Chapter 216: Chapter 215 Old FriendsAn hour later
"...Now, He Hongzhao is missing, feared to have escaped Quanzhou, causing endless harm."
The storyteller sighed as such, ending tonight’s storytelling session.
The audience, unsatisfied, all left with sighs of disappointment.
Behind the curtain, a faint rustle of plain-colored robes suggested someone was about to leave.
"Stop!"
He Ying shouted sternly, then pulled Sang Yan in with him.
"It really is you!"
Sang Yan confirmed her suspicion and chuckled, "Feng Yicheng, long time no see."
She had last seen him at the Qingfeng Tea House in the Capital City, and the impression was deep.
He was storytelling there as well.
He Ying had a good chat with him, seemingly close friends.
Unexpectedly, he had appeared in Quanzhou.
He Ying was also surprised Feng Yicheng showed up in Quanzhou.
Initially, he had arranged for him to resolve a deception case in Fu State and then return to serve in the court; instead he defied orders and ran off to Quanzhou.
Now, as ruler and subject meet, he seemed quite composed.
Such audacity!
"Your Honors, I am honored."
Feng Yicheng, startled at first upon seeing them, soon regained his composure and greeted them properly with a smile.
Then, bowing, he invited them, "As old friends reunite, why not come inside and talk?"
He was certainly shrewd.
Just having seen He Ying, he was somewhat panicked, but now he had recovered.
To an outsider, they appeared as friends warmly catching up.
He Ying did not want to cause a scene and, with a cold huff, followed Feng Yicheng upstairs with Sang Yan.
He was eager to hear what Feng Yicheng had left to talk about!
Sang Yan noticed He Ying’s anger but did not understand the conflict between the two.
It seemed Feng Yicheng had a clever heart, so how had he provoked him?
The two followed Feng Yicheng into a room.
Once the door closed, Feng Yicheng lifted his robe and knelt, paying them great respects.
"Greetings to the Emperor and the Empress—"
He was very formal.
Even his expression had changed from relaxed to serious and solemn.
"Mr. Feng, please rise."
Sang Yan gently assisted him.
He Ying said nothing, pulling Sang Yan to sit on a soft couch.
Feng Yicheng remained kneeling, looking up at them sitting together, a wave of emotions stirring within him: the Emperor and Empress’s affection was profound. Zuo Zhi, now, besides me, who else remembers you?
A tea table was set atop the couch.
There was also a pot of tea on the table.
He Ying noticed it, touched the teapot, still warm, then poured a cup, rinsed it, and splashed it on the ground. Afterward, he poured another cup, held it to his nose, and smelled the tea, finding it quite pleasing.
This was probably Feng Yicheng’s bedroom.
Feng Yicheng always enjoyed the finer things, and the bedroom was elegantly and delicately furnished, including the tea, which was refreshing and soothing.
He and Sang Yan had been walking for quite some time and he was indeed a bit thirsty.
"Why not taste some?"
He had tasted it before offering it to Sang Yan.
Of course, it was not about giving her leftovers, but to check for poison.
Sang Yan did not mind this small detail.
He offered her the tea, so she drank.
After a few sips, she commented, "Not bad. Sweet and fragrant, somewhat like floral tea, it leaves a lingering pleasant aftertaste that uplifts the mood."
She then poured another cup and offered it to him, "Drink some more, cool down a bit."
He Ying took it and sipped slowly.
Meanwhile, glancing at the person kneeling on the floor, with a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile, "Mr. Feng, they say fate brings people together no matter the distance, this saying seems quite apt for us."
"This is just a teasing remark."
Feng Yicheng heard it and his body shuddered, feigning a look of great fright.
He was doing this to give He Ying face, to temper his anger.
"Emperor, forgive me."
Feng Yicheng bowed his head, admitting his wrong and pleading for mercy.
"Forgive you?"
He Ying’s voice rose, then with a wave of his hand, he smashed the cup in his hand at Feng Yicheng’s feet.
"Feng Yicheng, I have always appreciated you, thus I indulged you, spoiled you, and yet you fool me like this?"
He had given him time to mourn his deceased friend, allowed him to leave his official post to clear his mind.
But what happened?
For years on end, it was never-ending.
Now, knowing that he was in Quanzhou, he actually avoided seeing him.
If he hadn’t run into him tonight, he clearly had no intention of visiting him!
Absolutely presumptuous!
"Xinyuan, let’s talk nicely, don’t be angry—"
Sang Yan gently patted He Ying’s chest, thinking to herself: There goes my effort to make him happy tonight.
"How do you expect me to talk nicely with him?"
He Ying also felt wronged, "I have told him several times to quickly return to court for his duty, but what about him? He possesses great talents, yet here he is, storytelling to others?"
How could he not be angry?
Such a valued person, rather than returning to court, he preferred to be a storytelling master.
Truly a slap in his face!
Feng Yicheng obediently kneeled on the ground, not dodging or refuting, just letting the other release his anger.
At most, he would reply, "This commoner is at fault, Emperor, please forgive me."
He Ying felt as if his punch had landed on cotton.
What else could he say?
He couldn’t kill him, nor did he want to.
Scold him?
The man looked like a pig who isn’t afraid of scalding water!
"You, just talk less nonsense!"
He Ying commanded coldly, "Pack up now, and in a few days, follow me back to the palace!"
Feng Yicheng remained motionless, still kneeling on the ground, his clear and composed face regaining its usual calm.
He bowed his head and said, "This commoner does not wish to return to the palace, please grant me this, Emperor."
He Ying was furious, wanting to kick Feng Yicheng.
But ultimately, valuing Feng Yicheng’s talent, he could not bring himself to do it.
"How dare you! Feng Yicheng, you are defying an imperial order!"
"Emperor, this commoner lives under the heavens, heart set on the court and country."
Feng Yicheng explained calmly, "This commoner has been traveling outside, not returning to court, not because of indulgence in pleasures, but to understand the real conditions of the world and also to gather information for the Emperor..."
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He Ying sneered coldly, "Very good. Then tell me, what information have you gathered for me?"
He took a sip of tea, straightened his posture, and listened attentively.
Sang Yan also looked curiously at Feng Yicheng, eager to hear what information he could provide.
Then, Feng Yicheng said, "This commoner has heard that seven or eight days ago, the Emperor Bei Qi became seriously ill, the Crown Prince Qi Guanglie fell from his horse and has been unconscious since, causing great chaos in the Beiqi court. Only the Ninth Prince Qi Wuya managed to temporarily govern and stabilize the situation."
"What!"
Sang Yan suddenly stood up, exclaiming in shock, "Qi Wuya is in power now?"
So soon?
Qi Wuya has already taken charge in Beiqi!
The matter with the Emperor Bei Qi and Qi Guanglie must be connected to that madman Qi Wuya!
He Ying thought the same, equally shocked, "Such a major event, why didn’t you tell me sooner? I was in the State Mansion, Feng Yicheng, you really can sit still!"
He grew even angrier, feeling that Feng Yicheng was not only bold but also very inappropriate: If he had known this news earlier, perhaps he could have had a chance to prevent Qi Wuya from taking power, even support Qi Guanglie. Knowing that Qi Guanglie was indulged in wine and women, he would be much easier to control than Qi Wuya! Even though he was severely injured and unconscious, he could choose to support another prince! No matter who governed Bei Qi, anyone would be better than Qi Wuya in power!
Damn it!
How did it happen that Qi, Wuya, took, charge!