âYi er,1 if the crown prince isnât deposed, then you wouldnât be able to be at ease. Only when he truly falls from power would we be able to celebrate.â
Seeing the happiness of her son, Lin Ke Xin couldnât help but point that out. âNot only can you not be happy. Instead, you must pretend to be concerned. You also need to plead for your imperial big brother and leave a good impression in front of your emperor father. Having the two to compare, your emperor father naturally will understand who is the most appropriate heir to the throne in the end.â
âYes! This subject son thanks consort motherâs teachings!â Although he was saying that, but inside Wanyan Yiâs heart, he was indeed very happy. In the past, Wanyan Hong relied on his status as the crown prince and gave him a hard time. Now, itâs great. He actually came with an incest between siblings and was caught in the act by emperor father. It seemed that he wouldnât be able to turn his fortune any longer.
How could Lin Ke Xin not know her sonâs thoughts. She couldnât help but be worried. Although Wanyan Yi performed well, but he was still somewhat immature. When meeting with unexpected things, he was unable to remain calm. However, with her, this consort mother covering him, she definitely wouldnât let this throne fall into anotherâs hand.
âThatâs right, Yi er, what has your little brother been doing recently?â
âBefore, ah Kang had been frequently running to Nan Lin wangfu.2 These days, Feng Cang and Feng Qi Qi are not there. So he mostly stayed at his palace and didnât go anywhere.â
Mentioning this playboy and incompetent little brother, Wanyan Yiâs eyes couldnât help but flash disdain. Although he and Wanyan Kang came from the same mother, but he looked down upon this little brother who idled his time away.
Every day, he was smiling mischievously. It seemed that there wasnât a time when he had been serious. Suh a brother was somewhat a shame.
âConsort mother, I feel that Feng Cang and Feng Qi Qiâs relationship are not ordinary. These days, Feng Cang doesnât appear. It looked like he took Feng Qi Qi out for a scenic tour. Could it be that they also want to commit incest?! If itâs like that, then that would be great. It would be good enough to take them down at once!â
Lin Ke Xin didnât agree with Wanyan Yiâs argument. Although Feng Cang and Feng Qi Qiâs relationship was out of the ordinary, but how could the crown prince be compared to Feng Cang, âYi er, donât touch Feng Cang for now. Youâre not his opponent!â
Wanyan Yi didnât put this advice from Lin Ke Xin in his heart. After verbally promising Lin Ke Xin, Wanyan Yi went out of the palace and summoned his confidant.
âYour Highness, you want to kill Feng Cang?â The moment Sun Xing heard Wanyan Yiâs idea, he was shocked. âYour highness, Nan Lin wang3 isnât someone ordinary, ah! Not to mention the eagle troop under him, even he is very skilled. Your highness, killing Feng Cang is not like a child playing a house; itâs not childâs play. Asking Your Highness to reconsider!â
Sun Xingâs words were the same as Lin Ke Xinâs. This made Wanyan Yi frown.
âThis prince feeds you not to let you help the oppositionâs aspiration, while undermining our own power and prestige! Itâs not like you need to do it with your own hands. Could it be that you donât know how to find an assassin?! Use your pigâs brain, alright! This prince isnât fighting with Feng Cang on a battlefield. This prince wants to play underhanded tricks!â
Although Sun Xing was not too happy after being scolded by Wanyan Yi, but the other party was the master. He couldnât refute him.
âYour Highness, if you really want to find an assassin to kill Feng Cang, then I suggest doing it on the night of the fifteenth. I heard that demon wangâs power is the weakest on the night of the full moon. Killing him at that time would most likely be successful.â
âEven if you donât say this, this crown prince knows. I ask you, which organization is the best at assassinations in this jianghu?â4
âMoyu and Fo Sheng Men are about the same. Itâs just, Moyu is the best at using poisons and killing without a trace. Moyuâs assassins are also famous throughout the jianghu.â
After Sun Xingâs explanation, Wanyan Yi completely understood. After thinking for a while, Wanyan Yue issued a command to Sun Xing, âLook for Moyu! Since Moyuâs assassins are the best, give them five thousand golden teals! This prince wants Feng Cangâs head!â
âYes...,â Sun Xing knew that no matter how much he persuaded, Wanyan Yiâs mind was set. He (SX) could only do according to his (WY) wishes.
