Chapter 107: Fearless in the Face of Life and Death

Wang Jia quietly listened to the conversation between Chen Pingwu and Yang Guang, her curiosity about this cold and ruthless young man growing ever stronger.

In the dungeon behind the county magistrate’s office, Feng Yewu was making a new decision.

The recent death of Fang Yang had severed all leads and hope once more, yet faced with the impending revelation of the truth, Feng Yewu was unwilling to give up so easily.

Lu Jue stood silently behind Feng Yewu, awaiting her decision. Having confessed their feelings to each other in the dungeon, now, whether it meant death or even descending to hell, he would follow Feng Yewu without hesitation.

After a moment of contemplation, Feng Yewu turned to Wei Nanqi and Sun Changxi and spoke.

“This journey to the territory of the Prince of Pingyi is the closest we have come to the truth. I am unwilling to let go now.”

As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Lu Jue. Regarding the case of the Northern General’s Mansion, she was determined to give him a satisfactory answer.

Wei Nanqi and Sun Changxi sensed the resolute determination in Feng Yewu’s words and promptly responded solemnly.

“We are willing to accompany Your Majesty in this investigation, unafraid of death.”

Feng Yewu smiled faintly at their revealed resolve, understanding it was concern for her safety. But with Fang Yang dead, and the evidence of correspondence between Li Ru and the Prince of Pingyi reduced to mere piles of ink and paper, obtaining concrete proof meant they had to visit Langya, the seat of the Prince of Pingyi’s mansion.

“Your loyalty is clear to me, but the current situation cannot afford too many moving about; the target is too large.”

Upon hearing Feng Yewu’s words, Wei Nanqi pondered briefly before suggesting,

“Why don’t Your Majesty and Lu Gongzi, whose skills and agility surpass ours, go ahead first? Lord Sun can rendezvous with Zheng Tianlan and proceed directly to Langya. I will lead a contingent of elite troops to follow behind Your Majesty and Lu Gongzi as a rear guard. Does this plan sound feasible?”

Feng Yewu considered Wei Nanqi’s proposal and found it reasonable.

If they truly obtained evidence against Wang Changgeng, the other party would surely be prepared to fight to the death. Without external aid, their lives would be in grave danger.

The origins of the Penglai Pavilion remained undiscovered, and Langya was Wang Changgeng’s stronghold. It was wise to exercise caution.

Feng Yewu nodded slightly in agreement.

She then returned to the inn with Lu Jue to change their clothes.

The damp, dark dungeon had already begun to cause their clothing to mildew.

Sun Changxi, leading several officers from the Ministry of Justice, spurred their horses and departed swiftly, while Wei Nanqi took command of the remaining officers to settle affairs at the magistrate’s office before preparing to set out.

...

Night had fallen within the Prince of Pingyi’s mansion, and Wang Changgeng sat restlessly.

Tomorrow was the final hope for the beheading. If the county magistrate had not sent a reply by then, it would only mean that Feng Yewu had escaped.

As long as Feng Yewu lived, Wang Changgeng’s plan was doomed.

Anxious and restless, Wang Changgeng took the initiative to enter his study, followed by a graceful figure slipping in behind him from the shadows.

Seated and rubbing his temples, Wang Changgeng sighed before asking the woman who had accompanied him.

“Any news from Penglai Pavilion? Has the envoy sent to the Prince of Beichang returned?”

The woman was Zhao Xiyan, head of Penglai Pavilion.

Hearing his question, she shook her head slightly, a trace of disappointment in her eyes.

Wang Changgeng was unsurprised by her response and let out a self-mocking laugh.

“That Wei Siyuan is a cunning man. Now that Feng Yewu has secretly arrived in my fiefdom, he will likely be used as a pawn.”

Startled by Wang Changgeng’s sigh, Zhao Xiyan hurriedly asked, “Are you saying the Prince of Beichang will not dispatch troops to the capital?”

She was aware of Wang Changgeng’s plan: if Feng Yewu were killed, the Prince of Beichang would rise in rebellion, and the Prince of Changwu, declaring openly to all martial generals, would topple Feng Yewu’s dynasty effortlessly.

Wang Changgeng glanced at Zhao Xiyan’s astonished face and quietly explained.

“That sly old fox Wei Siyuan likely intends to catch the cicada while the oriole waits behind. By not sending troops now, he hopes to have me kill Feng Yewu with my own hands. Then, when the uprising breaks out to restore order, he will stab me in the back and win the hearts of the world. Such a scheme is indeed clever.”

Zhao Xiyan fell silent after Wang Changgeng’s explanation. In the dim study, moonlight filtered through the window, casting faint light on the floor, while the rest remained shrouded in darkness.

After a long while, Zhao Xiyan furrowed her brows and looked at Wang Changgeng, who seemed lost in thought.

“Your Grace, may I send someone personally to take action...?”

Her words betrayed a deadly intent.

Wang Changgeng shook his head slightly in the night and refused.

“This is a case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. As long as Wei Siyuan does not dispatch troops, we can only wait. If Fang Yang kills Feng Yewu, I will find a way to sever my connections. Should Penglai Pavilion intervene, even if Feng Yewu dies, Wei Siyuan—the oriole—will not miss the chance to frame me.”

“But...”

Zhao Xiyan tried to speak further but was cut off by Wang Changgeng’s raised hand.

“Say no more. After tonight, all will become clear. If by noon tomorrow there is still no word from Fang Yang, then I will make new plans.”

Zhao Xiyan nodded softly. Wang Changgeng gave a faint command.

“You may leave—I wish to be alone.”

...

Feng Yewu and Lu Jue changed their clothes and rested, awaiting dawn.

So much had happened this night, with sudden twists and turns. It was nearly daybreak. Traveling from Yanwu County to the Prince of Pingyi’s mansion took less than half a day. With Lu Jue injured, they agreed to depart at first light.

For Feng Yewu’s safety, Lu Jue sat silently beside her bed, eyes closed, resting.

“Lu Jue, do you think the mysterious person Chen Pingwu mentioned is trustworthy?” Feng Yewu asked softly.

Lu Jue shook his head helplessly. Though something felt amiss, there was no clue at present.

“Your Majesty should rest. If such a mysterious figure exists, he did not act when we were imprisoned together. That suggests he still holds some restraint.”

“Could it be Penglai Pavilion?” Feng Yewu voiced her suspicion. After all, the Prince of Beichang was far away, and the Prince of Changwu would hardly betray his own son. Only the Penglai Pavilion under the Prince of Pingyi possessed such formidable skills.

Upon hearing her suspicion, Lu Jue opened his eyes slightly, a flicker of doubt in his gaze.

“At first, I suspected so, but then I thought otherwise. Though Penglai Pavilion excels in assassination, to silence the county magistrate who might reveal evidence against the Prince of Pingyi, they could have killed him outright. Why then resort to such cruel torture?”

Feng Yewu did not respond further.

The full truth would only be uncovered once they reached the Prince of Pingyi’s mansion.

Outside, the first light of dawn began to pierce the darkness, as the night quietly retreated amid their lingering doubts.