He naturally did not wish to let her leave the palace, shaking his head and saying: “That place has no palace walls or gates, and frequently has idle strangers about. Your Majesty should not risk your sacred person in such danger.”
“White Horse Lake was once a retreat for the An Xia royal family, with existing facilities ready to be put into use,” Feng Miao Jun was certainly determined to proceed. “And with guards brought along and formations laid out, it would be safe.”
Other officials still advised that it was “not permissible,” causing her phoenix eyes to narrow: “What? Am I not allowed to rest at White Horse Lake for a few days?” It was just going to White Horse Lake for a vacation, a normal right of the sovereign, so why was it not allowed in her case?
In the dead of winter, White Horse Lake was indeed a good place to escape the cold. The An Xia royal family had a tradition of spending winter holidays there. It was just that the timing she chose was really…
Fu Ling Chuan’s face darkened: “Even Yu Lin Lang has faced assassination, with the culprit still at large. The situation in the capital is complex right now, Your Majesty cannot reside outside the palace!” Letting her live elsewhere would be like releasing a tiger back to the mountain!
Ignoring his expression, Feng Miao Jun smiled sweetly at Fu Ling Chuan: “I have made my decision. Does the State Preceptor wish to obstruct me?”
“Your Majesty’s safety is the foundation of New Xia!” Fu Ling Chuan stepped forward, radiating pressure. “Forgive me, but I cannot agree!”
“So it seems my safety and whereabouts are all in the State Preceptor’s hands.” Feng Miao Jun laughed angrily, enunciating each word: “Today I shall see who dares to stop me!”
These words cut to the heart, making Fu Ling Chuan’s face extremely unsightly. Seeing the Queen grasp her scepter and step forward, indeed moving toward the exit, everyone exchanged glances. Fu Ling Chuan had the words “come here” stuck in his throat, unable to utter them.
Normally, when the Queen wanted to leave the palace privately, the guards would dare to stop her; but in plain sight of everyone, in front of all civil and military officials, would he dare to block Feng Miao Jun? Even though Long Le was effectively a puppet, she still represented the face of New Xia and the royal family. Ordinarily, Fu Ling Chuan had to hold her in esteem, giving her proper respect in court. If he dared to stop her now, he would essentially be undermining himself—if the Queen’s dignity was trampled, it would mean Fu Ling Chuan’s regime’s credibility would be damaged.
Moreover, there were hundreds of people standing inside and outside, each nominally serving the Queen, including his political enemies. How could they stand by and watch him bully the Queen?
Prime Minister Wang Yuan immediately stepped forward: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger! State Preceptor Fu is thinking of the state’s welfare, with good intentions.” After meditating briefly, he quickly added, “Even if Your Majesty wishes to move there, White Horse Lake has been uninhabited for a long time and needs to be cleaned properly before it can respectfully welcome Your Majesty!”
Wang Yuan was approaching fifty, slightly plump, with a round, pleasant face. Usually in court, he would listen to Fu Ling Chuan’s grand speeches with rare objections, most often saying only “I concur,” leading many to consider him mediocre and ineffectual.
Today, his intervention surprised Feng Miao Jun with delight.
Hu Yan Bei followed immediately. He keenly sensed this was a great opportunity and loudly responded as soon as Wang Yuan finished: “I concur with Prime Minister Wang! I don’t believe anyone in the capital would dare harm Your Majesty. Should one come, I shall kill one; should a pair come, I shall kill both!”
His words carried a double meaning, referring both to protecting the Queen’s safety and to countering Fu Ling Chuan’s obstruction—he was willing to handle both.
By now, many noble families had caught on and followed suit, all voicing support for the Queen’s relocation. If the Queen resided at White Horse Lake, seeking an audience would become much more convenient, which would only benefit them!
This was nearly equivalent to an open challenge. Fu Ling Chuan’s long eyebrows almost stood on end, and Feng Miao Jun could see the veins bulging on his neck as if his eyes were about to burst with rage.
She hoped this man would truly step forward and forcibly obstruct her, which would mark an open break between her and Fu Ling Chuan. That was precisely what she wanted to see.
Unfortunately, this scene never materialized. Although Fu Ling Chuan clenched his fists until they cracked, in the end he somehow swallowed this anger: “Your Majesty is being mischievous. If you wish to reside there, then go. I will send people to strengthen White Horse Lake’s security, absolutely preventing any villains from infiltrating!”
He spoke through gritted teeth, and the so-called “strengthened security” still meant sending people to keep a close watch on the Queen. However, at least she could live outside the palace now.
While he was inwardly spitting blood, Feng Miao Jun was also thinking what a pity it was. Forbearance could forge steel, but Fu Ling Chuan’s level was too high—had he cultivated to become indestructible?
What was this man’s bottom line, exactly?
“White Horse Lake has a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery, the best choice for winter,” Hu Yan Bei immediately said. “Your Majesty should rest well. In a few days, this old minister will visit Your Majesty for a game of chess.”
Feng Miao Jun looked at them and smiled: “That would be excellent.” She glanced once more at Fu Ling Chuan, then turned to leave, saying, “Today’s court session ends here. Ministers, you are dismissed.”
Seeing her light steps and apparent joy, Fu Ling Chuan knew she was going to instruct palace servants to pack luggage and prepare the lodge at White Horse Lake, filling his heart with frustration.
After all officials had dispersed, Fu Ling Chuan went to the Royal Physicians’ Hall, where Wang Qian was receiving treatment.
“How is he?” Fu Ling Chuan asked the royal physician.
“Excessive blood loss, but it was treated promptly. There won’t be any problems.”
After the physician left and no one was around, Fu Ling Chuan casually set up a barrier. Wang Qian’s voice was hoarse: “I heard the Queen extended the case investigation but wants to move to White Horse Lake for recuperation?” He was truly a tough man, not having fainted from pain when he cut off his arm. Since Feng Miao Jun hadn’t forbidden his treatment, Wang Qian was receiving the best medicine for tissue regeneration and blood-stopping.
Fu Ling Chuan nodded: “Shi Zhang Qing cannot escape guilt this time; the killer must have borrowed his appearance. As for the blood marks on his face, they’re merely further evidence for conviction.” He analyzed, “But Shi Zhang Qing’s cultivation is not weak. Killing him isn’t difficult, but to ambush him without his knowledge, not even realizing there were several bloody cuts on his face—the killer’s skills are truly remarkable. The Queen shouldn’t have such a capable person under her command, or she would have already moved against me.”
“You suspect the Hu Yan family?”
Fu Ling Chuan’s tone was grim: “Yu Geng Qing was jumping up and down today, openly challenging me in court. He must have found Hu Yan Bei to back him. I took away their military power, and these noble families aren’t giving up, wanting to make a final gamble.”
Yu Geng Qing was also an old fox. Let alone Yu Lin Lang merely being targeted for assassination—even if his youngest son had died, in the past he wouldn’t have dared to oppose Fu Ling Chuan. He had three sons, and though losing the youngest would be regrettable, it wouldn’t be the end of the world; he could still have another. But his unusually fierce performance in court today could only mean one thing: the old fellow had seized this most unique moment in Wu Se’er City to challenge Fu Ling Chuan.
Including Hu Yan Bei, various noble families also voiced their support, clearly divided from Fu Ling Chuan’s bureaucratic system. Having lost their military power, they were full of resentment, eager to overthrow Fu Ling Chuan and find a way to regain their authority.
At this moment, the atmosphere in Wu Se’er City was rather tense.