Chapter Twenty-One: The Plan

"What does the King of Pingyi find objectionable?" Feng Yewu gazed calmly at the officials below the throne, her tone cool and devoid of any emotion.

"Your Majesty, every civil and military officer in court is your subject. If there are things that have not been handled thoroughly enough, I hope Your Majesty will present solid evidence. Otherwise, you will chill the hearts of the people and the officials alike," King Chang Geng of Pingyi said with a look of unwavering loyalty, instantly earning a chorus of murmurs and praise from the ministers.

Feng Yewu rose slowly, inclined her head slightly, and met the King of Pingyi’s eyes with a steady, piercing gaze. After a long moment, she gave a cold laugh, then took a memorial from beside the throne and threw it before him.

"This is my reason."

King Chang Geng had never expected Feng Yewu to truly possess evidence. For a moment, panic flickered across his features as he hurriedly picked up the memorial and read it. The more he read, the more his heart pounded with dread.

"My only wish is that, as sovereign and subjects, we might part ways with some dignity intact," Feng Yewu said lightly. "King of Pingyi, do you believe this matter is still open to debate?"

She looked down at the now-stricken king and gave a chilly smile.

"I have nothing to say. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness," stammered King Chang Geng as he fell to his knees, knocking his head against the floor in supplication.

Feng Yewu looked at him, kneeling before her, and her eyes remained cold.

Her thoughts drifted back to the previous night.

Her most trusted aide had never abandoned the investigation into the recent assassination attempt. "Are you saying… the Penglai Pavilion was never truly destroyed?" Feng Yewu asked, her gaze fixed on the flickering candlelight, casting shadows that danced and faded within the palace chamber. Beside her, Lu Jue had changed into his nightclothes, as if just returned from a covert errand.

"I also sent people to investigate, but made little progress," Feng Yewu murmured, her brow furrowed as she looked to Lu Jue for answers.

"Your Majesty, I believe the matter of the King of Pingyi’s campaign against the Penglai Pavilion is far from simple," Lu Jue replied softly. His injuries had largely healed by now, and everyone believed he stayed constantly by Feng Yewu’s side. This gave him the perfect cover.

Wherever Lu Jue was, people assumed Feng Yewu must be there as well, and vice versa. Seizing this opportunity, Lu Jue had been able to investigate during the nights.

"It’s likely the Penglai Pavilion was secretly absorbed by the King of Pingyi long ago, and as for the recent assassination attempt…"

At these words, Feng Yewu’s expression grew unsettled. In her heart, King Chang Geng had always seemed gentle and amiable. Even in her past life, he had often supported her and offered comfort when she was most embattled.

"Do you have proof?" Feng Yewu asked Lu Jue, her voice tinged with doubt, confirming once more.

"I can’t be certain, Your Majesty. It’s just a conjecture," Lu Jue replied, his uncertainty bringing Feng Yewu a small measure of relief.

"But I did find this at the King of Pingyi’s residence," Lu Jue said, producing a silver needle from his sleeve. Feng Yewu did not immediately grasp its significance.

"Your Majesty may not know, but I found this needle at the entrance to a maid’s chamber in the King of Pingyi’s manor," Lu Jue explained. Seeing Feng Yewu reach for it, he hastily stopped her. "Be careful, Your Majesty—it’s poisoned."

"This needle is connected to the assassination?" Feng Yewu asked, perplexed.

"Though I was wounded by a sword that day, I later returned to examine the assassin’s corpse and found another hidden weapon at the ankle," Lu Jue said, his words landing on Feng Yewu’s heart like a heavy blow.

"These things may be of use to Your Majesty," Lu Jue said, putting away the needle and producing two memorials from his robes. One of them was the very document now lying before the King of Pingyi.

"King of Pingyi, I have no wish to make things difficult for you. After all, you have treated me well in the past," Feng Yewu said, her words trailing off as she turned and returned to the throne.

The other nobles watched the King of Pingyi in confusion.

"It seems you are all curious. Why not let everyone see what the King of Pingyi has to offer?" Feng Yewu suggested.

King Chang Geng’s face turned bitter, and with no other choice, he reluctantly handed the memorial around. Like a contagion, each prince who read it fell into silent contemplation. Soon, the entire court was shrouded in a heavy hush.

Within that memorial lay incriminating evidence—enough to implicate even those who had sought to curry favor with the King of Pingyi. Now, those powerful nobles fell silent as well.

These crimes were of varying gravity. If Feng Yewu chose not to pursue them, she could dismiss them with a laugh, but if she pressed the matter, each charge could be a capital offense.

"This memorial is a righteous act," someone suddenly spoke out among the princes.

For nearly every crime listed, one or another prince or noble was implicated. Their silence gave way to the realization of how deeply the King of Pingyi was entangled. Each now wondered how to protect themselves.

Someone had finally seen the truth: Feng Yewu’s true target was none other than the King of Pingyi. Though the document implicated others, if she intended to destroy him utterly, it would not be so simple.

After the first voice spoke, others followed, and the previously hushed hall erupted with noise. Yet this was not the usual commotion. This time, all the princes and nobles turned against the King of Pingyi.

Facing their collective betrayal, King Chang Geng’s expression twisted with bitterness, but no one noticed the fleeting flash of cold light in his eyes—so brief it vanished as soon as it appeared.

That day in court, the King of Pingyi relinquished much power.

All of this was part of the plan Feng Yewu and Lu Jue had devised: to provoke the King of Pingyi and observe his reaction. If he truly had ties to the Penglai Pavilion, this provocation would surely incite retaliation.

But how best to enrage him? Power. The attempt on Feng Yewu’s life had been for the throne, for imperial authority. The King of Pingyi was a man whose very core was rooted in power.

So they would use that—stripping him of it.

Only by doing so could they truly test him. Yet, for the moment, nothing in his outward demeanor revealed his true intentions.