Chapter 82: I Failed You
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In the imperial study.
“Yunxi greets Your Majesty,” Yu Yunxi said as she lowered her gaze and bowed slightly.
Feng Yijin sat on the throne, reading a memorial. He did not respond to her.
With this, Yu Yunxi had no choice but to maintain her posture, back and knees slightly bent. She knew Feng Yijin was deliberately making things difficult for her. Fortunately, her endurance was very good after she had learned martial arts. In the past, her godfather had made her stand in the horse stance for more than ten hours. In comparison, her current posture was nothing. She was more concerned about what method Feng Yijin would use to deal with her this time.
Finally, after a long time, Feng Yijin put down the memorial in his hand and looked at Yu Yunxi before he said, “Rise.
Feng Yijin asked in a deceptively light tone, “So you killed a pack of wolves in the imperial garden?”
“Since it’s to liven the atmosphere, I naturally had to work hard. Otherwise… I might make the Fourth Princess unhappy, ” Yu Yunxi replied calmly, pushing all the responsibility away with the words ‘liven up the atmosphere’.
Feng Yijin snorted. He exerted his aura of an emperor as he asked imperiously, “By killing the tribute sent by Xichu, are you trying to destroy the relationship between the two countries?”
Yu Yunxi’s heart sank as she thought to herself, ‘So he was waiting for me
here…’
“Your Majesty, the people of Xichu are brave and good at fighting. I heard that even children there can ride horses and fight at the age of ten. They must think that our country’s people are like that as well when they gave us the wolves. Today, I, a young woman, was able to subdue the wolves. I’m sure when news of this spread to Xichu, they’d think our country is extremely powerful. After all, even a weak woman like me was about to subdue those wolves,” Yu Yunxi said in a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing.
In the next moment, Yu Yunxi added, “Your Majesty, when our ancestors laid down the law, the crime of murder is at the top of the list of serious crimes. This did not include the slaughter of animals. This meant that they valued the lives of humans more than those of animals. No matter how noble the wolves were, how could they compare to humans… If I didn’t make a move back then, I’m afraid I would’ve already been killed by the wolves. If that happened, that would cause panic not only in the palace, but outside as well.”
Feng Yijin scoffed and said in an unfriendly tone, “You’re quite eloquent.”
However, based on his tone, it seemed like he no longer intended to pursue the matter. After all, she had praised him greatly earlier. If he continued to pursue the matter, did it not mean that he, the Emperor, was narrow-minded and petty? Moreover, the Fourth Princess was clearly in the wrong, and many people had witnessed it.
Feng Yijin was also angry at Feng Weiping. She tried to scheme against others but left so many troubles behind. What a waste of his teachings.
After a moment, Feng Yijin said, “I heard you opened a medical hall in the capital and that it’s rather popular. Half of the people in the capital go there when they’re sick.”
“It was my mother’s medical hall. I’m just inheriting her legacy,” Yu Yunxi said. Her tone eased greatly when she spoke about this.
When Yu Yunxi mentioned her mother, Feng Yijin’s expression and gaze darkened slightly. After a long time, he said, “I’ve been having headaches recently. Help me take a look.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Yu Yunxi said easily. She had no intention of refusing from the beginning until now. She was very obedient, looking as though she had no temper at all. After all, her godfather said that if one’s opponent is stronger, one should hide one’s edge and wait for the right opportunity to strike.
After checking Feng Yijin’s pulse, Yu Yunxi said, “Your Majesty, your headaches are caused by your worrying about the country day and night.”
“All of my princes make me worry. Some officials are incompetent, and some are too cunning. How can I not worry?” Feng Yijin said mockingly.
Yu Yunxi knew what he meant, but she did not think his excuse was valid.
When the Great Ancestor was alive, Tianxia was strong and prosperous. This was because the Great Ancestor knew how to grasp power in his hands, but he also knew when to give power to others. He did not use people he suspected, and he did not doubt those he employed.
In the beginning, Xinan did not have a large troop numbering hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The Great Ancestor fought many battles in his life and had many soldiers loyal to him. He trusted the King of Xinan at that time and moved the soldiers to Xinan.
At that time, the land of Xinan was barren. Although there were enough resources to feed and clothe the army, there were other problems that came from having such a large troop in one place as well. The King of Xinan faced many problems at that time, but fortunately, after many years of reform, things in Xinan improved by many folds. The soldiers also became sharp weapons on the battlefield.
However, after Xinan had changed for the better, Feng Yijin, the current Emperor, wanted to take away Xinan’s military power. However, his idea was not well thought out at all.
The geography of Xinan was special, and Nanyue County had always been eyeing Xinan. If Xinan did not hold strong military power, they would not be able to guard the city tower, and the morale of the troops would be low. If the military power was really handed to the Emperor, it would also spell the destruction of the King of Xinan’s Residence. That was the day that everyone in Xinan feared.
All of a sudden, Feng Yijin asked as he narrowed his eyes, “The Crown Prince has been too disappointing lately. If the Crown Prince’s position is vacant, who do you think should move into the Eastern Palace?”
He did not hide his intention to probe Yu Yunxi at all.
Yu Yunxi gave a vague answer. “All the princes are like dragons among men. No matter who it is, as long as he can help the country and people, he would be a suitable candidate.”
Feg Yijin snorted. “You were so eloquent earlier, but you’re so cautious with your words in regard to this matter. Alright, that’s all for today. You may leave.”
‘That’s all? He’s letting me off so quickly?’
Yu Yunxi was perplexed, unable to guess Feng Yijin’s intention.
However, just as she was about to leave, Feng Yili suddenly spoke. This time, his tone was unfriendly again.
“You’re the goddaughter of the King of Xinan, after all. Sooner or later, you’ll have to return to Xinan. Don’t tell me the Prince Regent’s Residence should be left without a female master? You should mention the matter of marrying a side consort to Ninth Imperial Brother. Since you’re so intelligent, I’ll give you a month to deal with this matter,” Feng Yijin said, sounding threatening nearing the end of his words. The unsaid threat was: If you fail to persuade Ninth Imperial Brother after a month, you’ll be punished.
‘Ha, your calculations are really good. Since you can’t do anything to Feng Yili, you decided to start with me? Whether I succeed or not, it won’t harm you at all,’ Yu Yunxi thought to herself as she sneered inwardly. She inhaled deeply and suppressed her anger before she said, “I understand, Your Majesty.”
When Yu Yunxi walked out of the imperial study, she had yet to relax, and she saw Feng Yili. She frowned when she saw the expression on his face, wondering if he was unhappy because of what she had said inside. She opened her mouth to explain that she had only perfunctorily agreed to Feng Yijin’s request. It was up to him whether he married a side consort or not.
However, before she could say anything, Feng Yili strode over before he pulled her into his arms and buried his face against her neck. His voice was hoarse as he said over and over again, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
Yu Yunxi froze, unable to comprehend his actions. She asked softly, “Feng Yili, what’s wrong?”
“I failed you, failed to protect you,” Feng Yili said hoarsely in a shaky voice as he held her shoulders tightly. He had already heard about what happened from Jiang Ying. As it turned out, she had left him for that reason.
‘Did you think I would despise you so you left without hesitation back then?’
Feng Yili really wanted to ask her this, but he did not dare to do so, afraid of reopening her old wounds.
After a moment, without giving her a chance to refuse, he said, “Let’s go back
to the Prince Regent’s Residence..”