Chapter Twenty-Three: Stirring the Mountain to Startle the Tiger

After Feng Yewu and Lu Jue ceased their sparring, Feng Yewu accepted a cup of tea from Hanyue, savoring its taste as she glanced at Lu Jue with a contemplative look before asking, “Did my swordsmanship show any sign of decline just now?”

Lu Jue paused for a moment, then answered, “Your Majesty’s swordsmanship has not declined—in fact, it has improved considerably.”

“Truly?” Feng Yewu’s eyes brightened at the compliment, unable to resist confirming once more.

Though she now held the throne of an entire nation, deep down, Feng Yewu’s heart remained that of a woman, and her unguarded moments still carried a hint of feminine softness.

“I would not dare deceive Your Majesty. Your swordsmanship is indeed much more refined than before.”

Just as Feng Yewu wished to pursue the matter further, a guard outside brought news.

“Your Majesty, the envoys of the regional princes have been waiting outside for some time. It seems they have urgent matters to report.”

At this, Feng Yewu immediately concealed her earlier playfulness, her gaze turning cold as she replied, “Have them wait in the side hall. I will see them shortly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The guard, having received her command, withdrew.

“To think they would come so soon,” Feng Yewu remarked as she sipped her tea, casting a sidelong glance at Lu Jue.

In truth, she and Lu Jue had long predicted the purpose of these visitors—or rather, everything was unfolding according to their plan.

Though the matter of the Prince of Pingyi had benefited these regional lords in various ways, the fate of a cunning rabbit is always to fall to the hounds once its use is gone.

This capital, after all, remained under Feng Yewu’s rule. How could the regional princes fail to grasp that the Prince of Pingyi’s demise could soon be theirs as well?

None among them wished to become the next sacrificial pawn.

The envoys had clearly come in haste, sent to deliver messages for their masters.

Soon after, Feng Yewu changed her attire and strode calmly into the side hall, with Hanyue and Lu Jue standing to her left and right.

“So, what brings all of you here to see me?” Feng Yewu glanced around, noting that all seven princes’ envoys had arrived, as if by prior arrangement—their anxiety was evident.

“Your Majesty, we have come because…” The envoys faltered, unsure how to proceed before Feng Yewu. After all, if only one or two had come, it could be dismissed as mere coincidence.

But with all seven gathered, their earlier waiting had already filled the hall with awkward silence.

For all seven to plead for their masters’ return to their fiefs at once—no fool could fail to sense the underlying motive.

Yet, the regional princes were eager to return; they had already set out, their envoys dispatched in haste.

To delay until tomorrow would be even more suspicious, and with the recent example of the Prince of Pingyi, none wished to leave any leverage in Feng Yewu’s hands.

This time, none of the seven envoys would yield.

Observing their discomfort, Feng Yewu did not trouble them further. Instead, she spoke with calm detachment, voicing the very words they struggled to say.

“You have spent quite some time in the capital. It is only natural you wish to return home. There is nothing improper about such a request.”

At Feng Yewu’s words, the envoys breathed a collective sigh of relief, as if it were she, not they, who had broached the subject.

Hanyue, standing nearby, nearly failed to contain her laughter at their expressions, but a sharp look from Feng Yewu quickly checked her mirth.

After all, the next phase of their plan required the princes’ smooth departure; were they to remain, it would disrupt everything.

“That will be all. You may go,” Feng Yewu said coldly, waving her hand—a gesture that was as much pardon as dismissal.

For even the slightest misstep or offense risked not only incurring Feng Yewu’s wrath but also jeopardizing their own lives and standing with their masters.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The seven envoys exhaled in relief, bowed deeply, and withdrew, their burdens lifted.

After they had gone, Feng Yewu turned to Lu Jue and asked, “What do you think our next step should be?”

She knew that their plan required a timely investigation into the regional princes’ activities once they returned to their domains.

Yet this could not be done openly, for now the princes were like ants on a hot pan—any overt move might drive them to rebellion.

“In my humble opinion, Your Majesty should proceed as follows…” Lu Jue, after a moment’s thought, softly proposed a strategy.

The next day, the court was noticeably quieter than before. With the seven princes departed, along with their generals, the grand hall felt almost deserted.

“I believe you all know by now,” Feng Yewu addressed the gathered ministers. “Yesterday, the seven regional princes each requested leave to return home, and I have granted their wishes.”

Looking down at the assembled officials, Feng Yewu’s heart was a tangle of mixed emotions.

In her previous life, she had naively believed these men to be her loyal subjects. Yet in the end, those who hurt her most were precisely these same people.

Long before, many of them had been in frequent contact with the regional princes; some had even secretly pledged allegiance.

To her face, they feigned loyalty, but in truth, they awaited only the right moment to rebel.

Feng Yewu’s words hung in the air, echoing through the silent hall; none responded, none echoed her sentiment. It seemed these officials were already counting the moments until they could return home to peaceful obscurity.

“Minister of Revenue, what is your opinion on the matter?” Once more, the question fell to the Minister of Revenue, causing a jolt among the officials.

This newly appointed minister managed only a bitter smile at Feng Yewu’s inquiry.

Since Feng Yewu dismissed two previous ministers in quick succession, the position had become a veritable hot seat.

Anyone with influence now sought transfer elsewhere, unwilling to touch such a precarious office.

“In my opinion, Your Majesty is wise,” the minister replied, stepping forward and kneeling to praise her.

He could not believe Feng Yewu truly sought his advice.

“I have also heard,” Feng Yewu said, addressing the entire hall though she had named only one, “the Prince of Pingyi was excessively mild and lacked firmness. Such qualities may befit social dealings, but not the governance of a domain.”

At this, she observed the faces below—some already began calculating their next move.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?” the Minister of Revenue asked, forced to play his part as no one else dared to speak.

“I have decided to appoint an imperial commissioner to assist the Prince of Pingyi in governance.”