Chapter 39 Blood Test for Kinship (1) Yongle, she actually came back a long time ago...
Recently, the imperial court has been embroiled in fierce competition over whether to appoint Prince Jing or Prince Chu as heir apparent. All factions are putting in their best efforts to vie for power. In previous years, the struggles in the court had always affected the harem, but so far, Emperor Chongming's harem has only had Consort Su. Consort Su has no power and no faction, so no matter how fierce the competition in the court is, for Emperor Chongming, Consort Su's place is always peaceful.
Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Emperor Chongming finished his breakfast. Consort Su waved her hand, signaling the young palace maid who was bowing and carrying the table to leave. Emperor Chongming said, "My beloved consort, let her leave. Who will serve me when I change my clothes?"
Consort Su picked up the new clothes cut by the Imperial Textile Bureau. The dragon robe was decorated with the twelve imperial symbols to show the nobility and sanctity of the imperial power. She bowed her head and fastened each button for Emperor Chongming. Her virtuous and gentle demeanor made Emperor Chongming feel affection for her. He couldn't help but help her up and said, "Leave these things to the people below. Why trouble my beloved consort?"
Consort Su shook her head, her eyes filled with reverence and love as she looked at Emperor Chongming. "It makes me happy to dress Your Majesty, and I do not wish to rely on others."
Emperor Chongming looked at the face of the person in his arms, which resembled the late Empress Xiaoxian by a great deal, and felt a pang of sorrow. Thus, his heart softened, and he embraced Consort Su, saying, "My beloved consort, with you by my side, I am truly comforted."
Consort Su lowered her eyelashes, her eyes filled with darkness, and said in a soft and gentle voice, "Your Majesty, it is my greatest fortune to be by your side."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the Grand Eunuch Sheng Honghai bowed and entered, urging Emperor Chongming, "Your Majesty, it's almost time."
Emperor Chongming strode out of the tent, with Sheng Honghai carrying a whisk and following behind him, accompanied by the Imperial Guards.
The site of the Fengshan ceremony at Jingshan has been under strict security for the past few days. Before entering the site, princes and nobles have to undergo multiple screenings to ensure that they are not carrying any weapons. Before the emperor's arrival, the officials have already taken their positions and are waiting for the emperor's arrival.
Royal family members held a prestigious position, so they stood at the very bottom of the altar. King Jing and King Chu had always been at odds, but with two princesses between them, they managed to coexist peacefully.
The cabinet and the six ministries are interdependent. They stood on the lower left of the altar, while the other officials of the six ministries and nine ministers stood on the lower right of the altar. As for the military officers, only the Yu family, who are favored by His Majesty, were able to attend today.
Jin An and Feng Tan hadn't seen each other for months, and Jin An couldn't contain his joy. It was as if he had so much to say to Feng Tan. "Brother Tan, does the transfer order from the Ministry of Personnel mean you're leaving the Six Ministries?"
Feng Tan glanced at Jin An, who was becoming increasingly round, and teased him with a smile, "I'm writing 'The Road to Official Promotion for Two Brothers of the Sixth and Seventh Rank,' but little brother Jin An, it seems like I'm writing a history of getting fat?"
Jin An's round, handsome face flushed slightly, and he choked back a sob, saying, "Brother Tan, that's not very nice of you. Why are you teasing him? You're so naughty!"
"..." Feng Tan was speechless at his affected tone. When she looked up, she saw the King of Chu looking at her with a smile in his eyes.
Feng Tan smiled in response, but a strange feeling welled up in her heart. She had heard that the King of Chu had been unwell recently, and the Queen Consort of Chu had been washing his face every day to help him. But now he looked rosy-cheeked and seemed to be in good health. Or was it that people who had just recovered from a serious illness were all so energetic?
Feng Tan glanced at the officials of the Six Ministries and Nine Courts opposite her and noticed that Xiao Yinshi was not present at the ceremony. Ever since their last conversation ended badly, Feng Tan had deliberately avoided him on the way back. She hadn't expected that he wouldn't come to Jingshan to participate in the Fengshan ceremony. She wondered where he was handling some secret matter.
Apart from Xiao Yinshi, the officials from the Ministry of Revenue also did not come, which was to be expected. The silver in the national treasury needed to be put back into the treasury, which more than doubled their workload. In addition, they had to handle routine daily tasks such as clearing accounts, inventorying the treasury, and collecting payments. It was normal for them to take leave today.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Sheng Honghai's loud shout pulled Feng Tan's wandering thoughts back to the altar at the head of the hall. Emperor Chongming stood tall and straight, though he had aged somewhat, with gray hair at his temples. However, this did not diminish his majesty. His brows revealed the majesty of a ruler who reigned over the world, his eyes were bright and piercing, his nose was high and straight, and his lips were tightly closed, exuding extraordinary nobility.