When Wu Qing appeared in front of Murong Qi Qi, they had already spent a few days happily in this small town.
These past few days, Feng Cang and Murong Qi Qi was like any other ordinary couple. They were inseparable and watched the sunrise and sunset. In the morning, the two would go buy ingredients hand in hand. When they came back, Murong Qi Qi would wash the vegetables and Feng Cang would cook. The days flew away very ordinarily and simply, but it was full of warmth.
âMiss, someone paid a lot of money for guyeâs5 head.â Wu Qing stood respectfully in front of Murong Qi Qi. He roughly told the matter of Wanyan Yi coming to find them and wanting them to kill Feng Cang on the night of the full moon.
âHow much?â Murong Qi Qi snuggled lazily in Feng Cangâs arms. Want her people to kill Feng Cang? Feces mustâve entered this Wanyan Yiâs head! Why didnât he inquire first, ah?!
âFive thousand golden teals.â
When she heard that it was only five thousand golden teals, Murong Qi Qi laughed with a âpuchiâ sound. She raised her head and looked at Feng Cang, âDidnât expect that the famous Nan Lin wang was only worth five thousand. Really so...cheap.â
âCang, why donât you give me ten thousand golden teals? Then this matter would be forgotten! My people had run an errand. You should at least give them some money to buy them drinks, ah!â Murong Qi Qiâs fingers jumped on Feng Cangâs palm like someone dancing ballet.
The itch coming from his palm made Feng Cang grasp Murong Qi Qiâs soft body and put her small hands on his lips. He kissed it a bit, âWhat if I say no?â
âThen, itâs easy!â Murong Qi Qi pulled back her hand and turned to look at Wu Qing, âWu Qing, issue the âChasing lifeâ command. Rewarding ten thousand golden teals for killing demon wang plus the award of âthe best killer of the yearâ.â
Listening to his miss, the originally ruthless expression on Wu Qingâs face twitched a bit. âMiss, really?â
âHehe, of course itâs real....â Feng Cang picked her up. âQing Qing, could it be that you want to murder your husband?â
âCang...,â His name was stretched out as Murong Qi Qi spoke. âIf not, then how can I have an affair?!â
A âhave an affairâ completely made Feng Cang angry. Leaving Wu Qing, he returned to the room while holding Murong Qi Qi. âIt must be because this husband didnât satisfy Qing Qing. Thatâs why Qing Qing wants someone else. It seemed that before, my love was too gentle. If now, I donât let Qing Qing see the real me, Qing Qing will certainly think that Iâm useless and jump into anotherâs arms.â
âDonât...hehe, so itchy...donât, I was joking...â
How could Feng Cang comply with Murong Qi Qiâs plea now. Now, his skills at taking off clothes were becoming better and better.
Feng Cang still couldnât help but sigh. This woman was certainly sent by heaven to torture him.
A starving wolf throwing oneself at food; the consequences could be imagined. Even when it became night, Murong Qi Qi still didnât appear. When Feng Cang came out, Wu Qing had already cooked and also prepared wine.
The two men didnât bother with their relationship of master and servant and sat down. They ate big mouthfuls of meat and drank lots of wine.
Originally, Wu Qing didnât know Feng Cang too well. Now, after seeing that he (FC) was also someone so straightforward, he (WQ) revealed a thin smile. It seemed that miss didnât choose the wrong person.
After a few cups of wine, Wu Qing was tipsy and he also became more talkative.
