Feng Liyan spoke gently, but Bai Qingyue clearly felt the threat within his words. If she refused, he would likely find other ways to send her these "gifts."
Bai Qingyue offered a perfect smile and replied, "Since it is His Highness's kind intention, I, Qingyue, should naturally not refuse! Then I shall trouble His Highness to send the items to my manor."
Feng Liyan smiled with satisfaction, turned, and bid farewell to Bai Yulin, "Since the gifts have been delivered, this prince must also pay a visit to the palace! I shall not linger any longer."
Bai Yulin rose to see him off, "Your Highness is busy with official duties, there was no need to make a special trip."
Feng Liyan shook his head and looked affectionately at Bai Qingyue. "Although that is so, I have not seen Qingyue for several months and have missed her dearly."
Bai Qingyue was utterly disgusted. *Bah, he's just trying to leverage the Prime Minister's influence, does he need to act so affectionate?*
Xing Yuan's eyes flickered with a dark light. She had originally planned to give him a quick death, but now it seemed he wouldn't be allowed to die too comfortably.
After seeing off the Second Prince, Bai Qingyue couldn't help but complain to Xing Yuan, "Who is he putting on that act for? Everyone in the capital knows he wants to marry me only to gain the support of the Prime Minister's manor. He must be bored."
Xing Yuan echoed her indignation, further increasing Bai Qingyue's favorability.
When the night was deep and quiet, Xing Yuan, after confirming her elder sister had indeed fallen asleep, secretly left the manor once more.
"Money for goods! What, do you intend to renege?" Xing Yuan, wearing a bamboo hat, stared unpleasantly at the middle-aged man before her.
The middle-aged man sensed the man's powerful internal energy and abandoned his previous thought of killing for treasure. He couldn't win!
So, with a fawning smile, he said, "How could that be? You are our major client! It's just... that item is difficult to procure. Please come back in two days to collect it!"
Xing Yuan released a hint of killing intent, warning the man. "Fine! Remember this, if I don't get the item in three days, or if you dare to try and trick me with a fake, your life will be forfeit."
"Naturally! Naturally! We have always been sincere," the middle-aged man said, taking the deposit and pushing back the other banknotes.
Xing Yuan picked up the item and used her Qinggong. Shortly after leaving, she sensed people sent by Wanbao Zhai following her. She didn't look back, instead increasing her speed and quickly shaking off the pursuers. To prevent any accidents, she even deliberately circled the capital once more before returning to the Prime Minister's manor.
If it weren't for the current sensitive period, where killing would easily expose her identity, making it difficult to find someone else to take the blame, she would not have tolerated a group of fleas testing her. Every assassin had their own killing habits. As the number one ranked assassin on the martial world's wanted list, once she made a move, capable individuals would naturally recognize the perpetrator.
Meanwhile, Feng Liyan, after leaving the Prime Minister's manor, went directly to the palace.
"Your humble son pays his respects to Father!"
The Emperor sat in his study, a hint of joy in his expression. "Rise quickly! Ah Yan has worked hard during the recent disaster relief."
As the most powerful person in the Fengyuan Dynasty, Feng Liyan had not deliberately concealed his movements. The Emperor was naturally aware of what his son had been doing. While not perfect, it was largely without fault, and the Emperor was satisfied.
"It is my honor to share Father's burdens, Your Majesty!" Feng Liyan replied respectfully, displaying filial devotion on his face.
The Emperor, in good spirits, generously said, "Haha! Ah Yan, you have done well in this matter. If you desire any reward, do not hesitate to ask your Father."
"This is my duty, how dare I ask Father for a reward!" Regardless of his thoughts, Feng Liyan dared not directly ask.
The Emperor pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Very well! Then let this matter be raised at tomorrow's morning court!"
"Ah Yan, you haven't seen your mother yet, have you? Your mother has been missing you dearly these past few days! I grant you permission to go see her." After discussing official matters, the Emperor began to dismiss him.
"Yes! Your humble son takes his leave!" Feng Liyan was long accustomed to the Emperor's dismissive attitude. He did not treat any of his sons with particular kindness.
Feng Liyan's maternal family held military power, and the Emperor harbored some apprehension towards him. Therefore, although Feng Liyan's mother was conferred the title of Hua Fei (Consort Hua), she actually held little power in the palace, which was a means of control for the Emperor.
As soon as he entered Huarong Palace, where Consort Hua resided, she dismissed the servants and immediately examined her son closely.
Consort Hua's expression was anxious. "I heard Ah Yan encountered assassins on the road. Quick, let Mother see if you are injured anywhere!"
"Mother, please rest assured! I am unharmed! I brought so many hidden guards, those assassins couldn't get close," Feng Liyan said with a smile, his eyes holding genuine tenderness.
"That's good then!" Consort Hua patted her chest, appearing to be in lingering fear. "I was terrified when the news first reached the palace."
"Ah Yan, you are Mother's only hope. Only when you ascend to that position can you protect your life and the lives of your maternal grandfather's entire family."
The smile on Feng Liyan's lips stiffened. He was enraged by his own earlier emotion, his eyes revealing sarcasm. *Yes, how could I forget? In this woman's eyes, her own family has always been the most important. Even I, who shouldn't have existed, was kept for the sake of her family.*
Feng Liyan's expression turned indifferent. "I know!"
Consort Hua gave a weak smile, realizing her reaction had been a bit too intense. She immediately softened her tone and earnestly advised, "Mother is only doing this for your own good. If the matter is exposed, it will be a crime punishable by the extermination of the entire clan.
Feng Liyan closed his eyes, exerting great effort to conceal the resentment in his eyes. "I know, Mother's actions are all for me. Ah Yan will be grateful in the future." His voice seemed to be squeezed through his teeth, filled with bone-chilling hatred.
Consort Hua, having survived in the palace for so many years, was certainly not a naive fool. How could she not know the resentment in her son's heart? If she had a choice, she wouldn't push him so hard, but the reality was that the Empress was likely already investigating some matters, and she didn't have much time.
"Since Mother has seen your son, there should be no other issues. Your son will take his leave now." Feng Liyan finished speaking, not wanting to stay a moment longer, and turned to leave.
Consort Hua watched her son's disappearing back and sank to the ground powerlessly, sobbing softly. She was forced into the palace in her youth, and later forced to make those choices. Were any of these what she truly desired? Why couldn't any of them understand her?