Feng Tan lowered her eyes to hide the complex emotions within them, but the King of Chu looked at Feng Tan again as if sensing something, a half-smile curving his lips.
On the altar, Emperor Chongming took the incense stick, about half a finger thick, presented by Sheng Honghai, lit it by the candlelight, and closed his eyes in devout prayer.
The cigarette burned slowly, and the white smoke curled up in the air and then slowly spread out. Feng Tan smelled the fragrance of the burning incense stick, his eyes widened, and he thought to himself, "Oh no!"
At the same time, a tiger's roar pierced through the mountains, making the ministers' eardrums bulge, their faces contorted in pain, and they tightly covered their ears!
The earth, branches, grass, trees, and strange rocks in the mountains trembled all at once. A huge creature strode out from the distant forest. When everyone looked closely, they saw that it was a majestic white tiger!
Except for the yellow fur on its forehead, this tiger was entirely white. Upon closer inspection, the yellow fur on its forehead resembled the Chinese character "王" (king). It was twice the size of an ordinary tiger, and its eyes gleamed with murderous intent as it strode slowly to the center of the arena.
With the tiger in the center, the ministers retreated several steps, and some of the more timid ministers had already fainted from fright. Yu Zhenyu stepped forward with his sword, followed closely by Yu Ruxi.
The tiger ignored the strangers on either side, its eyes fixed solely on Emperor Chongming on the altar. The eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial were so frightened they wet themselves. Only Sheng Honghai commanded, "Protect the Emperor!"
The armored soldiers trembled and dared not step forward. Yu Zhenyu and Yu Ruxi stood below the altar, not daring to make any rash moves that might provoke the tiger into a sudden frenzy.
Everyone was so frightened by this sudden turn of events that they dared not utter a sound.
After pausing for a moment, the white tiger pounced on Emperor Chongming!
Time seemed to stand still at that moment. The ministers opened their eyes wide and exclaimed, "Your Majesty!" Yu Ruxi and Yu Zhenyu flew out, while Emperor Chongming closed his eyes and stood rooted to the spot. Sheng Honghai rushed over, trying to protect his master with his own body, but no one was as fast as Baihu.
In the silent altar square, a young man's figure swept past like the wind, relying on his superior lightness skill to flash in front of Emperor Chongming. He pointed a finger at the "king" character pattern on the white tiger's head, his eyes shining brightly, "Whose little white tiger is this!"
"Whose white tiger cub is this?"
"Oh, it's my pet white tiger."
The person in front of me has the exact same aura as my young master!
As soon as Feng Tan finished speaking, Mu Long, the leader of the Imperial Guards, arrived with his sword drawn, the gleaming blade slashing horizontally at Bai Hu!
During today's sacrificial inspection, Feng Tan was not allowed to carry any weapons. Just as the sword was about to strike down while the white tiger was too excited and distracted, she grabbed the beast's head with one hand, flipped her body with the other, and used her foot to brace herself, cleverly turning the angle so that the tip of the sword was kicked horizontally in the opposite direction towards Mu Long herself.
Meanwhile, Yu Ruxi, watching Feng Tan's "Flying Swallow Crossing the Border to Kill" move, had bloodshot eyes. Looking at the white tiger in the arena that obeyed Feng Tan's every command, she felt both excited and heartbroken.
Princess Yongle had a passion for animal taming since childhood. One year, while hunting, she rescued a white tiger and tamed it, making it extremely affectionate. If this isn't enough to prove that Feng Tan is Yongle, then why would Feng Tan know about the "Flying Swallow Crossing the Border to Kill" technique—a skill known only to herself and Yongle—?
Why would Feng Tan risk her life to save Feng Youming's daughter, and why would she declare war on Gao Yu because of Wan Niang's death? On Evil Spirit Island, she even swore she would never speak to Feng Tan again. No wonder she always seemed to feel something was off when she was playing with Feng Qinghuang, who had returned from court... So that's how it is!
Yongle, she actually came back a long time ago!
Yu Ruxi looked at Feng Tan, her eyes gradually becoming moist.
Mu Long was forced back two steps by the attack, and glared at Feng Tan, saying, "This ferocious beast wanted to kill His Majesty, and instead of killing it, you killed me?"
The arena fell silent as everyone stared at the young man who was protecting the white tiger behind him.
Feng Tan bowed apologetically to Mu Long, then turned to Emperor Chongming and said, “Your Majesty, the beast that injured people deserves to die, but it did not do it on purpose. Someone set up a trap to lure it. The incense stick in Your Majesty’s hand is the evidence.”
This incense stick has been laced with medicinal powder. Its scent can drive even the most dangerous beasts into a frenzy. Feng Tan, who is passionate about animal taming, is very familiar with this fragrance.
Emperor Chongming looked at the unyielding young man in the arena, and said in a deep voice, "You, raise your head."
