Mu Han Yao noticed that Feng Autian remembered the recent incident, and his expression immediately turned cold. He turned his head to avoid her approaching lips. “Regent, what you mentioned just now doesn’t count since it’s for the future.”
Feng Autian raised an eyebrow and said in a deep voice, “Are you questioning my words?”
“Your words are trustworthy, how could I question them?” Mu Han Yao replied while subtly shifting his body to maintain a certain distance from her.
“If you don’t give me a smile, then I won’t say it,” Feng Autian said somewhat disappointedly as she stood up and walked toward the bed.
Mu Han Yao turned his gaze to watch Feng Autian’s relaxed figure in ordinary clothes. After contemplating for a moment, if they could overcome this natural barrier, it would permanently separate the borders of Feng Country and Qi Nation. Even if Qi Nation mobilized again in the future, they wouldn’t have any worries.
His father and General Leng, the fathers of both him and Qianye, died successively at this natural barrier. Despite their continuous efforts, they had yet to find a way to conquer it.
Two years ago, he was exiled to the stone quarry, while Qianye was summoned back to the capital by the regent shortly afterward and never returned. Now, as he pondered, he couldn’t help but ask, “Regent, there is something unclear to me, and I hope the regent can enlighten me.”
Feng Autian leisurely sat on the bed, looking directly at Mu Han Yao. “What is unclear?”
“I don’t know where Leng Qianye is now?” Mu Han Yao asked directly, without any reservations.
Feng Autian’s eyes darkened slightly. Leng Qianye? The name sounded very familiar. She narrowed her eyes, recalling the mentions of Marshal Leng and General Leng by Li Su yesterday. It became apparent that Leng Qianye was the General Leng referred to in his words.
Back then, Marshal Mu died in battle when Mu Hanyao was young. Later, the Mu family army was led by Marshal Leng, who also died in battle a few years ago. Later, Leng Qianye fought for his father and went to the military camp to meet Mu Han Yao guarded the border together. Leng Qianye was good at arranging troops, while Mu Hanyao was good at using troops. In this way, the two of them cooperated well in both civil and military affairs.
In Feng Autian’s mind, the figure of Leng Qianye couldn’t help but surface. Such a person, with that appearance and temperament, could become a decisive and ruthless general. It sparked a hint of curiosity in Feng Autian. However, now that Leng Qianye was imprisoned in the regent’s dungeon, she would meet him after returning to the capital.
“He is in my palace,” Feng Autian replied unabashedly. “Do you want to see him?”
“If he comes, it will be a great help to me,” Mu Han Yao replied in a low voice.
Feng Autian sneered, reclining on the bed with her waist-length black hair scattered in front of her like a waterfall. “After I return to the capital, we’ll discuss this matter again.”
Mu Han Yao understood Feng Autian’s implied meaning, indicating her reluctance to release Leng Qianye. Without further questions, he continued to ponder strategies to break through the defenses.
Feng Autian paid no attention to him and lay down to rest, contemplating the road back to the capital. Eunuch Feng was in the Regent’s Palace, and there was no news of any unusual movements. This seemed too calm, and the more so, the more It shows that changes have quietly occurred in the capital.
As the morning light approached, Mu Han Yao was still contemplating strategies for breaking through but had gained no insights.
Feng Autian got up and walked to the desk, naturally raising her hand to touch Mu Han Yao’s hair. Sensing it, he evaded early, avoiding her hand. She nonchalantly withdrew her hand, thinking that it had become a habit over the years.
Raised among wolves since childhood, the alpha wolf and the mother wolf that cared for her used to stroke her head, comforting and encouraging her. Therefore, she had maintained this habit over the years, even with her people.
“Tomorrow, I will return to the capital, and you have only one day to decide. Make your choice wisely,” Feng Autian said, standing with hands behind her back, a hint of mischief flashing across her exquisite face.
After a moment of silence, Mu Hanyao quickly stood up from his chair and respectfully said, “Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”
“Give me a smile,” Feng Autian demanded persistently.
Mu Hanyao’s expression sank. He looked at her for a while, and though his stern face didn’t reveal a smile, there was a slight tightening of his lips before he suppressed it.
Seeing Mu Hanyao’s struggle, Feng Autian sighed in frustration. Was it so difficult for him to smile? Was she that terrifying? She darkened her gaze, “You can smile at a horse but not at me?” She pointed to the map, “Retreat to advance, make a strategic move.”
Mu Hanyao followed the markings on the map, carefully pondering her words. His deep eyes sparkled with understanding, and he looked up at her, “I appreciate Your Highness’s guidance.”
“Your Highness, we will arrive in the capital in half an hour,” Si Xi walked alongside the imperial carriage, surrounded by guards. Despite the danger they faced on this journey, Si Xi still couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.
“Very well, head straight back to the residence,” Feng Autian said calmly from within the imperial carriage. Reflecting on the month-long journey from the border to the capital, there were numerous large-scale assassination attempts, at least ten, and even smaller-scale ones.
The reason why she chose to return to the capital with such great fanfare was to know the dangerous situation she was in now, and how many assassinations were carried out by the capital.
On the eastern city tower of the capital, a figure in bright yellow, looking no more than seven or eight years old, stood confidently with hands behind the back. Despite the tender age, the young face exuded an imposing dignity.
Si Xi was aware that the Emperor himself would come to greet them, but with no explicit command from the Regent, the imperial carriage continued its journey forward.
“Your Highness, the Emperor is personally welcoming you into the city. Shouldn’t you…” Si Xi lifted his gaze, observing the imperial guards on both sides of the city gate, and asked in a low voice.
“Back to the residence,” Feng Autian said in a low voice, a touch of coldness playing at the corners of her mouth. The tactics of the young Emperor were not to be underestimated.
“Yes,” Si Xi replied, signaling for the imperial carriage to continue forward.
As the imperial carriage entered the city gate, they saw the young Emperor in bright yellow already standing at the gate.
In addition to the young Emperor, officials, and generals from the entire court were present, all kneeling on the ground. “We pay respects to the Regent, long live, long live, long live a thousand years!”
“Uncle Emperor, you’ve had a hard journey. Upon hearing of your return to the capital, I specially came to greet you.” A voice, young but steady, rang out. The young Emperor, with a friendly smile, walked towards the imperial carriage.
Feng Autian remained seated in the imperial carriage, her lips slightly curved. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I’m a bit fatigued from the journey, so I will return to the residence to rest.”
Without stepping down from the carriage, without even the most basic etiquette between monarch and subject, her deep voice echoed from within the imperial carriage. Disregarding the young Emperor in front of the carriage, the imperial carriage continued to move forward.
“In that case, Uncle Emperor, please return to the residence and rest well.” The young Emperor showed no signs of displeasure; instead, he expressed concern. After saying this, he turned around, automatically clearing the way for the Regent’s imperial carriage to proceed.
Seeing this, the court officials had various thoughts, knowing well that the Regent never regarded the Emperor highly. No one dared to speak more, all kneeling to the side until the Regent’s imperial carriage departed. When they lifted their eyes, they saw the Emperor standing solemnly in place.
The little emperor watched the regent leave with a smile on his face, then turned around and sat down in the dragon chariot. The smile on his lips disappeared, and there was a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes before he drove back to the palace.
