Early in the morning at the Ministry of Revenue, officials were busy with their duties. Feng Zhao’an was browsing through docunts when he overheard a few ministers whispering nearby.
"Have you heard? Last night, a murder occurred at Prince Shun’s Mansion. The victim was Master Grandmaster’s daughter. They say she was killed."
"Indeed, it even alard the Capital Governor. People from the Grandmaster Mansion went to stir up trouble at Prince Shun’s Mansion early this morning."
"With such a serious incident at Prince Shun’s Mansion, why hasn’t Prince Wu shown any reaction?"
Feng Zhao’an involuntarily set aside the docunts in his hand and looked over at Dugu Wu not far away.
Despite the grave incident at Prince Shun’s Mansion last night, Dugu Wu arrived at work as usual this morning, proceeding with his responsibilities in an orderly manner as if the murder case had no effect on him.
Dugu Wu, engrossed in his work, had a captivating charm that made it difficult for others to look away. Feng Zhao’an’s gaze beca increasingly blurred.
But whenever he rembered Dugu Wu’s aloofness towards him, Feng Zhao’an sighed lightly. At that mont, one of his subordinates handed him a docunt. Just as he opened it and read the first few lines, his otherwise calm expression subtly altered.
Feng Zhao’an hesitated a mont, then made an excuse to leave the Ministry of Revenue.
A palace maid dressed in court attire stood in a secluded part of the governnt office. She was a maid of Noble Consort Dugu.
"Mr. Feng, Noble Consort Dugu invites you to the Imperial Palace for a chat."
After the maid explained her purpose, Feng Zhao’an hesitated, his heart hanging in suspense.
Last night, Chu City had not just witnessed one case of murder. Besides the death of Nalan Chun, Feng Zhan Tian had also died.
Feng Zhao’an could never have imagined that his father, appearing so weak and feeble, would suddenly kill soone, thodically disposing of the body afterward.
Feng Zhanlian had warned him. The events of last night must absolutely not be disclosed.
The coachman who delivered Feng Zhan Tian had taken his money and left Chu City early.
Now, Noble Consort Dugu suddenly sent soone for him—could it be that Noble Consort Dugu had discovered sothing?
Feng Zhao’an was inwardly anxious, but he maintained a façade of humble compliance on his face.
He entered the Imperial Palace with the palace maid. With a low-status and having only recently returned to the capital, Feng Zhao’an had not yet had the opportunity to et Noble Consort Dugu.
However, as he moved through the governnt offices, he had already heard various rumors about Noble Consort Dugu. It was said that Noble Consort Dugu bore a strong resemblance to Lady Dugu, a figure shrouded in legend throughout the entire Imperial Palace.
Feng Zhao’an had long wanted to et Noble Consort Dugu. When he did, he was sowhat transfixed; the woman before him bore a resemblance to Dugu Wu, but she was sowhat more enchanting.
This was not to say that Noble Consort Dugu was more beautiful than Dugu Wu—just that Dugu Wu was often stone-faced, presenting an unapproachable, frosty deanor, while Noble Consort Dugu in front of him was enchanting and alluring, with a soft voice and a bright smile.
Feng Zhao’an quickly lowered his head, but Noble Consort Dugu was sizing him up.
"In my presence, Minister Feng doesn’t have to stand on ceremony. Do you know why I summoned you here today?"
Noble Consort Dugu’s voice was even more alluring.
"This subordinate is ignorant; please enlighten , Imperial Concubine."
Feng Zhao’an replied promptly, not daring to raise his head, for fear that Noble Consort Dugu might detect so slip.
For so reason, he felt a certain sense of dread in front of Noble Consort Dugu.
"In front of , you no longer need to pretend. Do you really think I’m unaware of last night’s murder of Feng Zhan Tian?"
Noble Consort Dugu chuckled softly.
Feng Zhao’an’s heart sank. His lips trembled slightly, but when he raised his head, there was only confusion on his face.
