi.

”Someone who hasn't given up yet.”

Feng Luodi was not satisfied with this answer. She knew that Situ did not want her to be dragged into this but she wanted to know.

”It's not by the Heir,” Feng Luodi said confidently. She could find her answers from Situ's slight expression but this was a conclusion that she formed herself.

Situ nodded.

That was not the answer that Feng Luodi wanted to get.

”I always wanted to ask you. Why do you support the First Prince? I had learned to a.n.a.lysis the court situation from my father and know that he is currently the weakest of the princes. He is also the one that the Emperor likes the least.” Feng Luodi probed by changing the topic.

Situ looked at her. His eyes were s.h.i.+ning. ”What are the qualities that will help a prince get closer to the throne?”

Feng Luodi examined his expression and thought for a while. She slowly said, ”He is talented and can attain many political achievements as well as make the life of his people much better.”

”Continue,” Situ pulled the rein and Whirlwind turned around, casually walking forward.

”Having a mother with a powerful background as well as the support of the officials.”

”Nothing else?”

It was the start of Autumn. The cold wind blew gently and Situ pulled Feng Luodi closer to him. Feng Luodi thought about it again and remembered how happy the Eight Prince was today. She replied, ”You need to get the Emperor to like you too. That is very important.”

Situ smiled. ”The First Prince has the talent and the Emperor will like him very soon.”

Feng Luodi immediately continued, ”The support of the officials are very important too but, he lacks a powerful background. Hence, he can only rely on the support of officials.

Situ stroked Feng Luodi's hair. ”Luodi, sometimes the support of prominent officials are more important than having a good background.”

Feng Luodi noticed that Situ emphasised on the words 'prominent officials'. She started thinking. Situ is a very prominent and powerful official. Although he lived in Chang'an, he held the military power of the North Army. This is the best support for First Prince but it is dangerous for Situ. He has many military achievements and the Emperor has to guard against him for fear that he would have other thoughts or that he would support certain princes.

Gan Qingjia is probably supporting the First Prince as well. He is standing in as the Imperial Treasurer currently, and would very likely become the official Imperial Treasurer soon. Also, he was brought up during the time when the Emperor wanted to undergo a reform of the court system. As the son of the Minister of the Left and the son-in-law of the Minister of the Right, all he needs is to perform well and he will rise to the position of a Minister within the next ten years. At the same time, he is also the owner of the Villa of Mount Baicha, meaning that he will not lack money any time soon.

Xue Yiqi might also be supporting the First Prince but his current position was too low to decide the placement of the guards within Chang'an.

All three of them had power but each had their own difficulty. There are many officials in the Xuan kingdom. Excluding those officials that refused to choose sides such as the Defender-in-chief and Censor-in-chief, many of them had already chosen their leader. It would be a dangerous journey for Situ.

Speaking of the First Prince, I've not had the chance to see him so far. This person who is a friend and master of Situ. What would he be like?

Situ opened his mouth after a moment of silence.

”I said this to the First Prince before. We will help you get the throne and you must lead the people to a better future.”

Feng Luodi heart stopped. She understood the weight of this sentence and slowly gave a gentle smile.

”You will succeed.”