Chapter 40 Blood Test for Kinship (2) "What a melodramatic palace drama..."
King Jing looked at Feng Tan suspiciously and said, "Lord Feng, your face is spotless. How could you say that your face is covered with silver?"
Feng Tan raised her eyes and met the gaze of the King of Chu. Their eyes met briefly before they looked away.
The King of Chu then looked at the King of Jing and said, "Lord Feng is a man of wisdom and his words are witty; there is no need to think about them too deeply."
An awkward atmosphere filled the air among the royal relatives and nobles. The white tiger let out a howl and affectionately rubbed against Feng Tan's clothes. Fearing that the tiger would give itself away if it stayed any longer, Feng Qinghuang told it to get up. As she left, Feng Qinghuang glanced at Feng Tan without leaving a trace, and Feng Tan smiled and nodded.
As King Chu watched Baihu obediently leave with Feng Qinghuang, his handsome brows furrowed slightly, and he fell into deep thought.
Seeing the questioning look in Feng Tingxiao's eyes, Feng Tan lowered her voice and said, "Your Highness seems to have quite a few handy tools at your side."
Although it is still necessary to test whether he is the Silver-Masked Venerable, in this situation, Sister Feng has undoubtedly become his handy tool. This person kills without leaving a trace with his words, and his ability to play dumb to deceive others is beyond the reach of others.
Feng Tingxiao laughed and said, "What, does Lord Feng wish to become my disciple?"
Feng Tan frowned at the blatant attempt to gather followers and form cliques. "Your Highness, please be careful with your words. Feng Tan is impartial and unbiased, and only wants to serve the people wholeheartedly."
"Your words sound quite high-sounding," Feng Tingxiao lowered his voice, leaned close to Feng Tan's ear, and said with a dark look in his eyes, "I just don't know what Lord Feng's true intentions are in getting so close to my little niece."
Feng Tingxiao bit his "little niece" with unusual affection, and Feng Tan felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at his handsome yet effeminate face.
The two exchanged sharp words, but Feng Qinghuang soon returned. Looking at the silent Emperor Chongming, she bowed and said, "Your subject has settled the White Tiger. We may begin."
Sheng Honghai presented a red table with both hands, on which lay a white porcelain bowl containing clear water and several small silver needles.
Emperor Chongming picked up a silver needle and, without hesitation, pierced his fingertip, a drop of bright red blood falling into the clear water.
Following the same method, Feng Qinghuang's second drop of bright red blood fell into the white porcelain bowl.
Two drops of blood gradually approached each other in the clear water, then slowly merged together. Emperor Chongming looked at Feng Qinghuang, gradually letting out a sigh of relief, and a look of guilt appeared on his face. "Truly, you are of the Feng family bloodline! Good child, you have suffered so much all these years!"
Emperor Chongming's last heavy doubt was finally dispelled, but the King of Chu's mind was in turmoil. Now that he had trapped Feng Tan, how could those two drops of blood still be fused together?!
Feng Daijie stared blankly at the two drops of blood in the bowl. Just now, she had actually been expecting something unusual to happen, but Feng Qinghuang was indeed a genuine member of the imperial family!
Feng Qinghuang revealed a flirtatious smile and said to Emperor Chongming, "Father, since the Prince of Chu said that everything should be done fairly, then after you've examined me, you should also examine my sister, after all..."
Feng Qinghuang paused for a moment before saying softly, "Your subject was born to the Empress in the palace, while Sister Feng Dai... is a child you abandoned outside."
This matter is not a palace secret. Feng Daijie was born before Consort Su entered the palace. She was ten years old when the Empress died and the legitimate princess disappeared. She was then brought into the palace by Emperor Chongming and named Feng Daijie.
Feng Dai's eyes widened, and she angrily retorted, "How dare you slander my identity?!"
Feng Qinghuang smiled but remained silent, while Feng Dai's chest heaved, her cheeks flushed with anger. "Fine! Bring water, I'll also have my blood tested with Father Emperor to prove our kinship!"
"Sister Dai! Stop fooling around!" Emperor Chongming and Consort Su said in unison.
Feng Qinghuang looked at Emperor Chongming, her charming face filled with grievance, and said resentfully, "How can Father Emperor show favoritism to one over the other?"
Emperor Chongming softened his voice and said carefully, "My sister is my daughter, there is no need to verify her further."
