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墨書 Inktalez
Feng Yinxiao did not wait for Yun Kexin to finish and said with a knowing look, "Yes, nowadays there are many discussions in the court and among the people. Some say it’s good that the crown prince was established early; otherwise, what kind of chaos would ensue?"
"Dear husband, as the leader of the elite in the imperial city, you have worked hard," Yun Kexin paused, turned to him, and seeing his thin, handsome face, she couldn't help but reach out to caress his cheek and said, "Take care of your health."
Feng Yinxiao seemed to enjoy her concern for him, smiling like a child, and he raised his hand to cover hers:
"With Wife's delicious late-night snacks to nourish me, how could I be thin? But you must pay attention to your daily diet and routine, Yun Kexin. You are now eating for two; don’t let the child go hungry."
Yun Kexin felt shy and poked Feng Yinxiao on the forehead with her finger, playfully scolding him, "You silly."
The night breeze blew gently, bringing a chill. Feng Yinxiao quickly took off his coat and draped it over Yun Kexin:
"Yun Kexin, let’s go inside; it’s cold and easy to catch a chill. Pregnant women need to be especially careful because taking medicine is not good."
However, Yun Kexin held Feng Yinxiao's hand and stepped forward again, saying, "Feng Yinxiao, I have something on my mind."
Feng Yinxiao frowned and looked back at her with concern, asking, "What is it?"
Yun Kexin walked in silence until they reached a large tree and then stopped. She spoke softly, "Fourth Uncle…"
In her previous life, Cloud City had disappeared before anything happened to the Yun Family. Where had it gone? Also, would the emperor know about his relationship with Consort Xiang? Yun Kexin was startled by her sudden thoughts. Could Fourth Uncle's disappearance be related to the emperor? Her face turned pale as paper, and her hands and feet felt cold.
"Yun Kexin, what’s wrong?" Feng Yinxiao noticed that something was suddenly off with her. She looked dazed, lost, and terrified; he hugged her tightly. "Speak up, Yun Kexin, did you think of something again?"
"Feng Yinxiao. I’m worried about Fourth Uncle." Yun Kexin leaned sadly against Feng Yinxiao, her body slightly trembling as she spoke in a very low voice. "I wonder if the emperor knows about his relationship with Consort Xiang..."
Feng Yinxiao took a deep breath, his eyes widening in shock as he immediately understood what Yun Kexin meant. His heart tightened. The bright moonlight enveloped the two of them in an embrace, silver light fracturing into sparkling shards in his dark eyes. Yet there was an indistinct mist swirling around them.
"Yun Kexin, I’m worried too," he held her tighter, feeling a sense of panic for the first time over matters beyond their control. "The emperor is a shrewd person; it’s unlikely he doesn’t know. But if he does know... why hasn’t he taken action yet? It’s truly baffling."
"Can you allow me to really think that the Emperor finally spared Fourth Uncle and Consort Xiang?" As soon as the words were spoken, Yun Kexin's eyes were already red, tears welling up, and a voice in her heart was telling her that she was dreaming. "Feng Yinxiao, in my last life, Fourth Uncle disappeared before the Emperor passed away. I... I'm so scared."
"In the past, when the Predecessor Emperor passed away, the worst fate for favored consorts was to be buried with him; next was to be sent to a designated palace, and the least fortunate would have their hair shaved and become nuns," Feng Yinxiao gently stroked Yun Kexin's hair and back, saying softly, "This dynasty has abolished the burial system, so Consort Xiang may have gone to a designated palace after all; she was a favored consort."
"So that means, until the Emperor's death, Fourth Uncle and Consort Xiang were still in one palace inside and one outside," Yun Kexin said quietly. "Then how did Fourth Uncle go missing? It's all my fault for being foolish in my last life and not paying attention to so many things. I only know that ever since Fourth Uncle disappeared, my grandmother has completely collapsed."
"Yun Kexin, with what you just said, I'm even more worried," Feng Yinxiao said anxiously. "From now on, I will pay more attention in the palace, and you should also prepare yourself mentally."
"Mm, understood..." Yun Kexin replied softly, feeling as if her heart had sunk to the bottom of an abyss.
****
A month later, Duke of E State Mansion's Three Old Lords passed away. Three months later, the Emperor died, and Crown Prince Qin Ke ascended to the throne. At that time, early spring had just passed; Yun Ke's planned marriage was also postponed. Yun Kexin returned to her family home to visit her relatives. At this moment, Feng Yinxiao was receiving a summons from the Emperor at Everlasting Spring Palace.
"Commander, you have worked hard for several months to guard the imperial city," Qin Ke said lightly as he sat at the head of the table wearing a pearl curtain crown and a black-and-yellow dragon robe. He glanced at Feng Yinxiao and continued, "Great Taihe will not forget your hard work. I heard that during my father's illness and right after his passing, there were disturbances both inside and outside the city. If it weren't for your proper command and deployment, who knows what kind of chaos would have ensued—"
"Oh, Your Majesty flatters me," Feng Yinxiao knelt on one knee and nodded. "I have only done my duty; I dare not take credit for it. Your Majesty need not worry about it."
Qin Ke stood up and walked slowly towards Feng Yinxiao with a faint smile. "Commander, how have you been?"
Feng Yinxiao suddenly looked up, realizing that the Emperor was subtly referring to Wen Yun Kexin. He calmly replied:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My wife and I are living happily together with a harmonious family."
"I hear you are about to become parents," the Emperor paused slightly but maintained his composed demeanor as he spoke gently. "I... am happy for you both. Please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Feng Yinxiao stood up uneasily; he vaguely sensed that the Emperor had something to say.
