Chapter 64: Ye Feng Returns to Tianwu

As the sixth watch approached, a light drizzle cloaked the gray-tiled buildings in a melancholy atmosphere.

At the main gate of the Duke of State’s residence:

“Father.”

“Fen’er.”

Father and son embraced each other emotionally. They had been separated for years, and now, upon reuniting, their feelings were difficult to conceal.

Ye Tiance’s large hand repeatedly patted Ye Feng’s shoulder as he exclaimed, “Good, good! You’ve got some of my style from back in the day!”

If not for the swift horse that had arrived earlier with news, he wouldn’t have believed his son was truly returning.

“Wait, you didn’t sneak back, did you?” Ye Tiance’s eagle eyes narrowed. This brat of his own might really do such a thing when he learned that his daughter was about to get married. 

He knew his son all too well.

“Father, I returned with an imperial edict,” Ye Feng protested, quickly producing the document to dispel Ye Tiance’s doubts. 

He had merely returned discreetly; he’d have to be mad to risk the family’s necks by coming back without permission.

“That’s good. You must be exhausted after traveling all the way back from the northern border.” Ye Tiance’s expression changed in an instant and he asked with concern.

“Father, you’re worrying too much. What’s the point of being tired as long as I can go home?”

“Father, is Liyan still not awake?” Ye Feng asked, his tone softening as he deliberately lowered his voice. 

Apart from his father, his daughter was now the person he worried about most in this household – and the one he owed the most.

“She should still be asleep,” Ye Tiance shook his head.

“Father, I’ll head to the palace to report in first,” Ye Feng said, standing at the bottom of the steps wearing a straw rain cape. 

He had only stopped briefly at the family gate; since no one had seen him, it shouldn’t count as breaking protocol, right? If it did, he’d make up for it with his service.

For him, being able to see his family and attend his daughter’s wedding was already an immense blessing.

“Fen’er, you go ahead. I’ll be there shortly,” Ye Tiance nodded. It was time for the morning court session.

The timing of this rascal’s return was truly inconvenient. Today would likely involve no small amount of verbal sparring.

“Yes, Father!”

At the King of Chu’s residence:

Shen Yian strode out of his room, donning new attire.

“Your Highness, where are you going so early?” Mendu, who happened to be passing through the courtyard, hurried forward to inquire.

“Prepare the carriage. I’m attending court,” Shen Yian said with a light smile.

His father-in-law had returned; he ought to make an appearance.

He had a feeling today’s court session would be quite lively.

Hearing this, Mendu went to make preparations, somewhat puzzled.

It seems the sun is rising from the west today! His Highness is actually attending court! What a rare occurrence!

Inside the Imperial Palace:

A group of civil and military officials were walking towards the Imperial Hall, yawning and chatting idly.

“Ah, it’s raining again. My old back…”

“Minister Li, you must take care to stay warm!”

“Old Bao! I heard your son was bitten by a donkey! Haha!”

“Can you stop mentioning that, for heaven’s sake?”

“Holy— Look over there!”

“Hiss!”

Suddenly, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath could be heard from the scattered crowd.

In the distance, Ye Tiance and Ye Feng were walking side by side, wearing armor.

“Damn! Old Ye’s son is back?!” exclaimed an elderly general with a graying beard.

“His Majesty doesn’t seem to have issued an edict for him to come back?”

“I also don’t recall His Majesty issuing such an edict.”

Among the civil officials, a few exchanged glances. It seemed they would have something to do this morning.

Their purpose was to make their presence known. Without that, the official hats on their heads might soon be removed.

“Look there! It’s His Highness the King of Chu!”

“Hm?! His Highness the King of Song is here too!”

The crowd’s attention shifted to the end of the procession.

“Sixth Brother, your new clothes look very nice.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Fourth Brother. Liyan’s handiwork is excellent.”

“I see. I was wondering which tailor in the city had such high standards.”

“Fourth Brother is too kind.”

