Chapter 1235: Smoke Signals 46

h a smile on her face, reaching out to touch Wan'er's face. "This must be Princess Wan'er, right She truly is the daughter of the Princess Consort Chen and King Chen. Even at such a young age, she alr..."A big deal This is just the shopkeeper of a first-class incense shop, what could be so impressive"

This subordinate has yet to ascertain his origins, but this official has heard that the owner of this incense shop is generous with his wealth and possesses formidable martial arts skills. Simply judging from his financial resources, this official believes that this individual may have close ties with Prince Chen and could potentially be involved in something nefarious. It is imperative that a thorough investigation be conducted.

"This matter shall be left to the father-in-law to handle. I'll find a way to keep King Chen here for a while. As for this military power, it hasn't been mentioned yet. With what happened yesterday with the Princess Chen in the palace, this matter should not be brought up for now."

The State Minister responded and stepped aside.

Emperor Yuan Zhao looked at Feng Lingxi and Dugu City's respectful deference to the Empress Dowager, and couldn't help but feel a headache.

If things continue like this, it's truly impossible to reclaim military power.

It seems I'll have to make a move against the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, please take care. This minister will take his leave first."

After accompanying the Empress Dowager for a meal, Dugu City and Feng Lingxi stood up to take their leave. The Empress Dowager had a face full of reluctance, but she could only bear it, watching Feng Lingxi and Dugu City as they left. After a moment's pause, she said, "Take good care of yourselves, and I will also take good care of myself."

“Your Majesty, please take care. I shall choose a date to depart the capital soon, for it is likely we will not meet again easily.”

Shu Taihou nodded, her eyes moist. Dugu City did not dare to look at her any longer, averted his eyes, and left with Feng Lingxi and Wan'er.

Emperor Yuan Zhao watched their retreating figures and walked towards Empress Shu.

"Mother, how did the Crown Prince and Crown Princess leave"

The Empress Dowager quickly suppressed her emotions, letting out a helpless sigh. "The Crown Princess's wound has reopened, and the Crown Prince is uneasy. After dinner, he took the Crown Princess back to rest first, so that I could tell Your Majesty."

"I've sent the imperial physician to take a look. Crown Princess Chen was injured and can't treat her wound herself conveniently."

"Your Majesty, there's no need. Consort Chen possesses excellent medical skills and can handle this herself. Besides, Prince Chen is here to help her with the medicine. We shouldn't disturb them. This time, I truly apologize to Consort Chen. If I had arranged for a nursemaid to escort her out of the palace, things wouldn't have turned out this way."

At this point, the Empress Dowager's eyes grew dim again.

"Now that the Princess Consort of Chen is injured, Prince Chen's mood is not good. This matter of military power, this old woman doesn't know how to bring it up."

The Empress Dowager is so intelligent, how could she not know that the Emperor's decisive execution of Yan Fei was to prevent Prince Cheng from refusing to hand over his military power But now that things have happened, there is a turning point.

Once the city lord leaves, things will change concerning military command.

The Emperor's handsome face was slightly somber, he hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to bring this up proactively.

"I also know this is not easy."

"Let's put this aside for now and see how the Crown Princess is doing. Not only was she injured, but so was Wan'er’s face, all because of the concubines in the palace. This is a difficult situation to handle."

"I know, I've worried the Empress Mother."

Although Emperor Yuan Zhao said so, he was so angry that his teeth were grinding.

This Empress Dowager doesn't seem to intend on helping him regain his military power from Dugu City. It seems like Feng Lingxi's injury this time has actually given them a way out. That damned Yan Fei, he shouldn't have kept her around in the first place. She's truly a scourge.

Back at the palace, Dugu City supported Feng Ling Xi back to their room. He unwrapped the gauze on her arm and looked at the blood oozing from the wound, his eyes filled with worry. Xiao Li hurriedly brought warm water and helped clean the wound. After treating it, she re-bandaged it.

