Chapter 178 Resonance: Getting Through A Hair-Raising Experience Without Mishap (2/2)

The First Prince suppressed the strange feeling that surged to his heart. His fingers hidden in his sleeves had already turned white from using too much strength.

The person who had gone to check the Feng Residence and Duke of Anping's Residence had also returned, reporting that what Chamberlain Feng had stated was indeed the case. As such, the officials, who were waiting to watch a good show, were greatly disappointed.

The Emperor was seemingly exhausted, so he relented and let this matter go. Afterwards, he waved his hand for the court a.s.sembly to be dismissed.

Gan Qingjia quickly caught up with the Minister of the Right and asked with puzzlement, “Why did Father-in-law step out in court just now? Wouldn't that expose yourself?”

The Minister of the Right's indifferent yet gentle expression swept across Gan Qingjia. Although he was usually blunt and stern, his eyes carried a trace of helplessness at this moment. He explained, “His Majesty has been in his seat for more than thirty years. Do we still need to expose ourselves?”

At this instant, Gan Qingjia blanked out for a moment. He recovered after a while and probed, “You are saying that His Majesty, he…”

The Minister of the Right chuckled and said no more as he headed outside. Gan Qingjia hastened his pace and quickly followed behind him.

“It seems like the one who understands His Majesty the best is the Duke of Anping. You should accompany him more and learn from him.”

Gan Qingjia was immediately taken aback by his words. He then added, “I don't quite get it, so I hope that Father-in-law may guide me some more.”

The Minister of the Right sighed nonchalantly and said,

“If no one had stepped forward to speak for the First Prince, based on His Majesty's distrustful nature, he would certainly think that the First Prince is an astute person who keeps his schemes well-hidden and he would also a.s.sume that the First Prince understands his thought well. In that case, His Majesty would start to feel threatened by him. Rather than saying that I'd stepped forward to speak for the First Prince, you could say that I was speaking for His Majesty instead. The Minister of the Left and the Imperial Censor had also discerned this fact.”

Gan Qingjia half-understood and carried on with his interpretation.

“In that case, wouldn't it mean that the Eleventh Prince had suffered a setback? The officials who support him have all stepped forth and he has shown all the cards in his hand.”

“Smart.”

The Minister of the Right praised and left the Imperial Palace.

As the saying goes, 'the older, the wiser', every experience counts. Gan Qingjia inwardly murmured.

On the other side, Situ similarly appraised Chamberlain Feng in this way.

“Chamberlain Feng, please hold on.”

After exiting the main hall, Situ called out to Chamberlain Feng. The both of them then proceeded to a desolated corner.

“Chamberlain Feng, you really needn't have done that earlier.”

It was rare for Situ to be using honorifics.

There was only a slight change in Chamberlain Feng's expression as he unhurriedly said, “Your Grace needn't worry. I've already made thorough preparations before this.”

With Chamberlain's cautious nature, Situ naturally knew that he only said that because he had done his preparations. What he wanted to say was that he had decided on this matter without consulting Feng Luodi. He could already foresee her throwing a big tantrum after this.

Could it be that Feng Luodi's att.i.tude wasn't clear to Chamberlain Feng and that was how Chamberlain Feng misunderstood?

For a moment there, Situ thought that he'd guessed correctly.

Chamberlain Feng continued, “I know that Your Grace has appropriate countermeasures in your heart but no matter how good a countermeasure is, it will still leave behind a pretext for gossip. Rather than allowing this matter to become something His Majesty can use against Your Grace in the future, it would be better if His Majesty uses it against me so that I can remain stably in my current position as an official. Does Your Grace understand what I'm saying?”

Situ nodded. A rare trace of surprise appeared in his eyes. Chamberlain Feng's words had faintly disclosed that he was aware of his movements in the dark. This was something that not even the First Prince and the others were aware of. It wasn't that he didn't want them to know but because it was too dangerous. The lesser they know, the better it was for them.

Chamberlain Feng smiled. His expression loosened and his stern look was replaced with a faint look of concern.

“Unfortunately, my Father-in-law is also a commandery prince and he's paying significant attention to the movements of the commandery princes in the various regions. Anyway, I hope that Your Grace won't choose that path. The First Prince's situation has improved a lot, so you should take it one step at a time. As such, those last resort measures wouldn't be necessary.”

Situ was stunned, but he'd concealed his astonishment well this time, his gaze trailing after Chamberlain Feng as his figure disappeared into the distance.

After seeing the Minister of the Right off, Gan Qingjia saw Situ standing outside the Imperial Palace gates. Whirlwind was snorting at one side as if he was urging Situ.

“Situ, you really concealed it so well. You even kept it from us that you have already paid a visit to send the betrothal gifts. This is not sincere…”

Gan Qingjia only knew about the affection between Situ and Feng Luodi but he wasn't aware of the agreement between them. Thus, he naturally didn't know that the Northern Army General-in-Chief, Situ Muye, who was successful in every endeavour, was on tenterhooks at this moment.

Situ immediately cut Gan Qingjia off and coldly said, “The Eldritch Physician has already come up with a cure. He should be at your residence now.”

“For real?!” Delight instantly appeared on Gan Qingjia's face. He immediately mounted his horse and galloped away.

The epidemic in Chang'an continued to spread, leaving Feng Luodi extremely broken-hearted about the weak Jiang Moyin who didn't have much time left. She paid him a visit multiple times and exhorted him not to go out and move about. She hoped that history would not repeat itself like how Qi Jianqiu had contracted the illness after she went to the charitable hall.

When she returned home from the Jiang Residence, she spotted many horse carriages outside the Feng Residence's entrance and saw people wearing the Duke of Anping Residence's family guard uniforms going in and out while moving chests tied with red silk. Her gaze then landed on Fu Bo who was beaming as he guided the guards inside.

“Fu Bo, what's this all about?” Feng Luodi was puzzled.

Without waiting for Fu Bo to explain, Chamberlain Feng directly called Feng Luodi over to the study and he recounted everything that had happened earlier in an extremely flat tone.