Chapter 735: Overwhelming Strength
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Feng Xiaoran was a little stunned. Why did His Majesty suddenly summon him?
He admitted that he had some face in front of His Majesty. After all, before Zhuge Qing came to the Western Capital, he had always been Yuwen Huai’s most capable strategist.
Yuwen Huai attended all kinds of palace banquets and brought him along.
However… he was no longer in the Eldest Prince’s residence. He had only joined Yuwen Xi recently. Why did His Majesty think of him?
A thought-provoking glint flashed across Feng Xiaoran’s eyes. He smiled politely and said, “Wait a moment, Eunuch He. It’s not easy for His Majesty to summon me. Please allow me to change my clothes.”
Eunuch He said, “Young Master Feng, please do as you please, but don’t make
His Majesty wait.”
He entered the house and called a secret guard over. “Go to the Princess’s
Residence…”
“Zhuge Qing, Zhuge Qing, did you go to Yuwen Huai to get reinforcements? You want Yuwen Huai to ask the Western Jin Emperor to issue a decree to force me to hand over the herb? You’re too naive. I won’t let you have your wish!”
Feng Xiaoran changed his clothes one moment and his shoes the next. He dawdled for a long time before leaving.
When the group arrived at the palace, Yuwen Xi had also arrived.
The two of them exchanged an unspoken mutual understanding.
Yuwen Xi said to her Eunuch He, “I want to say a few words to Young Master Feng. I hope you can do me a favor.”
“Yes.” Eunuch He smiled and left.
Feng Xiaoran kept it short. “The other herb that Zhuge Qing wants is also in my hands. His Majesty will definitely force me to hand over the herb later. I’ll say that I’ve already sent the lingzhi to His Highness’s residence to treat the young prince.”
Yuwen Xi said, “Not good.”
Feng Xiaoran was stunned.
Yuwen Xi said calmly, “It’s not going to be used for Yi’er’s treatment. I’ve already used it up for him.”
Feng Xiaoran smiled knowingly.
As expected of the princess who could compete with Yuwen Huai for the throne. Her ruthlessness was much stronger than those of many men.
He was not worried that Yuwen Xi would betray him, because the two of them stood on the same side when it came to dealing with Zhuge Qing.
In the Imperial Study, the Western Jin Emperor was not too surprised to see Yuwen Xi come over. He had expected that Feng Xiaoran would not submit obediently.
Zhuge Qing sat in a wheelchair, still wearing a silver mask that covered most of his face. Even though only his eyes, lips, and chin were revealed, he was still so handsome that no one dared to look at him directly.
His handsomeness was not seductive, but he exuded a mysterious aura that no one dared to profane.
Yuwen Xi had designs on Ghostfear, but never on Zhuge Qing.
Feng Xiaoran’s gaze also landed on Zhuge Qing’s face. This was a man who made him grit his teeth and go crazy with jealousy. Before Zhuge Qing appeared, he was in the limelight. However, why did the both of them have to exist in the same world? Zhuge Qing’s arrival snatched his limelight clean. Fortunately, the heavens had eyes and gave Zhuge Qing a sickly body.
Since he could not defeat him, he would torture him to death!
If he died, no one would snatch the limelight from him anymore!
Zhuge Qing sat calmly in the wheelchair, as if he did not notice Feng Xiaoran’s jealous gaze.
The Western Jin Emperor saw it and frowned unhappily. He went straight to the point. “Feng Xiaoran, do you have the Purple Lingzhi?”
Feng Xiaoran looked very surprised. “Your Majesty, I did have the Purple
Lingzhi in my hand, but last night, I already gave it to someone.” The Western Jin Emperor said in a low voice, “To whom?”
“Her Highness.” Feng Xiaoran exclaimed and looked at Yuwen Xi. “Last night, Your Highness came to me to get the Purple Phoenix Grass. I gave you a lingzhi. It’s a high-grade Purple Lingzhi. Don’t tell me you’ve already used it to make medicine for the young prince?”
Yuwen Xi was about to say, “Yes, I did. Yi’er drank it all.” when she heard Zhuge Qing say slowly, “Speaking of the medicine, I remembered something. There’s something wrong with the herb that Her Highness brought over last night.”
The Western Jin Emperor asked, “What was wrong?”
“It was poisonous,” Zhuge Qing said.
Feng Xiaoran said mockingly, “What a joke. If it was poisoned, why are you sitting here?”
Zhuge Qing said calmly, “That’s because I didn’t drink it.”
Feng Xiaoran smiled coldly. “Didn’t you steal the other half that wasn’t poisonous?”
“In that case, you admit that the herb you gave Her Highness was poisonous?” Feng Xiaoran choked.
Unexpectedly, Zhuge Qing caught him off guard the moment they met.
Feng Xiaoran could not remain calm in front of Zhuge Qing. His mind would be too excited and nervous, and it was easy for him to make mistakes. In comparison, Zhuge Qing was much more at ease.
Feng Xiaoran took a deep breath and calmed his chaotic thoughts. He said coldly, “You said it yourself. I was just guessing according to your words. Don’t blame me for everything!”
Zhuge Qing said, “Alright, in that case, why don’t you tell me what was the deal with the poisonous herb?”
Feng Xiaoran snorted. “Who knows if you framed me?”
Zhuge Qing asked, “What’s in it for me to frame you? What about you, Feng
Xiaoran, is worthy of me plotting against you?”
It was heartbreaking. Feng Xiaoran was about to die of anger. He could lose to Zhuge Qing, but he would never accept that Zhuge Qing had never taken him seriously!
Feng Xiaoran gritted his teeth and said, “There are so many people who have come into contact with that herb. Why must it be me? Just because I gave the
herb? Since your medicine was brewed by that physician from the Great Zhou, perhaps she poisoned you.”
Zhuge Qing said calmly, “She has no grudge against me. Why would she poison me? Alright, even if she has a grudge, according to you, everyone who comes into contact with her has a chance to poison me. Then, is Her Highness also a suspect?”
Yuwen Xi was stunned.
Why was she involved?
Feng Xiaoran said sternly, “Nonsense! How could Her Highness poison you?”
Zhuge Qing spread her hands. “Only three people have handled the herbs. One of you must be the perpetrator, right?”
The Western Jin emperor’s sharp gaze landed on Yuwen Xi’s face. “Who’s the perpertrator?”
This made Yuwen Xi make a choice.
Feng Xiaoran had already said that the murderer was not her. It was too late to bite back now.
Yuwen Xi knew that she had lost to Zhuge Qing again.
Indeed, she and Feng Xiaoran were on the same page when it came to dealing with Zhuge Qing, but their attitudes towards Su Xiaoxiao were completely different.
In order to protect himself, Feng Xiaoran had to push the blame to Su Xiaoxiao.
Yuwen Xi had a characteristic. She was merciless to her enemies and would never repay kindness with ingratitude to her benefactor. It was impossible for her to hurt Su Xiaoxiao.
In that case, she could only abandon Feng Xiaoran.
She clenched her fists and closed her eyes. “Feng Xiaoran, hand over the lingzhi and make up for your mistake.”
Feng Xiaoran looked at Yuwen Xi in disbelief. “Your Highness!”
Yuwen Xi held back the anger in her heart and said unwillingly, “This is my order and Father’s imperial edict. If you want to live, hand it over.. Don’t disobey the edict! You can’t afford the price!”