The young man slowly raised his head, his beautiful face as radiant as the moon rising over the vast sea. As their eyes met, Emperor Chongming's pupils dilated violently, and he staggered backward, only to be caught by Sheng Honghai.
Emperor Chongming's voice was deep and unreadable as he asked, "Where do you hold office?"
"Feng Tan, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Justice."
This name has been frequently on Emperor Chongming's lips lately. He looked at the handsome young man before him, then turned his gaze to Feng Qinghuang.
Feng Tan looks so much like Feng Qinghuang, even...
Feng Qinghuang stepped forward and took Chongming Emperor's arm, saying, "Father, that was really dangerous just now, it almost scared me to death."
Emperor Chongming looked at the beauty mark under his beloved daughter's eye, and his initial surprise gradually subsided. What had he been thinking? Was he really getting senile? So he patted his daughter's arm and said, "Don't worry, Yongle, your father is fine."
After regaining his composure, Prince Jing patted his chest to catch his breath and shouted, "This matter must be thoroughly investigated! Who brought this white tiger here? Who tried to harm my brother?!"
The King of Chu asked with a smile, "Lord Feng, why does this white tiger obey you so obediently?"
Feng Qinghuang sneered and said, "No need to investigate. This white tiger is the one I raised since it was a cub. As for why it listened to Lord Feng, it's because Lord Feng came with me this morning and naturally picked up some of my scent."
Silence fell over the room once more. Feng Dai sneered and said, "Father, I've said it before: Feng Qinghuang is not your daughter at all! The White Tiger is her pet, and she wants your life!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongming coldly rebuked, "Sister Feng, you cannot bear the crime of slandering your elder sister!"
Feng Daijie persisted, "Father, don't you find this suspicious? She concealed her whereabouts for eight years, and yet a fisherman tore down a bounty notice, and she was discovered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard so easily! Father, she is clearly not Princess Yongle!"
Feng Qinghuang clenched her fist, and Furong's smile remained, though it was not as gentle as before. "Sister, you said that I found this white tiger to murder Father Emperor, but if I wanted to murder Father Emperor, why would I travel with Lord Feng so that he could come to my rescue? You say that I am not Princess Yongle, but what evidence do you have to say that I am not? You will not get away with slandering people with empty words."
Emperor Chongming said, "Sister Feng, stop making a scene!"
Seeing all the favor that belonged to her being taken away by Feng Qinghuang, Feng Dai felt resentful and said bitterly, "You say I have no evidence, then what evidence do you have to prove that you are Princess Yongle?"
Feng Qinghuang remained elegant and said, "It's very simple. I remember everything from before."
Feng Dai remained silent. Yes, Feng Qinghuang remembered everything from the past. If it weren't for her, how could she know every single detail...?
Seeing that Feng Dai's arrogant demeanor had been suppressed by Feng Qinghuang, the Prince of Chu's phoenix eyes shimmered as he "mediated" by saying, "Your Majesty, both princesses are your flesh and blood, and you love them both equally. In my opinion, neither of them should be wronged. Since Princess Dai is so insistent on this point, why don't we perform a blood test on the summit of Jingshan Mountain today, before Heaven and our ancestors, to clear Princess Yongle's name and convince Princess Dai of her guilt?"
Emperor Chongming was a suspicious man by nature, and now that the White Tiger attack had occurred, his suspicions grew even stronger. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Alright, we'll do as the Prince of Chu says. I'm sorry to trouble you, Yongle."
Feng Qinghuang's smile remained unchanged as she said, "For the sake of harmony within the imperial family, Yongle will not suffer any injustice."
Feng Tan said, "In that case, please ask the princess to take the tiger away first. It is behind me and I am quite afraid."
Feng Qinghuang nodded and said, "It was my oversight. Father, I shall take my leave now."
Feng Tan bowed and said, "Princess, you are delicate. In case the tiger goes berserk, please allow me to accompany you."
The King of Chu looked at Feng Tan with a mocking gaze, cutting off Feng Qinghuang's words, and said, "That won't do. In order to prevent the tiger from charging back again, Lord Feng still needs to stay by His Majesty's side to protect him. Or is Lord Feng going to abandon His Majesty's safety?"
Feng Tan raised his eyes to look at the royal uncle who had repeatedly stirred up trouble, his gaze falling on the corner of his mouth that seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and said: "It has been many months since I last saw you. Your Highness the Prince of Chu is still loving and compassionate, and the court and the people are all grateful. You are like a spring breeze. In contrast, I, Feng Tan, am a foolish pirate with a silver mask covering my face. I am ashamed to see the Emperor. I am incomparable."
This statement has a double meaning. The King of Chu is pressing him at every turn, and Feng Tan is testing him. The taut string that has been drawn in the air is about to be released.
Author's Note: The White Tiger appeared in Chapter 5, and the villains have started to emerge one by one!
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