After reading Chapter 25, His Majesty refused to touch her again.
After Wan Niang's death, her remains were buried in the outskirts of the capital. The ladies of Hongxiu Pavilion could not go out, and no one kept vigil at Wan Niang's grave on the seventh day after her death. Feeling guilty, they asked Feng Tan to burn some paper money for Wan Niang on their behalf to express their condolences.
Feng Tan comforted them, saying, "I will certainly fulfill the requests you have made. The burial procedures at Wan Niang's grave will be carried out in accordance with all the proper procedures."
Yao Niang wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and choked out, "Wan Niang borrowed two taels of silver from me before she died and hasn't paid it back. When you burn paper money for her, don't forget to ask her for it back."
Upon hearing this, Feng Tan smiled and said, "Alright, I guarantee I'll get it all back for you."
Suddenly, a commotion arose from the crowd, and a clear, girlish voice came from the wide road beside them, "You little thief, stop right there!"
Feng Tan looked in the direction of the sound and saw Yu Ruxi riding a tall horse chasing a little boy dressed as a beggar with a dark, dirty face.
Seeing that the boy was close by, Feng Tan picked him up as if he were a chick, looked him over a couple of times, and then discovered the bulging money bag hidden in his hand.
Yu Ruxi rode through the crowd, slamming her whip onto the gleaming floor of the Red Sleeve Pavilion, startling the little beggar who burst into tears.
Yu Ruxi frowned and said, "Hey, you little beggar, you stole my friend's purse, and we haven't even cried yet, so why are you crying?!"
The little beggar pouted upon hearing this, no longer daring to cry, and sobbed, "You're too fierce, I'm scared..."
"..." Yu Ruxi glared at the little beggar and said, "You steal money in the street and you still think you're right?"
Knowing he was in the wrong and that his actions were illegal, the little beggar, fearing the wealthy young lady would arrest him and take him to court, quickly apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, I'll give it back to you, please let me go."
Zheng Qingru stepped forward from behind the crowd and said gently to the little beggar, "Stealing money in the street is not the way of a gentleman. Alright, stop crying. She was just a little harsh."
The little beggar stopped crying and sobbed intermittently, "Sir, I'm sorry... I was so hungry. My mother died, and my father was going to sell me to the palace to become a eunuch, so I ran away from home. But I had no money on me. I... I was so hungry that I stole your money. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"
Seeing the little beggar's sincere attitude and pitiful situation, Zheng Qingru put the money bag back into the little beggar's hand and sighed, "Go buy some food."
The little beggar's tears, which had just stopped, started flowing again, and he couldn't hold back any longer, bursting into loud sobs, "Besides my mother, no one has ever given me so much money..."
The ladies of Hongxiu Pavilion had tears welling up in their eyes. Yao Niang gave Jian Niang behind her a look, and Jian Niang understood and took out some food and water from the pavilion.
Feng Tan took the steaming hot meat buns they offered, bent down, patted the little beggar on the head, and said softly, "Eat up."
The little beggar first swallowed hard, then devoured the entire meat bun in large mouthfuls, looking like a puppy wolfing it down. His ravenous eating was both cute and pitiful. Seeing him eat so happily, the ladies of the Red Sleeve Pavilion couldn't help but exchange smiles.
Yu Ruxi jumped off her horse and strode towards the little beggar, startling him so much that he almost dropped the remaining meat bun in his hand.
Yu Ruxi took the money pouch off her body and placed it in the little beggar's hand, saying in a cool but indifferent voice, "Don't waste it. Take the money and rent a small courtyard, either go to school or hire a master to learn a trade. Find a way to support yourself, and don't steal anymore!"
The little beggar stared blankly at the money bag in his hand, then looked up at Yu Ruxi's round and kind but cold face, and burst into tears again with a meat bun in his mouth.
This startled Yu Ruxi. She looked at Zheng Qingru with a helpless expression and asked, "Do I look that scary?"
Xiao Liling, who was wearing a veil in the crowd, smiled and said, "General Xiaoyu, this child is moved, and being so young, he doesn't know how to hide his emotions."
Few people called her General Yu. Upon hearing this, Yu Ruxi's face paled, and suddenly the little beggar's voice boomed, "Sister Xiao!"
Although Xiao Liling was wearing a veil, the little beggar could still easily recognize her voice. The day before, a group of beggars had snatched away the food he had painstakingly begged for. After they finished snatching it, they didn't stop and beat him up. Just when he was helpless and begging for mercy, it was this Sister Xiao who saved him.
