Chapter 21 Male and Female "Lord Feng Tan, are you male or female?"...
The last glimmer of hope in my heart was shattered; nothing is more heartbreaking than witnessing my mother's death.
A profound sense of grief enveloped Feng Tan. Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw the jade seal affixed to the Lotus Ice Coffin Mountain.
Only one person in the entire world can obtain the Imperial Seal of the Great Khan.
Emperor Chongming.
There were no wounds on her body, no signs of struggle before she died, and she even passed away peacefully. She did not die by self-immolation at all. How did she die?
The person who killed her was most likely... Emperor Chongming.
Feng Tan wiped away her tears, her gaze gradually turning cold. She kowtowed three times before Empress Xiaoxian, extinguished all the candles in the secret room, and quietly left after concealing her presence.
Even after the grand banquet at the Twin Palaces, the palace security remained tight. Entering the palace was not easy, and today, in addition to coming to Weiyang Palace, she also had to go to the Imperial Library.
Yesterday, Feng Tan finished reading the information about the Jiao Si tribe that Ren Pingsheng had collected, and learned that more detailed information was recorded in the library.
The sky was pitch black, and the night watchman's drum sounded deep. Officials and nobles left the entrance of the Wushuang Palace one after another, and the eunuch on duty tonight bowed and led the officials out of the palace.
Feng Tan avoided the crowded path and stopped looking at the underground palace map that Jin An had brought. She moved with incredible speed, dodging the patrolling imperial guards, and quietly entered the library a quarter of an hour later.
Among the intelligence Ren Pingsheng gathered for Feng Tan, there wasn't much useful information about the Linzhang sea area. When Emperor Jianming was alive, he sent eunuchs to survey the Linzhang sea area, and the relevant files were kept in the library.
Why does Su Bai refuse to confess? Why did the mastermind behind the turmoil in the capital use the Jiao Si tribe in the Linzhang sea area as their base to orchestrate such a grand scheme in the capital? Where were all the silver reserves in the Da Huang Kingdom's treasury smuggled to?
If she wanted Xiao Yinshi to "abuse his power" to release Wan Niang, she had to come to the library.
Fortunately, the banquet was in full swing, and the palace servants on duty in the library were lax on winter nights, so Feng Tan sneaked into the hall without much effort.
The hall contained a vast collection of books, clearly categorized. Feng Tan dared not light the candles, and instead carefully searched the bookshelves by the moonlight streaming through the window.
The ancient books were neatly arranged, with ancient books from the founding of the Dahuang Dynasty and back to thousands of years ago all placed here. Feng Tan looked around and frowned when his gaze fell on the highest part of the bookshelf.
"The Strange Geographical Tales of Taiko"?
She still remembered that day when she rode in Xiao Yinshi's carriage, and he was holding this book in his hand.
Feng Tan leaped up, pulled out "The Strange Tales of the Great Huang Geography" from the highest shelf, landed lightly, walked to a secluded corner of the library, sat cross-legged, lit a tinderbox, and carefully perused the book.
The title page of "Strange Tales of the Geography of Dahuang" reads: "Written by Ling Yixin."
Ling Yixin, a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, was a second-class Jinshi in the twelfth year of the Jianming era. He once served as a compiler in the palace and rose to prominence in the officialdom by chance. In the thirty-fifth year of the Chongming era, he became a high-ranking official in charge of a region.
Feng Tan found the section "Linzhang Sea Area" in the table of contents, quickly flipped to the chapter and browsed it. In an instant, all the clues seemed to connect, and the fog dissipated slightly, but the more she read, the more alarmed she became.
Suddenly, a high-pitched shout rang out from outside the palace: "His Majesty has arrived!"
Feng Tan's eyes turned slightly cold as he swiftly blew out the tinderbox.
The young eunuch leading the way deftly lit several candles in the hall. Emperor Chongming waved them away, leaving only Sheng Honghai to serve in the hall.
Emperor Chongming stood with his hands behind his back, glanced at Xiao Yinshi whose face was flushed, and said apologetically, "That girl, Daijie, is really too unruly! Yinshi, I apologize to you on her behalf."
Just now, Princess Feng Dai, in her royal capacity, drank with Xiao Yinshi. After drinking the wine in her cup, Xiao Yinshi felt a heat rising in her body and quickly walked out of the Wu Shuang Palace, with Princess Feng Dai following closely behind. Yun Jingxun, the Palace Attendant who was assigned to supervise the princess, sensed something was amiss and, after reporting to Sheng Honghai, went to chase after the princess.
Thus, Feng Dai was stopped outside the palace. Xiao Yinshi suppressed his inner turmoil and went to the library as summoned by the emperor the day before.
Xiao Yinshi remained expressionless and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty is too kind. This humble subject dares not accept such praise."
Emperor Chongming scrutinized him for a long time before hesitantly speaking, "Yin Shi... this aphrodisiac is quite potent. You are a ninth-rank master; can you still resist? Perhaps... I could find you a beautiful palace maid?"