Indeed, the Emperor stared at Feng Yinxiao for a while, his expression complex as he said, "Commander, what is the relationship and interaction between your Fourth Uncle from Cloud City and you and your wife?"
Feng Yinxiao's heart sank, but he maintained his composure and replied, "Fourth Uncle is an Elder; my wife and I should naturally show him respect and filial piety."
"I fear it is more than that," the Emperor frowned in dissatisfaction, his voice cold. "The Four Elders not only allowed Yun Kexin to inherit nearly one-third of his estate but also personally taught her how to make a living. I have heard about her Innkeeper business under Cloud City for quite some time."
"Your Majesty is wise; indeed, that is the case," Feng Yinxiao suppressed the doubts in his heart and calmly said. "Fourth Uncle believes that Yun Kexin has potential and is eager to learn, which is why he personally instructs her..."
"In that case, it seems you and your wife have a very good relationship with Cloud City and are closely connected," the Emperor looked at Feng Yinxiao with a scrutinizing gaze, his face as still as water. Suddenly, he changed the subject abruptly, "But I am curious why the Four Elders have yet to marry; what is the reason for this?"
Feng Yinxiao was alarmed: the Predecessor Emperor indeed knew about Cloud City, and since the Emperor knew such details, it was likely that the Predecessor Emperor had informed him. But how much did the Predecessor Emperor know, and how would he handle it? Feng Yinxiao's mind was in turmoil.
"Replying to Your Majesty, I do not know," Feng Yinxiao had no choice but to feign ignorance. "After all, this is Fourth Uncle's private matter; as a junior, it is inappropriate for me to inquire."
"Commander, I am asking you privately out of consideration for Yun Kexin; this is an opportunity for you," Qin Ke's eyes turned cold, his voice eerie. "If you do not speak honestly, you will bear the consequences."
"Yes, Your Majesty," after the earlier shock, Feng Yinxiao felt fearless. He met the Emperor's suspicious and cold gaze with calmness and said lightly, "I only know that Fourth Uncle has not married for many years due to some difficulties, but he has not explicitly stated what those difficulties are to us juniors; therefore, I cannot know."
Qin Ke stared intently into Feng Yinxiao's eyes and face, trying to discern something from him. However, Feng Yinxiao remained composed and unperturbed, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
"Since that is the case, I will show you something," Qin Ke said darkly as he turned around to go behind the desk. He took out a long Brocade Box wrapped in yellow silk and walked over. "Take this and open it."
Seeing the decoration of the long Brocade Box, Feng Yinxiao guessed it must be something valuable. Noticing the Emperor's solemn expression, he nervously accepted it and opened it as instructed. Inside lay rolled-up silk in a yellow hue; he exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty, this is..."
"The secret edict of my father!" Qin Ke pronounced each word clearly and forcefully.
Feng Yinxiao was taken aback and immediately knelt down, holding the secret edict above his head respectfully. "Your Majesty, this is the Imperial Edict of the Late Emperor; it should be read at an appropriate time. How can it be shown to a humble official alone? It cannot be."
Qin Ke let out a barely audible cold laugh and said, "This is my command. Open it and read it. If I have someone announce it immediately, you might regret it too late."
Feng Yinxiao, feeling helpless, took the secret edict out of the Brocade Box while pondering whether this was about the Predecessor Emperor's handling of the Four Elders. Just thinking about it made him sweat through two layers of clothing. Sure enough, as Feng Yinxiao stared at the edict, his eyes widened more and more, and his hands began to tremble. Halfway through reading, the edict slipped from his grasp. He wanted to shout "Your Majesty, please show mercy," but for some reason, the words just wouldn't come out. Perhaps his subconscious was telling him that the more he said, the worse it would be for the Four Elders. Moreover, he didn't know how to explain this to Yun Kexin when he returned. Would she be able to handle it? After a moment, when Feng Yinxiao met Qin Ke's gaze, he felt somewhat reassured: the emperor had not yet reached the point of acting according to his will and exterminating them all; otherwise, he wouldn't have shown him such an important document. Could it be that he was considering Yun Kexin?
The emperor seemed to see through Feng Yinxiao's thoughts and maintained his stern demeanor without any sign of relaxation: "I have heard that the Four Elders treat Yun Kexin with as much affection and care as if she were their own Daughter." Qin Ke paused slightly, looking at Feng Yinxiao with an undeniable authority and seriousness in his tone, "Now is the time for her to repay that kindness..."
Feng Yinxiao was taken aback but still managed to remain calm on the surface: "Your Majesty, do you wish to see my wife?"
"I want to hear her thoughts," the emperor replied flatly. "At the very least, I want her to know about this matter."
"But Your Majesty," Feng Yinxiao interjected anxiously, " Yun Kexin has been pregnant for several months now; it may be inconvenient."
"It doesn't matter; I don't mind," the emperor suddenly appeared somewhat melancholic as he struggled to find a suitable reason to see her. "Let Yun Kexin come to the palace; I want to hear her thoughts." Seeing Feng Yinxiao's expression stiffen, he added reassuringly, "Commander, personally escort Yun Kexin to the palace. This is your last chance."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Feng Yinxiao nodded in response and stood up.
"However," Qin Ke, having received Feng Yinxiao's agreement, emphasized with a slightly softened expression, "there's no need to mention the secret edict to Yun Kexin. I know how to handle it; I won't frighten her."
At this point, Feng Yinxiao felt that further discussion was unnecessary. Angering the emperor could make things difficult for Yun Kexin, so it was better to agree first and then find a solution later. Thus, he complied. (To be continued)
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