âWhen miss first arrived, she was reluctant to speak. Every day, she would just follow sir Mozun to practice martial arts. She didnât rest for a moment. At that time, miss was just ten years old, but in her eyes, she had the coldness and ruthlessness of an adult.â
âSir Mozun loved miss very much. He always tried to tease her into speaking. However, no matter if he did a joker face or anything else, miss still had a cold expression. Her eyes were empty. Her gaze obviously fell on you, but there was no you in her eyes. It made peopleâs hearts ache for her. Only after two years did miss slowly begin to speak. Later, her personality also gradually became cheerful. When sir Mozun passed away, miss was already in charge of Moyu.â
Feng Cang never knew Murong Qi Qi had such a past. Just the thought of the appearance of the ten-year-old Murong Qi Qi who didnât speak, made Feng Cangâs heart twitch from pain.
âMiss is our Moyuâs treasure. Before, when I heard that miss needed to marry you, I objected very much. In my eyes, miss is my little sister. I didnât want her to suffer the slightest grievances. Once, I even thought about killing you...â
Wu Qing confessing his thoughts so honestly made Feng Cang admire this person in front of him. He was named Wu Qing (heartless), but he was someone who took friendship seriously.
âHowever, ever since miss began to stay with you, the smiles on her face became more and more cheerful by the day. Seeing missâs happiness, weâre all also very happy. These few years, miss suffered much for Moyu. We, Moyu owe miss. So, in our eyes, missâs happiness is more important than our lives!â
âI know.â Feng Cang understood the meaning of Wu Qingâs words. He also made a promise to Wu Qing and also to the Moyu he represented, âI will cherish her like how I cherish my eyes.â
Wu Qing stared at Feng Cangâs eyes and was silent for a long time. In the end, he nodded, âYou better remember todayâs promise. Miss takes relationships very seriously. If you betray miss, sheâd certainly rather flee and wouldnât touch you a bit. However, miss is like that, but we wonât let it go. If you hurt miss, even if thereâs only one person left in Moyu, he/she would also kill you to take revenge for miss!â
After speaking, Wu Qing drank the cup of wine in one gulp and showed the bottom of the cup to Feng Cang. Feng Cang smiled and also drained his cup. The charm of menâs promise lied in what was left unsaid.
After that, Wu Qing and Feng Cang talked in detail about the recent happenings at the capital. Especially, the dark movements of the imperial family.
âI know you donât want to bring miss into these whirlpools. Itâs just, even if you hide, what needs to come would still come in the end. I hope that when youâre met with danger, you could be like how you said and protect our miss...Although, miss may not need your protection.â
When Wu Qing left, the sky was shining hazily. Looking at Wu Qingâs back, Feng Cang felt that this person was a real man. Besides, he was someone worthy of someoneâs admiration. The things of the capital had come a bit too fast. So fast, that it was outside of his expectations. It was just, since it would come sooner or later, why couldnât he catch it without a momentâs hesitation?!
âCang, whatâs the matter?â Murong Qi Qi who had just woken up appeared behind Feng Cang. Her hands hugged him from behind.
Feng Cang didnât hide it from Murong Qi Qi. Instead, he told her the news that Wu Qing brought, âQing Qing, what do you think we should do?â
âWhat we should do? Continue the honeymoon! The matters of the imperial family have nothing to do with us. Since second prince likes to toss around, then let them go make trouble for themselves. Sandpiper and clam war together and the fisherman catches both. Why donât we watch quietly and be the outsiders?!â
Sandpiper and clam war together and the fisherman catches both: neighbors who canât agree lose out to a third party
A few simple words from Murong Qi Qi let Feng Cang see the great wisdom of this woman. She was like the roundworm in his belly and saw the struggle of the imperial family clearly. Really, getting such a wife, what more could a husband ask?!
âSince Qing Qing said so, this husband could only follow the instruction of my wife! The scenery of this small town is so great. Letâs spend a few more days here!â
These two people made up their minds to be outsiders and watch a play. Inside the palace, empress dowager Dongfang Lanâs ears had been disturbed without end by the empressâs crying.
âEmpress mother, Hong er was definitely set up by someone! What kind of person he usually is, could you not know?! Empress mother, it certainly must be that someone is jealous of us, this pair of mother and son. Thatâs why that person had set a trap. The purpose is to get Hong erâs position of crown prince!â
Li Bingâs eyes were red from crying. She was completely not in her usual dignified and decent state. Wanyan Hong had been imprisoned by Wanyan Lie. Wanyan Lie didnât even allow her, the empress, to go see him. He also said that if she went to visit Wanyan Hong, he would strip her of her phoenix crown. Thatâs why, Li Bing went to vent her feelings at Dongfang Lanâs.