"When you throw this cloth away later, make sure people outside can see it. And this blood, have them dispose of it."

Xiao Li nodded, "I understand."

"Mother, are you very fond of me"

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

Wan'er hurriedly stepped forward, looking at her mother bandaging the wound. She blew gently on it, her face full of worry.

Feng Ling xi shook her head, "I'm fine."

Dugu Cheng pressed his finger on her wound, Feng Lingxi gasped in pain and looked at Dugu Cheng. She saw that he was staring at her, so she immediately shut up.

"Just stay here, don't go anywhere."

Dugu Cheng instructed, Feng Lingxi hurriedly nodded. Watching him leave, she called out to him.

"Where are you going"

"I'll be back later."

"Oh."

Feng Lingxi saw Dugu Cheng going out and hurriedly beckoned Wan'er to sit beside her. She then began to treat her wounds, looking at Wan'er's injured area with eyes full of concern and carefully applying medicine to her.

Dugu Cheng came out of the room and looked at Ye Xi beside him, "You go and find Lu Nian to see this king. Don't let anyone find out."

"This subordinate will go right now."

Dugu City went to the study. There was someone waiting for him inside. When he saw him come in, Feng Yixuan hurriedly stepped forward, "Brother-in-law."

"Sit."

Dugu City gestured for Feng Yixuan to sit down, then watched as he took out a map from his bosom. Dugu City opened it and examined it carefully. "Are you sure this is the floor plan of the courtyard where your mother used to live"

"Alright, and I've searched everywhere, there are no secret passages. Could Xier have gotten it wrong"

Are there any secret passages anywhere else

Feng Yi-Xuan thought seriously for a moment, "My father's study seems to have a secret passage, but I've never been in it, and he wouldn't let me. This secret passage is known to many in the General's Mansion. It's just a place he found to rest behind his study."

"Try to look again, don't miss any spots."

Feng Yi-xuan nodded, thinking about the news he had heard this morning. He asked his doubts aloud.

"Brother-in-law, I heard that Sister Xi'er and Sister Wan'er were injured in the palace yesterday, how are they now"

"Xier's right arm got injured and needs to rest for a while, Wan'er's face was cut but Xier said it will heal."

Feng Yixuan's eyes turned cold. Dugu Cheng, seeing this, said in a deep voice, "Xi'er's injury this time has actually made Yuan Zhaodi reconsider his plans to withdraw his troops. We can temporarily hold back."

"To take away military power again"

Seeing Dugu Cheng nod, Feng Yi Xuan was furious, "He's really shameless. It seems like he intentionally wanted to attack my brother-in-law."

"We'll be going back in a few days, so please hurry up."

Feng Yi Xuan took his orders and snuck out of the Chen Wang Mansion.

"My Lord."

Ye Xi came back, but didn't bring Lu Nian back. Dugu City looked at her with puzzled eyes.

"Where is the person"

"Master Lu told his subordinate to give this to you, saying that you will understand after reading it."

Dugu Cheng opened the letter and read what was written inside: At night, three o'clock, study.

"My Lord, when my subordinate just returned, I saw someone acting suspiciously outside the mansion, staring at the manor."

It seems Lu Nian has caught their attention.

Du Gucheng burned the letter, "Ye Xi, strengthen the guards protecting Xi'er and Wan'er. Also, notify Tianxianglou to create some trouble."

Xi'er was already injured in order to prevent her military power from being taken away. Emperor Yuan Zhao didn't even think about taking his military power during this opportunity.

He couldn't let Xi Er's efforts be in vain.

"My Lord, there is one more thing, I don't know if I should say it."

Ye Xi hesitated for a moment and asked, Du Gu Cheng frowned, "What's the matter"ed at Lu Xuan sitting in the hall, her eyes full of suspicion."Lao San, what's going on"Lu Yi saw that Wan'er's eyes lit up, and upon hearing her words, his face darkened. "Didn't we agree to go toget...