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The Fifth Prince, Feng Wu, smiled bitterly but did not attempt to persuade them to stay. Suddenly, he said, ”Danger lies in front with many eyeing covetously. Xuanji has mobilized the entire country to 'search' for the Crown Prince and the King of Han. Do the two of you really know nothing of it?”
Meng Fuyao tilted her body backward slightly and with one hand pressed on the cabin's wall, she laughed. ”If I really didn't know that, why would we go 'missing' and end up here, in a boat, meeting you?”
”The Crown Prince and the King of Han are talented and powerful, and it is but natural that a mere Xuanji will not bother the two of you.” Feng Wu paused. ”But I have, coincidentally, heard that someone is out to harm the two of you and has enlisted the help of many elite martial artists. The Eternal Sky Clan is but an appetizer. The traps and dangers that lie in front are the real hot and spicy ones.”
”Apparently, the Eleventh Prince has gathered Xiao Ao Green Forest's forces in the northern borders to finish you two off in the name of eradicating the bandits. The people who succeed will be rewarded handsomely with fame or power. Also, Noble Consort's oldest daughter is also patrolling in that area. She has the Amethyst Cape Knights in her hands, similar to that of an assassination association. These people are on close terms with those officials and those underground. The moment you two leave the northern borders, you'll enter the territory controlled by the Amethyst Cape Knights. And beyond this territory, the Third Prince is investigating a huge case; thus, controlling the security and army in that area. These people are nothing but a bunch of vicious dogs, who treat human lives like bugs. They have the same terrible reputation as the Amethyst Cape Knights. Once one lands in their hands, they are not afraid of death, they are just afraid that living is worse than death! This is merely their display of power to show that they are fighting for the throne. As for the palace and the others… Ah… It's like a hodgepodge, hard to recognize!”
Meng Fuyao eyeballed this prince that couldn't utter three sentences without bringing in cooking. Unperturbed, she replied, ”That's nothing. We aren't afraid of losing face, and if all else fails, we will just return to our country.”
”I'm afraid you might not be able to.” Feng Wu's tone was terrorizing.
Meng Fuyao laughed and pointed to herself in disbelief. ”Us? Unable to return?”
”State your intent directly, Fifth Prince,” Zhangsun Wuji interrupted.
”It was the only choice I had left.” Hope could be spotted in Feng Wu's eyes. He bowed slightly and continued, ”Let us continue our conversation in the inner cabin.”Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please clickfor visiting.
”No.” Meng Fuyao rejected with a frown. She hated small, narrow spaces with a passion, and thus, refused his offer directly. ”Other than the top five elite masters, the people who could eavesdrop on our conversation and not be found out have not been born yet. Just say whatever you want to with a peace of mind.”
”Very well.” Feng Wu deliberated for a moment. ”Long story short, the fight for the throne in Xuanji has always been known as the most intense one amongst all countries. Last summer, my father suddenly came down with an odd disease which gets progressively worse by the day. Who is to inherit the throne became the biggest and most pressing issue in court. The Empress demanded her children be selected, Noble Consort insisted on her child while Consort Xian requested it to be her son. The three parties fought relentlessly for close to half a year, and in that period of time, many princes and princesses died. Last winter, His Majesty's illness was at its worse, and he finally decreed the emperor to take over the throne. However, he kept the identity of the next emperor a secret—he only mentioned that it would be a princess. Naturally, the officials are worried, but according to our rules, the new emperor will only officially be coronated in April. Right now, the situation is precarious, and there are still a few more months before she can be coronated. His Majesty did not reveal her identity, most likely to protect her. And for now, things have settled a little.”
”Then one day, after my wife came home from the palace, she wanted me to immediately pack up and leave Tong City. I had no idea what was happening but judging by her anxious expressions, I insisted that we leave together. But she said she had to go to the palace in the morning. We then promised to meet in a pavilion ten miles away from the city before the palace gates lock and leave together.”
At this point, Feng Wu revealed a pained expression. Meng Fuyao and Zhangsun Wuji exchanged a glance. They both knew that he probably waited in vain for her.
Indeed, Feng Wu continued. ”That night, I waited till the moon was high in the sky, till the break of dawn but did not even manage to catch a glimpse of her. My loyal servants knew that something was wrong and knocked me unconscious. Afterward, I tried to quietly contact some people I knew in the capital in attempts to scout for her information. But still, I couldn't find her, dead or alive.”
He turned away as a tear rolled down the corner of his eyes. A long, silent sigh escaped his lips. Forcing himself to smile, he turned back. ”Excuse my behaviour… I… We were an extremely loving couple, and this is known by everyone in Tong City. My wife came from humble origin - daughter of a minor official - and the imperial family would never allow a marriage with someone that is below the ranking of the third grade. Back then, I had painstakingly insisted on this marriage. I had no support from my mother's family since she was just a lowly concubine. For this I went against my father, losing his love for me. In the end, it was the Tang Family from Qing who took pity on us and adopted my wife as their goddaughter. Only then could we get married. My wife suffered a lot getting married to me. She did not once enjoy the fortunes of the imperial family and even got mocked and ridiculed on many occasions by our sisters-in-law. The Empress and Noble Consorts disliked her too. The wives of the other princes were only required to enter the palace twice a week, chatting and gossiping during their visit. On the other hand, she frequently entered the palace to serve the Empress… doing things that the maids and eunuchs do… When the rest of them entered the palace to sit around and chat, she wasn't even given a seat… standing around to serve them…”
Feng Wu went on incessantly, his thin face warped with pain in his heart. ”I am useless… I couldn't give her a good life… Every time, she would come back with a smile on her face, going on excitedly about the fun things and delicious food she had in the palace. I always believed that she enjoyed herself in the palace if not for witnessing it myself accidentally…”
Meng Fuyao sighed lightly, her hatred towards the Xuanji's palace deepened. 'That darn Xuanji Empress better not let me meet her, or else I'll slap her!' Meng Fuyao thought indignantly.