âItâs useless for you to cry here at aijiaâs.6 The emperor saw this thing with his own eyes. It was not someone else who let him go there.â Dongfang Lan was also very angry at Wanyan Hongâs ugly act. Itâs alright no matter what kind of women you like, but to actually do it with your own little sister...Ay, really a misfortune of the imperial family, ah!
âEmpress mother, you need to help chenqie!7 Bao Zhu, that girl, insisted that it was Hong er who forced here. How could Hong er commit incest with his little sister?! From chenqieâs point of view, this thing mustâve been colluded by Bao Zhu with that one in Jingxin hall!â
Li Bing kept saying that Lin Ke Xin was the one behind it, making Dongfang Lan get a headache. Not a day or two goes by without these two women fighting each other in the palace. No matter what, wasnât it just for the throne? Could it be that, that position was really so good?
âAijia wonât meddle in this matter and also couldnât meddle in it. Aijia is already old. Itâs been so long that aijia doesnât ask about these things...â Dongfang Lan gestured with her hand to let Qing Gu send the guest off.
âEmpress mother, the emperor had always been filial and would certainly listen to you! Woo, woo, chenqie only has this one son Hong er. If something happens to him, chenqie also canât live anymore!â Dongfang Lan refusing to help was in the expectations of Li Bing. However, she couldnât accept that her son missed the position of crown prince so narrowly.
Now, Li Bing knelt in front of Dongfang Lan. While she kowtowed, she cried. She looked very pitiful. Probably, all mothers in the world would be like this. It was just, this matter was related to the throne. Dongfang Lan couldnât help her.
Although Wanyan Hong was the crown prince, but his words and deeds didnât have the posture of an emperor. If such a person became the emperor, the ones who would suffer would be the citizens. Dongfang Lan couldnât disregard the country and its people because of her love for her grandson.
They should let the right person sit on the throne. Wanyan Hong isnât approporate, so he should let someone else sit on it.
Dongfang Lanâs thoughts were the same as Wanyan Lieâs. After imprisoning Wanyan Hong for a few days, Wanyan Lie finally appeared in front of him. Seeing his sonâs decadent face, Wanyan Lie hated the iron for not becoming steel.
Hated the iron for not becoming steel: to feel resentful towards somebody for failing to meet their expectations and impatient to see improvements
âDo you know that youâre wrong?â
âThis subject son doesnât know.â A bandage was wrapped around Wanyan Hongâs head. Although he was imprisoned, but his treatment had not been harsh. So, his complexion wasnât that bad.
âYou did such a thing to your little sister and youâre still not wrong?â Seeing Wanyan Hongâs indifferent expression, Wanyan Lie became very angry. Because of being stirred up, the veins of his hands were exposed. One by one, they became exceptionally obvious.
âHahahaha!â Being talked to like that by his father, made Wanyan Hong laugh out loud. He cried from laughing. He reached out to wipe his tears. His eyes stared at the man in front of him wearing a dragon robe.
âEmperor father, troubling you to look clearly. Where does that woman look like Bao Zhu? She just wore a human skin mask. Hahaha!â
Wanyan Hongâs words made Wanyan Lie shocked. He nodded, and Jing De immediately went to the room next door. Just a while later, Jing De came over with a human skin mask and handed it over to Wanyan Lie.
âDid you see, emperor father?! This is a human skin mask! Although this subject son really wanted to learn to commit incest like emperor father, but this subject son doesnât have a number one beauty of the world as little sister, ah!â
1. Er: term of endearment
2. Wangfu: residence of the prince of first rank
3. Wang/wangye: prince of first rank
4. Jianghu: world of martial arts
5. Guye: son-in-law, used by the servants of the female family
6. Aijia: I, used by an empress dowager
7. Chenqie: this subject wife/ I, used by the wives of the imperial family