Chapter 1232: Smoke and Fire Rise 43

be happy."Feng Lingxi hurriedly poured a cup of tea for Empress Cen, "Empress Dowager, have some tea to moisten your throat."The Empress Dowager Cen watched her pouring water and took the cup, drinki...Lu Nianping regained his composure and apologized, "I'm sorry. I was just a little too excited. I really treated you like my sister, causing the Crown Princess to laugh at me."

But she was her own flesh and blood. Lu Nian looked at Feng Lingxi's gentle expression, longing to confirm their relationship. Hearing that she was injured, he was so angry that he wished he could obliterate the Yan Fei who had hurt her. If it weren't for her quick death, he would have killed her himself.

The Lu family aren't people to be bullied.

"Young Master Lu, you understand. I'm fine now, nothing serious. You may return now."

Lu Nian nodded. “Then I’ll go first. Take care of yourselves, and I’ll find out about your identity as soon as possible. If you’re not my real sister, I won’t bother you.”

Feng Lingxi nodded, and only then did Lu Nian flip over the wall and leave.

"This Lu Nian is quite protective of his own."

Feng Ling sighed, "If I really had a brother like that, how wonderful it would be. But she doesn't even know who her own father is. Her mother disappeared years ago and hasn't been seen since. She dares to dream about these things even more."

Dugu City looked at Feng Lingxi's slightly pale face, his eyes filled with worry.

"Xier, how are you feeling now"

"I'm fine, we should get going too."

Feng Lingxi looked at Wan'er beside her and instructed, "You stay with your father later, don't get lost."

Now she can't guarantee Wan'er's safety.

This time entering the palace, I definitely couldn't bring Xiao Li and Ye Xi with me. So, I could only rely on Dugu City to take care of Wan'er.

"Don't worry, Xier. Today I'm going into the palace with Ye Xi and Xiao Li to take care of Wan'er. Nothing will happen."

He has to take care of Xi'er, she can't get hurt with her current body.

"Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, can I bring them"

"Why not The courtiers still bring their families and maidservants, why can't I"

This time entering the palace for a banquet, the Emperor will make arrangements, and yesterday's incident won't happen again. His empire was hard-won, he wouldn't be foolish like Dugu Xiu, destroying his own empire.

Feng Lingxi and Dugu City arrived at the palace in a carriage. Civil and military officials had already arrived and presented gifts to the empress dowager. After that, they gathered in groups of three or five in various gardens of the imperial garden. The entire palace was brightly lit and decorated, bustling with activity.

When Dugu Cheng and Feng Lingxi arrived at the palace, all the civil and military officials saw them and immediately backed away as if they had seen a plague. They knew there was no profit to be gained, so they kept their distance.

Feng Lingxi glanced at Dugu Cheng, seeing that he was unharmed. She felt a pang of sympathy for him.

"After paying our respects to the Empress Dowager according to protocol, we will return."

"Are you angry"

Feng Lingxi, hearing Dugu Cheng's words, looked at the civil and military officials who kept their distance with respect. She explained, "You are only a prince stationed on the border now. It is understandable that they would treat you this way."

"How they treat me, I don't care. I only worry about your injuries. Your arm is deeply wounded; I'm afraid if you move around, someone might bump into you and tear the wound open. If it were to split, this king would be heartbroken."

In this situation, there's not much point in staying.

Dugu Cheng tightly grasped Feng Ling Xi's wrist, his eyes scanning the surrounding people with a sharp gaze. His face was cold and unapproachable, giving off an air of danger that kept everyone at bay. News of yesterday's events had already spread far and wide, and now everyone knew about Feng Ling Xi's injuries.

"Your Highness, Prince Chen."

Yu Wang Dugu Yu shouted, quickly catching up to their steps. Dugu Cheng stopped and turned to look at him.

"My younger brother has met the illustrious King."

Yu Wang looked at Feng Ling Xi beside Dugu Cheng, and inquired with concern, "How is the princess of the Chen dynasty doing"

Feng Lingxi nodded, "Many thanks to Your Majesty for your concern. I am well."