Xiao Liling walked over, her gaze subtly sweeping over Feng Tan before landing on Zheng Qingru. She said softly, "This must be one of the two beauties of the capital, Young Master Zheng, whose life is as beautiful as spring."
Zheng Qingru said, "The word 'absolute' is too much; I, Qingru, am ashamed to accept it. Princess, you are of such high status and wealth, why have you come to Hundred Flowers Street alone?"
"I dare not accept the words 'golden honor and jade esteem' from Li Ling. I am merely a pawn used in the peace talks between the two countries," Xiao Li Ling said bluntly in a low voice.
Her frank analysis surprised Zheng Qingru, who was usually adept at feigning peace in officialdom.
Feng Tan adjusted the hemp rope that was about to fall off her shoulder and said, "In this world, everyone is a pawn and everyone is a player. When a strong wind blows down a phoenix tree, others will have their say. But what's the use of being yourself from others' perspectives? Princess, others see you as a pawn, but you insist on being your own player."
Xiao Liling was taken aback at first, then laughed heartily, and suddenly understood why his second brother had chosen Feng Tan to accompany him in investigating the case among so many Dahuang officials.
Upon hearing this, Yu Ruxi burst into laughter, "Lord Feng is truly a remarkable person. What are you going to do with this basket of paper money?"
Feng Tan said, "On the seventh day after the death of an old friend, we burn paper money."
Zheng Qingru was taken aback upon hearing this, recalling the imperial gazette published in the capital today, and remained silent, his expression composed.
Yu Ruxi had also read today's official gazette. She reached out and patted Feng Tan's shoulder, sighing like a good brother, "Lord Feng, please accept my condolences... As the saying goes, every loss is a gain. I heard that tomorrow Lord Feng will be going to the Linzhang sea area with the Left Censor-in-Chief to manage the salt tax. It's a lucrative post, and promotion and wealth will be within your grasp."
Xiao Yinshi was the highest authority in the Censorate. His mission as Imperial Envoy to investigate salt taxes in the Linzhang sea area was merely a pretext to deceive officials and the people; his true purpose was to investigate the stolen silver from the national treasury. Feng Tan's reason for going along was even more convenient: as an inspector, being dispatched by imperial decree to conduct reconnaissance in other regions was also within her duties.
As for why Xiao Yinshi chose a seventh-rank official from the Ministry of Justice to accompany him, there was much discussion among officials. Some said that the two had a feud over a popular courtesan, and Xiao Yinshi wanted to take her out of the capital to torment her. Others said that Feng Tan was a beautiful woman, and the cold-faced Yama (Xiao Yinshi's nickname) had developed feelings for her during their interactions. Fearing that someone with ulterior motives would have a handle against him in the capital, he used official business as an excuse to take her out of the capital so that he could enjoy her more easily...
Zheng Qingru was on duty at the Dali Temple and had heard a lot of these rumors. He looked down at the boy's pure profile and the basket full of paper money behind him, and said in a low voice, "Where is Lord Feng going to burn paper money? The night is deep and cold. Since we have met, why don't I travel with you?"
Before Feng Tan could refuse, Yu Ruxi chimed in, "Fortunately, we have nothing else to do, so let's accompany Lord Feng! Princess Liling, we'll go burn paper money now. Be careful on your way back."
Xiao Liling said, "It's fate that we met tonight. May I come along? I'd like to go and clear my head."
Yu Ruxi chuckled. Going to the graveyard to clear her head? This princess from Huachao is quite interesting.
Because Feng Tan retrieved Wan Niang's body from the Futu Prison that day, Wan Niang's body was not thrown into the mass grave. Ren Pingsheng had a villa in the suburbs of the capital, where few people ever went, so the sisters of Hongxiu Pavilion buried Wan Niang at the foot of the mountain behind the villa.
The winter night was deep and cold, with a biting north wind. A group of four people rode up on horseback.
Feng Tan stood before Wan Niang's tombstone, his expression devout. His dark hair, held up by a jade hairpin, swayed slightly as he bent down to pour wine. "Wan Niang, you were born unjustly, but justice prevails. One day, Feng Tan will clear your name."
She paused, and as the campfire crackled, she slowly said, "Feng Tan will not let you be a lonely ghost. On the road to the Yellow Springs, Gao Yu will pay for your life."
Zheng Qingru's expression changed. "Lord Feng, you mustn't speak recklessly!"
Yu Ruxi laughed heartily. She heated the wine pot over the campfire, took a big gulp, and said, "Lord Feng, what spirit you have! Since ancient times, only the young have been unafraid of power! Dahuang has many corrupt practices, and it is impossible to expect those old bastards in the officialdom to bring about any change. I have disliked those old bastards for a long time!"