Knowing the emperor would say that, Feng Qinghuang turned to provoke Feng Dai, saying, "Just now, my sister was shouting about fairness, so why are you afraid now?"
Enraged by her, Feng Daijie grabbed a silver needle and quickly pierced her finger, the bright red blood falling into the bowl.
Everyone held their breath as they watched the drop of blood, but the blood did not mix!
Feng Dai held the white porcelain bowl in both hands, her eyes filled with disbelief. She murmured, "Impossible, this is impossible!"
Her eyes widened in horror, and she went into a frenzy. She tripped over her own feet and fell to the ground, clinging to Consort Su's skirt in a disheveled state, saying, "Mother, Mother! I am Father's daughter, am I not? I am a princess, am I not? Why are you looking at me like that? Say something!"
Emperor Chongming lowered his eyes and scolded in a low voice: "What kind of behavior is this, pulling and tugging in public! Whatever you have to say, come back to the palace!"
Consort Su took her daughter's hand. Even though she was furious with her foolish daughter, she still gently coaxed her, "Sister, blood tests are sometimes inaccurate."
After saying that, she looked at Emperor Chongming, who turned to the civil and military officials below and said, "Both children are my daughters. Just now, the Second Princess had something dirty on her hands, which caused her blood not to mix. Please don't worry about it. You've been standing here for so long, so go back and rest."
Seeing Feng Dai's condition, Emperor Chongming gestured to Sheng Honghai to take her away. Sheng Honghai understood and summoned several palace maids and eunuchs to help Feng Dai down from the altar.
After this farce, the ministers had their own thoughts. Those whose blood mingled were considered blood relatives, while those whose blood did not mingled were not biological relatives. Feng Dai's blood did not mix with Emperor Chongming's, but judging from the way His Majesty and the Consort looked, it seemed as if it was expected... What exactly happened?
Gao Yu frowned among the cabinet ministers. Gao Zhizhen walked up to him, pulled him aside to a secluded spot, and asked suspiciously, "Father, could it be that I married a fake princess?"
Gao Yu squinted at Feng Tan and Feng Qinghuang, who were standing side by side not far away, and said, "Who knows? Only His Majesty probably knows about this. Zhizhen, I heard that you have been getting very close to Princess Yongle recently?"
Gao Zhizhen paused for a moment, then told Gao Yu the truth, “Yes, Father, but it wasn’t me who seduced her first. She was the one who told me this one day. You know, she’s much prettier than Sister Feng Dai, and she’s the only legitimate princess. How could I resist?”
After listening, Gao Yu glanced at Gao Zhizhen, nodded, and said, "If she truly loves you, marrying her is also a testament to your ability..."
Gao Zhizhen excitedly interrupted Gao Yu, saying, "Really, Dad!"
"Let me finish," Gao Yu gestured for him to look behind him. "Look, what a perfect couple, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, aren't they more suitable than you, a married man? I think you've misunderstood."
Gao Zhizhen followed Gao Yu's gaze and looked behind him, where he saw Feng Tan and Feng Qinghuang standing side by side. His eyes turned sinister. "Trying to take what's mine? No way!"
Gao Yu said, "In short, I'm warning you, don't lose sight of the bigger picture. You must truly grasp one of the royal bloodlines. His Majesty has no son, so the child born to the princess will be the legitimate royal bloodline of Emperor Chongming. Emperor Chongming is in his prime. When the time comes to establish an heir, besides Prince Chu and Prince Jing, if there are other members of his legitimate bloodline, tell me, who do you think he would prefer?"
Gao Zhizhen suppressed his emotions and said, "Your son knows, your son will not let you down."
If he can marry Feng Dai, he can marry Feng Qinghuang. So what if he doesn't have much real power as a consort? In Dahuang, the royal family is the most respected, and husbands and fathers are the most important. The children they give birth to will all bear the surname Gao.
In the power struggles, once he falls under their wing, he can reap the benefits.
Gao Zhizhen's eyes sharpened, and he walked straight to Feng Qinghuang before reverting to his usual gentle demeanor, saying, "Princess, what a refined taste you have. Where are you going with Lord Feng?"
"Lord Gao?" Feng Qinghuang's eyes lit up, her voice filled with joy and bittersweetness. "I thought Lord Gao was busy comforting his sister."
Gao Zhizhen laughed heartily and said, "I originally intended to go, but seeing that the princess is still here, I came to pay my respects. I have already received the birthday gift that the princess gave me, and I am very pleased with it."
