C38 Guest

Feng Yan's carriage stopped at the Silk Pavilion, a two-story building that appeared to specialize in fabrics and clothing but actually offered a unique convenience for many. At the Silk Pavilion, if you had the money, you could rent a private changing room. Each room had a hidden door leading to various streets and alleys.

Seeing Feng Yan's carriage parked there, Feng Tiange followed him inside. She owned a changing room here from a past life, and with the key, anyone could enter. After changing and exiting through a hidden door, she waited outside another secret exit.

Don't ask how she knew where the other exits were; if she wanted, the Thirteen Sects would find out for her. In the past, she hadn't paid much attention, so she was unaware that Feng Yan also had his own changing room here, well-concealed indeed. Luckily, she managed to block him just right.

Watching Feng Yan, dressed in a black robe and wearing a black hat, emerge from the hidden door, Feng Tiange quietly followed. After about half an hour, Feng Yan entered a tavern tucked away in an alley. The tavern was unremarkable, with its sign faded from age and showing signs of wear at the edges.

Once inside, Feng Tiange saw Feng Yan head to the innermost private room. She wanted to follow, but unfortunately, all the private rooms in the tavern were already booked...

In a private room, a nondescript man stood up as Feng Yan entered.

"Greetings, Lord Feng." The man's attire was as plain as the tavern itself, a brown tunic paired with worn-out pants. At first glance, he seemed a bit shabby; upon closer inspection, even more so.

Feng Yan returned the greeting, "You've come a long way, Mr. Zhou, and I regret not being able to offer you a proper welcome."

"You're too kind, Lord Feng. I'm here to discuss important matters with you; food and lodging are trivial concerns," replied Zhou Ru, a trusted advisor to King Ping of Zhao Country.

Zhou Ru's visit to Qi wasn't through official channels; instead, he sought out Feng Yan discreetly.

Feng Yan seemed to catch on, "Is King Ping already making preparations?"

"Indeed. I'm here to get a definitive answer from the Crown Prince of Qi," Zhou Ru said, bowing slightly as he mentioned Beiming Yuan.

Feng Yan nodded, "Rest assured, the Crown Prince has always supported King Ping. We'll do everything within our power."

"To be honest, there's something I need your help with," Zhou Ru admitted, encouraged by Feng Yan's assurance.

The task was to assassinate Zhao Country's only female general, Bai Yushuang. According to Zhou Ru, Bai Yushuang had recently requested permission from the Zhao King to visit Qi. Officially, it was to strengthen diplomatic ties, but in reality, she aimed to confirm whether the Crown Prince Consort, Dugu Yan, was truly dead.

Bai Yushuang, a fiercely loyal royalist with significant military power, posed a potential threat to Zhao Ping King's future ambitions of becoming emperor. As Zhou Ru put it, Bai Yushuang had clashed with Dugu Yan on the battlefield. If Beiming Yuan could pin Bai Yushuang's death on Dugu Yan's remnants, he could absolve himself of any blame.

Feng Tiange was sipping a drink in the tavern's outer hall, waiting for two hours before Feng Yan finally appeared. She didn't leave with Feng Yan, as she was waiting for someone else. Half a cup of tea later, Zhou Ru emerged, wrapped in a thick coat. His ordinary appearance and attire went unnoticed by everyone except Feng Tiange.

The issue lay with the shoes. Zhao Country, located north of Qi Country, was colder in winter, so Zhao's shoes were thicker than those in Qi. Zhou Ru's boots bore a peculiar pattern that Feng Tiange recognized as the symbol of a guest minister from Zhao Ping King's residence. It seemed trouble was brewing in Zhao Country.

Thinking of Zhao Country naturally brought to mind the legendary female general with a similar history to her own, Bai Yushuang. Seven battles, seven defeats, and that woman would love nothing more than to take a bite out of her...

The snow in the imperial city fell all day, finally stopping silently as night descended.

Dugu Rou had been waiting outside the Imperial Study Room for an hour, while Lee Chengrui had come and gone several times.

Outside, Mo Hua, feeling sorry for her mistress, shuffled her cold, stiff feet forward. "Miss, we should head back. It seems the Crown Prince is really busy, and the ginseng porridge in the food box has gone cold..."

Dugu Rou stood silently, her cheeks turning a shade of purple from the cold, yet her eyes shone with a light that was both devout and resolute. She knew that if she turned away now, seeing Beiming Yuan again would be uncertain.

Finally, the doors opened once more, and Lee Chengrui hurried over. "The Crown Prince has summoned the Crown Prince Consort. Please, come in."

Even though he knew the woman before him had no chance of becoming the Crown Prince Consort, Lee Chengrui's demeanor remained unchanged, at least in front of Dugu Rou. Life has its ups and downs, and who can guarantee they'll never stumble? And who can say those who stumble will never rise again?

After Dugu Rou entered the hall, Lee Chengrui kindly led Mo Hua to a side room to warm up.

Inside, Dugu Rou approached the Dragon Table, set down the food box, and knelt. "I am guilty, Your Highness. Please punish me."

Beiming Yuan set aside the document he was reading and looked up at the woman before him. Her delicate frame shivered from the intense cold, with a light dusting of snow still clinging to her shoulders.

He didn't intend to intimidate Dugu Rou; he just hadn't figured out how to tell her about the consort title. In the palace, everyone has their place, even the maids, and it was time he gave Dugu Rou a proper status.

"Rou, what are you doing? Get up," Beiming Yuan sighed quietly, rising to personally help Dugu Rou up from beside the ornate table. "I do have important documents to review, but you don't need to be so insistent."

Beiming Yuan's touch was gentle, his gaze filled with warmth. "Are you cold?"

"Your Highness..." Dugu Rou looked up, tears perfectly timed to slip from the corners of her eyes. "I know my brother acted recklessly and made mistakes. I've already scolded him harshly. Please, don't be angry with me."

"I'm not so confused that I can't tell right from wrong. Dugu Jin made a mistake, and I've punished him by having him reflect on it at home. Why would I be angry with you? Don't overthink it." Beiming Yuan led Dugu Rou to a nearby chair made of pearwood, sitting down with her. "I'll have Lee Chengrui bring you some hot tea..."

"No need!" Dugu Rou shook her head, her expression sorrowful. "I know you've been working hard lately, so I personally made some ginseng porridge for you. But now..."

No matter how hot the porridge is, it cools in an hour in the wind and snow, much like a person's heart.

"Don't worry, I'll have Lee Chengrui reheat it later." Beiming Yuan gently held Dugu Rou's hand, his fingertips softly caressing the back of her hand. His lips pressed together as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"If Your Highness has important matters to attend to, I should take my leave," Dugu Rou said softly, pretending to rise.

Beiming Yuan held her delicate hand tighter. "Since you're here, keep me company for a while."

Perhaps he should speak his mind now, gauge Dugu Rou's reaction, and then decide whether to have Lee Chengrui deliver the decree to the Heaven Obeying Hall.

In his presence, there was no room for dissent...