Book 14: Chapter 23
Father and Daughter Catch Up
“Ming Feizhen, if you can talk to them, I will not punish you for your rash act today.”
Eh? Wasn’t the apology enough? You’re petty, Your Majesty.
“Your subject has ways he can try. He cannot promise he can find them, but he is willing to try his best.”
“Go for it. As long as you try your best, I’m satisfied. If you do manage to find them, try to dissuade Commandery Princess. We’re family. Let’s look out for each other.”
“Your Majesty, they basically have gone through half of their rebellion. It would be their blessing to not punish them. His Highness is now safe and sound, as well. Why would they continue opposing you?”
“She grows more frank and stubborn with age. She may be younger than me by a few years, but she’s persistent; she’s not someone you should trigger thoughtlessly. Although it may appear as though Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor can’t create any big waves in the capital, my entourage would not be able to find any traces of them if they go into hiding, which proves that the power they’ve built is not to be underestimated.
“While it’s true that her son was framed and Li Muye didn’t have good intentions, all their manor’s guests have left them. It’ll be hard for them to establish themselves in the capital again. She is unlikely to forgive. If you find her, tell her that the imperial court has pardoned Li Muye, has released him already and sheltered him in the imperial palace. As for rebuilding Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor, the imperial court is willing to negotiate.”
I mulled over all the contents and then lamented, “Your Majesty, you are too nice to them.”
“Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor is now but an empty shell. Li Muye has lost his father, while his mother lost her husband. It’s not easy for her to raise Li Muye as a single mother whilst building their clan. She hailed from the martial community at the northern border. It is my oversight that allowed her family to be set up. My second brother wouldn’t be able to rest in peace if he knew about his family’s circumstance. I am just doing what’s morally right.”
We sighed and then peered into the firmament. Google search 𝗳𝔯e𝒆𝙬𝘦𝙗𝓷o𝘷el. c૦𝑚
“Ah, your subject has not yet told you what decree he needed.”
“Go ahead.”
“Your subject may not fulfil tasks according to standard, so he needs to enter the palace consistently to report in. If you could permit him to enter the palace and report in to you at any time, then it would best.”
“Any time? I can’t do that. You can’t enter the palace whenever you want.”
“Your subject would not trouble you during the times that entry is banned.”
“That’s fine.” His Majesty took out a token from his shirt. “Hold onto this. Presenting this is the same as presenting me. You’ll be able to travel without restriction.”
I took the golden token to fiddle with. “Your Majesty!” I cried, then squeezed more times. “It is gilded?!”
“Golden tokens are just for show. Why do you need one made from real gold? How many times do I have to stress not to do things that cost the people?”
I waved around the token that could probably float on water. “You could gild an iron token, then. Is this not wood?”
“Give it back if you don’t want it.”
“Leave it with me.” I hurriedly stuffed it into my shirt.
“Innumerous people want it, yet you’re complaining.”
“Uncle? Feizhen?” Boss appeared behind us in her white garments. Judging from the stack of documents she was carrying, she most likely came over to check out who it was when she heard our voices. “What are you two sitting at the entrance for?” Boss shifted her surprised gaze down to the majestic dragon bum. “Uncle… how did you get hurt?”
The instant after His Majesty’s piercing glare landed on me, Boss’ ferocious glare landed on me. I followed their line of sight and looked to the empty spot behind me and glared at the cockroach.
His Majesty: “Leave the cockroach alone! It’s you I’m looking at!”
Boss: “You hurt Uncle?!”
Me: “How dare you hurt His Majesty?! How many heads do you have, cockroach?!”
… Needless to say, I failed to save myself.
We moved inside, where His Majesty took the master seat, while Boss took the guest seat. Of course, His Majesty could only put one bum cheek on the seat. As soon as I went to find a seat, Boss glared at me and said, “You stay standing! How long has it been since you’ve returned? I’ve lost count of how many messes you’ve made in the short timeframe. Stand.”
His Majesty smugly looked my way, forgetting about his injury and carelessly hurting himself again.
Boss didn’t know the reason for His Majesty’s visit. Therefore, she brewed him a pot of tea and served it up herself instead of having someone else do it. As she gently passed over a hot cup of tea, she quietly asked, “Your Majesty, has something happened for you to act covertly?”
“I just came out for a stroll, haha.” Only once he confirmed Boss wasn’t disappointed to see him did he feel a weight lift from his shoulders. “Yiren, I… harshly scolded you in the imperial palace…”
“I know it was for my sake.” Boss smiled. “You have always had justifications for your decisions, and you have always doted on me. It would have pained you to scold me, as well.”
His Majesty shed tears, proving that he never wanted to scold Boss for the sake of scolding her at all.
They spent some time before moving onto the main topic.
“I spoke to you about it before the imperial martial arts tournament, and I’ll bring it up again. If you insist on taking this path, I won’t stop you. If you know you’re in danger, I will announce you are my Princess tomorrow in an official decree.”
“Uncle…”
His Majesty smiled. “I know you won’t listen to me, just like your father, promising me he’d heed my caution, yet he continued combating Demon Sect behind my back on his own… Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to suffer the sorrow of losing a brother.”
“Uncle, I have never forgotten to avenge my father.”
“It’s not your vengeance alone. Everyone has to acknowledge your effort in the capital ever since Liu Shan Men’s stellar members departed, but your efforts have incurred jealousy among some who will hinder you. I’m transferring you so that you have an opportunity to build.”
“I understand.”
I seemed to be invisible to them.