Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The Fifth Prince, Feng Wu, smiled bitterly but did not attempt to persuade them to stay. Suddenly, he said, “Danger lies in front with many eyeing covetously. Xuanji has mobilized the entire country to ‘search’ for the Crown Prince and the King of Han. Do the two of you really know nothing of it?”
Meng Fuyao tilted her body backward slightly and with one hand pressed on the cabin’s wall, she laughed. “If I really didn’t know that, why would we go ‘missing’ and end up here, in a boat, meeting you?”
“The Crown Prince and the King of Han are talented and powerful, and it is but natural that a mere Xuanji will not bother the two of you.” Feng Wu paused. “But I have, coincidentally, heard that someone is out to harm the two of you and has enlisted the help of many elite martial artists. The Eternal Sky Clan is but an appetizer. The traps and dangers that lie in front are the real hot and spicy ones.”
“Apparently, the Eleventh Prince has gathered Xiao Ao Green Forest’s forces in the northern borders to finish you two off in the name of eradicating the bandits. The people who succeed will be rewarded handsomely with fame or power. Also, Noble Consort’s oldest daughter is also patrolling in that area. She has the Amethyst Cape Knights in her hands, similar to that of an assassination association. These people are on close terms with those officials and those underground. The moment you two leave the northern borders, you’ll enter the territory controlled by the Amethyst Cape Knights. And beyond this territory, the Third Prince is investigating a huge case; thus, controlling the security and army in that area. These people are nothing but a bunch of vicious dogs, who treat human lives like bugs. They have the same terrible reputation as the Amethyst Cape Knights. Once one lands in their hands, they are not afraid of death, they are just afraid that living is worse than death! This is merely their display of power to show that they are fighting for the throne. As for the palace and the others… Ah… It’s like a hodgepodge, hard to recognize!”
Meng Fuyao eyeballed this prince that couldn’t utter three sentences without bringing in cooking. Unperturbed, she replied, “That’s nothing. We aren’t afraid of losing face, and if all else fails, we will just return to our country.”
“I’m afraid you might not be able to.” Feng Wu’s tone was terrorizing.
Meng Fuyao laughed and pointed to herself in disbelief. “Us? Unable to return?”
“State your intent directly, Fifth Prince,” Zhangsun Wuji interrupted.
“It was the only choice I had left.” Hope could be spotted in Feng Wu’s eyes. He bowed slightly and continued, “Let us continue our conversation in the inner cabin.”
“No.” Meng Fuyao rejected with a frown. She hated small, narrow spaces with a passion, and thus, refused his offer directly. “Other than the top five elite masters, the people who could eavesdrop on our conversation and not be found out have not been born yet. Just say whatever you want to with a peace of mind.”
“Very well.” Feng Wu deliberated for a moment. “Long story short, the fight for the throne in Xuanji has always been known as the most intense one amongst all countries. Last summer, my father suddenly came down with an odd disease which gets progressively worse by the day. Who is to inherit the throne became the biggest and most pressing issue in court. The Empress demanded her children be selected, Noble Consort insisted on her child while Consort Xian requested it to be her son. The three parties fought relentlessly for close to half a year, and in that period of time, many princes and princesses died. Last winter, His Majesty’s illness was at its worse, and he finally decreed the emperor to take over the throne. However, he kept the identity of the next emperor a secret—he only mentioned that it would be a princess. Naturally, the officials are worried, but according to our rules, the new emperor will only officially be coronated in April. Right now, the situation is precarious, and there are still a few more months before she can be coronated. His Majesty did not reveal her identity, most likely to protect her. And for now, things have settled a little.”
“Then one day, after my wife came home from the palace, she wanted me to immediately pack up and leave Tong City. I had no idea what was happening but judging by her anxious expressions, I insisted that we leave together. But she said she had to go to the palace in the morning. We then promised to meet in a pavilion ten miles away from the city before the palace gates lock and leave together.”
At this point, Feng Wu revealed a pained expression. Meng Fuyao and Zhangsun Wuji exchanged a glance. They both knew that he probably waited in vain for her.
Indeed, Feng Wu continued. “That night, I waited till the moon was high in the sky, till the break of dawn but did not even manage to catch a glimpse of her. My loyal servants knew that something was wrong and knocked me unconscious. Afterward, I tried to quietly contact some people I knew in the capital in attempts to scout for her information. But still, I couldn’t find her, dead or alive.”
