Feng Miaojun watched with an unchanging expression, not even moving her fine eyebrows. Wang Qian pressed several acupuncture points to stop the bleeding, then picked up his severed arm and knelt: “This humble one has offended, I beg Your Majesty’s mercy!”
His facial nerves twitched with pain as sweat poured from his forehead and blood gushed from his wound. Feng Miaojun stared at him for a good while before saying unhurriedly: “Do you know what offense you committed?”
“Yes!”
“Dare to commit it again, and I will chop off your head!” Only then did she wave her hand dismissively. “You may leave.”
Wang Qian bowed to both her and Fu Lingchuan before quickly withdrawing to find a way to treat his wound.
The smell of blood permeated the air. The assembled officials remained silent for a long time, not daring to risk offending the royal authority.
Amid this dead silence, Hu Yanbei suddenly stepped forward and declared in a clear voice: “Justice is self-evident in people’s hearts! Shi Zhangqing had no past grievances or recent feuds with the young master of the Yu family, yet suddenly attacked him with murderous intent—this must be at someone else’s instigation. Yu Linlang had only recently arrived in the capital, was kind-natured, lived quietly, and had not quarreled or caused trouble with anyone here. If we consider what might have brought this deadly calamity upon him, there seems to be only one reason—”
Hu Yanbei enunciated each word clearly: “—he gained the sovereign’s appreciation and entered the palace four times to paint for Her Majesty! This offended certain people’s eyes, who feared he might gain…” At this point, he glanced at Feng Miaojun, hesitating slightly, but finally continued, “…gain royal favor!”
Who in the royal court didn’t know about Fu Lingchuan’s feelings for the Queen? Yet just days ago, Queen Changle had ordered revisions to the inner palace regulations, which must have displeased Fu Lingchuan. At this time, every family had sent promising young men to have an audience with the sovereign, with Yu Linlang being the most appreciated. It was understandable that Fu Lingchuan would look upon him with displeasure.
There was another layer of interest at stake: if the sons of local powerful families gained royal favor, their family power would certainly grow stronger, which was something Fu Lingchuan did not wish to see. However, the Queen had already developed hidden rifts with him and was unwilling to act according to his commands.
All of this was understood but unspoken among the shrewd individuals in the royal capital.
Hu Yanbei’s position was much higher than Yu Gengqing’s, and few people had the authority to rebuke him. Fu Lingchuan responded with a smile rather than anger: “Hu Yanbei, do you have evidence for these claims?”
Hu Yanbei chuckled: “These days, young men from various families wishing to have an audience with the sovereign have all been turned away. My grandson tried to see Your Majesty for two consecutive days but received no response whatsoever. In the end, it was only thanks to Your Majesty personally visiting White Horse Lake that Longr was fortunate enough to meet you.” He paused, “State Preceptor Fu, all the family heads in court are well aware of this matter. What further evidence do you require?”
General Ping Ye, Zhu Ci, also stepped forward, loudly supporting him: “Jealousy is the motive. I request Your Majesty to uphold justice impartially and set things right for all to see!”
Fu Lingchuan’s gaze swept across these people’s faces, seeing nothing but resentment, calculation, and schadenfreude. He laughed coldly: “Changle and I worked tirelessly to establish the New Xia Kingdom, and you all rose with the tide, taking ample benefits on one hand while repaying kindness with enmity on the other! Heh, do you truly not know how to write the characters for ‘shame’?”
What an ungrateful bunch! At this moment, he truly felt somewhat disheartened.
Hu Yanbei countered sharply: “I believe it is State Preceptor Fu who doesn’t know how to write the characters for ‘justice.’ Even the founding ancestors of the former Xia would not dare claim such unprecedented achievements solely for themselves!”
These words struck everyone’s hearts, and no fewer than seven or eight high officials stepped forward in succession to express their agreement. In resisting the Kingdom of Wei and establishing New Xia, everyone present had paid a price. Among those generals and border officials, whose families didn’t have a moving, tear-stained history?
The Queen rubbed her temple and suddenly spoke: “Enough! Both sides have their points. But this case was opened less than seven days ago, and Yu Linlang has been awake for only a day. There may be overlooked clues. The State Preceptor is right; we should not rush to conclusions. I will have the Ministry of Justice carefully investigate. Within ten days, I want this case resolved completely!”
Her status was the highest in the room, and everyone had to give her face when she handled disputes. Hu Yanbei listened with flickering eyes, while Fu Lingchuan showed some surprise.
Was she speaking in his favor?
At a time like this, shouldn’t she be kicking him while he was down, seizing the opportunity to reclaim power?
Yu Gengqing anxiously exclaimed: “Your Majesty!”
Feng Miaojun turned to look at him, her phoenix eyes filled with infinite authority: “Historian Yu, didn’t you ask me to judge fairly?” She emphasized each word, “Now, I am giving you justice!”
At this moment, with her eyebrows raised in anger, she displayed a previously unseen majesty that left Yu Gengqing speechless. The other officials exchanged glances, silently communicating.
What was the Queen’s intention? She had used divine arts to confirm Shi Zhangqing’s guilt, yet now seemed to be providing an out for Fu Lingchuan. Was she ultimately unwilling to break with this cousin who had been by her side day and night?
Feng Miaojun sighed again: “To demonstrate impartiality, I will stay at White Horse Lake for some time during this period. Daily court sessions will continue as usual.”
This statement startled everyone, especially Fu Lingchuan, whose momentary joy vanished instantly:
He controlled everything in the palace, from the formation arrays to the palace servants. Now she had found a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave the palace, to escape far from his control!
“Your Majesty need not do this!” He suppressed his anger, “I should be the one to avoid suspicion! I will move out of the palace tomorrow.”
Everyone knew about his intimate relationship with the sovereign and how the Queen had previously followed his every word. If he continued to be with the sovereign day and night during the investigation, everyone would question the fairness of the final result.
If Fu Lingchuan moved out of the royal palace to live elsewhere, it would be a dangerous signal indicating his weakened control over the court. But compared to the Queen moving out, this was still much better.
If word spread that he had forced the Queen to leave the palace, how would people outside view him? How arrogant and domineering must he be to not even respect the sovereign?
Feng Miaojun smiled: “I find the scenery at White Horse Lake quite beautiful and the temperature suitable. I’ve long wanted to stay there. However, by going there, I’ll be monopolizing a lovely spot. If any of you ministers have time, please come visit and keep me company.” This was no joke—she was determined not to stay in the palace anymore, with its layers of obstacles to coming and going and surrounded by Fu Lingchuan’s informants. Only by leaving the high walls of the inner palace could she act freely. So, using Yu Linlang’s assassination attempt as an excuse, she was determined to move out.
Along White Horse Lake stood a row of elegant lodges, originally built for high officials and nobles to rest, tastefully furnished and perfectly suitable for residence. But if she were to stay at White Horse Lake, for her safety, the area would inevitably be cordoned off, prohibiting outsiders from entering.
In the past, Fu Lingchuan could easily overturn her decisions, but now, in this place, before all the civil and military officials, he had lost his previously decisive authority.