This statement is full of male attraction and determination towards women, and it is also a warning to Feng Tan.
Feng Qinghuang said shyly, "Lord Gao, you possess the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix. It's a pity I returned to the capital so late, otherwise I would definitely..."
Before she could finish speaking, Gao Zhizhen understood the meaning behind her words and said with a sigh, "Fate is cruel, I truly regret it."
Feng Qinghuang smiled slightly and said seductively, "Regretful? I do have a regret pill for you."
Gao Zhizhen's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Where can I get a medicine for regret?"
Feng Qinghuang gestured to Shang Chunxiang to bring an ancient book, which she then personally handed to Gao Zhizhen, saying, "My lord, you will understand my meaning after reading it."
Gao Zhizhen respectfully accepted the book, a proud look appearing between his brows as he looked at Feng Tan, but his words were directed at Feng Qinghuang: "I will definitely study this book thoroughly."
Seeing his impatient expression, Feng Qinghuang smiled and said, "It's getting late. I need to learn some beast-taming techniques from Lord Feng, so I'll be leaving now."
Feng Qinghuang's gaze towards Feng Tan was also filled with unspoken love. Gao Zhizhen's lips twitched slightly, and he said, "Your Highness is in a good mood."
As he watched the two figures walk away side by side, he felt a sense of panic that something he could have easily obtained was about to be taken away by someone else, but then a plan came to mind.
......
Feng Tan walked about 50 meters before asking Feng Qinghuang what the purpose of her performance was. Feng Qinghuang replied, "Men need to be given a sense of crisis, to let them know that he is not the first one I've seduced. He knows that his advantage lies in marrying Sister Feng Dai, and that my relationship with Sister Feng Dai is like fire and water. That's why I'm seducing him in every way. And this sense of crisis just happens to help you."
Feng Tan asked, "Help me?"
Feng Qinghuang said, "That's right. Didn't you just say that we were missing a trigger? If Gao Zhizhen causes some trouble, wouldn't that be the perfect way to carry out your defection plan?"
The two gradually entered the woods, found a stone table to sit down, and enjoyed the cool spring breeze. Feng Tan smiled and said, "This is very good."
Feng Qinghuang picked up Feng Tan's hand, looked at the tiny needle mark, and said, "Ah Tan, I must say you are truly a prophet. If you hadn't prepared the blood for me beforehand, we would have been exposed today."
Feng Tan asked calmly, "How do you know that Sister Feng Dai is not Emperor Chongming's biological daughter?"
Feng Qinghuang's eyes flickered, and she chuckled, saying, "It was a coincidence, I just happened to overhear it."
Feng Tan cupped her face in his hands, looked at her intently, and said, "Stop lying to me, tell me the truth."
There was no way to hide it anymore. Feng Qinghuang coughed and explained the whole story, "In the first year of Chongming, Empress Xiaoxian gave birth to you. During her pregnancy, she discovered that Emperor Chongming married her because she was the daughter of Grand Tutor Feng, not out of pure love, but outright exploitation. However, perhaps there was some genuine feeling mixed in with that exploitation. Feng Sangrou and Feng Youming were sisters who grew up together. The younger sister suffered such humiliation, and since Mr. Feng never feared the imperial family, that year, she poisoned Emperor Chongming's food..."
The medicine Feng Youming administered wouldn't affect sexual relations, but it would prevent Emperor Chongming from having any other children. Emperor Chongming was furious upon learning this, and Feng Youming, after doing this for his sister, went to the Southern Regions. Given the secrecy, Emperor Chongming couldn't easily launch a large-scale manhunt for the antidote, so he could only send the Imperial Guards to secretly search for him, but each attempt was thwarted by Empress Xiaoxian.
Before giving birth to Princess Yongle, Empress Xiaoxian was truly deserving of the title "Xiaoxian" (filial and virtuous). However, after she understood why Emperor Chongming married her, she stopped being bound by those two words and raised Fengtan to be independent and self-willed.
Emperor Chongming had no heir and only one daughter, Chenghuan. He doted on Princess Yongle from a young age. After the princess went missing, he missed his daughter terribly and brought Consort Su, who resembled Empress Xiaoxian, into the palace. At the same time, he transferred his longing for the legitimate princess to Consort Su's daughter.