Xiao Yinshi refused, saying, "I suppressed the effects of the medicine with my internal energy as soon as it took effect. But Princess, you have no internal energy, so I'm afraid you'll have a hard time tonight."
Emperor Chongming sighed, deeply troubled by his beloved daughter's behavior. "She brought it on herself. I spoil her and indulge her, but she's becoming more and more outrageous. It's good that she suffers a little; otherwise, which noble family would dare to marry her if she continues to be so spoiled?"
Sheng Honghai timely reminded Emperor Chongming, "Your Majesty, if the princess's medicine takes effect tonight, Consort Su will also have a sleepless night."
"It's alright, the Imperial Concubine knows what's important and won't cause trouble for me." Emperor Chongming put aside this matter and asked about the recent treasury theft case that was causing him the most worry, "Yin Shi, how is the investigation into the treasury theft case progressing?"
The candlelight flickered, illuminating the hall. Xiao Yinshi's gaze fell on a corner of the library. After a moment, he said slowly, "Within seven days, we will definitely find the location where the national treasury's silver is hidden."
"Good!" Emperor Chongming's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. "With you handling things for me, I feel at ease. In your opinion, who is responsible for the theft of the national treasury?"
Looking at the flickering candlelight not far away, Xiao Yinshi said, "The perpetrator has erased all traces completely, and has not yet revealed the slightest clue."
Emperor Chongming said, "I entrust my heart and soul to you, I entrust my life to you... Of all the officials in the court, only you can handle my cases! More and more officials in the six ministries are involved in factional strife, and my empire..."
Emperor Chongming's eyes suddenly turned cold and fierce, and his anger surged forth. "Prince Jing's ambition for power is unabated, while Prince Chu appears to be a playboy but is actually quite cunning. My two brothers have long coveted this dragon throne."
Taking the opportunity, Sheng Honghai probed Emperor Chongming's thoughts on the princess sent to Hua Kingdom for marriage, saying, "Your Majesty is in a prosperous and peaceful reign, and there is no need to worry about having no successor. Currently, there is only Consort Su in the harem. Why not take in more concubines to expand the family line?"
Emperor Chongming waved his hand and sighed, "It won't work."
Xiao Yinshi's gaze sharpened slightly, his eyes thoughtful.
Emperor Chongming's gaze fell on the southwest corner of the library, a wary glint in his eyes. He asked in a cold voice, "Who's there?"
After saying that, he gestured for Sheng Honghai to come forward and check.
Feng Tan was curled up behind the bookshelf partition. Logically speaking, given their positions while they were talking, they shouldn't have been able to see her in the corner at all.
In an instant, Feng Tan's heart leaped into his throat, his whole body tensed, and he dared not breathe.
Xiao Yinshi stopped Sheng Honghai and said, "Eunuch Sheng has no martial arts skills to protect himself, so I will."
Xiao Yinshi's footsteps were light and steady, yet they seemed like the relentless knocking of death on Feng Tan's heart.
The footsteps stopped a foot away from Feng Tan. Xiao Yinshi looked at the stacks of books on the bookshelf and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty misunderstood. There are only books here, no one."
Emperor Chongming laughed and said, "The method you taught me is excellent. A few days ago, my skill had reached the sixth rank. Just now, I seemed to hear short breaths, but I was mistaken. I am ashamed to be showing off my limited skills in front of a ninth-rank master who can hear people's internal breaths."
After saying that, he yawned, seemingly feeling tired.
Sheng Honghai reminded him, "Your Majesty, it's late. Should we return to the palace to rest?"
Emperor Chongming said, "Very well, Yin Shi still needs to investigate ancient books and handle cases here, so I will not disturb him any longer."
After Emperor Chongming left, the hall fell silent again. Xiao Yinshi walked to the bookshelf, picked up "Strange Tales of the Land of Dahuang" and began to read it.
Feng Tan huddled in the corner, too afraid to move. Her legs were getting numb, and she desperately tried to hold back her cries.
Xiao Yinshi's tall figure was stretched long by the candlelight. Feng Tan turned her head and stared intently at the figure less than three inches away from her. Suddenly, the shadow moved slightly and half of it folded up and enveloped Feng Tan.
Feng Tan felt the pounding of her heart and looked up to see Xiao Yinshi's extremely handsome face.
Xiao Yinshi's tall figure leaned slightly forward, his gaze sweeping over Feng Tan from bottom to top. The gloom between his brows and the crimson on his face contrasted sharply, startling Feng Tan so much that she squatted down on the ground.
She supported her upper body with her fingers, quickly reacted and stood up. Because the black mask on her face covered her face completely, she kicked Xiao Yinshi in the chest without any hesitation, and then turned and ran away.
This kick was fierce and powerful. Even though Xiao Yinshi had just used a lot of internal energy to suppress the aphrodisiac, the skill of a ninth-grade martial artist was still superior to that of Feng Tan. He quickly grabbed Feng Tan's ankle and flipped him over with one hand, throwing him away.
