Chapter 280 – Obvious Consequences (1)
Feng Ren and his son sat inside a swiftly moving carriage.
The rumbling of the wheels mixed with the bustling noise outside, yet it could not shatter the peculiar silence between the two.
After a long while, Feng Ren sighed and broke the silence, casually asking, “Is your arm still hurting?”
Feng Jin remained seated upright, his face an uncharacteristic pale, and his thin lips had an ominous bluish tinge. The wound on his right arm had already been treated by the medical officer, but the blood had soaked through most of his sleeve and arm, still wet and giving off a strong scent that filled the carriage, making him look rather pitiful.
“It’s not hurting as much anymore…” Feng Jin replied, lowering his head, then hesitantly asked, “Father, about the Official Master…”
Feng Ren interrupted him, stating, “The Official Master is probably dead set on marrying off to the three tribes of the Northern Frontier to stabilize the border situation through familial ties… Such naive schemes wouldn’t impress even a child, yet the Official Master… turns out he just can’t stand up straight!”
Each word from his father tightened the knot in Feng Jin’s stomach, making it feel like a small drum was pounding relentlessly in his chest.
His father’s implication was clear… preparing to give up on the hopeless Dongqing royal family?
“You were a bit reckless today. If it weren’t for that kid from Liu Zhongqing’s family being skilled in martial arts, it wouldn’t just be a wounded arm.”
Feng Ren’s voice was laced with a mix of pity and anger; after all, it was his son who was hurt. A wound to his son was a wound to his heart.
Feng Jin kept his eyes downcast, quietly listening to his father’s reprimand.
He wasn’t one to seek the spotlight, but today he had clashed with the Northern Frontier warriors and even got injured, which was a choice he had calculated.
If he had stepped up, he would have only ended up hurt; but allowing the Northern warriors to target the heir of the Northern Baron would have surely led to loss of life.
Everyone knew that the Southern tribes were like hungry wolves eyeing Dongqing, and the Northern Baron’s residence was the last line of defense. If anything happened to the heir today, who knew how the schemers would seize the opportunity? The three Northern tribes would become even more arrogant!
Perhaps due to family influence, both Feng Jin and Feng Ren shared an indifference toward who the Emperor was.
Yet, Feng Jin was still young, burning with righteous fervor. He couldn’t just sit and watch today’s events become the spark for the complete downfall of the Northern Baron’s household. If the three Northern tribes went unchecked, they would march south, invading deep into Dongqing, resulting in tragedy!
So, Feng Jin had protected the Northern Baron’s heir, bravely charging forth to confront the Northern warriors’ provocations, and got hurt in the process.
If it weren’t for his quick thinking in calling for Jiang Pengji as a backup, he feared he would have faced a fate worse than just a wounded arm.
Thinking of Jiang Pengji brought a slight warmth to Feng Jin’s expression.
At this moment, he slightly understood the tales of gallant heroes who risked it all for their brothers.
But then, Feng Ren changed the topic, somewhat angrily saying, “But did you think about what if that kid couldn’t fight and ended up getting wrapped into your mess?”
Feng Jin was left speechless, ready to argue that Jiang Pengji was indeed skilled, yet Feng Ren didn’t give him a chance to speak.
“Forget it, let’s just consider it a favor owed to Liu Zhongqing. We can repay it another time.”
Once again, silence fell inside the carriage.
Feng Ren closed his eyes, beginning to strategize their path ahead.
The Dongqing royal family had evidently become a pile of unhelpful mud, unable to regain control over the power held by the noble families. The man in charge, foolishly, kept making absurd decisions, secretly supporting the relatives of courtesans, encouraging eunuch factions, trying to stir the waters for personal gain.
And what was the result?
The struggle between noble families, eunuchs, and increasingly powerful relatives grew fiercer, while the current Emperor held grand ambitions but lacked the means to reign them in. What was once merely about noble power had morphed into a threat that could engulf the entire court and all of Dongqing.
The Feng family had endured over a thousand years; what storms hadn’t they weathered?
Dongqing was like a leaky ship, at any moment it could sink.
Now was the time to withdraw quickly while waiting for the tides of the world to settle.
But in a fleeting moment, Feng Ren had already formed a plan, while next to him, Feng Jin remained anxious.
The carriage drove straight toward the Shangyang Palace, its towering halls resembling a colossal beast resting on the ground. Though it was already deep into the night, the palace lights blazed brightly, appearing like a dazzling jewel embedded in the earth when viewed from above.
The Emperor, wanting to sit back and watch the chaos, spent his days frolicking with palace maids and concubines in lavish debauchery. Whenever he felt the urge to indulge further, he either sneaked into the homes of ministers in disguise, violating their wives, or forcibly abducted commoners, locking them in the palace, leaving the capital’s officials furious yet unable to voice their anger.
Feng Ren had once held hopes for this Emperor, caring enough to speak his mind out of indignation, but unsurprisingly, it had earned him the Emperor’s disdain.
If it weren’t for him being the head of the Feng family, the Emperor would hardly dare to act against him; he would probably have long lost his position, with his entire family facing repercussions.
“My Lord, you seem quite eager today. At this hour, the Emperor has already retired for the night…”
Feng Ren snorted coldly, his gaze sharp as if piercing through ice, his hardened demeanor starkly contrasting with his usual amiable image.
Feng Ren waved his sleeve angrily, “Already sleeping? Liu the Eunuch, that’s a tale even a three-year-old child wouldn’t believe! Do you think I’m some naive fool? We both know what kind of person the Emperor is. If I don’t see him today, I won’t leave.”
Inside the palace, seductive sounds had long filled the air; the atmosphere reeked of excessive luxury, and he was to be told that the Emperor had already gone to bed?
Did they really think he, Feng Xiande, was a three-year-old child?
Liu the Eunuch, lacking any roots, had a voice that was exceptionally shrill and looked androgynous, but climbing up to the position of Central Eunuch in such a cutthroat environment like Shangyang Palace and gaining the Emperor’s trust meant his skills in reading the room were nothing short of impressive.
He forced a laugh, “My Lord, arriving at the Palace so late, I should have notified the Emperor right away. However, the Emperor has been troubled by the Northern Frontier issues lately, often enraged, so it’s a bit challenging for me. Would you, my Lord, please tell me what’s so urgent that you need to report? If it truly matters, I can take the risk of punishment to relay it.”
Usually, Feng Ren would be infuriated by such undermining behaviors and would leave in annoyance, unwilling to argue with a eunuch.
Yet today, he simply answered with a cold smile, “Resignation.”
Liu the Eunuch’s face changed dramatically, nervously exclaiming, “What’s happened to provoke such fury in you, my Lord? Resigning from office is no small matter; once those words are spoken, it’s like spilled water… What are you…”
Feng Ren maintained a stern expression, “It appears the Emperor truly has gone to sleep. I won’t disturb him, we’ll write to the Emperor tomorrow…”
Liu the Eunuch dared not stop him, hastily going inside to deliver the message.
Even he knew that Feng Ren’s resignation at this moment would only pour gasoline on the fire.
Feng Jin secretly looked around the elegantly extravagant Shangyang Palace and then at the arrogant Liu the Eunuch, a chill spreading in his heart.
Feng Ren forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “Then I’ll leave the rest to you, Liu the Eunuch.”
Liu the Eunuch felt a prickling anxiety over his scalp; even though he was used to wielding power and authority, facing a serious figure like Feng Ren made him feel an uncontrollable sense of humility and apprehension, like clouds in the sky versus mud on the ground.