Consort Su lost her husband at a young age, so Feng Daijie did not know who her father was until Emperor Chongming appeared. He gave her all the warmth a father should have, raised her with utmost care, and spoiled her more and more. After Emperor Chongming found the legitimate princess, he took the opportunity to send her to the Gao family. This was the emperor's art of checks and balances.
After Feng Qinghuang finished recounting the whole story, Feng Tan chuckled and said, "What a melodramatic palace drama!"
Seeing her laughing so hard she was doubled over, Feng Qinghuang flicked her forehead and said, "Don't you have any other comments?"
Feng Tan slapped the stone table and said, "Hmm... Sir is indeed worthy of being called sir! He can do such an unbelievable thing for his sister's lifelong happiness!"
In fact, she had long wondered why Emperor Chongming never selected concubines and why he still had no children even after having Consort Su. When she suddenly saw Consort Su, who looked eight-tenths like Empress Xiaoxian, in the library, she thought that Emperor Chongming had used her mother as a substitute. It turned out that Emperor Chongming had used Consort Su as a substitute. However, no matter what, it could not change the fact that Emperor Chongming was a scumbag.
The birdsong in the mountains and forests is crisp and clear, and the fragrance of grass and trees is rich. Being there makes you feel as if you are far away from all power struggles, and you feel relaxed and happy.
Feng Tan took a deep breath, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a splash of vibrant red.
Yu Ruxi, dressed in red and looking dashing, slowly walked out from behind the woods. Her bright red eyes stared unblinkingly at Feng Tan, and before she could even speak, she burst into tears.
Feng Qinghuang raised an eyebrow, shook her head with a smile, and tactfully left.
Feng Tan slowly walked forward, gently poked Yu Ruxi with her finger, and said, "Don't cry."
Yu Ruxi cried even louder, hugging Feng Tan tightly. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Do you even consider me a good friend? I've missed you for so many years! Waaah, I'm breaking off all our friendship!"
When the two had a fight as children, they would break off their friendship. At that time, Yu Ruxi did not study properly and was always punished by her teacher to copy books. Many times, Feng Tan would stay up all night with her to copy the books. Feng Tan had no talent for martial arts, so Yu Ruxi would secretly teach her the Yu family kung fu to get by.
Faded memories, after several years, the two embraced tightly amidst the lush vegetation.
Yu Ruxi hugged Feng Tan tightly, tears streaming down her face. She was actually a very strong girl. She wiped away her tears, looked at Feng Tan, and pointed her index finger at the spot where her beauty mark had disappeared, saying, "How did you get rid of it? Why isn't there even a dent?"
“A magic trick,” Feng Tan said, her eyes subtle yet sincere, then tapped her Adam’s apple. “Look, it’s all fake.”
Yu Ruxi was silent for a moment, then her gaze became extremely serious, and she said, "Yongle, you disguised yourself as a man and returned to the court to serve as an official, is it to rescue the teacher?"
Feng Tan nodded and said, "I have been lying low for eight years, all for her sake."
Yu Ruxi fell silent again, but when she looked up again, her tone was firm as she said, "Then, count me in!"
Everyone worked hard to save Feng Youming because she deserved it.
......
The night of the Fengshan ceremony was a bonfire party, the only time when Dahuang officials could openly discuss, drink, and make merry.
After the Fengshan ceremony concluded, the royal procession returned to the palace. Most of the cabinet ministers and officials of the third rank and above, who held themselves in high esteem, were unwilling to linger on such an occasion and thus almost all returned. The remaining officials were mostly those who enjoyed joining in the fun and watching performances, staying because they admired Lin Wanzhou's reputation as the most beautiful woman in the capital.
Feng Tan sat in the corner, drinking with her eyelashes lowered.
Jin An watched the young man beside him silently drinking, and asked, "Brother Tan, do you know how handsome you look today!"
The moves he made to capture the tiger were so graceful and elegant, each one as fluid as a dragon in flight. Coupled with his naturally handsome face, he truly looked like a celestial being descended to earth!
Feng Tan gave a faint "hmm," and Jin An continued, "Brother Tan, I know why you're unhappy. It's just that Miss Lin is going to play the zither later. Miss Lin is the girl you love. Don't worry, I will definitely not let anyone mistreat her!"
Feng Tan turned the wine pot around, poured Jin An a full cup, and said, "You truly are my good brother, cheers!"
