“Cunning and scheming,” she shrugged, “The Hu Yan family takes pride in their achievements, and their prominence subtly overshadows Zhao Hongyin. I think Hu Yan Bei wants to follow your old path.”
Fu Lingchuan’s face remained impassive as water: “What does it matter? How you dealt with me is how you can deal with him.”
“In our struggle, we both showed restraint, not damaging New Xia’s foundations,” she said softly. “As for Hu Yan Bei, that’s not necessarily the case.”
In the conflict between her and Fu Lingchuan, both had maintained a certain decorum, not striking fatal blows, out of respect for their shared ancestry. The Hu Yan family’s main forces were in the northwest. If they were to rebel, even if they were eventually suppressed, it would bring disaster to millions of commoners.
Fu Lingchuan stood in place for quite some time. Feng Miaojun could almost feel his inner struggle.
Then, he strode outside.
Feng Miaojun didn’t rush, eating some cakes and fruits while waiting.
About a quarter of an hour later, Fu Lingchuan returned, holding a stack of files which he placed on Feng Miaojun’s small table:
“What you wanted.”
Although he had lost power, he still had capable people under him and his intelligence network.
Feng Miaojun picked them up and flipped through them, thinking that it was indeed as expected—Fu Lingchuan had truly completed this task. She said solemnly: “Cousin truly has his body in the countryside but his heart with New Xia. Changle sincerely invites you to return to the royal court!”
Fu Lingchuan remained silent.
Feng Miaojun stood up, smiling: “Please consider it carefully.”
The Hu Yan family had been enjoying glory these days. The family head had earned merit by rescuing the sovereign, and the Queen’s rewards were carried into their residence batch after batch, seen by many eyes both openly and secretly.
Even the servants of the household walked out with their chests high and heads up.
Only the family head, Hu Yan Bei, furrowed his brow when alone, showing no joy. Hu Yan Long quietly asked: “Why is Grandfather uneasy?”
Hu Yan Bei shook his head: “The Queen took down Fu Lingchuan and dealt with the Liu and Chen families. Her power grows more consolidated. We…”
Hu Yan Long didn’t understand: “The Liu and Chen families were caught red-handed.”
This grandson had already become accomplished, so Hu Yan Bei didn’t conceal the truth: “The actions of the Liu and Chen families were under my instructions. I fear the sovereign now knows this as well. She’s killing the chicken to scare the monkey.”
Hu Yan Long was greatly alarmed: “Grandfather!”
Hu Yan Bei gave a bitter smile: “I had no choice.” He also had his difficulties—he had been testing the Queen’s limits before, not expecting her to be even more ruthless than Fu Lingchuan!
From the moment Feng Miaojun began plotting against Fu Lingchuan, the development of this matter had completely escaped Hu Yan Bei’s control. He had been swept into it, and now felt powerless to change the situation.
But before he could say anything, someone came to report: “The palace requests your presence.”
Grandfather and grandson exchanged glances, both sensing trouble.
When Hu Yan Bei entered the palace for an audience, a court attendant led him to the royal study, making his heart pound.
Feng Miaojun sat formally behind her desk, with the appearance of a celestial fairy, but unfortunately expressionless, having lost the warm smile she had shown him days ago.
After Hu Yan Bei completed his salute, Feng Miaojun pushed forward a thick stack of materials on her desk:
“Take a look.”
The attendant quickly picked them up and handed them to Hu Yan Bei. The latter opened the topmost roster, read a few pages, and his face gradually changed.
He pulled out another scroll, covered densely with minute writing.
Seeing beads of sweat appearing on Hu Yan Bei’s forehead, Feng Miaojun asked him: “General Hu Yan, what do you have to say?”
Hu Yan Bei closed the booklet and said tensely: “May I ask Your Majesty, where did these come from?”
Feng Miaojun stared at him, her voice both light and slow: “Naturally, I had someone collect them. What’s the matter? Does General Hu Yan have doubts?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Hu Yan Bei lowered his head slightly. “It’s just that State Preceptor Fu, no, Fu Lingchuan previously handled these materials. He and I have never been on good terms, perhaps…”
Feng Miaojun rested her chin on her hand: “Are you suggesting that these materials were all fabricated by Fu Lingchuan to frame you?”
Indeed, these were all gifts from Fu Lingchuan to Feng Miaojun. When he sent people to investigate leads, the Hu Yan family had been alerted, so if Feng Miaojun were to send people to investigate now, most evidence would likely have been destroyed, and a facade of peace presented.
“Human hearts are hard to fathom; such a possibility cannot be ruled out.” Though these were his words, Hu Yan Bei’s heart sank to the bottom. It was truly a case of fearing what might come to pass. He had originally thought that the evidence Fu Lingchuan possessed would be buried with his fall from power, but hadn’t expected Fu Lingchuan to present it directly to the Queen!
This man was truly a menace—not content with his downfall, he wanted to drag the Hu Yan family down with him!
At this moment, Hu Yan Bei truly wished he could slice Fu Lingchuan into a thousand pieces, but then he heard Feng Miaojun laugh: “I knew you would say this.”
She pulled out another letter from her desk and had the attendant show it to Hu Yan Bei.
Hu Yan Bei’s face turned ashen upon seeing the first two sentences, but he still gritted his teeth and read to the end, all the way to the final signature.
The characters were written in blood, with a signature and bloody handprint at the end.
This was a thick confession letter from one of his confidants in the northwest. This person detailed how the Hu Yan family had paid lip service to the military reduction order while secretly disobeying it, revealing the improper sources of funds for maintaining private troops and expanding military equipment. At the same time, they had also manipulated taxes and mining operations.
If Hu Yan Bei’s heart had felt heavy before, now his internal organs felt like they were encased in ice, almost unable to breathe.
Feng Miaojun said leisurely: “General Hu Yan, you’ve spent quite a lot of money on private troops and military equipment. Just the bits recorded in these account books make my eyes red with envy.” As she spoke, her voice gradually turned stern, “It seems the King of Yan has been quite generous to you!”
As soon as the words “King of Yan” entered his ears, Hu Yan Bei fell to his knees with a thud: “I wouldn’t dare!”
“Wouldn’t dare?” She smiled slightly. “After my birthday banquet last year, Prince Zhao Yun of Yan went to the Hu Yan residence for secret talks. I didn’t see you showing any hesitation then.”
She knew? She knew? Cold sweat poured down Hu Yan Bei’s forehead as his gaze instinctively scanned the surroundings.
The Queen was only about two zhang away from him. Perhaps he should try something?
As this thought arose, his heartbeat quickened. But he immediately discovered that his spiritual sense couldn’t penetrate beyond the study, indicating that a formation had been activated after he entered. He also sensed elite forces in ambush nearby and quite a few at that.
If he made a move, it would be irrefutable evidence of treason! Moreover, the sovereign herself possessed profound cultivation; he would never be able to subdue her in just a few exchanges. Let’s not forget, that she now also held the position of State Preceptor and could seize his elemental power at any moment! Was this even a fight worth having?
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, he abandoned this extremely tempting idea.
Hu Yan Bei looked up, his gaze meeting Feng Miaojun’s, and instantly saw the cold and mockery in her eyes.
Was she just waiting for him to make a move, so she could uproot the Hu Yan family entirely, just as she had dealt with Fu Lingchuan?
Thinking of this, Hu Yan Bei secretly clenched his fist, but could only say with trepidation: “This subject is guilty!”