The mont I thought of the underground array formation, it felt like finding the key thread when unraveling a cocoon!
If neither Feng Xiyue nor Feng Jiu was lying, then the only explanation that makes sense is that both of them were put on a carriage, and afterward, were sent into the tunnels and dispatched to different locations through those underground array formations.
Thus, Feng Xiyue appeared on the outskirts of the Capital City, while Feng Jiu ended up in the wild mountains outside Yongzhou City...
"Are you talking about Liu Yankang? Impossible."
Su Pan’er shook her head in denial!
Though Liu Yankang was her "Su Pan’er’s" biological father, Su Pan’er always had an aversion towards him. Liu Yankang was rigid, an, and carried the haughty temperant of an offspring of aristocratic families. Flatteringly, it could be called pride; bluntly, it was "like watching people through the crack of a door, with eyes always seeming to be at the top of the head!"
A person like him might be suitable to run errands, but to say he was the leader of the mysterious organization, Su Pan’er was the first one not to believe it!
With Liu Yankang holding Feng Jiu’s indenture going to Qin Hong, if he indeed were the leader of that mysterious organization, he could simply let his underlings make the trip without exposing himself. On the contrary, he personally took charge and led people.
What Su Pan’er couldn’t figure out was, why Liu Yankang took Feng Xiyue and Feng Jiu away, only to leave them at the farm without any further action? What was the reason?
"How did you enter the palace?"
Since Feng Xiyue was in a farm on the outskirts of Shengjing, how did she appear in the palace?
"It was..."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Feng Xiyue’s mouth, and her eyes cast downward to hide the glimr within: "Lord Liu took to seek Old General Cheng. As for what was specifically discussed, your servant doesn’t know. Nevertheless, your servant was left behind. Later, I entered the palace with others."
No wonder!
So it turned out that Liu Yankang took Old Cheng’s route. Su Pan’er understood.
Imdiately, Su Pan’er also recalled another pressing matter.
"Has your father’s injustice been redressed yet?"
Upon ntioning this, Night Tide Moon’s face imdiately showed more life. She swiftly raised her head, then thumped onto the ground, bowing deeply three tis.
"Empress, I humbly ask the Empress to vindicate my father’s false charges, allowing the hundreds in the Feng family to rest peacefully below. I, Feng Xiyue, am willing to face a thousand deaths without any regrets!"
"Stop bowing, get up first."
Su Pan’er waved her hand, signaling Jiu Lan to help Feng Xiyue up: "The matter concerning Lord Feng is tied to the forr emperor and the Imperial Family’s secrets. Even if His Majesty wishes to help you, this matter is not so easily resolved, you must be prepared!"
"Your servant understands!"
Feng Xiyue said resolutely: "From the mont Xiyue stepped onto the path of exonerating my father, Xiyue has understood how difficult this matter is! Even if it costs Xiyue’s life, Xiyue is willing to spare no expense!"
"Good! Rember what you said today."
Su Pan’er was quite satisfied with Feng Xiyue’s attitude.
Afterward, she inquired about the current situation of Feng Jiu and indirectly probed about Su Ke. Seeing that Feng Xiyue knew very little about these matters, she waved her hand, signaling her to leave.
"What do you think, can we make use of this Feng Xiyue?"
Suddenly, Su Pan’er asked Jiu Lan, who had been following by her side.
Jiu Lan clearly hadn’t expected the Empress to question her, and the surprise on her face flickered for a mont before she quickly regained her usual composure.
Her thoughts raced, "Replying to the Empress, this servant dares to speak only if the Empress forgives her innocence."
"I deem you innocent, so speak!"
Su Pan’er picked up the iced lotus seed soup and began to eat it in an unhurried manner.
"Empress, this servant noticed that the words of "Feng Gui Ren" just now were earnest, and she did not seem to be feigning. However, there seed to be so deceit and concealnt in her words. This servant does not know "Feng Gui Ren" personally, and thus does not dare to speculate further."
"Hmm."
Su Pan’er took a bite of the iced lotus seed soup, nodded indifferently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
This Feng Xiyue was not an easy person to deal with. But she knew how to read the room.
She was sent to Qin Yi by Old Cheng, yet she hadn’t taken the initiative to et Qin Yi for such a long ti; she must have had her considerations.
Then there was Feng Jiu, the boy’s stubborn face seed to hover before Su Pan’er, yet that sa stubborn boy managed to find out Ke’er’s whereabouts under Liu Yankang’s watch, entrusted soone with a ssage to Ke’er, successfully escaped from Liu Zikang’s clutches, and entered into Ke’er’s line of sight.
If people were to say he was without sches, probably no one would believe them!
Yet, at this mont, whether close to her or to Ke’er, they needed people loyal to them to handle their affairs, and Feng Xiyue and Feng Jiu were the top candidates.
Worried about Ke’er’s situation, and thinking about the investigation she had arranged for Su Ke to conduct, Su Pan’er decided to put these thoughts aside for the mont, wondering if she should leave the palace for a walk tomorrow?
Qin Yi had dealt with state affairs exceptionally early today and returned to the Imperial Harem’s Palace. Unexpectedly, upon entering, he saw Su Pan’er lost in thought.
"Pan’er, what are you pondering so deeply about?"
"Your Majesty, you’re back early today!"
Startled, Su Pan’er’s face broke into a look of joy as she quickly stood to pay respects, only to be held up by Qin Yi.
"It’s quite early indeed, but I made a point of returning early to accompany you."
Qin Yi feigned indignation, "We’re old spouses now, and within the palace walls without outsiders present, there’s no need for such formalities. It makes feel sowhat uncomfortable."
"Tradition should not be neglected! ’A small hole not nded in ti will sink a great ship,’ so goes the saying—it explains everything!"
Su Pan’er insisted on bowing, "Although we are within the Imperial Harem’s Palace now, there are people both inside and outside the palace walls. If soone lets slip, those ministers would yet again raise an issue against Pan’er, claiming I bring disaster to the state!"
"Disaster to the state? You? Pfft, how could that be possible!"
Qin Yi appeared incredulous, "Over the years, you have combated the plague, researched new thods for planting beans to benefit future generations, actively developed Thunderbolt Bombs and Guns, and secured provisions and pay for the military. Moreover, you discovered that... that underground paved passageway. Any one of these accomplishnts alone would have made a man a great hero of Our Great Zhou Dynasty. You, as the mother of our nation, are truly deserving! If anyone dares to say you bring disaster to the state, I’ll be the first to not let them off!"
His words ward Su Pan’er’s heart deeply.
She hadn’t done these things for the sake of being rembered for her achievents. Her real aim was to improve their way of life and to change their living environnt—not for fa or to leave her na in history, but to be true to her conscience!
"Only you have such a way with words."
With a sideways glance at Qin Yi, Su Pan’er moved closer to him, "Yi, I’m thinking of leaving the palace for a stroll tomorrow. It would be better than spending the whole day cooped up here with idle thoughts."
"Leaving the palace tomorrow? That’s perfect; I have nothing scheduled for tomorrow. I’ll accompany you. We’ll have a good day out and I’ll show you the beauty of Our Great Zhou!"
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