"Your Highness, I intend to return to my clan," Mr. Feng Er said.
The King of the Northern Frontier started, "Mr. Feng Er, if you leave, what about here..."
"Rest assured, Your Highness. Without the Empress, they will not act rashly."
The King of the Northern Frontier knew Mr. Feng Er was correct. There was no better solution now, so he could only nod, "Very well, I await your good news. When do you plan to depart, Mr. Feng Er?"
Hearing this, Mr. Feng Er replied, "There is no time to delay. I shall depart today."
The King of the Northern Frontier nodded, "Good, I shall make preparations."
Yan Residence
"Young Master Wen, a message from the Northern Frontier Royal Residence," a servant from the Yan Residence handed the message to Wen Yu Xi.
Wen Yu Xi opened it and his expression turned grim. Xue Zi Xuan, standing nearby, asked, "What's wrong? Is there a difficult matter?"
Wen Yu Xi handed the note to Xue Zi Xuan. Upon reading it, Xue Zi Xuan's face also darkened. "It seems someone from the Feng Yin clan has learned of Sister's identity in advance."
"Your Majesty is not entirely safe there," Wen Yu Xi stated.
Xue Zi Xuan pondered for a moment, "We needn't worry too much. After all, Yan Jin Zhao is there, and he will protect Sister."
Wen Yu Xi nodded, "You are right. Now, we only need to deal with Mr. Feng Er."
Once Mr. Feng Er returned, the Empress's identity would surely be exposed.
"What shall we do? Mr. Feng Er is no ordinary person; he is equivalent to a Feng Guard," Xue Zi Xuan said with some difficulty.
Wen Yu Xi thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "Is Feng Jiu present?"
A figure descended, "Young Master Wen."
Xue Zi Xuan blinked in surprise, looking at Feng Jiu, "You... you didn't follow Sister?"
Feng Jiu gave a wry smile, "Her Majesty left me behind to protect the young prince."
Xue Zi Xuan's eyes widened, "Sister..."
"Her Majesty is a considerate person," Wen Yu Xi said.
Xue Zi Xuan's gaze flickered. It was undeniable that he was moved. He was merely a counterfeit Xue Zi Xuan, but Sister had given him a legitimate identity. He had no words for his gratitude, only the desire to help Sister fulfill her wish.
Peace throughout the land, prosperity for the nation.
"Feng Jiu, do you know anything about Mr. Feng Er?" Wen Yu Xi asked.
Feng Jiu paused for a moment, as if recalling. After a long while, he said, "Mr. Feng Er is an influential figure within the clan. However, I was occupied with training every day, so I rarely saw him. But I heard his martial arts are quite good, superior to Mr. Feng."
"Better than you?" Wen Yu Xi inquired.
Feng Jiu frowned, "Perhaps slightly more formidable than me. Young Master Wen, are you planning to ambush Mr. Feng Er?"
Wen Yu Xi nodded, "Yes. Do you have any suggestions?"
Feng Jiu replied, "I'm afraid I cannot help with this. The Feng Yin clan strictly prohibits internecine strife. If it were discovered, I would be expelled."
"I am not asking you to act. Just tell me if he has any weaknesses," Wen Yu Xi said.
Feng Jiu thought for a moment, "If there are weaknesses, both he and Mr. Feng are lecherous."
"I understand," Wen Yu Xi replied.
Xue Zi Xuan could not help but ask, "Have you found a way?"
Wen Yu Xi nodded, "As long as there's a weakness, it's manageable. Especially if it's women?"
"Then how do you plan to proceed?" Xue Zi Xuan asked with curiosity.
Wen Yu Xi's lips curved slightly into a wicked smile, "Heaven's secrets are not to be revealed."
The next day
Xiao Huan, holding an invitation, walked in with excitement. She said to Jiang Yu Li, who was dressing up, "Miss, Young Master Yan invites you out."
Jiang Yu Li started, looking at Xiao Huan, disbelieving, "Are you telling the truth?"
Xiao Huan shook the invitation in her hand, "Can I possibly deceive you?"
"Let me see it," Jiang Yu Li said.
Xiao Huan handed the invitation over. Jiang Yu Li took it and opened it. Indeed, the handwriting was Yan Jin Zhao's.
"Miss Jiang, the autumn days are clear and crisp. I invite Miss Jiang to visit the Chrysanthemum Garden together."
Jiang Yu Li's lips curved upwards, her heart filled with excitement. "Xiao Huan, quickly help me get ready."
Xiao Huan hurried over, smiling, "Miss, rest assured, I will make you look stunning."
After a while, Xiao Huan held a bronze mirror for Jiang Yu Li to see. The maiden in the mirror was lovely and charming.
"Miss, you look beautiful," Xiao Huan praised.
Jiang Yu Li playfully swatted Xiao Huan, "Alright, stop praising me here. Help me choose an outfit."
After dressing, Jiang Yu Li walked out of the room and said to Xiao Huan, "I'll go inform my brother. You prepare the carriage."
Xiao Huan nodded, "Yes, I'll go right away."
Jiang Yu Li left. Xiao Huan went out of the door and came to a secluded courtyard. A letter in her hand flew inside, and she quickly left.
Jiang Yu Li had not told the King of the Northern Frontier the whole truth. She only said she wanted to go out.
The King of the Northern Frontier, thinking he had been somewhat neglectful of Jiang Yu Li these past few days, wanted to compensate her and thus did not question her closely. He allowed her to leave the royal residence with guards skilled in martial arts.
Arriving at a teahouse, Jiang Yu Li was led to a private room.
Xiao Huan stood guard outside the door.
Downstairs were the guards from the royal residence.
Jiang Yu Li sat there, waiting for Yan Jin Zhao. However, for some reason, she felt increasingly dizzy, and her vision seemed to blur.
Mr. Feng Er pushed open the door. The letter was from his clan, summoning him to the teahouse. To ensure discretion, he was instructed not to enter through the main entrance but to climb through the window from the back courtyard.
He had no suspicion, as messages from the clan had always been delivered in such a manner.
Upon entering, he was hit by a scent that made him cry out in alarm. This scent was all too familiar; it was an aphrodisiac.
He had been careless. Even though he realized it, he had already inhaled a considerable amount. He noticed a maiden slumped over the table.
He walked forward and gently patted the maiden. She let out a soft moan.
He felt his entire body go limp.
He looked at the maiden and said, "Young lady, are you deliberately trying to seduce me here?"
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the door. The door was forcefully broken open, and a little maidservant's startled cry rang out, "You are molesting Miss?"
Mr. Feng Er was taken aback. "No... no, listen to my explanation."
"Help! Someone is bullying Miss!" the little maidservant screamed without regard for anything else.
Mr. Feng Er hadn't expected the maidservant to shout so loudly. He wanted to escape, as he was feeling disoriented.
However, behind the maidservant stood many guards.
Mr. Feng Er then realized that this private room had no windows.
"Feng... Mr. Feng Er?" a guard recognized him.
Mr. Feng Er was stunned. "You... you are a guard from the Northern Frontier Royal Residence?"
Suddenly, his whole body trembled. Then, could this maiden be...?
He stiffly turned his head and saw the face, his heart sinking.
"I wish to see the King," Mr. Feng Er said.
"How dare you insult my Miss! I will surely make you explain to the King, or I shall not rest," the little maidservant said angrily.