He turned away as a tear rolled down the corner of his eyes. A long, silent sigh escaped his lips. Forcing himself to smile, he turned back. “Excuse my behaviour… I… We were an extremely loving couple, and this is known by everyone in Tong City. My wife came from humble origin – daughter of a minor official – and the imperial family would never allow a marriage with someone that is below the ranking of the third grade. Back then, I had painstakingly insisted on this marriage. I had no support from my mother’s family since she was just a lowly concubine. For this I went against my father, losing his love for me. In the end, it was the Tang Family from Qing who took pity on us and adopted my wife as their goddaughter. Only then could we get married. My wife suffered a lot getting married to me. She did not once enjoy the fortunes of the imperial family and even got mocked and ridiculed on many occasions by our sisters-in-law. The Empress and Noble Consorts disliked her too. The wives of the other princes were only required to enter the palace twice a week, chatting and gossiping during their visit. On the other hand, she frequently entered the palace to serve the Empress… doing things that the maids and eunuchs do… When the rest of them entered the palace to sit around and chat, she wasn’t even given a seat… standing around to serve them…”
Feng Wu went on incessantly, his thin face warped with pain in his heart. “I am useless… I couldn’t give her a good life… Every time, she would come back with a smile on her face, going on excitedly about the fun things and delicious food she had in the palace. I always believed that she enjoyed herself in the palace if not for witnessing it myself accidentally…”
Meng Fuyao sighed lightly, her hatred towards the Xuanji’s palace deepened. ‘That darn Xuanji Empress better not let me meet her, or else I’ll slap her!’ Meng Fuyao thought indignantly.
“My wife is extremely virtuous.” Feng Wu calmed himself down, suppressing his emotions, and went on. “Ever since she got married to me, she knew that the fact both princes and princesses could take over the throne was a silent killer. She would always persuade me against fighting for the throne and instead, just focus on being an idle prince. Of course, having lots of fortune at our disposal was great, but ultimately, there would be no point if we didn’t have the life to enjoy it. I listened to her, and every day, I’d just go to the magistrate’s inquisition chamber for formalities sake, and I’d spend the rest of the time with her reciting poems and cooking. I enjoy cooking and have always been ridiculed by my brothers for that, saying that it ‘I’m cheapening my own worth,’ or being a ‘humiliation’ for the imperial family. But she, on the other hand, believes that being looked down upon in order to stay alive is better than being a respected corpse. Her words are accurate for those who have ridiculed me are mostly dead…”
Meng Fuyao remained silent. ‘This girl is able to grasp the situation very clearly. Many things are easy for the bystander to give up, but those who are involved are often blinded by what is in front of them. Furthermore, she was bullied and mocked. If it was someone else, they would definitely urge their husbands to take over the throne so that they could hold their heads up high. It is rare that she could make such a logical, calm decision. Feng Wu sure has a good eye for people,’ Meng Fuyao thought, slightly impressed.
No wonder Feng Wu would test the relationship of couples even if they were just eating. It was probably because he missed those loving days he had with her.
“What did she hear to bring upon this calamity?” Meng Fuyao muttered to herself irresolutely.
“I don’t know. That night she had hurried me to leave in a fearful manner. No matter how I asked, she would insist that some things are better left unknown. She only said one sentence before sending me out of the door…”
“What is it?”
“She said, why would this happen to that person…”
“Is that person a male or a female?” Meng Fuyao pressed him for further details.
Feng Wu shook his head in dismay. After a while, he covered his face with his hands as he sobbed. “She should have escaped with me that night, but she insisted on returning to the palace… She knew that danger laid ahead, yet she still made her way there… Why am I so dumb? To not have noticed that she was giving me time to escape…”
In the dark, damp walkway, the pale man leaned against the wall and wept silently. The air had somewhat of a salty taste, the taste of tears filled with longing and pain.
“And so you baited us here with your food and politics?” Meng Fuyao broke the silence. “How did you know we were coming here?”
“Initially, I did not have such plans.” Feng Wu blew his nose on a dirty cloth before continuing. “Back then, I was broken-hearted and roamed around various places – rivers, towns, the wild – while cooking as a way to take off my mind. But recently, I received news from the Tang Family, a loyal official that refused to take sides in this fight for the throne. He told me that before returning home that night, she went over and discussed something with him. He did not mention specifically what they talked about but told me to think of ways to stop the two of you and inform you two that danger lies in front—please be careful. In the northern borders, which is under the rule of the Eleventh Prince, it would be wise to travel on water even if it might be inconvenient. If possible, make use of the pirate gang that isn’t under the control of the Eleventh Prince to avoid around some of the traps and danger. In the middle of your journey, it is best to travel through mountains as the Amethyst Cape Knights have a difficult time entering mountain ranges. And so I thought of this food and politics idea to attract your attention…”
“And then?” Meng Fuyao gaze wavered as she smiled. “Exchange this limited information for our help to find your wife or to take revenge for her?”
The thin-skinned Feng Wu hung his head down in shame, acknowledging it.
Meng Fuyao watched him and sighed. She turned to Zhangsun Wuji who had been quiet but smiling all this while. “Look, everyone enlists me as a volunteer to help out. At least he provided some information. That Wang Huayan went to my house without anything.”
Zhangsun Wuji caressed her head as if she was a dog. “Well, you are known for your nosiness, especially when it comes to imperial affairs.”
“Me, nosy? Nosy?” Meng Fuyao pointed to herself. What a huge misunderstanding! Since when was she nosy? Wasn’t it just a coincidence that she was involved with Zhangsun Wuji, Zhan Beiye, and Zong Yue? She just didn’t want to owe them anything!
