Chapter 84: The Identity of Feng Yewu

The following morning at court, after the civil and military officials had finished reading various memorials, the grand hall fell into a heavy silence. The ministers exchanged uncertain glances—usually, Feng Yewu would have already declared the court adjourned by now, yet for reasons unknown, she remained silent.

Time passed in uneasy stillness before Grand Eunuch Mingde’s voice rang out from outside the hall.

“His Highness, the Prince of Pingyi, requests an audience.”

At that moment, realization dawned across the assembly. A ripple of hushed whispers, like cautious moss growing at the bottom of a pond, began to stir through the ranks.

Wang Changeng, his expression solemn, approached the steps of the hall and offered a bow. His face was noticeably pale.

“Your subject, the Prince of Pingyi, pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

At the sight of Wang Changeng, a wave of distaste rose in Feng Yewu’s heart, though she kept it well concealed.

“Prince of Pingyi, you do not look well. Are you unwell?”

Wang Changeng replied respectfully, having heard the Emperor’s inquiry.

“Last night, I hosted a banquet to welcome the heir of the Prince of Changwu and indulged in a few too many cups of wine, beyond my tolerance. If not for Your Majesty’s summons this morning, I fear I would still be lying drunk in bed.”

At this, Feng Yewu inwardly scoffed, recognizing the old fox’s well-prepared excuse. A banquet for the Prince of Changwu’s heir—so, the man who had collided with her at the entrance of Drunken Immortal Pavilion last night was indeed the Changwu heir. With this explanation, Wang Changeng deftly distanced himself from any suspicion concerning the arson case.

The entire hall was silent as a grave.

After a long pause, Feng Yewu feigned ignorance and turned to Grand Eunuch Mingde with a question.

“I have been unwell these past days. Has the heir to the Prince of Changwu already arrived in the capital?”

Grand Eunuch Mingde nodded and replied, “Your Majesty, the heir arrived several days ago, but due to Your Majesty’s indisposition, he has not yet been granted an audience.”

Feng Yewu nodded slightly, dismissing the matter with a single word.

“Summon him.”

“Summon the heir to the Prince of Changwu to court!” the eunuch announced.

Only then did Chen Pingwu, having straightened his attire, stride confidently into the hall. From a distance, upon catching sight of Feng Yewu’s countenance, Chen Pingwu was struck with sudden realization—this was the very person who had occupied his thoughts, and now, he discovered, the identity belonged to the Emperor herself.

Gazing upon Feng Yewu’s cold, ethereal beauty—a face as remote and serene as an immortal crane rising in mist, as delicate as birdsong and blossoms in the early spring breeze—Chen Pingwu, usually so composed and shrewd, stood rooted to the spot, lost in a daze, forgetting even to pay his respects.

Feng Yewu, noticing Chen Pingwu’s vacant stare, frowned slightly, presuming he recognized her true identity and feeling a flicker of displeasure. Having attended Wang Changeng’s banquet upon arriving in the capital, Chen Pingwu seemed, in her eyes, to be cut from the same cloth as the Prince of Pingyi.

Wang Changeng, unaware of their chance encounter the previous evening, merely thought Chen Pingwu’s conduct uncharacteristically bold. Even if the young man were to marry his daughter, Feng Yewu was, after all, the Emperor, and thus he hurried to prompt his guest in a low voice.

“Nephew! You stand before His Majesty—why have you not yet paid respects?”

Jolted by the reminder, Chen Pingwu came to his senses and immediately knelt, offering a formal salute.

“Your subject, Chen Pingwu, son of the Prince of Changwu, pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

Feng Yewu, seeing that Chen Pingwu did not expose her, allowed her expression to return to normal and responded with calm indifference.

She then remarked, seemingly offhand, “I hear the heir of Changwu has arrived in the capital, and attended the Prince of Pingyi’s banquet last night—it must have been a taxing journey.”

Chen Pingwu bowed his head and replied, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. My journey was at the behest of my father, who has sent me to study in the capital.”

As he finished, he could not help but glance surreptitiously at Feng Yewu, his admiration barely contained.

Beside him, Wang Changeng, overjoyed, seized the moment to interject, “At last night’s banquet, I even discussed matters of marriage with the heir. I must ask Your Majesty to bestow this union in due time.”

With this declaration, the court erupted in congratulations, as though the matter had already been settled.

Yet, the two at the center of attention harbored different thoughts. Feng Yewu’s gaze sharpened, and she sneered inwardly, recognizing that Wang Changeng’s public announcement of an alliance with the Prince of Changwu was a blatant display of power, meant to show the court that the House of Pingyi was regaining its influence.

Meanwhile, Chen Pingwu, standing at the Prince’s side, frowned in displeasure and hurriedly interjected, “Your Majesty, my current priority is to further my studies. Matters of marriage need not be rushed.”

Wang Changeng was momentarily taken aback, then, attributing Chen Pingwu’s reluctance to youthful bashfulness, laughed heartily, “No hurry, no hurry.”

Chen Pingwu understood the meaning in Wang Changeng’s laughter and could only hope Feng Yewu would not take the proposal seriously.

With Chen Pingwu’s remarks reinforcing Wang Changeng’s innocence regarding the events of the previous night, Feng Yewu had no choice but to bring the matter to a hasty close and declare the court adjourned.

...

At the Prince of Pingyi’s residence, Wang Changeng’s laughter echoed before he had even crossed the threshold.

The princess consort, who had not seen him this delighted in a long time, greeted him with a smile. “My lord, what brings you such joy today?”

Beaming, Wang Changeng waved away the attendants and recounted the day’s events at court to his consort. When he finished, he could not help but sigh, “To have a son-in-law like Pingwu is a blessing indeed—he is the one I must choose!”

The princess consort shot him a sidelong glance, but could not suppress the smile at her lips. “You haven’t even let the children meet, isn’t this a bit too hasty?”

Ignoring her skepticism, Wang Changeng suddenly recalled his daughter and hurriedly asked, “Where is Jia’er? Call her here at once. She must go to the heir’s residence to offer our thanks—and perhaps, in doing so, deepen their bond.”

The princess consort went to fetch their daughter, Wang Jia. Before long, she returned, leading a young woman of almond-shaped face, willow-leaf brows, bright eyes, and cherry lips. Though not strikingly beautiful, she possessed a gentle charm and a sweet, unassuming grace.

Upon entering, Wang Jia’s discontent was plain, her brows knit in protest—she had evidently already learned her father’s intentions.

“Father, you once promised me I could choose my own husband. Why do you suddenly go back on your word?”

Wang Changeng, who doted on his only daughter, could not bear her displeasure. Smiling, he reassured her, “You are my precious jewel. How could I allow you to marry just anyone? Go in my stead to thank Chen Pingwu, that is all. Whether you marry him or not is entirely up to you.”

Still doubtful, Wang Jia pressed, “Do you truly mean it, Father? If I am unwilling, you won’t force me?”

Pouting, she could not help but act spoiled. Wang Changeng, his eyes full of affection, laughed and nodded.

Only then did Wang Jia, reassured, leave happily with her maid.

Watching his daughter being so indulged, the princess consort could not help but complain, “You spoil her far too much. If she takes a dislike to the heir, let’s see how you handle it.”

Wang Changeng, eyes narrowed in a satisfied smile as he watched Wang Jia depart, replied with confidence, “How could I not know my own daughter?”