Chapter 149 (1/2)
Chapter 149 Burnt Ends: Traitor
Five days after Gan Qingjia and Qi Jianqiu's wedding, the day of the important Mid-Autumn Banquet has arrived. Only princes and princesses, Dukes from various parts of the countries and only officials of the Third Rank and above could attend the banquet. Only the Emperor could bring his concubines. The guests could not bring their families to attend the banquet.
Situ and Gan Qingjia stood at a corner of the Imperial Garden and started chitchatting. They would occasionally glance at the people walking around and talking to each other. There was still an hour before the banquet started. The princes were getting to know the officials before the Emperor came.
”Where did the news come from?” A faint light shone on Situ's face, but it failed to put any warmth on his cold expression.
”One of his subordinates mentioned it when he was talking to his wife,” Gan Qingjia was wearing a serious expression as well, ”and the people who were caught a few days ago were also sent by him.”
”He is putting his stake on this final blow.” Situ's voice was very light but every single word hit hard onto Gan Qingjia's heart. Gan Qingjia couldn't help but felt a chill ran down his spine. He stuttered a little. ”Are you saying that he wants to…”
Gan Qingjia's eyes were filled with disbelief. He saw a girl walking towards them and swallowed his words, ”Why is Miss Feng here?”
Situ turned around. The Imperial Attendant was guiding Feng Luodi towards the Imperial Garden.
Situ gave a death glare to the Imperial Attendant. The Imperial Attendant and Feng Luodi saw Situ as well and walked towards him.
”Anping Duke,” the Imperial Attendant paid his respects to Situ in fear. Before Situ replied, Gan Qingjia frowned. The Imperial Attendant had served the Emperor for a long time. Even the princes had much respect for him. If someone told the Emperor about how afraid the Imperial Attendant was of Situ, it would cause a lot of troubles.
Situ nodded at the Imperial Attendant and looked at Feng Luodi. ”Why are you here?”
Feng Luodi looked slightly worried and confused. She looked at the Imperial Attendant. The Imperial Attendant explained, ”The Yushan Commandery is sick and the Emperor allowed his grand-daughter to take his place at the Mid-Autumn Banquet.”
Situ stopped breathing. He looked at Feng Luodi and saw her confidence. He regained his composure and said to the Imperial Attendant, ”I will bring her in later. Yushan Commandery's seat cannot be moved easily. Please add a seat beside me for her.”
The Imperial Attendant agreed and left.
Situ and Gan Qingjia stared at Feng Luodi when he left. Feng Luodi replied in a confused tone. ”This is very suspicious. After my father had left for the palace, the Imperial Attendant came in with the Imperial Decree and I had no choice but to enter the palace with him.”
Gan Qingjia muttered, ”What is the Emperor thinking? All the ladies that come tonight are either princesses or concubines. If you appear, it would cause a huge commotion and place you in a difficult position.”
He finished his sentence and complained to Situ, ”You even ordered her to sit beside you. Anyone who doesn't know the details would think that you are looking down on the Kingdom's traditions and would complain about you to the Emperor.”
Situ replied indifferently, ”This is to prevent anyone from plotting against her.”
Feng Luodi gave a slight smile. ”I can sit beside my father. I haven't had the chance to tell him that I will be coming.”
Gan Qingjia tilted his head and looked at Feng Luodi's as she walked away. He asked Situ, ”Why do I feel that she is acting a little weird? They way you two interact is so weird.”
Situ sighed faintly, ”if I guess correctly, Moyin has pa.s.sed his Shadow Agents to her. The more she knows, the more confused she gets.”
”The Shadow Agents are under her now?” Gan Qingjia was surprised. ”I thought that Moyin would hand it over to the second Prince. Sigh, the future is really hard to predict.”
Situ looked away, his gaze stretching far out of the palace walls. Gan QIngjia continued, ”Miss Feng is just a lady. There are pros and cons of her getting the Shadow Agents. Will she be able to handle them?”
”I believe her.” Situ opened his mouth slowly and didn't want to explain further. The Shadow Agents are the most powerful intelligence organization in Chang'an. All the officials feared them and even the Emperor was a little afraid of them. However, no one would expect the Shadow Agents to fall into the hands of a lady who only knew how to play the zither.
”There needs to be a change of plans,” Situ suddenly said and looked directly into Gan Qingjia's puzzled eyes, ”Luodi is here. I can't put her in any danger.”
Gan Qingjia sighed helplessly. He turned around and shrugged helplessly. ”Okay, okay, I know what to do.”
Music played and palace maids started entering the banquet. The officials toasted one another. Feng Luodi helplessly looked at Situ as he slowly walked towards her. ”My father actually had the same idea as you. This is so rare.”