“Sixth Brother, how has your health been lately?” Shen Jingyu asked with a warm smile.

“Thank you for your concern, Fourth Brother. It was just a cold. I’m much better now,” Shen Yian replied with a smile.

This exchange of pleasantries between the two left the observing officials bewildered.

What was going on?

Usually, these two would just exchange cold greetings when they met. Now they’re showing concern for each other?

Something was definitely off!

The imperial court wasn’t like the martial arts world where it was normal for brothers to suddenly get along better.

Here, it was different. Two princes getting chummy together couldn’t help but make the officials speculate about many things.

Inside the Imperial Hall, the civil and military officials gradually found their positions and stood in place.

On the dragon throne, Emperor Wu opened his slightly lowered eyelids, first looking at Ye Feng, then turning his gaze to Shen Yian and Shen Jingyu, who had entered side by side.

“Sixth Brother, are you feeling better?” Shen Muchen asked softly as Shen Yian approached.

“Thank you for your concern, Elder Brother. It was just a cold. I’m much better now,” Shen Yian replied with a slight smile, choosing to repeat his earlier response.

Every time he conversed with Shen Muchen, Shen Yian felt his internal energy becoming uncontrollable, which was quite unsettling.

Rumor had it that the Taiyi Sect leader, Master Wan Fa, had once divined Shen Muchen’s fate alongside Lu Wenxuan. His destiny was said to be volatile, requiring the vast national fortune of Great Qing to stabilize it into one of its benign forms.

Since returning from his training at the Taiyi Sect, Shen Muchen had been essentially confined to Tianwu City. Under the clan system, his transition from Crown Prince to heir apparent had silenced the officials while allowing him to harness more of the nation’s fortune to firmly maintain his benign destiny.

If he were to rashly leave Tianwu City, his fate might change, potentially affecting the national fortune and, by extension, the entire Great Qing.

For a sovereign to be unable to even see his own realm was truly absurd.

While Shen Muchen was the nominal Crown Prince, he was no longer Emperor Wu’s preferred choice for successor.

After the brief exchange, Shen Yian turned and noticed Ye Feng standing beside Ye Tiance.

Ye Feng was staring right at him.

‘So you’re the one who took away my precious daughter?’ Shen Yian instantly read the meaning in Ye Feng’s eyes.

When he had delivered the edict wearing a mask, he hadn’t felt anything, but now, being stared at made him inexplicably nervous. He awkwardly returned a smile.

Ye Feng frowned slightly. Why did Shen Yian look so familiar? Had he seen him somewhere before?

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!”

As the court session began, a civil official stepped out from the ranks, but before he could bow, Ye Feng’s voice was already heard.

“Your humble servant Ye Feng pays respects to Your Majesty!”

The civil official awkwardly returned to his place, feeling the strange gazes around him.

Ye Tiance, glancing this way, raised the corner of his mouth imperceptibly.

They were all old hands in the political arena. He knew these fellows were up to no good as soon as they stirred. 

Trying to make the first move? 

Hmph!

“Mm.”

After hearing Ye Feng’s report, Emperor Wu nodded, quite satisfied, and immediately announced rewards.

“Your Majesty, this subject has a matter to report!” The civil official stepped out again.

“Speak.”

“This subject believes…”

After a bunch of empty words, the summary was: Great Qing is currently at war with barbarians, Ye Feng should be guarding the northern frontier and should not have returned to court.

A military official stepped out, immediately accusing: “You dare question His Majesty?!”

The civil official, having anticipated this, directly took the moral high ground of national security and the welfare of the state, and began to criticize.

As expected, both sides began to argue, each sticking to their own views. The scene became quite chaotic.

Finally, Emperor Wu spoke up to stop the disorder, pacifying both sides with a few words and putting the matter to rest.

“Your Majesty, this subject has a matter to report!” A censor stepped forward.

“Speak.”

“This subject wishes to impeach His Highness the Fifth Prince!”