As the two were talking, Lin Wanzhou arrived with a thin veil covering her face. Upon arrival, she gracefully bowed, and all the officials' eyes fell on her.
Lin Wanzhou maintained a composed and dignified demeanor, her slender fingertips gripping her delicate nail guards as she lightly plucked the strings to test the sound. After the dance troupe entered, she slowly began to play the tune.
The melody was melodious and lingering. When the piece ended, everyone was captivated. Lin Wanzhou rose to leave, but Gao Zhizhen called out, "Miss Lin, wait!"
In early spring, March, Gao Zhizhen picked up a folding fan and played with it. The two characters "Qingming" were written in thick ink on the fan. He got up and walked closer to Lin Wanzhou. When the dancer beside Lin Wanzhou saw this spoiled brat slowly approaching, she couldn't help but take small steps back.
Gao Zhizhen had a nickname in the pleasure quarters of the capital: "The Bed Executioner." He was of the same lineage as his father, and most of the women who caught his eye and ended up in his bed were tortured to death.
Gao Zhizhen stopped a step away from Lin Wanzhou, and spoke jokingly, raising his voice so that every official present could hear, "I heard about Miss Lin's romantic affair a few months ago. It is rumored that Feng Tan, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, actually offended the Left Censor-in-Chief of the court for Miss Lin. Is this true?"
Lin Wanzhou's expression was aloof, and her voice was as clear as a nightingale's, "Yes."
Gao Zhizhen smiled wickedly, his narrow eyes slightly narrowed. He glanced at Feng Tan, who remained unmoved, and used his folding fan to lift Lin Wanzhou's chin, saying, "So popular, what makes you so special?"
Seeing a beauty through the fire only made him more and more captivated. Gao Zhizhen's initial intention to lure Feng Tan into his trap remained unchanged, but he was now somewhat distracted. Holding a folding fan, he slowly moved it downwards, tracing it along the woman's chin to her outer garment. As he lightly lifted it, Lin Wanzhou's outer garment fell to the ground, and he slowly opened his mouth: "But how good are you in bed?"
Many of the officials present were students of Confucianism, Taoism, and Neo-Confucianism. Normally, they would occasionally lend a helping hand when they encountered such injustices. However, Gao Zhizhen's father was a high-ranking official of the second rank in the court and had entered the cabinet, wielding considerable power. They dared not ruin their futures.
Lin Wanzhou controlled herself from asking Feng Tan for help. She didn't want to drag Feng Tan into suffering because of her again. However, her body trembled uncontrollably under such humiliation. She grabbed the folding fan that was about to peel off her inner garment again and said with tears welling up in her eyes, "Young Master Gao, please don't humiliate me."
The beautiful woman looked pitiful, tears welling up in her eyes. Gao Zhizhen's inner fire burned even more fiercely, but his face remained gentle. "Good girl, have pity on me and let me see your ability to make people feel like they're dying and coming back to life."
Gao Zhizhen threw away the folding fan and tore it apart with both hands. Lin Wanzhou's inner garment fell to the ground, leaving her with only one last layer of clothing. She closed her eyes tightly.
Jin An couldn't stand it any longer. He glanced at Feng Tan, who was drinking silently, and stood up, saying, "Damn it, I, Jin An, am quitting this official position!"
Feng Tan grabbed Jin An's shoulder and pulled his body back, then smashed the wine pot with a loud bang, the sound particularly clear in the night.
She stood up, walked over to Gao Zhizhen, shook off his fingers that were on Lin Wanzhou, and picked up Lin Wanzhou's clothes one by one to put them on her.
Gao Zhizhen said, "You opposed me in court for the sake of a courtesan. Is this how you show your affection for the princess?"
His words were laced with sarcasm, and the officials present perked up their ears. It turned out to be another love triangle, but Gao Zhizhen's tone didn't seem like he was jealous of his sister, Princess Daijie.
Feng Tan coldly watched his provocation, then smiled slightly, and without saying a word, raised her leg and kicked him horizontally in the groin.
The young official's actions were crude and simplistic, frightening Lin Wanzhou so much that she tightly covered her mouth.
"Ah!" Gao Zhizhen cried out in pain, the sound so loud that the owls in the forest flapped their wings and flew up from the branches.
Feng Tan kicked his balls and smashed them!
Author's Note: The two most cunning characters each gave birth to an idiot, and they ended up as an idiotic couple (,,.,,)
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