Chapter 1013

Hostage

Intuition told Wang Chuan that this group of soldiers led by the eunuch was coming towards them. She very professionally stepped forward to shield Miao shi and Zirui. Even the servant, Ying Cao, was protected.

This movement was one that Feng Yuheng was very familiar with. The joy from Zirui’s return was quickly dampened. She turned around and followed Wang Chuan’s gaze. There, she saw a group of people arrive before her, as the eunuch at the front saluted her, saying: “This servant, Wu Ying, pays respects to Princess Yu.” His tone was very strange, and he deliberately made it sound even stranger. It was as though he was announcing his identity. His voice was quite loud, and it caused quite a few of the citizens in the streets to look over.

“Wu Ying?” Feng Yuheng looked at him and saw that this eunuch’s clothes were a little different from the usual brown clothes that other eunuchs in the palace wore. Instead, it was a dark red color. It was the same as the clothes that Zhang Yuan had worn previously. She finally understood. It was most likely that this Wu Ying was the one that had taken Zhang Yuan’s place at the Emperor’s side. She gently said: “Did eunuch Wu come looking for this princess for something?”

Eunuch Wu Ying smiled back at her; however, that smile was purely on the surface. No matter how one looked at it, it looked very fake. He then bowed to Feng Yuheng before saying: “Replying to princess, this servant did not come looking for princess. Instead, His Majesty wanted to see the Feng family’s young master.”

“Hm?” Feng Yuheng was stunned, “Father Emperor wishes to see Zirui?”

“That’s correct.” Wu Ying said: “His Majesty heard that the Feng family’s young master would be arriving in the capital today from Xiao Zhou, and His Majesty specifically instructed this servant to come out to pick him up. His Majesty said that the Feng family’s young master can be considered his junior disciple brother. His junior disciple brother has returned to the capital. As the senior disciple, he felt that he should meet him. Moreover, His Majesty has not seen his master, Ye Rong, in many years and really wants to ask the Feng family’s young master about their master’s condition. I hope that princess will not get in the way.”

Get in the way? She did want to stop it, but could she? It was the Emperor who wanted to see Zirui, and he had given a reason that left people with no room to refuse. No matter what, it seemed that Zirui would need to go into the Imperial Palace. There were even some people passing by who were unaware of the actual situation and felt envious of Zirui’s fortune. They praised him for being able to become the Emperor’s junior disciple brother at such a young age. His future would be boundless!

However, Feng Yuheng did not feel that this was a good thing. If this had happened in the past, the Emperor being fond of Zirui and inviting him into the palace was indeed a thing to rejoice over. Because the Emperor had a good personality, he took very good care of the people that he favored, especially Zirui. The old emperor really did dote on him as a junior disciple brother. Whenever something good happened, he would think of him. But could the Emperor, as he currently was, still be the same as he was in the past? Aside from the outer shell, she could not even say that he was truly the same person. His thoughts had been controlled by someone else, and his actions were controlled by someone else. It was all controlled by someone else. Then calling Zirui into the palace this time, what would it be for?

A chill filled Feng Yuheng’s heart, as she felt that there was something at play here. It was the eighth prince and Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu who were wanting to bring Zirui into the palace to act as a hostage to threaten her.

She understood all of this, but what of it? Could she openly oppose this? It was obvious that she could not.

The eunuch, Wu Ying, saw that she did not have much of a reaction, and he could not help but press her: “Princess, His Majesty is still waiting in the palace! The imperial kitchen also informed us that all of the Feng family’s young master’s favorite foods were made. It would not be good for them to get cold.”

Feng Zirui also felt that this was a little strange. After all, he was a young child. Even if word of the situation in the capital could spread to Xiao Zhou, it would not be told to him. It was because of this that he was a little unable to understand. The Emperor calling him into the palace was not some major thing, nor was it particularly novel. In the past, when he was in the capital, he would go into the Imperial Palace to see the Emperor. The Emperor was a rather casual person and was pretty good to him. He would also call Xuan Feiyu into the palace. One old and two young, the three of them would often mess around together, and it would be quite a joyous affair. But why was it that his elder sister had such a worried expression when the palace servant came to call him into the palace? Something was wrong!

The young boy frowned and was curious about it; however, he knew that he should not ask this question in front of so many people. He just reached out and tugged Feng Yuheng’s sleeve, quietly calling her: “Elder sister.”

Feng Yuheng regained her composure, but there was not much change to her complicated expression. She just said to Wu Ying: “Eunuch is right. It’s just that my younger brother only just returned to the capital. The journey would have been quite dirty, and I fear that going in just like this would be a problem. Please allow this princess to bring him back home to change his clothes first!”

“Oh!” Wu Ying immediately shook his head and said: “Apologies, princess. This servant really is unable to make that decision. His Majesty is waiting urgently and specifically sent this servant to come and meet him at the city’s gate. As soon as the Feng family’s young master was seen, he must be brought into the palace. You also know about His Majesty’s impatient personality. While this servant is not afraid of waiting nor being punished, if we are late, and His Majesty gets angry, his body could not handle it. I hope that princess will have some sympathy.”

He was wanting her to be sympathetic to the Emperor’s situation! Feng Yuheng snorted coldly to herself. Old eighth’s side really moved fast. Zirui managed to return to the capital safely, but who knew that this sort of skit would play out upon entering the capital. She knew that she would definitely be unable to stop Zirui from entering the palace today, thus she did not continue to speak with Wu Ying. She just turned around and said to Zirui: “Recently, His Majesty’s health has not been very good. You must pay close attention to manners and etiquette inside the palace. You must not mess around like you did in the past. Pay your respects to the noble people inside the palace. Regardless of what you see or hear in the palace, don’t think of it as strange. Don’t ask anything and don’t say anything unnecessary. You also must not ask others about it. Just accompany His Majesty well. Don’t worry, elder sister will go and visit you.”