"Very well."

King Yu's gaze fell on Feng Lingxi's right arm, and seeing Dugu City's tense expression, he understood, "Your Highness Prince Chen, if Princess Chen is unwell, just say so, there is no need to hide it."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Royal Highness."

Dugu Cheng said thanks, looking at Yu Wangchao and made a gesture of invitation before going in first.

Feng Lingxi could still tell about King Yù's attitude. Now that they were each kings, King Yù had stayed in the capital for some time. During this period, his power grew rapidly, making him a lot more arrogant.

"Xier, let's go in."

Dugu Cheng tightened his grip on Feng Lingxi's wrist and whispered, "Don't mind what they say. We're here today to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday, just be yourselves."

Wind Ling gave a soft hum in response, while Dugu City's steps were slow and measured, constantly keeping an eye on her well-being.

Today, if it weren't for the Empress Dowager's birthday, he absolutely would not have allowed her to enter the palace to celebrate. Xier's face was painted with rouge but it couldn't hide the paleness. Although Xier said she could hold on, he was still worried.

The Empress Dowager received the congratulations of the officials in the court hall, but her eyes were always fixed on outside the palace. She hadn't seen Cheng'er and Xi'er come to celebrate her birthday, and her eyes were almost about to pop out of their sockets with anticipation.

As soon as she thought about yesterday's events, her heart felt uneasy.

Although Xi'er woke up, she was truly angry about yesterday's events, but also very helpless.

The Emperor has already executed Empress Yan and her maidservant. Everyone present has also been punished. The Emperor's treatment is already sufficient; if she is still not satisfied, it would make her appear as a tyrannical Empress who disrespects the Emperor.

"The Duke arrives."

Accompanied by Zhao Gonggong's proclamation, Wang Yu walked into the hall. Two guards followed him, each holding a box in their hands. They bowed and said, "Your Majesty, long live the Emperor! Your Majesty, long live the Empress Dowager!"

"Rise, Your Majesty."

Emperor Yuan Zhao looked at Empress Shu's smile, the hope in her eyes exposing her thoughts.

"Your Majesty, this is the birthday gift I have prepared for you. Nine Heavenly Mountain Snow Lilies, wishing your good fortune to flourish like the East Sea and your life span to be as long as Mount Nan."

Upon hearing of the nine Heavenly Mountain Snow Lilies, Emperor Yuan Zhao's eyes showed obvious surprise. This Duke bestowing Wang had always been able to obtain these extremely precious Heavenly Mountain Snow Lilies, and this time he presented nine, a very auspicious meaning, truly a thoughtful gesture.

"The King has a good heart."

Empress Shu stared at the nine celestial Snow Lilies from Tian Shan, an idea forming in her heart.

"King Chen, Crown Princess Chen, Miss Wan has arrived!"

The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up obviously, and her joy was hard to contain. Emperor Yuan Zhao and Prince Yu looked at the Empress Dowager's eyes and immediately understood.

As the Empress Dowager's biological son, this Prince of This Era surely is her beloved. Why wouldn't she favor him

Now, she is the Empress Dowager of the Yuan Dynasty. If the Emperor were to meet with misfortune, the most likely candidate to ascend the throne would be Prince Chen. Because of this, both Emperor Yuan Zhao and Prince Yu harbored their own ambitions.

Du Gucheng held Feng Lingxi's wrist and didn't let go until they reached the palace steps. Then, he released her hand and led Wan'er forward to pay their respects.

"Your Majesty, I (Your Majesty), pay my respects."

"Greetings, Prince Chen and Princess Chen."

Emperor Yuan Zhao looked at Feng Lingxi's right arm. Although she had put on rouge, her face was still pale and it was clear that she wasn't doing well.

"Your Majesty, upon my arrival in the capital this time, all the tribute gifts remain outside the palace. They are nothing precious, I humbly request that Your Majesty accept them."r if the news of her coming out will reach Yu Mo's ears this time. That way, she could see him too.""Can you do me a favor"Feng Ling hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth, "I want to ask you...