"Yu Ruxi, don't be so presumptuous!" Zheng Qingru jumped up from the dead tree and said, "You are all far too heretical!"
Feng Tan sprinkled the paper money into the brazier little by little. The firelight made her face appear even whiter. She looked up and met Zheng Qingru's eyes, and chuckled, "Zheng Qingru, then tell me, what scripture have we abandoned, and what path have we betrayed?"
Zheng Qingru looked into Feng Tan's eyes. The young man's clear and gentle eyes were filled with a firm and determined gaze. In an instant, all the Confucian classics and famous sayings in his heart were silently shattered. He opened his mouth but did not know what to say.
Looking at the three people's different expressions, Xiao Liling said thoughtfully, "I think... perhaps it's because Lord Feng and Miss Yu received similar educational philosophies from a young age, so they have the same insights?"
“Wrong,” Yu Ruxi shook her finger and denied, “Zheng Dajunzi and I were taught by the same teacher.”
"Oh?" Xiao Liling raised her eyebrows in surprise and asked curiously, "Which teacher did you two study under?"
Xiao Liling was so shocked that her usually gentle voice suddenly rose as she exclaimed, "It's her!"
After burning the paper money, Feng Tan stepped forward and sat with them around the campfire, chuckling softly, "Does Princess Liling also know that Feng Youming is alive?"
Xiao Liling nodded and said, "I am very familiar with Mr. Feng's name. Dahuang has condemned her as a criminal, but I don't think so."
Yu Ruxi became interested and asked, "What is the princess's opinion?"
Xiao Liling was a deep and thoughtful person. She knew she shouldn't have too many intellectual exchanges with them, but her subconscious and instincts compelled her to speak her mind to them under the starry winter night. She was a princess sent by Dahua for a political marriage, but she was also a person with flesh and blood and feelings.
Xiao Liling's gaze swept over Yu Ruxi, Feng Tan, and Zheng Qingru one by one. After a moment, she said, "I think Mr. Feng is an admirable person."
Upon hearing this, Feng Tan tightened her grip on her fingers; she herself had said the same thing.
Xiao Liling continued, "Mr. Feng's deeds shocked the entire continent. The case of the female calamity was known not only throughout Dahuang, but also to everyone in Dahua. Dahuang regarded her as the instigator of the female calamity, but I felt that she... was like a god... I was confined to the palace since childhood. Although I was a princess, I knew that my marriage was not up to me. After I married, I would simply be a wife and mother until the end. Later, by chance, I read 'Women's Script' written by Mr. Feng. She told all the girls in the world that we can also have our own ideals."
Feng Tan had always thought that this princess from Dahua was gentle and docile, but she never expected that this princess was just as "unconventional" as her and Yu Ruxi. She asked, "So what about now? Why are you now willing to accept the fate of being married off?"
Xiao Liling smiled helplessly: "We lost the war, and the ceding of territory and payment of reparations were not enough. Dahua needs a princess to come to Huangchao for a marriage alliance. I have benefited from the hard-earned money of the people of Dahua, and now that they need me, I have come. I think that the independence and self-reliance that Mr. Feng wrote about in his book is not built on irresponsibility."
Yu Ruxi sincerely said, "The princess has such a kind heart!"
Zheng Qingru, who had been listening silently, added some branches to the campfire and spoke slowly, "Actually..."
Yu Ruxi smiled slyly and revealed what he was thinking, "Actually, I know you agree with the teacher. It's just that your Zheng family has been studying Confucianism for generations, and your grandfather, Grand Secretary Zheng, wouldn't allow you to have any bias in the way of a gentleman or the way of a minister. So, it's not that you don't agree with our ideas, it's that you dare not. And they, on the other hand, are unwilling to."
Zheng Qingru dared not agree that women were no less capable than men and could achieve the same feats as men. The vast majority of men in the world disagreed with this view, believing that girls were born to be kept in the backyard, their lives merely appendages to their achievements.
The mountains and fields were quiet, the stars and moon were bright, and withered branches and leaves brushed past Wan Niang's tombstone, swirled and landed at Feng Tan's feet. She picked up a withered leaf and placed it between her fingers, raised her eyes to look at Xiao Liling, and said, "Mr. Feng entered the game with his own body, and then invited the world to enter the game. Now that time has passed, there are not many people who remember her like the princess does."
Xiao Liling took a sip of wine to warm herself, wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, and said with a smile, "Back then, when Mr. Feng sang in Linzhou, 'Don't say that women are not heroic, for every night the Longquan sword sings on the wall,' this line has moved me deeply for a long time. Although I have never met Mr. Feng, in my heart, she is the most radiant legend."