"Imperial Concubine, what are you talking about? What happened to my second uncle?"
Noble Consort Dugu’s eyebrows slightly rose, as her previous statent was rely a probe.
Last night, Feng Zhan Tian had disappeared. Noble Consort Dugu already knew about the ambiguous relationship between him and Aunt Xue, so she had soone investigate at Feng Mansion, yet they failed to discover Feng Zhan Tian’s whereabouts.
Instead, last night Feng Zhanlian had shone brightly at Dongfang Yong and his wife’s wedding ceremony, taking Noble Consort Dugu by surprise. She had summoned Feng Zhao’an to inquire about Feng Zhanlian’s situation.
"Let be clear with you. Whether Feng Zhan Tian is dead or alive, I couldn’t care less. He was nothing but a dog raised by . The only reason I was looking for him was because I had tasks for him to complete. Aside from that, whether he is dead or alive is of no concern to , nor will I pursue the matter. However, now that there is no one to handle the tasks I wish to be done, I am not pleased."
As she spoke, Noble Consort Dugu’s gaze was fixed on Feng Zhao’an.
It had to be said that the man before her was indeed talented. It’s no wonder that both Aunt Xue and Feng Zhanlian favored him so much, and even his sister Feng Xiangxue could hardly hide her sharpness.
Noble Consort Dugu narrowed her eyes slightly.
Hearing Noble Consort Dugu’s words, waves of shock coursed through Feng Zhao’an’s heart. He had not expected Noble Consort Dugu to be so blunt.
Yet he remained unwilling to speak carelessly. Feng Zhanlian had warned him that under no circumstances should the death of Feng Zhan Tian be revealed.
Moreover, the Feng Mansion should remain cautious and low-key these days, and Feng Zhanlian would even resign his official post and go to the Imperial Academy afterward.
Feng Zhanlian had also advised him to resign from his position at the Ministry of Revenue and avoid any association with the Crown Prince, Prince Wu, or any major forces in the palace.
But Feng Zhao’an felt that Feng Zhanlian had beco overly frightened, and he sowhat disapproved of his cousin’s actions. He was reluctant to give up his position at the Ministry of Revenue, not because of the title, but rather because of Prince Wu’s presence there.
"Imperial Concubine, I really don’t understand what you an. I truly do not know where my second uncle has gone."
Feng Zhao’an said quietly.
"Alright, let’s not talk about Feng Zhan Tian then."
Noble Consort Dugu commanded, as a palace maid brought out a box.
She took out the contents of the box and tossed them in front of Feng Zhao’an.
Upon closer inspection, Feng Zhao’an realized that these papers were actually land deeds.
"You should know that Feng Zhan Tian was helping manage the taverns and teahouses in the city. Since he has disappeared, these places have no one to oversee them. I find that you handle your affairs very reliably and you are quite shrewd, so I intend to entrust these matters to you. Rest assured, I will not treat you unfairly. If you manage this task well for , I will promote you to be the Minister of Revenue."
Feng Zhao’an did not imdiately agree, but instead asked nervously.
"If I were to beco the Minister of Revenue, what about Prince Wu?"
Noble Consort Dugu’s eyes lifted, scanning Feng Zhao’an with a hint of surprise. Feng Zhao’an had no reaction to the matter of his second uncle Feng Zhan Tian, yet his expression changed at the ntion of Dugu Wu.
Feng Zhao’an quickly realized his misstep and lowered his head.
"Please do not misunderstand, Imperial Concubine. I only feel that Prince Wu is quite capable. Under his managent, all the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue have been proceeding smoothly. I fear that I am not up to the task."
"It seems that you admire Dugu Wu. However, I warn you, when you work for , avoid ddling in unrelated matters. The affairs of Dugu Wu are not your concern. Because soon enough, there will no longer be a person nad Dugu Wu in Chu City."
Noble Consort Dugu said coldly.
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