“Are your people certain that the one who took back Black Gorge was Feng Jiu’er?” Ye Luosha asked in a grave voice.
“There is no one else with that kind of ability.” Emperor Ji let out a quiet sigh. “The legendary treasure of ancient times — it was actually in Black Gorge.”
“And not only did she claim the treasure — she took Zhao Family Fortress and the entirety of Black Gorge as her own. That girl is no simple matter now.”
“She dared to operate under her real name from the very beginning — does she truly not regard us as any threat at all?” Ye Luosha gave a cold snort.
“Didn’t Wuya also re-emerge in the world under his true name? That girl and Wuya are alike in temperament — both equally stubborn,” said Emperor Ji, shaking his head again.
“She knew about our plans and had no intention of staying, so she threw caution to the wind.”
“And in the end, she truly did find the treasure — and reclaimed the entirety of Black Gorge in such a short span of time.”
“That girl is absolutely a formidable one. I only just tracked down news of her, and even that was from over a month ago. No simple matter at all!”
Ye Luosha shot Emperor Ji a glance, drew in a slow breath, and let it out in a shallow exhale.
“All you know how to do is undermine yourself and add to the enemy’s prestige. With Wuya and Mu’er on our side, are we really going to worry ourselves over one little girl?”
“Wuya may seem indifferent, but he is a deeply feeling child at heart. He will not raise his hand against us — of that I’m quite certain.”
Emperor Ji pressed his lips together and raised his cup again, taking a quiet sip of tea.
“That is not what concerns me. I raised Wuya myself — do I not know his temperament?”
“The real issue is this: if Feng Jiu’er reappears, what will Wuya and Mu’er do?”
“Why does that wretched woman never just die?” Leng Yue, seated beside Emperor Ji, had been holding herself back for some time before she could bear it no longer.
“If she is given the chance to show herself, we will have no peace again.”
She turned her head to look at Emperor Ji, her brow faintly knitted. “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Imperial Prince — it took such effort for the two brothers to stand united against a common foe.”
“If Feng Jiu’er were to appear at this juncture, who knows what would happen.”
“Your Majesty the Empress, Foster Father — the Second Imperial Prince only barely escaped with his life. We must prevent that from ever happening again.”
All Leng Yue wanted was Feng Jiu’er dead. Hearing that she was still alive was worse to her than death itself.
During this period, Zhan Liyue had not given a great deal of thought to the matter of Feng Jiu’er — yet she did not doubt Emperor Ji’s words.
Zhan Liyue composed herself and picked up the teacup in front of her. “What must come will always come.”
“He who wins the Phoenix Woman wins the world — can it be that this prophecy holds some truth?”
“Your Majesty, have you not always dismissed such prophecies?” Zhan Liyue’s words made Leng Yue’s expression go even paler.
The great matter of the assassination attempt on Feng Jiu’er — Emperor Ji had not breathed a word of it to Leng Yue beforehand. Had she not heard it from Di Wuyou, she would still be in the dark even now.
And now, to hear Zhan Liyue speaking in this way — how could Leng Yue not be frightened?
“Why shouldn’t there be?” Ye Luosha raised an eyebrow lightly. “Feng Jiu’er has refused to die time and again. She is remarkably resilient.”
“In such desperate circumstances, she was still able to mount a stunning reversal. That girl is absolutely a formidable figure.”
“If she could be made to serve Wuya, Wuya would be unrivaled under heaven. Our move against her at the time was truly forced upon us.”
“But, Elder Ye — it is not only His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who has feelings for Feng Jiu’er; the Second Imperial Prince does as well. How can we allow Feng Jiu’er to reappear?” Leng Yue’s brow furrowed with anxiety.
Ye Luosha swept Leng Yue with a glance and said flatly, “Leng Yue, I know you have feelings for Wuya.”
“But Wuya’s Empress will never be you. You had best put that idea out of your head.”
“From now on, when we are speaking, you would do well to sit quietly and listen. This is not a place for you to cut in.”
Leng Yue stared at Ye Luosha with wide eyes — yet she dared not say a single word.
In the end, her gaze fell on Emperor Ji.
Emperor Ji picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea.
“Heed what Elder Ye has said. If you feel you have been wronged, you are under no obligation to remain by my side.”
“Foster Father — please, no!” Leng Yue was so frightened she immediately sank to her knees. “Foster Father, please do not drive me away.”
“I will covet nothing more — I only wish to remain by Foster Father’s side.”
“In recognition of your years of service, once the restoration is complete, I will find you a good household to be matched with.” Zhan Liyue said without expression.
Leng Yue, still kneeling, turned to look at Zhan Liyue. She tried to nod, yet found she could not bring herself to do it.
“Will you not hurry and thank Her Majesty the Empress?” Emperor Ji’s low voice sounded again.
“This subject thanks Her Majesty the Empress!” Leng Yue turned and kowtowed to Zhan Liyue.
“Rise.” Zhan Liyue waved a hand.
“This subject thanks Her Majesty the Empress!” Leng Yue’s face was a picture of unwilling resignation, but now she had no choice but to stand and return to her seat.
She had never imagined that Feng Jiu’er was truly still alive — and even less had she imagined that even the chance to fight for what she wanted was now gone.
Leng Yue could not give vent to her anger, could not speak, and could only swallow every last word, sitting meekly at her place.
Zhan Liyue held her teacup and let out a quiet sigh. “As long as the Di imperial dynasty can be restored, we must not interfere further in the matter of Feng Jiu’er.”
“If she comes to us seeking vengeance, what then?” Ye Luosha frowned.
Ye Luosha still remained unconvinced that the matter of Di Wuyou was as straightforward as it seemed. But with Zhan Liyue so certain, there was nothing she could do.
“Then let us see what she’s made of.” Zhan Liyue raised an eyebrow and took a quiet sip of tea.
Ye Luosha gripped her teacup and said nothing more.
……
In the days that followed, whenever Zhan Liyue had a free moment, she would keep Di Wuyou beside her.
She also had people gather several military treatises for Di Wuyou to occupy himself with.
More often than not, wherever she was, a second shadow would be close at hand.
Di Wuya and Di Feimu had not returned since that day, yet with Di Wuyou as company, Zhan Liyue’s spirits seemed even better than before.
Whether she was attending to affairs, taking her meals, or holding counsel, she did not mind having Di Wuyou present.
Di Wuyou rarely spoke. When Zhan Liyue asked him to come, he did not refuse.
He would simply take a book and sit to one side. Had he not been so extraordinarily striking in appearance, he might easily have been overlooked entirely.
The day appointed for the attack on the city drew nearer and nearer, and the entire army was kept in a state of relentless activity.
Zhan Liyue alone had scarcely left the military encampment.
On this particular day, when the evening meal came, Di Wuyou was once again invited over to dine with Zhan Liyue.
Emperor Ji had been away for the past few days, and Ye Luosha had gone out early that morning and had not yet returned to camp.
When Di Wuyou was brought into the tent by the attendants, only Zhan Liyue was inside.
“Wuyou, you’re here — sit.” Zhan Liyue looked at Di Wuyou and closed the book she had been holding.
She glanced up at the attendants who had come in with him and waved them off. “Bring the meal in. This palace will dine with the Third Imperial Prince.”
“Yes.” The attendants bowed and withdrew.
Everyone was curious about this Third Imperial Prince who had appeared so suddenly, but since Her Majesty the Empress had given no explanation, no one dared ask.
If the Empress wished to take in an adopted son, there was truly no need for her to explain herself.