"Come on, cheers!" Yu Ruxi picked up her wine glass, her eyes sparkling. "What bullshit 'Women's Calamity'! Who came up with such a terrible name! What wrong has the Master done?! The ten-year period of torture... Hahaha... It was just a deadline set to wear down the minds of women in the world, because they were afraid that the Master would influence them too much... to rebel together! Even for the sake of Yongle, I must save the Master... Hmm!"
"Zheng Qingru! Why are you covering my mouth?!"
"Yu Ruxi, you're drunk!" Zheng Qingru picked up Yu Ruxi and stood up, supporting her with one arm as she waved her arms wildly, her cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry, drunken words don't count. Lord Feng and Her Highness the Princess, please don't spread rumors and cause trouble. I'll take her back first."
The mountains and fields fell silent again, with only the faint sound of burning matches remaining. Feng Tan looked at Yu Ruxi's half-empty pot of wine and smiled helplessly. Her alcohol tolerance was still so low.
Xiao Liling watched Yu Ruxi and Zheng Qingru leave and said softly, "They studied under the same teacher, but their personalities are completely different. However, I heard that Mr. Feng's execution is scheduled for next year... The laws of Dahuang are harsh, and in Emperor Chongming's eyes, Mr. Feng's crimes are heinous. How easy is it to keep her alive?"
Feng Tan took a sip of the spicy liquor, his eyebrows and eyes turning a slightly tipsy peach blossom color, but the words he uttered were like the turbulent Beichuan River, ready to burst forth: "Though there are thousands of people, only those destined to go will go."
Back then, Feng Youming dared to defy the world and promote women's education, attributing it all to her destiny in this era. Now, Feng Tan sees rescuing her teacher as her life's mission.
They each strive in their own way, yet they share the same spirit despite being thousands of miles apart.
Xiao Liling was completely confused. She looked in the direction of the voice and met the boy's bright and sharp eyes. She sensed the sharpness hidden beneath his gentle demeanor. After a pause, she said, "It is indeed getting late. If I don't go back soon, my brother will worry. Tonight's bonfire party will be Lord Feng's farewell banquet. I bid farewell to Lord Feng here. I wish Lord Feng a safe and smooth journey in the Linzhang sea area."
Upon hearing this, Feng Tan smiled sincerely and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Princess. I will definitely return and be promoted!"
***
The appointment of the Left Censor-in-Chief, the head of the Censorate, as an imperial commissioner to investigate salt taxes in the Linzhang sea area was a major event in the court. The next day, officials who went to see Xiao Yinshi off crowded the official road in front of the city gate of the capital.
The winter wind was slightly chilly. Zheng Guanhe was old and, because he was afraid of the cold, he was dressed very thickly. He put his hands in his sleeves and looked at the officials coming and going in the distance, fawning and bidding farewell. He said to the blind Grand Tutor Feng beside him, "Grand Tutor, why did you have to come out in such cold weather? You made this old man suffer here with you."
Zheng Guanhe's tone was teasing, clearly indicating he didn't intend to blame his old master. Grand Tutor Feng chuckled in response and coughed, saying, "Guanhe, have the willow branches sprouted yet?"
"Old sir, you're making fun of me again. It's the dead of winter now, while willows sprout in the third month of spring." Zheng Guanhe helped Feng Taishi by the arm and led him forward. "Old sir, please walk slowly. If you fall, even my old bones can't support you."
With Zheng Guanhe's support, Grand Tutor Feng stood outside the pavilion gazing into the distance. After a long while, he said, "Guanhe, help me break off a willow branch."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Guanhe's eyes showed suspicion. He gestured to the servant beside him to break off a willow branch and hand it to him, asking, "Grand Tutor, I've broken off a willow branch for you. What do you need it for?"
Grand Tutor Feng took the willow branch, smiled slightly, and said, "I know I won't live to see next spring. Today is probably the last time I'll see her. Let's leave her with something to remember me by."
Zheng Guanhe asked, "Who is the person the Grand Tutor is referring to?"
"Feng Tan, Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Justice." Grand Tutor Feng coughed up a mouthful of blood, cleared his throat, and said, "Guanhe, you are skilled in governing the country and have your own way of employing people. I'm sure you've met this child. I have a request for you, and I hope that you will agree, considering our many years of friendship."
Zheng Guanhe quickly bowed respectfully and said, "Please speak, sir."