With a crash, Feng Tan slammed onto the bookshelf in a disheveled state. She groaned in pain as her neatly tied-up black hair was ripped apart by the force of the impact, the fine strands flowing like a waterfall.
Xiao Yinshi approached Feng Tan step by step, forcing her to a stop in front of the bookshelf. Then, the man's well-defined fingers ripped off Feng Tan's mask.
The boy, still shaken, had his long black hair moving with him, which made his serene and aloof face, full of Zen-like tranquility, appear like a lotus emerging from the water, as if he were witnessing the springtime scene with its misty clouds covering the fields.
A romantic thought arose in his heart, and the heat of the aphrodisiac seemed to rise again in his lower abdomen. Xiao Yinshi looked at the young man who had submitted to his power, his dark eyes unfathomable, "Lord Feng, I saved your life, and this is how you repay me?"
Feng Tan felt an unbearable metallic taste in her mouth, and blood trickled from her lips. She looked up to meet the man's fierce, reddened eyes and said, "Lord Xiao, did you notice me the moment you entered the hall?"
Although it was phrased as a question, Feng Tan had already made up her mind. She paused and apologized, "In the heat of the moment, I kicked you, sir, and I have no excuse. However... the force with which you threw me was much greater than my kick. Please... please forgive my mistake."
When Xiao Yinshi saw the book "Strange Tales of the Great Huang Geography" spread out at Feng Tan's feet, he realized that the young man had come here for the same reason as him, so he didn't bother with it.
However, the fire in his lower abdomen burned brighter and brighter, and Xiao Yinshi's face was covered with a thin layer of fierceness, his gaze shifting uncertainly as he looked at Feng Tan.
The boy's skin was bathed in the dim candlelight, as delicate and smooth as mutton fat jade. His body, wrapped in clothes, was slender and exquisite. He had pinched the boy's waist before and knew how tempting that feeling was.
His gaze swept upwards, taking in the boy's prominent Adam's apple and flat chest. Xiao Yinshi's eyes cleared slightly, but when he saw those clear eyes with their bone-melting power and the ink-black hair scattered on his cheeks, the alluring itch and the sudden pain made his eyes suddenly turn dangerous.
Love and desire can be separated. With each contact with the boy, the desire buried in his body burns away all his self-control.
Besides, he was also given an aphrodisiac today.
The aphrodisiac overwhelmed his reason, and the alluring Buddha of the mortal world kept echoing in Xiao Yinshi's mind: "Why bind yourself? Tear him apart, ravage him, he looks more tempting than a woman."
woman?
Xiao Yinshi's gaze traveled inch by inch down the boy's beautiful face. Today, he wasn't wearing his loose official robes, but rather a fitted eunuch's uniform. Delicate neck, slender shoulders, a slender waist, long legs... This body was indeed quite soft and weak compared to a man, easily subdued with a single crush.
Perhaps... she was originally a woman?
The moment this thought crossed Xiao Yinshi's mind, a burning desire almost consumed him. His fingertips touched the smooth, delicate skin revealed by the boy's collar, and he lowered his head to almost breathe into Feng Tan's.
When he spoke again, his voice was unusually low and hoarse, sounding particularly alluring and seductive in the dim candlelight: "Bewitched by women, indulging in lust, with bewitching and enchanting manners, ever-changing."
Feng Tan reached out and pressed down on Xiao Yinshi's fingers that were stroking her collar, a look of vigilance flashing in her eyes. She looked up and met his dangerous gaze, saying, "Lord Xiao, you've been drugged. If you want to satisfy your lust, you'd better leave the palace as soon as possible."
Xiao Yinshi grabbed Feng Tan's wrist with his other hand, pressed him tightly against the bookshelf behind him, and slowly untied the boy's robe by sliding his fingertips down from his neck to his belt.
"I've had this question for a long time. Lord Feng's temperament is as sharp as steel, yet his physique is not as robust as that of an ordinary man. Although there was no case of gender confusion in the Dahuang Imperial Examination cheating case, with Lord Feng's intelligence, it wouldn't be difficult for him to deceive everyone. So..."
Xiao Yinshi ripped off her clothes with his large hand. His voice was low and deep, and a dark fire burned fiercely in his dark pupils. "Lord Feng Tanfeng, are you a man or a woman?"
A note from the author:
Babies, the VIP chapter starts tomorrow!
Welcome everyone to check out the pre-order for "It's Impossible to Be PUA'd by the Emperor"
When the Zhou emperor enfeoffed seven states, each state was required to send its princess to the capital for a marriage alliance in order to stabilize the court.
Unfortunately, Gongyi Jiu became one of the seven princesses sent for marriage alliances.
But the emperor has a secret that no one knows.
He can see the person's past memories as long as they touch.
The extraordinary past of this usually quiet princess of Zhao Kingdom.
And the wild monk she kept hidden deep in her heart.
So, seven days later, the princess finally got off the dragon bed.
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