Xiao Wanzi, upon hearing that the Emperor intended to leave the palace, immediately knelt down and pleaded, "Your Majesty, you must take care of your imperial health. Absolutely do not leave the palace. Outside the palace, there are all sorts of malicious people. Your Majesty should reconsider."
Feng Xie, listening to Xiao Wanzi's words, spoke with a cold expression, "Are you not going to prepare a set of plain clothes for Us? If you speak again, We will cut out your tongue." Xiao Wanzi quickly covered his mouth and fled in fright to prepare the Emperor's plain clothes.
Feng Xie, accompanied by his personal eunuch and two trusted subordinates, left the imperial palace and casually walked along the bustling streets of the capital. Listening to the cries of the vendors, a trace of pride arose in his heart.
His sleepless efforts over the past two years had finally paid off. Everywhere was filled with peace and prosperity. However, he could not relax, for any lapse in vigilance could ruin all his previous efforts.
"Master, where are we going now?" Xiao Wanzi pouted, originally intending to call him Emperor, but remembering the Emperor's warning, he quickly changed his address.
"Ri Ying, let's find a teahouse to sit in?" Feng Xie's deep, magnetic voice carried a charm like aged wine.
"Yes, Master." Ri Ying clasped his sword to his chest and scanned his surroundings. There was a teahouse not far ahead. He quickly reported respectfully, "Master, there's a teahouse ahead. Master, why don't you go and sit there?"
Feng Xie fanned himself, walking forward with elegant grace. Along the way, he attracted countless admiring glances from women who stared at him intently, secretly guessing whose noble son this handsome man might be.
His natural noble aura, and even the imposing presence of his subordinates behind him, inspired awe, making people only dare to observe them stealthily.
Feng Xie entered the teahouse and looked up at the ancient wooden sign where several large characters were written in a flowing calligraphy: "Clear Breeze Teahouse." The characters on the sign were entwined with vines, subtly exuding the aroma of tea. It was indeed a fine establishment.
The waiter at the door, upon seeing these distinguished guests, immediately greeted them with a face full of smiles and reverence.
"Would you four esteemed guests like some tea? Please come in."
Ri Ying stepped forward, his body rigid, startling the waiter. The waiter quickly retreated two steps, cautiously observing the man before him. What did this man intend? Ri Ying spoke in a deep voice, "Do you still have private rooms in your establishment?"
Ri Ying asked in a deep voice, "Do you still have private rooms in this establishment?"
The waiter's face immediately lit up with a smile as he nodded and gestured for the four guests to enter, having forgotten his earlier apprehension. Guests were always welcome.
"Esteemed guests, please come in. We have private rooms on the second floor."
The four followed the waiter inside. Feng Xie lazily fanned himself with his sandalwood fan, looking exceptionally charming and handsome.
Coupled with the sparkle in his eyes, he drew the attention of everyone in the teahouse. Any female patrons immediately gazed at him with admiration. Feng Xie's lips curved into a faint smile, his white phoenix robe making his features appear as picturesque as a painting.
Ri Ying and Yue Ying behind him, displeased by their master's display, cast cold glares at the surrounding people. Their fierce gazes, like those of hungry wolves, startled the teahouse patrons below, who all turned away and began conversing amongst themselves.
The waiter, smiling, led Feng Xie and his party upstairs. As they reached a corner, they suddenly heard voices from downstairs growing louder. Clear words reached Feng Xie's ears without a single word missing.
"Do you know? I heard that Prime Minister Liu's ugly daughter refused to enter the palace. Do you think His Majesty has some kind of problem?" a sharp voice exclaimed.
Feng Xie immediately stopped, his expression turning dark and displeased. The brilliant light in his eyes was instantly replaced by a chilling coldness, like millennia of frozen ice.
"That can't be right. I heard our Emperor is both handsome and incredibly intelligent. How could he have a problem?" another doubtful voice chimed in.
The previous man spoke again.
"How could it not be? If His Majesty truly had no problems, why would that ugly daughter refuse to enter the palace? Not to mention her, but which daughter in this entire capital doesn't want to enter the palace? Yet, only that ugly woman refuses. You must know that His Majesty is her cousin, so she must know if His Majesty has any hidden ailments, which is why she refuses to enter the palace."