“I get along very well with Feng Tan… I know I won’t live past this winter and probably won’t see her one last time. She’s young and stubborn, and her mind is like a lifeline. Once she’s made up her mind, nothing can change it. If one day she commits some heinous crime, please be sure to save her life… If that day ever comes, give this letter to His Majesty. Once His Majesty reads it, he will never touch her again.”
After saying this, Grand Tutor Feng took out a letter from his sleeve, bowed respectfully, and said, "Guanhe, this is my dying wish. I hope you will grant it."
Zheng Guanhe hurriedly stopped Grand Tutor Feng from bowing to him, saying, "Master, you must not bow to me so deeply! If you do not wish to explain the reasons, I will not ask further. If that day ever comes, I will certainly ensure Feng Tan's safety."
"Very well, very well," Grand Tutor Feng's eyes welled with tears. He had so many worries in his life, but none were more concerning than Feng Tan's. "Please have someone deliver this willow branch to Feng Tan. She will understand. Tell her..."
A breeze blew from the direction of the departing person, and the wind blew the white hair of the Grand Master of the Wind. He wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes and said, "Tell her that it is as difficult as climbing to heaven to rescue the pioneers. Whether we succeed or not, I am glad that I was born and that I am alone at this moment."
As the father and grandfather of Feng Youming and Feng Tan, he felt honored to live in the same era as their fearless descendants.
......
“I am happy to be born, and I am alone at this time…” Feng Tan held the willow branch that had not yet sprouted in his hand and hurriedly passed through the layers of officials who came to see Xiao Yinshi off. In the end, he could only see the white-haired old man slowly walking away with faltering steps in the distance.
Her eyes gradually welled up with tears as she gripped the willow twig tightly in her hand. The lullaby her mother used to hum when she was young echoed in her ears: "Willow branches are alive, spin a top; willow branches are green, fly a bell..."
"My mother's father said that if I miss him, I should break off a willow branch and send it to the Grand Tutor's mansion. In the future, when my little Yongle marries a good man, if she misses me, she should also break off a willow branch and send it to the palace..."
Zheng Qingru looked at Feng Tan, who had been in a daze ever since she received the willow branch, and said in a clear voice, "Feng Tan, Grand Tutor Feng values you highly."
Feng Tan withdrew his gaze from the distance and turned to Zheng Qingru, saying, "It is probably because I was willing to risk my official position to protect Lin Wanzhou that Grand Tutor Feng broke off a willow branch to give to me."
Zheng Qingru sensed the deliberate concealment in Feng Tan's words. The pioneer that Grand Tutor Feng mentioned could not be Lin Wanzhou. However, he was indifferent by nature and was not too curious about it. After explaining the task sent by his grandfather, he had no intention of staying any longer. So he said to Yu Ruxi, "Alright, now that you have seen him off, we should let Lord Feng return to the caravan."
Looking at Feng Tan, Yu Ruxi felt an inexplicable sense of closeness. "Lord Feng, your journey to the Linzhang sea area is long and arduous. I hope you take good care of yourself. However, the political situation is unpredictable and volatile, and the Linzhang sea area is turbulent. Who knows, we might meet again there!"
"A word spoken in jest may become a self-fulfilling prophecy; do not speak rashly," Zheng Qingru warned.
As the group exchanged pleasantries and bid farewell, Zhu Qi rode his horse over from the front of the convoy, which was carried by thirty-two men. He glanced down at Feng Tan and said, "Lord Feng, the master has summoned you to the sedan chair, saying he has something to discuss with you!"
Author's Note: My darlings, this is a new idea! If you like it, feel free to bookmark my page!
The Empress Imprisoned on the Island
"Did the Emperor kill that unconventional woman?"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has imprisoned her on Dan Tong Island."
"Oh, using Dantong Island as a cold palace, that's quite novel."
"But Your Highness," the young palace maid hesitated, "His Majesty goes there by boat every night!"
*
Feng Chan was imprisoned on an island by Xiao Yinran. The island was surrounded by water, leaving no room for escape.
She sat at the table and listed various ways to escape on a sheet of rice paper:
① Burning the island, faking death and escaping
②Kill the guards and pass off the real thing as the real one.
③They seized the dog emperor and fled!
Feng Chan chewed on her pen, pondering the feasibility of this idea: Xiao Yinran was quite strong, but she didn't know if he had any martial arts skills. Perhaps it would be feasible to stab him while he was asleep and make him unconscious?
“I don’t think this is feasible,” Xiao Yinran arrived silently, skillfully taking out a binding strap and fastening it around the still-fading bruises. “How can you hold a knife while you’re tied up on the bed?”
A fierce and ruthless empress whose martial arts were crippled by the dog emperor VS a capricious emperor who insists on visiting the island every day.
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