Zirui nodded. He looked to be at a bit of a loss, but more than that, he was puzzled. Hearing his elder sister, it sounded as though something had happened to the Emperor that he did not know about, and this would make him afraid. But he could not understand. What exactly had happened inside the Imperial Palace would frighten him?

“Go on! Don’t think too much.” Feng Yuheng gave Zirui a push then watched Zirui be hurried into a carriage by Wu Ying. They then hastily headed in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

Miao shi felt quite displeased by this. She had already heard about the situation in the Imperial Palace from Wang Chuan. It was just that she had not told Zirui. She thought that Zirui was still a child, and this was a matter for the adults. It was unrelated to a young child. Either way, he would be returning to Xiao Zhou after the new year; however, who knew that the people in the palace would act so quickly.

She worriedly asked Feng Yuheng: “What should we do? Will Zirui be in danger going into the palace? Why do I keep feeling… keep feeling that this child won’t be able to come back out?” Miao shi’s tone was cold, and her words caused Huang Quan to shudder.

“It shouldn’t be that serious, right?” Huang Quan also glanced at Feng Yuheng, “How about… we have His Highness also go in and take a look?”

Feng Yuheng smiled bitterly and shook her head, “Do you think that Xuan Tianming going in will have any use with the palace being the way it currently is? I fear that he won’t even be able to get into Zhao He Hall.” As she said this, she looked toward Miao shi and consoled her: “Third aunty, there’s no need to worry. We will definitely come up with a way to protect Zirui. I only have one younger brother. I definitely won’t let him suffer the slightest bit of harm.”

Feng Yuheng’s group sent Miao shi back to the Yao manor. The girl called Ying Cao was rather familiar from spending so much time with Miao shi, thus she also stayed in the Yao manor. Feng Yuheng did not stay for long. Zirui’s matter left her feeling uneasy. After leaving the Yao manor, she decided to go straight to the Yuan Palace.

Her original intention for visiting the Yuan Palace was to discuss things with the second prince to see if he could think of a way to send Xuan Feiyu into the palace. At the very least, he can help take care of Zirui.

When she arrived, the second prince, Xuan Tianling, had just returned from the Imperial Palace. Seeing her arrive, he asked her: “Younger sister came just in time. This prince saw that Wu Ying bringing the Feng family’s young master into the palace when this prince was leaving. What is going on with this? Does ninth brother know about this?” As he said this, he explained: “Ninth brother and seventh brother left early and probably did not see. I stayed in the palace and was delayed for a bit, and this allowed me to happen to run into them. When did that child get back? How can you let him go into the palace at a time like this?”

While the second prince spoke to her, he brought her into the main hall. At this time, Princess Yuan had also come. Seeing Feng Yuheng, she very warmly brought her to a seat. When the servants brought the tea, Feng Yuheng helplessly said: “Father Emperor sent someone to bring him into the palace. Even if I was completely against it, there was no way to stop it! Not to hide it from second brother, but Zirui just returned to the capital today. I had originally gone to meet up with him at the city gate, but before we could talk much, the eunuch from the palace came to pick him up. I also came to the Yuan Palace with a request for second sister-in-law…” She turned toward Princess Yuan and said with a pleading expression: “Second sister-in-law, can you let Feiyu go into the palace? I fear that Zirui will not have anyone to take care of him in the palace and that something will happen. No matter what is said, Feiyu is Father Emperor’s own grandson, and the people in the palace would not dare to offend the young imperial grandson.”

When Princess Yuan heard this, she quickly said to the second prince: “My lord, is there any way to send Feiyu into the palace? I am also worried about Zirui. Both children are currently studying at the same academy, and they get along very well! Zirui has taken care of our Feiyu at school. Given the current situation in the palace, Zirui going into the palace alone is truly worrying.”

The second prince was also worried; otherwise, he would not have brought it up with Feng Yuheng the moment that he saw her. But to have him send Xuan Feiyu into the palace, he was also powerless. He helplessly said to Feng Yuheng: “Younger sister, it’s not that elder brother is unwilling to send my child in, but you also said it. Feiyu is the imperial grandson. No matter what, he will have someone protecting him in the palace. Moreover, even if I am a prince without aspirations for the throne, thus old eighth and Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu can’t be bothered with plotting against me. But entrance into the Imperial Palace is currently restricted. Even if this prince wanted to send Feiyu into the palace, it can’t be done! Not to mention Feiyu, but even for us princes, once morning court is dismissed, we can no longer go in.”

He was telling the truth, and Feng Yuheng understood. She had come to the Yuan Palace for help because there was nothing that she could do. It was only after arriving that she found that it was pointless. Xuan Feiyu was completely unable to get into the Imperial Palace.

But the second prince did not let her feel too disappointed, as he said to Feng Yuheng: “Younger sister, don’t worry too much. Feiyu can’t get into the palace, but his grandmother is still in the Imperial Palace! This prince will think of a way to send a message to Tianfu Palace and think of a way to have imperial concubine mother take care of him a little.”

The second prince’s mother was Imperial Concubine Shi De, and she lived in Tian Fu Palace. She was a little older. Like the second prince, she did not have much ambition, but she was like Imperial Concubine Gu Xian in that she was part of the older group. She had a bit of standing in the Imperial Palace.

Upon hearing him say this, Feng Yuheng felt grateful, and she quickly stood up to perform a salute, but she was stopped by the second prince. The group chatted for a while before Feng Yuheng quickly returned to the Yu Palace.

Zirui going into the palace brought her a feeling of being threatened that she had never experienced before…