As soon as this man finished speaking, everyone downstairs burst into laughter. Although they didn't entirely believe this man's words, the fact that the Liu family's daughter had eloped was true. If the Emperor were truly so wonderful, wouldn't Miss Liu the Second be laughing herself to sleep?
She would have entered the palace as a woman no one wanted, causing countless women to resent her to death! Yet, she simply refused to enter the palace and had even run away from home. How could you say the Emperor had no problems at all?
Feng Xie's handsome face had lost its earlier playfulness. A murderous glint flashed in his narrow peach-blossom eyes. He turned, preparing to go downstairs and deal with those commoners who dared to slander the Emperor. Ri Ying and Yue Ying quickly stepped in front of the Emperor.
"Master, please endure it for now. These people are merely repeating rumors. What do they know?"
Feng Xie gazed down below, his eyes glinting with cold light. His deep, magnetic voice opened coldly, "Liu Liu, I'm not finished with you." He strode forward, following the waiter upstairs.
The waiter, trembling with fear, led the way. He didn't understand why the esteemed guest, who had been so cheerful moments ago, was now emanating an aura as if he had gunpowder buried inside him. He had to be careful.
The waiter led Feng Xie and his party into a private room on the second floor by the window. The open window faced the street, and a cool breeze wafted in. Feng Xie took large, gasping breaths.
Ri Ying and Yue Ying stood respectfully by. Xiao Wanzi didn't even dare to breathe. The Emperor's face turned green, then red, then white, clearly being extremely angered. Xiao Wanzi dared not say another word.
The waiter cautiously asked them to wait a moment and then withdrew, closing the door to the private room. Feng Xie's cold face suddenly erupted. He struck the table heavily with his hand, and with a cracking sound, the rectangular table split open. His cold voice rang out.
"Listen to what they're saying outside! How can these uncivilized people speak of Us like this? It's too detestable!"
Xiao Wanzi quickly and cautiously spoke to comfort Feng Xie, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. It's not worth damaging your health. It's best to find Miss Liu the Second and return to the palace as soon as possible." Xiao Wanzi's heart was in his mouth every moment. The Emperor was of such precious health, how could he leave the palace so casually? The Empress Dowager had repeatedly emphasized to him.
She had forbidden the Emperor from leaving the palace privately, fearing that remnants of the old court might seek revenge on the Emperor. The entire Tian Feng Dynasty depended on the Emperor.
"Those are all small-minded people. Why should Your Majesty get angry with them?" Ri Ying still stood with his sword clasped to his chest, his expression unchanging, and advised the Emperor calmly. The Emperor had always been calm and self-possessed; this was truly out of character.
Feng Xie, hearing Ri Ying's words, regained some composure. He realized he had truly been driven mad by that damnable woman. These people were merely commoners; what did they know? What was hateful was the prime culprit. He had to find her.
Let her enter the palace. Yes, let her enter the imperial selection at the advanced age of twenty. That would just silence these venomous mouths. That woman could just live out her days in the deep palace, and she shouldn't expect him to even glance at her.
Emperor Feng Xie plotted coldly in his heart, his entire being shrouded in murderous intent. This was Liu Liu's own doing.
Silence fell upon the private room. Two knocks sounded on the door. The waiter's cautious voice came through, "Is the tea and pastries here, young master?"
Feng Xie did not reply. He waved his hand, his face turned towards the street outside the window. Xiao Wanzi quickly opened the door, letting the waiter in. The private room was immediately filled with the faint, pleasant aroma of tea.
The waiter placed the teapot and white jade tea caddy, and then arranged several plates of pastries. He stood by, awaiting instructions.
Xiao Wanzi waved the waiter away, indicating that he would handle everything here.
The waiter was eager to leave the private room. He glanced at the deep crack on the table, already trembling with fear. The surrounding cold aura made people feel uneasy and apprehensive. He quickly walked out and closed the door.
Xiao Wanzi carefully took out a silver needle to test the tea for poison. Once he confirmed the tea was not poisoned, he carefully poured a cup of fragrant tea and offered it to the Emperor.
Seeing that the Emperor had not recovered his senses for a long time, Xiao Wanzi curiously followed the Emperor's gaze towards the street.